Sports: Delores Carter, 1978, Winn Parish, LA. Submitted by Greggory E. Davies, 120 Ted Price Lane, Winnfield, LA 71483 ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** From: March 29, 1978 Winn Parish Enterprise News-American Coach Delores Carter To Retire After 30 years, 558 victories, two state championships, numerous other big wins and honors, Delores Carter is leaving the coaching ranks. At the end of this school year, Coach Carter, as she is called by everyone, is retiring. She will be leaving behind a lot of good memories, good times, and good friends. "I cried almost all morning Thursday, thinking about it as I went over all the stuff," Coach Carter said. "It's hard to believe it's almost over." A native of Calvin, Coach Carter began her coaching career at Epps High School in 1948. And it wasn't long before she established the small north Louisiana school as a state power. In 1950, she led the girls to the runner up spot in the North Zone. In 1951, Epps girls were North Zone Champions. "In those years, the state was divided into two halves," Coach Carter said. "We had some pretty good basketball players." Those pretty good basketball players helped Coach Carter take Epps to a third place finish in the state in 1952. Coach Carter stayed at Epps until 1955, except for time off to give birth to a son, Alan. Coach Carter came to Winnfield High School for the 1955-56 season. She suffered through one of her rare losing seasons. "I had only one letterman from the year before, and both the girls and I were getting to know one another," Coach Carter said. "I take the blame for every loss my teams suffered that year and every year." Losing was not one of Coach Carter's trademarks. She brought a 127-45 record to Winnfield when she left Epps. Before she took the job at the Winnfield Middle School in 1965, Coach Carter added 191 more victories. The period from 1955-1964 were the glory years for Winnfield girls basketball. And to top it all off came the back to back state championships in 1963 and 1964. "I think those two state titles were my greatest accomplishments," Coach Carter said. "It was the first two years of the Sweet 16, and we were the only school to repeat." Coach Carter was also named Coach of the Year for her two state championships. "The 1963 team was best record-wise," the coach said. "We were 33-1, and the only loss was to Dry Prong, which won the state title in its class." After the 1964 state championship, Coach Carter moved to the Winnfield Middle School, and she did a heck of a job with the younger girls. From 1965-1971, Coach Carter compiled a 91-20 record at the Middle School. And that included two unbeaten seasons. In 1971, Coach Carter was asked to return to the Senior High. She went back and she suffered through one of her most frustrating years as a coach. "That was the year they went from six to five in girls basketball, and I knew nothing on how to play the game with five girls on the court," Coach Carter said. "I was completely lost, so I don't blame anyone but myself for our record that year." But from then on, Winnfield was a power in girls basketball. Although from 1971 to the present the Tigerettes have not reached the state tournament, they have had some outstanding teams. "I have been blessed with a tremendous amount of talent throughout the years," Coach Carter said. "I must have at least 20 all-state players, and several more should have been. There are just too many all district players to count." In her second session at Winnfield, Coach Carter had a 149-58 record. In her to years as a coach, she compiled a 558-186 record. She averaged 18.6 wins a year, and suffered 6.2 losses each season. She won over 75 percent of her games, and that's not too bad for any coach at any level. "If I have been a successful coach, don't forget I have had some lean yeas," Coach Carter said. "I owe much to so many." Coach Carter is a religious woman, and she feels that God played the most important part in her coaching role. "Before and after each game, we pray," Coach Carter said. "Win or lose, we should pray that we have the chance to participate." Another important factor in Coach Carter's career sat behind her at just about every game. "I don't know what I would do without my husband, Dub," Coach Carter said. "He has given me so much support and help through the years. He's No. 1 to me." "I do not have any regrets, and I know I made many mistakes. But I always felt there was so much about the game I never learned," Coach Carter said. "You know, I could coach for another 100 years and still be in the learning stage." Coach Carter wanted to thank so many people, it would take a book to list them all. But that's her way, giving the credit to others. Her list of people to thank includes principals, coaches, players, and friends. "I would like to say this to my friends in Winn Parish and West Carroll Parish," Coach Carter said. "I will always have the highest regard for the time I've spent coaching. My heart quickens a beat each time I hear a ball bounce." "Yes, truly, I love the coaching of children; I've had my bad days; yes, I've been discouraged; yes, I've shed a few tears; but the so many good things outweigh the bad by so much." Coach Carter said all her plans center around one thing, being a 100 percent wife to Dub. In a few months Coach Carter will be leaving the coaching ranks. She has guided Winnfield to two of Winn Parish's state championships in basketball; her husband, Dub, played on the other, to many other titles and other honors in the 23 years in Winn Parish. "Past records are like water under the bridge," Coach Carter said. "Time marches on." But as time goes on, the people will see that Delores Carter was the best at what she did.