TCA coach earns state honor 

Willow Park Trinity Christian girls basketball coach Garett Hilton’s winning record at four Texas high schools is eclipsed only by his humbleness. 

Now at Trinity Christian Academy, the Lady Eagles coach was recently honored with the Dean Weese Outstanding Girls Coach Award for mid-size private schools from the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches.  

Trinity Christian Academy coach Garrett Hilton is humble about earning the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches’ highest honor. 

“I was totally shocked,” the coach said. “I have 20-plus years of coaching and I’ve never won anything like this before, on a state-wide level. I’ve won district coach of the year a few times, but nothing like this.” 

This past season Hilton led the Lady Eagles to a second-round Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools Class 4A playoff appearance.

TABC awards are nominated by Texas high school basketball coaches throughout the state and voted on by the TABC Coordinators Committees.  

Hilton is modest about the award and only hopes the honor draws attention to the school’s athletic program. 

“I don’t really want or need the recognition,” Hilton added. “If anything comes out of it, maybe an area young lady would decide to come over here and play with us. That would definitely be a positive, but I’m just proud of my team this year and that’s all I need.” 

TABC president Tyler Helms said the award’s namesake, Dean Weese, began coaching boys and girls basketball in 1957 at his hometown of Wiggins. Weese coached high school, college and the Women’s Professional Basketball League Dallas Diamonds before his induction into the National Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 2000. Weese passed away in October 2023. 

“The Award represents not only success, but also the positive impact on a community and team,” Helms said. 

During Hilton’s previous tenure at Peaster High School he led Lady Hounds to three consecutive undefeated district championships and one state quarterfinals appearance. Before that he coached at Clute Brazoswood, Friendswood Clear Brook and Kennedale. 

Hilton has now coached 22 years. He played basketball for LeTourneau University in Longview.