Press Release: Date: March 13, 2026

Easley High School Athletic Department Announcement

RE: Introduction of New Easley High School Head Varsity Girls Basketball Coach

Mr. Lamont Wakefield has been tabbed as the Head Girls Basketball Coach at Easley High School. Coach Wakefield arrives at Easley from JL Mann High School where he has served as Head Girls Basketball Coach for the past 9 seasons. Coach Wakefield inherited a team at JL Mann that had won only 1 game in the previous 3 seasons and built the program into a consistent region and state contender at the 5A level. Prior to JL Mann, Coach Wakefield took over a Southside HS program that didn’t win a game in 3 seasons and once again built a perennial powerhouse that won a state championship in 2010. Coach Wakefield clinched his 400th win during the 2026 season, elevating him to among the elite head coaches in the state of South Carolina.

During his illustrious coaching career, Coach Wakefield has had 20 state playoff appearances, 4 Upper State Finals, 1 Upper State Championship, 3 Upper State runners-up, along with his 1 State Title. He has won 7 Region Championships and has been named Region Coach of the Year 5 times. He was also recognized in 2010 as the High School Sports Report Coach of the Year in South Carolina. Coach Wakefield has also served as both Head Coach and Assistant in the North/South All-Star Game and Head Coach of the prestigious Carolina Classic All-Star Game.

Coach Wakefield has been an instructor at numerous college camps including University of North Carolina Women’s Basketball Camp, Clemson University Women’s Basketball Camp, the University of Tennessee Women’s Camp under Pat Summitt, the Furman University Women’s Camp, and the Adidas All-American Camp in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Asked about coming to Easley, Coach Wakefield stated that “I want to rebuild the program that I once knew in Easley. I have coached 2 programs where they hadn’t won a game in 3 years and left them as household names in local girl’s high school basketball. I expect to accomplish the same at Easley High School.”

Easley Athletic Director Gill Payne commented: “My goal from the start was to find the best girls’ basketball coach available and I believe that we hit a homerun. Coach Wakefield is a proven winner who builds programs, and I believe he is the perfect person for EHS.”

Easley Principal Josh Oxendine added, “Coach Wakefield’s success throughout his career speaks for itself. I have had the opportunity to see firsthand how he builds and leads strong programs, and I look forward to watching him invest in and grow our program for years to come. Most importantly, Coach Wakefield is widely respected across the Upstate for his character and integrity. Throughout his career, he has positively influenced countless young people, and he is trusted and admired by many throughout our community.”

Lamont is married to Mrs. Jenita Wakefield, and they have 7 children, 3 daughters-in-laws, and 4 grandchildren. Coach Wakefield will be joining the Easley High School family later this spring.

For more information, contact Gill Payne, Athletic Director at (864) 397-3100 or at gillpayne@pickens.k12.sc.us.