Hickey takes over Central Lee girls hoops program

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Coach swaps bench spots with veteran Jay Baldwin

By JOHN BOHNENKAMP
PCC SPORTS

DONNELLSON - The succession plan was simple when Jay Baldwin became Central Lee’s girls basketball coach two seasons ago, with Taylor Hickey as his assistant.
Baldwin, a long-time coach in southeast Iowa, would do the job until Hickey, then in her first year of coaching, would be ready to be the head coach.
Hickey is ready now.
Central Lee announced on Monday that Hickey would be taking over as head coach, with Baldwin remaining with the program as an assistant.“
Honestly, it’s still so surreal for me,” Hickey said. “It’s definitely a dream come true. Being able to be around Jay, he’s helped me with the different aspects of it, the strategic end, to being a coach. And now I’m looking forward to being a head coach.”
“She feels confident now,” Baldwin said. “And I could see that during the season that she was getting her confidence. She’s got a lot of energy.
“She’s a perfect fit. She’s enthusiastic. And when she said she was ready, I was all for it. I’m proud of her for what she’s done, and how capable she is as a coach.”
Hickey is a graduate of Notre Dame High School in Burlington, and played college basketball at Quincy University.
She feels at home at Central Lee.
“It’s been very welcoming, very positive,” Hickey said. “Just being here, knowing people, getting to know the community, it’s really made a positive impact on me.”
Central Lee has had back-to-back 13-9 seasons. The Hawks finished tied for second in the SEI Superconference South Division this season.
“I had the privilege of being very hands-on my first two years as an assistant next to Jay,” Hickey said. “This last season, he really let me jump in and really learn more about the head coaching aspect.”
It’s been a coaching relationship that has grown over the last two seasons.
“My first year, I really didn’t know what to expect,” Hickey said. “I didn’t know what he expected from an assistant coach, I didn’t know where he stood as a head coach. The second year, we really built a great relationship.
“He sat me down and said, ‘Yes, I’m the head coach. But I’m really open to any ideas you have. If you want to jump in, jump in.’ He let me voice my opinions on things, and it really turned out well for us.”
“She’s got a high basketball IQ, which I think is rare anymore,” Baldwin said. “Her enthusiasm for the kids is so impressive. When I started in coaching, I couldn’t wait to get to the gym for a game. That’s the way she is.”
Baldwin said he likes the direction of the program.
“We’re getting more players,” he said. “And with the quantity will come quality. It’s an exciting time.”
Hickey said she appreciates having Baldwin staying on the staff.
“Just because you’re a head coach doesn’t mean you stop learning,” she said. “I’ve learned a lot from Jay. I think this last year gave me more confidence, and made me more comfortable, from a coaching aspect of being around the game.”
Baldwin said he has appreciated the support of the Central Lee community in the two seasons. The change, he said, is going to work.
“With Taylor and Central Lee, it’s a match made in heaven,” he said.

basketball, central lee, coach, girls, Jay Baldwin, John Bohnenkamp, lady hawks, Pen City Current, sports, Taylor Hickey, varsity

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