When Andy Webb took over as boys' basketball coach at East Hamilton in July 2019, he said the Hurricanes would put on a show for their fans.
His forecast for the program has proven true.
In four seasons with Webb, the Hurricanes scored more than 70 points in 43% of their games on the way to an overall record of 73-39 (.652). In the 2020-21 season, they climbed as high as No. 2 in the Class 3A in the Associated Press state rankings. A year later, they cut down the nets for the first time as TSSAA district champions, defending their home court against Red Bank for the 6-AAA tournament title.
Webb told his players Wednesday morning that he has resigned as coach, but good memories overflowed for him later in the day as he looked back on his tenure in comments emailed to the Times Free Press.
"I have always been someone that has poured my heart and soul into my mission," said Webb, a former longtime assistant head coach with Science Hill, which won 191 games in his eight seasons in Johnson City. "God cannot bear the same fruit if I feel led in a different direction that prioritizes family. I felt like it was the right time to step away."
In addition to leading the Hurricanes to team accomplishments, he had six players receive opportunities to play college basketball. The program's class of 2021 included three of those players: Marcus Long (Southern Wesleyan), Darwin Randolph (Campbell) and Jordan Harris (Cleveland State). Last year, Cade Pendleton signed with the University of California, San Diego, an NCAA Division I program.
East Hamilton scored more than 80 points on 13 occasions under Webb, and the Hurricanes won the District 6-AAA regular-season championship this year, when their 10-2 league mark was part of a 22-9 overall record they posted despite losing three key players to season-ending injuries.
"I was blessed and humbled to have this opportunity and will forever be grateful for all of those who were on this journey with me," Webb said. "Basketball has always been more than a game to me. It's been a platform to serve kids, to serve a school and a community.
"The lifelong relationships will be what I cherish the most. East Hamilton is a great destination with wonderful people and leadership at the top provided by principal Brent Eller. I am grateful he gave me the opportunity to lead this program."
Contact Patrick MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com.