Coach Spotlight: Ashley Breland

Q: What was your favorite thing about coaching the softball girls this past year?
A: My favorite part about coaching was being able to teach an awesome group of girls not only how to play the game but to love the game.

Q: Do you plan on coaching next year and what made you want to coach this year?

A: Yes I plan on coaching next year. I wanted to coach this year because I absolutely love this game. I have missed softball so much and to be able to come back to the high school that I graduated from and take the field as a coach was one of the most rewarding things I have ever done and I am forever grateful for the opportunity.

Q: This past season, who influenced the team the most and why?

A: I believe the better question would be who did not influence the team because everyone brought something to the plate and contributed to the team in some way, regardless of their position or status. With out each player on the field and in the dugout we would not have been as successful.

Q: When you were younger, could you have seen yourself as a softball coach? 

A:Yes!! From the time I was playing little league I knew that I never wanted to leave this game. My whole life has revolved around softball and I could not imagine living life without this game.

Q: What are your best memories and what will you miss the most about last season?

A: One of my favorite memories is the practice where we made a slip and slide and learned how to slide. That was definitely the most fun practice we had all season. Another one of my favorite memories is from the Manchester game because there were two outs made by putting Manchester in rundowns. One was between second base and third base (Aneesha, Brittany and Julia) and the other was between third base and home (Brittany and Chloe) The girls executed the plays with finesse and it was at that moment that I felt absolutely successful because we spent about half a practice working on that and to see them put what I taught them into action was one of the most rewarding times of my life. There are about a million more memories I could tell you about but I will just end this by saying I could not have asked for a better group of girls to have my very first year coaching at this level.

Brittany Church,

Editor

Coach Spotlight

Interview with Coach Kemp

I recently did an interview on your 2015-2016 Head football coach  Josh Kemp. Here's what he had to say:

Q: What are you looking forward to this year?

A: For us to advance in the playoffs and of course win region, but most importantly to see the kids grow and continue to get better each game and each practice.

Q: What is different about this year than last year, considering that you lost some valuable players last year?

A: The boys have definitely stepped up and have committed themselves to the weight room for the team to get stronger. The team is  definitely making up for the people the we have lost.

Q: Who influences you on the team the most? Why?

A: CJ Afoa, he's a tremendous leader, and his work ethic is just infectious. He not only strives for the best in himself but the best in others.

Q: When did you know you wanted to be a coach?

A: I blew my knee out and I knew I was done playing. One day I was out turkey hunting and it hit me that, although I couldn't play, I still wanted to teach others about the sport I love.

Kaliyah Harvey,
Editor

Coach Spotlight

Interview with Coach Colter

Recently, I interviewed our 2015-2016 Offensive-line football coach, Scott Colter. Here's what he had to say:

Q: What is your favorite thing about being a coach?
A: I love the feeling on Friday nights, with the lights on, the fans screaming, the boys' attitudes... The whole Friday night atmosphere is why I love it so much.

Q: What are some things you would change, if you had the power to?
A: Actually, nothing. We are progressing in a way that we need to right now. It just takes time; we are on the right track.

Q: What are you most looking forward to this year?
A: How our guys will progress and how far they'll get, in terms of their ability to play well. I'm excited to see how we develop and to see if we can get farther in the playoffs this year.

Q: In your opinion, who on the team has the most impact?
A: Definitely C.J. Afoa. When he is playing well, has a good attitude, and is in the right state of mind, he most definitely can change how our team is playing. I see him at lunch, and he can always sit with anyone in the school. He is a really good guy.

Q: When did you realize you wanted to be a coach?
A: As a kid, I was always the one on the team helping out the other players. Even as a small child, I would help teach a friend of mine with any kind of sport.

Q: What is different about this year compared to the last?
A: Our team has matured a whole lot. The experiences we've had when we were younger have really helped us improve.

Brittany Church,

Editor