|
|
|
Kendrick Davis named WCHS boys hoops coach
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kendrick Davis
|
|
|
|
|
By Paul Keane
Kendrick Davis has been named as the new Head Basketball Coach at Wayne County High School, taking over for Ron Norman, who left the school to take a similar position at Pascagoula High School.
The hiring of Davis was approved by the Wayne County Board of Education Monday night, and the former WCHS star met with players and staff Tuesday afternoon. Davis played at WCHS, helping the War Eagles win a South State Championship in 1995.
He then played at Southern University in Baton Rouge, La., on a basketball scholarship, earning his degree in 2000 and then serving as a graduate assistant from 200-2001.
He then served as the head coach at Istrouma Middle School Magnet in Baton Rouge while also serving as an assistant at Istrouma High School from 2001-2033. He later moved to Baker High School in Baton Rouge, serving as head coach from 2003-2005, before taking a teaching only position at Germantown Middle School in Tennessee.
He then moved to Clarke County, Ala., High School in Grove Hill, taking the team to the State Final Four in the 2006-07 season. That same year, he was named Coach of the Year in the state for Class 3A, won the 3A Area 1 title and the South Regional Championship.
In 2007-2008, his team played for the 3A state title, finishing as runner up. In 2001, his team again played for a state title and again finished as runner-up. Davis has compiled a 152-56 record at Clarke County.
"I'm excited about this," Davis said. "This is a very good opportunity for me and my family. Wayne County has been a place that has given me so much, and now I have a chance to give something back."
Davis takes over for Norman, who played four the state title twice (winning it once) and reached the state tournament three of the six years he coached at WCHS.
"I love challenges," Davis said. "I welcome the chance to follow Coach Norman and all his success. He's really done some great things here, and I hope to build upon that. I've been following Wayne County High School ever since I moved to Grove Hill, so I am familiar with all that Coach Norman accomplished here."
Davis said he also hopes to serve as an example of what a person from Wayne County can accomplish in the world if they take care of business.
"My main focus is going to be on academics," he said. "I want to make sure all of my players are eligible and qualified to attend a Division I school and hopefully play there.
"I am a living testimony that kids from Wayne County can go out and be successful. I believe I was the first basketball player from Wayne County High School to sign with a Division I school, and I want to serve as a testament to the fact that it can be done. I really feel I can be an inspiration to my players and to other students at the school."
Davis said fans will see a similar style of basketball as what they have grown accustomed to over the past six seasons.
"My style is pretty much the same as Coach Norman's," he said. "I'm a big believer in defense, pressing and letting your defense set up your offense. Offensively, I like to push the tempo and use the fast break, but I like for us to be under control with our fast tempo."
Davis is married to the former Latoya Warren, also a Wayne County native, and they have one daughter, Kennedy Jordyn Davis, 3. He said he could easily see WCHS being his last stop on the coaching carousel.
"I could see this being my last stop," he said. "I've been gone so long, it has really made me appreciate this area more. And this is a very good coaching spot. Wayne County has a very good reputation in the state, and I could see my staying here for a long time."
|
|
|
|
|