‘I wish somebody didn’t have
to lose'
Mother and daughter coach
against each other for spot in region championship Only four years
into her coaching career at Soddy Daisy, Katie was going up against
her mom, Shelley, coach at Lenoir City KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) - On the court, it was the Lenoir City Lady Panthers and Soddy Daisy Lady Trojans going battling it out for a spot in the region championship. If you looked over to the sidelines, it was an interesting situation. It was mother and daughter go head-to-head. Only four years into her coaching career at Soddy Daisy, Katie Collier Wright was coaching against her mom, Shelley Collier.
“I was
trying to keep my emotions together so my team did not see me
not have my composure. I’m not going to lie, it was hard, but I
am incredibly proud of Katie,” Shelley said.
“I was a little bit emotional before. I cried a little because it was hard. I knew one of us was going to get to move on and one of us wasn’t,” Katie said. Katie also got the opportunity to play for her mom. Shelley had a huge impact on Katie wanting to pursue a career in coaching. “She is the reason I wanted to become a coach. If it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t even be here. She had me in the gym, 8-2, doing defensive slides for a camp at Webb, and I just grew up in the gym and became used to it,” Katie said. “Oh, Katie is tough,” Shelley said. “She played for four state championships when I coached at Webb and won three. So I mean, she knows how to win.” The biggest thing Katie learned from her mom was to build relationships with her team. “I hope I can have the same success. Mostly not even the success, but the impact that she has had on the game and all of her players,” Katie said. Only one could win though, and it was Lenoir City, who is heading to the regional championship. “This is just one more special memory that we have been able to share,” Shelley said. Obviously, I wish somebody didn’t have to lose." “My mom has taught me most everything that I know, so for it to end just kind of came full circle,” Katie said. From Shelley playing under Pat Summit, to Katie winning several state championships, this regional semifinal game is one they’ll never forget. |
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3/10/24