Coach Lewis at a South girl’s basketball game. Photo taken by Stephanie Romeo.
On January 22, at a girl’s basketball game versus McNary High School, South Salem High School’s head coach, Adrian Lewis, achieved his 100 career win. Coach Lewis has been coaching girl’s varsity basketball for seven years, guiding players through many victories. He aims to uplift girl’s sports, along with uplifting his athletes and his students.
“Every athlete’s different and it’s really Coach’s job to make sure you connect with them.” Lewis said.
Lewis’s Gradual Change in Coaching
Lewis has been coaching at South for 14 years, ranging from football, to boy’s basketball, to now girl’s basketball. He’s watched many players grow and change and had to navigate different personalities, beliefs and life experiences. He values an understanding of knowing how to work with all players, no matter how different they all may be. Connecting with athletes can heavily impact their performance and make them more comfortable on the court. It’s vital to understand athletes and know how to properly work with them.
COVID-19 was a big setback for everyone, it limited the basketball season, it has had a real big effect on athletes and their confidence, so trying to boost confidence whether that is my students in class or athletes in general, that is what I have been working on these last couple of years is the confidence piece in athletes,
Lewis said.
In the 2019 season, the girl’s basketball team prevailed to the final four in the OSAA State Championships. Coach Lewis owes this achievement to the girls that were on the team, their communication and their confidence. With COVID-19 being a prevalent hardship in the following seasons, it is important to try and maintain proper communication and confidence. He works to maintain positive relationships with his players and ensure they can feel their best in order to play their best.
I think female sports in general don’t get as much popularity and I think that is a shame, so I am always trying to grow all female athletes and their sports.
Lewis said.
With Lewis having coached boys and girls sports, he has seen differences in both. All sports make a difference in the school and take skill to master, whether they are boys or girls leagues. He does what he can to build more popularity around girls sports and build more respect around the athletes.
Hopefully I continue to be South’s coach for as long as they want me to. I don’t have any plans to go anywhere else, I love this school, I love the tradition, I love teaching here, I love my athletes, I’m a Saxon through and through so hopefully I’ll be here for a long time,
Lewis said.
Coach Lewis has made a positive impact on sports, students and athletes within South. He hopes to stay for as long as possible, continuing to uplift and encourage all the students he can. From taking the team to championships to building bonds with players, Lewis has done all he can to garner the best playing field possible. Both him and the players are excited to see what the future holds for them.
