When the Booker T. Washington girls basketball team recently wrapped up the regular-season title in District 16-A, it marked a milestone for coach Derek Hunter.
The championship was the 90th in Hunter's coaching career, including regular-season championships, city championships and district, region and sub-state titles. Hunter -- now in his 24th season at BTW after moving over from Central -- also coaches the Warriors' track and cross-country teams.
"I've been blessed with a lot of good athletes," he said. "That's one of the reasons we've been successful. But I also have a philosophy that every kid on your team has worth. If I have a kid on the team, then I will have somewhere for them to fit in.
"I once preached a sermon called 'know your position.' The point guard has to know his responsibility, the forward has to know his. And I have to know mine. When I try to do someone else's job, that's where confusion sets in."
And the success extends off the court too.
"Our graduation rate is close to 100 percent, and nearly 90 percent of our kids enroll in college," he said. "I'm not saying they all stay there, but they do have that opportunity to get their foot in the door."
This year's Lady Warriors team has the potential to add to Hunter's title collection. Following Friday's 59-35 victory over non-league foe Sheffield, the Lady Warriors are 18-1.
Playing in their first season in District 16-A after being re-classified from AA, BTW has stormed through its league season and will be the odds-on favorite to win the district tournament.
The Region 8-A tournament will be held in Jackson later this month.
"We have decent size, but we're young," he said. "We're actually starting all underclassmen. We're getting better.
"I think (Central girls coach) Niki Bray said it best; if you don't play competitive games during the regular season it's a whole different story when you do start playing competitive games."
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