Portal Lady Panthers basketball coach Earl Donaldson has stepped down from his position, retiring early Monday morning.
Taking his place with just one regular season games remaining is Tendai Haggins. Haggins was an assistant for the boys team. He is also an assistant on the football team and the head baseball coach at Portal.
In his first game at the helm of the Lady Panthers Tuesday, Haggins guided them to a win over Richmond Hill, a team that had beaten the PHS ladies just one week prior.
“We got beat (by Richmond Hill at home) last week by 16,” said Haggins, who is familiar with the team through his work with the boys squad. “We beat them (Tuesday) by nine. We shut their guards down.
“I am just trying to come in and finish the season on a positive note. I’m stressing team play — playing together and not playing selfish. Give 110 percent. Play with pride, and be out here because you want to be out here.”
Haggins is glad for the opportunity to head up a basketball team of his own, and feels that the team has been receptive to its new coach.
“(The team) took it pretty well,” Hagins said. “They know me and what I expect. They’ve seen me coach. … I’ve watched them play just about every game this year. As far as not turning the ball over as much and defense — overall as a team it was 100 percent better (on Tuesday). I look forward to getting better.”
The Lady Panthers finish out the regular season Saturday against Statesboro at Southeast Bulloch.
Taking his place with just one regular season games remaining is Tendai Haggins. Haggins was an assistant for the boys team. He is also an assistant on the football team and the head baseball coach at Portal.
In his first game at the helm of the Lady Panthers Tuesday, Haggins guided them to a win over Richmond Hill, a team that had beaten the PHS ladies just one week prior.
“We got beat (by Richmond Hill at home) last week by 16,” said Haggins, who is familiar with the team through his work with the boys squad. “We beat them (Tuesday) by nine. We shut their guards down.
“I am just trying to come in and finish the season on a positive note. I’m stressing team play — playing together and not playing selfish. Give 110 percent. Play with pride, and be out here because you want to be out here.”
Haggins is glad for the opportunity to head up a basketball team of his own, and feels that the team has been receptive to its new coach.
“(The team) took it pretty well,” Hagins said. “They know me and what I expect. They’ve seen me coach. … I’ve watched them play just about every game this year. As far as not turning the ball over as much and defense — overall as a team it was 100 percent better (on Tuesday). I look forward to getting better.”
The Lady Panthers finish out the regular season Saturday against Statesboro at Southeast Bulloch.
