THOMASVILLE — Amy (Chason) Hagan was a standout athlete at Cairo High.

At Colquitt County, Hagan’s abilities on the sideline have helped her develop into an invaluable coach.

The former Cairo star — who married William Hagan Jr. of Thomasville last year — just concluded her third season as an assistant coach on Colquitt County’s basketball and softball teams.

“She is a real good teacher of shooting the basketball,” Colquitt County girls basketball coach Joe Parker said. “She’s great with the kids.”

“I enjoy coaching, it’s tons of fun,” Hagan said, “The kids, the relationships you build and watching the kids grow, not only on the court but in the classroom.”

Hagan was a three-sport star with the Syrupmaids, playing guard in basketball, the outfield and as a pitcher in softball and singles in tennis.

One word comes to mind when reminiscing about life as a high school athlete.

“Busy,” Hagan said. “I did it year-round. Summers were basketball camps and softball tournaments.

Softball was in the fall and basketball lasted until this time. And I was playing tennis before I could get my basketball shoes off.”

Hagan’s hard work paid off in her senior season. She was named Region 1-AAAA player of the year in basketball and softball.

“I was partial to basketball,” Hagan added. “That was kind of where my heart was at and still is, coaching-wise.

“I enjoyed softball and I was good at it. I was always a good hitter. I was usually our No. 3 hitter.”

Hagan’s success on the court and diamond helped her find a collegiate home at Albany’s Darton College.

Hagan’s love for basketball was quickly challenged during her freshman year. During the conference championship game against Georgia Perimeter, Hagan suffered a torn ACL — an injury she continues to suffer through today.

“I’ve had four knee surgeries since then,” Hagan said. “I had my most recent one back in July to try to get it completely well. But it will never be well. It still bothers me.

“It was real disappointing, mainly because I was doing real well. I think I was averaging 13, 14 points a game, you know it was a significant amount. We actually won that game and we won the next game … which got us in the national tournament which was in Kansas. I had to go to Kansas on crutches and watch our team play.

“We finished like No. 8 in the nation that year. It was so disheartening because we worked so hard and had a really good team.”

Hagan tried to play following season, but was never given clearance by doctors. But her experience with knee injuries has been beneficial to the Packers program.

“Our little shooting guard, (Laquita Smith) here at Colquitt County is a junior, she started for us, real good, was averaging 10-12 points once she got hurt,” Hagan said. “Third game of the season she tore her knee. I’ve had to stand by her side and encourage her.

“I talk with her on a regular basis, ‘You going to therapy? How’s therapy going?’ and make sure she keeps up with her classes and let her know it’ll all be worth it in the long run.”

Parker added: “She knows all about therapy and where their mindset is.”

Hagan has had a significant impact with the Packers program — a job she’s grown to enjoy.

“If sports is all you’ve ever known, it’s kind of hard to get away from it,” Hagan said. “I had to find a way to stay involved in sports even though I couldn’t play. That’s when I started coaching.

“I think this is where I’m supposed to be. I think God gave me all this talent for a reason. I can relate just because I played and I was in the situation with them.”