In 20 seasons, Doug Lipscomb has coached the Wheeler High School boys basketball team to five state championships and 12 regional titles.
Several of his former players have starred in college basketball and a few have done well in the NBA.
Earlier this week, he reached a personal milestone when Wheeler defeated Etowah. It was the 500th win for Lipscomb with the Wildcats, who are once again a powerhouse in Region 5-AAAAAA and the state.
“This never gets old. It’s a joy and a blessing to work with young kids and help them in life," Lipscomb told The Marietta Daily Journal, thanking the school's administration for two decades of support.
In 1992, Lipscomb arrived at Wheeler, guiding Shareef Abdur-Rahim, the first of his star players, who enjoyed a long career in the NBA and is now the assistant general manager of the Sacramento Kings.
Lipscomb's current star is junior forward Elijah Staley, who is receiving recruiting attention from many top schools.
In between, Lipscomb has coached the likes of D.A. Layne, who starred at the University of Georgia and J.J. Hickson, who is currently playing in the NBA.
Former Wildcat star Richard Howell is a key part of N.C. State's nationally ranked program and Chuck Mitchell, an all-star the last two years for Wheeler, is getting significant playing time this season as a freshman at the University of Maryland.
The Wildcats, who are off to a 3-1 start, take on their biggest East Cobb rivals this week, visiting Walton on Tuesday and Lassiter on Friday.
