WE WELCOME YOUR COMMENTS BELOW
Redan Lady Raiders’ Rhonda Malone resigns
by Maurice Richardson
mauricerichardsonsports@yahoo.com
Redan Raiders girls basketball coach Rhonda Malone has goals in life other than coaching girls’ basketball. She resigned as varsity head coach at the end of May. Malone decided it’s time to move on and do other things. “I want to accomplish my personal and professional goals in life,” said Malone.
Malone just led the Raiders to an undefeated season, going 27-0 and winning the school’s first basketball state title. A former Riverdale high school All-American basketball player and former University of Georgia basketball player, Malone led the Lady Raiders to 10 straight playoff appearances after a losing record her first season.
Malone started coaching in 1987 at Peachtree High School and coached junior varsity girls’ basketball at Redan from the early ‘90s until 1997. In 1998, she became the varsity coach at Redan and during her 11 years as a head coach she went 207-97. Malone also guided the Lady Raiders to four Final Fours in the last five years.
Malone said that during her time coaching, she has built athletes’ character, positive attitudes in life, prepared players for the next level, and helped them mature as young ladies. The Lady Raiders have a strong basketball program with key players returning.
“Whoever replaces me as head coach will have a good group of girls,” said Malone. “It felt really good to win the school’s first basketball title. The reason why Redan won the championship this year is because the girls played together, listened and worked extremely hard. I think the 2009-2010 team has a good chance of repeating as AAAAA champions if they work hard,” she added. Malone said her players were emotional when she broke the news.
“Coach Malone led by example and is a great individual. She will truly be missed,” said DeKalb County Athletic Coordinator Janet Francis.
A replacement has not yet been named. Malone said she does not see herself coaching in the future but still loves the game of girl’s basketball. She said she plans to continue teaching at the school and will support the new head coach and basketball team every step of the way.
|
