BOYS 2009 KABC Coaches Court of Honor
March 2009
Region 1:
Barney Thweatt - Oldham County and Paducah Tilghman High Schools
Coach Thweatt coached at Oldham County and Paducah Tilghman, winning 225 games, averaging 20 wins a season. His teams won 6 District and 2 Regional Titles. His 1964 Oldham County Team advanced to the Sweeet 16 Final 4, losing to 2-time state champion Louisville Seneca. Please welcome Coach Barney Thweatt into the KABC Court of Honor!
Region 2:
Jim Wallace - Trigg County High School
He roamed the sidelines at Trigg County for 11 years, winning 156 games, 4 District and 1 Regional Championship. His teams reached the Regional Finals 3 times and they claimed the title in 1970. The 1970 team advanced to the Sweet 16 Final Four. His teams helped lay the foundation for the Trigg Country program’s later accomplishments.
Welcome Coah Jim Wallace into the 2009 KABC Court of Honor!
Region 3:
Delmas Gish - Central City High School
His Central City teams won 407 games over a 16-year period and lost only 118, a 76% winning percentage. Central City won 11 District and 6 Regional Championships under his tutelage. The “Golden Tide” swept through the state tourney in 1945. The 1954 Central City Team was undefeated 34-0 before losing to eventual State Champs Inez at the Sweet 16. A western Kentucky legend who helped create the Central City winning mystique, welcome Coach Delmas Gish into the 2009 Coachs Court of Honor!
Coach Gish is deceased. Accepting on his behalf is his son, Lance Gish.
Region 4:
Gerald Sinclair - Logan County
He coached at Forkland, Wayne County, Adairville, Boyle County, Auburn, Chandlers Chapel and Logan County over a 27 year career. His teams won 325 games, and in 1984 his Logan County Cougars claimed the state's ultimate prize, the Sweet 16 championship. The 1984 Logan County team won 34 games, more than any other team in the country. He coached Henry Davis, Captain of the 1972 U.S. Olympic Team during his tenure as Coach at Wayne County High School.
Please welcome Coach Gerald Sinclair into the KABC Court of Honor!
Region 5:
Fred L. Waddle
He coached at Taylor County High School from 1960 through 1990, 17 years as the head coach. His teams compiled a 270-174 win-loss record, winning 8 District and 4 Regional Crowns. He enjoyed eight 20 win seasons and was conference Coach of the year in 1977 and 1978. He also had an outstanding career as track, cross country and golf coach.
A Coach for all seasons, welcome Coach Fred Waddle into the KABC Coaches Court of Honor!
Region 6:
Joe Bergamini - Louisville and St. Xavier High Schools
A standout student athelete at St. X during his High School days, participating in basketball and baseball, he also found time to graduate 1st in his 1973 senior class. He returned to this alma mater St. X to coach boys’ basketball for 30 years, 23 as the head coach. His teams won 338 games and were 7th Region Champions in 1995. He won 7th Region Courier Journal Coach of the Year 4 times, and KABC Regional Coach of the Year 5 times during his career.
An award winning athlete, teacher and coach, please welcome one of Kentucky’s greatest Gentlemen coaches, Joe Bergamini, St. Xavier, into the KABC Court of Honor!
Region 7:
Glenn T. Collie - Valley and Seneca
He coached at Valley and Seneca High School for 15 years winning 300 plus games. His Valley team was state runner-up in 1977. He was the Louisville Courier-Journal and Louisville Times coach of the year in 1985. His 1985 Louisville Seneca team was undefeated in the regular season and won the prestigious Louisville Invitational Tournament.
A Louisville legend, please welcome Glenn T. Collie into the KABC Court of Honor!
Region 8:
Glen Drury - Anderson County High School
A 1977 graduate of Anderson County, he returned home to coach his alma mater in 1987. He built the program into a perennial 8th Region contender, winning 394 games over a 21-year tenure. Anderson County has won 3 District titles and 1 Regional Championship under his leadership. He was KABC Regional coach of the Year 3 times, and the Kentucky Athletic Directors Association Coach of the Year in 1998.
The consummate coach, whose attention to detail sets him apart, please welcome Coach Glen Drury, Anderson County High School into the 2009 KABC Court of Honor!
