Perkins to Lead CCC Women’s Basketball

Central Community College athletics has announced the appointment of Billy Perkins as head coach of its women's basketball team. Perkins succeeds Mike Kroupa, who took a similar position at Cedar Bluffs High School.

"What a privilege it is to be named as head coach of CCC women's basketball," said Perkins. "It is an honor to be able to work with the people I'm working with and to be a part of a family and this college community."

Perkins comes to CCC following a 19-year coaching career in the competitive high schools ranks in Texas, where he amassed over 200 career wins. He spent last season rebuilding the program at Iowa Park High School, where he led his young squad to a postseason berth.

For the previous eight seasons, Perkins led the girls' basketball program at Childress High School, rebuilding it into a perennial postseason contender. During his tenure at CHS, he led the Lady Cats to their first 30-win season, first district title in 20 years, and the school's first berth in the regional tournament. Perkins developed Childress's first Texas All-State player as well as an all-district MVP, all-district offensive player, all-district defensive player, and several other all-district selections. Perkins was named Amarillo Golden Spread 2A and 3A Coach of the Year in 2013 for his efforts leading the Lady Cats.

Prior to his stint in Childress, Perkins spent a year at Rio Vista High School, where he led the Lady Eagles to a postseason victory and was named the 2008 Johnson County Coach of the Year. He also coached the offensive and defensive players of the year.

Perkins grew up in Colombia, South America, where his family served as missionaries for the Church of Christ. While there, he learned to speak Spanish and appreciate cultural diversity. Perkins returned to Texas, where he graduated from high school and went on to college at West Texas A&M University. Following graduation, he coached tennis and basketball for four years in Childress before going to Sul Ross State University to pursue his master's degree. In addition to first obtaining a master of education degree, Perkins also earned a master of administration from Sul Ross State. While there he also served as graduate assistant for the women's basketball team.

Perkins and his wife, Celesta, live in Platte Center and are the parents of four children: Tesema, 9; Malia, 7; Leialani, 5; and Faitau, 3.

The CCC women's basketball team opens the 2017-18 season on Thursday, Nov. 2, against Mount Marty JV. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. at Raider Fieldhouse.