Abilene High School Community Supporting Their Coach
By: Stephanie Castillo
Updated: December 8, 2011
"He seemed to be in great health and he was always in good spirits,"
says Didi Pierce, head volleyball coach at Abilene High.
"We just sort of didn't know how to take it," says Jevon Mills, Abilene High senior.
"We were all surprised and shocked," says Shay Cox, head Softball Coach at Abilene High.
These were all reactions to the surprising news they received about Abilene High School's assistant basketball coach.
Earlier this year, Assistant Coach James Stevens was diagnosed with Hodgkin Lymphoma, form of cancer, and started receiving treatments right before basketball season.
"We had received the news actually as a team after one of our practices one day," senior, Antonio Estrada explains.
Leaving the players a little confused as to what was going to happen next.
"First thing that crossed my mind--I knew it was going to be tough," says Estrada.
However, that did not stop Estrada from stepping up to the plate as a senior.
Estrada says, "I'm more quiet. With Coach Stevens being gone, not being able to be there, me and Jevon have been more vocal."
Plans of action did not only come from the players, but coaches and teachers as well.
"As much as we can do, whether we're called upon or not, I think everybody is looking for another way of where they can step up and help."
Both Abilene High and Cooper High are selling t-shirts as part of a fundraising effort, which may seem a bit strange, since the schools are normally neck and neck when it comes to competition but this time, the two will work together.
"We kind of put the rivalry aside and we're going to work together," says Estrada.
To keep up with Coach Stevens' progress you can follow the link to his blog.
"We just sort of didn't know how to take it," says Jevon Mills, Abilene High senior.
"We were all surprised and shocked," says Shay Cox, head Softball Coach at Abilene High.
These were all reactions to the surprising news they received about Abilene High School's assistant basketball coach.
Earlier this year, Assistant Coach James Stevens was diagnosed with Hodgkin Lymphoma, form of cancer, and started receiving treatments right before basketball season.
"We had received the news actually as a team after one of our practices one day," senior, Antonio Estrada explains.
Leaving the players a little confused as to what was going to happen next.
"First thing that crossed my mind--I knew it was going to be tough," says Estrada.
However, that did not stop Estrada from stepping up to the plate as a senior.
Estrada says, "I'm more quiet. With Coach Stevens being gone, not being able to be there, me and Jevon have been more vocal."
Plans of action did not only come from the players, but coaches and teachers as well.
"As much as we can do, whether we're called upon or not, I think everybody is looking for another way of where they can step up and help."
Both Abilene High and Cooper High are selling t-shirts as part of a fundraising effort, which may seem a bit strange, since the schools are normally neck and neck when it comes to competition but this time, the two will work together.
"We kind of put the rivalry aside and we're going to work together," says Estrada.
To keep up with Coach Stevens' progress you can follow the link to his blog.
