Coach A.W. Hamilton, Hargrave Military Academy’s Postgraduate Basketball program director, was named the the 2016 National Prep Coach of the Year after leading his team to a 47-1 record and a 2016 National Prep Champion title following March 9, 2016 National Prep Championship game in New Haven, Connecticut.
“Awards like this are more about the players, assistant coaches, teachers and our faculty and staff than myself,” Hamilton said. “These players have allowed myself and coaches to coach them everyday they’ve bought into our “building the whole person concept and have thrived as student athletes. I’m extremely honored and humbled by such a prestigious award their are some great coaches and programs across the country.”
This was the second time Hamilton received the award. He first won the award 2012, and earned the East Regional Coach of the Year award in both 2014 and 2015. In five seasons as Hargrave’s Postgraduate Basketball coach, Hamilton has led the team to a 193-24 overall win-loss record and a 99-2 home court record. He is currently managing a 55-game, multiple season winning streak in the Academy’s Walter Davis Gymnasium.
“I’ve been very fortunate to have great assistant coaches that have helped us continue to have great success,” Hamilton said. “Mike Allen, Steve Lepore and Lee Martin did a masterful job last spring and summer helping me recruit this team.”
In his first season as Hargrave’s head postgraduate basketball coach, his team won its first 38 games and made it all the way to the final National Prep Championship game. Brewster Academy would stop Hargrave 87-76, despite fielding players such as Montrezl Harrell, Codi Miller-McIntyre, Andre Washington, Corey Heyward and Ryan Taylor.
The team didn’t advance past the quarterfinals for the next three seasons prior to their 85-74 win over the St. Thomas More School in the 2016 National Prep Finals.
“I didn’t make one shot; get one rebound. The players on this team deserve all the credit,” Hamilton said. “They played their hearts out all year long and not only won a National Title but also set a school record for most wins in a season.”
