By By Don Hill / EMG sports writer
June 26, 2003
LAUREL Former University of Southern Mississippi women's basketball coach Kay James spent 27 years working with and teaching ladies on a collegiate level, then five years with professionals in the WNBA.
Now it is the same game, but on a different level.
Last Week, James spent some time teaching the girls' junior varsity squad at Laurel Christian School, a big change from what James has done in years' past.
After spending five years with the Seattle Storm as an assistant coach, James went back to Hattiesburg due to the poor health of her mother. Since her return, she spends a lot of time with the Upwards Basketball program at Temple Baptist Church and teaching private lessons. Now her mother is much better, but James still remains in Hattiesburg.
Still, she has a desire to return to coaching.
James finds out teaching the younger players is a lot different then the college or pro level.
Running drills are a little different, too. She said you just can't get out there and run them she has to teach them the drills first. She has to teach them how to hold the ball, catch the ball and pass the ball.
LCS head coach Melissa Rayner was able to get James to give a three-day camp at West Laurel Baptist Church. Rayner, who was the assistant coach last year, believes LCS is just one year away from competing as a high school.
The 17-member team is made up of girls from the seventh through the ninth-grade. And with the three-day James camp, Rayner, a former softball player at William Carey College, learned a lot.
work as individuals and as a team."
Sommer Brown, a freshman post player, said she learned a lot about fundamentals.
Anna Lindstrom said her ball-handling skills improved.