West Hall High School Principal Scott Justus announced Monday that Shawana Harrison has been named the new head girls basketball coach for the Spartans, pending board approval Monday evening.
Harrison will replace coach Bryan Richerson, who recently resigned his teaching and coaching positons with Hall County Schools to pursue another career opportunity.
For the past eight years Harrison has served as the Gainesville High girls junior varsity basketball coach and varsity assistant. During her tenure she worked to provide an environment that was designed to encourage individuals to fulfill their potential for intellectual, emotional, physical, and social growth. Her goal has been to develop student-athletes who were internally motivated, willing to persevere through challenges, and to demonstrate a positive belief in their own abilities.
“I firmly believe that if there is a quality basketball program, a positive team environment will be developed and every student athlete will have the opportunity to achieve academic and athletic success,” Harrison said via press release.
Upon graduation from Gainesville High School, where she played on three state championship teams, Harrison earned two athletic scholarships, first to Truett-McConnell College in Cleveland and then to Georgia College and State University in Milledgeville.
Harrison has a Bachelor of Science in Health/Physical Education Degree from Georgia College and State University and a Master’s of Science in Exercise Science and Health Promotion Degree from California University of Pennsylvania. She has certifications in all levels of Physical Education, CPR, First Aid, and Personal Training.
