NORCROSS GIRLS 75, NORTH GWINNETT 31: Intense Hembree wins No. 300

As a young man, Buddy Hembree dragged his young daughter Angie around the country as he played A-Ball softball, the highest level of competition.

It was from the experience of watching men play, he said, that his daughter developed her competitive nature.

She also saw “the joy of winning, how it happens, how it affects everybody,” the elder Hembree said.

Winning happened for the 300th time in Angie Hembree’s illustrious high school coaching career on Friday night as Norcross dusted Region 7-AAAAA rival North Gwinnett 75-31.

With fans hoisting blue signs with “300” on them, Hembree basked in the moment and blew a kiss to her proud parents.

“She’s earned everything she’s got,” her strapping 73-year-old father said. “She’s always strived to do her best. I’ve seen her behind, and she never gives up. She just never gives up. She’s made me proud.”

The Blue Devils never trailed, storming to a 10-0 lead in the first two minutes and never looking back, exhibiting their coach’s trademark intensity, discipline and execution.

Like Norcross, the Bulldogs entered the game with an 11-4 record, but they were no match.

The win provided further proof that Norcross —- barely a .500 team last season —- has quickly turned itself into a legitimate state contender in Hembree’s second season after a two-year stint as an assistant coach at the University of Miami.

The speedy turnaround has even surprised principal Jonathan Patterson, who worked with Hembree at Collins Hill and South Forsyth.

Transfers Briana Jordan (game-high 26 points) and Anjelica Wilcox have speeded up the process.

Jordan said Hembree’s reputation for getting the best out of her players was the main reason she transferred from Greater Atlanta Christian.

“I thought it would take three years to rebuild and to be able to develop the talent,” Patterson said. “But in a little over a year, she’s been able to do what she’s done. I think they’ve got a good shot at doing something good this season.

“It’s neat to see that it’s coming, seeing some of that hard work pay off so quickly,” he said.

Norcross athletics director Kirk Barton said Hembree has reinvigorated the program.

“The intensity of the workouts is the biggest thing I’ve seen,” Barton said. “Somebody said that she could coach linebackers and she’d be just fine.”

Hembree had the girls working out with linebackers in the offseason, going through speed and agility drills with the football team.

When Barton gave Hembree her first tour of the school’s weight room, the coach’s first question was, “Where’s the power-clean station?”

Hembree, who is 300-122, pushes players to the limit, but no more than she pushes herself, longtime assistant Jay Nebel said. “The players are really a reflection of her.”

The humble Hembree deflects credit, praising Nebel and the players for buying into the system.

But it’s no coincidence that victories —- and ultimately championships —- follow Hembree wherever she goes.

At Collins Hill, Hembree won state AAAAA championships in 2001, 2002 and 2005.

With playmaking guard Jordan running the show, the shooting of Wilcox (14 points) and the inside presence of Tiffany Clarke and Brianna Meeks, the pieces are in place for a deep playoff run.

“I don’t know what to expect,” Hembree said. “It’s in the kids’ hands. These kids still have a lot to learn and a long way to go, but I think I see the desire to get there.

“I’ve always had the attitude, if it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing well, and I want to instill that into my team.”

For the 300th time, it was done very well.