Pace Academy (Atlanta GA) – Syndication Server

The Sharman White Blog: Court named in his honor, shot clock and more

Pace Academy boys basketball coach Sharman White blogs about having his former HS Miller Grove naming its court after him and lots more.

Sharman White is a legendary high school basketball coach in Georgia who has won seven state titles. Currently the head boys’ basketball coach at Pace Academy (Atlanta) after spending the last two seasons as an assistant at Georgia State, White was named ALL-USA Coach of the Year in 2014 and National High School Association Coach of the Year in 2016. Now he’s agreed to give USA Today Sports exclusive access into his world by chronicling everything from intimate details about his team to his methods to his everyday life in a monthly blog.

AN HONOR LIKE NO OTHER

Happy hoops season to everyone!

Basketball at every level has kicked off and for us purists, there couldn’t be more excitement. For coaches, players and parents alike comes all of the excitement and anxiety associated with an orange round leather object. For coaches, it’s all about preparation and attention to detail.

For players, it’s about showing what you have done in the off-season to prepare for these moments that will dictate the ups and downs of the season itself. For parents, it’s the anxiety of every game, every play and every moment that will become a part of memories for their children.

We opened up the season on the road facing a familiar opponent in Miller Grove.

For me, it was nostalgic because of all the memories that I was fortunate to be a part of at ‘The Grove,’ winning numerous championships, mentoring young people and working with great colleagues made for a special period of time in my life. On this game night, I was bestowed an honor like no other.

The basketball court at Miller Grove was named in my honor . This was an amazing and truly humbling experience. To be able to see my signature placed on the court and to share with my family, former players, former colleagues, friends and current players was special and made for a night I will never forget. I could only imagine my recently deceased older brother (Nate) being ecstatic for me about this honor as he was my biggest fan and never missed a game at Miller Grove.

Love you and miss you Big Bro!

I have always said and will hold true to the notion that the success we experienced at ‘The Grove’ was a credit to the players, coaches, parents and community that make up the people of Miller Grove. A special place that will always hold a special place in my heart…#BLEEDPURPLE

We were fortunate to get the victory in that game versus a talented and well-coached group from Miller Grove. I was proud of how our players performed under the circumstances of that night. On the following Saturday, we participated in the Hawks Naismith Tip-Off Event which we were fortunate to be the host of.

This event was filled with top teams and players from around the state. The event also marked the debut of the 30-second shot clock in Georgia basketball. The response all around from the use of the shot clock was overwhelmingly positive and welcomed in Georgia high school basketball. Hopefully, it becomes more than an experiment in the near future. We played #1-ranked class AAAA Woodward Academy in the finale in front of a packed house at Pace that included college head coaches (Roy Williams-UNC, Leonard Hamilton-FSU, Tom Crean-UGA, Amir Abdur-Rahim-KSU) where we fell short 56-52 in an epic early season match-up.

Would have like to have had a better result at the end of the week, but I can truly say that this week was a week like no other and for that reason, I was grateful to be able to enjoy it.

That leads me to the time of the year where being thankful supersedes the problems of the world: Happy Thanksgiving!

White’s Message: “Once you know it’s possible, it becomes your ‘new’ normal.” #ItsLevelsToIt

Don’t forget to follow Coach Sharman White on Twitter: @CoachSWhite

Miller Grove to name its court after former ALL-USA Coach of the Year Sharman White

Miller Grove to name court after former ALL-USA Coach of the Year Sharman White.

Miller Grove coach Sharman White is headed to Georgia Tech as an assistant. (Photo: USA Basketball)

Earlier this decade when Wheeler High School (Marietta, Georgia) named its basketball gym after former coach Doug Lipscomb, Sharman White recalled thinking “it was cool because they gave him his flowers while he could smell them.”

“I never related it to myself,” said White, head boys’ basketball coach at Pace Academy (Atlanta). “I was just happy that they honored him while he could enjoy it. So many times it’s after someone has passed. I just liked that they did that.”

Chances are he’ll have a similar feeling tonight when Miller Grove High School (Lithonia, Georgia) names its court after White, who coached the Wolverines from 2005-2016.

In 11 years at Miller Grove, White won seven state titles and posted a 264-47 record. He’s also won two gold medals as an assistant coach with USA Basketball and was named ALL-USA Boys’ Basketball Coach of the Year in 2014 and National High School Association Coach of the Year in 2016.

White left Miller Grove (Lithonia, Ga.) in 2016 to take an assistant coaching position at Georgia State, where he served for two seasons before taking the job at Pace in 2018.

Miller Grove’s court will now be called “Sharman White Court” with White’s signature.

RELATED: The Sharman White Blog

“It’s humbling and it’s a blessing,” White said. “We had a special run at Miller Grove, and it means a lot to receive this honor.”

White will be honored between the girls and the boys game.

“It’s really cool because I can enjoy it while I’m still actively coaching and still striving to be the best that I can be at this profession,” White said. “It’s definitely gratifying.”

Follow Jason Jordan on Twitter: @JayJayUSATODAY

Tipoff Classic to feature first shot clock in Georgia HS hoops history

Georgia will be implementing the first shot clock in the state’s history at the Hawks-Naismith Tipoff Classic.

Come Friday the 12 Georgia-based high school basketball teams competing in the Hawks-Naismith Tipoff Classic will have to be intentional on offense because for the first time in the state’s history, the Georgia High School Association has approved the experimental use of a 30-second shot clock.

The Tipoff Classic, which runs from Nov. 15-16 at Pace Academy (Atlanta), is the first of six events that will implement the shot clock this season.

Currently just eight states – New York, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Washington, California, Maryland, North Dakota and South Dakota – use shot clocks in high school games.

ESPN National Recruiting Director for Basketball Paul Biancardi has long been outspoken about implementing a shot block in high school basketball and said he was “thrilled” to see another state experiment with it.

“I am excited beyond belief about the progressive and collaborative efforts from both the Atlanta Hawks and The Atlanta Tipoff Club to implement a shot clock during the Hawks-Naismith Tipoff Classic,” said ESPN National Recruiting Director for Basketball Paul Biancardi. “After coaching college basketball for more than 20 years, I am thrilled to see this premier event make this change on behalf of the players, coaches and fans. The high school game is moving towards a national shot clock. In the meantime, I believe that the rest of the country will model this concept.”

Pace Academy coach Sharman White, whose team will host and participate in the event, said he doesn’t anticipate the shot clock being a major adjustment for his team since they regularly implement it in practice to create the uptempo style they like to play.

“I’m confident that our guys will be ready because they’re used to it,” said White, a former ALL-USA Coach of the Year who has won seven state titles. “I love it. I think it’s a move in the right direction for Georgia and even the country.”

Follow Jason Jordan on Twitter: @JayJayUSATODAY