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END OF AN ERA: Jessica Holt finishes coaching career at Jo Byrns





Jo Byrns senior Brooke Dowlen and coach Jessica Holt embrace after their final game together.BLAINE KELLAR

Jo Byrns senior Brooke Dowlen and coach Jessica Holt embrace after their final game together.BLAINE KELLAR

At the sound of Friday’s final buzzer, Jessica Holt’s head sunk to the hardwood.

A 68-64 loss to No. 4 Gordonsville in the Region 4-1A quarterfinals finished Jo Byrns’ season in upset fashion. It also marked the end of Holt’s 12 seasons spent as a girls basketball coach in the Cedar Hill community.

“I’ve tried to prepare myself for it this week,” said Holt, who stepped away from her position after the loss. “I’m sad because this is my life. This has been my life for so long.”

Holt took over at Jo Byrns in 2015 after coaching the middle school program for five years. The team was a combined 35-176 in the decade before her arrival, but she eventually turned the Lady Red Devils into a girls basketball power.

Her accolades as a high school coach include a 94-71 record, three district championships and trips to the Class A sectional in three of the last four seasons.

“She’s meant a lot to the program,” athletic director Tom Adkins said. “Go back about a decade ago, and the girls program really struggled as far as competing. Coach Holt’s done a good job of fundamentals and giving them what they need to be a better basketball team.”

Jessica Holt fights through tears after coaching in her final game.BLAINE KELLAR

Jessica Holt fights through tears after coaching in her final game.BLAINE KELLAR

Before entering the coaching ranks, Holt was a standout player at Jo Byrns. Her 1989 team was the only squad in school history to reach the state tournament.

She originally planned to step away after the graduation of her daughter, Becca, in 2019.

Seniors Brooke Dowlen, Grayson Bryant, Noelle Lancaster and Reese Payne – who have played under her since middle school – convinced Holt to stick around until their graduation.

“Playing with Jess is indescribable,” Bryant said earlier in the season. “She’s what makes me want to go out there and practice every day, and she’s what makes me want to play every day.”

“She does literally everything for us,” added Dowlen. “Since my eighth-grade year, she has been nothing but my rock. She’s done everything; from being my momma, to being my coach, to picking me up pizza for lunch. There’s no way we do what we did without her.”

Julia Arms shoots a 3-pointer.BLAINE KELLAR

Julia Arms shoots a 3-pointer.BLAINE KELLAR

Adkins and the school’s administration began searching for her replacement in early February.

Holt joked that she would likely coach until she was 100 if not for her two newborn grandchildren.

“I think that’s my life now,” Holt said of being a grandparent. “I think it’s time for someone to come in and (do) something different and something new.

“There’s so many people that were a part of this, and this is a great, great community. It’s a great program, and I hope I’ve changed it for the better.”

BOX SCORE:

Gordonsville (68): Lily Manor 28, Olivia Brown 18, Brooklynn Stewart 9, Katie Grandstaff 6, Caiti Vaden 4, Averie Crawford 3.

Jo Byrns (64): Brooke Dowlen 28, Reese Payne 16, Julia Arms 11, Millie Putnam 7, Noelle Lancaster 2.

Jo Byrns' student section cheers in the first quarter of Friday's game.BLAINE KELLAR

Jo Byrns’ student section cheers in the first quarter of Friday’s game.BLAINE KELLAR

Jo Byrns senior Brooke Dowlen gets past a Gordonsville defender.BLAINE KELLAR

Jo Byrns senior Brooke Dowlen gets past a Gordonsville defender.BLAINE KELLAR

Brooks Dowlen shoots before being called for an offensive foul.BLAINE KELLAR

Brooks Dowlen shoots before being called for an offensive foul.BLAINE KELLAR

Jo Byrns coach Jessica Holt and her team cheer after a play.BLAINE KELLAR

Jo Byrns coach Jessica Holt and her team cheer after a play.BLAINE KELLAR

Coach Jessica Holt talks with Millie Putnam (4) and Noelle Lancaster (15) during Friday's game against Gordonsville.BLAINE KELLAR

Coach Jessica Holt talks with Millie Putnam (4) and Noelle Lancaster (15) during Friday’s game against Gordonsville.BLAINE KELLAR

Millie Putnam shoots a free throw.BLAINE KELLAR

Millie Putnam shoots a free throw.BLAINE KELLAR

Jessica Holt smiles after coaching her final game at Jo Byrns.BLAINE KELLAR

Jessica Holt smiles after coaching her final game at Jo Byrns.BLAINE KELLAR

 

 

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