W.S. Neal girls and boys basketball players and fans will have to get used to another new face on the sidelines this year as new coaches for the programs are expected to be approved by the board of education at their next meeting on Thursday, June 20.
“We expect to send names to the board for approval for their meeting on June 20,” W.S. Neal athletic director Doug Hoehn said. “We won’t announce anything until the board meeting. We have several interesting applicants. We feel confident in sending the names for the June 20 meeting. Our goal right now is to have a news boys coach and a new girls coach.”
The coaching change is the seventh time in eight years for the W.S. Neal boys basketball team and the sixth time in seven years for the Lady Eagle basketball, the two programs will be under new leadership.
Kason Whitten took over as head coach for the boys and girls basketball teams at W.S. Neal in 2011-12 seasons and coached two seasons.
For the boys, Whitten replaced Derek Roberts (2010-11) at W.S. Neal. Before Roberts at W.S. Neal, the Eagles were coached by Chuck Phillips (2009-10), Blaine Hathcock (2008-09), Tommy Suitts (2007-08) and Robbie Grace (2006-07).
For the Lady Eagles, Whitten replaced John Saxon (2010-11), Roberts (2009-10), Olivia Stephens (2008-09) and Steve Lambert (2007-08).
The W.S. Neal boys went 3-13 during the 2012-13 season while the girls were 0-15.
Last year, the boys were 3-23 for an overall record of 6-36 in two years while the girls went 4-19 the prio year for an overall record of 4-34 the past two seasons.
Once the board approves the new coaches, the Brewton Standard is scheduled to interview the coaches on Friday, June 21 for a story in our Saturday, June 22 paper.