Putnam County High School is currently getting its gym floor redone, just as one of its most humble and qualified basketball coaches ever is walking off the old court for her final time.
Following a long, rich, 24-year career of coaching in Putnam County’s basketball programs, Jerusha Hudson officially retired recently as head coach of the PCHS girls’ basketball team.
“I think mostly I will miss being a part of developing young athletes into productive citizens. I love to see the growth and maturity that develops as the young ladies go through four years of basketball,” Hudson said.
Hudson played basketball and was on the track team in her own high school days and later made the Milledgeville Georgia College basketball team.
Her basketball coaching career began with two years at Putnam County Middle School before moving on to the high school as an assistant to Coach Wood from 1998 to 2001. Another two-year stint back at the middle school followed, and then she returned to PCHS as the Lady Eagles assistant coach before finally becoming head coach of the Lady War Eagles for years to come.
She also spent two years coaching PCHS boys’ basketball within that tenure while the school conducted its search for a permanent boy’s coach.
Hudson said her love for the sport and her athletes in particular is what kept her going as the passionate and outstanding coach she always was known to be. She believes hard work is crucial to earning and valuing things, both on and off the basketball court. Her teams were always taught to work together as one, to focus on grades, to always do their best, and to never give up.
“One aspect of life is that anything that is easily gotten is easily taken,” she said, advising upcoming grade-school student athletes to plan early. “Start working and developing your skills as early as you can so that you will be prepared for the rigor of high school sports. Get involved in recreation sports and middle school sports. They provide the early grounds for the knowledge of the game.”
Hudson admitted her long, successful history with PCHS makes it difficult to step down; however, after consulting with her family she decided it was time to live a little less stressful life.
“My strongest supporters are my two daughters, Dornita and Brittany. They are my shoulders to lean on and the collector of my tears when times get tough, and the burden gets a little heavy,” she said. “My grandson, Kayden, was my cheering squad and biggest fan throughout the games. I am also very fortunate to have strong supporters throughout the school system and the community. I will always be thankful and grateful for their support through the years.”
Still, it remains difficult for Hudson to leave the challenge and camaraderie of competitive sports behind, too.
“Basketball represents sweat, tears, passion, sacrifice, and most of all, a sense of belonging to a family. Throughout my years of coaching, I have always believed in treating my (team) girls like my biological children. I believe in family and once I select the team, the girls become a part of my family.
“Together, we struggle through disappointments of losing games and the joy of winning games. Whatever the years dished out, we endured it together as a family. This also holds true for the two years I coached the boys.”
Hudson also served as a coach in the high school’s softball and track programs, giving her even more memories, on and off the court, to fondly reflect upon.
“Some of my favorite memories involve basketball camps, winning various tournaments throughout the years, making the Final Four playoff, and being able to coach both boys’ and girls’ basketball teams for two years,” Hudson said.
“I have been a part of several girls receiving scholarships to further their education. I also have wonderful memories that involve my assistant coaches through the years. We have developed lasting friendships. These are memories I will cherish for a lifetime.”