Ten years have raced by since Connor led South to a 73-11 record in her three-year varsity career. Another five have zipped past since she overcame injuries to shoulders, feet and knees to star at Wake Forest. As a Deacon, she set nine school records in one monumental 35 point-22 rebound evening against N.C. State.
How good an athlete was Connor? In Central Piedmont Conference track meets she’d enter events as diverse as the high jump and the shot put and win both going away. Then she’d take the discus, too.
Now, in a real heart-warmer, this magnificent athlete’s come home. Not just to have that famous jersey retired, but to make a daily impact at her old stomping grounds as assistant girls basketball coach and a teacher of freshman Earth Science.
South head coach James Greene was overjoyed when Connor, who spent last school year at Sun Valley High, decided to return. She’d been an instructor at Greene’s summer hoops camp the past few years, and finally, this past summer he popped the coaching question.
“I was just fishing,” recalls Greene with a chuckle. “But, you know, Tracy didn’t say no right off.”
In fact, she never could say no to her old school.
Asked how he convinced Connor to climb aboard, Greene jokes, “We gave Tracy the big contract.”
The 6-foot-2 Connor. who has nice things like East-West All-Star Game MVP and ACC Freshman of the Year on her resume, spends most of her practice hours with the Raiders’ promising plethora of sophomore post players — Sade Jordan, Alexius Blackwood and Kiki Mack.
But the rest of the Raiders spend quality time under Connor’s wide wing as well. While Connor doesn’t have any of the varsity team members enrolled in her classes, it’s safe to say she teaches each of them something every single day.
“The respect that everyone has for Tracy is so tremendous,” said Greene. “She played great ball here and did great things academically here.
“She’s a role model, a successful back female. She can pull these young kids aside and talk to them about things not related to basketball.”
Like grades. Like boyfriends. Like peer pressure. Like life.
“It’s just really good to have a female coach we can talk to,” said Raider guard Ellen Russell.
“I can tell her anything,” added Mack. “Coach Connor goes above and beyond for us. She’d do anything for us.”
When Tracy talks, it’s hard not to listen. She’s been there, done that. And done it well.
“She’s someone who’s knows everything that you’re going through with both school and basketball,” said freshman Brittany Durant, who breaks into a smile as soon as Connor’s name comes up.
Most of the current Raiders knew of Connor before they actually had the privilege of interacting with the celebrity coach on a daily basis.
“Growing up, we heard all the stories about her,” said budding sophomore star Paris Rucker. “Mr. (Glenn) Eagle always referred me to go talk to her. That was good advice. I know she’s gone the green mile for me this year.”
“When I was coming through middle school they always told me, “Work hard and you can be the next Tracy Connor,’ ” offered a smiling Jordan.
Jordan’s good, but she’s not Tracy quite yet. But give her time. She’s got the perfect assistant coach.
Some days Connor does more than instruct at practice. She’ll play with the team, posting up strong and flashing her old form. And maybe she’ll reject a few shots into the hallways.
“Ooh, she’s so strong,” said Jordan. “It’s good to know there’s an All-America here working with us.”
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When Greene was sidelined with an inner ear problem a few weeks back, Connor assumed the head job for several games. Her biggest test came on that same night her jersey was honored. With Connor calling the shots, South knocked off CPC champ Davie County, perhaps the highlight of a 15-10 season.
“That was Tracy’s big night and it was also our Senior Night,” said Greene. “Tracy did a fantastic job.”
Greene said Connor has been the ideal assistant, deferring at times, asserting herself when necessary.
“Tracy understands her role,” he said with a grin. “She knows to ask me first even if she already knows the answer.”
Shortly after leading the Raiders past Davie, Connor stepped on the court for that retirement ceremony.
After South principal Dr. Alan King read a kilometer-long list of Connor’s accomplishments, she dedicated her latest honor to beloved grandmothers recently lost. Connor’s parents, old friends like Gretchen Hollifield, her teammate from grade-school AAU ball right through Wake Forest, and former coaches like Perry Bradshaw looked on proudly as an emotional Connor listened to the music of a standing ovation from a packed house.
How long will this happy reunion last? Greene knows that with Connor’s qualifications, she won’t stay his assistant forever.
“We’d all love to keep her here,” said Greene. “But we know she’ll have chances to move on to a head job. There were schools calling her all summer and there will be more schools calling.”
And if someone does make Tracy an offer?
“Then we’ll just have to up that big contract she’s got,” laughed Greene. “Tracy needs to be at South and South needs Tracy.”
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Contact Mike London at 704-797-4259 or mlondon@salisburypost.com
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