What makes a great coach??? After years of coaching and watching college, AAU, High School and Middle School I thought this would be a simple answer. It is not. To answer the question it is best to describe those who are great coaches, even though each is vastly different. Here in Richmond we are very fortunate to have some coaches who are considered great.

Coach Adkins is one of the true pioneers and ambassadors to Girls Basketball. I remember going to watch her team play. The game was against Varina, who at the time had Stephanie Walker and a great supporting cast. Henrico had an equally talented team. I brought my daughters to the game to show them what high level high school basketball was all about. What we saw was a classic. Two teams that played as team fought hard and played a level of defense that I had seldom seen. This was an intense battle. The rivalry was huge and the gym packed. This was before girl's basketball was as big as it is today.

I wanted to learn more about the coaches that day so I got to know Coach Adkins. I found her to be full of energy but with a deep care and love for her players. Seldom had I seen a coach who would push her players so hard yet have such a deep care and concern for them.

Over the years Coach Adkins always seems to

always have a good team. Why??? I believe it is the time she spends and the concern she has for her players. Other teams get good talent one year but then are down the next. Coach Adkins teams are always near the top.

Today I coach one of her players in AAU who will be playing her first year as a 9th grader for Henrico. This player is superbly talented, but like many young players they need to know how to play team ball and work well with others. One day I got a call from Coach Adkins. She wanted to talk about my player. To my surprise she knew every issue we were working thru with this player. We agreed on an approach with her and then together worked with the player to make sure everything was in check with the player, from grades to team play. Today I am glad to say that this player is now a superb team player and a likely top freshman pick for the upcoming season.

Coach Adkins involvement is not limited to one player. She is a tireless worker for each of her players. She seems to know just what to say and how to say it to reach each player. From tough love to a friendly hug Coach Adkins seems to know just what to do with each and every player in her program. One thing for sure when you see her team play you will not only see tough scrapping defense, good team play on offense but also you will see a coach that has shaped girls basketball in the area and more importantly helped shape many players lives.

Interested in having your coach or athlete

profiled on this site? Contact us at VaPreps@aol.com

Related: Dandy