Sports Highlights

Sports Highlights

Pre-1920 -

The major organized sports activities in Paintsville and Johnson County prior to 1920 were Paintsville High School football and semi-pro baseball.

PHS football was rough and tough in those early days. The Tigers played such teams as Marshall College and usually were beaten to death. But they kept coming back.

Semi-pro baseball, however, was another story! Each coal mining community had its own semi-pro baseball team sponsored by the coal company. They traveled throughout eastern Kentucky and western West Virginia playing other coal company teams. In addition, some communities had independent semi-pro teams. The games were fierce and attracted great crowds. They also attracted some well known baseball players.

Among those playing for Paintsville's independent semi-pro team in 1915 were: Tobe Rule, Fred Sherman, Paul B. Hall, Charles Sparks, Conrad Kirk, George Clark, Dewey Castle, Gulf Ward, Frank Goodman, Toby Lavender, Fred M. Vinson and Heber Wheatley. Vinson, of course, went on to Congress and eventually became Chief Justice of the U. S. Supreme Court.

The better players often moved from team to team. Vinson, for instance, also played for a team from Sandy Hook (Elliott County).

March 12, 1925 –
The Paintsville Comets girls basketball team made the school’s first trip to a state tournament on this date. After an unbeaten season in which they out-scored their opponents in every quarter, the Comets lost in their first state tournament game to Lawrenceburg by a score of 7 – 6 in Lexington.

January 8, 1926 -
The new Paintsville High School gym opened on this date...the first true basketball court the Paintsville Tigers and Paintsville Comets had. Previous games had been played on the second floor of an automobile dealership building on Second Street near the site of the present gymnasium. It was known as Pasco Hall. The team members had to shoot through rafters to hit the basket. On the opening night of the new gym on Third Street the school board was so proud of its new building (which also housed the first three grades of school) that they had the floor of the gym waxed! This slippery surface contributed to losses by both PHS boys and girls teams that night. PHS Comets of that year included Alice Jane Howes (Montgomery), Dorothy Louise Geiger (Marsh), Sara Clay, Alline Webb, Mildred Belt and Team Captain Mary Katherine Matney (Hughes).

The 15th Regional Girls Basketball Tournament was held in Paintsville in 1926 for the first time. The Comets beat Pikeville 9 - 7 for the District crown.

March 12, 1926 -
The Paintsville High School Comets met Winchester in the State Girl's High School Basketball Tournament on March 12, 1926, in Lexington and concluded a winning season with a resounding defeat. The final score...16 - 12. Maysville won the tournament in 1926.

September 7, 1929 -
The first nine holes of the Paintsville Golf Course were opened on this date. The back nine holes opened in the early 1950s. The golf course was laid out on the farm of Dr. Paul B. Hall's father, Judge J. Melvin Hall. Paul B. And his brother C. Mitchel Hall persuaded their father to donate the land. Mitchel, a civil engineer designed the course. The Paintsville Golf Course is recognized as one of the toughest courses in eastern Kentucky. Par on the 18 hole course is 70. The course record is held by Bill Hall who fired a blistering 58 on August 12, 1992.

March 16, 1932 -
The Paintsville High School Comets advanced to the girl's state basketball tournament on March 16, 1932. The Paintsville girls went on to the finals that year losing only to Woodburn by a score of 25-20. It would be another 50 years before a Johnson County basketball team won a game at the state level. The Comets of 1932 included Viola Miller (Williams), Mary Evelyn Howes (Johnson), Mary Martha Rice, Irene Davis (Hall), Mary Bell Stapleton, and Mary Francis Hazelrigg (Baals). Earl Walker was the coach.

March 16, 1933 -
The Paintsville High School boys basketball team made its first ever trip to the Kentucky State basketball Tournament on this date in 1933. The team was composed of Dennie Wells, Wayne Helton, Phil Jenkins, Johnny Cooper, Sam Rice, Bucky Boyd, John Turner, Walter "Cobb" Clay, Bobby Wells and Junior Brown. Their coach that year was George Auxier.

September 14, 1935 -
Paintsville's football Tigers played on their own football field on this date for the first time. Coach Bob Montgomery led 30 Tigers onto the field against Fullerton that afternoon. Among those who played that day for the Tigers in a winning effort were Coots Castle, Howard May, Carl Wynn, Edgar Van Hoose, James Carroll, Charles Boyd, Aaron Fannin, V. D. Splane Arville Castle, Glenn Siler and Garland Dixon. The Tigers' field would not have lights until 1946.

May 1, 1938 -
One of Johnson County's most colorful and gifted athletes, Ray "Tuffy" Griffith rode his motorcycle in a cycle rodeo event at Huntington on this date. Tuffy had been a professional welterweight boxer making the square ring circuit from Pennsylvania to Florida before retiring from the ring. Tuffy later opened a blacksmith shop in Paintsville where he entertained youngsters with his recollections of boxing.

1938 -
Paintsville High School football star James Hassell "Blackie" Wheeler was named Outstanding High School Football Player in Kentucky by Louisville Courier Journal.

