Arlington boys basketball hires former Bartlett coach Anthony Smith

Wynston Wilcox, Memphis Commercial Appeal
·2 min read
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Anthony Smith is the new boys basketball coach at Arlington High School, the school announced Wednesday morning.

Smith replaces Blaine Brewer, who resigned at the end of this past season. Smith was an assistant coach on the Fayette-Ware girls basketball team this past season and had been at the school since 2018.

"The tradition that Arlington has, I want to be a part of it,” Smith said. “I love everything that they stand for and I’m excited for the opportunity.”

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This past season, Smith helped the Fayette-Ware girls basketball team reach the Class 3A sectional round after earning district and region championships. The Wildcats lost to Dyer County in the sectional round. Smith also coached at Bartlett High School from 2012-16, compiling a 44-58 record with one winning season (2014-15), according to MaxPreps.

“Coach Smith possesses outstanding integrity and will serve as an exemplary role model for our students and athletes,” said Arlington principal Shannon Abraham in a release. “Few coaches can match his wealth of experience, as he is an accomplished teacher and successful coach, in addition to holding credentials as a school administrator. His diverse background provides him with a comprehensive understanding of what it takes to run a successful basketball program.”

He joins a program that has struggled the past few seasons. The Tigers haven’t had a winning season since the 2020-21 season and won a total of 14 games the past two seasons.

“I know it’s a tough district we’re in and class, but who doesn’t want that?” Smith said. “The opportunity to play among the best and be among the best.”

Reach Wynston Wilcox at wwilcox@gannett.com and on Twitter @wynstonw__.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: TSSAA basketball: Anthony Smith named new Arlington boys coach