Region 9: George Schneider
Covington Holy Cross High School
Covington Catholic High School
One of the winningest coaches in northern Kentucky basketball history, with a record of 365-173 at Covington Holy Cross and Covington Catholic. His 1965 Holy Cross Team was the 9th Regional Champion and made a run at the Sweet 16 title, before losing in the finals. His teams were perennial Regional contenders and were always superbly coached.
Please welcom Coach George Schneider into the KABC Coaches Court of Honor!
Region 10: Julian Cunningham
Montgomery County High School
His coaching career spanned nearly 40 years at seven different schools. His teams won over 600 games, 11 District and 2 Regional Championships. He was twice named Mid-State Conference Coach of the Year in 1975 and 1979 and central Kentucky conference coach of the year in 1990. He was inducted into the 10th Regional Hall of Fame in 1987. A true Kentuckian, whose love for horses and basketball were his passions.
Please welcome Coach Julian Cunningham, Montgomery County, a central Kentucky coaching legend, into the KABC Court of Honor.
Coach Cunningham is deceased. Accepting for him is his widow, Jeanette Cunningham, son Les Cunningham, grandsons Bryce Gomes and Brett Kelly.
Region 11: Elmer Baldy Gilb
Henry Clay High School
A native of northern Kentucky, he attended UK in 1925 and never left the Bluegrass. He was an outstanding athlete at Kentucky, earning letters in basketball and baseball. He would later become an assistant basketball coach under Adolph Rupp during the war years. He coached basketball at Henry Clay for 25 years and never had a losing record. His 1952 and 1962 teams won Regional titles and advanced to the Sweet 16. He was selected Central KY Conference and Courier-Journal State Coach of the year in 1958. He would continue to help out at UK under Rupp, as a scout in the 50s and 60s, and was on the floor when Rupps’ Runts lost to Texas Western in 1966. The Henry Clay gymnasium is named in his honor.
Please welcome Coach Elmer “Baldy” Gilb, Henry Clay High School into the KABC Court of Honor.
Coach Gilb is deceased. Accepting for him is ________________.
Region 12: Kirk Chiles
Somerset High School
He coached at 5 different schools and won 516 games over a 26 year coaching career. He is one of only 9 coaches to have coached 3 different schools to the Sweet 16. His teams won four Regional titles and 2 of the teams advanced to the Sweet 16 Final Four, Marshall County '85 and Henry Clay, 2003. He has been named Conference Coach of the Year 11 times, once in each of the 6 Conferences he has coached.
Please welcome Coach Kirk Chiles into the 2009 KABC Court of Honor!
Region 13: Vencil R. “Dinky” Phipps
Barbourville High School
Coaching at one of the smallest school in Kentucky, Barbourville High School, in one of the toughest regions, the 13th, he has carved out a niche in the storied coaching fraternity of that region. Coaching at his alma mater where he starred, his Barbourville teams have won over 500 games during a 27 year career. He has challenged the giants of the 13th and has held his own year in and year out.
A great player, and an even better coach, please welcome Vencil R. “Dinky” Phipps Barbourville High School into the KABC Court of Honor!
Region 14: John Paul Amis
Buckhorn High School
He took over the Buckhorn High School Program in 1985, when the school had never won a District title. His teams over a 9-year period won back to back 14th Region Championships in 1988 and 1989 and were runner-up in 1990. They won the 14th Regional All A title in 1994. Buckhorn won 20 games plus in 6 of his 9 years at the school. Named 14th Regional Coach of the Year 3 times, he would take his extraordinary leadership talents and championship form to become superintendent of Perry County Schools in 1994.
Like A shooting star accross the 14th Region sky, his coaching career, although short, set the basketball landscape ablaze. Please welcome Coach John Paul Amis, Buckhorn High School into the KABC Court of Honor!
Region 15: Johnny Martin
Allen Central High School
A little man in stature, with the competitive heart of a giant, he stood tall in the mountains of eastern Kentucky for 30 years. His Allen Central teams won over 500 games, 11 Districts, 1 KHSAA 15th Regional Championship in 1995. Under his leadership, Allen Central also won an All A regional championship and also played in seven 15th Regional championship games. A Floyd County native, his career added to the coaching legends that are part of the heritage of Eastern Kentucky.
Please welcome Coach John Martin, Allen Central, to the KABC Court of Honor.
