On Monday, P.K. Yonge announced that it was parting ways with Blue Wave boys’ basketball coach Boderick Johnson, who also contributed eight years as an assistant coach to the girls’ basketball program, winning two state championships.
“P.K. Yonge is grateful for Coach Johnson’s work over the past six years in leading our boys’ basketball team,” said P.K. Yonge athletics director Valerie Flournoy. “Coach Johnson and his student-athletes have been successful on and off the court.”
It didn’t take long for the Blue Wave to make its next hire as alum Willie Powers III was named the new head coach on Thursday.
“P.K. Yonge is proud to welcome back one of our own to lead our basketball program,” said Brian K. Marchman, P.K. Yonge director and superintendent. “Willie Powers III is a fearless and dogged competitor who will continue the basketball program excellence established over the eras. I have utmost confidence in Coach Powers, given his valuable next level experience, that he will lead our program and student-athletes in maximizing the potential in each player, as well as the entire Blue Wave basketball program.”
As a senior at PKY in 2007, Powers led his team to a state runner-up finish in the FHSAA Class 3A state championship game.
He signed with Georgia Southern after averaging 21.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 2.3 steals per game.
Powers was a three-time Gainesville Sun Boys Basketball Player of the Year and runner-up for state Player of the Year.
“I am honored to have the opportunity to come back to P.K. Yonge as the boys’ basketball head coach,” Powers said. “I am looking forward to continuing and building upon the legacy that Coach Johnson and all of the amazing coaches before me helped to create. I am excited about working with and building relationships with the guys as we strive for excellence both on and off the court.”
Powers is the son of former P.K. Yonge girls coach Willie Powers, who was named the new girls basketball coach at Williston High School last month after 21 seasons at PKY.
“They got one of the best young coaches in the state,” said his dad. “I’m proud of Willie because he’s where he wants to be and is a Blue Wave through and through. He is definitely the best coach in the Powers family.”
Powers graduated from Georgia Southern in 2012, where he was a two-time All-Southern Conference selection for the Eagles and finished his career with 1,321 points, 460 assists, 359 rebounds and 122 steals. He earned Freshman All-Conference and All-Conference honors before finishing fourth all-time in assists for the Eagles.
He has more than 10 years of basketball coaching experience, including FAMU and Georgia Southern.
“With his experience at FAMU as an assistant basketball coach, at Georgia Southern as a director of player development, and time playing professional basketball overseas, Willie brings a true understanding of competitive energy and holistic development,” Flournoy said. “He is the right guy at the right time for P.K. Yonge.”
Powers begins his head basketball coach duties immediately and will assist with the girls’ program until the girls head basketball position is filled.