Former Colony High assistant tabbed to lead Moose girls basketball program

PALMER — Days after filling its boys basketball position, Palmer High School has found a coach to lead its girls program. Former Colony High School assistant coach Elgin Hollins has been named the new head coach of the Moose girls basketball team.

“I’m very excited,” Hollins said Thursday afternoon. “It’s an opportunity that came up that’s right in line with my career goals as a coach.”

Hollins replaces Lyle Busbey, who spent the last two seasons as head coach of the Moose.

Hollins, a 2002 graduate of Sitka High School, comes to Palmer after spending the 2014-15 season on the Colony High School girls basketball staff. Hollins served as the junior varsity coach, and a varsity assistant on the staff of Colony head coach Jeff Bowker. The Knights finished second in the Northern Lights Conference Championships and third in the 4A state tournament.

Hollins also spent three years as head coach of the Lumen Christi girls basketball program in Anchorage.

After learning of the opening at PHS, Hollins said he took time before officially applying for the position. Hollins said he weighed staying with a group of athletes he’s spent the last year working with versus the chance to lead his own program in the Valley.

“I really spent a lot of time with the younger group, helping develop them, preparing them for next year, ” Hollins said of the Knights girls basketball players. “(Colony’s) graduating six seniors. There’s a lot of opportunity for growth for those kids.”

Hollins said he was initially surprised to learn of the opening at PHS. Before long he was fielding phone calls from people in the community about his potential interest.

Hollins has become heavily involved with coaching basketball at the youth and comp levels since moving to the Valley from Anchorage about three years ago. He’s worked with multiple programs in addition to his time at CHS. Hollins took time to confer with his wife and family, he said, but ultimately the opportunity was too great to pass up.

“I took my time. I really didn’t want to rush into it,” Hollins said. “It’s a big decision, especially for my family. I wanted to make sure it’s the right thing to do.”

During his time in the Valley, Hollins said he’s had the chance to be around youth basketball at just about every age level. He’s worked with programs such as Palmer Hoops and Alaska Lady Hoops. His son also plays youth basketball locally.

Palmer activities director Dale Ewart said experience as a head coach and work within the community were key in the school’s decision to name Hollins its girls basketball coach.

“Experience as a head coach is a big thing,” Ewart said. “He’s involved with (youth basketball programs). A lot of the kids already know him.”

Overall, Hollins said he’s excited about taking lead of the program.

“There’s a great core of kids coming back,” Hollins said of the Moose. “Very solid juniors and sophomores. The freshman class is very solid. With my coaching the youth program, I see a lot of these kids already. I know the kids are hungry, excited about moving forward.”

Hollins is the second head coach to be added by Palmer High in less than a week. Earlier this week, Chuck Martin was named the head coach of the boys program.