Varsity Lady Villains' Alumni Page
"To the world, you may be just one person, but to one person... you may be the world."
Team Charli...
The Varsity Lady Villains Alums (and coaches) taking their picture with Charli Marie Robinson...
THE 100 WIN CLUB.
The following players won one hundred games or more in the four years playing varsity basketball for the Lady Villains!!!
(Stat started in 2002-03)
Brittany Cox 119 Wins
Anna DeFrancesco 119 Wins
Gina Simmons 119 Wins
Erinn Thompson 119 Wins
Maggie Ronan 111 Wins
Sarah Foroudi 108 Wins
Katheryn Lyons 108 Wins
Margaret Minton 108 Wins
Julia Brown 106 Wins
Olivia DeFrancesco 106 Wins
Cameron Nieters 106 Wins
McKenzie Rochford 106 Wins
Sammi Goldsmith 105 Wins
Katie Burske 101 Wins
(Stat started in 2002-03)
Brittany Cox 119 Wins
Anna DeFrancesco 119 Wins
Gina Simmons 119 Wins
Erinn Thompson 119 Wins
Maggie Ronan 111 Wins
Sarah Foroudi 108 Wins
Katheryn Lyons 108 Wins
Margaret Minton 108 Wins
Julia Brown 106 Wins
Olivia DeFrancesco 106 Wins
Cameron Nieters 106 Wins
McKenzie Rochford 106 Wins
Sammi Goldsmith 105 Wins
Katie Burske 101 Wins
Emma Blaney-Conley - Class of 2009.
Emma played four seasons in the Lady Villains' Program, two on the Junior Varsity Team under Coach Clark and two on the Varsity Team. Emma was a part of two state championship teams in 2008 and 2009.
In her time on the varsity, her teams went a combined 56-10, winning two conference regular season and tournament championships, two state sectional titles and two western regional championships.
Emma is now a part-time model and a store manager, a mom and follows her husband, brother and dad on the NASCAR Circuit.
In her time on the varsity, her teams went a combined 56-10, winning two conference regular season and tournament championships, two state sectional titles and two western regional championships.
Emma is now a part-time model and a store manager, a mom and follows her husband, brother and dad on the NASCAR Circuit.
Julia Brown - Class of 2014.
Julia played all four of years on the varsity team in our program. Julia won one conference regular season championship, three conference tournament titles, four sectional championships, four regional championships and four state championships during her time with our program.
Julia's overall record was 106-22 on the varsity team.
Julia graduated from Western Carolina in 2018 where she played basketball and is a graduate student at Elon University.
Julia's overall record was 106-22 on the varsity team.
Julia graduated from Western Carolina in 2018 where she played basketball and is a graduate student at Elon University.
Megan Buckland-Cavera - Class of 2011.
Megan played on three state championship teams from 2008-2011. Megan was a captain or co-captain in each of her three years.
Megan's teams won one conference regular season title, two conference tournament titles, three sectional and western regional championships and three state championships. Megan went a combined 78-17 in three seasons.
Megan graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill after playing basketball there and was the video coordinator at UNC-CH in 2015. Megan was an assistant women's basketball coach at Presbyterian College.
Click HERE to read Megan's College Bio.
Click HERE to watch Megan's "I Am Second" video.
Megan's teams won one conference regular season title, two conference tournament titles, three sectional and western regional championships and three state championships. Megan went a combined 78-17 in three seasons.
Megan graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill after playing basketball there and was the video coordinator at UNC-CH in 2015. Megan was an assistant women's basketball coach at Presbyterian College.
Click HERE to read Megan's College Bio.
Click HERE to watch Megan's "I Am Second" video.
Kim Burke - Class of 2004.
Kim played on Coach Robinson's first two varsity teams at Bishop in 2002-03 and 2003-04. Kim was voted as captain of the 2003-04 Team.
Kim's team made the NCISAA State Playoffs both seasons. Kim went a combined 39-19 in those seasons, including a PACIS Conference Regular Season Runner-up in 2004.
Kim attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Kim is now a Clerk at United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
Kim's team made the NCISAA State Playoffs both seasons. Kim went a combined 39-19 in those seasons, including a PACIS Conference Regular Season Runner-up in 2004.
Kim attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Kim is now a Clerk at United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
Katie Burske - Class of 2013.
Katie played four seasons on the varsity team helping the Lady Villains to a 101-25 record in that time.
Katie was a member of two conference tournament championships, four sectional championships, four Western Regional Championships, and four state championships.
Katie graduated from Western Carolina and now is a legal assistant.
Katie was a member of two conference tournament championships, four sectional championships, four Western Regional Championships, and four state championships.
Katie graduated from Western Carolina and now is a legal assistant.
Tia Cappuccio - Class of 2016.
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Tia played four seasons on the varsity compiling a record 82-35.
Tia won two state championships, two western regional titles, two sectional titles, two conference tournament championships and one regular season conference title. Tia was a captain for two seasons. Tia is a junior at Florida State and is pursuing her career as a sports reporter: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=hbzNNc2dJBc |
Charley Chappell - Class of 2023.
.Tate Chappell - Class of 2023.
Cammie Cooke - Class of 2019.
Cammie played four seasons on the Varsity Lady Villains squad, three of those years as a captain.
Cammie's teams went 64-48 in four seasons, finishing in second place in the conference in 2018 and 2019 and advancing to the state playoffs each season.
Cammie helped the Lady Villains to second round appearances three times and to third round once, in 2017.
Cammie's teams went 64-48 in four seasons, finishing in second place in the conference in 2018 and 2019 and advancing to the state playoffs each season.
Cammie helped the Lady Villains to second round appearances three times and to third round once, in 2017.
Sarah Coon - Class of 2012.
Sarah played three full seasons on the varsity team, after being called up from the JV Team at the end of her freshman year.
Sarah was a part of four state championships, two conference tournament titles, four sectional championships and four Western Regional Titles.
Sarah went 85-18 during her three (+) seasons on the varsity.
Sarah played her college ball at Lynchburg, attended graduate school at Indiana University and now is married.
Click HERE to read Sarah's College Bio.
Sarah was a part of four state championships, two conference tournament titles, four sectional championships and four Western Regional Titles.
Sarah went 85-18 during her three (+) seasons on the varsity.
Sarah played her college ball at Lynchburg, attended graduate school at Indiana University and now is married.
Click HERE to read Sarah's College Bio.
Kelsey Cossio - Class of 2013.
Kelsey Cossio was a manager on our 2011-12 and 2012-13 State Championship Teams.
Kelsey was a part of 52 wins and only 12 losses during her two years as a manager.
Kelsey graduated from East Carolina and is now a dietetic technician at UNC Health Care.
Kelsey was a part of 52 wins and only 12 losses during her two years as a manager.
Kelsey graduated from East Carolina and is now a dietetic technician at UNC Health Care.
Brittany Cox - Class of 2009.
Brittany played all four seasons on the varsity team, winning four state championships.
Brittany's teams went a combined 119-11 in her four seasons and won four straight conference regular season and tournament titles, four state sectional championships and four western regional tournaments.
Brittany was voted as a captain during her senior season at McGuinness.
Brittany was a graduate assistant for the Campbell University Women's Basketball Team and now is the head varsity girls basketball coach at West Forsyth (see story at the bottom of the page).
Brittany was named the Pfeiffer Female Athlete-of-the-Year for the 2011-2012 Season.
Click HERE to read Brittany's College Bio.
HERE is an article on Brittany.
Brittany's teams went a combined 119-11 in her four seasons and won four straight conference regular season and tournament titles, four state sectional championships and four western regional tournaments.
Brittany was voted as a captain during her senior season at McGuinness.
Brittany was a graduate assistant for the Campbell University Women's Basketball Team and now is the head varsity girls basketball coach at West Forsyth (see story at the bottom of the page).
Brittany was named the Pfeiffer Female Athlete-of-the-Year for the 2011-2012 Season.
Click HERE to read Brittany's College Bio.
HERE is an article on Brittany.
Amanda Cross - Class of 2005.
Amanda Cross (now Brown) played three seasons of Varsity Basketball for Coach Robinson at Bishop. Amanda's Team's went a combined 60-25, qualifying for the state playoffs three consecutive seasons, and was a part of the program's first state playoff game win, capturing that in 2005.
Amanda played college basketball at Peace College in Raleigh.
Amanda was a varsity girls basketball assistant coach at Ravenscroft High School in Raleigh, NC.
Amanda is now a mom of two.
Amanda played college basketball at Peace College in Raleigh.
Amanda was a varsity girls basketball assistant coach at Ravenscroft High School in Raleigh, NC.
Amanda is now a mom of two.
Lauren Cushing - Class of 2012.
Lauren Cushing played three full seasons on the varsity team. Lauren went a combined 76-18 during her three seasons.
Lauren helped the Lady Villains win one conference tournament title, three sectional titles, three Western Regional Titles, and three state championships during her time on the varsity.
Lauren has graduated from St. Mary's University in South Bend, Indiana.
Lauren helped the Lady Villains win one conference tournament title, three sectional titles, three Western Regional Titles, and three state championships during her time on the varsity.
Lauren has graduated from St. Mary's University in South Bend, Indiana.
Mary Davis - Class of 2020.
Mary played three full seasons on our varsity team after being called up to the team at the end of her freshman year.
Mary helped the varsity team to a sectional runner-up during her sophomore year and a sectional championship and an Eastern Regional runner-up (Final Four) finish her senior year.
Mary's teams went (including her freshmen post-season) 61-27 over her three years on the varsity.
Mary helped the varsity team to a sectional runner-up during her sophomore year and a sectional championship and an Eastern Regional runner-up (Final Four) finish her senior year.
Mary's teams went (including her freshmen post-season) 61-27 over her three years on the varsity.
Caroline Deal - Class of 2019.
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Caroline played two full seasons on the varsity after being called up from the JV team in her sophomore year.
Caroline helped her teams to a 35-21 record in her two varsity seasons. Combining her part-time play the varsity in 2017, her teams went 51-34. |
Katie Deal - Class of 2023.
Anna DeFrancesco - Class of 2009.
Anna played four seasons on the varsity team, winning four state titles.
Anna's teams went 119-11 in her four seasons, and won four conference regular season and tournament championships, and four state sectional and regional championships.
Anna was selected as a captain during her senior season at Bishop.
Anna graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill and is attending medical school at Campbell University.
Pictured below is Anna being sworn in the US Army 2nd LT.
Anna's teams went 119-11 in her four seasons, and won four conference regular season and tournament championships, and four state sectional and regional championships.
Anna was selected as a captain during her senior season at Bishop.
Anna graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill and is attending medical school at Campbell University.
Pictured below is Anna being sworn in the US Army 2nd LT.
Olivia DeFrancesco - Class of 2014.
Olivia was a four-year member of our varsity squad from 2011-2014. Olivia was a part of 106 wins and just 22 losses in her four seasons.
Olivia's teams won four sectional, regional and state titles, and won one conference regular season and three conference tournament championships.
Olivia played basketball at Lynchburg College.
Olivia helped Lynchburg to an ODAC tournament title in 2016. Here is an interview with her in 2017: LINK
Olivia's teams won four sectional, regional and state titles, and won one conference regular season and three conference tournament championships.
Olivia played basketball at Lynchburg College.
Olivia helped Lynchburg to an ODAC tournament title in 2016. Here is an interview with her in 2017: LINK
Christa Dolan - Class of 2009.
Christa was a scorekeeper for the Lady Villains in 2008 and 2009.
Christa recorded 56 wins against 10 losses and two state championship victories in her two seasons as our scorekeeper.
Christa graduated from North Carolina State University.
Christa recorded 56 wins against 10 losses and two state championship victories in her two seasons as our scorekeeper.
Christa graduated from North Carolina State University.
Emily Elder - Class of 2021.
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Emily Elder played four seasons on the varsity team.
Emily's teams went 69-31 in her four seasons advancing to the Eastern Regional Finals in 2019-20 and the Western Regional Semifinals in 2020-21. The Lady Villains finished in second place in the Northwest 1A Conference each of Emily's four season. |
Kelly Elder - Class of 2012.
