York’s Blackwell is ready to turn a negative into a positive
After being relieved last week of her post as head girls’ basketball coach at York Comprehensive High School, Paula Blackwell has taken the high road.
“I want to turn a negative into a positive,” Blackwell said. “After 16 years, I can’t begin to get the whirlwind of my emotions under wraps, but I do know the people in that athletic department that I’ve worked with through the years are like family. Those are relationships that I will always hold onto.”
The Lady Cougar basketball team has been in a rebuilding mode this past season, with a 7-14 record in non-region play and 2-10 in the region.
Said Blackwell: “I reached 100 wins after my seventh season, and then the past four seasons is when the drought hit.”
Blackwell, who also teaches physical education at YCHS, lauded assistant athletic director John Moorefield, athletic secretary Karen Ramsey and athletic director Steve Boyd for their support through the years.
“Coach Moorefield is a wonderful person and a great basketball mind,” she said. “He’s been like a big brother to me.
“Karen Ramsey has been like a second mom to me and would always lift my spirits after a tough loss.”
Added Blackwell: “Steve Boyd has also been like a big brother to me and so badly wants me to stop working 80 to 90 hours a week and see the ‘other life’ that’s out there away from coaching varsity basketball.”
Regarding Arsonia Stroud, Blackwell said she could fill the newspaper up about the high school coaching legend and only scratch the surface of what she means to the program.
“I will treasure us getting to coach together this year after all those state championship and region championship years,” said Blackwell.
Stroud lauded Blackwell for the manner in which she guided the program from day one as head coach of the Lady Cougars.
“When I retired from coaching the varsity basketball team at YCHS, I felt that it was left to a person who cared about our program,” Stroud said.
“She continued and even enhanced our outreach programs in the community, offered support to our middle school coaches and teams, created numerous opportunities for players to improve their skills and constantly communicated with parents and the administration about what was going on,” Stroud said.
“The major point of emphasis for coach Blackwell was to hold our student-athletes accountable on and off the court,” Stroud said.
Blackwell also said she appreciated the support of longtime assistant coach Cristi Kemp, whom she met when the two were 16 years old playing AAU basketball.
“Cristi has been so loyal, and has worked countless hours with me, along with a tough teaching load,” said Blackwell. “We will always be in touch as well.”
Kemp remembers the two as teenagers playing the game.
“Paula was a great high school player, and she had the same outgoing and lively personality then as she does now,” Kemp said. “Paula has made a difference at the school in basketball and in the community.
“She has made our school and program one that is respected around the state by bringing in teams from North and South Carolina for our summer shootouts and tournaments,” Kemp said.
Added Kemp: “Paula has been a positive female role model for countless young women during the time she has been here.”
Blackwell came to York in 1999 as an assistant coach to Stroud. She said she has been besieged by current and former players and colleagues wishing her well via text messages and emails.
Players shared these comments with Blackwell:
▪ Keisha McClure: “I will miss you a lot. This hurts really bad. I just want you to know that no other coach can come in and do what you did for us.”
▪ Makala Love: “Coach, I love you so much. I’m gonna miss you. I was sick today. I want to thank you for helping me become what I am today and what I’m going to become.”
▪ Natalee Graham: “Coach, I am going to miss you so much. I was really hoping to have you as a coach in the future. You will forever be my role model.”
▪ Ramsey Green: “I want you to know how thankful I am to have played for you. I know you loved the game, but most of all, you loved each of us. I really want to thank you for everything you did for York. I love you, coach.”
▪ McKenna Bryant: “I really hate to hear you won’t be coaching us next year. I have learned a lot from you and appreciate the time and effort that you’ve put in with us. You sure have helped us all become better athletes, mentally and physically.”
Ronnie Robinson, who guided the Lancaster High girls to the class AAA state championship this season, also sent best wishes to Blackwell.
“I have so much respect and love for you as a person and a coach,” Robinson told Blackwell. “Your friendship is one that I will cherish forever. High school basketball is losing a great coach.”
Blackwell said the news of her departure was hard to take at first, but she is moving ahead.
“York wanted to go in a different direction, and I’m excited about a different direction for myself as well,” she said.
Blackwell said she doesn’t plan to leave York County. “I will pursue a coaching and teaching position in the Clover and Rock Hill school districts,” she said.
Boyd passed along accolades to Blackwell.
“We do appreciate all Paula has done here at YCHS,” said Boyd. “She’s been dedicated to the program and has been very loyal to us. Paula has been a good role model for our kids.”
Boyd said Maria Duncan, director of human resources for the school district, has posted the job vacancy. “We are going to search and try to find the best quality coach we can,” Boyd said.
He added: “We want to continue to build this program. I’m going to do everything I can as athletic director to make sure that our kids have success.”
This story was originally published March 17, 2015 at 10:22 AM with the headline "York’s Blackwell is ready to turn a negative into a positive."