KAREN WEITZ

it was the first time in 21 years that a school from southern Nevada won a large-school state girls’ basketball title.

ing career.

While at Swainston Middle School in Las Vegas, she led the first-year girls’ middle school program to the city championship during the 1994-95 season. In 1999, Weitz went to the newly opened Centennial High School to teach physical education and run the girls’ basketball program.

The first Centennial team won the division title, city championship and posted a 30-1 record before losing in the state playoffs. In 2002, Weitz’s team won the Nevada large-school state basketball championship and completed a perfect 34-0 season. That year,

Weitz is known as a skillful coach and teacher who exemplifies competitiveness, while instilling the development of life skills. She has built her programs on discipline, setting high standards and accountability. Her teams also have been nationally ranked. That philosophy led to success. In fact, no coach has won more games in Nevada high school basketball history than Weitz. With more than 700 wins and counting as the girls’ coach at Cheyenne and Centennial, she has built a dynasty with 14 state championships, including eight straight titles.

In May of 2022, she took on the responsibility of coaching the Centennial boys’ teams, in addition to staying on to oversee the girls team.

BORN: June 5, 1968

CLAIM TO FAME: Weitz has won 14 state championships and recorded more than 700 wins.