WATERTOWN, S.D. — The ties in the basketball coaching world between Watertown and Aberdeen have always been tightly knit, and that remains true this season.
Colton McClemans, a 2018 Watertown High School graduate, was named the head coach of the Aberdeen Central Golden Eagles this past fall. He stepped into the shoes of Brent Norberg, who led the program for two decades. The Norberg coaching name carries weight in Watertown; Brent’s brother, Brian, stepped down in 2018 after coaching Arrows basketball for 15 years.
Now, Colton finds himself coaching against a familiar face on the opposite sideline: his father, Pat McClemans. Pat, a storied coach who led the Watertown girls to a Class AA title in 2009 before taking over the boys’ program in 2022, has watched his son grow up in the “coaching life.”
“He knows enough about it, whether it was his mom coaching track or me coaching basketball in Watertown,” Pat McClemans said. “He’s seen the coaching life and the goods and the bads in both. He wanted to experience that.”
When it comes to developing his X’s and O’s, the younger McClemans is able to look outside the family for mentorship.
“Dawn Seiler is his athletic director,” McClemans said. “He’s got people up there that are a lot smarter than I am in regards to coaching and how to become successful. He will be just fine without having to talk to his dad much.”
Watertown and Aberdeen Central both compete in the Eastern South Dakota Conference, meaning the Arrows will face the Golden Eagles twice a year. The first father-son faceoff took place in Aberdeen on Jan. 13, and the veteran came out on top. Pat’s Arrows secured a 59-45 victory over Colton’s Golden Eagles. Colton’s brother, Jackson, played a pivotal role in the Watertown win, contributing 14 points and six rebounds.
While the coaches and players focus on the game plan, the real pressure falls on the family members in the stands—specifically Colton’s mother, Patty.
“I think if it’s bad for anybody, it’s probably bad for Patty,” Pat joked. “She has a husband and a son still playing for Watertown and a son that is coaching Aberdeen. She will have a tougher time with it, maybe, than most.”
The McClemans family won’t have to wait long for the sequel. The rematch is set for Feb. 17 at the Watertown Civic Arena.
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