Sherando Lands Reed As Next Girls Coach
Kevin Reed accepted the Sherando Girls Basketball job earlier this week, leaving Loudoun County after 9 seasons. During that time, he won 156 games, 3 District Championships, 2 Regional Championships, and 1 State Title.
STEPHENS CITY, VA - Home is where the heart is, and for Kevin Reed, that statement couldn't be more appropriate. The state championship basketball coach from Loudoun County High School decided this week that it was time to go home, accepting the head coaching position for the Sherando Girls Basketball program.
Those that are close to Reed know that the opportunity to coach his daughters when they reach high school age, is a big deal to him, as it should be. The Reed family lives in Stephens City, just a few miles from Sherando High School, so when the opportunity presented itself to take the whistle and the clipboard home, it was too hard to pass on.
"This was a very difficult decision for me and my family," said Reed. "I had a great relationship with everyone at Loudoun County High School, and they have been great to me over the years. But this was something I just couldn't pass up, and it brings me back home closer to my family."
Reed will inherit a Sherando program that has been far from competitive in the past few seasons. The Lady Warriors have struggled in the Northwestern District, and there has been little to be excited about.
But that's about to change in a major way with Reed's arrival. The fiery veteran coach is one of the region's best at building a program, as evidenced by his 156-50 record since taking over the County program in 2002.
For 9 seasons, Reed has built the Lady Raiders into a perennial region and state title contender, winning the 2009 Division 4 State Championship. That track record was a big factor as to why he was offered the job according to Sherando Athletic Director Jason Barbe.
"We had some great candidates for the position," said Barbe. "But when you have the opportunity to hire a coach that has won a state championship in recent years, it is hard to look past that."
Reed will have his work cut out for himself as the Lady Warriors will return just one player with significant playing time. However, as Reed put it, a little excitement can change the outlook of any program.
"I've already spoken to a few kids that have said they are going to come back out and play this year," said Reed. "I expect to compete immediately, and we want to win championships here. There is no question we can do it here at Sherando."
COACH HAYES' ANALYSIS:
I've watched Kevin Reed build his Lady Raiders into a champion since 2002, and in my opinion, this is a HUGE hire for Sherando.
The Warriors have all the ingredients to help Reed become successful in the very near future in his new surroundings. Sherando has a rabid fan base that loves to get behind their teams, and with Reed's energy, girls basketball will become a huge deal in Stephens City.
He has already begun to reach out to the youth teams and leagues in the area, which is something that paid off for him in a big way over the years in Leesburg.
While Reed is one of the most intense guys you will ever see coaching high school girls hoops, he is most definitely a coach that gets the most out of his talent. He's tough on his players, but they absolutely love him, and will run through a wall for him.
As for his coaching style, his teams play up tempo, and run the floor as well as anyone in the state. If he can find a few shooters, and kids that are willing to play defense, Sherando will be tough to beat next year.
For Sherando fans that are wondering what to expect from their new coach, I have this to say to you.
Get ready for exciting basketball, and get ready to challenge for district, regional, and state championships in the years to come. The road to Northwestern District supremacy just got a whole lot tougher this week for those outside of Stephens City...
REED'S COACHING FILE:
* Overall 156 - 50 Record
* Dulles District Champions '06, '08, '10
* Dulles District Tournament Champions '06, '08, '10
* Region II Champs '06, '09
* State Tournament Final Four '06, '09
* State Champions '09
* District, Region, and State Coach of Year
* Washington Post All-Extra Coach of Year 2006
* Gameday Magazine Coach of Year 2008
