HARVEST, Ala. — Sparkman High School's campus administrators have been busy this summer, making a significant investment in the future of their sports programs. The hiring of two remarkable individuals to lead their boys' and girls' basketball programs promises a bright future for Sparkman's sports.
Sparkman High School is delighted to announce Emily Flanigan's appointment as the new Head Coach for the Girls' Basketball team. With a rich history in athletics and an impressive coaching record, Coach Flanigan brings a wealth of experience and a passion for developing young athletes. Emily Flanigan, a 2002 Fayette County High School graduate, has a deep-rooted connection to sports.
During high school, she played softball in 9th and 10th grade and stood out in both volleyball and basketball throughout all four years. Her athletic journey continued at Shelton State Community College, where she attended on a basketball scholarship before transferring to the University of West Alabama. At UWA, she played on an athletic scholarship for the Lady Tigers Basketball team. She graduated in 2006 with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology: Social Work and a minor in Physical Education. She furthered her education at UWA, serving as a graduate assistant from 2006-2008 and earning her master’s in Physical Education in 2010. Coach Flanigan began her teaching and coaching career at Livingston Junior High School from 2008-2011, where she was a physical education teacher. In 2011, she and her family moved to Baldwin County, where she continued to make her mark as a physical education teacher at Central Baldwin Middle School. By 2013, she became the head coach for the Lady Bears, leading them to a Baldwin County Championship.
Her coaching prowess also extended to Girls’ Track and Field, where she secured a championship in 2016. In 2017, Coach Flanigan embarked on a new chapter at Foley High School. She initially served as an assistant coach under Sally Jeter, helping to achieve an impressive 24-9 record in the 2017-2018 season and an outstanding 31-3 record in the 2018-2019 season. Her exceptional leadership and coaching skills earned her head coach position in 2019, making her the first African American head coach in the program's history. Coach Flanigan's teams consistently excelled during her tenure at Foley High School. Highlights include: - 2019-2020: 20-4 - 2020-2021: 16-11 - 2021-2022: 24-6, including a 7A Area 2 Championship, Regional Championship (a first for the school), and a historic Final Four appearance. She was also named Coach of the Year for the 2022-2023 season.
2023-2024: 18-8, Area 2 Championship, and Regionals runner-up. Coach Flanigan has led her teams to three area championships and back-to-back Elite 8 appearances, demonstrating her ability to foster competitive and resilient teams.
Sparkman Athletic Director Chris Shumaker shared, "We are thrilled to welcome Coach Emily Flanigan to Sparkman High School. Her track record of success, dedication to her players, and commitment to excellence make her the perfect fit for our basketball program. We are excited to see her lead our girls to new heights." Coach Flanigan expressed her enthusiasm, saying, "I am honored to join Sparkman High School and look forward to building on the strong foundation of the Girls Basketball program. I am passionate about mentoring young athletes and helping them achieve their full potential on and off the court."
Sparkman High School is excited about the future of the Girls' Basketball team under Coach Emily Flanigan's leadership. Her experience, vision, and dedication will undoubtedly inspire and elevate the program to new levels of success.
Sparkman High School is thrilled to announce the appointment of Coach Obadiah Threadgill IV as the new Head Coach for the Boys' basketball team. With an impressive 20 years of coaching experience, Coach Threadgill is set to begin his 14th season as a head coach, bringing a wealth of knowledge, passion, and a proven track record to the Harvest community. Coach Threadgill is dedicated to fostering a mindset of toughness and delivering fundamentally sound basketball. His approach emphasizes hard work, dedication, and an intense, competitive spirit. While championships are not guaranteed, Coach Threadgill promises that his teams will always display determination and a relentless work ethic. His coaching style features an uptempo, intelligent, and exciting basketball brand that fans will surely enjoy.
“I am passionate about high school athletics and deeply committed to the success of all students,” Threadgill shared. “I look forward to building deep, lasting relationships with the community and its stakeholders. I am eager to get started and help our athletes reach their full potential on and off the court.”
Career Highlights: - 2013: 2A State Runner-Up (Lafayette High School) - 2015: 2A State Champion (Lafayette High School) - 2015: Ala-Miss All-Star Game Coach - 2016: North-South All-Star Game Coach - 2020: Final Four Appearance with a 31-1 record (Pike Road High School) - 9 Regional Appearances Coach Threadgill's illustrious career is marked by significant achievements, including a state championship and a Final Four appearance with an outstanding 31-1 record. His leadership and coaching expertise have also been recognized with opportunities to coach in prestigious all-star games. Principal Todd Dreifort expressed enthusiasm about the new appointment, stating,
"We are excited to welcome Coach Threadgill to Sparkman High School. His extensive experience and dedication to high school basketball make him an excellent fit for our program. We believe his leadership will inspire our students and elevate our basketball team to new heights."
Sparkman High School is eager to see the positive impact Threadgill will have on the basketball program and the broader school community. With his commitment to excellence and focus on building solid relationships, Coach Threadgill is poised to make a lasting difference at Sparkman High.
Sparkman High School also announced Randy Lilavois's addition as the Varsity Girl’s Soccer Head Coach. With a career spanning over two decades, Lilavois brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of success to the Sparkman Lady Senators.
"Joining the Sparkman family is a fantastic opportunity," Lilavois said. "I look forward to contributing to the growth and success of the soccer programs and helping our athletes achieve their goals." Please join us in welcoming Randy Lilavois to Sparkman High School. His dedication, expertise, and enthusiasm will inspire our student-athletes and elevate our soccer programs to new heights.
