For the 2017 season, the Girl’s basketball team is starting the season off with a valuable new addition to the team, a new head coach. Troy Hammond, an eighth grade teacher from Mona Shores Middle School, has stepped up and has taken the role as the girls varsity coach. “This is my 6th season of coaching and 4th season as a varsity coach.” says Hammond. He played sports throughout his high school career and is eager to share his experiences with his new athletes. “I know the impact that athletics had on me growing up and I want to share that with others. Teaching and coaching gives me a sense of purpose every day.” said Hammond.
Hammond has coached at other high schools as well as East. Previously, he coached at Forest Hills Eastern. “At Eastern it was trying to build a successful program in a place where there wasn’t much of a track record. There are a number of similarities between Eastern and East, but one of the major differences would be the success. Here at East I’ve inherited a program that has had success, and a lot of that can be attributed to the work put in by Coach Melton.” he said.
Hammond has plans to improve the team throughout the season. “A lot of improvement has already taken place with the off-season the team had. I was really pleased with the level of commitment from kids in the program this summer and fall. Moving forward, we’ll try to make the most of our season by continuing to work hard each day in practice and by emphasizing collective success over individual success.”
In regards to the transition from Eastern to East, Hammond said that “The transition has been great, I’m really appreciative of how welcoming the girls in the program have been since day one. Kids have bought in and are working hard every day, I’m excited to see what the winter has in store for the team.”