The Henry County School Board approved A. DeMario Mattox and Matthew Woods to fill positions at its June 25 meeting.
Mattox will take on the role of head coach for Bassett High School’s Boys Basketball team. He has served as an advisor and instructor in the Patrick Henry Community College Upward Bound program since 2011, and has also served students as a coach and assistant coach in Virginia and North Carolina since 2012.
“I’m honored and excited to be the next Head Coach at Bassett High! My goal for this program is to focus on a few key concepts; character development, skill development, time, encouragement, dedication, and teamwork. My hope is to help mold these young men into bright, brave and respectful individuals on and off the court and to build a program that focuses on skill development which will allow my players to compete at the highest level. The encouragement, dedication and time these young men will put in will help build a solid teamwork foundation that will create success at an optimal level,” said Mattox.
BHS Principal Tiffiny Gravely welcomed Mattox to the team.
“I’m excited to welcome Mr. Mattox to our Bengal family,” she said. “I’m impressed with Mr. Mattox’s enthusiasm and passion for the game of basketball. Even more impressive is his aspiration to build character and leadership in our student-athletes. It’s important to me that we have a coach who cares about our players’ moral development and emotional intelligence just as much as their athletic performance. I look forward to working with Mr. Mattox as he builds character, leadership, and sportsmanship in our players while teaching them the fundamentals of basketball. I’m confident that he will have a positive impact on our players and mold them into respectable young men.”
Woods will be Director of Student Support Services. He currently serves as principal of Fieldale-Collinsville Middle School and has previously served students in Georgia and in Roanoke City Public Schools as a professor and administrator, as well as teaching students at BHS.
“I am excited and honored to support the administrators, teachers, students, and families of Henry County in this capacity,” he said. “Ensuring student safety and helping each of them achieve their full potential is my goal and I am eager to work together with families to help students exceed their goals for the future.”
Superintendent Sandy Strayer looks forward to what Woods will bring to the table.
“Mr. Woods’ passion for supporting each student’s safety and social emotional needs will be an essential asset in his new role,” she said. “I am pleased to have him collaborate with the school community to ensure that every student has the foundation they need for success.”
