Christian Academy of Louisville hires Byron Wilkins as its new girls basketball coach

J.L. Kirven, Louisville Courier Journal
·1 min read
CAL's Addison Kincaid (10) looks to pass against Anderson County during the Girls LIT tournament at the Valley High School gym in Louisville, Ky. on Jan. 25, 2022.
CAL's Addison Kincaid (10) looks to pass against Anderson County during the Girls LIT tournament at the Valley High School gym in Louisville, Ky. on Jan. 25, 2022.

Christian Academy of Louisville is hiring former Eastern assistant coach Byron Wilkins to be its new girls basketball head coach. Prior to coaching the Eagles, Wilkins coached on the AAU circuit for a decade.

“My goal as a coach is to create a culture where the girls compete every single day, play with passion on both ends of the floor, play an unselfish brand of basketball, and exhibit a level of character that is second to none,” Wilkins said in a release.

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Last season, the Centurions went 22-10 after falling to Manual in the regional quarterfinal. Midway through the season, head coach Cameron Pridemore was fired after going 18-5.

Pridemore went 59-21 in two-plus seasons as the Centurion's coach. CAL's 2019-20 team was the Seventh Region runner-up, and the Centurions won a pair of Kentucky 2A championships (2020 and 2022) during his tenure.

CAL’s Savannah Gardner (4) shoots against Manual defenders during their game at Christian Academy of Louisville in Louisville, Ky. on Mar. 23, 2021.
CAL’s Savannah Gardner (4) shoots against Manual defenders during their game at Christian Academy of Louisville in Louisville, Ky. on Mar. 23, 2021.

Under Wilkins, the Centurions hope to compete with the top squads in the Seventh Region. CAL's expected to return key pieces such as sophomores Savannah Gardner (8.0 ppg, 8.3 rpg) and Mariah Knight (12.3 ppg, 7.6 rpg). Wilkins is also the father of Brianna Wilkins, who led Eastern in scoring last season as an eighth grader (25.1 ppg)

"We are excited about Coach Wilkins joining the CAL Athletics staff," CAL athletic director Brad Morgan said. "He brings a great passion for developing players and understands the strengths of our girls’ basketball program. We are confident that he will build upon our winning tradition.”

Follow Courier Journal reporter J.L. Kirven on Twitter @JL_Kirven for more updates on Louisville prep sports.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: KY high school girls basketball: CAL hires Bryon Wilkins as next coach