Teaming With Triumphs
education, recreation, schools, sports, west davidson high school,
The high schools of Davidson County are seemingly filled with winners.
In fact, when it comes to state and conference championships, they have sports down to a science. Combined, the schools have won dozens of titles through the years in an array of athletics ranging from football to tennis.
“Each community has its own little niche,” says Woody Huneycutt, athletic director at Thomasville High School.
For their part, the Thomasville Bulldogs are running out of wall space. They’ve won five men’s and four women’s basketball state titles and three football state titles in the last 10 years.
“We’ve got outstanding community support. In the city of Thomasville, they take their Bulldogs very seriously. A lot of our supporters have been supporting the team since the ’50s, even,” says Huneycutt, who is only the third athletic director at Thomasville since 1959. “I think that makes a big difference, when the players know they’re going to be in front of a big crowd every night.”
Lexington High School is also strong in football and basketball, having won titles in both of those sports in recent years.
Additionally, West Davidson High School’s volleyball team has been set for success, while North Davidson High School’s specialty is softball, Huneycutt says.
East Davidson High School brought home a women’s basketball state title in 2008, along with other state and conference championships over the last decade, including a football conference championship in 2007 and a men’s cross-country state championship in 2003.
East Davidson’s principal, Cathi Smith, attributes the Eagles’ success to strong character building, in addition to quality coaches and gifted athletes.
“There’s a certain attitude that’s held by the coaches and the kids,” she says. “I think that has an impact on our athletic program, as well.”
Coaches at East Davidson reinforce on the playing field a weighty character education program that students learn in the classroom.
“I think that our coaches, like all coaches, are so committed with what they do,” Smith says. “They’re so passionate, and it’s infectious with the kids.”
Whatever it is, it’s working in Davidson County. For the Bulldogs, the Eagles and all the other teams in the area, the trophies continue to stack up. And nobody expects that to change anytime soon.
Story by Michaela Jackson
Photo by Ian Curcio
