PAINTSVILLE —
Paintsville basketball players grow up with tradition. There’s the magical state championship run of 1996, countless regional and district titles, and banners honoring the Division I players such as John Pelphrey, Todd Tackett and J.R. Vanhoose.
The one common thread of all Paintsville’s success has been Bill Mike Runyon.
When Runyon capped off a magical career, including eight regional titles, a state championship (1996) and a state runner-up (1998) by kissing the floor at Rupp Arena following a 61-53 loss to Covington Holmes in the Sweet Sixteen, many thought it was an end of an era.
But the ol’ ball coach is back on the sidelines.
“It’s my blood,” said Runyon, while conducting practice earlier this week. It was his eighth practice of the season because he coached the school’s football team, which lost to Pikeville, 63-24, in the opening round of the Class A playoffs. “Paintsville is my home, and there’s no other place I’d rather be.”
Runyon, 56, graduated from Paintsville High School in 1974. He spent four years at Pikeville College and began teaching at PHS in 1978. He won 530 games in his first stint as coach (26 years), which concluded with a 15th Region championship and a berth into the Sweet Sixteen.
“Basketball is a great game, and it’s a simple game,” he said. “There’s not much you can change on an 84-foot court. I’m rested, I’m energized, and I’m going to give it everything I have.”
It’s showing in practice.
Practices are frantic. Drills sometimes last as little as four minutes.
“Make every shot you shoot,” Runyon tells his players.
Les Trimble, the former coach at rival Johnson Central, is assisting Runyon this season. He said players have a deep respect for Runyon.
“When you look up at the banners, he’s been a part of just about everything,” Trimble added. “The players know that he knows what he’s talking about, and he doesn’t settle for anything but their level best.”
Runyon, who won a seat on the Paintsville City Council and unsuccessfully ran for a seat in the Kentucky House two years ago, admits he doesn’t know how much coaching he has left.
“That’ll be determined later on in the season,” he said. “I know that I’m enjoying the game as much as I did before. As for how long, who knows, but I’m very happy right now.”
Local Sports
Reenergized Runyon back with Paintsville basketball
- Local Sports
-
-
62nd District Softball: East playing second fiddle no longer
East Carter’s Morgan Jacobs fired a pitch across the plate for strike three in the bottom of the seventh inning and jumped into the arms of first baseman Montana Fouts.
-
Salow Show: Ashland ace halts Boyd’s district streak
What’s the encore for a perfect game?
-
62nd District baseball: Staton strives after storm
East Carter’s Conner Staton hasn’t lost a 62nd District in his high school career. As a senior, he wasn’t going to let that change.
-
63rd District baseball: Greenup County outduels Lewis, 7-3
Lightning delayed the 63rd District Tournament championship game several times following the first inning on Tuesday, creating a late night for Greenup County and Lewis County.
-
Boyd’s Fraley commits to Herd
Boyd County sophomore basketball player Logan Fraley has announced her commitment to Marshall University.
The 5-foot-11 shooting guard informed Marshall women’s coach Matt Daniel of her decision on Monday morning, which was confirmed by Boyd County coach/father Pete Fraley via text message. -
63rd softball: Greenup leans on bunting, baserunning; Russell wins
Immersed in another district contest with little breathing room, Greenup County softball coach Eric Keeton resorted to the strengths of his lineup: bunting and baserunning.
Two bunts and a swinging bunt helped the Lady Musketeers scratch across three runs in the fifth inning of a 6-2 victory over Raceland in the 63rd District Tournament opening round on Monday night at Russell High School. Top-seeded Russell defeated Lewis County, also 6-2, earlier in the evening. -
Boyd pounds out 11 hits to go along with Grimm’s shutout, 14-0
Robbie Shivel might be a little sore after Monday night, but it was Fairview that left the game battered and bruised.
Boyd County belted out 11 hits to go along with Dylan Grimm's complete-game gem as the Lions roared past Fairview, 14-0, in the opening round of the 64th District Tournament at Ashland's Alumni Field. The game lasted five innings. -
Different look, same results for Lady Lions
A longtime fixture in the 64th District softball championship game, Boyd County looked different this return trip.
The Lady Lions defeated Fairview 10-5 in Monday’s district semifinal, which doubled as an Autism Awareness Night. Boyd County players wore light blue shirts and colorful, jigsaw puzzle socks for the event, which had to be rescheduled more than once due to weather problems. -
Musketeers explode in final 2 innings to beat Raceland; good times continue for Lewis
Through the first four innings of its 63rd District Tournament opener, Greenup County found itself hitless. The Musketeers made up for it over the next two innings.
Greenup County scored eight runs on eight hits in the final two innings to defeat Raceland, 9-1, at Russell High School on Monday. -
The will to win
Opponents get the same look from Emily Stewart whether it’s softball, basketball or soccer season.
Steely eyed and lips pursed, the Boyd County senior is keenly focused and all business between the lines. - More Local Sports Headlines
-
62nd District Softball: East playing second fiddle no longer
Jodi Arias: Death Penalty Would Cause More Pain
Looking for Love? Take the Prague Metro
Crews Race to Find Survivors of Okla. Twister
First Person: Baby Falcons on a New York Bridge
Oklahoma: Images of Devastation, Reunion
Reunited Dad, Son: 'We Just Praise God'
Slow Pokes: Acupuncture Helps Sick Turtles
Moore, Okla. City of Reunions, Tears After Storm
Former IRS Chief: Can't Say How List Happened
Gov. Fallin: Okla. Facing Horrific Disaster
Tim Cook Defends Apple's Tax Accounting
AP Photograher: 'It Was a Miracle' They Got Out
Raw: Crews Search for Survivors of Okla. Tornado
Raw: Tearful Reunion After Okla. Tornado
OKC Hospital Describes Treating Tornado Wounded
Obama Pledges Urgent Aid for Tornado Victims
Raw: Massive Funnel Clouds in Oklahoma
