TRION, Ga. — When Lester Galyon accepted his new job, he was a bit concerned about how the news would be received. After all, Gordon Lee generally doesn’t go over too well in Trion.
Galyon is hoping to change all that — at least a part of it — after accepting the head girls’ basketball coaching position at Trion High School, pending school board approval Monday.
Galyon spent the past 14 years coaching the Gordon Lee girls, compiling a 276-95 record and earning six region titles and the Class A public school championship in 2012-13. He replaces Emily Claytor, who is leaving to become the girls’ coach at Unity Christian School in Rome, where her husband is the boys’ coach.
“Well, I was a bit nervous because this is a pretty bitter rivalry and you hope there are no ill feelings,” Galyon said. “So far, as I’ve worked with the girls in summer workouts, they seem to accept me. I know there’s a big rivalry, but it’s never been that way with me.
“It’s a great school. The facilities are second to none and the people there are very nice. It’s bittersweet, though. There are some tremendous people I will miss at Gordon Lee.”