The Lady Pioneer basketball program is once again looking for a new coach. Mendy Stotts, who was just hired last May to take over after Anthony Lippe's successful four-year run at WCHS, was let go Friday by the school.

Stotts was 5-23 in her lone season with the program, which followed back-to-back, 20-plus win seasons coaching at WCMS. Warren County, in a revamped - and much tougher - district, won just one district game under Stotts and saw a three-year streak of qualifying for region snapped this year (Warren County was an automatic qualifier for region in the two seasons prior to Stott's arrival).

Following the season, WCHS administrators had meetings with Stotts reviewing the first season and gauging the future of the program. After further consideration over the last two weeks, the decision was made to not bring back Stotts (who, like the majority of coaches in the school system, are on one-year deals that can be renewed yearly).

"At the end of each year, we take the time to talk about each program and see where we are," said WCHS Principal Chris Hobbs in a statement to the Standard. "In the past few weeks, we have done that and met to discuss moving forward with our girls basketball porgram. We have decided to move in a different direction.

"I'd like to thank coach Stotts for her service to the Warren County High School basketball program and wish her the best in her future endeavors."

Following her dismissal, Stotts offered a statement to the Standard as well, saying, "Somtimes God's plan is bigger than our plan. Sometimes it's temporarily hard. But, in the end, only God knows best. I wish the very best for every single athlete I've been able to coach in Warren County over the past eight years I've lived here. I am thankful for that time and wish every single child success."

Warren County will be on spring break this week, but the search is likely to begin quickly. In the past, the WCHS basketball program has held tryouts on the same day as graduation to set the roster for the following season. 

Continue to follow the Standard for the latest details on the coaching search.