Wesson hires Webb to coach girls basketball

Published 5:00 am Tuesday, June 6, 2006

WESSON — Hugh Webb of Crystal Springs loves to coach girlsbasketball. After spending last year working with Job Corps, Webbwas offered the position of Wesson girls basketball coach. Webbimmediately took the position and now is preparing to take the LadyCobras to the next level.

Webb’s hiring was approved at Monday night’s meeting of theCopiah County school board.

Former Wesson coach Jemmye Ann Helms decided to move back tonorth Mississippi to be closer to her family. Helms, who coached atWesson for four years, is going to work on her master’s degree atMississippi State and serve as an assistant coach under Louisvillegirls coach Sheila Hickman.

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Webb was girls basketball coach at Crystal Springs when he wasnamed The Daily Leader’s 2001 All-Area Girls Basketball Coach ofthe Year, taking the Lady Tigers to the Class 4A state tournament.He also served as mayor of Crystal Springs that year.

“I feel blessed to be back in the school system,” said Webb. “Iam excited about the possibilities this girls basketball team has.They had a tremendous junior high last year.

“I am looking for us to be capable,” continued Webb. “I think wecan surprise some folks.”

The Wesson 2006-07 girls team is made up of three seniors, twojuniors, one sophomore and 10 freshmen. “They have a greatattitude,” stated Webb. “They have done everything I’ve asked. I’mdemanding. I could not ask for them to be more cooperative.”

Webb compared the Lady Cobras to his previous Crystal Springsteams. “We weren’t big. We had some leapers. The girls played smartbasketball.”

Webb sees real positives at Wesson.

“They (Lady Cobras) are ready to work,” explained Webb. “Theirskills can be developed.”

Webb also added that the girls’ Christian growth is veryimportant to him.

Webb talked about some of his players who have made animpression on him.

“P.K. (Perry Katherine) Furr is a hard worker,” Webb stated.”Alexis (Crosby) can play at the next level. Natasha Brown gives usone more strength on the boards.”

Brown elected not to play last season but came back for thissummer.

Webb left Crystal Springs at the end of the 2001 basketballseason to take over as girls head coach at Central Private Academy(Baker, La.) for the next three years. His first year, his girlswere the District 3 champs and finished No. 4 in the stateplayoffs. The next two years, Central Private finished runner-up tothe state 3A champs.

The 2004-2005 season found Webb at Hillcrest Christian where histeam finished 17-13 in a tough Class AAA division that includesJackson Academy and Jackson Prep.

Webb took the next last year off and returned to the Job Corps.His girls basketball went on to win the National Championship.

In the classroom, Webb will be teaching health and physicaleducation.

Webb is a native of Crystal Springs and a graduate of CopiahAcademy, Co-Lin (where he played football) and Northeast Louisiana,now known as the University of Louisiana at Monroe.

Webb and his wife Debbie have one daughter, Jill Elaine, who isa teacher. They are Methodist.

“We are excited about having coach Coach Webb on our staff,”said Wesson Attendance Center principal Billy O. Britt. “He hasbeen successful. The kids like him and the parents have hadpositive things to say about him.”

Webb said he had other opportunities to coach, but wanted theWesson job.

“This is the only job I would take,” added Webb. “This is whereI want to be. I really think we are going to be fine.”

In another coaching change at Wesson, Britt said boys basketballcoach Ron Kessler would also coach the girls slowpitch softballteam this fall. He also has served as assistant baseball coach atWesson.