Coaching is his business and Loyd Star’s Gene “Moochie” Brittcomes from a family of coaches. Britt’s priority is coachingbasketball.

In 2003-04, Britt’s Hornets battled to a berth in the Class 2Astate playoffs in a major rebuilding campaign. The Hornets finished24-6.

For his accomplishments, Britt is recognized as The DAILYLEADER’s Coach of the Year on the 2003-04 All-Lincoln County BoysBasketball Team. He has been coaching for 31 years, 29 of themdevoted to basketball.

Over that period of time, Britt has amassed a record of 863 winsand 222 losses. He coached 21 years at Brookhaven Academy beforemoving to Loyd Star 8 years ago. His Hornets are 172-68 during thatperiod.

“I’ve had more talented teams but this team played together,”said Britt. “We were balanced and I have a couple of goodshooters.”

Seniors Jared Britt, Rufus Humphries and Sidney Chester were inthe starting lineup, along with juniors Tyler Williford and KordaeOatis. The Hornets were minus three starters from the previouscampaign, Josh Britt, Jamie Johnson and Jesse Sones.

“These kids practiced hard and they gave a 100 percent effort inevery game,” said Coach Britt.

Britt, 53, is a 1968 graduate of Loyd Star. The Hornets won thestate tournament championship his senior year and he signed ascholarship with Mississippi State. He transferred toCopiah-Lincoln Community College and later played for New MexicoState University and the University of West Alabama.

He began his coaching career at Brookhaven Academy in 1973. Healso coached baseball and football at the private school. His LadyCougars won an Overall title in 1983.

Britt’s mother, Pauline Case Britt, was a highly successfulgirls basketball coach at East Lincoln, West Lincoln and Loyd Star,winning an Overall State Tournament championship in 1957. She alsoplayed professionally for the Tupelo Red Wings.

During his younger years, Britt watched from the bleachers ashis mother coached teams during practice after school. His brother,Pearlie, coached several years at Enterprise.

Looking back on his coaching career, Gene Britt said he hadseveral coaches shape his basketball philosophy. He played forBennie Kimble in the 7th and 8th grade at Loyd Star. Then he playedfor Billy Holmes as a freshman, followed by Jack Case for two yearsand Wayne Sasser his senior year.

In college, Britt said he was strongly influenced by M.K. Turkat Co-Lin and Lou Henson at New Mexico State. “I was fortunate toplay under some great college coaches.”

As a freshman in high school, Britt began dating Margaret Smith,his future wife. They have two grown sons who chose teaching andcoaching as a career. Kyle, the oldest, teaches and coaches atPetal. Russ is a Mississippi State grad, completing his practiceteaching at Starkville High School this year.

The Britts are longtime members of Macedonia Baptist Church.