Tighe Davis

During the 1980’s and 1990’s Tighe Davis developed the Astoria High School’s girls basketball teams into one of the top Cowapa League and AA programs in the state.

Coach Davis was born in Astoria and grew up in the Astoria school system attending grade school at Lewis and Clark (Central,) Astoria Jr. High, and Astoria High School. He participated in football, baseball, track, golf and basketball. Davis played on the 1966 team that won the 1966 metro-league title under Hall of Fame coach Pete Bryant.

Moving back to Astoria in 1971, he began teaching 5th grade at Lewis and Clark (Central,) where he helped coach 6th grade boys basketball. In 1976 he moved to Astoria Middle School and taught 5th-8th grade until his retirement in 2001. Coach Davis found his niche coaching 8th grade girls basketball for three years before accepting a position at the high school to coach JV girls basketball for the next five years. He did interrupt this by taking the varsity position on an interim basis in 1981. This team was co-league champions, placed third at the state tournament, and finished with an overall record of 23-4. Not bad for your first varsity coaching stint!

Davis would become the permanent girls varsity coach in 1983 and hold that position for the next 17 years. It did not take Coach Davis long to find more success as his first team back won the league title and placed 4th at the state tournament.

In Coach Davis’ 18 years of varsity girls basketball, his teams dominated the leagues’ top two spots. His teams had two undefeated league championships, six outright league championships and two co-league championships. They went to the state tournament 13 of the 18 years. They won trophies in 1981-3rd, 1984-4th, 1991-5th, and 2000-5th.

If there ever was a model of consistency, it had to be Coach Davis. In 18 years his teams had 16 winning seasons, 8 league titles, 13 state appearances (5 trophies), and an overall record of 326 wins and 133 losses – a .710 winning percentage. The main thing his players had to say was, “look out for the stare!”

Coach Davis retired from coaching in 2000 and teaching in 2001. He remains in the area with his wife Connie and their children and grandchildren. You will see him at volleyball and basketball games supporting fishermen athletics.