Keshia Jarrett addresses the Eaglette returning players and parents after being introduced to the community. (Post Photo by Gary Johnson)
Jarrett spent her collegiate years playing at Cumberland University. (Submitted photo)
By GARY JOHNSON
Sports Writer
Clarksville native Keshia Jarrett was recently named the new Shelbyville Central Golden Eaglette head basketball coach.
Jarrett had a stellar basketball career at Clarksville High School, scoring over 1,000 points and is currently the sixth-leading scorer in school history.
She attended Cumberland University in Lebanon, where she received a Bachelors degree in Health and Fitness and later a Masters degree in Special Education in 2017.
Jarrett played basketball at Cumberland where she was a four-year letterman and senior team captain.
To say that she is excited about this opportunity would be a huge understatement.
“I’m absolutely honored and thrilled about the opportunity to be the head coach of the Golden Eaglettes. It’s a chance to motivate, mentor, and shape a talented group of athletes, fostering their skill set, needs and growth both off and on the court,” Jarrett said. “Coaching isn’t just about the game; it’s about building a community, instilling discipline, and cultivating a growth winning mindset. I can’t wait to embark on this journey with the team and help them reach their full potential.”
“We were looking for someone with high energy and high character Coach Jarrett fits both those,” Shelbyville Central Principal Charlie Pope said.
She believes she is more than ready to become a successful coach.
“Basketball has been a passion of mine for as long as I can remember. I grew up dribbling a basketball in the driveway, shooting hoops at the local recreational center and watching every University of Tennessee game I could on TV. My playing experience spans from my early years playing youth AAU on the travel circuit with the TN Lady Tigers, where the program helped instill the love and foundation of the game,” Jarrett said.
“From there, my talents allowed me to advance playing basketball at the middle and high school level. Due to my success, love and dedication to game I competed at the collegiate level as well. Through countless hours of practice and dedication, basketball has taught me invaluable lessons about teamwork, perseverance, and resilience. It’s not just a game to me, it’s a way of life.”
“You don’t score over a thousand points in high school (Clarksville High School) and play four years of college basketball, finishing runner-up in the country (Cumberland University) and not know how to play. Coach J understands the game and brings a perspective of a highly successful player both individual and team success. Her players will benefit from both of those perspectives,” Pope added.
“Coaching the Golden Eaglettes is not only an opportunity to share my knowledge and experience with the next generation of players but also a chance to continue my love affair with the sport. Every bounce of the ball, every squeak of the sneakers on the court, fills me with excitement and joy. Coaching allows me to stay connected to the game I love while passing on its transformative power to others,” Jarrett said.
She looks forward to sharing her “Big E’s” with her players; Excellence, Effort, Energy and Enthusiasm.
“On the court, I expect my players to give their best effort, communicate effectively and work together as a team to achieve goals,” Jarrett said. “Off the court, I expect them to conduct themselves with integrity, represent the team positively, and prioritize their physical and mental well-being.”
On the court she has a plan for the style of basketball she wants her team to play.
“I prefer an offense that is versatile, with a mix of both structured plays and opportunities for players to read and react to the defense. Ball movement, spacing, and player movement are key, with an emphasis on exploiting mismatches and creating high-percentage scoring opportunities. Flexibility and adaptability are important, allowing us to adjust our approach based on the strengths and weaknesses of our opponents,” Jarrett said. “I believe in a defense that is aggressive, disciplined and adaptable. It starts with strong communication and teamwork to disrupt the opponent’s offense and force turnovers. We’ll focus on applying pressure on the ball, rotating effectively to help defenders and closing out on shooters. Flexibility is crucial, allowing us to switch between man-to-man, zone, or trapping defenses based on the situation and the strengths of our players. Overall, our defense will be anchored in intensity, effort, and a commitment to getting stops.”
Jarrett realizes the tradition and past success of the Golden Eaglette basketball program.
“What has been accomplished in the past is nothing short of amazing. I would love to be able to add to that legacy, but right now we are focused on putting one foot in front of the other. We must walk before we run and run before we sprint,” she said.
“With that said, we need a community effort. We need young girls inspired to play the sport. We need community coaches teaching fundamentals and discipline years before they reach SCHS. We need the community to pack the stands. I truly believe working together we can get back to an elite program and I am excited to aid in that transformation.”
“”Coach J shared in her interview more than once, that she wanted to be here at Shelbyville Central High School and no other candidate we interviewed shared that with the committee. We needed someone that we didn’t have to recruit but wanted someone who recruited us and convinced us they wanted to be here for the foreseeable future. She did that,” Pope said.
Jarrett has a message to all the fans and former players.
“Your support means a lot to this program. Thank you for standing by us through the lows and highs. Together, we’ll continue to make you proud and strive for greatness,” she said.
“To former players, you are the foundation of our program’s legacy. Your dedication and contributions have paved the way for the success we aim to achieve. Your continued support and involvement inspire us to carry on the tradition of excellence.”
Jarrett knows how important the support of her family is to her.
“Family means the world to me. I have been happily married for eight years to my fabulous husband. We share two beautiful kids together and have been residents in the Middle Tennessee area for over 15 years, Jarrett said. “Family is truly invaluable. They’re the ones who have been supporting me through and through, they celebrate my wins and built me back up through my loses. No matter what they continue to stand by me during challenging times. The bonds I share with my family are among the strongest and most enduring relationships in my life. There is no better place than family.”
