Capriee Tucker: Newest James Clemens Coach
MADISON- James Clemens High has its new girls’ basketball head coach in place after an extensive search of sifting through several candidates. Capriee Tucker was recently introduced to lead the program at a ceremony at the school.
“I would like to think the school of this magnitude, with these facilities, these type of good people here and the caliber of athletes walking the halls are ready for success,” said Tucker. “I definitely think this school is ready for that and I hope I can give them that.”
Tucker came to the Jets from Hazel Green High where she was a two-year assistant to Tim Miller and where the Lady Trojans played in two consecutive state championship games winning one in 2018. Prior to the stop with the Trojans, she was a three-year assistant at Huntsville High and spent one year as a graduate assistant at the University of Alabama, also under Miller who was with the program in Tuscaloosa at the time.
Tucker was an All-State player at Fort Payne High and played four years for UT-Chattanooga earning a degree in psychology and later her masters at Alabama.
“It was a no brainer for me as I wasn’t done with basketball and basketball wasn’t done with me,” said Tucker of her decision to remain with the sport after her playing days came to a halt. “As for my style, I date myself sometimes because I’m old fashioned. I don’t think there’s substitutes for hard work and I understand what it takes to get to the next level and that’s something I will bring here.”
Tucker takes over the position vacated two months ago by Amber Deline who resigned after four years and even after a respectable 18-9 record last season. The Jets’ program through its first six years has had just one winning season posting a six-season record of 57-85.
“I looked for someone who loves basketball more than me,” said Dr. Brian Clayton, school principal. “I think we found someone who does and Coach Tucker feels the same importance of winning in character as we do here at James Clemens.”
Tucker met with the news media and team players and their families at a special gathering in the school cafeteria. While addressing the group in attendance, she spoke of the outstanding resources at Madison’s newest high school and she expressed fundamentals in her coaching. She added, “When the girls leave this program they will know how to be a great citizen off the court.”
With outstanding parental guidance from her mother and father, both of whom played college basketball, Tucker understands the girls in the current program at James Clemens, “They thirst to win and they drive off of that thirst.”
“Years from now when I receive graduation and bridal invitations, that will give me just as much joy as winning a game, “ added Tucker. “They won’t remember what our record was, but they will remember their teammates and the experiences they had, and that means more to me than winning any game.”
