Caitlyn Han is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover McClintock High School for AZPreps365.com 

After seven years with Desert Vista High School, head coach David Williams embarked on a new path with the same mission. The head coach of the varsity girls basketball team at McClintock High School joined the Charger family back in 2023 but has already led the team to yet another state tournament appearance in just his second season with the squad.

The start to coach Williams career as a Charger was all but easy and always kept him thinking of new strategies.

“The person before me, she did a great job too, but there wasn't a whole lot left when we got here. There were about six girls here. None played varsity. So that year, my first year here, we had, I think, 13 or 14 girls,” Williams said.

That same season, the Chargers were still able to come out with 19 wins and went 12-0 in their region. Williams gave a lot of the credit to his team and their ability to buy into the goal and especially with how far they've come to adjusting to the culture coach Williams teaches. 

“Commitment, character and dedication. We had to bring those in. And then the biggest one is family. We got to be family first and support each other. That's what we brought in. No doubt about it. So it's been a good job, but the culture wasn't put in place yet. So now we kind of have it. They love each other and that's a good thing,” Williams said.

The Chargers lead scorer and star player Lamaiya Woodberry has been on varsity since her freshman year, but had to re-adjust her approach to the game when coach Williams was hired just before her sophomore season.

“He’s definitely brought in a different mindset for the girls and the coaches as well and different cultures that bring our game to the next level. Communication is his key, he lets me be kind of a coach on the court and he’s the coach on the sideline and it’s basically just our thing that makes the team come together,” Woodberry said.

Coach Williams and Woodberry make quite the duo, as she has been named the 5A Metro Player of the Year along with her coach receiving the award for co-coach of the year in the region. With their love for the game, these two created something special at McClintock High School.

The team has really latched on to the winning mindset and family-oriented culture that coach Williams has implemented into their gym. Whether it's a game day, just another practice, or even a day off, coach Williams wants the team to continue building their chemistry.

Varsity junior Kamari Roddy truly embraced the love she has for her teammates, the game, and her coaches by following through on Coach Williams efforts to keep the team together. Roddy mentioned she would host team meditation sessions on game days to spend time with the girls before stepping out on the court.

“He wants us to stay together as a whole, on and off the court, in class, at lunch, and just basically everywhere, and we really are always together, and we've made the team meditation a usual game day routine,” Roddy said. 

Over his many seasons of coaching, coach Williams has gained so much love and confidence in not only his team but also himself.

“I feel like wherever I go, I have the ability to put together a really professional culture, and I try to be a humble person that sacrifices to make the best of the situation. So I feel like we can be good,” Williams stated. 

Coach Williams’ words speak volumes about the team and culture he has built at McClintock High. The lessons he has taught and the wisdom he has shared ultimately paid off as six of his players were recognized for their outstanding play in the 5A Metro.