Lees to lead women’s basketball program at CC

Addie Lees had been selected to lead the Clarendon College women’s basketball team.

Lees, a graduate of Plainview High School, was recently hired as head coach of the Lady Bulldogs and is most excited to work with the young ladies who are joining the basketball program this fall.

 “I am also looking forward to working in the positive environment,” Lees said. “There are many people on campus and in the community who support the athletic teams and coaches.”

 Lees started playing basketball in grade school and says she loved the challenge and truly wanted to improve her game.

 “Each year I looked forward to attending Plainview High School, where it would count.”

 While at Plainview High, she helped lead the team to three state championship games, coming away with a pair of titles in 2002 and 2003 and runner-up in 2004.

 “I played the point guard position,” she said. “After high school I had the opportunity to play college basketball at Midland College.”

 After earning an associate’s degree at Midland, Lees went on to play basketball at the University of Arkansas at Monticello. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in health and physical education at UAM, graduating Magna Cum Laude, and earned a Master of Science in Sport Administration from Eastern New Mexico University in 2011.

 “My coaching career began immediately after receiving my bachelor’s degree,” she said. “I worked as a graduate assistant for two years at Eastern New Mexico University before becoming the assistant and then the Associate Head Coach at Howard College. I spent two seasons with the lady hawks before coming to Clarendon College.”

 Lees believes believe that both her playing and coaching experiences have most prepared her for this position.

 “From a young age I always took something away from each coach,” Lees said.

 When asked who has inspired or mentored her, Lees said the person who has taught her much about basketball and running a program is the Head Coach at Howard College, Earl Diddle.

 “His knowledge of basketball cannot be compared to most,” Lees said. “He’s a phenomenal teacher of the game and has proven that over many decades.”

 She said Diddle gave her insight each season and set a great example.

 “Coach Diddle brought a competitive spirit to every single practice and game,” Lees said. “He gives his all to improving the skill of athletes both on and off the court. He gave me the opportunity of a lifetime, and for that I am forever grateful.”

 Clarendon College Athletic Director Brad Vanden Boogaard said Coach Lees comes to Clarendon with a background of the conference and region from her playing days and time as an assistant.

 “Coach Lees is an energetic and confident individual,” he said. “I feel she will be very demanding of our athletes and give them great guidance in representing our college on and off the court.”