A Legacy of Excellence On & Off the Court

Estella Florez was born in Chicago in December 1956. When she was preparing to enter high school, her pastor, Rev. Claude B. Kelley (Class of 1948), invited Academy President Hubert Smothers to speak at Northwest Missionary Baptist Church in Chicago. During his time in Illinois, Pastor Kelley encouraged several young people to attend HCBA. Estella had never been away from home, but when her parents asked her if she wanted to try it, she stepped out in faith and said yes.

That turned out to be a win-win decision, as Estella flourished as a student and athlete for four years at Chilhowee, and because of Estella’s athleticism, the academy’s girls’ basketball program was elevated to a higher level. Although her parents were never able to see her play basketball in high school, Pastor Kelley raised the funds to bring them to Seymour for her high school graduation in 1975.

Estella brought her quickness and long-range shooting skills with her from the courts of Chicago and found an instant home on campus and in Stokely Gymnasium. She wowed crowds with her left-hand hook shot as her speed often caught opponents off guard. Jim Phillips was her coach for three years at HCBA. Lester McCarter added girls’ basketball to his coaching responsibilities her senior year.

Highlights during her high school career, which occurred prior to Tennessee adopting the 3-point shot in 1987, include:

• 1972–1973
  • Best Hustler Award
  • Most Valuable Player
• 1973–1974
  • 22.6 Points Per Game Average
  • Most Valuable – Forward
  • Most Valuable Player – Team
  • All-District
  • All-Tournament
• 1974–1975
  • 47 Points – School Single-Game Scoring Record against Rush Strong (Jefferson County)
  • 28.3 Points Per Game Average (Best in Sevier County, Top Ten in Tennessee)
  • All-District
  • All-Tournament
  • All-State
  • Jersey #30 Retired

After graduating from HCBA in 1975, she attended Virginia State College (now University) in Petersburg, Virginia, on a basketball scholarship. Estella majored in Health and Physical Education and received a state teaching license. She proved to be an outstanding contributor on the Trojans Women’s Basketball Team. In 1979, she garnered the following recognitions:

• All-CIAA Conference
• All-CIAA Conference Tournament
• VSU Sports Staff – Most Valuable Player

In 1990, Virginia State University named Estella Florez Simmons to its Trojans Athletic Hall of Fame for her outstanding performance, leadership, and success in their Women’s Basketball program.

In the fall of 1979, she returned to HCBA as a PE teacher, Resident Life Assistant, and Coach of the Girls’ Basketball, Soccer, and Softball teams. During her four-year tenure, she coached academy standout Brenda Singleton, who was a state scoring leader and whose Jersey #43 was retired by the academy in 1983.

She then returned to Virginia; married her husband, Luther Simmons; and served as a teacher and coach in public education. After four years, they moved to Tennessee. Luther began his career as an engineer at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and Estella began teaching and coaching in Oak Ridge Schools. In 1991, Estella earned the Master of Elementary Education at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. She currently teaches Sixth Grade and is Assistant Track Coach at Robertsville Middle School.

The consummate student-athlete, teacher, and coach, Estella lives by her signature admonition: “Whenever you attempt to do anything, always empty your tank! Give it all you’ve got!”

Luther and Estella live in Knoxville and have two adult children, Rachel and Johnathan, who reside in Chattanooga. They have one grandson, Reece. Luther and Estella attend Oak Valley Baptist Church, where she serves as an usher.

Coach Simmons has now taught and coached a total of 47 years. She credits HCBA, and particularly Hubert Smothers, for “probably keeping me out of trouble.” She says, “Mr. Smothers always made me feel like I was part of the family. He always checked on me and had me over to his house. I am still in contact with his children. It is not uncommon for me to get an invitation to Sunday dinner with them.”