Lifelong Calera resident James Knowles was recently named the new girls head basketball coach at Calera High School.

Knowles takes over for Scott Gafford, who resigned this summer after leading the Lady Eagles to the AHSAA Final Four two years in a row.

Knowles spent 17 years coaching at Shelby Academy, where he led both the girls and boys basketball teams to state titles. He most recently coached at B.B. Comer.

&uot;He brings experience to our girls program,&uot; said Calera boys basketball coach and athletic director Robert Burdette. &uot;We are excited to have him on board.&uot;

Knowles said he leans toward an intense style similar to the one that has proved successful for the boys program.

But he said he would tailor the team’s style of play according to the strenghts of the roster.

&uot;I like to play pressure defense and man-to-man (defense),&uot; Knowles said. &uot;But if it’s not possible, we’ll do something else.&uot;