County girls PotW (Coach Edition)

There’s no scoreboard for the kind of work these men and women do, but if there were, every coach in the Warren County 6–8 grade girls basketball league would be undefeated.

As the regular season winds down and the postseason begins, it becomes even more obvious that the strength of this league doesn’t just come from rising stars, thrilling finishes or the rivalries that pack gyms. It comes from the coaches - the people who pour into these kids daily, long before the crowds arrive and long after they’ve gone home.

They are the ones who build structure out of chaos. Who teach spacing, angles and footwork to players who sometimes showed up not knowing where the lines on the court even went. They turn raw energy into teamwork, mistakes into lessons and potential into confidence. And they do it for little-to-no pay, driven by a belief that what happens in 6–8 grade gyms can echo all the way to high school - and beyond.

Every practice rep, every timeout huddle, every quiet conversation after a tough night matters. These coaches aren’t just teaching how to win games. They are teaching how to handle pressure, how to bounce back, how to work, how to trust a team. They are planting the seeds for the next group of Lady Pioneers or Lady will someday fill Charlie Dalton Gym or JK Stanley Gymnasium under even brighter lights.

This week, the Main Street Journal shines the spotlight on the women who make it all possible - the coaches who have shaped, lifted and inspired the league all season long. This special recognition is brought to you by Triple B Nursery, Crisp Springs Market, Prince HVAC, TEH Construction, Pioneer Lanes and Sara Collins with Tree City Realty.

BOYD – DARA JOHNSON

Coaching a young Boyd group that has grown each week, Dara Johnson has been the heartbeat of a team that plays with grit, togetherness and belief. She has helped shape an identity built on energy and effort, and the Lady Broncos’ improvement throughout the season speaks to her patience, her teaching and her ability to get the best out of every kid who puts on a Boyd jersey.

CENTERTOWN – KELLY ECKENROD

What Kelly Eckenrod has built at Centertown is nothing short of a dynasty - a decade of dominance shaped by her discipline, standards and ability to develop talent year after year. The Lady Warriors mirror their coach: poised, prepared, and relentless on both ends. Eckenrod’s fingerprints are everywhere in the program, from its unmatched winning streak to the confidence and composure her players show in any environment. She has set the bar for girls basketball in Warren County, and the entire league measures itself against what she has created.

DIBRELL – BRACTON WOMACK

This has been a season of growth for Dibrell, and much of it can be traced to Bracton Womack’s dedication to teaching the fundamentals the right way. He brings a calm, steady approach to the sideline and has built trust with a group that battles every night. Womack’s impact goes far beyond the scoreboard - he has helped shape a foundation for future Wildcats and empowered his players to compete with confidence, resilience and heart.

EASTSIDE – SHELBY SMARTT

One of the county’s most recognizable former players has returned to lift the next generation. Shelby Smartt - a standout Lady Pioneer and proud Eastside alum - has brought energy, passion and a true sense of community pride back to the Lady Bulldogs. She teaches with a depth of experience, encourages with empathy and leads with the kind of perspective only someone who grew up on these courts can bring. Her players have improved because they believe in her - and she believes deeply in them.

IRVING COLLEGE – JASMINE EVANS

Coaching where you once played is special - and Jasmine Evans has embraced that responsibility fully. A former Irving College standout herself, Evans has rebuilt the Lady Tigers with a mix of discipline, intensity and pride in the program’s tradition. Her team defends with purpose, plays with emotion and always competes with urgency. The culture that has pushed Irving College toward the top of the standings is a direct reflection of Evans’ leadership, passion and connection to this school.

MORRISON – KYLIE VINCION

Morrison has found its edge this season under the direction of Kylie Vincion, who has instilled toughness, accountability and togetherness in a Lady Eagle team that peaked at just the right time. Vincion’s players mirror her competitive spirit - they rebound hard, defend with tenacity and play for each other every possession.