PHOTO | N.C. CENTRAL ATHLETICS

Tynesha Lewis, an assistant women’s basketball coach at North Carolina Central the last three seasons, is Elizabeth City’s new head coach.

Former Charlotte Sting Tynesha Lewis is headed to the CIAA as Elizabeth City State women’s head basketball coach.

Lewis, a Macclesfield, North Carolina native who played collegiately at N.C. State, spent the last three seasons as an assistant coach at N.C. Central. She was an assistant coach at Illinois State in 2012-13 and graduate assistant at her alma mater. She replaces interim coach Daphnie Johnson, who led the Vikings to an 11-19 record last year.

“I am grateful to have the opportunity to serve as the head coach of ECSU,” she said. “The opportunity to return to the 252 is both exciting and humbling. I do not take lightly the responsibility of mentoring, coaching and molding the lives of young adults. The goal of our program is to win everywhere. Win in the classroom. Win on the court. Win in the community. Above all, win in life.”

Lewis, who played with the Sting from 2003-05, was drafted by Houston in 2001 as the 31st overall WNBA pick. She also played with Minnesota from 2005-06. The North Carolina State graduate was a four-time All-ACC selection and helped the Wolfpack advance to the 1998 Final Four and 2001 Sweet 16.

When Lewis left NCSU, she was  first in triple doubles and averaged 13.2 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game.

“The pressure faced to provide an incredible head coach and leader for our women’s basketball program was something that we took very seriously,” ECSU athletics director George Bright said. “We’re hiring a seasoned veteran who has absolutely earned the right to be a head coach.” I firmly believe that coaches have a critical, positive and significant impact on the lives of student-athletes here at ECSU and across our country.  I believe that we have the right coach at the right time to lead the Mighty Vikings women’s basketball program now and into the future.”

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