Kelly played three seasons on the varsity team.
Kelly's teams went 76-18 over that span, winning three state championships.
Kelly also was a part of one conference tournament title, three sectional titles, and three Western Regional Titles.
Kelly graduated from North Carolina State as well as George Washington University.
Kelly's teams went 76-18 over that span, winning three state championships.
Kelly also was a part of one conference tournament title, three sectional titles, and three Western Regional Titles.
Kelly graduated from North Carolina State as well as George Washington University.
Emily Elliott - Class of 2018.
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Emily Elliott played four season on the Lady Villains' Varsity Team.
Emily's teams went 61-49, advancing to the conference tournament championship game in 2018, to the NCHSAA state playoff third round in 2017 and the second round in 2015-16, and 2018. Emily is a freshman basketball player at Lynchburg College in 2018-19. |
Erin Fitzgerald - Class of 2010.
Erin Fitzgerald played three seasons on the Lady Villains' Varsity Team, winning three state championships.
Erin's teams went 78-17 in her three seasons, winning two conference regular season and tournament championships, three sectional championships and three western regional titles.
Erin graduated from Washington College in Maryland, where she played basketball.
Click HERE to read Erin's College Bio.
Erin is now in public relations and marketing at Loudoun Sports Therapy Center.
Erin's teams went 78-17 in her three seasons, winning two conference regular season and tournament championships, three sectional championships and three western regional titles.
Erin graduated from Washington College in Maryland, where she played basketball.
Click HERE to read Erin's College Bio.
Erin is now in public relations and marketing at Loudoun Sports Therapy Center.
Sarah Foroudi - Class of 2007.
Sarah played four seasons on the varsity team, winning two state championships during her final two seasons with the Lady Villains.
Sarah's teams went 108-15 in her four seasons, winning two conference regular season and tournament titles, two state sectional championships and two western regional championships.
Sarah graduated from North Carolina State University and lives overseas.
Sarah's teams went 108-15 in her four seasons, winning two conference regular season and tournament titles, two state sectional championships and two western regional championships.
Sarah graduated from North Carolina State University and lives overseas.
Sheyda Foroudi - Class of 2005.
Sheyda played three seasons for Coach Robinson, going 60-25 in that span.
Sheyda was named a captain her senior season.
Sheyda's teams made the state playoffs each season, and advanced to the state semifinals in 2005.
Sheyda graduated from North Carolina State University and is a print designer and CAD artist.
Sheyda was named a captain her senior season.
Sheyda's teams made the state playoffs each season, and advanced to the state semifinals in 2005.
Sheyda graduated from North Carolina State University and is a print designer and CAD artist.
Elaina Garner - Class of 2017.
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Elaina played two seasons in our program, advancing to the state playoff second round in 2015-16 and the third round in 2016-17.
Elaina's teams went 29-27 in two years. |
Alyssa Gaudio - Class of 2009.
Alyssa played in our program for four seasons, the last two on the varsity. Alyssa was a member of the Lady Villains' 2008 and 2009 State Championship Teams.
Alyssa's teams went a combined 56-10 in her two varsity years.
Alyssa has graduated from Wake Forest University and is in law school at the University of Virginia.
Alyssa's teams went a combined 56-10 in her two varsity years.
Alyssa has graduated from Wake Forest University and is in law school at the University of Virginia.
Jeanie Geraghty - Class of 2003.
Jeanie was a senior on Coach Robinson's first team at Bishop, going 15-11 during that year. Jeanie's team qualified for the state playoffs.
Jeanie attended UNC-Charlotte and UNC-Greensboro.
Jeanie attended UNC-Charlotte and UNC-Greensboro.
Sammi Goldsmith - Class of 2012.
Sammi was a member of the varsity team for four seasons.
Sammi went a combined 105-22 in her four seasons, helping the Lady Villains win one regular season conference championship, two conference tournament titles, four sectional championships, four Western Regional Championships, and four state titles.
Sammi graduated from Lynchburg College where she played basketball and was a graduate assistant for Virginia Tech Women's Basketball. Sammi was an assistant coach at Emory University. She is now a varsity high school girls basketball coach at Allen Academy in Texas.
Click HERE to read Sammi's College Bio.
Sammi went a combined 105-22 in her four seasons, helping the Lady Villains win one regular season conference championship, two conference tournament titles, four sectional championships, four Western Regional Championships, and four state titles.
Sammi graduated from Lynchburg College where she played basketball and was a graduate assistant for Virginia Tech Women's Basketball. Sammi was an assistant coach at Emory University. She is now a varsity high school girls basketball coach at Allen Academy in Texas.
Click HERE to read Sammi's College Bio.
Suzanne Grant - Class of 2003.
Suzanne was a senior on Coach Robinson's first team at Bishop, qualifying for the state playoffs after a 15-11 campaign.
Suzanne went on to attend and graduate from Appalachian State University. Suzanne is the daughter of assistant coach Trish Grant.
Suzanne was a District Attorney Representative in the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office and was a special needs teacher in Philadelphia. She is now a special needs teacher in North Carolina and became a mom in October 2016.
Suzanne went on to attend and graduate from Appalachian State University. Suzanne is the daughter of assistant coach Trish Grant.
Suzanne was a District Attorney Representative in the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office and was a special needs teacher in Philadelphia. She is now a special needs teacher in North Carolina and became a mom in October 2016.
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Grace Harriman - Class of 2023.
Tessa Johnston - Class of 2015.
Tessa played three plus years on the varsity team at Bishop winning three state championships in four years.
Tessa was a part of 96 wins and 27 losses in her four seasons.
Tessa is a senior at Emory & Henry University where she plays basketball and tennis.
Tessa was a part of 96 wins and 27 losses in her four seasons.
Tessa is a senior at Emory & Henry University where she plays basketball and tennis.
Elizabeth Knox - Class of 2019.
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Elizabeth played four years on the varsity team going a combined 64-48 during that time.
Elizabeth helped her teams to four state playoff first round wins and a second round win in 2017. Elizabeth's teams were runner-ups in the conference in 2018 and 2019 and conference tournament runner-ups in 2018. Here is a video from our season-ending party in 2019 that Elizabeth spoke at: https://youtu.be/mmNMlUUw_NQ |
Tori Koesters - Class of 2010.
Tori played two seasons in our program under Coach Clark on the Junior Varsity Team, and was our varsity team's manager in 2009-10.
Tori was part of our program's fifth consecutive state title in 2010, to cap off a 23-7 year.
Tori has graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill.
Tori was part of our program's fifth consecutive state title in 2010, to cap off a 23-7 year.
Tori has graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill.
Alaila Kreuter - Class of 2021.
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Alaila played two seasons on the varsity team at McGuinness.
Alaila went 34-10 in her two years, helping the Lady Villains to an Eastern Regional Final in 2020 and a Western Regional Semifinal in 2021. |
Erin Liebal - Class of 2012.
Erin played three seasons on the varsity team at McGuinness.
Erin went a combined 76-18 in those three years, winning three state titles.
Erin also helped the Lady Villains win one conference tournament championship, three sectional titles, and three Western Regional Titles.
Erin has graduated from North Carolina State.
Erin went a combined 76-18 in those three years, winning three state titles.
Erin also helped the Lady Villains win one conference tournament championship, three sectional titles, and three Western Regional Titles.
Erin has graduated from North Carolina State.
Katheryn Lyons - Class of 2007.
Katheryn played all four seasons on the varsity team, going a combined 108-15 in her four years. Katheryn was a team captain three seasons, and helped lead the Villains to state championship victories in 2006 and 2007.
Katheryn's teams qualified for the state playoffs all four seasons, and during her last two seasons, she was a part of two conference regular and tournament championships, and two state sectional and regional championships.
Katheryn played one season of basketball at the University Of Maryland before transferring to Marist University.
Katheryn coached three seasons as head varsity girls basketball coach at Westchester Country Day School in High Point. Katheryn went on a two year mission trip in China, returning home in 2016, but has since gone back to China for a second missions trip.
Katheryn's teams qualified for the state playoffs all four seasons, and during her last two seasons, she was a part of two conference regular and tournament championships, and two state sectional and regional championships.
Katheryn played one season of basketball at the University Of Maryland before transferring to Marist University.
Katheryn coached three seasons as head varsity girls basketball coach at Westchester Country Day School in High Point. Katheryn went on a two year mission trip in China, returning home in 2016, but has since gone back to China for a second missions trip.
Jeanine Mason - Class of 2011.
Jeanine played one year of varsity basketball for the Lady Villains, and two years of junior varsity basketball. During the 2009-10 Season, Jeanine helped the Lady Villains to a 23-7 record, a state sectional, regional and state championship.
Jeanine was a part-time manager for the 2010-11 Season for the Lady Villains.
Jeanine has graduated from Brown University.
Jeanine was a part-time manager for the 2010-11 Season for the Lady Villains.
Jeanine has graduated from Brown University.
Kate McNamara - Class of 2005.
Kate's teams went 60-25 in her three seasons under Coach Robinson.
Kate played in the state playoffs in each of those three years, advancing to the state semifinals in 2005.
Kate graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill and now works for Southwest Airlines... DING!
Kate played in the state playoffs in each of those three years, advancing to the state semifinals in 2005.
Kate graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill and now works for Southwest Airlines... DING!
Margaret Minton - Laws - Class of 2007.
Margaret played four years on the varsity team, winning state titles in her last two seasons.
Margaret was a part of two conference regular season and tournament championships, two state sectional championships and two state western regional championships.
Margaret's teams went 108-15 in her four seasons.
Margaret graduated from Peace College where she played basketball.
Margaret is now married (Margaret Laws) and was a graduate student at The Ohio State University. She worked in the A.C.C. office and now is an assistant athletics director for business operations at Elon University.
Margaret was a part of two conference regular season and tournament championships, two state sectional championships and two state western regional championships.
Margaret's teams went 108-15 in her four seasons.
Margaret graduated from Peace College where she played basketball.
Margaret is now married (Margaret Laws) and was a graduate student at The Ohio State University. She worked in the A.C.C. office and now is an assistant athletics director for business operations at Elon University.
Gabby Mortis - Class of 2010.
Gabby played four seasons in the Lady Villains' Program, including her last two on the varsity.
Gabby was a part of two state championship teams, and her teams went a combined 52-11 in those seasons.
Gabby's 2008-09 Team won the conference regular season and tournament championships, and she was a part of two state sectional and regional championships.
Gabby graduated from Wake Forest University and works for the Triad Basketball Officials Association.
Gabby was a part of two state championship teams, and her teams went a combined 52-11 in those seasons.
Gabby's 2008-09 Team won the conference regular season and tournament championships, and she was a part of two state sectional and regional championships.
Gabby graduated from Wake Forest University and works for the Triad Basketball Officials Association.
Cameron Nieters - Class of 2014.
Cameron was a member of our varsity team for four seasons.
Cameron led the Lady Villains to one conference regular season championship, three conference tournament titles, four sectional championships, four western regional titles, and four state championships.
Cameron went 106-22 as a varsity team member.
Cameron has graduated from Harvard University and now works in the district attorney's office in Forsyth County.
Cameron led the Lady Villains to one conference regular season championship, three conference tournament titles, four sectional championships, four western regional titles, and four state championships.
Cameron went 106-22 as a varsity team member.
Cameron has graduated from Harvard University and now works in the district attorney's office in Forsyth County.
Danielle Nieters - Class of 2016.
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Danielle Nieters went 82-35 during her four seasons on the varsity team.
Danielle won one regular season conference championship and two conference tournament titles. Her teams won two sectional and regional championships and two state championships. Danielle played basketball at Dartmouth University in 2016-17. |
Isabella Pardino - Class of 2019.
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Isabella Pardino played one season on the varsity team in 2018-19 helping the Lady Villains to a 19-9 record and a second place finish in the Northwest 1A.
Isa's team made it to the second round of the state playoffs in 2019. |
Brianna Paul - Class of 2019.
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Brianna Paul played three years on the varsity team after splitting time between the JV and varsity team her freshman year.
