QUITMAN, Texas (KLTV) – Quitman girls basketball is in the midst of one of their most dominant stretches since the late 2000’s.
“When you go through a period of not winning very much, you really truly appreciate winning. It’s been really nice, winning is nice,” said Blake Hamrick, the head coach of the Quitman Lady Bulldogs.
Hamrick, in his sixth year, led the lady bulldogs last year to their deepest playoff run in over 2 decades, after 4 seasons of missing the playoffs.
Both Hamrick and players saying this has come as a result of patience.
“A lot of people thought it just happens but we have been working years for this,” said Kaylin Sapp, a Junior at Quitman.
“Really tried to pour as much time as we can in the offseason to those kids to try and help get them ready now,” said Hamrick.
Made even more rewarding for Hamrick, as he gets to coach in his hometown.
“So the majority of my life has been in this little town of Quitman and it’s home. It’s a special place, it’s a special town, and I love it here,” said Hamrick.
Now back in the postseason, Hamrick says he hopes to maintain the success and establish a new winning culture with the program.
“When I came here the goal was to make this a respected program. A playoff team year in and year out. A well respected team year in and year out, and there not to be high and lows and lulls in between there,” said Hamrick.
“We have a legacy we are leaving behind, but i feel like we are more excited this year to keep going,” said Sapp.
The players already seeing it rub off on the younger generation.
“I think it’s great to see out little ones come out and see what our future is going to be. I mean, I’m proud of our team, I’m proud of our names that are going to be spread out there and I’m proud of the Quitman name we get to have,” said Autumn Cason, another junior at Quitman.
With the win tonight, Quitman will split the district title with Mineola, their first district title in 20 years.
Quitman’s first playoff opponent has yet to be determined, but the first round of playoff games is set for next week on Monday and Tuesday.
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