Region 16: Randy Ward
Greenup County High School
He coached Greenup County for 20+ years, (1980-2000), compiling a 388-228 win lost record. His teams won 34 Invitational Tournament titles, 11 District and 4 16th Regional Championships. He was selected 16th Regional Coach of the year on 4 occasions. The founder and director of the Ohio - Kentucky All-Star Game played each spring.
One of the most colorful, energetic coaches in the annals of Kentucky high school basketball, please welcome Coach Randy Ward, Greenup County High School, into the KABC Court of Honor.
Girls 2009 Court of Honor Recipients
Regions 1-2
Lanny Lancaster
Mayfield High School
He coached 24 years at Mayfield High School in the always tough 1st Region. His teams won 382 Games and two "All A" regional titles. His 1993 Cardinals made a final four appearance in the "All A" State Tournament. A three time Jackson Purchase Regional Coach of the Year, please welcome Coach Lanny Lancaster, Mayfield High School into the KABC Court of Honor.
Regions 3-4
Mike Reeves
Owensboro Catholic High School
In 17 seasons at Owensboro Catholic High School, his teams won 241 games and two Regional Championships. A man for all seasons, he sponsored the FCA for 19 years, coached softball as well as girls and boys middle school basketball. His teams produced a Miss Basketball, Kris Miller in 1986 and nine scholarship award winners. Please welcome Coach Mike Reeves from Owensboro Catholic High School into the 2009 KABC Court of Honor.
Regions 5-6
Bob Pollock
Meade County High School
For 25 Years he roamed the sidelines at Meade County High School, 12 years as the J.V. coach and 13 years as the head coach. His varsity teams won 250 games averaging just under 20 wins a season. His teams won four District Titles and were Regional Champions in 1985, 1986 and 1994. The Green Wave reached the Sweet 16 Final 4 in 1985 and 1986 under his tutelege. Please welcome four time 5th Region Coach of the Year Bob Pollock of Meade County High School into the KABC Court of Honor.
Regions 7-8
Mark Evans
Oldham County/Louisville Mercy
He has accumulated a 315-180 win/loss record at Oldham County and Louisville Mercy. His teams have won 10 District and 3 Regional titles. He has been named Lexington Herald-Leader and Louisville Courier Journal state coach of the year. He has been KABC Regional Coach of the Year 5 times. Twenty four years of coaching succcessful teams and still going strong... Please welcome Coach Mark Evans into the KABC Court of Honor.
Regions 9-10
Judy Cox
Paris High School
She won 303 games as the coach of the Paris High School Lady Hounds during an 18 year tenure, making her the winningest all-sports coach in Paris High School history. She led 4 teams to the Sweet 16 with one reaching the State finals and another the final 4. She was inducted into the 10th Region Coaches Hall of Fame in 2004 and has received numerous Coach of the Year honors. She made "small" Paris High School "big" in girls hoops. Please welcome Coach Judy Cox of Paris High School into the KABC Court of Honor.
Region 11-12
Wayne Ryan
Wayne County High School
He coached 16 and a half years at Wayne County during two different periods. His Lady Cardinals won 267 games. He was named state coach of the year by the fellowship of christian athletes organization in 1999. A coach of character, please welcome Coach Wayne Ryan of Wayne County High School to the KABC Court of Honor.
Region 13-14
Bill Fannin
Hazard High School
He has coached both the Hazard boys and girls over a 27 year career that is still going strong. His teams have compiled a 505-217 win/loss record. His Lady Bulldog teams won 2 "All A" state titles in 1997 and 1998 and captured the coveted Sweet 16 crown in 1997. Overall, his teams won 10 regional championships in the always tough 14th region. Please welcome Hazard Coach Bill Fannin into the 2009 KABC Court of Honor.
Region 15 & 16
Tammy Tussey
Pike County Central
She taught the Pike County Central Hawks how to fly high during a 12 year tenure as head coach. Her teams won 226 games averaging 19 wins a season. Six district and two regional titles fell prey to the Hawks under her leadership. Eight girls earned scholarships in her program and all eight graduated from college. She was named as Coach of the Year numerous times by various organizations and media outlets. Please welcome Coach Tammy Tussey from Pike County Central into the 2009 KABC Court of Honor.
KABC Membership as of 2-28-10
2009-10 Membership Application (
