By Marty Gordon
NRVsports@ourvalley.org
Head coach Kelly Sutphin is building a winner at Eastern Montgomery. This season, she led the Lady Mustangs basketball team to a Pioneer District regular season and tournament title. The team enters this week’s regional tournament on a hot streak with lots of optimism and a record of 16-7.
Sutphin said the players have had to learn the value of putting in hard work and trusting each other.
“They have worked hard and put in a lot of extra time over the last several years,” the head Mustang said. “It also helps that these girls are athletic and have a competitive drive. They care about the program and the direction we are going. They also believe in each other. All of this combined has been a huge part of our success this season,” Sutphin said.
“The seniors have helped turn the corner and haven’t forgotten what it was like four years ago a (losing season) and have hung in there to see it through,” Sutphin said. “We also have a group of young players who are doing their job to push everyone to work harder and are contributing greatly. My junior and my sophomore are true leaders by example in practice and games every day.”
A physical education teacher at Eastern Montgomery Elementary School, Sutphin returned to the bench as the girls’ head coach at Eastern Montgomery High in 2017 after a 10-year hiatus. She coached the Lady Mustangs from 1999-2007 before stepping away to start a family.
Sutphin also served as athletic trainer at both Shawsville and Eastern Montgomery high schools until 2007. She has also coached both middle school and jayvee girls’ basketball teams and was the varsity girls tennis coach from 2000 to 2007. She is a past Three Rivers District tennis coach of the year.
Because of the talent and dedication of this group, Sutphin looks for them to continue their success down the road. “I feel like that success will be achieved in their other sports and academics as well,” she said.
The team was scheduled to open regional play Tuesday night against Auburn.
