Although she has been coaching 8th grade students for seven years at ROJH, this is Paige Patterson’s first year as the school’s basketball coach.

Patterson previously coached basketball and track as a teacher for Magoffin Middle School in El Paso. Recently, she realized how much she missed coaching girls basketball and was given the opportunity to coach the 7th grade girls basketball teams at ROJH.

“I was interested in coaching 7th grade, because it gives me the opportunity to build relationships with the girls who may possibly be my students next year,” Patterson said

Basketball has always been one of Patterson’s interests. She played  for Quitman High School in Mississippi, as well as for The University of Texas at El Paso. Patterson hopes to pass on some of the techniques that made her a great basketball player to her team members.

“My favorite moment of coaching was during our first game night when I realized that my players had actually been listening to me about playing defense,and how defense wins games,” Patterson said. “Between both of my teams, they got over 30 steals that night.”

Patterson said that one of the challenges in coaching is keeping the girls focused not just on basketball, but on school as well.

 “She’s a good coach and she knows what she’s doing,” 7th grader Kynedie McCollister said.

 One thing Patterson wants her team to remember is that she has love for all of them and that she prays for them to work hard for success.

“I enjoy coaching and want to thank Mrs. Watts for allowing me this opportunity, and Natalie Sutton for helping me adjust to the court,” Patterson said.