WEST POINT — Jemmye Ann Helms has experienced success at multiple levels of organized basketball.
In the past 20 years, the game has been in her blood, as a player in high school and college and as a coach.
So when the 13-year coaching veteran decided to step away from her role as girls basketball coach at West Point High School, she made sure to give the move careful consideration.
“It”ll be interesting,” said Helms, who was recently hired as an assistant principal at WPHS. “I put some serious thought about how I will feel in December when the season gets going. I”m sure I”ll miss parts of it, but this decision took a lot of planning.”
When Helms was hired at West Point four years ago, she already had received a master”s degree and was working on her education specialist degree. She always intended to transition into administration, and her new role at West Point will see her continue to serve a district she has grown to love.
“It”s like I told the girls on the team, when a person gets a chance to move up in the world, you can”t blame them for doing that,” West Point Athletic Director Chris Chambless said. “She”s gonna be great for our district in administration. She was also my assistant AD, so I”m going to miss working with her. Our district is gaining a person who truly cares about these kids.”
Helms” final season in her four-year run with the Lady Green Wave was her best. West Point went 20-5 and Helms won her first district title. The Lady Green Wave also hosted a Class 5A playoff game against Indianola Gentry.
Helms took West Point to the playoffs all four years as head coach.
“This program made great strides and is getting better,” Helms said. “I have kids that always worked hard for me. I did not have a lot of discipline problems or any problems in general.”
Helms” previous coaching jobs were at Ackerman, Wesson, and Louisville. She played basketball at Mississippi State after a standout prep career at East Webster High.
Helms will close her coaching career July 9 when she serves as North squad coach in the Mississippi Association of Coaches All-Star Game. She”ll coach with former Tupelo coach and current Brandon coach Stephanie Murphy.
“That”s a great honor,” Helms said. “I”m excited and I know how important that game is — I got to play in it — especially from a recruiting standpoint. Being from Mississippi, this is another great way to give back.”
West Point has named a replacement for Helms, and will announce her successor following board approval July 11, Chambless said.
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