Brianna helped the varsity team to a 64-48 record in four seasons, a conference tournament runner-up finish in 2018 and back-to-back second place finishes in the Northwest 1A league in 2018 and 2019. The Lady Villains advanced past the first round of the state playoffs in each of Brianna's four seasons, making it to the third round in 2017. |
Marie Petrangeli - Class of 2012.
Marie played on the varsity for three years, after being called up to the varsity at the end of her freshman year on the junior varsity team.
Marie helped the Lady Villains win two conference tournament titles, four sectional titles, and four Western Regional Titles. In addition, Marie's teams won four state championships.
Marie went a combined 85-18 in those three (+) seasons.
Marie graduated from West Point in 2017.
Marie helped the Lady Villains win two conference tournament titles, four sectional titles, and four Western Regional Titles. In addition, Marie's teams won four state championships.
Marie went a combined 85-18 in those three (+) seasons.
Marie graduated from West Point in 2017.
Michelle Petrangeli - Class of 2021.
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Michelle played on the varsity for four seasons from 2017-2021.
Michelle went 69-31 in her four seasons on the varsity. Her teams finished in second place in the Northwest 1A all four years. Her 2019-20 team made it to the Eastern Regional Finals and her 2020-21 team went to the Western Regional Semifinals. |
Jeannie Pfeiffer - Class of 2017.
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Jeannie played two seasons on the varsity team from 2015-17, going 29-27 during that span.
Jeannie's teams advanced to the second round of the state playoffs her junior year and then to the third round her senior year. Jeannie will take a year off after graduating and travel the world before attending North Carolina State University. |
Alex Putman - Class of 2015.
Alex played four years on the varsity team amassing a record of 96-27.
Alex played on three state championship teams in her four seasons.
Alex is a senior at UNC-Wilmington.
Alex played on three state championship teams in her four seasons.
Alex is a senior at UNC-Wilmington.
Megan Rembielak - Class of 2008.
Megan played three seasons on the Varsity Lady Villains' Team, winning three state championships.
Megan's teams went 90-7 in her three seasons, winning the conference regular season and tournament, and the state sectional and regional title each year.
Megan graduated from Appalachian State University where she played softball.
Megan was named All-Southern Conference in softball in 2012.
Megan now works in Charlotte.
Megan's teams went 90-7 in her three seasons, winning the conference regular season and tournament, and the state sectional and regional title each year.
Megan graduated from Appalachian State University where she played softball.
Megan was named All-Southern Conference in softball in 2012.
Megan now works in Charlotte.
Kelsey Rochford - Class of 2009.
Kelsey played two seasons on our program's Junior Varsity Team, before becoming our team manager for her final two years.
Kelsey was the manager on our 2007-08 and 2008-09 State Championship Teams.
Kelsey managed for 56 wins and just 10 losses in those years.
Kelsey attended UNC-Charlotte for one year before transferring to UNC-Chapel Hill and now works in the medical field in Charlotte.
Kelsey was the manager on our 2007-08 and 2008-09 State Championship Teams.
Kelsey managed for 56 wins and just 10 losses in those years.
Kelsey attended UNC-Charlotte for one year before transferring to UNC-Chapel Hill and now works in the medical field in Charlotte.
McKenzie Rochford - Class of 2014.
McKenzie played four years on the varsity, compiling a 106-22 record in those four years.
McKenzie helped the varsity team win four sectional, regional and state championships, one conference regular season title, and three conference tournament titles.
McKenzie graduated from UNC-Greensboro.
McKenzie helped the varsity team win four sectional, regional and state championships, one conference regular season title, and three conference tournament titles.
McKenzie graduated from UNC-Greensboro.
Abigail Role - Class of 2015.
Abigail played two-plus seasons on the varsity team, winning two state championships.
Abi had a record 76-21 over that time period.
Abi attends East Carolina University.
Abi had a record 76-21 over that time period.
Abi attends East Carolina University.
Isabelle Role - Class of 2017.
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Isabelle played two seasons on the varsity, 2015-16 and 2016-17.
Isabelle's two teams went a combined 29-27. Isabelle's junior year the team advanced to the second round of the state playoffs and her senior year team made it to the third round of the state playoffs. |
Lily Role - Class of 2020.
Lily Role played three full seasons on the varsity.
Lily helped the Varsity Lady Villains to a sectional runner-up her sophomore more year and a sectional championship and regional runner-up her senior year.
The Lady Villains went 59-25 in her three seasons on the varsity.
Lily helped the Varsity Lady Villains to a sectional runner-up her sophomore more year and a sectional championship and regional runner-up her senior year.
The Lady Villains went 59-25 in her three seasons on the varsity.
Maggie Ronan - Class of 2008.
Maggie played four seasons on the varsity team, going a combined 111-13 in that span and winning three state championships.
Maggie was a part of three conference regular season and state championships, three state sectional titles and three state regional titles.
Maggie graduated from St. Mary's University in South Bend, Indiana where she played basketball.
Maggie is now a marketing and social media employee in Los Angeles, California for United Airlines.
Maggie was inducted into the Hall-of-Fame at Bishop McGuinness in 2015.
Maggie was a part of three conference regular season and state championships, three state sectional titles and three state regional titles.
Maggie graduated from St. Mary's University in South Bend, Indiana where she played basketball.
Maggie is now a marketing and social media employee in Los Angeles, California for United Airlines.
Maggie was inducted into the Hall-of-Fame at Bishop McGuinness in 2015.
Isabella Ross - Class of 2023.
Emily Sickelbaugh - Class of 2009.
Emily played three years of varsity basketball at Bishop and won three state championships.
Emily was a part of 88 wins and 11 losses in her 99 games on the varsity.
Emily also was a member of three straight conference regular season and tournament title teams, three state sectional tournament championships and three state western regional championships.
Emily has graduated after playing volleyball at Sweet Briar College.
Emily was a part of 88 wins and 11 losses in her 99 games on the varsity.
Emily also was a member of three straight conference regular season and tournament title teams, three state sectional tournament championships and three state western regional championships.
Emily has graduated after playing volleyball at Sweet Briar College.
Bridget Simmons - Class of 2018.
|
Bridget played four seasons on the varsity team.
Bridget's teams went 61-49 in her four seasons. making it to the third round of the state playoffs in 2017, and the second round in 2015-16 and 2018. The Lady Villains made it to the conference tournament championship game in 2018. Bridget plans to attend High Point University in 2018-19. |
Gina Simmons - Class of 2009.
Gina played all four years on the varsity team, winning four straight state titles.
Gina's teams went 119-11 in her four seasons and won the conference regular season and tournament titles each season, as well as the state sectional and western regional title in that span.
Gina went on to play basketball at Lenoir-Rhyne during her freshman year.
Gina was an assistant coach in the Lady Villains' Program in 2010-11, winning a state championship.
Gina returned for the 2012-13 Season as an assistant coach for the Lady Villains, and won another state title.
Gina worked for the Susan G. Komen Foundation in Winston-Salem, was an assistant girls basketball coach at West Forsyth High School and now does interior designing.
Gina's teams went 119-11 in her four seasons and won the conference regular season and tournament titles each season, as well as the state sectional and western regional title in that span.
Gina went on to play basketball at Lenoir-Rhyne during her freshman year.
Gina was an assistant coach in the Lady Villains' Program in 2010-11, winning a state championship.
Gina returned for the 2012-13 Season as an assistant coach for the Lady Villains, and won another state title.
Gina worked for the Susan G. Komen Foundation in Winston-Salem, was an assistant girls basketball coach at West Forsyth High School and now does interior designing.
Allie Thompson - Class of 2006.
Allie was a manager in our program for two seasons, the last season being our 2005-06 State Championship Team.
Allie was a part of 52 wins and 6 losses in those two years.
Allie went on to attend Xavier University.
Allie was a part of 52 wins and 6 losses in those two years.
Allie went on to attend Xavier University.
Erinn Thompson - Class of 2009.
Erinn played four seasons on the varsity team, winning four straight state championships.
Erinn's team won the conference regular season and conference tournament each year as well as the state sectional and regional championships.
Erinn's teams went 119-11 in her four years.
Erinn has finished her basketball career at the University of Virginia, but will remain with the team during the 2012-13 Season.
Erinn's team won the conference regular season and conference tournament each year as well as the state sectional and regional championships.
Erinn's teams went 119-11 in her four years.
Erinn has finished her basketball career at the University of Virginia, but will remain with the team during the 2012-13 Season.
Kiersten Varner - Class of 2024.
Emma Wagoner - Class of 2024.
Ashley Washing - Class of 2005.
Ashley played three seasons for Coach Robinson, going 60-25 in that span.
Ashley played on teams that qualified for the state playoffs each season, advancing to the state semifinals in 2005.
Ashley attended Pfeiffer University following graduation from Bishop.
Ashley played on teams that qualified for the state playoffs each season, advancing to the state semifinals in 2005.
Ashley attended Pfeiffer University following graduation from Bishop.
Quwahia Wong-Lee - Class of 2016.
|
Quwahia Wong-Lee played one year on the varsity.
Her team went 13-14 overall and reached the second round of the NCHSAA 1A State Playoffs. Quwahia attended The Claremont Colleges in California and to play basketball in 2016-17. (photo courtesy of the Winston-Salem Journal.) |
Alumni By Jersey #:
(Worn Senior Season; under Coach Robinson)
#00: Ashley Washing
#02: Erinn Thompson, Katie Burske
#03: Megan Rembielak, Marie Petrangeli, Abigail Role, Brianna Paul, Charley Chappell
#05: Cammie Cooke
#10: Emma Blaney, Alex Putman
#11 Sammi Goldsmith, Tia Cappuccio
#12: Jeanie Geraghty, Sarah Foroudi, McKenzie Rochford, Emily Elliott, Tate Chappell
#14: Katheryn Lyons, Erin Liebal, Kiersten Varner
#20: Sheyda Foroudi, Maggie Ronan, Gabby Mortis, Olivia DeFrancesco, Katie Deal
#21 Sarah Coon, Grace Harriman
#22: Suzanne Grant, Amanda Cross, Brittany Cox, Kelly Elder, Danielle Nieters, Isabella Ross, Emma Wagoner.
#23: Megan Buckland, Quwahia Wong-Lee
#24: Emily Sickelbaugh, Lauren Cushing, Elizabeth Knox
#25: Anna DeFrancesco, Tessa Johnston, Isabella Pardino
#30: Kim Burke
#32: Kate McNamara
#34: Margaret Minton, Erin Fitzgerald, Julia Brown, Caroline Deal
#44: Gina Simmons, Cameron Nieters, Bridget Simmons
-------------------
MGRS: Allie Thompson, Kelsey Cossio, Tori Koesters
Scorekeeper: Christa Dolan
H-2-O: Kelsey Rochford
Number of alums under Coach Robinson that have gone on to play a sport in college: 24. From those 21, 9 played Division I, 3 played Division II, and 12 played Division III. Of those 24 players, 19 played basketball and 5 played another sport.
#02: Erinn Thompson, Katie Burske
#03: Megan Rembielak, Marie Petrangeli, Abigail Role, Brianna Paul, Charley Chappell
#05: Cammie Cooke
#10: Emma Blaney, Alex Putman
#11 Sammi Goldsmith, Tia Cappuccio
#12: Jeanie Geraghty, Sarah Foroudi, McKenzie Rochford, Emily Elliott, Tate Chappell
#14: Katheryn Lyons, Erin Liebal, Kiersten Varner
#20: Sheyda Foroudi, Maggie Ronan, Gabby Mortis, Olivia DeFrancesco, Katie Deal
#21 Sarah Coon, Grace Harriman
#22: Suzanne Grant, Amanda Cross, Brittany Cox, Kelly Elder, Danielle Nieters, Isabella Ross, Emma Wagoner.
