12th Region Boys Basketball Coaches Association 25th Year Anniversary

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12^th Region Boys Basketball Coaches Association Celebrating 25^th Year Anniversary

Brief history of the 12^th Region Boys Basketball Coaches Association

The 12^th Region Boys Basketball Coaches Association was founded in the fall of 1988. Roscoe Denney Head Coach at Danville at the time, at the urging of brothers Jack and Wade Upchurch, organized and developed the association and served as its’ President during the first two years of its’ existence. Don Irvine of Burgin served as Vice-President and Barry Welty of Harrodsburg served as Secretary-Treasurer.

Denney worked diligently during the summer of ’88 to develop the constitution by-laws and recognition programs to be instituted. Programs such as the all-region teams, all-academic team, coach of the year and official (referee) of the year awards were established. Denney also implemented a Regional Freshman Tournament and a Jr. All Star game that very first year.

An all regional banquet was held in the spring of ’89 to publicly recognize the all regional teams and other award recipients. The banquet was held at the Holiday Inn in Somerset. The late Coach Tom Bryant of Centre College was the guest speaker.

In 2004, during a second term of Presidency Denney installed the 12^th Region Hall of Fame. The Hall consists of three categories which include players, coaches, and contributor’s hall of fame.

The Jr. All Star game became the Gene Lowe Jr. All Star Game in 2003 and was played in memory of Gene Lowe of London who was a great supporter of 12^th region basketball for over forty years. Lowe was also inducted into the inaugural Hall of Fame class. A 12^th Region Old Timers Game was held as a part of the first Gene Lowe Jr. All Star Game in 2003.

Under the leadership of Chris O'Bryan and Damon Kelley the association has started a Junior Varsity Regional Tournament.

Currently the officers of the 12^th Region Coaches Association are: President-Chris O’Bryan East Jessamine and Treasurer- Damon Kelley West Jessamine.

Rodney Woods Wayne County, Don Irvine former Burgin coach, and Shawn Thacker former Somerset coach dedicated themselves to the 12^th Region Coaches Association over the years and are to be commended for their efforts.

Prephoops Note: A special thanks to Roscoe Denney for providing this information and historical record of this fine organization.