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MCHS Girls Soccer will have some new faces on the sidelines this fall, though they aren’t new to soccer in McNairy County by a long shot.   Tom Court will be taking over the role of Head Coach, as voted on at the recent school board meeting.  Court replaces Jerry Lott, who announced he would be giving up that sport just after the 24-25 season ended.  Court will be joined by assistants Carlee Morris and Jason Cinicola.  Morris is the Speech Therapist at Ramer Elementary; Cinicola played goalie in college.  As Court said, “I put people around me that are smart, that know the game, so I can focus on what I need to focus on.” Court has coached soccer for over 20 years in McNairy County.  He began the recreational league in Ramer with Elizabeth Woolbright, and has coached the McNairy Middle School Cobras, both boys and girls, for the past five years.

When asked what he expected of girls planning to play, Court said “You show up and be ready to work. There’s not gonna be a snapchat time no more, we have two hour practices, we’re gonna’ work.  I expect you to give 100% every minute of practice.” Court plans to work on the team bonding, which includes taking buses to and from games, and is looking to go to a soccer camp together this summer.  He hopes to put together a girls alumni game, and already has commitments from some former Lady Cats such as Jossalyn Forsythe.

“My goal is to be better than I was yesterday. To compete, to give 100% effort, and the outcome will take care of itself.  I’m huge on accountability.  My role models are Alek Floyd and Nick Cook, even though they’re younger than me.”

“I plan on going to state,” he said with a laugh. “There’s too many athletes at MCHS, girl athletes, and I think with the right system and guidance, we can actually make a little bit of noise at state, and dominate the district for years to come.”

Court himself didn’t play soccer in his youth.  He said the first time he saw soccer was as an Air Force Brat in Germany where his dad was stationed. “I thought it was neat, but soccer wasn’t a big thing back then.  All my boys played though, and three of them continued throughout high school.”  Son Josh perhaps is the best known, as he was the first MCHS player to be All West TN back-to-back in his junior and senior years, and still holds the record for Defensive Stops in a career with 744, and is on the list multiple times for Stops per Game or Season.  “I always played my kids up, in a higher age bracket against better competition to make them better,” said Court. 

Court will have a meeting with all interested players and parents on Sunday, April 20^th at 2:00 in the Little Theater.  Tryouts are scheduled for the last week in April.  With a slight laugh, Court said “I plan to win district and go to state.  That’s the goal.”