#23: Megan Buckland, Quwahia Wong-Lee
#24: Emily Sickelbaugh, Lauren Cushing, Elizabeth Knox
#25: Anna DeFrancesco, Tessa Johnston, Isabella Pardino
#30: Kim Burke
#32: Kate McNamara
#34: Margaret Minton, Erin Fitzgerald, Julia Brown, Caroline Deal
#44: Gina Simmons, Cameron Nieters, Bridget Simmons
-------------------
MGRS: Allie Thompson, Kelsey Cossio, Tori Koesters
Scorekeeper: Christa Dolan
H-2-O: Kelsey Rochford
Number of alums under Coach Robinson that have gone on to play a sport in college: 24. From those 21, 9 played Division I, 3 played Division II, and 12 played Division III. Of those 24 players, 19 played basketball and 5 played another sport.
High Point Enterprise - March 11, 2012 - "Past and Present Villains Savor Run".
Erin Liebal With Coach Robinson:).
(Picture Courtesy of W-S Journal.)
by Michael Lindsay
Chapel Hill - One practice at a time, one game at a time, one season at a time the Bishop McGuinness' girls, throughout the years, have a basketball program like no other in the state.
With their 60-44 win Saturday in the Dean Smith Center, the Villains won the NCHSAA 1A title for the seventh straight time, dating to the 2006 season, to eclipse the mark set by Hayesville from 1988-1993.
"It's been amazing," said senior Sammi Goldsmith, who was named the championship MVP. "To end like this is the best way ever to end my career in high school. But, like we say, it's not all about one person. It's everybody."
While the 2012 team set the record, it has been a product of countless players over the years, even before the string of championships, and their hard work and dedication to the team, coaches and school.
So, for the nearly 20 players who were in attendance Saturday (nearly a dozen were also at the regional), the experience of being part of something that's meant so much to so many people was unbelievable.
"It's kind of an awe moment," Megan Buckland, class of 2011. "I'm part of something that has made history, and they made history today. You kind of step back when you look at it. It's pretty amazing. I'm in awe of everything I've helped be a part of and others have paved the way for."
One big thing the players said that helped them were the opportunities to be successful. The expectations have been set high and the challenges made difficult. But the players have learned to focus on the details and rise to the occasion at Bishop.
"To be a part of this atmosphere, it really opened my eyes", says Erin Fitzgerald, class of 2010. "It's exciting, very exciting. I'm so glad to have been a part of it."
Another big thing, of course, has been Brian Robinson, the head coach since 2002. Over the years, he has helped teach his players not only about basketball but also life skills that they've carried after Bishop.
He has been, in large part, why his players want to continue to be a part of the program long after they've graduated and why so many former players and parents of former players made an effort to be at the game.
"I still feel welcome, like I'm still part of it," said Katheryn Lyons, class of 2007.
"It really is a community. It's not just each distinct team that's winning". "It's a family", said Amanda (Cross) Brown, class of 2005.
"And I think you'd still see a similar setting even if the girls hadn't won, just because of the community that's been built here and the family environment," Brown added. "That's what so important. He focuses on relationships and being an influence."
For Robinson, to have built a program that has achieved so much - both on the court and off - in his 10 years was a very special moment for his as well.
"It makes me very proud as a coach that the program has meant that much to the girls," he said. "Typically, when kids graduate, you may see them one more time. During the playoff run, though, they were there almost every game. "It shows that this meant a lot more to them than just basketball. It's really turning into almost a family thing, where kids leave the house, but they come back to visit. It's really like the holidays. I'm really living the dream right now."
Chapel Hill - One practice at a time, one game at a time, one season at a time the Bishop McGuinness' girls, throughout the years, have a basketball program like no other in the state.
With their 60-44 win Saturday in the Dean Smith Center, the Villains won the NCHSAA 1A title for the seventh straight time, dating to the 2006 season, to eclipse the mark set by Hayesville from 1988-1993.
"It's been amazing," said senior Sammi Goldsmith, who was named the championship MVP. "To end like this is the best way ever to end my career in high school. But, like we say, it's not all about one person. It's everybody."
While the 2012 team set the record, it has been a product of countless players over the years, even before the string of championships, and their hard work and dedication to the team, coaches and school.
So, for the nearly 20 players who were in attendance Saturday (nearly a dozen were also at the regional), the experience of being part of something that's meant so much to so many people was unbelievable.
"It's kind of an awe moment," Megan Buckland, class of 2011. "I'm part of something that has made history, and they made history today. You kind of step back when you look at it. It's pretty amazing. I'm in awe of everything I've helped be a part of and others have paved the way for."
One big thing the players said that helped them were the opportunities to be successful. The expectations have been set high and the challenges made difficult. But the players have learned to focus on the details and rise to the occasion at Bishop.
"To be a part of this atmosphere, it really opened my eyes", says Erin Fitzgerald, class of 2010. "It's exciting, very exciting. I'm so glad to have been a part of it."
Another big thing, of course, has been Brian Robinson, the head coach since 2002. Over the years, he has helped teach his players not only about basketball but also life skills that they've carried after Bishop.
He has been, in large part, why his players want to continue to be a part of the program long after they've graduated and why so many former players and parents of former players made an effort to be at the game.
"I still feel welcome, like I'm still part of it," said Katheryn Lyons, class of 2007.
"It really is a community. It's not just each distinct team that's winning". "It's a family", said Amanda (Cross) Brown, class of 2005.
"And I think you'd still see a similar setting even if the girls hadn't won, just because of the community that's been built here and the family environment," Brown added. "That's what so important. He focuses on relationships and being an influence."
For Robinson, to have built a program that has achieved so much - both on the court and off - in his 10 years was a very special moment for his as well.
"It makes me very proud as a coach that the program has meant that much to the girls," he said. "Typically, when kids graduate, you may see them one more time. During the playoff run, though, they were there almost every game. "It shows that this meant a lot more to them than just basketball. It's really turning into almost a family thing, where kids leave the house, but they come back to visit. It's really like the holidays. I'm really living the dream right now."
1st Annual Alumni Game A Big Success!!!
Our first annual alumni game was a big success. The Blue Team defeated the White Team 37-20 in the game. The dinner following featured Lady Villains' first-ever basketball coach, Sarah Kirby, as its' speaker.
Overall, a good first event, and here's to a bigger and better event in 2014!!!
GO LADY VILLAINS!!!
Overall, a good first event, and here's to a bigger and better event in 2014!!!
GO LADY VILLAINS!!!
A Lady Villain Mentality... by Sammi Goldsmith (Posted On 3/6/15).
It was the last day of tryouts my freshman year and Coach Robinson started the session by talking to us as we stood on the sideline. “JV girls head down to the other end. Sammi, you stay here with varsity.” I remember my heart dropping into my stomach. I felt weak in the knees and I was in shock.
I spent my freshman year going through the motions. Eight girls from that team would eventually go on to play basketball at the collegiate level. I remember feeling like we were so good that I did not have to try. This was the worst mistake I ever made. I did not improve much and my extremely competitive teammates were not a fan of my laid back mentality. I was the lone freshman and I did not strive to be more than that. I spent the following summer preparing for the new role I would take on the following season. Only one starter would be returning, and my minutes were about to increase dramatically.
I took some time to analyze my freshman year. I saw that I did not work hard and I was complacent. Complacent might be the worst thing a player can be in any team sport. If I’m the best player on a bad team and I am satisfied with a losing record because I get a lot of individual recognition, then I am too complacent. In my situation as a freshman, I was one of the weaker players on an amazing team, and I was satisfied with being third off of the bench because I knew the others could get the job done without me. I never wanted to be this kind of player again. I wanted to be better because I wanted to a part of something great, something bigger than myself.
My college coach once asked me what is my “Why?” After a lot of thought, I came to the conclusion that my “Why” is because even though the lows can often be so devastatingly low, the highs make it all the more worth it. I have felt so many lows throughout my basketball career, even in high school. One might look and say, “Well you were a four-time State Champion. How could you have possibly suffered at all?” People who ask this are always outsiders looking in. Looking back, it is easy to remember the good times because that is how every season ended: Holding up the big trophy and ordering our next ring.
My sophomore year we lost our first conference game ever. We had won 69 straight regular season conference games. One of my teammates started talking in the locker room after the game. She said it was bound to happen eventually. Later, I spoke with one of our graduated seniors and I repeated what my current teammate said. She was so angry at that comment. In her mind, losing was not an option. It never HAD to happen. This was the mentality of the people who had been there before us and I quickly realized we needed it back again. Coach R always reminded us of the significance of our alumni, even those who never won a championship because they led us to where we are now. He was right. The one I spoke to after that game had a championship mentality. It was a “losing is never okay” mentality, and we had to get that back in order to win another State Championship.
We took a lot of hits my sophomore year during the regular season; however, every time we lost we assumed it was for a reason. We constantly learned from our mistakes and went into the playoffs with a winning mindset. Six games later, we were champions again.
To continue the streak felt amazing. Unfortunately, we did not do so without taking a hit. Our point guard tore her ACL in the third quarter of the championship game and would be out for about two months of the following season. For the first time in my life I would play point guard, and I had some extremely big shoes to fill. We played a good team to start my junior campaign. Coach R always set up competitive non-conference games in order to prepare us for the road ahead. This game was a part of a Thanksgiving season kick-off tournament and to say the least, we played terrible. More specifically, I played terrible. It was an awful way to start my career as a point guard. Coach R was extremely hard on me as the season continued, but never once did he put someone else at my spot or tell me I was a bad point-guard. By the time our former point guard had recovered and was ready to play, I was confident in that position. She took over the spot again but by now I was able to help her bring the ball up when necessary. More importantly, I was 1000 times more prepared for the following year, when my turn would come to be the number one option at the point-guard spot.
We won the State Championship my junior year too, and I went into my senior year with a lot of confidence in my new role. Coach R has a way of doing things without you realizing. He was hard on me and stuck me in something out of my comfort zone. For a while I did not get it and I was very frustrated, but I slowly saw the point. Senior year came and I was ready to be the court-facilitator. I was ready to have the ball in my hands at all times. I knew Coach R’s expectations would be extremely high. I mean higher than you could ever believe. Sometimes I would run a play and the person would miss the shot, and Coach would scream at me. At first I was in shock, like why is he yelling at me? I didn’t miss the shot. That kind of thinking does not win championships. I should have ran that play so that the junior on the right wing would come off the back-door cut for the lay-up, rather than set it up for the freshman who barely knows the plays. Champions do not think about why mistakes are not their fault. Champions consider all possible ways to make sure mistakes are never repeated. I got into foul trouble a few times my senior year and Coach R would sit me on the bench and rip into me every time someone on the court made a mistake. This is where I learned that being a point-guard is so much more than running plays and breaking presses. Everything I do affects my team. Every play I run needs to go a certain way so that I set up my teammates in a way that is best for them. A good point guard can “just play” while also thinking of one million things at a time.
Coach R did not simply teach me these things with a chalkboard; he persistently trained me. He never sat me down and gave me a “point-guard for dummies” book. He never said that I was a good leader. He constantly did things that would drive me to be a better point-guard and a better leader. A championship mentality means never being satisfied. Through this process of improvement as a person and player, I also learned that winning is not the main goal. Each day, in a practice or a game, the goal is to get better. If that happens, the winning will come.
I was so fortunate to play under Coach R at Bishop McGuinness for four years. Without him I would not be the player I am today. I look back on my time there and am unbelievably thankful for the lessons I learned that have prepared me for my basketball career in college. I was more prepared than ever when I had to play point-guard again as a junior. I understand that each season is a journey, and the only way to strive for a championship is to have a team full of people who are hungry to get better every time they step on the court. Being a part of the Bishop McGuinness women’s basketball program is not about the rings. It is about sacrificing your self-interest for the greater good of the team so that in the end, no matter what the scoreboard reads, you truly are a winner. There is no better thing to be in high school than a Lady Villain.
I spent my freshman year going through the motions. Eight girls from that team would eventually go on to play basketball at the collegiate level. I remember feeling like we were so good that I did not have to try. This was the worst mistake I ever made. I did not improve much and my extremely competitive teammates were not a fan of my laid back mentality. I was the lone freshman and I did not strive to be more than that. I spent the following summer preparing for the new role I would take on the following season. Only one starter would be returning, and my minutes were about to increase dramatically.
