Shea Panter is stealing a page from the Jeffersons’ playbook. She’s movin’ on up.
Panter was named Tuesday as the head coach of the Warren County High School girls basketball team after coaching the last seven years at Warren County Middle School. Panter was picked from a group of 25 applicants to be the new Lady Pioneer leader, a position she has wanted since moving to Warren County to be closer to her family in 2005.
“This is exciting. It’s something I’ve wanted for a while. This was the goal when I came here,” said Panter.
After playing high school and college basketball in Alabama, Panter moved to McMinnville in 2005 to be closer to her parents and to join Ann Eades’ coaching staff. After a season at WCHS, she moved over to the middle school, where’s she’s been the last seven years.
Though she enjoyed her time at Warren County Middle School, Panter was ready to coach at the high school level.
“Everything happens for a reason and there’s a timing for everything. Everything I’ve experienced since I’ve been back has led me here,” said Panter.
Panter will be trying to reap the benefits of coaching some of the players she helped develop at Warren County Middle School. Panter has also been working closely with Cookeville assistant coach Janie Brock over the years as the duo co-founded the Tennessee Triple Threat AAU program.
Getting to coach some of her old players again – like returning starters Brittany Myers, Saydee Winfree and Allison Hitchcock – was something Panter wanted to do, although she realizes many of the players have grown since they played for her. Gaining their trust will be key when Panter takes the reins next season.
“They’ve grown and I’ve grown. I think we can see the change in each other and push each other,” said Panter. “Girls want somebody they are familiar with. It’s all about trust.”
Expanding her knowledge of players from other county schools will be something Panter does on the fly. Panter believes having an open dialogue with county schools and knowing the players coming up will help the program in the long term.
“I’d like to have an active role in what county schools do. I want to support them,” said Panter. “I don’t want people to feel that because I’ve been at the middle school, that’s where I’ll focus. I’m excited about going to the county schools and talking to coaches and communicating with them.
“My main goal is to not tell them how to do their jobs. I want them to learn from me and me learn from them.”
Panter will be taking over for Erick Baird, who was relieved of his duties following a 17-15 season last year. It was the program’s first winning season in nearly two decades.
Panter doesn’t feel the pressure to outperform last year’s mark, but she won’t hide the competitive nature that has driven her in her playing and coaching career.
“With anything, it seems people are more happy when you’re winning. It’s not just about winning and losing though. I want these girls to have good experiences,” said Panter. “If you play rummy or any game with me though, you’ll know I’ll do what it takes to win. We want to find the balance in winning and learning.”
Panter will be trying to finalize her coaching staff in the coming weeks as she prepares for the upcoming season. When the Lady Pioneers hit the court, Panter wants the players to focus on having fun.
“I want to see a renewed attitude for what they are doing. I want them to have fun and be excited,” said Panter. “There’s a lot of talented players around the county in the coming years.”
Those talented players will now be calling Shea Panter their coach.