At top, the Brook Hill Lady Guard team poses with head coach Curtis Corley after beating The Shelton School of Dallas, 69-45 for Corley’s 700th career win at the Swift Athletic Center in Dallas this past Saturday. Corley has a record of 700- 198 At right, Corley as he has done in 28-years of coaching girls basketball, takes a timeout to talk strategy with his team. Corley led LaPoyner to a 655-146 record in 24 years before beginning his tenure at Brook Hill three seasons ago. DALLAS –As the Lady Guard picked up their first win of the district race, with a 69-45 win over The Shelton School of Dallas, as head coach Curtis Corley won his 700th game as a girl’s head coach.

After taking LaPoyner to Class A statewide prominence during a 24-year teaching stint, for the majority of the wins this last road victory was just another addition to a long list of Corley milestones.

Corley’s record now stands at 700-198, with a 655-146 record for LaPoyner and 45- 52 mark in his four years at Brook Hill.

(Photo by Doc Smith) “Crazy as it may sound, the 700 is an honor, but for the girls to pull together without their team captain and leading scorer for three quarters was just as big a thrill for me and a big win for the girls,” added the East Texas legend in his humble way. “You know when you win that many games you are just glad to be around to enjoy it, for all the kid’s that have been a part of me getting that many wins.

“When it all comes down to it, I just had some great athletes, and great kids that know what hard work will get you,” added the former Henderson County Junior College, known as Trinity Valley Community College and Sam Houston State-grad and player added..

After three years of coaching boys basketball in Eustace, it was 1978, Corley and the LaPoyner Lady Flyers began a dominating run of wins that left him among the state’s top winners and a member of the Texas UIL Basketball Hall of Fame.

After winning his only state title in 2004, his team was upset at the regional tournament, and Corley decided to take a leave from the game.

“My wife used to coach at Athens and we played against each other several times when we were both coaching, but we both retired,” Corley began.

“When I got called from Brook Hill, it was something we as a family talked about several times,” added the coach with a grin., “But Prissy (Priscilla, his wife), has always been there for me and it has been great to get the offer from Brook Hill to work in a Christian-based school, that has been the best at everything possible, as is an allround mission from scholastics, to fine arts, to athletics.”

“At that time, David Collins was the athletic director, and he called me about the job and when he talked to me I knew it was a big challenge, but something I wanted to be a part of with the staff at the school from top to bottom,’“ Corley added on.

Corley was aware the Brook Hill move would present a new challenge with a struggling girls program, but has learned to make adjustments as he has many times in his coaching mode.

“Brook Hill has been just a great change from so many different aspects that have taught me things and I can’t begin to thank the administration enough, and David Collins, since he was the first to contact me about the position, and the entire Brook Hill family,” said the Brook Hill coach about his comeback to the Bullard private school to coach.

Brook Hill attained win No. 699 in the Tenaha Classic Tournament, as the Lady Guard beat Joaquin.