I took some time to analyze my freshman year. I saw that I did not work hard and I was complacent. Complacent might be the worst thing a player can be in any team sport. If I’m the best player on a bad team and I am satisfied with a losing record because I get a lot of individual recognition, then I am too complacent. In my situation as a freshman, I was one of the weaker players on an amazing team, and I was satisfied with being third off of the bench because I knew the others could get the job done without me. I never wanted to be this kind of player again. I wanted to be better because I wanted to a part of something great, something bigger than myself.
My college coach once asked me what is my “Why?” After a lot of thought, I came to the conclusion that my “Why” is because even though the lows can often be so devastatingly low, the highs make it all the more worth it. I have felt so many lows throughout my basketball career, even in high school. One might look and say, “Well you were a four-time State Champion. How could you have possibly suffered at all?” People who ask this are always outsiders looking in. Looking back, it is easy to remember the good times because that is how every season ended: Holding up the big trophy and ordering our next ring.
My sophomore year we lost our first conference game ever. We had won 69 straight regular season conference games. One of my teammates started talking in the locker room after the game. She said it was bound to happen eventually. Later, I spoke with one of our graduated seniors and I repeated what my current teammate said. She was so angry at that comment. In her mind, losing was not an option. It never HAD to happen. This was the mentality of the people who had been there before us and I quickly realized we needed it back again. Coach R always reminded us of the significance of our alumni, even those who never won a championship because they led us to where we are now. He was right. The one I spoke to after that game had a championship mentality. It was a “losing is never okay” mentality, and we had to get that back in order to win another State Championship.
We took a lot of hits my sophomore year during the regular season; however, every time we lost we assumed it was for a reason. We constantly learned from our mistakes and went into the playoffs with a winning mindset. Six games later, we were champions again.
To continue the streak felt amazing. Unfortunately, we did not do so without taking a hit. Our point guard tore her ACL in the third quarter of the championship game and would be out for about two months of the following season. For the first time in my life I would play point guard, and I had some extremely big shoes to fill. We played a good team to start my junior campaign. Coach R always set up competitive non-conference games in order to prepare us for the road ahead. This game was a part of a Thanksgiving season kick-off tournament and to say the least, we played terrible. More specifically, I played terrible. It was an awful way to start my career as a point guard. Coach R was extremely hard on me as the season continued, but never once did he put someone else at my spot or tell me I was a bad point-guard. By the time our former point guard had recovered and was ready to play, I was confident in that position. She took over the spot again but by now I was able to help her bring the ball up when necessary. More importantly, I was 1000 times more prepared for the following year, when my turn would come to be the number one option at the point-guard spot.
We won the State Championship my junior year too, and I went into my senior year with a lot of confidence in my new role. Coach R has a way of doing things without you realizing. He was hard on me and stuck me in something out of my comfort zone. For a while I did not get it and I was very frustrated, but I slowly saw the point. Senior year came and I was ready to be the court-facilitator. I was ready to have the ball in my hands at all times. I knew Coach R’s expectations would be extremely high. I mean higher than you could ever believe. Sometimes I would run a play and the person would miss the shot, and Coach would scream at me. At first I was in shock, like why is he yelling at me? I didn’t miss the shot. That kind of thinking does not win championships. I should have ran that play so that the junior on the right wing would come off the back-door cut for the lay-up, rather than set it up for the freshman who barely knows the plays. Champions do not think about why mistakes are not their fault. Champions consider all possible ways to make sure mistakes are never repeated. I got into foul trouble a few times my senior year and Coach R would sit me on the bench and rip into me every time someone on the court made a mistake. This is where I learned that being a point-guard is so much more than running plays and breaking presses. Everything I do affects my team. Every play I run needs to go a certain way so that I set up my teammates in a way that is best for them. A good point guard can “just play” while also thinking of one million things at a time.
Coach R did not simply teach me these things with a chalkboard; he persistently trained me. He never sat me down and gave me a “point-guard for dummies” book. He never said that I was a good leader. He constantly did things that would drive me to be a better point-guard and a better leader. A championship mentality means never being satisfied. Through this process of improvement as a person and player, I also learned that winning is not the main goal. Each day, in a practice or a game, the goal is to get better. If that happens, the winning will come.
I was so fortunate to play under Coach R at Bishop McGuinness for four years. Without him I would not be the player I am today. I look back on my time there and am unbelievably thankful for the lessons I learned that have prepared me for my basketball career in college. I was more prepared than ever when I had to play point-guard again as a junior. I understand that each season is a journey, and the only way to strive for a championship is to have a team full of people who are hungry to get better every time they step on the court. Being a part of the Bishop McGuinness women’s basketball program is not about the rings. It is about sacrificing your self-interest for the greater good of the team so that in the end, no matter what the scoreboard reads, you truly are a winner. There is no better thing to be in high school than a Lady Villain.
Brittany Cox Named Head Varsity Girls Coach At West Forsyth - August 4, 2015 - Winston-Salem Journal.
Posted: Tuesday, August 4, 2015 8:34 pm
BY JAY SPIVEY Winston-Salem Journal
Brittany Cox was named the new girls’ basketball coach at West Forsyth last week, but she said it was a funny story about she even came about applying for the position.
Cox replaces LaQuanda Quick, who had a very successful program with the Titans, including going to the 4-A championship in 2011. Quick, who played at West Forsyth playing at North Carolina and the WNBA, left earlier this summer to become an assistant coach with the women’s team at Winston-Salem State, under Coach A.G. Hall.
Cox applied for another job in Forsyth County in the spring. She wasn’t willing to say which school it was, but it afforded her the opportunity to coach at West Forsyth.
“I saw that there was a West Forsyth opening,” Cox said by phone. “So I emailed the athletic director (Mike Pennington), and so I was really excited just because I know the history of the program and the school. So I emailed the AD and was like, ‘I saw that you all have an opening for women’s basketball, and I just wanted to see if that was true.’
She said Pennington responded to her email.
“He was like, ‘No, I’m sorry. That’s not true.’ I realized it was West Forsyth in Georgia. So I was really embarrassed and I apologized to him.”
She said that about a month later Pennington emailed her and said the position was open after Quick left, and he wanted to know if she was interested. She replied that she was interested and interviewed. She liked what she heard from Pennington and Principal Charles McAninch.
“We have a good girls’ basketball program,” Pennington said by phone. “Obviously LaQuanda did a very good job. We’re also excited about Brittany. She’s a young coach. She played at Bishop (McGuinness) and won four state championships. So you call tell by talking to her that she likes to win.”
Cox was part of a McGuinness team that won nine straight NCHSAA Class 1-A girls’ basketball championship. She played for Coach Brian Robinson, and while there, she helped win titles from 2006-09.
Quick, who oversaw the summer program at West Forsyth even though she had already accepted the position at WSSU, said she saw Cox two weeks ago.
“I think she pretty much has a good idea of what goes on at West Forsyth,” Quick said by phone. “She’s gotten to see the type of talent she’s going to have the next few years. I just told her to just do your best to try to keep those girls together because I think they’re a special group and can do some really special things.”
Quick said she would like Cox to continue with her success.
“I don’t want to be selfish, but I really would love for her to sort of carry on what I already put in place,” Quick said. “If she can do that in her own way that would be good, as well. I want them to be successful no matter what.”
After leaving Bishop McGuinness, Cox went on to play four years at Pfeiffer where you she finished as a three-time All Conference Carolinas selection and had 1,669 points, 540 rebounds, 217 assists and 143 steals.
She then went on to be a special assistant coach to Coach Wanda Watkins with the Camels at Campbell. She coached there for two years and assisted with social media, and involved herself in academic, administrative, community and travel of the program, as well as pregame preparation.
“That was really hard (to leave Campbell),” Cox said. “Because I’ve grown so close to (Watkins). She let me know that she would be there every step of the way. It’s been emotional because it’s hard to leave. But she encouraged me and let me know if I ever need anything she would be there.”
Another person on her side is Robinson. Cox started coaching the girls in Robinson’s Winston-Salem Stealers program when she was in the eighth grade. She started playing with the Stealers when she was 10. It was hard for Cox to express how much Robinson has meant to her.
“The older I get the more I realize all the things that he did teach me,” she said. “He taught me the importance of team, and he taught me patience. As a younger athlete, everybody at Bishop, we were super-competitive. All of us were. We loved winning. I think that showed on the court.”
Robinson told her not to change who she is.
“Obviously, she has to understand that she’s not going to make everyone happy,” Robinson said. “That’s just a part of everyone’s coaching lives, no matter what sport you coach and what age you coach.”
Robinson added that the end game is to help the whole team be successful.
“Not everyone’s going to agree with it, but you’re helping the whole team out, not just an individual. In the long run she’ll be fine,” he said.
Robinson said there will definitely be some bumps in the road, especially in the rugged Central Piedmont 4-A conference.
“I think the fact that she’s been a part of some teams that have won championships. Understand that it’s not going to happen overnight. It’s a process every year,” Robinson said. “Once you have success, whether it’s winning a conference championship or state championship or whatever you win that the next year you start all over again. Don’t rest on your laurels.”
Pennington said it’s key that she’s been hired to teach life skills and will be on campus full-time.
“I think for Brittany, it was paramount to get her on campus,” Pennington said. “I think it will be huge for her. I think it will be good for our girls.”
Cox said she’s in the process of moving to Clemmons and wants to immerse herself in the community.
“I want people to start knowing my face and know that I’m not just a basketball coach,” she said. “I want to do what I can to help this school, this program, these girls, in any facet of life.”
jspivey@wsjournal.com
(336) 727-7370
BY JAY SPIVEY Winston-Salem Journal
Brittany Cox was named the new girls’ basketball coach at West Forsyth last week, but she said it was a funny story about she even came about applying for the position.
Cox replaces LaQuanda Quick, who had a very successful program with the Titans, including going to the 4-A championship in 2011. Quick, who played at West Forsyth playing at North Carolina and the WNBA, left earlier this summer to become an assistant coach with the women’s team at Winston-Salem State, under Coach A.G. Hall.
Cox applied for another job in Forsyth County in the spring. She wasn’t willing to say which school it was, but it afforded her the opportunity to coach at West Forsyth.
“I saw that there was a West Forsyth opening,” Cox said by phone. “So I emailed the athletic director (Mike Pennington), and so I was really excited just because I know the history of the program and the school. So I emailed the AD and was like, ‘I saw that you all have an opening for women’s basketball, and I just wanted to see if that was true.’
She said Pennington responded to her email.
“He was like, ‘No, I’m sorry. That’s not true.’ I realized it was West Forsyth in Georgia. So I was really embarrassed and I apologized to him.”
She said that about a month later Pennington emailed her and said the position was open after Quick left, and he wanted to know if she was interested. She replied that she was interested and interviewed. She liked what she heard from Pennington and Principal Charles McAninch.
“We have a good girls’ basketball program,” Pennington said by phone. “Obviously LaQuanda did a very good job. We’re also excited about Brittany. She’s a young coach. She played at Bishop (McGuinness) and won four state championships. So you call tell by talking to her that she likes to win.”
Cox was part of a McGuinness team that won nine straight NCHSAA Class 1-A girls’ basketball championship. She played for Coach Brian Robinson, and while there, she helped win titles from 2006-09.
Quick, who oversaw the summer program at West Forsyth even though she had already accepted the position at WSSU, said she saw Cox two weeks ago.
“I think she pretty much has a good idea of what goes on at West Forsyth,” Quick said by phone. “She’s gotten to see the type of talent she’s going to have the next few years. I just told her to just do your best to try to keep those girls together because I think they’re a special group and can do some really special things.”
Quick said she would like Cox to continue with her success.
“I don’t want to be selfish, but I really would love for her to sort of carry on what I already put in place,” Quick said. “If she can do that in her own way that would be good, as well. I want them to be successful no matter what.”
After leaving Bishop McGuinness, Cox went on to play four years at Pfeiffer where you she finished as a three-time All Conference Carolinas selection and had 1,669 points, 540 rebounds, 217 assists and 143 steals.
