Horse Cave Colored School
1938 — 1956
The legend of Coach Newton Thomas is one of the most unique stories in Kentucky high school basketball history. In 1938, as principal of tiny Horse Cave High School, he responded to the students’ request to form a basketball team that would compete in the Kentucky Athletic League. In the process of educating himself in preparation to coach basketball, he attended a clinic in 1938 given by UK Coach Adolph Rupp. Upon returning to Horse Cave, he had a goal placed outside the school. Coach Thomas was on a path that would lead him to the Glory Road of Kentucky high school basketball.
The Tigers improved quickly, and in the seasons of 1944 and 1945 his teams won 65 consecutive games, two KAL state titles and a national championship. Clarence Wilson and Carl Helem, KHSBHF members, were players on these Horse Cave teams. Coach Thomas ended his career as an educator, teaching advanced math and science classes at consolidated Caverna High School. He stayed involved by coaching Little League basketball where a young Clarence Glover, future KHSBHF member, began his basketball journey. Coach Newton Thomas is deceased.