The Red & Black

Lewis is third hoops coach in four years

Thursday, September 27, 2007 By Nick Cullen - Correspondent

As a player, Andre Lewis was on a team that won four consecutive state basketball titles in Georgia. As a coach, Lewis turned Tampa Bay Tech’s 0-16 basketball team into a 13-6 squad. And now, as the third varsity coach in four years, Lewis wants to bring similar success to the HHS boys basketball team. “My goal is to see my guys succeed academically, athletically and in life.” Senior Wesley Lewis said Coach Lewis, no relation, can help turn around the Terriers. “The reason we have not had a successful season recently is because of all the different coaches,” Wesley Lewis said. “With Coach Lewis, I think we can win because he pushes us real hard.” Coach Lewis played at Western Kentucky University for two years, making the NCAA Tournament each year. Then, he played at Southeastern Louisiana University. After college, Lewis played in the United States Basketball Association, then the Continental Basketball Association. Returning senior Taylor Leatherwood said, “I like Coach Lewis. He has a different coaching style mainly focused around encouragement and improvement.” The basketball team has already started preparing for the upcoming season by doing intense conditioning exercises like running long distances and sprinting on the track, running up the stadium bleachers, and hitting the weight room hard every day. Junior Andrew Jennings said, “It is a good workout and the team really needs it. If we keep working hard, we are guaranteed to go far this year.” The team also is focusing on grades by participating in an hour-long study hall each day before practice. Athletic Director Bertha Baker said Lewis is a good fit for the growing program. “I like his demeanor,” she said. “He coached in the system last year.” The team will play this season in the newly renovated gymnasium. Basketball conditioning daily Students who wish to try out for basketball must fill out all the necessary paperwork, which is available in Room 112. Study hall is daily from 3:15-4:15 p.m. in Coach Orlando Goodwin’s Room, 433. Basketball practice begins Oct. 29, but students are currently conditioning.