RINGGOLD LADY TIGERS
FULL COURT PRESS with Ringgold head coach Margaret Stockburger
Now that you are more than 400 victories into your coaching career, do any particular victories stand out more than the rest?
All the wins are special, but if I had to pick any, they would be (as follows):
My first victory at Northwest Whitfield as a varsity head coach against Cartersville in the second game of the 1996-97 season.
A win against Dutchtown to make it to the championship game in the Class AAAA state tournament in the 2009-10 season. (Stockburger’s Lady Bruins got into the playoffs as the No. 3 seed from Region 7 that year and opened with a 60-48 win at Region 6 runner-up Chamblee before winning at Region 5 champion Mays, 57-53. Facing Region 8 champion Madison County at University of West Georgia in the Elite Eight, Northwest claimed a 61-42 win before defeating Dutchtown, 75-56, in the semifinals at the Gwinnett Arena. They finished as state runner-up to Southwest DeKalb two days later back at the Gwinnett Arena.)
A win against Adairsville in the Region 6-AAA tournament to qualify for state in my first year as head coach at Ringgold High School (2013-14). Also another victory that stands out is the win at Franklin County (53-52) in the first round (201617) to make it to the Sweet Sixteen.
From your perspective, what are the one or two aspects of coaching the game of basketball that have changed the least over the years?
My philosophy of the game has not changed, but my delivery of what I want to get across has changed.
What is the strength of this year’s team, or what do you think it will be by the time the season gets into region play?
The great nucleus of veteran players we have back and the new players coming in.
What is the key or keys to this season?
Keeping everybody healthy and playing together as a team.