HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL: Watauga has new varsity boys head coach, son of former leader

By CHRIS HOBBS HobbsDailyReport.com BOONE — Watauga High has a new boys’ varsity basketball coach whose dad is a former Pioneers head coach in the same sport. The Pioneers have selected Bryson Payne, son of Marc Payne, as the replacement for Laura Barry. She will return to coaching only the Watauga varsity girls. Watauga went 3-9 overall and 2-9 in …

HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS BASKETBALL: McDowell hires Mitchell County’s McCartha as head coach

By CHRIS HOBBS HobbsDailyReport.com MARION – McDowell High’s varsity girls’ basketball team will be coached next season by Zack McCartha, a graduate of the school. The McDowell News and Asheville Citizen Times reported McCartha is leaving his position as head varsity girls’ coach at Mitchell County after five seasons to coach the Titans. McCartha is replacing Jennifer (Brooks) Kinninger, who …

HIGH SCHOOL BOYS BASKETBALL: Keller resigns after 8 seasons of this tenure as head coach

He also coached at Patterson School, Patton after star career as player at West Caldwell   By CHRIS HOBBS HobbsDailyReport.com LENOIR – Chad Keller has resigned as head varsity boys’ basketball coach at Hibriten High. He coached the Panthers twice – over the last eight seasons and also for three years starting in 1995-96. Keller’s head-coaching career also includes four …

HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL: Lenoir-Rhyne assistant new head coach at Hillside (S.C.)

By CHRIS HOBBS HobbsDailyReport.com Zach Corliss, an assistant coach at Lenoir-Rhyne University, is leaving the Bears to become head varsity boys’ basketball coach at Hillside High in Simpsonville. The high school’s decision was announced on Wednesday. LRU head coach Everick Sullivan was a prep basketball star at Hillside in the 1980s. LRU does not traditionally release any personnel moves, be …