Thursday, March 28, 2024

GHS girls basketball coach reflects on season, future

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For Gatesville High School’s girls basketball head coach Kim Chaffin, the 2022-2023 season was a tough one, with an overall record of 8-22 and a 1-9 mark in district. Chaffin recently took time to share her personal upbringing, her experience with the team and her perspective on the season.

Chaffin played basketball for coach Leland Bearden at Smyer High school in 2002. Bearden won 800 games in his career. Chaffin stated that Bearden was her role model.

"Playing for a man like that built a love for the game while instilling in me the fact that determination and work ethic were key components to success,” Chaffin said.

Once her high school career was over, Chaffin decided to continue her playing career at the University of Texas Permian Basin in Odessa, where she studied to become a teacher and a coach.

When asked what brought Chaffin to a town like Gatesville, she responded by describing how much love she had for small towns in Texas.

“I have always seen myself living in a small quiet town and knowing that Gatesville had been a large contender in the state title run also gave me a reason to stay,” Chaffin said.

There was a big opportunity for the program to bounce back and improve, she noted.

“I knew this program had the potential to get back on track within the playoff race, and that was just something I wanted to be a part of,” she said.

It’s no secret that the past season for GHS girls' basketball team was a struggle. The team was plagued with injuries to most of the older players, and that was a huge setback.

“A back fracture took our point guard out of the mix for 13 games. We also saw a handful of ankle injuries, a dislocated finger, and a concussion,” Chaffin noted.

However, Chaffin explained how this team used all the adversity to grow a stronger foundation within the team and within one another.

“Having a handful of our older athletes sit out due to injuries gave the younger players a chance to step up and attain key minutes that will add to their overall success and experience toward their next season,” she said.

Despite the losing season, Chaffin said she was proud to see so many of her athletes step up when needed.

Chaffin explained how much the team has grown within just a year, since the previous season. “We have more than doubled the wins from last season. Last season the team did not win any district games, and we were able to pull out one district win.”

When asked about looking forward to coaching next season, Chaffin explained how much she enjoyed working with all the athletes on her team. She pointed out two players who could become the core of the team’s leadership next season.

“Junior player Taylor Coward had a handful of double-doubles throughout the season and sophomore player Tamiah Miller was the team's leading rebounder throughout the season. These two individuals will be the ones to step up in the 2023-2024 season and I can't wait to witness their transition as athletes,” Chaffin said.

As for her perspective on the highlights and challenges of the 2022-23 season as well as how the team will be moving forward, the coach said, “There is always something to be done to become better. We are already working on the mental aspects of our game in a major way, and we are attacking other sports within the off-season,” she said. “We are in the position to grow exponentially in the upcoming months and with a solid focus, we will continue to grow as a team.”