Lee women's basketball coach Marty Rowe will we watching closely as Hollie opens the 2022-23 season as head coach at Polk County and Brooke (McKinnon) Evans begins her second season at Tellico Plains High School. "They are two of the humblest, led by example players you could ever ask for as a coach," said Rowe when asked about the pair who were NAIA All-American players for the Lady Flames. "They took great pride in how they played the game and that is what each of them will continue to instill in both programs. Polk County and Tellico are in great hands!" 

Lowe (2010-14) is the Lady Flames' all-time-career-point leader (2300). She made 331 3-pointers (41%) and 537 free throws (82%). A two-time All-American, Lowe was the 2013 SSAC Player of the Year and 2014 NCCA National Player of the Year. The three-time Scholar Athlete carried a 3.98 GPA. Evans (2008-2011) was a scoring machine. She tallied 2216 points and was twice named NAIA All-American. Brooke was the 2008 NAIA Freshman of the Year and 2011 Co-SSAC Player of the Year. During her four years with the Lady Flames, they posted a 118-22 record. Both Lowe and Evans are members of the Lee University Athletic Hall of Fame. 
  
After finishing her playing career at Lee, Lowe was given the opportunity to remain with the Lady Flames for four more years, first as a graduate assistant for two years (2014-16) and then as an assistant coach for two more years (2016-18). After Lee, Hollie was given the opportunity to be an assistant coach at Polk County High School under head coach Hindman for the past four years.

Hollie took time to look back at the journey that has helped carry her to this point. "First are my parents, Ron, and Ann German. From the time I started to play until now being on the coaching side, they have been there every step of the way. Of course, I also could not have done everything leading up to this opportunity without my loving and supportive husband, Matt.
 
"But regarding coaching experience, I would not be the coach (and player) I am today without the influence and help from the coaching staff at Lee. Coach Rowe, Jan Spangler, and Kelly and Mindy Kiser allowed me to grow not only as a player but also the risk they took and the opportunity they gave me to learn under them as a coach. I also cannot forget coach Hindman, who allowed me to coach with him these past four years."

Coming out of high school and earlier some students know exactly what they want. Maybe if the WNBA had been a little more advanced during her playing days, Hollie might have had second thoughts, but she was totally focused on a career (after college) the day she entered Lee. 
  
"I wanted to be a teacher and a coach but as to where I would end up, I had no idea where that would be," the new Polk coach confessed. "God opened so many doors along the way to place me where I am today. I am thankful, grateful, and honored to get the opportunity to coach where I played. Learning under one of the great head coaches in Tennessee (Ronnie Davis) and seeing all the hard work and effort he put into this program when I was in school makes me really want to represent him, this program, and community well and be that impactful coach for future players to come. 
  
"My hope and dream for the future of this program (I think we are headed in the right direction) would be to continue Coach Davis' legacy by making the Wildkitten teams a force in girls' basketball like they were in the late 70's and early 80's (state champs in 1981) and even his last state tournament appearance in 2010."

Last season's Polk team enjoyed one of its most successful seasons in over 10 years after making it to the sub-state level of post season play. "I think the biggest goal and every program's goal in Tennessee would be to make it one-round further and be in Murfreesboro at the state tournament," noted the first-year head coach when asked about her team goals. "However, that is going to come with its fair share of challenges throughout the year, having to go through some very tough teams in our district and region." 
  
Brooke (McKinnon) Evans says it has always been her dream to return home and coach. "It has been my dream since I was a player at Tellico Plains High School to coach high school basketball at my alma mater. After I graduated from Lee, I took the Director of Operations position at Tennessee Tech University with Coach Jim Davis for two seasons.
 
From there, I came back to my hometown and was an assistant with Coach Gary Tucker for three seasons. I took a couple of years off after I had my first baby, Zeke, but never lost the love and passion for the game. When Coach Tucker retired from coaching, there was no doubt in my mind I wanted to step into the coaching realm again, and this time for the long run."  
  
Like Lowe and Evans faced during their playing days at Lee, there are plenty of tough high school opponents in district and region play for both. "We have a crazy tough district that I love," pointed out Brooke. "I love the fact that we must compete night in and night out. We can never take a game off. The two top teams in our district are probably McMinn Central and Meigs County.
 
"They are both teams that I enjoy playing because it is a huge challenge for me as a coach and for my girls to rise to the top. If we are competing with both of those teams, we are on the right track. In our region, Polk is definitely the team to beat. We actually lost last season to Polk County in the region semifinals to end our season, so the competition between Hollie and me will run deep in the future." 
  
Hollie never backed away from a challenge during her playing days and it will be interesting to see her Polk team compete. "Every team in anyone's district or region presents a challenge especially when you get to the post season because it is survive and advance. However, teams in our district like Tyner and Marion are always well prepared and physical enough to cause problems for any team.
 
"When it comes to our region (who we are familiar with because it used to be our old district) there are several teams that can be tough challenges and finished well last season like McMinn Central, Tellico Plains, Meigs County, and Kingston. But it is like the old saying "any given day any team can beat anyone" we are going to have to be prepared night in and night out in district and region play in order to put ourselves in a good position for post season." 
  
The first-year coach added, "The biggest thing I think that will help us get to that level though, will be finding a way to be consistent with our energy and our effort every day in practice and games. With each year whether you lose a large group of seniors or a small group, it is always a challenge to find players that will step up and fill the roles left by the previous class.
 
"There cannot be days where we get worse or even stay the same. To compete for the chance to get to the state tournament you must outwork and out prepare for every opponent and every situation that you might come across during the season." 
  
Coach Rowe is ready to watch his former stars battle. "It is awesome that they each have returned to their prospective high schools to lead and continue to build both programs. Brooke had a great first season and Hollie has done a great job along with Caleb Hindman of elevating the Polk County program over the last couple of years. They are both definitely ready for these opportunities!" 
  
There is more than coaching and teaching for Hollie and Brooke. Both have other duties after school and coaching. Brooke said, "I get to end my days with the highlight of my life, my kids, Zeke and Cat Tyndall, and husband Jake. There is not much time for me especially during the season, but I would not trade anything for what I have and what I do."
  
Brooke added, "I know it sounds cliché, but I do want to give all the credit for everything positive in my life to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Without Him, I would be lost in many ways. I certainly must thank my husband, Jake, for the support he gives me because being a coach's spouse is not easy at all.
 
"I give a whole lot of my time to others, and he supports me and loves my girls along with me. I also must mention my parents (Bobby and Sharon) and my family. If you remember when I was playing at Lee, I always had a special crowd at games just for me. My parents, sister, grandparents, aunt, uncle, and cousins made me feel like I played in the WNBA, and I cannot tell you how special it always made me feel to look up and see them all cheering me on."  
  
While Brooke has one year of being a teacher, coach, wife, and mother under her belt, it will be a new experience as head coach for Hollie. "To be honest I have no idea of how it is going to go, but I do know that I will not be able to do it without my "village" of people stepping up and helping such as my husband (Matt), family, and friends. The best thing I do is just take it a day at a time.
 
"Even when I was a player, I wanted to be the most prepared and outwork anyone I came across. I think that will serve me well in all those aspects as wife, mother, teacher, and coach. God has blessed me with a wonderful family and a great place to work and coach the sport I enjoy. Knowing that, I will take it one day and one step at a time and try to glorify Him with everything he has blessed me with. Speaking especially as a new mom there is never enough time in the day, but I am going to do my best and lean on my great support system around me." 
 
Coach Rowe will be the first to tell you Polk County and Tellico Plains has a couple of winners!