ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) - On March 4, 2009, Westover standout guard Terrance Noel put pen to paper to play basketball at the next level. Sixteen years later, he’d sign his name on the dotted line again leaving his patriots gear behind. Only this time — it’s to join another high school. The one just across town.

Dougherty Comprehensive High School announced Noel as head coach of the boys basketball program following the departure of former head coach Bakari Bryant. Noel comes to the East with experience on all levels spanning from elementary to high school. His most recent coaching stint was at his alma mater under longtime coach Dallis Smith, where they led the Patriots to two Final Fours and one State Championship run from 2021 to 2023.

“I been trying to wear as much maroon as possible to get those feelings going,” Coach Noel on joining his former cross-town rivals.

While Coach Noel is still figuring out what it means to be a Trojan, there’s one thing he’s always admired about them and hopes will remain true now that he’s at the helm.

“They have that Eastside grit, and I love it. We’ve seen it. Had a couple of practices already, and it’s just different.”

Noel is inheriting a young group. The Trojans lost eight seniors to graduation. Dougherty has made two Elite Eight and one Final Four appearance in the last three seasons. The pressure is on to get over the hump.

“Really trying to bring that trophy home,” Noel said. “People think we’re in a rebuilding year because they had so many seniors last year, but my expectations are high, and I think we’re going to surprise some people.”

Making the move to Dougherty isn’t totally foreign for Coach Noel, as he grew up on the East side before moving to the West in elementary school. He describes this is as a full circle moment and said he is willing to do whatever it takes to take the Trojans to the next level. Even if that means strapping up his laces.

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