Buffalo Wild Wings Coach of the Month: Lawrence Watson, Parkdale Girls Basketball

Lawrence Watson, who last season coached the Parkdale High School girls basketball team to the MPSSAA Class 4A South regional title, is the County Sports Zone/Buffalo Wild Wings Coach of the Month!

The Panthers, of Prince George's County, finished last season 18-8 and have gotten off to another strong start this year, winning four of their first five games.

"What was very special about last year's team was that they became a very close-knit team," Coach Watson said. "This year's team is already close, so I feel very confident about how we can do this year."

Coach Watson is a native of Washington, D.C. He played high school basketball at HD Woodson, and then collegiately at Morgan State.

He got into coaching when his children became interested in sports. He even spent time coaching the Maryland Marvels, a semi-professional basketball team.

He's coached multiple sports for over 30 years including football, baseball and softball. Coach Watson has been at Parkdale for 15 years, and became the girls basketball head coach six years ago. He works at the school as a security assistant.

To his players, Coach Watson is hard working and truly cares for his athletes.

"He's a really dedicated coach who is truly there for us. He treats us all like we're his daughters," junior guard Drew Calhoun said. "Even on days where we might not want to be at practice, Coach Watson always finds ways to make it fun for us. He always wants us to put our best foot forward."

The Panthers have certainly put their best foot forward over the past few seasons. Parkdale has won three straight Prince George's County North League championships.

Of all the team's wins though, last season's regional final is a game that will truly stick out in Coach Watson's memory. The Panthers entered the game as underdogs against Eleanor Roosevelt, which had won consecutive state championships. Parkdale hung tough with the defending champions though, and was able to top Eleanor Roosevelt, 45-42. It was Parkdale's first regional championship in girls basketball since 1981.

Although the team's season would end in the semifinal round against Western High from Baltimore City, Coach Watson saw the successful run as a good opportunity to teach the girls the importance of being dedicated. That, along with making sure his athletes are doing well in school, are what matters most to him.

"Last year was an incredible outcome for our young ladies. I try to get them to understand that working hard will pay off in the long run," Watson said. "Some of our young athletes don't have the confidence or self-esteem to keep pushing forward, so I try to instill that can do attitude in our girls."

For being named County Sports Zone/Buffalo Wild Wings Coach of the Month, Coach Watson received a gift certificate, sauces and a hat from Buffalo Wild Wings, as well as a County Sports Zone t-shirt.

If you'd like to make a nomination for next month's County Sports Zone/Buffalo Wild Wings Coach of The Month, click here!

Congratulations to Coach Watson!