Parkview Welcomes New Girls Basketball Coach

Not only is the Parkview boys basketball team getting a new head coach, but the girls team is getting one, too.

Kirk Call, a former assistant coach for the Lady Panthers, is returning to Parkview next week as the head coach for the girls.

Call was with the Panthers alongside Head Coach Mike McCoy from 2002 to 2006, which includes the time when the girls won the 2003 state title. He left to coach at Walnut Grove in Loganville and now has decided to come back to where he started in Lilburn.

"I'm returning because of the love I have for the community and this area, and the challenge of leading this team to that next level," Call said.

The future head coach had a meet-and-greet in the Parkview cafeteria Monday evening to talk with parents and players about the upcoming season.

In the last two seasons, Coach Tony Watkins led the Parkview girls with a 59-2 record, but fell short both times when it came to the state championship. Watkins is leaving to coach at Lambert.

"It's tough right now for the parents," said assistant coach Carl Zimmerman about the transition between coaches. "We've got 10 of our 12 (players) back, we made it to the elite eight, [and] the game that was played here last year might arguably be the best girls basketball games that have been played in the state," he added, referring to Parkview's loss against Norcross in double overtime during the second round of the Class AAAAAA tournament.

"The parents are trying to feel their way because they obviously had a lot of respect for Coach Watkins, and he's obviously done what he thinks is best for him and his family [by leaving]," Zimmerman continued. "We wish him the best."

Call believes Watkins was a great coach, but he thinks he can bring that extra mile to the team in order to earn the state title again.

"I don't want to take anything away from Coach Watkins and what he did," said Call. "Obviously they've had a lot of success here, but I do feel like I can bring a little bit more energy, a little bit more of an up-tempo kind of style. ... I like to think one of my best attributes is my energy and enthusiasm that I have. Hopefully that will bring them up a notch and just push them hard everyday."

See also:

• Parkview Gets a New Head Basketball Coach
• Parkview Football Hits the Field for Intrasquad Game
• Parkview Baseball Falls in Semifinals
• Berkmar Soccer Player Backflips After Scoring in State Finals

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