Lakeside hires Jessieville coach Lamb

Lakeside didn’t have to travel far to find its new basketball coach.

Following the retirement of longtime coach Tommy White, the Lakeside school board tabbed Jessieville coach Eddie Lamb as his successor Tuesday night.

“His record speaks for itself,” Lakeside athletic director Don Pierce said. “His teams are always in the state tournament and making deep runs, and he’s been to the state final. The program at Jessieville never slipped; they had 20-win seasons year in and year out.”

Replacing one veteran coach with another was an ideal situation for the Rams.

“As an athletic director, that’s what you’re wanting to do,” said Pierce. “Coach White was a great leader and mentor for these kids, and that’s exactly what coach Lamb brings. It’ll keep the excitement; it’s a great move for the future of our program.”

Lamb takes over after 22 years coaching the Lions, finishing with a record of 489-200 and a 2007 Class 2A championship appearance.

“It was a no-brainer; the administration here at Lakeside has been top notch throughout this entire process,” Lamb said. “Jessieville has been an awesome ride, but change happens sometimes. Things are different over time.”

Lamb is no stranger to success, guiding Jessieville to state-tournament appearances in four of the last five years. The Lions went 22-11 this season and finished first in conference 3A-4 with a 14-2 record, losing to Malvern and Arkadelphia.

Jessieville edged Centerpoint in the first round of the Class 3A playoffs before falling to eventual runner-up Tuckerman.

Continuing that success with a Lakeside team that finished 3-20 last season won’t be easy, but Lamb is looking forward to the challenge.

“The challenge is awesome; it kind of rejuvenates you and makes you want to get things back to the way they were,” he said. “I have the utmost respect for coach White. The Lakeside community should be thankful for all that he’s done, and I hope that I can provide that same type of leadership.”

Despite moving to a conference that includes Hot Springs, Hope and Magnolia, Lamb isn’t lowering his expectations for his first year on the job.

“Our goal is to compete every year, and that’s not going to change,” said Lamb. “As far as wins, I’m not going to put a number on it, but I’m going to size our kids up and we’ll go out there looking to compete.”

Lakeside returns nearly its entire lineup next season, Kiersten Gulley the lone graduate, and gains a new point guard along with its new coach. After earning all-state honors as a sophomore this season, Sawyer Lamb will be following to Lakeside.

“Sawyer’s coming, too, and he’s going to be a big part of what we’re trying to do here starting next season; it’s an exciting move for both of us,” the elder Lamb said.

While remaining focused on the future, Lamb spoke highly of his time at Jessieville and those who helped him along the way.

“I want to thank George Foshee, Steve Wright, Larry Ray, Gene Glazener and all the players and the community at Jessieville,” he said. “The majority of my life was spent at Jessieville and I will always be thankful for that, but now coach Lamb is a Lakeside Ram.” his dad from Jessieville