Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Hatley To Lead Lady Go-Devils; Season Begins Soon For Gurdon

By JOHN MILLER

When the Lady Go-Devils hit the hardwood this season, they will be under the leadership of a new coach.

Long-time mentor Donald Williams has moved to Arkadelphia. However, he was replaced by his assistant, Sandra Hatley, who was hired recently by the Gurdon School Board for the post.

This means teams on Gurdon's schedule will still have their hands full when facing the Lady Devils on the court.

Hatley was thrilled to be named head girls coach at Gurdon, where she graduated in 1981. From Gurdon she went to Henderson State University on an athletic scholarship.

During her time at HSU, Hatley played all positions, including center. She earned her bachelor of science in education, with a major in physical education at HSU.

After graduation she went to the Terrell Texas Independent School District, where she taught science, biology, general science and earth science while also coaching basketball, volleyball and track.

When the job came open in Gurdon for a junior high girls basketball coach, Hatley's resume was in the mail. She made her return home on the spring of 1993.

Hatley took the job on Jan. 18, 1993, after Annette Middleton became ill and could no longer handle the duties. The district advertised the position, with Hatley applying.

"I saw this as an opportunity to come home," she said. "I wanted to be back home."

She took over the junior girls team, helping mold them into a force to be reckoned with, and had thoughts of someday being the senior girls coach. Fate stepped in and dealt the cards for her future.

"I didn't think this would happen in the near future," she said of becoming the Lady Devil mentor. "I thought Coach Williams would be here a long time. I was surprised when he left because I didn't want him to go.

"But, I told him he needed to put his family first and he made the decision. I cried."

Now, instead of Hatley, Williams and John Ware, head boys coach, working with the teams, it will be Hatley and Ware.

The two have been working with students, training them to be managers for the four different teams. These students will be responsible for making sure the hardcourt Devils have their equipment for each and every game during the season.

Hatley takes over a team with plenty of experience and one used to winning. This will help make her job a little easier.

Alicia Clayborn and Tameka Hatley are the returning seniors, while LaVonda Young is the returning junior starter for the Lady Devils.

Hatley said there is also a good solid sophomore class as well. The sophs, she said, have plenty of game experience as well.

There are also two seniors who saw plenty of action during their careers, even though they came off the bench. These two are Dawanna Stuckey and Jessica Rainey.

Hatley said her Lady Devils will have a lot of height and as much speed as ever, if not more. This will pose many problems for opposing teams, while their coaches will be reaching for headache remedies.

The style will remain much the same as before, with the Lady Devils running a man-to-man defense and an up-tempo offense.

On defense, Hatley said, the girls will work to force turnovers, while the racehorse offense will be sprinting downcourt at every opportunity.

Additionally, the team has been working diligently on its free throws since practice began at the first of school.

When practice started with the opening of school, Hatley asked the team what it wanted. The girls responded they want to be playing on the last day in March. This means a trip to the state finals in Pine Bluff's Convention Center.

Hatley said the girls have been working toward this goal during practice with good attitudes and an abundance of effort. "They work hard and try their best," she said. "I'm pleased with their efforts."

The 1997-98 Lady Devils, Hatley said, have plenty of leadership throughout the entire team. "The team as a whole is high on leadership ability," she said. "This has helped the program overall.

"Today's children have problems, and the ability to work them out shows maturity and the ability to handle situations. This translates to the court."

The Lady Devils, she added, work as a team on the floor, with no individuals trying to be superstars.

Hatley has told them they win as a team and lose as one as well. "It's all a team effort. As long as they remember this," she said, "they can reach their goals."