Don Ketchum
Former Staff Writer, AZPreps365.com

Liberty girls hoops coach Berry heads to Ariz. Christian U.

August 8, 2013 by Don Ketchum, AZPreps365


Peoria Liberty is searching for a new girls’ basketball coach after veteran floor boss Odell Berry informed school administrators he was stepping down to become the women’s basketball coach at Arizona Christian University in Phoenix.

Liberty first-year athletic director David Svorinic confirmed the move on Thursday (Aug. 8) and said applications are being accepted and interviews are being conducted.

“There is no timetable (for a replacement), but we hope to have someone sooner rather than later,’’ Svorinic said.

Since the 2009-10 season, Berry’s teams posted a combined 71-43 record, including a 22-7 finish last season. The new coach will have a solid group with which to build, including junior Courtney Christmas.

Word has it that Berry will have long-time assistant Wes Picciotti join him at ACU, along with his son, Doug Berry, a former girls’ coach at Scottsdale Desert Mountain.