By Rick Pedone
Sports Editor

Two local basketball coaches announced after their seasons ended that they will not return next season.

After nine seasons and nearly 150 victories, Poinciana High Girls Basketball Coach Jamerson Jones said that he was stepping down.

Ålso, New Dimensions Coach Dustin Gassert resigned as the Tigers boys coach.

“It’s time,” Jones said. “I’ve got higher goals in administration that I want to pursue.”

Jones, who graduated from St. Cloud High and was the Osceola County Coach of the Year for 2010, guided the Lady Eagles to three straight district championships.

“That’s a school record,” Poinciana Athletic Director Mal Harpell said. “We’ve never had a team win three straight district championships before the girls did it this year. He’s done a real good job with that program.”

Poinciana might have had even more success in the postseason, but it was mired in the same district with Bishop Moore when the Lady Hornets were a state power for several seasons in the mid-2000s and annually reached the state tournament.

Poinciana was 148-75 under Jones.

The Lady Eagles finished 20-8 this season, won the 7A-5 district championship, and reached the regional semifinal round, where they lost to Harmony, 45-38.

After that game, Jones said he had no doubt about his decision.

“I feel like I’ve taken these girls and the program as far as I can. It might be time for some new blood. Maybe some new ideas can help them get over the hump,” Jones said. “I’ve enjoyed it, but all good things must come to an end.”

Poinciana senior Kadesia Johnson said the team knew that Jones was stepping down.

“It wasn’t a surprise, we knew it was coming,” she said.

Osceola High Coach Barner Cooks, who hosted the Osceola County Senior All-Star basketball games last Saturday, said he will miss the rivalry he enjoyed with Jones.

“J.J. is a great coach and a professional. He always did a wonderful job with the Poinciana program, and I know he will be missed,” Cooks said. “We had some friendly rivals on the court and we just about split the number of wins, I think Osceola led 4-3 (since Cooks came to OHS five seasons ago).  He also got involved with the county all-star game, actually hosting and coaching, to make sure the event happened for the kids.”

Gassert said he was leaving after two seasons at New Dimensions to pursue a home-based business that he runs with his wife. That will allow the couple to work from home while raising their two young children, Gassert said.

The Tigers were 20-30 under Gassert, who came to the school two years ago from City of Life Academy. The Lions won the 2A-9 district championship last year.

New Dimensions, 10-14 this season, was the No. 2 seed at the 3A-7 district tournament but lost to Lakeland Christian in the semifinal round.

“My wife and I started a home-based business eight months ago, and it has really taken off the last two months, so I am going to take a year or a couple of years off as coach,” Gassert said. “I just want to be able to coach on my terms, and do it because I love it, not for a paycheck. I won’t lie, I’m going to miss the game very much and I guarantee you I will be back.”

Four of his players competed at the Osceola County All-Star game Saturday.

New Dimensions Athletic Director Cathy Esposito has replaced Gassert with Narcoossee Middle School instructor Ben Bartlett.