Sports
King named as the VDN Junior High Girl’s Basketball Coach of the year
After leading Porter’s Chapel Academy Junior High girl’s basketball to a winning season, DeAndre King has now been selected as the Vicksburg Daily News Jr. High Girl’s Basketball Coach of the Year.
(Photo by Marcus James)
The Lady Eagles compiled 17-7 record under King in the 2021-2022 season. In just his second year on the job, King has made an impact on the team and led them to their first winning season in years.
“I was very surprised to hear I was winning this award but I give all the credit to my girls because they worked so hard this season, even when I pushed them to the extreme,” King said.
(Photo by Marcus James)
The young team had shocked the league by knocking off Adams County Christian 57-11. They then turned around and beat Greenville Christian 42-9. Key players Sophie Masterson and Marley Bufkin both led the team in points while Mia Abdo and Alexis Whittington were both the big defensive stoppers.
Although King was the face of the team’s success, he gave much credit to assistant coach Chandler Upton and varsity head coach Casey Fisher who helped him put in the work.
“Coach Chan was very supportive in many ways and she was always there to help guide the team, so I couldn’t ask for a better person to lend a hand with the team,” King said. “Also, the support I received from Coach Fisher was like no other and I thank him for that.”
Upton stepped up to lead PCA over St. Aloysius when King had to leave early. That was just one example of how great the two coaches worked together.
(Photo by Marcus James)
Not only was King working constantly in helping the ladies reach new heights, midway through the season his fiancé had given birth to their daughter. Still, he was back on the court in no time as his team depended on him.
Throughout head coaching the Junior High and assistant coaching the varsity team, King had a strong support system that kept him humble.
“I got to give thanks to my fiancé for understanding how important this season was to me after we had our newborn,” King said.
King has a big reputation of developing athletes and he is now the first person to win the VDN Girl’s Jr High Coach of the Year.
King’s hard work is far from over as he’s helping the varsity prepare for the playoffs next week.
PCA team roster:
- Marley Bufkin
- Sophie Masterson
- Audrey Carraway
- Mia Abdo
- Emily Muirhead
- Alexis Whittington
- Kendall Smith
