By CHRIS HOBBS
HobbsDailyReport.com
The Mustangs have a new head varsity boys basketball coach — Jon Hancock previously coached in Lincoln County in the mid-1990s at Lincolnton.
DENVER, N.C. – Jon Hancock has put his on the dotted line to again coach basketball in Lincoln County.
Hancock, who spent four years as head coach at Lincolnton in the mid-1990s, is the new head boys’ varsity basketball coach at East Lincoln.
His teaching contract was approved on Tuesday night by the Lincoln County School Board. He will replace Chip Ashley, who stepped in as interim head coach just before last season began when Neil Hodges retired.
Hancock, whose coaching resume also includes a stint of six years at East Burke, is leaving Mallard Creek to join the Mustangs. His team there went 18-8 last season, finished second in the MeCKa 4A and reached postseason play, had a 14-game win streak during the season and won the East Lincoln Winter Jam tournament title.
Hancock will teach physical education at East Lincoln. He has a master’s degree in PE from Gardner-Webb University.
“I am proud to be a part of the rich history of the Mustang basketball program and Lincoln County School District,” Hancock said in a news release by East Lincoln. “My commitment to the players and parents will be to assist in the development of the skills and knowledge required to compete at a high level.
“It will take a team effort from players, parents, the community, and coaches to continue the success at East Lincoln High School.”
East Lincoln went 19-9 last season — falling 67-59 in the second round of the state 2A playoffs to Lincolnton — after finishing third in the Southern District 7 Athletic 2A behind Lincolnton and West Caldwell. Among those nine losses was a 76-69 decision against Mallard Creek in the Winter Jam final.
Hancock has been a head basketball coach for 21 years with a record of 324-233 from his seasons at Lincolnton, Forestview, East Burke and Mallard Creek. His has won a coach of the year award six times and was The Gaston Gazette’s Coach of the Year in 2004 and was North Carolina Basketball Coaches Association (NCBCA) District 10 Coach of the Year in 2008.
His teams have won seven conference titles, two conference tournament titles, five Christmas tournament titles, been a sectional champion (twice), a sectional runner-up (twice) twice and lost twice in a West Regional championship game.
“Coach Hancock brings a wealth of basketball knowledge and experience, as well as strong organizational skills and player development to our program,” East Lincoln principal Samantha Campbell said in the release. “We feel he is an excellent fit to continue the success of Mustang Basketball.”
JON HANCOCK’S LINCOLNTON AND EAST BURKE TEAMS
LINCOLNTON
Season Conf All Final game
1994-95 8-2/First (tie) 20-9 Lost 75-61 Lexington, W. Regional R1
1995-96 8-2/First (tie) 15-10 Lost 54-52 Avery County, R1
1996-97 8-2/First (tie) 16-12 Lost 77-75 Maiden, sectional final
1997-98 3-9/Fifth (tie) 10-14 Did not reach state playoffs
Note: The Wolves played in the Western Piedmont 2A until ’97-98 (Southern Piedmont 1A/2A)
EAST BURKE
Season Conf All Final game
2007-08 10-2/First 20-6 Lost 52-49 Watauga, R1
2008-09 7-5/Third (tie) 18-10 Lost 76-53 Myers Park, R2
2009-10 6-8/Fifth (tie) 13-14 Lost 29-72 Berry Academy, R2
2010-11 12-2/Second 21-7 Lost 51-45 N. Henderson, R1
2011-12 11-3/Second 20-8 Lost 55-52 Wilkes Central, R1
2012-13 13-1/First 24-6 Lost 90-78 Shelby, sectional final
Note: The Cavs played in the Northwestern 3A-4A in Hancock’s first two seasons and in the Catawba Valley Athletic 2A the remaining years.
YEAR-BY-YEAR SOURCE: HobbsDailyReport.com files.