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Willie Morgan coached R.C. Hatch to a pair of Girls state basketball tournament appearances.

Morgan plans to do bigger things at Selma High School in the near future.

The Selma Times-Journal named Morgan its girls basketball coach of the year.

Under Morgan, the Lady Saints fell one game short of the Class 6A state tournament.

“I’m grateful and honored for the coach of the year honor,” Morgan said. “The girls program at Selma is on the rise. Give us a few years.”

Morgan admitted the Lady Saints had to get used to him after they were coached by Anthony Harris, last year’s Selma Times-Journal girls coach of the year.

“We started a little rocky, it took the girls time to adjust to me,” Morgan said.

By the time Christmas rolled around, the Lady Saints adapted to Morgan’s philosophy. The Lady Saints repeated as Dallas County Schools Holiday Tournament champions and won the Area Tournament.

“Once the girls started playing defense and buying into what I was teaching, the girls knew they could be successful,” Morgan said. “It was a learning for us. I was learning them and they were learning me.”

Selma High loses five seniors: Rodericka Parker, Caziah Simmons, Shakiya Stephens, Takierra Campbell,  and Renari Wells.

Morgan said his philosophy goes beyond layups and rebounds.

“I want to teach the players valuable lessons on and off the court,” Morgan said. “I want them to be successful on and off the court. I want them to be successful in everything.”

Morgan hopes getting close to the Final Four provides motivation to the returning players, including Aeraeonna Manuel, Sh’Naya Johnson, Alexias Walker and Dereka Williams.

“We have some new girls coming back, they will know what to expect from me next year,” Morgan said. “They understand me now.”