Alabama coach Kristy Curry loves being a high school girls basketball mom

Alabama women's basketball coach Kristy Curry gets the most nervous not during coaching the Crimson Tide but when watching her daughter Kendall play high school basketball. 

Kendall is a senior guard at Northridge high in Tuscaloosa. The Jaguars were set to open postseason play when they host the Class 6A Area 7 girls tournament starting Wednesday. 

Kendall has been a four-year varsity starter for the Jaguars and helped them advanced to a Class 6A Final Four in 2020. Her coach, Jake Carnley, said Kendall is one of those players whose impact doesn't always show on the stat sheets. This season Kendall has been tasked with guarding the opponent's best shooter. 

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Growing up, it was Alabama assistant coach – and Kendall's dad, Kelly Curry – who spent the most time with Kendall and her older sister, Kelsey, practicing basketball. Kristy wants to try and stay just being their mom, which is time she doesn't take for granted. 

"I always say my favorite thing is being a mom," Kristy said. "In coaching we spend a lot of time with other peoples' daughters, and the time that we get to support our own is really special. I think the thing about it is it's a lot of fun for me, and the good thing about it is that's one place I can kind of get away from work and it's not necessarily the quantity of time but the quality of time."

That's not to say Kendall and Kristy don't talk about basketball. It's something that shows up when Kendall takes the court. Her teammates have nicknamed her "Coach Curry" as she sees the game from a different perspective through talking with her parents, mostly at the dinner table. 

Kristy tries to attend every game she can, but head coaching duties sometimes interfere. She has attended almost every game this season. When she goes to the games, she likes to find a quiet place in the gym to watch her daughter play. Kristy likes to stay reserved during Kendall's games.  

While on the road coaching the Crimson Tide, the elder Currys stay updated on Northridge games through either other players' parents or daughter Kelsey. Kristy appreciates how everyone involved around the team lets her be Kendall's mom and not the Alabama coach. 

Being a basketball mom comes with responsibilities. Kristy was scheduled to be is on drink duty for the Jaguars at the opening of the area tournament.