John Milledge Academy’s Middle and High School crosscountry and track coach and assistant coach for high school basketball Tasha Gainous was inducted Oct. 10 into the University of North Carolina at Pembroke’s Athletic Hall of Fame in the University Center Annex.
Six student-athletes were inducted and, according to the press release, Gainous was recognized as the three-time all-Peach Belt Conference selection for women’s basketball. She was inducted alongside Dr. Wiley Barrett, Daniel Ownbey, Ben Major, Delton Oxendine, and Jordan Edgerton.
Gainous’ biography in the Hall of Fame states, “A three-time all-conference honoree, Gainous ranks 14th on the program’s all-time scoring list scoring 1,275 points. A 2007 graduate, Gainous recorded over 650 rebounds and over 150 assists in her career. She was named the Peach Belt Conference Player of the Week during the 2003-2004 season. Gainous is one of just three players in the history of the program to be named all-Peach Belt Conference in at least three seasons.”
Gainous began playing basketball in the fifth grade. Her mentors over the years included her college coach John Haskins, junior high coach Jeff Wagner, and high school coaches Craig Long and Mark Sapita.
“I was older than most when I began playing. I always liked the team aspect of the game and being close with my teammates. I fell in love with the game and really enjoyed the exercise and aggressiveness,” said Gainous. “When my original (college) coach approached me to play, it was an opportunity to continue playing and pay for my college. After our girls coach left my sophomore year, Coach Haskins took over and he was a great mentor to me.”
During her basketball career, Gainous suffered multiple injuries that affected her recruiting and forced her to be benched for recovery during college. Through hard work and therapy, Gainous continued to play and work alongside her team.
“I had ACL surgery the first year John Haskins became our coach, and it was during that time that I decided I wanted to be a coach. I enjoyed seeing the other side while I was sitting out and watching,” said Gainous. “I became a better basketball player more than anything when I was hurt and able to observe and learn from Coach Haskins and our assistant coach.
“I don’t think my injuries held me back. The biggest thing about having an injury is how you treat rehabilitation. If anything, it taught me about setbacks, disappointment, and overcoming those adversities,” added Gainous.
Gainous began working at John Milledge Academy in 2011 and stayed until 2021 before returning this year. She feels “proud” of her achievements for leading her to this future and continues to 'live in the moment.”
“I worked as a graduate assistant at Georgia College after playing basketball at Pembroke and that led me to meet my husband and eventually work at John Milledge Academy,” said Gainous. “What’s most important to me is the family I have now and the work I presently do as a coach and mentor for my athletes. Everything I do as a coach, I learned from my coaches and my athletic career.”
Gainous stated that experience in a sport and being able to connect with a coach and team, add to the impact a coach can have on their athletes.
“When you grow up, you become a part of a team, whether that be as a partner, a family, a friend, a group, an organization, or whatever else. Playing a sport is not required in school but everything it can teach you prepares you for life. It teaches perseverance, strength, health, teamwork, patience, and so much more,” said Gainous. “I feel like sports are vital to building character and I know my athletic career built who I am today.”