Not only is Winston Academy in search of a boys basketball coach, but the Lady Patriots will be looking for a new leader as well.
After three seasons at the helm in Louisville, Moe Reed is moving on up the road to Columbus to coach Heritage Academy. Reed led the Lady Pats to a successful finish each of the last three seasons including a second place finish in District 2-AAA and Class AAA North.
The last three years have been spearheaded by a trio of players that are graduating this season. District 2-AAA Player of the Year Lilly Sisson led the way in the post while Madelyn Bright and Bailey Wood were strong guards for the team.
“Three years ago when I came in, I didn’t have any idea of the talent level and they really bought in to everything that I told them every day,” Reed said. “It was really special to see that senior class grow. They were very coachable and set the example for the young players. This senior class opened the gate and challenged the younger girls coming up. I was blessed to coach the girls that I had.”
Reed, a former Delta State player, helped Sisson get a chance to continue her career at Mississippi College. She also coached track and field at WA where she saw Bright earn a scholarship at Meridian Community College.
Now she goes to Heritage to play against this same Lady Patriots team for the foreseeable future and she’ll try to rebuild that program in the same way that she did WA three years ago. It was a tough decision, but one that she felt she had to make for her family.
“It was a hard decision because I love Winston and I love the town,” Reed said. “I’m excited about the opportunity and having one sport to coach and having one job to do. It’s going to allow me to spend more time with my daughter Aspen.”
This will be the fourth head coaching stop for Reed in the last six years. She began her career as a graduate assistant at Delta State following her playing career before becoming an assistant at Madison Ridgeland Academy.
From there, Reed was the head coach at Tri-County Academy and Newton Academy for a season each before making her longest stay at WA for three years. It’s been an enjoyable experience for Reed, she said, and she’s not looking forward to leaving in a few short weeks or to playing her former team in the future.
“They are going to be loaded. Whoever comes in behind me to take this job is very blessed,” Reed said. “They have younger girls that really love basketball. I told the girls when I was leaving that I’m excited to watch them to continue to grow. It will be hard to turn around and play them.”
