Inductees

Wayland High School
1952-1956

No legend looms larger in Kentucky High School sports than that of Kelly Coleman of the Wayland High “Wasps.” Playing from 1952 through 1956, the colorful “King” Kelly amassed a staggering 4,337 career points and a senior season scoring an average of 46.8—all without the benefit of the 3-point shot.

The two-time “All-Stater” led his “Wasps” to a 3rd place finish in the exciting 1956 Sweet Sixteen tournament. Often referred to as “King Kelly’s Tournament,” Coleman set a single game scoring record of 68 points and 29 rebounds – records that still stand unchallenged 56 years later.

“King” Kelly’s legendary High-school career ended with him being named as Kentucky’s “Mr. Basketball” in ’56 and as a “Dell Sports” Magazine First Team “All-American.”

Henry Clay High School
1983

As a player and then as the coach, his home was always at Henry Clay High. His coaching career record of wins and losses was 654-237. The Blue Devil teams made eight (8) KHSAA Sweet Sixteen appearances earning a state title in 1983, in a classic game with Carlisle County. Coach Prewitt’s legendary career was capped of with the Henry Clay gym being named in his honor and his induction into the KHSAA Hall of Fame in 1996.

Breckinridge County High School
1965

Beard led the Fighting Bearcats to consecutive title games in 1964 and ’65, helping the team win it all in ’65. He was twice named All-State and was named Mr. Basketball in 1965. He played at the University of Louisville alongside Wes Unseld. He was a highly successful NBA player and coach.

Louisville Ballard High School
1989

Houston, who went on to play for the New York Knicks, led Ballard to the 1989 state title and was that season’s Mr. Basketball. He earned All-American honors as a senior and played at the University of Tennessee.

Pleasure Ridge Park High School

Andy Penick led Pleasure Ridge Park to the state’s greatest basketball event, the 1989 Sweet 16 championship and earned the MVP Award. He helped PRP reach the final four in 1988. His high school career was amazing, being named to his third consecutive All-State team in 1990, a two time All American, two time All State Tournament Team, selected for two McDonald’s All American Games. In the 1990 Kentucky-Indiana All-Star Games, he had two stellar performances. Andy continued his basketball career at Michigan State University.

Brewers High School
1948

Barney Thweatt was the team captain for the last unbeaten Kentucky high school basketball state champion. The 1948 Brewers Redmen completed their season with a perfect 36-0 record defeating mighty Maysville in the final championship game. He was named to the 1947 All-State Team and All-State Tournament Team. He would go on to become a star player for both Memphis and Murray State Universities. A stellar coaching career would follow at Oldham County and Paducah Tilghman. Barney Thweatt’s basketball accomplishments were astounding, but it was his character and leadership skills that were equally impressive. Hypothetically speaking, if the Hall of Fame inductees were a team, Barney would arguably be selected as captain!

Paris High School
1977-1979

A Kentucky Miss Basketball in 1979, Beth was also recognized as a 1st team Parade All-American. She was selected by the state’s sportswriters as Kentucky’s Female Athlete of the Year, a member of the Kentucky-Indiana All-Star Team, and a recipient of the national ‘Hertz #1 Award’. She scored over 1600 career points and was a member of the KHSAA State Tournament Teams of 1977, 1978, and 1979. All-State 1978, and 1979.

Paintsville High School
1983-2008
2013-2016

The Paintsville Tigers had a coach for 28 years who truly had “the Tiger by the tail”, leading them to over 700 wins including 14 district titles, 8 regional titles, 4 Final Four state tournament appearances, and a Sweet 16 championship in 1996.  His coaching achievements put him in the same category as mountain coaching greats Russell Williamson, Bobby Keith, John Bill Trivette, Patrick Payne and Pearl Combs.  Coach Bill Mike Runyon retired and is now a coaching legend for the ages.

Scott County High School
1998-2007
Coach Billy Hicks is the winningest coach in Kentucky high school basketball history with over 1000 wins and have his teams reach the State Championship game seven times. This achievement has never before been recorded in Kentucky Basketball History. He has won 11 regional titles and 2 state championships at Scott County in 1998 and 2007. His teams have set a record for state tournament wins during his coaching tenure to date. Billy credits his good fortune to having great kids to work with, a Mother who understood the need for a college education, and a wife who has supported him tirelessly along the way.

Lexington Lafayette High School
1957

Lickert led Lafayette to the state championship in 1957, scoring 26 points in the championship game. He was named All-State in 1956 and ’57 and was named Mr. Basketball in ’57. He played with Cox at UK.