Coach Shelly Ethridge to be inducted:
ASHLEY BIUNDO SPORTS EDITOR:
With 2018-2019 basketball season at a close, STLCC women’s basketball ended the season 20-8. Head Coach, Shelly Ethridge’s year including not only a winning season but also achieving her 500th career win. But that’s not all that’s left for her. Ethridge is to be inducted to the Missouri Basketball Hall of Fame on Apr. 13 in Springfield, Missouri. Although Ethridge had a winning season, she said she enjoyed every minute of it and that she loves what she does. “I enjoy establishing lifelong relationships, seeing the development of our players both on and off the court, making a positive impact in [their] lives, and watching our girls that have gone through our program sign their scholarship to play at the next level.” Every year is a memorable in all different ways, said Ethridge. “My most memorable moment was at UMSL with our 2000 team. We were the first and only team to ever make it to the NCAA DII National Tournament and make it to the Sweet 16. Also, our 2017 team playing in the National Tournament winning the 5th place game on a last second shot,” she said. “Additionally, in 2014 our team was able to win the district tournament game to advance to the National tournament by overcoming a deficit of 6 points with less than one minute remaining.” Ethridge said that her job as a coach involves more than just coaching. “In my 28 years of coaching, my life has been devoted to coaching young adults and helping them develop as young women, dedicated students, productive members of the community and as successful basketball players,” she said. “What makes me happy and what truly defines my success, is when I can say I had the opportunity to coach these women, and watch them go on and do great things with their lives,” said Ethridge. “I’ve never needed any awards or recognition, but this is a wonderful honor that shows that other people have noticed the work and dedication that has been put in.”
