Girls Varsity Basketball Head Coach Angie Milford looks back on her first four years of coaching at Darlington, remembering especially the girls who started with her program and who will graduate this May.
For the past four years I have watched three scrawny, spunky, giggly girls grow into amazing young ladies. I have coached at Darlington School for four years now, and these three young ladies are the first to go through my system from start to finish. Seniors Emily Brock, Neal Brown and Teddi Watts have been more than just talented basketball players to the program; they have helped in the building of a winning tradition for Darlington School.
Looking back over the four years, I know there have been other players that have made huge impacts in the success of the Lady Tigers basketball team. Meggie Beth Erwin ’03 was sorely missed this year. Her 6’1” stature was not only beautiful, but a dominating force on the inside throughout her career. And I do not want to overlook the three-point threat of Hannah Betts ’03 that always kept opponents on edge. These two broke records left and right last year, not to mention bringing the team their first winning season in who knows how long.
Emily, Neal and Teddi have gone from one end of the spectrum to the other in their four years. Their freshmen and sophomore years they only saw four and seven wins, respectively. During their junior year, the switch seemed to turn on with 16 wins. The only goal as a team we did not reach that still hurts (and always will when I think about this year’s team), is the fact we did not qualify for state. We were three points short of the goal – another winning season with 16 wins, but no state tournament. I truly wanted it for these seniors.
As I look back over the year, and years, thinking about these three seniors and what they have done for the team, and the program, I am very proud and honored to say, “I coach for the Darlington Lady Tigers.” I have always told my teams, “There is more to life than basketball” because I believe that our relationship with our God must be first in everything, then family and friends. This team has been the closest team of which I have ever been a part. I can sit back and watch the team interact and I see why this is so; there is no division among the team. I see Emily, Neal, and Teddi take the young players under their wing, not just in instructing in drills, but building friendships. The seniors wanted to do things as a team. They truly enjoyed being together as a team. And I did too.
In my first year teaching, these three young ladies were in my class. I got to know them as students and then as players. Being my first bunch that I taught, I got to know them more (more than I knew the upperclassmen) and watch them grow into outstanding young ladies. Looking at each of them, I see more than talented athletes. I see who they are growing up to be — from girls excited about high school and turning sweet 16 to young ladies seeing the future before them and anxious about the possibilities. Looking at Emily, Neal and Teddi and knowing they have set goals to achieve far higher than most people ever dream (and they will achieve their goals) makes me proud. I believe in them on the court, but most importantly, I believe in them as individuals.
Emily Brock was our leading scorer, leading rebounder, and a top player on the soccer team. Hands down that she was a captain on our team—not only because of her work ethic but also because of her leadership mentality. That is why I believe she will achieve her goals in life. Emily’s leadership abilities come from her positive outlook and her positive influence and encouragement to her teammates. She has always been a team player. I think she enjoyed taking the underclassmen under arm. The ways she practiced, played, and lived her life – I feel blessed as a coach to have role models on my team like Emily for others to look to.
Neal Brown is the same way — her ability to lead in an inspiring, caring, and charismatic way made those around her follow in her direction. Neal knows what it takes to work her way up the ladder. She is evidence that hard work pays off. What she has learned along the way has molded her character into the outgoing young lady she is today, and opened the door to what she can achieve in the future. I have always believed it is true about what it says in the book of Romans that “perseverance builds character,” and I see it in Neal. As a coach, there are not many things as satisfying than a player working her tail off over the years, and then reaping the benefits. Her benefits are more than her ability to play inside the paint or pull up for a jump shot outside the arc. Her benefits came in the form of being a true leader on the team. Neal is a go-getter, and everybody wants to be around someone who is positive, encouraging, and on the move up.
Teddi Watts is obviously the most talented athlete on campus. She could play any sport she wanted to and be the star. As a sophomore she tied the record for most three-point baskets made in a game with eight. She is the anchor on the state champion 4X400 relay team. Teddi was voted most athletic high school female student as a sophomore. When Teddi is in the zone, there was no stopping her. She could do things no one else could come close to attempting. And watching her was like watching a beautiful athlete in motion. Yes, she is a true athlete, but she is also academically strong, has a great sense of humor and a wonderful personality, and is very involved in her House and School (which shows those around her that she wants to go places). She has taken advantage of what Darlington School has to offer students and made herself ready for the next step.
For Emily, Neal and Teddi, they knew there was more to learn from basketball than just “wins” and “losses.” What they knew, they taught and exemplified it to the rest of the team. I hope they remember friendships, girl-bonding time, the laughs, and the big wins over the likes of Armuchee and Dade County. They were a part of the groundwork in building a winning tradition for the Lady Tigers of Darlington School. But what I will remember is watching three girls grow up into wonderful, caring, and beautiful young ladies. I love them, and we all will miss them.
