JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – This season was supposed to be a farewell tour for Ribault women’s basketball coach Shelia Seymore-Pennick. During the 2015-16 season she led the Trojans to their 11th state championship. The accolades didn’t stop there. In April, Ribault claimed its first national championship by beating Riverdale Baptist (Upper Marlboro, MD.) at Madison Square Garden in New York. When the season ended, Pennick announced that the 2016-17 season would be her last.
This year the Trojans picked up where they left off, claiming their seventh straight Gateway championship on Friday night. Monday is senior night at Ribault and Pennick decided that it’s not time to retire just yet.
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“After the magnitude of success that we had last year and my even closer relationship with GOD, he has reassured me that some of the decisions that I was trying to make is not the right decision for myself or the young ladies,” said Pennick. “As far as when I’m going to leave, I’ll leave that up to him. It may not be next year, I don’t know when it’s going to be.”
It certainly helps that Pennick is able to coach players as talented as senior wing Rennia Davis. On Sunday night Davis became only the third local product to be named to the McDonald’s All-American game.
“I feel that I’m a vessel and I’m a leader here and you’re supposed to serve,” said Pennick. “I’m really passionate about what I do and I really love what I do. Coaches stop coaching when they don’t have that feeling anymore and that’s not my feeling. So that means it’s not time.”
Following Monday’s regular season finale against rival Raines, the Trojans will being preparation for the playoffs. Ribault is looking to win the programs 12th state championship.