Girls’ basketball coach of the year: Gail Hale
After 18 years as girls’ basketball coach at Moreno Valley Canyon Springs, Gail Hale finally got to celebrate a Division I state championship.
“I was close to tearing up,” Hale said after winning the regional championship. “It’s been a long season, a blessed season. I knew these kids could do it.”
Canyon Springs finished 25-6, and lots of credit goes to Hale, The Times’ girls’ basketball coach of the year. She had a team with plenty of talented athletes, but they also needed a firm reminder at times about what to do and how to stay focused. At halftime, Hale could be counted on to deliver fiery speeches to wake up her team.
Hale paid close attention to details and could be seen on the sideline bouncing her stress ball that she carried in her hand during games.
In Sacramento, after winning the Division I title, there was relief and satisfaction for fulfilling a season-long goal.
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