Georgia Highlands’ head women’s basketball coach, Brandan Harrell, received the 2016 NJCAA District J Coach of the Year Award.

The District J Coach of the Year Award is given to the coach whose team wins the District J tournament. This year, the Lady Chargers won the District J championship, guaranteeing Harrell the award.

“The award is just a reflection of what they did,” Harrell said. “The players are the ones who got us in the tournament and won the game.”

Harrell added, “The award is just a reflection of the players we have.”

Due to their victory in the district tournament, the Lady Chargers advanced to nationals.

“Our players getting a chance to play in the national tournament was a higher priority than the coaching award,” Harrell said. “I was more focused on the tournament.”

Harrell received the award after the district championship in Lubbock, Tx.