Williston-Elko coaching staff stays together in 2010-11
By David Shelton
Staff Writer
Williston – It will be hard to top the level of success achieved in the 2009-10 school year, but the Williston-Elko High athletic department will certainly give it a shot.
Last year was highly successful for the Blue Devils and athletic director Dwayne Garrick is hoping for even more success this coming year.
“We have great kids and a dedicated group of coaches so we feel like we should be competitive every year,” said Garrick, who also serves as the head football coach. “Stability is important and we don’t lose many coaches from year to year. We have the same coaching staff returning this year and that helps a lot. The kids know who their coach is going to be.”
Garrick’s football program was the big winner during the last year, capturing the Class A Division II state championship in December with a win over Scott’s Branch. The Blue Devils went 15-0 and were able to avenge a loss to Scott’s Branch in the 2008 finals.
“It was a special year but we have to work even harder to get another chance,” said Garrick.
The boy’s basketball team, coached by Devin Liferidge, got hot at the right time last season and nearly advanced to the class A state title game. The Blue Devils finished third in region play but then pulled off three upsets, all on the road, to advance to the upper state finals.
Williston-Elko knocked off Indian Land, Southside Christian and McCormick before losing to Great Falls in the state semi-finals.
The volleyball team, coached by Eva Strong, finished second in the region and won a playoff game before bowing out in the second round. Strong also led the girl’s basketball team to a second-place finish in region four and won a first-round playoff game as well.
The golf team, coached by Ronnie Neville, finished in a tie for fifth at the class A state tournament in May. The boy’s tennis team, coached by Bernard Walters, made the state playoffs as well.
Baseball coach Heath Corley led his team to the state playoffs where the Blue Devils went 1-2. Coach Lucki West guided the softball team into the playoffs where they also went 1-2.
All of those head coaches will be returning this fall for the coming year, along with David Augustine (boys and girls track) and Henry Brown (soccer).
Returning to Garrick’s football staff are Tony Flowers (wide receivers/defensive ends), Heath Corley (linebackers and defensive coordinator), Kenny Lipsey (defensive line), Derek Youngblood (quarterbacks) and David Augustine (middle school football and running backs).
Williston-Elko will have new leadership at the top as the school’s new principal will be Brian Newsome, himself a former high school coach.
