Lady Knights coach reaches career milestone
Robbinsville – A lot of factors have to be in the mix to create the right formula for a coach to record 100 wins.
Teams can be as talented as any line-up you have ever had at your disposal – but without knowing the strengths and weaknesses of each athlete, how to instill long-term values and make the right calls in the clutch, 100 wins can be evasive.
Lucas Ford has been blessed; all of his Lady Knights basketball teams have contained just the right ingredients.
Jan. 3 at Hayesville, the Lady Knights trumped their conference foe 54-26. When he stepped into the locker room, he was immediately showered with adulation.
Literally. His shirt was soaked with water, as players clamored to tell him of their reason for jubilation.
“I’m not into individual accolades or attention for myself, so I truly had no clue of the count on wins,” Ford said. “I have been fortunate to have surrounded myself and our program with great assistants and great players, and the girls have truly bought into what we do.
“All I can say is I’m glad they let me ride the bus to game and hang out with all of them at practices. Great players make coaches look good.”
In just 5 ½ seasons, Ford has guided Robbinsville to a Smoky Mountain Conference championship, divisional-tournament crown and the Elite 8 (all in 2020-21). None of the Lady Knights’ collaborations he has coached have ever failed to make the playoffs.
There has never been a lack of success under his watch, so the wins quickly piled up. After Tuesday’s win over Blue Ridge School, his career record now sits at 101-38.
“Not too shabby for a ‘football coach,’” Ford joked, before shifting to a more serious tone. “I might not have state championships, but I guarantee you my relationships with the young men and women I coach will last a lifetime.
“That is the rewarding part for me: to see them be productive husbands/wives, parents, church/community members – and just great humans – after leaving our programs. They always know they have a Coach Ford in their corner.”