McLawhorn chosen boys hoops coach at Wayne Country Day
Keith McLawhorn loves to coach, but what he loves more is developing young boys into upstanding young men.
Wayne Country Day School has hired McLawhorn as its new head boys’ basketball coach, replacing David Flowers, who moved into the athletic director position.
“I like the environment and feel of the school. I just like the whole vibe of the school, and the support of the school,” McLawhorn said. “I got some big shoes to fill, but to be a part of it, is a great feeling, epically if you’re the type of coach who loves the game, and I love the game.
“It’s great. It’s just great.”
McLawhorn will make a move from Pitt County to Wayne County. McLawhorn was the head boys’ basketball coach at John Paul II Catholic High School from 2016-2018 before stepping down to focus on player training and development program.
From 2014-2016, John Paul II posted a 4-29 record, but McLawhorn quickly turned around the Saints’ program.
The Saints went 16-10 in Lawhorn’s first season while going 10-9 in his second season at the helm.
The Saints also reached the NCISAA 1-A basketball tournament in both seasons.
While McLawhorn gushed over Flowers’ praise, one of his chief concerns is building a culture the Wayne Country Day community can be proud of and making sure every kid gets something positive out his high school basketball experience.
“I already had an idea of who I wanted, which was Keith,” Flowers said. “I’ve known Keith for 10 years, and he’s great. He’s a terrific coach, who I know is going to do a good job.”
Wayne Country Day is a perennial athletics powerhouse, last year’s boys’ basketball team won the FCA Winter Classic for the first time in school history and reached the NCISAA 2-A State Championship game.
“There’s no pressure,” McLawhorn said about taking over the program. “I’m looking at the future. One year doesn’t dictate success, it’s longevity, so I’m looking at the next 10 years, and making sure our middle school program is thriving, and that our JV team is thriving.”
McLawhorn expects to bring out an unselfish team, which gives 100 percent every time it steps onto the court. He says the group of players at Wayne Country Day is as talented from top to bottom as any team he’s coached and is ready to hit the ground running
“My thing is to make sure this program is heading in the right direction,” McLawhorn said. “I’m excited about the opportunity, and I’m ready to get to work.”
Keith McLawhorn loves to coach, but what he loves more is developing young boys into upstanding young men.
Wayne Country Day School has hired McLawhorn as its new head boys’ basketball coach, replacing David Flowers, who moved into the athletic director position.
“I like the environment and feel of the school. I just like the whole vibe of the school, and the support of the school,” McLawhorn said. “I got some big shoes to fill, but to be a part of it, is a great feeling, epically if you’re the type of coach who loves the game, and I love the game.
“It’s great. It’s just great.”
McLawhorn will make a move from Pitt County to Wayne County. McLawhorn was the head boys’ basketball coach at John Paul II Catholic High School from 2016-2018 before stepping down to focus on player training and development program.
From 2014-2016, John Paul II posted a 4-29 record, but McLawhorn quickly turned around the Saints’ program.
The Saints went 16-10 in Lawhorn’s first season while going 10-9 in his second season at the helm.
The Saints also reached the NCISAA 1-A basketball tournament in both seasons.
While McLawhorn gushed over Flowers’ praise, one of his chief concerns is building a culture the Wayne Country Day community can be proud of and making sure every kid gets something positive out his high school basketball experience.
“I already had an idea of who I wanted, which was Keith,” Flowers said. “I’ve known Keith for 10 years, and he’s great. He’s a terrific coach, who I know is going to do a good job.”
Wayne Country Day is a perennial athletics powerhouse, last year’s boys’ basketball team won the FCA Winter Classic for the first time in school history and reached the NCISAA 2-A State Championship game.
“There’s no pressure,” McLawhorn said about taking over the program. “I’m looking at the future. One year doesn’t dictate success, it’s longevity, so I’m looking at the next 10 years, and making sure our middle school program is thriving, and that our JV team is thriving.”
McLawhorn expects to bring out an unselfish team, which gives 100 percent every time it steps onto the court. He says the group of players at Wayne Country Day is as talented from top to bottom as any team he’s coached and is ready to hit the ground running
“My thing is to make sure this program is heading in the right direction,” McLawhorn said. “I’m excited about the opportunity, and I’m ready to get to work.”
