Buford girls basketball coach Gene Durden got his 800th career victory on Wednesday night – just eight days after Buford boys basketball Eddie Martin did the same.
Buford is believed to be the first Georgia high school to have two 800-game winners.
Durden’s girls team defeated Loganville 48-30, which improved Durden’s career record to 800-214 (winning percentage of .789).
Durden’s record in 14 seasons at Buford is 367-70 with state titles in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2017 and 2018.
Durden previously coached at Dade County in northwest Georgia, where he was 333-88.
On Jan. 22, Martin’s boys team defeated Johnson of Gainesville 75-18. That made Martin’s career record 800-248 overall (.764) and 87-21 at Buford. Martin is one of only four Georgia boys basketball coaches to win eight state titles. The others are Eric Staples of Perry, Selby Buck of Lanier and Aaron Geter of Wilkinson County.
Martin’s state titles have been achieved at Buford (2017), Greater Atlanta Christian (2010, 2011, 2013, 2014) and Norcross (2006, 2007, 2008). Martin also was head coach at Brookwood.
Both coaches have good chances to add to their state-championship collection as their teams are ranked No. 1 in Class AAAAA just days before their region tournaments.
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