She then went on to be a special assistant coach to Coach Wanda Watkins with the Camels at Campbell. She coached there for two years and assisted with social media, and involved herself in academic, administrative, community and travel of the program, as well as pregame preparation.
“That was really hard (to leave Campbell),” Cox said. “Because I’ve grown so close to (Watkins). She let me know that she would be there every step of the way. It’s been emotional because it’s hard to leave. But she encouraged me and let me know if I ever need anything she would be there.”
Another person on her side is Robinson. Cox started coaching the girls in Robinson’s Winston-Salem Stealers program when she was in the eighth grade. She started playing with the Stealers when she was 10. It was hard for Cox to express how much Robinson has meant to her.
“The older I get the more I realize all the things that he did teach me,” she said. “He taught me the importance of team, and he taught me patience. As a younger athlete, everybody at Bishop, we were super-competitive. All of us were. We loved winning. I think that showed on the court.”
Robinson told her not to change who she is.
“Obviously, she has to understand that she’s not going to make everyone happy,” Robinson said. “That’s just a part of everyone’s coaching lives, no matter what sport you coach and what age you coach.”
Robinson added that the end game is to help the whole team be successful.
“Not everyone’s going to agree with it, but you’re helping the whole team out, not just an individual. In the long run she’ll be fine,” he said.
Robinson said there will definitely be some bumps in the road, especially in the rugged Central Piedmont 4-A conference.
“I think the fact that she’s been a part of some teams that have won championships. Understand that it’s not going to happen overnight. It’s a process every year,” Robinson said. “Once you have success, whether it’s winning a conference championship or state championship or whatever you win that the next year you start all over again. Don’t rest on your laurels.”
Pennington said it’s key that she’s been hired to teach life skills and will be on campus full-time.
“I think for Brittany, it was paramount to get her on campus,” Pennington said. “I think it will be huge for her. I think it will be good for our girls.”
Cox said she’s in the process of moving to Clemmons and wants to immerse herself in the community.
“I want people to start knowing my face and know that I’m not just a basketball coach,” she said. “I want to do what I can to help this school, this program, these girls, in any facet of life.”
jspivey@wsjournal.com
(336) 727-7370
Ronan, Toomey To Be Inducted Into McGuinness Hall of Fame - October 10, 2015.
COMPILED BY JAY SPIVEY
Maggie Ronan and Aaron Toomey, two storied athletes who played basketball at Bishop McGuinness, will be inducted in the school’s sports hall of fame on Friday.
There will be a ceremony at the school at 10 a.m. Friday, and they will be honored at halftime of Friday’s football game between Atkins and McGuinness.
Ronan was part of the first three of nine straight NCHSAA Class 1-A girls basketball championships from 2006-08 with Coach Brian Robinson. She also won the state individual tennis championship in 2006. She then went on to play basketball at Saint Mary’s (Ind.) and was a four-year started and totaled 904 points.
Ronan now lives in Chicago and works for United Airlines in marketing and advertising. She was overwhelmed when she received the news of her upcoming induction.
“Honestly, I was quite shocked,” Ronan said. “Being inducted into the hall of fame is not something you necessarily ever expect to happen. For it to happen and to be told I was going to be inducted only seven years out of school after graduating, that was a really huge honor.”
Robinson will present her on Friday.
“It’s definitely to me an honor,” Robinson said. “We’ve come full circle with things. I’ve known her since she was 8, 9 years old. Seeing her as a little girl just trying to dribble the basketball and trying to get the ball in the goal, and now being inducted in our school’s hall of fame is a pretty big thrill to be a part of.”
Toomey helped the Villains to its lone state boys championship in 2009 and was the Journal’s Frank Spencer Award winner, which is the top boys basketball player in the Northwest, in 2010. He went on to Amherst and helped it win the NCAA Division III national championship in 2013 and was named the D3hoops.com National Player of the Year the following year.
He played briefly in Spain and is now an assistant coach at Amherst.
“It’s an incredible honor,” Toomey said. “I think this is the first kind of young group going in, Maggie and I. So it’s a huge honor to be a part of that and to be inducted in the hall of fame with all the other spectacular athletes from the past.”
Toomey’s coach at McGuinness, Josh Thompson, will present him. Thompson thinks so highly of Toomey that he named his 3-year-old son after him.
“It’s an honor for me and a real thrill to present him with how much he’s meant to our basketball program — where he took us to,” Thompson said.
Maggie Ronan and Aaron Toomey, two storied athletes who played basketball at Bishop McGuinness, will be inducted in the school’s sports hall of fame on Friday.
There will be a ceremony at the school at 10 a.m. Friday, and they will be honored at halftime of Friday’s football game between Atkins and McGuinness.
Ronan was part of the first three of nine straight NCHSAA Class 1-A girls basketball championships from 2006-08 with Coach Brian Robinson. She also won the state individual tennis championship in 2006. She then went on to play basketball at Saint Mary’s (Ind.) and was a four-year started and totaled 904 points.
Ronan now lives in Chicago and works for United Airlines in marketing and advertising. She was overwhelmed when she received the news of her upcoming induction.
“Honestly, I was quite shocked,” Ronan said. “Being inducted into the hall of fame is not something you necessarily ever expect to happen. For it to happen and to be told I was going to be inducted only seven years out of school after graduating, that was a really huge honor.”
Robinson will present her on Friday.
“It’s definitely to me an honor,” Robinson said. “We’ve come full circle with things. I’ve known her since she was 8, 9 years old. Seeing her as a little girl just trying to dribble the basketball and trying to get the ball in the goal, and now being inducted in our school’s hall of fame is a pretty big thrill to be a part of.”
Toomey helped the Villains to its lone state boys championship in 2009 and was the Journal’s Frank Spencer Award winner, which is the top boys basketball player in the Northwest, in 2010. He went on to Amherst and helped it win the NCAA Division III national championship in 2013 and was named the D3hoops.com National Player of the Year the following year.
He played briefly in Spain and is now an assistant coach at Amherst.
“It’s an incredible honor,” Toomey said. “I think this is the first kind of young group going in, Maggie and I. So it’s a huge honor to be a part of that and to be inducted in the hall of fame with all the other spectacular athletes from the past.”
Toomey’s coach at McGuinness, Josh Thompson, will present him. Thompson thinks so highly of Toomey that he named his 3-year-old son after him.
“It’s an honor for me and a real thrill to present him with how much he’s meant to our basketball program — where he took us to,” Thompson said.
Like sisters: Cox, Simmons bring tight connection to West Forsyth
Lauren Carroll/Journal
West Forsyth girls basketball coach Brittany Cox, right, laughs with assistant coach Gina Simmons during practice at West on Friday. Cox and Simmons were teammates at Bishop McGuinness and are close friends.
Posted: Wednesday, November 25, 2015 12:00 am
By Jay Spivey Winston-Salem Journal
CLEMMONS -- When Brittany Cox was hired to become the new girls basketball coach at West Forsyth in August, she knew of only one person to hire as her assistant.
Her choice was Gina Simmons, her longtime friend and former teammate on the powerhouse Bishop McGuinness teams that won nine straight NCHSAA Class 1-A championships from 2006-14.
Cox, 24, and Simmons, 25, have been friends since the sixth grade when they played with different teams for the Winston-Salem Stealers and later won four straight championships at McGuinness from 2006-09.
The two have combined for 10 championships rings, including two stints (2011, 2013) for Simmons as an assistant coach under McGuinness coach Brian Robinson.
Their bond is so strong that they won their first tournament together in a 2-on-2 tournament with Ledford High School at High Point University team camp.
“I think the best decision I’ve made so far is hiring Gina,” said Cox, who replaced LaQuanda Barksdale, now an assistant women’s coach at Winston-Salem State. “Just because I talk about it a lot in practice sometimes. I love playing with Gina because she was so tough, but that was good. It brought something to our team that we needed.”
Cox said she spoke with Athletic Director Mike Pennington and Principal Charles McAninch before she decided to hire Simmons.
“Luckily I’ve got a great principal, a great AD, and they said, ‘You know, you’re the coach. You know who you trust (more) than you think,’” Cox said. “Without a doubt, talked to coach Robinson, and he said, ‘Of course, it’s gotta be Gina.’”
Simmons was actually considering going back to coaching at McGuinness this season before Cox called.
“I was kind of shocked at first because at the time I don’t think I even knew she had the position yet,” Simmons said. “It hadn’t been announced. She hadn’t really told me, and I remember I was at the beach, and I was on the beach this summer, and I got a text from her. She was like, ‘Hey, I got some stuff I really want to talk to you about.’
“And as a friend, I was like, ‘oh, no.’”
Simmons said she asked her what was going on and she said, “Of course. I would love to. I was honored and shocked, really, that she would consider me and have enough faith just to throw the offer out there without me even talking about it.”
She said that she passed it along to her father, Rob, before making a decision on which school to coach.
“He knows how passionate I am about Bishop sports,” said Simmons, who runs her own interior design business. “We both went there, and I’ve coached there, and my little sister (Bridget) plays there. And I have a strong bond with that school, and I just kinda thought about it, and I thought this was a once in a lifetime opportunity.”
She said it was hard to tell Robinson that she would be going to West Forsyth.
“Coach R has a great staff and he’s fully loaded, and I thought I could make a big impact here as opposed to coach (Robinson),” Simmons said.
Robinson, who is also the president of the Winston-Salem Stealers, has known both players since 2000.
“They were definitely their own two personalities. They just happened to mesh with each other,” Robinson said.
Robinson said he isn’t surprised that Cox, who played at Pfeiffer and became an assistant at Campbell, that she is a head coach.
“Brittany was very smart from the time she was little,” Robinson said. “And Brittany knew exactly how things needed to be run. We explained things to her, and she picked up on it very quick.
“She was actually like a little coach on the floor when she was like 12, 13, 14 years old. And as she moved into high school she was definitely one of our more intelligent players.”
Simmons coached at McGuinness for those two years.
Robinson said she was an important asset to the Villains’ success.
“She did a very good job for us. The girls seemed to enjoy having her around,” Robinson said. “She’s obviously a very knowledgeable person, as well. And she had a very good rapport with our kids. So Gina being a full-fledged assistant coach is no surprise to me.”
One interesting thing happened during tryouts earlier this month between Cox, Simmons and JV coach Bill Rudert.
“We just look across at each other, and I would look at her, and I would just say, ‘Yep. OK. Guys let’s get it together,’” Cox said. “And coach Rudert finally came to us, and was like, ‘Guys, we can’t keep having this because I don’t know what’s going on.’
“It’s just the eyes. And I know Gina’s face, and it’s been so nice. It’s made it so much easier to be a first-year head coach knowing that I have somebody that I can completely trust.”
Cox said that she wants to show the Titans that she will throw all of her support to the team and the program.
“We kinda want to do a lot of stuff with these kids to show that we care about them so they’ll give it right back to us,” Cox said. “And we were lucky and had one of the best in Brian Robinson.
“A lot of times we joke, anytime there’s a decision to be made, we’re like, ‘What would Brian Robinson do?’”
Simmons laughed as Cox said that, saying it’s happened on more than one occasion.
“We’ve said that 100 times this year,” Simmons said. “Starting a new program and a culture, you know he’s all about culture. And so every time we talk about anything culture-wise or does this decision affect our team in 10 years, believe it or not.”
Having Cox and Simmons being so young is a good thing for a Titans team that could challenge for the Central Piedmont 4-A title this season.
“They understand what it’s like to play high school ball, obviously,” Robinson said. “And they understand what the daily life of kids today is like. They’re not that far removed from it.”
One piece of advice he has for them is that they are coaches and not friends to the players.
“They have enough understanding of where lines need to be drawn and not be too much of a buddy-buddy with them,” Robinson said.
They both said, without competitiveness between the players, they might not have won all the state championships. And Simmons said she wants the players at West Forsyth to know what it takes to win.
“We know, we’ve been, we’ve gone, we’ve done it,” Simmons said. “We know what it takes to be a team and to be together, and not letting the fact that you might not love the whole team outside of the locker room, but in that locker room — it’s my army against your army. And me and her are together no matter what.”
