Epps is district Coach of the Year

DONIPHAN — After a historic basketball season, the Doniphan Donettes continue to pour in more postseason accolades.

As the Doniphan High School athletic director and head coach of the Donettes, Adam Epps did the unthinkable with a young team and made history. After tallying the votes, Epps was named the Class 4 District 1 Coach of the Year.

Though Epps helped the Donettes to a 24-0 regular-season record, he said winning COY for the district was unexpected.

“It’s definitely an honor because the district has many outstanding coaches,” Epps said. “I really didn’t expect to win this award because it usually goes to the coach that wins the district. Obviously, we lost in extreme fashion to a great team, and honestly, if I could, I would trade all that I got to play Columbia. All in all, it’s still an honor. We worked really hard, and I’m fortunate that I get to coach some really good kids who have bought in and showed up to work every day. I’m happy to have a great community that always supports us. I’m just really blessed.”

In addition to the Donettes winning its fourth consecutive Ozark Foothills Conference championship, they went undefeated in the regular season and as Epps was named the OFC Coach of the Year. Epps said there was a lot of talent in the OFC Tournament this season, and he doesn’t take winning the award lightly.

Epps wasn’t the only person to receive postseason recognition, as many players within his starting lineup received all-conference and all-district honors for the season.

Senior Kenzie Redus was named the Class 4 District 1 Player of the Year. Redus led the Donettes with 15 points, six rebounds and two blocks per game. Redus played a significant role in helping the Donettes flourish this season, and it showed as they were named the No. 1 team in Class 4 for the entire season.

Epps said Redus took a huge leap in the past few seasons. As a player who didn’t play much during her freshman season, he said the work she has put in is finally seeing the benefits of staying committed.

“Kenzie is a self-made player and has gotten better every year,” Epps said. “A lot of people want everything handed to them, but no one gave Kenzie anything. Everything she accomplished was over a span of two seasons because she didn’t play that much initially. She’s been the prime example of showing up daily with the right attitude and putting in the work. She’s not an arrogant person and does everything with class. I’m just really blessed and fortunate that I got to be around somebody like Kenzie Redus for four years.”

Also named all-district were two freshmen guards, Ellie White and Carsyn Hagood. Coming into the season, Epps said that White and Hagood were unknown and didn’t have a good summer, but he knew they would have to rely on them to be able to play at the speed we wanted to play.

“They started every game for us and gave us some scoring,” Epps said. “They can really play and helped us push the pace. They also had big games, so seeing them honored with the all-district nod there for class was nice, especially in our district because it’s pretty tough.”

Redus, White and Hagood were also named all-OFC players, as were Maddy Redus and Sarah Owen.

Epps said he would have Maddy Redus as his point guard any day of the week. He said having an extension of himself on the floor was a big reason for the Donettes’ success. Maddy doesn’t get a lot of praise for what she does for the team, but Epps said because she took care of the dirty work, it helped them to a historic season.

Owen probably sacrificed more than anybody this year because she started every game last season, according to Epps. As a player who can shoot, play defense and run the floor, he’s excited to see her step into a much bigger role next year.

With a flourishing career as a basketball coach, how does Epps make time to run the sports department as athletic director? It’s simple, a team effort.

“I’ve got a really good administration over here,” Epps said. “During the basketball season, I get a lot of help and some freedom to really focus on the team. It was very busy this year with hosting the conference tournament and I was happy to just coach, which I don’t take for granted. I get a lot of help from many of our staff members, who are more than willing to help anytime we need them. I’m just in a fortunate place and believe I have the dream job. There are many people who aren’t always happy, but I’m just happy I can make a difference in these kids’ lives. I think I’m where God wants me to be, and I’m having fun.”