Rotary Program: 1/12/05

Program Chairperson: Ron Damron

Speaker: Randy McCoy, Head Men’s Basketball Coach - Pikeville College

Randy McCoy is a graduate of Pikeville College and has spent the last 28 years coaching at Elkhorn City High School, Morehead State University and Pikeville College. His record at Pikeville College stands at 125 wins and 51 losses and he has led the team to the NAIA Tournament 3 times in the last 5 years.

Randy says this year began with many questions having lost 6 seniors and about 70% of their offense, but a good recruiting year enabled them to get some good players who are getting better with every game, which has helped them get to their present record of 14 and 2. Tough losses at Martin Methodist and then again at Cincinnati Christian causes frustration, but they have learned from the experience before getting into conference play. The Bears are ranked 22nd in the country this week, but if a few things had been done differently, they could easily have been in the top 15 instead. Randy talked about a few of the players and the roles they have assumed. First, Chris Carroll, from Williamson, West Virginia has played mostly in the post position and has improved his game tremendously. Daniel Price from Jackson, Mississippi is a player who is a joy to meet, does well academically, is a good leader on the court, and one who puts his all into the whole 40 minutes. Jarell Jones, another Mississippian gives a great effort in every game and is likely to shoot the three and make it. Another young man from Jackson, Mississippi is named B. J. Townsend, but he has been red-shirted due to a knee injury. This has been a disappointment, but he will be back in good form for next year. Immanuel Tekie, a junior from Canada, has struggled a little with his shooting, but is beginning to get his eye back and is now making his shots more consistently. Martin Gerlero, from Argentina, is a Dean’s list student who does everything asked of him. He doesn’t understand a word that Coach McCoy says when he is being bawled out, so that is why they get along so well. Michael Hall, who played at South Floyd, was red-shirted last year and is improving this year but has a way to go yet to reach his full potential. Jarrod Adkins, from Millard, is another quality person who can shoot the ball and has two years left after this season. The new kids that have been recruited include Walter Harris, a Division I transfer from Jacksonville State. He is from Birmingham, Alabama and is a great leaper who gives the team a lift in rebounds. Another is Lanere Anderson, a young man from California, who has played both as a starter and off the bench. Kyle Morris, from Springboro, Ohio was born in Kentucky and Coach McCoy says he recruited this kid very strongly, but he went to Lee University in Tennessee. He has now decided to come to Pikeville and Randy says he is very fortunate to have him. Ben Valentine at 6' 10" or 11", is well known around town as the kid from New Zealand, so watch out for him on Hambley Blvd as he doesn’t yet know which way to look when he crosses the street. Others include Asen Marchev, from Sophia, Bulgaria, Ivan Stefanac, from Zagreb, Croatia and Micah Oden, a transfer from Alice Lloyd who is from Jenkins, Kentucky. With all these players, it will be a melting pot, but Coach Randy says it will offer a great opportunity for the students and Pikeville College will be better as well. After a question / answer session, Coach McCoy thanked the Rotary Club for their support and urged everyone to come watch the Bears play this year. Thanks, Coach. - JMC