And as a head coach, Cox said she can feed off what she and Simmons learned as players at McGuinness to become successful.
“We know what coach Robinson had to do for us,” Cox said. “We were lucky at Bishop because when we came in the culture was already kind of created. For Gina and I, we’re trying recreate something very similar. It’s just a process.”
jspivey@wsjournal.com (336) 727-7370
@JaySpivey _WSJ
West Forsyth girls basketball coach Brittany Cox, right, laughs with assistant coach Gina Simmons during practice at West on Friday. Cox and Simmons were teammates at Bishop McGuinness and are close friends.
Posted: Wednesday, November 25, 2015 12:00 am
By Jay Spivey Winston-Salem Journal
CLEMMONS -- When Brittany Cox was hired to become the new girls basketball coach at West Forsyth in August, she knew of only one person to hire as her assistant.
Her choice was Gina Simmons, her longtime friend and former teammate on the powerhouse Bishop McGuinness teams that won nine straight NCHSAA Class 1-A championships from 2006-14.
Cox, 24, and Simmons, 25, have been friends since the sixth grade when they played with different teams for the Winston-Salem Stealers and later won four straight championships at McGuinness from 2006-09.
The two have combined for 10 championships rings, including two stints (2011, 2013) for Simmons as an assistant coach under McGuinness coach Brian Robinson.
Their bond is so strong that they won their first tournament together in a 2-on-2 tournament with Ledford High School at High Point University team camp.
“I think the best decision I’ve made so far is hiring Gina,” said Cox, who replaced LaQuanda Barksdale, now an assistant women’s coach at Winston-Salem State. “Just because I talk about it a lot in practice sometimes. I love playing with Gina because she was so tough, but that was good. It brought something to our team that we needed.”
Cox said she spoke with Athletic Director Mike Pennington and Principal Charles McAninch before she decided to hire Simmons.
“Luckily I’ve got a great principal, a great AD, and they said, ‘You know, you’re the coach. You know who you trust (more) than you think,’” Cox said. “Without a doubt, talked to coach Robinson, and he said, ‘Of course, it’s gotta be Gina.’”
Simmons was actually considering going back to coaching at McGuinness this season before Cox called.
“I was kind of shocked at first because at the time I don’t think I even knew she had the position yet,” Simmons said. “It hadn’t been announced. She hadn’t really told me, and I remember I was at the beach, and I was on the beach this summer, and I got a text from her. She was like, ‘Hey, I got some stuff I really want to talk to you about.’
“And as a friend, I was like, ‘oh, no.’”
Simmons said she asked her what was going on and she said, “Of course. I would love to. I was honored and shocked, really, that she would consider me and have enough faith just to throw the offer out there without me even talking about it.”
She said that she passed it along to her father, Rob, before making a decision on which school to coach.
“He knows how passionate I am about Bishop sports,” said Simmons, who runs her own interior design business. “We both went there, and I’ve coached there, and my little sister (Bridget) plays there. And I have a strong bond with that school, and I just kinda thought about it, and I thought this was a once in a lifetime opportunity.”
She said it was hard to tell Robinson that she would be going to West Forsyth.
“Coach R has a great staff and he’s fully loaded, and I thought I could make a big impact here as opposed to coach (Robinson),” Simmons said.
Robinson, who is also the president of the Winston-Salem Stealers, has known both players since 2000.
“They were definitely their own two personalities. They just happened to mesh with each other,” Robinson said.
Robinson said he isn’t surprised that Cox, who played at Pfeiffer and became an assistant at Campbell, that she is a head coach.
“Brittany was very smart from the time she was little,” Robinson said. “And Brittany knew exactly how things needed to be run. We explained things to her, and she picked up on it very quick.
“She was actually like a little coach on the floor when she was like 12, 13, 14 years old. And as she moved into high school she was definitely one of our more intelligent players.”
Simmons coached at McGuinness for those two years.
Robinson said she was an important asset to the Villains’ success.
“She did a very good job for us. The girls seemed to enjoy having her around,” Robinson said. “She’s obviously a very knowledgeable person, as well. And she had a very good rapport with our kids. So Gina being a full-fledged assistant coach is no surprise to me.”
One interesting thing happened during tryouts earlier this month between Cox, Simmons and JV coach Bill Rudert.
“We just look across at each other, and I would look at her, and I would just say, ‘Yep. OK. Guys let’s get it together,’” Cox said. “And coach Rudert finally came to us, and was like, ‘Guys, we can’t keep having this because I don’t know what’s going on.’
“It’s just the eyes. And I know Gina’s face, and it’s been so nice. It’s made it so much easier to be a first-year head coach knowing that I have somebody that I can completely trust.”
Cox said that she wants to show the Titans that she will throw all of her support to the team and the program.
“We kinda want to do a lot of stuff with these kids to show that we care about them so they’ll give it right back to us,” Cox said. “And we were lucky and had one of the best in Brian Robinson.
“A lot of times we joke, anytime there’s a decision to be made, we’re like, ‘What would Brian Robinson do?’”
Simmons laughed as Cox said that, saying it’s happened on more than one occasion.
“We’ve said that 100 times this year,” Simmons said. “Starting a new program and a culture, you know he’s all about culture. And so every time we talk about anything culture-wise or does this decision affect our team in 10 years, believe it or not.”
Having Cox and Simmons being so young is a good thing for a Titans team that could challenge for the Central Piedmont 4-A title this season.
“They understand what it’s like to play high school ball, obviously,” Robinson said. “And they understand what the daily life of kids today is like. They’re not that far removed from it.”
One piece of advice he has for them is that they are coaches and not friends to the players.
“They have enough understanding of where lines need to be drawn and not be too much of a buddy-buddy with them,” Robinson said.
They both said, without competitiveness between the players, they might not have won all the state championships. And Simmons said she wants the players at West Forsyth to know what it takes to win.
“We know, we’ve been, we’ve gone, we’ve done it,” Simmons said. “We know what it takes to be a team and to be together, and not letting the fact that you might not love the whole team outside of the locker room, but in that locker room — it’s my army against your army. And me and her are together no matter what.”
And as a head coach, Cox said she can feed off what she and Simmons learned as players at McGuinness to become successful.
“We know what coach Robinson had to do for us,” Cox said. “We were lucky at Bishop because when we came in the culture was already kind of created. For Gina and I, we’re trying recreate something very similar. It’s just a process.”
jspivey@wsjournal.com (336) 727-7370
@JaySpivey _WSJ
First-year coach has team ready for state playoffs, by Kegan Lowe - Winston-Salem Journal.
Posted: Monday, February 22, 2016 3:51 pm
By Kegan Lowe Winston-Salem Journal
CLEMMONS -- Less than seven months after accepting her first career head coaching position at the age of 24, Brittany Cox is preparing to make her NCHSAA playoff debut as the West Forsyth girls’ basketball coach Tuesday night.
The eighth-seeded Titans (16-6) will host No. 25 Davie County (15-7) in the first round of the 4-A state playoffs, as more than four dozen area teams across all classifications will begin their quest for a state championship in both boys’ and girls’ basketball.
Yet despite her general inexperience as a high school coach, Cox is no stranger to the NCHSAA basketball playoffs.
Playing under coach Brian Robinson of Bishop McGuinness from 2006-2009, Cox won four consecutive NCHSAA 1-A state championships as a member of the Villains’ basketball team — the beginning of a streak that saw the program win a state championship for nine consecutive years from 2006-2014.
“Brittany, from the time that she was a freshman at Bishop, has always been very mature,” Robinson said. “I always felt like she would do a good job this year, but the thing I am probably most proud of is the fact that she has been able to handle her success the right way.”
Under Cox’s guidance, West Forsyth won a share of the Central Piedmont 4-A regular-season championship alongside Reagan, and then defeated the Raiders 42-37 in the conference tournament championship game last Friday.
This season marked only the second time in the last 10 years that the Titans’ girls’ basketball team has won a regular-season and conference tournament championship in the same year, joining the 2014 team that advanced to the state quarterfinals before losing to eventual state champion Myers Park.
“I am lucky, especially with this being my first year, and I tell the girls this all the time,” Cox said. “There is not a group of girls I would rather coach and I couldn’t have hand-picked better kids to be around every day.”
Now that the season has shifted into the win-or-go-home portion of the calendar, Cox is confident in her team’s ability to improve upon their already-successful year.
West Forsyth heads into the playoffs after winning its three conference tournament games by an average margin of 20.3 points.
“We have all placed an emphasis on the fact that there are no guarantees anymore — nothing will be given,” Cox said.
“It is obvious in the way these girls are practicing and the way they are playing right now — they are not ready for their season to be over.”
Robinson, who will lead No. 28 Bishop McGuinness (11-11) into the 1-A playoffs against No. 5 Gray Stone Day (20-2) Tuesday night, said that though Cox’s performance in her first year proves that she can be one of the better head coaches in the area, he also believes she also has great potential that has yet to be tapped.
“I think if she continues to learn, continues to grow and continues to want to get better, then she has an opportunity to be one of the best coaches — not just in this area — but in the state, because she definitely has the mind for it,” Robinson said.
On the boys’ side of the brackets, No. 21 West Forsyth (14-8) will travel to No. 12 R.J. Reynolds (20-2) for first round action. It will mark the fifth time that the Central Piedmont 4-A conference rivals have played this season, with each team having won two previous meetings.
There are two other intra-conference clashes for area boys’ teams in the first round, as No. 5 North Surry (17-5) will host Western Piedmont 2-A foe No. 28 Forbush (11-11), while the ninth-seeded Mount Airy Granite Bears (21-1) will host No. 24 Bishop McGuinness (13-9) in a Northwest 1-A showdown.
The second round of the NCHSAA playoffs will take place Thursday night, with the third round scheduled for Saturday night.
The state quarterfinals and state semifinals will be held on March 1 and March 5, respectively, and the playoffs will conclude with the state championship games on Saturday, March 12.
Teacher vs. Student: West Forsyth Hosts Bishop McGuinness by Jay Spivey, Winston-Salem Journal, January 19, 2017.
Since the eighth grade, Brittany Cox dreamt of being a coach. Now in her second season as the West Forsyth girls basketball coach, Cox will face Brian Robinson — her former coach, who also helped her realize that dream.
“I started coaching for Coach Robinson when I coached a fifth-grade team,” said Cox, who guided one of the teams for Robinson’s AAU organization, the Winston-Salem Stealers.
She said she learned well from him. That’s why when the Titans play host to Bishop McGuinness at 3 p.m. Saturday in a teacher versus student matchup, she will do her best to treat it like a typical game.
“As much as I love Coach Robinson, he’s going to take this game just like he would any other game,” Cox said. “And that’s what we have to do, too.”
Cox, 25, and assistant coach Gina Simmons, who also played for Robinson, want to make him proud, win or lose. But neither Cox nor Simmons, who played for Robinson from 2005 to 2009, has discussed Saturday’s game.
“I think the nervousness is just not wanting to let him down, as strange as that sounds,” Simmons said. “We want to do a good job. We want him to be proud of us, as well. No matter how the outcome of the game were to go, we want to make him proud, still.”
Cox was a member of the Winston-Salem Stealers before she played for Robinson at McGuinness, winning four straight NCHSAA Class 1-A championships. Under Robinson, the Villians won nine straight state titles from 2006 to 2014.
“He’s a genius,” Cox said of Robinson. “I just feel like, especially with girls basketball, the best teams have the best dynamics. There are some teams in the state that have the most talent but cannot capitalize at the end of the season on championships.
“All that comes down to is team dynamics, and I know Coach Robinson always appreciated the importance of that and how drama could affect us later on in the season,” Cox said.
Robinson said he has six former McGuinness players either currently coaching or who have coached, and he has 17 former Stealers players who are coaching or have coached at some level.
“I try to keep up with all my former players as much as I can,” he said. “The ones that are obviously coaching, that just makes it a little more special, a little easier for me. It’s something that we all have in common.”
Robinson said Howard West, who coached him at Reynolds, allowed Robinson to join the basketball coaching staff at Reynolds in 1994 after he graduated from Appalachian State. Since West gave Robinson that opportunity, he wanted to do the same for his players. West has since left Reynolds and is now the coach at Forsyth Country Day.
