A 73-year-old women being carried anywhere isn't normally a good sign, but at
Granbury (Texas) High School Tuesday night, as the kids say, "it was all good."
Leta Andrews, the ageless, vivacious, upbeat coach for the tiny school in Hood County, about 75 miles west of Dallas, broke the national record for most wins by a prep coach after her team defeated
Midlothian 62-43.
The victory was No. 1,334 of her illustrious career, surpassing the mark of Dunbar (Fort Worth) legend Robert Hughes.
According to the Dallas Morning News, Granbury players lifted her and carried her to midcourt where she received flowers and speeches of praise. On a gym wall – the home gym that bears her name – a countdown banner with her win total was crossed off with red tape.
"It has been a wonderful ride," she told the packed gym with tears rolling down her cheek. "I can never say enough thank yous. I have the best job of anybody in the world."
Sophomore center Lilley VanderZee scored 19 points in the first half to ignite an 18-point halftime lead. From there, Granbury cruised.
The team had lost three straight tournament games over the weekend, otherwise the record would have been broken on the road.
There was some poetic justice to her winning at home, she said. She has coached at Granbury for 23 years and attended school there.
"Being a Lady Pirate myself, I appreciate the town and the people," she said. "I'm happy it happened here."
Asked about retiring, she said: "I don't think about it because I'm doing what I want to do."
Comprehensive feature on Andrews last month done by MaxPreps senior writer Dave Krider. Dallas Morning News story on Andrews' record-breaking victory.
