Middleton Basketball Coach and Players Recognized for Achievements
Middleton High School (MHS) Basketball Coach James Burkley, senior Lady Tigers Janiya Woody, and Tigers Rodgerick Robinson, Cory Warren, and Dantez Young were recognized by the Basketball Coaches Association of Tennessee (BCAT) on Friday, March 24, 2023.
Coach James Burkley was selected by his peers, basketball coaches from across the State of Tennessee, as coach of the year in Class A. Players Woody, Robinson, Warren, and Young were selected by the BCAT committee to be a part of the Class A All-Star basketball teams.
“I am grateful I was chosen for this award. God has been good to me. The kids played a big part in this award. I share it with them. I thank the BCAT members for selecting me,” said Burkley who was inducted into the BCAT Hall of Fame in 2018.
Coach Burkley, who previously was named BCAT coach of the year in 2015 and 2016 for the MHS Lady Tigers teams, was awarded his third gold ball. He started coaching at MHS in 2002 coaching the Lady Tigers and became the Tigers coach in 2009. Coach Burkley has a winning record of 9-17 (2023) and 377-231 (2002 – 2023) with the Lady Tigers and 29-2 (2022-2023) and 294-108 (2009-2023) with the Tigers.
The All-Star players were selected by the BCAT committee, which considered not only their skills on the court, but also character, and grades. Coach Burkley and the All-Star players were honored at the Court of Honor Banquet that was held on Friday, March 24, 2023, at Lebanon High School where Basketball Hall of Fame Coach Andy Landers, the former Georgia Women’s Head Coach, was the guest speaker.
The players took to the court on Saturday, March 25, 2023 with head coach James Burkley and MHS assistant coach Monterrio Williams leading the Class A All-Star boys team as they played against the Class AA All-Star boys team. The games that were played gave the athletes an opportunity to showcase their talent on the court and be seen by college coaches.
Pictures courtesy of Sharonda Robinson.
Read more local news by clicking here.
Do you have news you’d like to share? E-mail us at news@hatchiepress.com.
Subscribe to Hatchie Press to stay informed on what’s happening in Hardeman County and the surrounding areas.
