Revolving door continues in prep basketball coaching changes:
GDW Analysis:
Three basketball changes have been reported to GDW for the 1st Monday in May.
The first GDW learned on May 6, was Emily Willoughby of Vinemont taking over the Lady Eagles after James Brown reportedly resigned last week.
Willoughby will be coaching high school hoops for the first time. She has been with the JV and middle school at Vinemont for the last four years.
Willoughby played at Cold Springs High School then on to the University of Alabama Huntsville before she entered the coaching ranks.
After Willoughby took the girls position at Vinemont, another with Cold Springs background, moved from a 4A school in Walker County to a 4A program not far down the road in Jefferson County.
Nathan Sanders was named the new coach at Corner High School Monday.
Sanders was at Cordova High School for the last 4 years, leading the Blue Devils to 61 victories. His best team was in 2022/23 with Cordova enjoying 21 wins in 30 decisions.
In wrapping up this story, the latest hire of a coach is in the girls program at Guntersville High School.
The Guntersville City School Board Monday approved hiring Caipree Tucker who had been the coach at Athens High School since 2021.
Before spending time in Athens, Caipree was at James Clemens High School in Madison.
Tucker played at Fort Payne High School and went on in the collegiate ranks at the University of Chattanooga.
Tucker replaces Kenny Hill, who recently stepped down and accepted the position of women's coach at Snead State Community College.
As of the present time, vacancies remain at Priceville girls in the quest to replace Terri Nelson who retired after the season, Susan Moore girls after Natasha Smallwood last month accepted an offer to move to Albertville High School.
Decatur is still vacant after Kori Walker left a couple of months ago, heading up the road to coach at Athens.
Willoughby is the only change in local basketball for 2024/25 as GDW is aware of.
The following will remain at these respective schools:
Cold Springs - Tammy West (G), Cade Willingham
Cullman - Jessica McBrayer (G), Stu Stuedeman
Fairview - Chris Nichols (G), Thomas Ganus
Good Hope - Justin Aby (G), Drew Adams
Hanceville - Christina Watson (G), Stephen Chandler
Holly Pond - Mary Hartlne (G), Tim Willoughby
St. Bernard - Luke Yarbrough (G), Tim Burleson
Vinemont - Preston Boyd
West Point - John Welborn (G), Mason Voce
Cullman Christian - Heith Yearwood (G), Mitch Morris.
GDW photo by Johnny Thornton.
