Melanie Thurmond has been the Lowry High School girls varsity coach for about six months now.
She moved to Winnemucca from Michigan almost four years ago to take a job as a Physical Therapist at Rehab Services.
Thurmond played college basketball at Finlandia University in Hancock, Michigan and she coached high school basketball in Michigan also prior to moving here.
The Humboldt Sun spoke with Thurmond back in July just after she was hired, and recently asked her what has transpired since she was hired.
“We are getting in more of a rhythm as a team and a coaching staff,” Thurmond said. “We are spending a great deal of time prepping for games, watching video, and really getting into a good routine.”
Thurmond has coached at the AAU level as well as two different high schools now. She spoke about the differences and the similarities between them.
“There are less rules and regulations to follow with coaching the AAU and the youth," Thurmond said. "I do love coaching younger ages, because it is so much fun watching them progress. What most people don’t realize is that you can expect the same amount of organization with the youth as you can with the high school kids.
Through last weekend, the Lady Bucks are 3-2 under Thurmond with a 2-0 record in the Northern 3A after wins over North Valleys and Truckee."
"I will run the same drills with my AAU boys team and the girls team and a lot of them are college level drills," Thurmond said. "There are only small differences between coaching high school basketball here and in Michigan. In Michigan, our games were all during the week, so we would have less practices during the season. Michigan limits the amount of summer contact with the girls, but they can participate in open gyms during other seasons."
Lowry traveled to Spring Creek and Elko this past weekend for two important league games. Results were not available at press time.
"I think the girls have adapted quite well to the different style of play I have brought," added the coach. "At times the girls will say, ‘I forgot about that’, or similar comments. They have been very receptive with the changes I have brought and we had such good summer participation that it really helped that I could teach those new concepts at that point.”
Thurmond got her first taste of the Lowry home experience last weekend and she was impressed.
“Our first home game could not have been any better," she said. "The gym was packed, the band was loud, and we shot the lights out in the first half. I hope that will be a great memory for our seniors, and I know that I will not forget that game!”
Thurmond noted she is happy with the status of her team at this point.
“So far the season is going well," said the coach. "We are progressing at practice, staying competitive, and staying the course. We are taking everything one game at a time and spending a lot of time off the court prepping. I have gotten a lot of support from the school staff and the community. Coaching this group of girls has been the highlight of the year for me as the Lowry coach so far. I have gotten so lucky with the girls that are on this team. We have a lot of fun in practice; they have a lot of talent, good grades, and a good knowledge of the game. The seniors will be greatly missed.”
