Bill Hockenberry resigns as Rockvale girls basketball coach

In four seasons at the helm of the Rockvale girls basketball program, Bill Hockenberry built the team into a winner.

Unfortunately, due to unspecified health issues, Hockenberry announced Wednesday that he has resigned as the team's head coach. He told his players during a team banquet earlier in the evening.

Hockenberry will remain at Rockvale as a teacher and also assistant athletic director.

"I'm proud of where the program is at," said Hockenberry, who led the Lady Rockets to four consecutive region tournament appearances. "We had a lot of kids (from the girls program) go to the next level in different sports (including three in basketball).

"I just need to take a step back and worry about myself."

Hockenberry, 40, was hired in late August 2020 after the school's first girls coach, Lindy King, accepted a role as assistant principal at Riverdale.

"We hired him late...we needed a coach, and he stepped in and did a great job," said Rockvale principal Steve Luker of the last-minute hire, which also came during the COVID-19 pandemic. "He's a great school person, did everything we asked him to do, and won a lot of games for us. He's a success story. He pulled us out of a hole when we couldn't find a coach."

Hockenberry led Rockvale to a 72-39 record during his four seasons. He took over in the school's second year of existence after the Lady Rockets had won 11 games during the inaugural season.

His 2023-24 squad went 14-12, reaching the region tournament despite losing senior and top player Kamaria Murray to a knee injury in early December.

Prior to this season his squads had back-to-back years where they won 21 games.

"I'm proud of what we did at Rockvale, for a new school to go to four straight regions," Hockenberry said. "Another thing I'm excited about is the talent we're leaving for the next person. When I took over we were hoping to win. Now we expect to win. The winning mentality has been established."

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Luker expects the position to draw a lot more interest during this coaching search.

The team returns most of its starting lineup, including young standouts Jade Watson (an all-district selection as a freshman), Ayeden Wilkerson, Isabella Wright and Kailah Crawford.

"It's Rutherford County girls basketball...it's a competitive league," Luker said. "It should be a job that is sought after. I would think there would be some really good candidates."