| Newman Smith hires girls coach Search for new boys coach continues 04/13/2001 By Bart Hubbuch / The Dallas Morning News Basketball at Newman Smith is getting a complete makeover for next season.
The Trojans have hired Carol Sims of Class 3A Hardin Jefferson near Beaumont to take over their struggling girls program, and school athletic director Andy Sexton said this week he expects to have a replacement for boys coach Charles Duke by the end of April.
Duke is stepping down at the end of the school year because his wife recently received an accounting degree and has accepted a lucrative offer near Houston, Sexton said.
"He did a good job while he was here," Sexton said of Duke, who spent two seasons at Newman Smith.
The Trojans failed to make the playoffs despite the presence of 6-7 forward-center Jason Maxiell, one of the area's top players and a University of Cincinnati signee. Newman Smith finished 12-16 overall and 8-6 in District 6-5A but missed out on the postseason, losing to Lewisville in a mini-tournament to decide third place.
Sims replaces Lisa Warren, who wasn't retained as girls coach after the Trojans (6-22, 2-12 in District 6-5A) stumbled. Sexton said Warren has been moved to another position in the district.
Sims led Hardin Jefferson to the Class 3A state tournament in March. Newman Smith has made the playoffs in three of the previous four seasons.
"We're very excited about getting somebody with her experience," Sexton said of Sims. "She's been very successful at all the places she's been, and you have to take notice of somebody who's taken their teams to the state tournament." |
