The E. C. Glass High School girls basketball program welcomed head coach Anitra Thomas back to the team this month. A Lynchburg native and Brookville High School graduate, Thomas served as the head girls basketball coach at E. C. Glass from 2019-21 before joining the University of Lynchburg as an assistant DIII women’s basketball coach.
“We are extremely excited to welcome Coach Thomas back to E. C. Glass,” said school athletic director Elizabeth Masencup. “I look forward to watching her facilitate success with our girls basketball program by way of her coaching expertise, high expectations, and focus on accountability.”
Thomas returns to the head coach position with a reputation of excellence preceding her. During her time with E. C. Glass, she transformed the program into a regional powerhouse, leading them to a Region 4D runner-up title and state quarterfinal appearance in 2019. She won regional coach of the year honors in 2019 as well as the Seminole District Coach of the Year title in both 2019 and 2020.
For the past two seasons, Thomas has managed recruiting, budgeting, team meals, scouting, and player and position development at the University of Lynchburg. Her team competed in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference tournament in 2021 and 2022.
Though her background in sports leadership is extensive, athletics aren’t the only priority for Thomas. She’s an environmental science teacher at E. C. Glass with a bachelor’s degree in biology from Christopher Newport University, where she also played DIII basketball. Thomas is committed to helping students become more responsible versions of themselves on the court, in the classroom, and beyond.
Thomas says she’s grateful for the opportunity to mentor the players, both in basketball and in life. “E. C. Glass has always held a special place in my heart, from the players to the students and faculty to the whole blue and white community,” Thomas said. “I want our program to be a powerhouse, but we've got to get back to the basics first by establishing our culture and holding each other accountable for the success of our season.”
Thomas will meet with returning players and any new players interested in joining the team on Tuesday, Aug. 29 at 2:25 p.m. in room S226. Parents are invited to meet with her on Tuesday, Aug. 29 at 6 p.m. in the Marie Waller Lecture Hall.
