State Gazette Coach of the Year For Dyersburg High School: Lady Trojan Basketball's Tim Strayhorn

Dyersburg Lady Trojan Basketball Head Coach Tim Strayhorn (center) has been named the State Gazette Dyersburg High School Coach of the Year for this past school year.

Photo/Jason Peevyhouse

By JASON PEEVYHOUSE

Sports Editor

Over the past three years, something was building during the winters at Dyersburg High School and the final project (for now) became a reality on March 9 at around 11 p.m. when the Lady Trojan basketball team made one final inbounds pass after a big defensive stop to secure the program's first-ever TSSAA State Championship.

As the man who helped take a program from six wins in Year One to a 31-4 record and a state title in Year Three, Lady Trojan Head Coach Tim Strayhorn has been named the State Gazette Coach of the Year for Dyersburg High School.

“Tim Strayhorn is a Dyersburg High School graduate,” Dyersburg City Schools Super Intendant Kim Worley explained. “For someone to come back to coach at their alma mater then to win the first-ever state championship, that is special.”

Worley said she recalled the moment when the Lady Trojans secured the “Big Gold Ball” for Dyersburg High School. However, just how special this championship win was came in the weeks following the TSSAA Class AAA State Tournament.

“I think when it really resonated with me how special it really was to our community was when we did the Gold Ball Tour,” Worley remembered. “I realized that not only was it special to our school. I mean, I'm a Dyersburg High School graduate and I've been around here a long time. It was not only special to our school and to our kids, it was our whole community.

“And, I say that Dyersburg High School is the center of our community, but that state championship meant a whole lot to our community. And, that state championship brought our whole community together.”

Just a few short months later, Worley agreed the win was something the community needed.

“That's one of the great things about athletics,” Worley added. “Athletics brings a community together. You win together, you lose together. That's something that I think the community will remember for a very long time.”

Dyersburg High School Principal Kamela Rogers, also a former AAU player for Strayhorn, was on-hand for the state championship run and win.

“Coach Strayhorn came on board with a goal in mind,” Rogers said. “He's a hard worker and a man of high character. He's sought after that Gold Ball.

“I'm proud of him. I'm proud of our coaching staff. And, I'm proud of our girls basketball program for putting in the work over the time he's been here to make it Murfreesboro and win that Gold Ball.”

Rogers said being a former basketball player during the time the Lady Trojans made a run to the state tournament in 2001 is when she got to know Strayhorn.

“I know how hard he is as a coach and how determined he is,” Rogers explained. “Now, fast forward to the night the Lady Trojans won. To be able to play on the floor then go back and cheer on Dyersburg – the same team that I am fortunate to be principal of – as they played on the court and win the Gold Ball, that was just a remarkable moment.”

Rogers remembers talking after the game to her former coach.

“I did express just how proud I was of him in that culminating moment,” Rogers added. “He is a Dyersburg community member. He is a worker and is not afraid of a challenge.

“Any time you put all that work in place and people see your hard work and you receive recognition for that, I am very proud of him.”

Dyersburg High School Athletic Director Blaine Mahaffey had a courtside view for much of the championship season as he is also the head boys' basketball coach for DHS.

“Coach Strayhorn works hard and he spends a lot of time doing what he loves,” Mahaffey said. “I'm glad to see success follow him. He's done a really nice job here in just running the program and doing what good coaches do.”

Mahaffey said turning a six-win program into a state champion in three years was a credit to Strayhorn, his staff, and his team.

“Man, it was a magical year,” Mahaffey added. “It was a lot of fun to watch. A lot of fun to see as it was happening.”