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Jessica DurrenceValwood SchoolValdosta, Georgia by Robert Preston, Jr. photography by Jonathan Chick |
The mark of a successful coach is generally determined by wins and losses. But sometimes, that’s not enough. Take Jessica Durrence, head coach of the Valwood Lady Valiants basketball program, for example. Jessica, who graduated from Valdosta State University on Dec. 13, is in her second year as head coach at Valwood. She came to Valdosta from Pinewood Christian Academy in Bellville, a small community on Highway 280 nestled between Claxton and Reidsville. She was a three-sport athlete at Pinewood, playing basketball, softball and running track. When Jessica enrolled at VSU four years ago she contacted Valwood and let the school know that she was interested in assisting with the women’s athletic program if the school needed some help. It was a bit of a shot in the dark; after all, Jessica didn’t have any contacts at Valwood. She was simply a college student looking to give back to her adopted community. Valwood took her up on her offer, and Jessica spent two years as an assistant community coach with the women’s basketball program. She also worked with the softball team, but the lion’s share of her work was with the basketball squad. Then, with the 2007-2008 campaign looming, Valwood offered Jessica the head coaching job. “I never really thought about being a head coach until Valwood offered me the job,” she says. Jessica had planned on teaching middle school but when the Valwood vacancy became available she jumped at the chance. Instantly, the level of responsibility and work intensified. “I have to discipline myself more. I have to draw up the game plan and organize practices. But because I’m younger, I have a strong relationship with the girls. I can talk to them about basketball and I can talk to them about life,” she says. |
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Jessica expects the best out of her girls. She works them hard and demands excellence both on the court and away from basketball. “If they conduct themselves properly off the court that will translate into better play. That’s what my coach instilled in me,” she says.
“Jessica is a heck of a young lady. She has tremendous work ethic and she works her team hard. They work hard and play hard,” says Valwood Athletic Director Brett Martin. Despite all the hard work and discipline, wins didn’t immediately come for Jessica and the Lady Valiants. In fact, they didn’t win a game in 2007-2008. It’s not like Jessica doesn’t know how to win – she won two state basketball championships and four softball state titles in high school. The Lady Valiants are a small team in terms of numbers – they don’t have enough players to practice five-on-five. Raising the expectations of the program has been a challenge, but Jessica is making progress. “We made tremendous improvements last year. They want to get better and win. I work them hard and I expect their best,” says Jessica. It’s paying off, too. Friday night, Valwood defeated the Citizens Christian Academy Lady Patriots of Douglas in CCA’s annual Christmas tournament. The win was the first in Jessica’s head coaching career, and it showed the Lady Valiants that they can turn things around. It’s not easy to lose that many games – especially in a row – but Jessica remains undaunted. What keeps her focused is her faith. She truly feels as though she has been called to coach Valwood. “It’s not my choice to do this. God opened this door for me to coach these girls,” says Jessica. “He knows the passion I have for basketball but I have even more passion for my team. I want to make sure that I do what I’m supposed to do while I’m here.” That’s where those life-lessons come into play. Jessica isn’t bashful about sharing her faith with the players. They know where she stands and what kind of person she is. They respect Jessica for her beliefs, and that makes it easier for the team to respond to her leadership. “I’ve taken many of the girls to church with me. Others have started attending other churches. I don’t hesitate to correct them if they get out of line, but I don’t belittle them,” she says. And that’s what ultimately going to turn the Lady Valiants’ program around. There’s no doubt that a year-plus losing streak is frustrating, but Valwood isn’t about to give up. Jessica keeps working her team and they keep following her lead. “The girls motivate themselves. They come to me wanting extra practices. I coach for them, and they play for me,” comments Jessica. One day after school, the gym was set up for an evening event and the team had to cancel practice. Most players would relish a day off, but the Lady Valiants wanted to head over to the Valdosta YMCA and practice there. To Brett Martin, that’s the sign of a successful coach. “She has them working hard and wanting to win. She’s getting losing out of their system. Losing is an attitude and she’s reversing that,” he says. Of course, Jessica Durrence can’t talk athletics without talking academics. She demands just as much out of her players in the classroom as she does on the basketball court. Academics and athletics aren’t mutually exclusive – to play for Jessica her girls must perform in the classroom as well as on the field of play. “School comes first. The girls turn in grade sheets to me. If their grades aren’t up to par, I have them meet with their teachers,” says Jessica. She doesn’t tolerate lackadaisical performance in school or on the court. Jessica wants her team to succeed in whatever pathway they choose later in life. Everything she does has that goal in mind. She’s not so short-sided that she’s only concerned with winning high school basketball games. Jessica Durrence is setting up her girls to succeed in something much bigger. She wants them to enjoy their years at Valwood and build the right kind of relationships with each other – the kind that last well into the future. And that’s why Brett Martin views her as a successful coach. “You have to look at where they are now compared to where they were. Her success is measured by more than wins and losses. She knows basketball and she coaches hard. She’s a great girl,” he says. • | |
January 2012
Robert Preston Jr. 
Micki K Photography 
