PHS Introduces Clint Watson as new girls basketball coach

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The Pampa Lady Harvesters will have a new coach at the helm next year as Clint Watson was introduced as head coach in May.

A 2002 graduate of Plainview High School, Watson finished his first year in Pampa as an assistant football and assistant baseball coach.

Watson came to Pampa from Stinnett-West Texas where he spent the past five years.

“I was strictly on the girls side,” Watson said. “I coached volleyball, basketball and softball. But, I did do two years of baseball.”

Watson said basketball is his passion and when former Pampa coach Jared Messer left, he through his hat in the ring.

“I watched the girls play all season,” Watson said. “So I told my wife I wanted to try.”

Watson takes over a team that made huge strides the last two years, going from a one-win team to a bi-district championship contender. Watson is looking to build off that momentum for a deeper run.

“We lost one or two players from last year, but we will have our main core back,” Watson said. “Hopefully we can just carry-on what Messer built. I know the district will be tougher but I look at us competing. Our goal is still to make the playoffs and hopefully carry on to win a playoff game.”

While Plainview may have been where he graduated high school, but Watson lived in Pampa until first grade and still had family here.

“Pampa’s always been a second home to me,” Watson said. “In the mid-to-late 1990s I loved the rivalry between Plainview and Pampa. It was bragging rights between family members. I’d love to bring that rivalry back.”

Watson said the team’s confidence, chemistry and speed will be the key traits for the Lady Harvesters.

“They all know each other from last year,” Watson said. “We will have a few key pieces from JV step up, as well. We’re going to be young again with four seniors. Berlin (Bartlett) is going to be a key piece. Katlyn Magers will be playing a big part.”

Offensively, Watson hopes to spread the ball around and shoot 25 to 30 three-pointers a game.

“Court-spacing is going to be huge with a bunch of motion offense,” Watson said. “We’re moving side-to-side to open some driving lanes for Berlin, Katlyn, Briley Daniels and some of them. I like John Calipari’s offense with the dribble-drive.

“I ran that at Stinnett, that’s going to help us attack certain spots on the floor. Three-point shooting is going to be a strength for us.”

Watson said his defense is more important to get his offense started.

“We’re going to pressure the ball, play full-court man and a zone press,” Watson said. “Our team strength is going to be some speed and quickness, so I want to utilize that and pressure them. Hopefully our transition offense will be a main part for us.”

Watson will be coaching girls basketball and girls track this upcoming school year.

Watson and wife, Laura, have been married nine years and together the pair have four children, Kaden and Karsyn Brown; and Cooper and Camryn Watson.

The family are members of First Baptist Church.