The Habersham County 7th grade girls’ basketball team presented their championship trophy to Kristie Dover, the wife of their adored coach, Shane Dover, who passed away suddenly earlier this year.
The team dedicated themselves to winning their championship in his honor and took second place. When they did, they surprised Kristie by showing up at the Board of Education’s work session, where she serves as a board member, wearing t-shirts with one of Shane’s well-known quotes: “Stand up straight, put your chest out and walk with pride.”
The effort was the team’s idea, who wanted to continue to show their love for their coach. He served as not only a coach but a teacher at Wilbanks Middle, where he was adored by his students.
“Thank you all very much, Shane loved each and every one of you,” a teary-eyed Kristie told the girls. “He enjoyed every minute of coaching each and every one of you. Just remember everything that he taught you, keep going, don’t ever give up, and you’ll go very far.”
This article has been updated.