Editor:

As I reflect on this past basketball season, J. Larry Newton School’s last before being consolidated into grades K-6, I want to thank some very special people that helped make my job easier and more enjoyable.

Thank you Mrs. Suellen Brazil, principal, for making “excellence the standard” at Newton School and for giving me the opportunity to come back home to live and teach in Baldwin County.

A thank you also goes to:

• Assistant Principals Hendon Brunson, Julie Warlick and Terrance Watts for your commitment to JLN and all of our outstanding programs. I could always count on one of you, and often all three of you, to be at our games cheering us on.

• Kristi Breitung, Tammie domino and the JLN cheerleaders. You are the most supportive and encouraging group of cheerleaders I’ve been around in 15 years of coaching. We are “The Hurricanes!”

• Ronnie Hamm and the custodial staff for the tremendous job you do. We have the cleanest gym and school. You show your pride throughout our facility.

• Teachers and support staff who have been so supportive of our team this year. You give your best efforts daily to help keep school moral at its highest.

• Coaches Emily Pharez, Vincent Pitts, Leslie Majewski, Alice Raley and robert Murphy. Thanks for sharing athletes and keeping a positive attitude while teaching character and class by example.

• Wayne Fillingim, JLN band director, and band students for making home games exciting. You were the greatest fans.

• Mary Ann Santa Cruz, Melody Pharez, Mary Washam, Mitch Bernard, Emily Wirtes, Katie Maradik, Dr. Marsha Coker and Krista Crocker for your “behind the scenes” efforts.

• James Brazzell, Scott Berry, doug Etheridge and Kerry Edwards. thank you for working with our basket ball team and for teaching them fundamentals.

• Robert Ladnier. Thank you for your outstanding newspaper coverage all season long.

• Fairhope High School coaches Mark Lassiter, Andy Ryan, Chuck Domino, Jessica Webb, Jarrod Wooten, Jonathan Heflin and Ryan Caswell: a special thank you for your commitment to our middle school athletics.

• The 8th grade boys basketball team: Jordan Ebert, chase Domino, Chris Weeks, Kyron Samuels, Brent McDonald, Kevin Pollard, Kyle Hughes, Taylor Radiola, Tee Mathews, Forest Huhn, J.P. Sherling and Charles durgin. You are a very special group of young men. Keep God No. 1 in your heart and never give up. Thank you for the memories. Hunter Slater, you are the best manager in America.

• Norvelle Sanders and the cafeteria staff for your outstanding meals, smiles, encouragement and caring attitudes.

• Vanessa Pate, Emily Pharez, Sean Womack and Felicia Gardner for keeping the clock at our home games.

• Last but not least, I’d like to thank my family: my wife, Tammy, for your love and endless support; my daughter, Kaitlyn, my No. 1 fan and supporter; my oldest son, Tyler, for filming all of our games, football and basketball — you did an excellent job; and most of all, I’d like to thank my son, Jordan. You were a pleasure to coach. Your Christianity, character, work ethic, hustle, competitiveness and leadership made this a year I will never forget.

“Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4.

Athletic director, head basketball coach

J. Larry Newton School