GrowingupinMadill,Carlos Humphrey was always competitive.
In his high school days he was a stalwart on the basketball court for several outstanding Wildcat teams, earning All-State honors his senior year in 1995.
And although he coached several years in Washington after a college career that included stops at Murray State and Missouri Valley College as well as playing overseas, he never envisioned being head coach on the sideline of his alma mater.
That’s what will exactly be the situation for Humphrey next year after recently being named the Lady Wildcat head coach following four years as assistant and junior high coach.
“My goal when I left Washington was to move back home and get involved,” Humphrey commented. “It wasn’t necessarily to be head coach. I just wanted to get involved and help any way I could.
“Playing here was a very special time for me. I had two greatcoachesinCalvinKlugh andRandyMcAdooandIjust want to be the same type of coach for these girls coming through the program.”
Humphrey began his coaching career in Washington in 2005 and returned to Madill amongst family and friends in 2021.
Since that time he has stressed fundamentals through the younger age groups while developing talent that includes a seventh grade group which posted a perfect 16-0 record this past year. Under his direction the junior high group has compiled a 36-2 record.
With his track record and reputation, it’s easy to see why there was a packed house with prospective players and parents at a meeting last week in the Madill Event Center hospitality room.
“I was very impressed by the turnout last week,” he stated. “I think our numbers will be fairly healthy – probably moreoverallthanwehave had in the last three or four years. Our sophomore class now was the first group of sixth graders I had in middle school.Theyarefamiliarwith me and I know what the kids’ talent levels are.
“Our middle school program was not very competitive when I first got here but we have stressed fundamentals, improving and having fun. They have learned how to compete and win games. The improvement has been immense and has been super fun for me. I think we have the opportunity to be really good at the high school level in future years.”
Althoughstandoutscorers Elexis and E’Niyah Holmes are gone along with head coach Eric Holmes, Humphrey is confident the cupboard is definitely not bare.
Key contributors back include La’Miyah Brown and Arlette Andrade and they also will welcome back six-footer Allyson Coles from injury which sidelined her this past year that they will build around.
“We’re not completely starting from scratch,” Humphrey added. “These girls have been mostly in supporting roles. I am looking forward to seeing them stepping into bigger roles this year. They are familiar with the style and pace I am comfortable with. We’ll be continuing to learn the game at a pace they enjoy.
“No, we won’t have the same firepower, and we are going to have to win games differently, relying heavily on our defense. I know what some of our pieces can do, but it really comes down to the talent level and what they show on the court. We also have to begin preparing for the addition of the shot clock. That’s going to force us to practice at that faster pace, but I am familiar with the shot clock from my time in Washington.”