At one point this season, the South Park girls' basketball team was 7-5. It was Dec. 28 and they had just lost games on consecutive nights, the first by 14 points, the second by 22.

Obviously, things didn't look all that great.

From there, the Eagles got it together; they rolled up their sleeves, got to work and eventually were good enough to earn the WPIAL Class AA title.

As a result of a second half resurgence that culminated in a WPIAL championship game win against Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, South Park coach Reggie Wells has earned Post-Gazette Coach of the Year honors.

A Pennsylvania state trooper, Wells just finished his third year coaching the girls after spending five years as coach of the South Park boys. He took time to answer a few questions:

Finish this sentence, South Park won the WPIAL title because ... We had a lot of talent that came together at the right time.

Favorite food: It seems like everything, but it has to be cookies, they are my downfall.

Best player you have coached against? Chartiers Valley's Mike Colbert and Emily Correal from Peters Township.

You have coached both boys' and girls' basketball. What aspects of the girls' game are better? The girls are really fierce competitors, but they seem to be more forgiving and get back to it harder after disappointments. They forgive easier.

If you win the lottery, what is the first thing you buy? Probably a new house.

Is coaching overrated? I really think it is. In some regards, if you can get a group that is good, you don't even really have to say too much. If they have a strong will, they can accomplish great things without a great coach.

One television show you never miss? "Law & Order."

You are a Pennsylvania state trooper. What do you carry over from that job to coaching? Being fair. You have to be fair with people out on the road and listen to them. A lot of times, they are speeding, and it is just because they need to get home to take care of something important. You have to listen to your players, too. When you ask a question, you really have to value your players' input.

Your son, Reggie, plays in the NFL for the Arizona Cardinals. What have you learned from him? That through hard work and believing in yourself, you can accomplish greatness.