Andwele French Takes Over For Terence Brooks As The Ladyhounds New Coach

When Terence Brooks decided to leave the Paris Ladyhounds basketball program for the opportunity to coach at the collegiate level, supporters began to wonder what would happen to the most successful program at the school this decade. During Brooks' six years on the job, he kept the girls basketball program among the elite in the district, region, as well as the state. Paris' name was on the map and the bottom line ... supporters of the girls' program would like to see the next coach keep it there!

   Just recently the school named the next girls' coach at Paris and they didn't have to go too far by naming Brooks' assistant Andwele French as their next coach. French was part of Brooks' staff for six years and he was the head coach at the Middle School level for the past several years and most of those girls he coached, will make up this year's high school team. To say that French is not familiar with the program is an understatement because he knows all too well the high standards that have been put in place for the Ladyhounds.

   "I aspire for the same standards. I will work hard and instill the same work ethic in the kids," said French. "Since I've been a part of the success of the program, it shouldn't be hard to continue that success. Coach Brooks was very visible in the community. He worked hard for the kids and the program and I will do the same. I've been part of the program for a while, which will make the transition easy because I am very excited for the opportunity to work with such a great group of girls!"

   French, who is well known across the region for producing some very good AAU basketball teams, said that getting the Paris job and replacing Brooks was God's plan. "As I look back retrospectively, God has moved me into positions of learning in order for me to become a good head coach. From the beginning of my teaching experience here, I was befriended by Coach Brooks, who took me under his wing and taught me the foundations of coaching basketball. From then on, my experience as his assistant, and my experience from my own head coaching, as well as working with other coaches ... has been the road to my successful body of work." Coach French said he remembers when former Greyhound boys coach Cary Barr gave him a book of philosophy, plays, drills, rules, expectations, etc. that had so much info, that he still finds it very useful toady. "Looking back it seems like every step and every coach that I worked with was God's handiwork because He knew that in July He would have another blessing for Terence Brooks, and someone would be needed to run the program. This is not what I expected at the time, but when God says "move"...that's what you do."

   Now that French is in the position to lead this basketball team he knows that his philosophy of coaching will need to change because unlike AAU, it's different when you're coaching a school team. "Obviously AAU and school are different because you're dealing with AAU in the summer and not having to deal with school work, curfews, and you play mostly on weekends. It's also different in the fact that when you have a good program, people are always looking to join so that their child can benefit from the program and coaching," French said. "Here, you play with the kids who show up from your school or district. With our numbers as a school system, sometimes you may have a situation where you may only have 2 or 3 kids in one grade level, and have to supplement with younger kids. Last year was an example with only two seniors, we had to play underclassmen and eighth graders, but we were still successful." The new coach also added that the biggest difference from AAU is the fact that you are playing for your school and tradition and what's on your jersey because you are representing your school and community.

   Under Brooks, the Ladyhounds were known to play "ugly" offense but stifling defense and according to the new coach, that will remain a big part of the team although they will be hoping to shoot the ball a little better. "Defense will still be the staple of this program but now we have a few things that are new to the program, such as a shooting machine which will be a big help with putting it in the basket." The coach went on to say that they have already been learning the proper "footwork" that is just as important in shooting as the upper body form. They are teaching and re-teaching the fundamentals, and taking their time to make sure everyone knows what they're doing. That along with stressing ball handling each and every practice, Coach French feels that this group may take more risks offensively, and could become a surprisingly better offensive team. And when it comes to expectations for this upcoming season the coach didn't hesitate with an answer. 

  "Day by day, we plan to learn, get better, and have a lot of fun. We plan to improve and hopefully by doing so, we will have a winning season. We plan on competing in the All "A" state tournament as well as competing in the district championship, and a spot in the region, and hopefully getting back to Bowling Green," said French . "All we can do is ask the players, and we do everyday, are you doing something better than you did the day before? Are you improving as a player? Are you listening & learning? If the answer is yes, then we have been successful."

   Success, now that is something this program is used to. After all, French has been around long enough to know that when it comes to Ladyhounds basketball, success is a must!