By: Don Meador
AC-S will start their 52nd year of girls basketball with an overall program record of 895-545, five wins shy of becoming one of seven programs in the state to have reached 900 wins since girls basketball resumed prior to the 1974-75 school year.
The goal at the end of the day will be to build AC-S basketball into a District, Region, and state contender once again and in so doing keep the Lady Patriot tradition alive for years to come.
“Defense and rebounding win championships,” DeWitt said. “If you can rebound that ball and keep them from getting another opportunity and then play great defense, make them earn every point, you are a tough opponent to play against. We want to be a tough opponent to play against. We are also going to be a running team that tries to stay ahead of the game.”
DeWitt will use the summer to instill his system into the team---a plan that will include strengthening the team’s defense and instilling a more up-tempo offensive attack. The new coach also notes that he will challenge the squad to work hard every minute or every practice and game.
“Avery Morris is an outstanding player,” DeWitt said. “One reason she is outstanding is that she works at it so much. Kids don’t just get up one morning and say, I think I’ll be champion this year. It's something that is built over years. That is why Avery is so special. She works at it all the time. Brooklyn and Kinsley Byrn both played a lot in JV and improved. Brooklyn is athletic and as fast as anyone on the floor. Kinsley plays hard-nosed defense, can handle the ball, and shoot wells. We need them to come on and play big minutes for us.”
DeWitt’s junior class is expected to include Avery Morris, Brooklyn Oliver, and Kinsley Byrn.
“Deborah Patrick was the most improved player in the region last year,” DeWitt noted. “She is a great player. She does not really know exactly how good of a player she is. I coached kids that have had her size. She is a special kid and once she gets her confidence together, I’m expecting great things. Allison Ford got a lot of playing time last year who has to step up her game a little bit. Kyra Marr made a great step forward off the bench. Payton and Kyra both played a lot at the JV level. Kennedy Carter is a great three-point shooter. Addy Law is tough. She works hard and I’m expecting big things out of here. I also am looking for great leadership.”
An advantage that DeWitt has as the new coach is familiarity with the team. Looking at the projected 2025-26 roster, DeWitt expects six seniors to be a key part of the squad---Deborah Patrick, Allison Ford, Kyra Marr, Payton Marr, Kennedy Carter, and Addy Law.
DeWitt retired from administrative duties in 2018 while still possessing an itch to coach. His opportunity came as boys coach at Monroe County. DeWitt guided the Falcons to an 11-15 record. DeWitt resigned after one season in order to return to AC-S as an assistant coach with the Lady Patriots. DeWitt’s assistant role included helping AC-S to a 15-13 record this season---the program’s first winning season since 2018-19.
In 2007, DeWitt handed the program’s helm to his assistant Brad Bonds. Despite not being on the sidelines, DeWitt watched from the stands as Bonds led the program back to statewide prominence over the course of the following 11 year
After compiling a 93-54 record in five seasons, DeWitt stepped away from coaching following the 2001 season to enter administrative duties at AC-SH. However, in the summer of 2004, DeWitt returned to the sidelines at AC-SH. For three seasons, DeWitt guided the team--a team that struggled to find wins at times yet teams that were always competitive. DeWitt finished his second stint with a record of 34-47.
The 2000-01 season capped an incredible three-year run. AC-S again won the Region 4 title with wins over Monroe County, Todd County Central, and Greenwood. In state tournament play, AC-S upended Johnson Central---the program first state tournament win in 22 seasons. A loss to 2001 state runner-up Manuel ended the season with AC-S finishing 26-7.
The following season, DeWitt guided a young team to back-to-back regional titles. Despite a losing record during the regular season, AC-S turned up their play to defeat Monroe County, Warren Central, and Barren County (the last two in overtime) to claim the Region 4 title once again. AC-S fell to Hart County in the first round of the state to finish 17-17.
“I will never forget how this town took in our kids,” DeWitt reminisced with a tear in his eye. “We became their team. It was not our team anymore, it was the whole community’s team. The community traveled with us. I will never forget coming out on to the court at Western (in the 1999 state tournament) and seeing that sea of red. I got to see that again in 2001. The community has been so good for our kids. It’s wonderful to be a Lady Patriot.
The climb to the top of Region 4 girls basketball continued. In March of 1999, DeWitt’s Lady Patriot team defeated the Warren East Lady Raiders to claim the Region 4 Championship---their first crown since 1985. AC-S finished 24-6 after a first-round state tournament loss.
After three seasons seated beside Crews on the bench, DeWitt succeeded her as the fourth girls basketball coach in program history in the summer of 1996. DeWitt changed the culture of the AC-S girls program. After a 10-15 season, DeWitt’s 1997-98 team won 16 of 25 games---the program’s first winning season in four years.
The Austin Indiana native first came to AC-SH in the late 1980s as a history educator. The young coach entered the coaching ranks, serving as both assistant coach and coach of golf and baseball. When girls basketball coach Courtni Crews replaced coach David Young prior to the 1993-94 season, DeWitt stepped in as an assistant in that sport as well.
“When I first came here, I heard a lot about Lady Patriot basketball,” noted DeWitt---who first saw an AC-S team play while working concessions at Diddle Arena in the state tournament in 1985. “I heard about Coach David Young and how special the program was. I thought surely it is not that special. When I got into it, I realized how special it was and realized how special it could continue to be. In 1993-94, the heyday had passed but the kids still played hard. I could tell we still had something that just needed work, work, and work. When I got the opportunity to be the head coach in 1996, I put them to work. I had high expectations and those who stayed with me, we won championships together because of that hard work.”
Having been a part of Allen County-Scottsville High School---and a part of the community for over three decades--- has given DeWitt an understanding and love for the tradition of AC-S girls basketball.
Coach DeWitt is no stranger to the tradition-rich Lady Patriot basketball program. As an assistant or as the head coach, DeWitt has been on the AC-S sidelines 17 overall seasons including eight years and 228 games as head coach. His overall head coaching record at AC-S is 127-101.
“I am so glad to be back as head coach,” noted DeWitt, a 2018 inductee into the AC-SH Athletic Hall-of-Fame. “I wanted to get back into the head coaching position for the girls and for the program. It’s about the kids. It’s about the program. I want to see the program keep thriving.”
A proven winner is the new coach for Allen County-Scottsville Lady Patriot basketball. Garry DeWitt was introduced Monday, April 28, as the successor to Greg Dunn who resigned last month. This is Coach DeWitt’s third stint at the helm of the Lady Patriots.