Bulldogs Gym And Court To Be Named After Edwards And Sims

The Clay County Bulldogs will play basketball on Coach Rob Edwards Court at the Coach Joe Sims Gymnasium at the start of next season.

“It’s been a long road but I have had a lot of help along the way,” Edwards said. “I’ve had a lot of great players and a great administration and a lot of great assistant coaches. If there was enough room everyones name should be on it.”

“The Clay County School Board voted unanimously Thursday night to rename the school’s gym and court in honor of the two coaches,” Clay Principal Derick Upchurch said.

Sims began coaching at Celina High School in 1986, leading the Lady Bulldogs to 490 wins during his tenure. Sims’ teams won one state title and finished as state runners-up four times. Celina captured seven district titles during Sims’ 24 seasons as coach.

“(Coach Simms) helped me many times throughout the course of my career,” Edwards said. “It’s good to even be considered in the same class as Coach Simms.

Edwards came to Celina in 2001. During his 20 seasons, the Bulldogs basketball team has recorded 11 district titles with one second place finish in the state. Edwards has compiled a 448-189 record during his tenure.

The Bulldogs boys basketball team was on of eight team left in the state tournament this season. Clay County finished the season 29-4 and 12-2 in their district.

“Obviously we were disappointed not getting to finish the state tournament like all the other teams were,” Edwards said. “We can only control what we can control and that how we apply it to the game of basketball and sometimes that’s how it goes in life as well. I’m really proud of what we were able to accomplish. We started they year picked to win the district and we were able to maintain that and win the district tournament as well.”