“I was given that opportunity when I was young,” Robinson said. “Coach West let me coach the day after I graduated from college at 22. … Those years between 22 and 26 years old were beneficial to setting the table for what’s happened the last few years at Bishop.”
Cox went on to star at Pfeiffer, graduating in 2013 as the school’s third-leading all-time scorer. She was a graduate assistant at Campbell for two years, and she knew who to talk to when the job at West Forsyth was open.
“Coach Robinson was my first call,” she said. “I called him to let him know there was an opening and I was going to interview. He gave me advice, and as soon as the interview was over, he was my first call to let him know how it went.”
Both Robinson and Cox added that having each other to lean on has been beneficial.
“It’s always been an understanding between us that if they need some help from me, if they need to know how to handle an issue or how to handle a problem, or how to work through whatever comes about with coaching that they can always call me if they need,” Robinson said.
“To me, Brittany’s always been the same person from the time she was 9 until now,” he said. “She’s always been a little bit sarcastic, which is a good thing. She always has a good sense of humor, but she’s always been sincere. She’s always been very dedicated, and she was definitely one of my favorites to coach over the years because you knew what you were going to get from her every single day.”
Robinson, Cox and Simmons said that when Saturday’s game is over, they will shake hands and go about it as if nothing has changed.
“I’m probably going to be smiling a little bit on the inside because I remember when both of those girls were little, 9 or 10 years old,” Robinson said. “To see them now as young adults is rewarding to me. It reminds me why I do what I try to do. You want to win as much as possible on the court, but seeing those two over there shows that you’re winning off the court, as well.”
“I started coaching for Coach Robinson when I coached a fifth-grade team,” said Cox, who guided one of the teams for Robinson’s AAU organization, the Winston-Salem Stealers.
She said she learned well from him. That’s why when the Titans play host to Bishop McGuinness at 3 p.m. Saturday in a teacher versus student matchup, she will do her best to treat it like a typical game.
“As much as I love Coach Robinson, he’s going to take this game just like he would any other game,” Cox said. “And that’s what we have to do, too.”
Cox, 25, and assistant coach Gina Simmons, who also played for Robinson, want to make him proud, win or lose. But neither Cox nor Simmons, who played for Robinson from 2005 to 2009, has discussed Saturday’s game.
“I think the nervousness is just not wanting to let him down, as strange as that sounds,” Simmons said. “We want to do a good job. We want him to be proud of us, as well. No matter how the outcome of the game were to go, we want to make him proud, still.”
Cox was a member of the Winston-Salem Stealers before she played for Robinson at McGuinness, winning four straight NCHSAA Class 1-A championships. Under Robinson, the Villians won nine straight state titles from 2006 to 2014.
“He’s a genius,” Cox said of Robinson. “I just feel like, especially with girls basketball, the best teams have the best dynamics. There are some teams in the state that have the most talent but cannot capitalize at the end of the season on championships.
“All that comes down to is team dynamics, and I know Coach Robinson always appreciated the importance of that and how drama could affect us later on in the season,” Cox said.
Robinson said he has six former McGuinness players either currently coaching or who have coached, and he has 17 former Stealers players who are coaching or have coached at some level.
“I try to keep up with all my former players as much as I can,” he said. “The ones that are obviously coaching, that just makes it a little more special, a little easier for me. It’s something that we all have in common.”
Robinson said Howard West, who coached him at Reynolds, allowed Robinson to join the basketball coaching staff at Reynolds in 1994 after he graduated from Appalachian State. Since West gave Robinson that opportunity, he wanted to do the same for his players. West has since left Reynolds and is now the coach at Forsyth Country Day.
“I was given that opportunity when I was young,” Robinson said. “Coach West let me coach the day after I graduated from college at 22. … Those years between 22 and 26 years old were beneficial to setting the table for what’s happened the last few years at Bishop.”
Cox went on to star at Pfeiffer, graduating in 2013 as the school’s third-leading all-time scorer. She was a graduate assistant at Campbell for two years, and she knew who to talk to when the job at West Forsyth was open.
“Coach Robinson was my first call,” she said. “I called him to let him know there was an opening and I was going to interview. He gave me advice, and as soon as the interview was over, he was my first call to let him know how it went.”
Both Robinson and Cox added that having each other to lean on has been beneficial.
“It’s always been an understanding between us that if they need some help from me, if they need to know how to handle an issue or how to handle a problem, or how to work through whatever comes about with coaching that they can always call me if they need,” Robinson said.
“To me, Brittany’s always been the same person from the time she was 9 until now,” he said. “She’s always been a little bit sarcastic, which is a good thing. She always has a good sense of humor, but she’s always been sincere. She’s always been very dedicated, and she was definitely one of my favorites to coach over the years because you knew what you were going to get from her every single day.”
Robinson, Cox and Simmons said that when Saturday’s game is over, they will shake hands and go about it as if nothing has changed.
“I’m probably going to be smiling a little bit on the inside because I remember when both of those girls were little, 9 or 10 years old,” Robinson said. “To see them now as young adults is rewarding to me. It reminds me why I do what I try to do. You want to win as much as possible on the court, but seeing those two over there shows that you’re winning off the court, as well.”
Former Villain Brittany Cox returns to beat McGuinness as West Forsyth coach by Jay Spivey - 12/7/17
KERNERSVILLE -- Coach Brittany Cox of the West Forsyth girls basketball team had plenty of mixed emotions when she walked into Bishop McGuinness Thursday night to coach against the team for which she played four seasons.
Cox, who played for Bishop McGuinness coach Brian Robinson from 2005-09 and won four NCHSAA Class 1-A state championships, helped guide undefeated West Forsyth to a 68-31 rout of Bishop McGuinness in a nonconference game.
Following the game, Cox and Robinson shook hands at center court in the second meeting between the former coach and player. Cox also came out of the visiting locker room and saw all four of her state-championship team photos lining the hall.
“It’s very cool. It brings back a lot of memories,” Cox said. “I almost got a little bit emotional before the game just because it was the first time I’ve ever had to sit at the opposite bench.”
The Titans improved to 6-0, and the Villains fell to 3-3.
“And I’d probably give anything to sit back and play for coach Robinson again, especially with a team that we have right now. We talk a lot about not taking our talent for granted,” Cox said, “and being in this gym and having that conversation, especially at the end of the game about not taking talent for granted and remembering the teams I was on and how we never allowed that.”
The Villains won nine straight state championships from 2006-14 with Robinson as a coach, the first four with Cox on the team.
“Brittany was an outstanding player when she played here. She was an outstanding student,” Robinson said. “And I’m really proud of her because her team takes on her personality, and they play hard like she did. They play very smart. They’re obviously very talented.
“But she has done a very good job of just molding them into what she wants her team to be.”
Cox also helps coach with the Winston-Salem Stealers, a girls basketball program that Robinson founded and is president. Both teams are full of players who play for the Stealers — all but three from West Forsyth and seven from McGuinness.
One of those players is Callie Scheier, a junior point guard for West Forsyth. Scheier finished with 15 points.
Shakira Baskerville led the Titans with 19 points.
Emily Elliott led the Villains with 13 points.
“It’s always cool to play them,” Scheier said. “We know the coaches. Like coach (Trish) Grant is my AAU coach. Coach R is our director.
“And we know a lot of the girls, too, so it’s always fun, like a friendly rivalry.”
Scheier said she and her teammates got a chance to see Cox in the championship photos that line the hallway.
“It’s probably pretty cool for her, too, just to be back in her old stomping grounds where she worked really hard,” Scheier said of Cox.
“We all kind of walked by and just looked and said, ‘Wow, that’s our coach.’”
Thursday’s game was never in doubt.
The Titans cruised to a 27-6 lead after the first quarter and extended it to 44-19 at halftime.
“To us, nonconference games are a choice,” Robinson said. “The scheduling part of it is a choice. We made the choice back in the spring to play them, and we knew how good they were then. But we also know what it can do for us in the big picture.”
“I know coach Robinson was on the other end of the gym tonight, but so much of what goes on in our locker room and what goes on on the floor has impact from him,” Cox said. “A lot of the things I do, I do because he taught me to do it that way, or he taught our team to play that way.
“So even though Bishop McGuinness technically lost tonight, coach Robinson still, in my opinion, won because so much of what he does impacted what our team did tonight too.”
West Forsyth 27 17 12 12 — 68 McGuinness 6 13 5 7 — 31
West Forsyth (6-0): Callie Scheier 15, Williams 6, Curran 8, Shakira Baskerville 19, Byun 4, Booth 2, Melton 3, Pouncey 4, Griffin 7
Bishop McGuinness (3-3): Paul 3, Davis 2, Cooke 2, Emily Elliott 13, Corcoran 1, Deal 1, Simmons 8
Cox, who played for Bishop McGuinness coach Brian Robinson from 2005-09 and won four NCHSAA Class 1-A state championships, helped guide undefeated West Forsyth to a 68-31 rout of Bishop McGuinness in a nonconference game.
Following the game, Cox and Robinson shook hands at center court in the second meeting between the former coach and player. Cox also came out of the visiting locker room and saw all four of her state-championship team photos lining the hall.
“It’s very cool. It brings back a lot of memories,” Cox said. “I almost got a little bit emotional before the game just because it was the first time I’ve ever had to sit at the opposite bench.”
The Titans improved to 6-0, and the Villains fell to 3-3.
“And I’d probably give anything to sit back and play for coach Robinson again, especially with a team that we have right now. We talk a lot about not taking our talent for granted,” Cox said, “and being in this gym and having that conversation, especially at the end of the game about not taking talent for granted and remembering the teams I was on and how we never allowed that.”
The Villains won nine straight state championships from 2006-14 with Robinson as a coach, the first four with Cox on the team.
“Brittany was an outstanding player when she played here. She was an outstanding student,” Robinson said. “And I’m really proud of her because her team takes on her personality, and they play hard like she did. They play very smart. They’re obviously very talented.
“But she has done a very good job of just molding them into what she wants her team to be.”
Cox also helps coach with the Winston-Salem Stealers, a girls basketball program that Robinson founded and is president. Both teams are full of players who play for the Stealers — all but three from West Forsyth and seven from McGuinness.
One of those players is Callie Scheier, a junior point guard for West Forsyth. Scheier finished with 15 points.
Shakira Baskerville led the Titans with 19 points.
Emily Elliott led the Villains with 13 points.
“It’s always cool to play them,” Scheier said. “We know the coaches. Like coach (Trish) Grant is my AAU coach. Coach R is our director.
“And we know a lot of the girls, too, so it’s always fun, like a friendly rivalry.”
Scheier said she and her teammates got a chance to see Cox in the championship photos that line the hallway.
“It’s probably pretty cool for her, too, just to be back in her old stomping grounds where she worked really hard,” Scheier said of Cox.
“We all kind of walked by and just looked and said, ‘Wow, that’s our coach.’”
Thursday’s game was never in doubt.
The Titans cruised to a 27-6 lead after the first quarter and extended it to 44-19 at halftime.
“To us, nonconference games are a choice,” Robinson said. “The scheduling part of it is a choice. We made the choice back in the spring to play them, and we knew how good they were then. But we also know what it can do for us in the big picture.”
“I know coach Robinson was on the other end of the gym tonight, but so much of what goes on in our locker room and what goes on on the floor has impact from him,” Cox said. “A lot of the things I do, I do because he taught me to do it that way, or he taught our team to play that way.
“So even though Bishop McGuinness technically lost tonight, coach Robinson still, in my opinion, won because so much of what he does impacted what our team did tonight too.”
West Forsyth 27 17 12 12 — 68 McGuinness 6 13 5 7 — 31
West Forsyth (6-0): Callie Scheier 15, Williams 6, Curran 8, Shakira Baskerville 19, Byun 4, Booth 2, Melton 3, Pouncey 4, Griffin 7
Bishop McGuinness (3-3): Paul 3, Davis 2, Cooke 2, Emily Elliott 13, Corcoran 1, Deal 1, Simmons 8
