Hartsville hires new coach in girls basketball

Hartsville – Hartsville High athletic director Brad Boob did not look very far to find a new varsity girls basketball coach when the job became available.

Boob looked within the county and within his own school to tab the next coach, hiring Andre Hooks, Sr., to fill the position earlier this year. Hooks is a Darlington County native and a 1993 graduate of St. John’s High in Darlington, and has worked in district schools for more than 20 years. At the time of his selection, he was an assistant varsity boys coach at Hartsville.

“He has a passion for developing student-athletes, on and off the floor,” Boob said in his announcement.

Hooks has a wide range of coaching experience, working at both the middle school and high school level. His coaching philosophy is centered around a strong work ethic and commitment to excellence.

“I believe firmly in the motto ‘hard work pays off,’” he says.

His approach emphasizes not only the importance of athletic balance but also the value of perseverance, teamwork and personal growth.

“It means a lot to take over a varsity program at Hartsville High School,” Hooks said. “I love the potential of the student-athletes here and the great culture of being winners in life.”

Hooks inherits a solid winning program from former coach Justin Johnson, who left for a position at Manning High. Hartsville posted 54 wins over the last three seasons, including 40 wins over the last two campaigns.

Two key returners to the team this winter are senior guard Brooke Mitchell and sophomore guard Jaz Reyes, who combined to average 18 points per game last season.

At press time, the other varsity sports teams were slated to return their respective head coaches for the 2024-25 school year.

Jeff Calabrese returns for his 21^st season as the head football coach this fall. Parker Oldham is back for his second season as the varsity volleyball coach.

Dusty Braddock will coach the boys and girls tennis teams while Randell Ewing heads up the cross country program. Dani Fassett directs the swim program.

Jason Earle will return for his second season as the boys basketball coach. Michael Lynch is slated to return as the boys wrestling coach and Aimee Jo Howle will again coach the growing girls wrestling program.

Tony Gainey is set to return as the head baseball coach next spring while Amber Harvey will return as the softball coach. Bryan Laney is the varsity boys soccer coach while Steve Jewell heads up the girls soccer program.

Frankie Humphrey will head up the boys and girls track programs.