With tears in his eyes, emotion in his voice, and his parents by his side, Kerry Stovall was introduced Friday morning as the first boys’ head basketball coach at the new Christian County High School.
Stovall, who previously coached the Christian County Colonels from 2001-11 and 2017-2020, was introduced as the new Christian County Tigers’ boys’ basketball coach at a news conference in front of a large crowd of specators, fans, and administrators at the Central Office Board Room.
Stovall has been the Christian County Public Schools Athletics and Activities Director since 2020. He said now seemed like the right time to return to the sideline.
Stovall won six Region 2 championships and the school’s only Sweet 16 State Tournament title in 2011 during his first stint as the Christian County Colonels’ head coach. He also coached 2011 Kentucky Mr. Basketball Anthony Hickey, Jr.
Stovall, who resigned after winning the state title to spend more time with his family, returned to coach the Colonels from 2017-20 and took the team to the 2018 Region 2 championship game where they fell to University Heights Academy.
His record at Christian County is 251-45.
New Christian County High School Principal Ken Carver said there were a number of applications, but it was Stovall’s experience that made him the perfect choice to be the school’s first boys’ basketball coach.
Stovall also coached at Lyon County (girls), Dawson Springs, West Hopkins, and Muhlenberg South. His overall coaching record is 448-388.
The veteran coach said he is excited to coach a team that combines the talent of both Christian County and Hopkinsville high schools
Stovall said he had met briefly with players from both Christian County’s and Hopkinsville’s programs and expectations are high from the coaching staff and players.
Most of Stovall’s coaching staff is set, although he said a few more assistants could be added in the coming weeks and months. Former Hopkinsville High School and University Heights Academy coach, Terry Hayes, who coached with Stovall at Dawson Springs, and Anthony Babb, who is the Hopkinsville High School head coach, both are joining Stovall’s staff. Current Christian County Colonels’ assistant coach Cortez Ivory, also will be part of the staff and Stovall said his friend and former assistant coach, Marty Martin, will, “be in the gym some days.”
Stovall also said he has spoken to Christian County Colonels head coach Dior Curtis about joining the staff and is waiting for a response from Curtis.
Meanwhile, Stovall said it is important to continue the high standard of Christian County and Hopkinsville basketball moving forward.
Carver said Stovall will resign as the district athletics and activities director effective June 30 to fulfill the basketball coaching duties.
Carver also said the girls’ basketball coaching position at the new school has attracted a number of applicants and a news conference will be held in the coming weeks to announce the first Lady Tigers’ head basketball coach.
Photos by Joe Wilson