Motivation comes in many different forms. Typically, family, money, and pride are common reasons that people strive for greatness, though the list is endless.
For Colquitt County girls head basketball coach Rondesha Williams, the greatest motivation is success. But not quite in the way that you would expect.
“Nothing makes me happier than when one of my former players comes back to share their success stories with me,” Williams said. “I love to see my kids doing well. Just having them think of me enough to come back and say ‘thank you’ means more than they know.”
Coach Williams has found herself in a terrific position at Colquitt County High School. She is able to combine her most admirable traits into an enjoyable career: her passion for kids, her desire to see each and every child succeed, and her love of basketball. She took over as head coach for the Lady Packers in 2008 after spending a decade as an assistant coach at Dougherty High School (Albany, Ga.).
It’s no secret that South Georgia is football territory. Colquitt County is currently sitting on the throne, having won the 2014 GHSA Class AAAAAA State Championship in December. While the prevalence of football doesn’t apply to girls’ sports, Coach Williams is often faced with a problem that many basketball coaches in the area are forced to overcome.
“There aren’t many basketball players around here,” she said. “But what we do is take eager students and we build them into basketball players. I tell my players everyday that half the battle of basketball, of anything, is believing that you can do it. You have to believe that you can succeed before you can make it happen.”
Basketball is a sport that thrives on a team concept. History has shown that the most successful organizations, at any 
level, are able to play as one unit in order to achieve their goals. In that aspect, the position that Coach Williams finds herself in is only fitting. She has proven to be a perfect example of what the local community, affectionately referred to as “Packer Nation”, is all about. No matter how many accomplishments come her way, she always takes the time to share the credit with those around her.
“I am fortunate enough to have a wonderful staff that supports me, day in and day out,” she said. “None of this success would exist without them.”
The success that Coach Williams speaks of is vastly understated. The Lady Packers have never suffered a losing season under her guidance. They clinched postseason appearances in three of the last four years, reaching the second round of the GHSA State Playoffs in 2013. Also, during the 2013-14 season, she recorded her 100th victory at CCHS when the Lady Packers defeated Godby High School (Tallahassee, Fla.).
Away from the court, her dedication to the children of Colquitt County is just as noticeable. Williams is the assistant principal at CCHS, and as expected, the students come before anything else.
“I coach basketball, but first and foremost, my job is to look out for these kids,” she said. “Our job here is to keep these students motivated, to keep them on track.”
This year’s Lady Packers are doing just that, despite losing five players due to graduation. Among those graduates was the 2013-14 Region 1 Player of the Year and current Georgia State Lady Panther Makeba Ponder, who led Class AAAAAA in points per game (24.5), free throw percentage (85.0), and three-pointers made (88) during her senior campaign.
“We have a young team this year,” Coach Williams said. “There are four freshmen on our roster. But none of that matters. The team is determined, and I see great things happening here in the near future.”
Coach Williams has been married to her husband, Felton, for 13 years, and has two children: Anthony, who is in his first year of college, and Taylor, who is in fourth grade. They have all grown to love the tight-knit, supportive community that has been called home for nearly seven years.
“I love being a part of Packer Nation,” Coach Williams said. “It’s full of loving, caring people that really go above and beyond the call of duty for these students. Colquitt County is an awesome place to be.”
The Colquitt community has long shown pride and support for their students. Coach Williams is certainly no exception. With the special attention given to the future of the youth of Packer Nation, both athletically and academically, she is a part of Packer Nation whose value just cannot be measured in wins alone.
South Georgia/February 2015
Coach’s Corner
Rondesha Williams, Girls Basketball
Colquitt County High School
Moultrie, Ga.
Lady Packers Coach Strives for Success On and Off the Court
By James Washington
Mr. Washington, Coach Williams is a Lady “PACKERS” basketball coach! not Panther, which is mentioned several times on different pages