CHOCOWINITY — The Southside High School basketball team has found its new head coach in former varsity assistant coach, Davelle Whitney. With many years of experience under Sean White and his playing career at Southside, Whitney is proud to be able to represent his alma mater as head coach for years to come.

 

Q: Is this the first time you’ve ever been a head coach?

A: Actually, about four years ago I was junior varsity head coach for about two years.

 

Q: How beneficial was it to be an assistant under Coach White for the past six seasons?

A: It was very beneficial. I learned different ways to handle referees, handle players and different situations. Just the things behind the scenes like making sure kids are behaving on the bus, traveling to different schools, I learned a whole lot from (Coach White).

 

Q: Being able to come up through Southside as a player, how cool is it to be able to go back to your alma mater and then eventually become head coach for the main sport you played?

A: It’s very cool. Our school is very new, and I want to be able to put my school on the map. What better way to start than the new school that I came from?

 

Q: Do you know who your assistant coaches might be at this time?

A: It’s still up in the air.

 

Q: Biggest goals for the 2019-20 season?

A: All I want to do is compete. Last year, we moved up like three or four JV players. Of course, we struggled a little bit, but this year I expect them to be a whole lot better. They got experience, the same three or four players played other sports like football, baseball and track. I expect them to come in with experience and not be afraid of the varsity scene like they were last year as 10th graders.

 

Q: How does being around all the other sports help with the head basketball coach transition?

A: When I first came to Southside I was a basketball only player. I didn’t want to play football anymore, I wanted to play basketball, but I did end up going out playing football, and in that transition, football made me tougher for basketball. So, that’s what I’m trying to explain to my kids. Football helps you in basketball. Basketball helps you in track and into baseball and other sports.

Q: What are you most excited about heading into this season?

A: Just the opportunity to share my knowledge of the game of basketball with other players no matter if they only play one or two years or go to college and play. Just to share the knowledge of how to play the game the way I learned how to play it.

Q: Anything you want to add going into your first varsity head-coaching job?

A: I’m just trying to spread my love to Southside Nation, we’re trying to change the culture and get some wins in basketball. Since Southside’s been open we’ve only had three or four good teams including my senior year, and I’m just trying to add more to it. (I want to) give back to the community I come from and the community I love with the Southside Seahawks.