Mount Pleasant High School basketball coach Joey Chism continues to be recognized as one of the top coaches in the state of Texas. Not only was he selected District 15-5A Coach of the Year, but the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches recently nominated him for the Don Coleman Outstanding Coach Award. Only four coaches from class 5A were selected for the honor with Chism being the sole nominee from Region 2. This is the second year Chism has been nominated for the award after his team finished with a 27-1 overall record falling in the regional semi-finals to #1 Lancaster by a mere 2 points. Mount Pleasant finished ranked as high as #3 in the state this past season. Chism was last nominated four years ago when he led Mount Pleasant to their first regional tournament appearance in school history.

The Tiger basketball team under Coach Chism has been a model of success over the past seven seasons. Chism has produced a winning record five out of his seven years at the helm and has made the playoffs each season including three district championships. The Tigers have set multiple records including a school record 33 wins last season and trips to the regional tournament three out of the last four seasons. Overall Coach Chism has accumulated a 167-62 record, a .729 win percentage, and a 10-7 record in the playoffs. Four players under the tutelage of Chism have gone on to compete at the next level.

Chism will look to continue his success as the team returns six players off this season’s regional tournament team including All-Region player Payton Chism, son of Coach Chism, along with Will Hills, the district defensive player of the year.

By Drew Barkley

Photo by John Whitten
Coach Chism calls out a play in the regional semi-final game vs Lancaster.