1938 -
Carmel "Coots" Castle, Paintsville's first professional baseball player of record, signed with the Cincinnati Reds. In his first season at the Red's Arkansas farm club, Coots hit his first professional home run. World War II interrupted Coots' baseball career. When he returned professional baseball had started night games. Coots' vision was adversely affected and his promising professional career was over.

1939 -

Harold L. Mullins, brother of Mort, Basil and B. E., played at right tackle for the Paintsville Tigers during 1939 football season. It was the first time Mullins had ever seen a football game. He played every down that season and was named All-Conference. Following two years at Lynch (also All-Conference) Harold (6-3 and 220 pounds) played for Duke and the Great Lakes Naval Training Center under Coach Paul Brown where he was named a Midwest All-American. He entered Morehead State after leaving the Navy where he played two years and made All-OVC and All-NAIA before graduating in 1950.

1940 to 1960

September 6, 1946 –
The Paintsville Tigers played their first home game under lights. The Tigers hosted Belfry and won the game 47 – 6. Playing under Coach Oran Teater that year were Doug Miller, Bob Gunning, Pete Jarvis, "Pook" Lockwood, Billy Minix, Berlin Patton, Paul Preston, Mitchell Preston, and Martin Pace among others. Previous home football games had been played on either Friday or Saturday afternoons.

April 4, 1948 -
Former Paintsville football star Enoch Robinson, Jr., was killed in a tragic auto accident on Broadway in Paintsville on April 4, 1948. Enoch graduated from Paintsville in 1946 and entered the U. S. Marine Corps. His coach during the years when he starred at halfback was Coach W. L. "Perk" Perkins. Ironically, on April 5, 1948, the people of Paintsville, mourning the loss of Enoch Robinson, learned that Perk, one of the schools most successful and beloved coaches, had died of a heart attack just a little more than 12 hours earlier in Vine Grove, Kentucky. At the time of his death, Robinson had been unaware of Perkins' death.

December 9, 1952-
First basketball game played in new PHS gym; Tigers defeat Flat Gap Greyhounds 72-50.

June 6, 1953 –
Litte League baseball kicked off its first season in Paintsville. Little League teams that year were "Buzzy’s Bees", sponsored by County Clerk Buzzy Wheeler and coached by "Slick" Melvin; Meade & Co., managed by Byrd Cox; Arrowood Goodyear, managed by Odus Parker; and H. B. Rice, managed by Sidney and Bill Garland. In the Pony League the Paintsville Laundry team was managed by Les Van Hoose; the J. B. Wells, Jr., team, managed by Theodore Miller and Cobb Clay; Hensley Tire Service, managed by H. I. Hensley; and Williams Grocery, managed by Vernon Lockwood.

July 2, 1953 –
A large crowd was present on Thursday, July 2, 1953, as the new Paintsville Park and Playground was formally dedicated in Stafford Addition. Mayor J. B. Wells, Jr., served as Master of Ceremonies and introduced Mrs. O. T. Dorton of the Junior Women’s League, Harry LaViers of the Paintsville Gas and Water Commission and Herman Wheeler, chairman of the Park and Playground Commission. The Junior Women’s League, assisted by the Paintsville Rotary and Kiwanis Clubs, provided the impetus for the city’s recreation complex.

September 7, 1954 –
The Paintsville Post of the American Legion donated $2,700 to the drive to up-date what is now known as Memorial Field...the Paintsville High School football field. Plans were adopted for the construction of five sections of concrete and block seats on the home side of the field. Joined by local civic clubs, the Paintsville Board of Education and the City of Paintsville, the American Legion’s contribution included funds for the erection of a monument to the memory of local men who lost their lives in military service during World War II and the Korean War.

March 9, 1956 -
Flat Gap's Charlie Osborne and Carroll Burchett were named to the 15th Regional All- Tournament basketball team. The 1956 Tournament saw two scoring records established. On Thursday night Wayland's King Kelly Coleman scored 53 points against Betsy Layne while the following evening Charlie Osborne scored 64 in Flat Gap's win over Morgan County. PHS Tigers Charles Hall and Bryan Hall also made the All-Tournament team. Wayland defeated Flat Gap to go on to the state tournament.

April 27, 1956 -
UK Coach Adolph Rupp was the principal speaker at the Oil Springs High School Commencement ceremonies.

January 30, 1957 -
It was announced on this date that PHS star quarterback Jim Conley had been named starting QB for the East All-Stars in the East-West game to be played in August. Conley was signed to a football scholarship by UK.

1957 -
Bob Daniel, 1953 graduate, basketball and baseball star at Oil Springs High School, was named Most Valuable Player in basketball and was All-Conference in baseball at Western Kentucky University. Daniel later played professional baseball for the Pittsburgh Pirates and coached baseball and basketball at several schools, including Kentucky Wesleyan College and Marshall University. (Thanks to Garland LeMaster for reminding us of Bob Daniel’s remarkable sports career.)
1957 –
Charlie Osborne and Carroll Burchett make basketball headlines at Flat Gap High School while former PHS star Phillip Estep stars at EKU.

1958 -
Danny E. Blevins, outstanding basketball and baseball star for the Van Lear Bankmules, signed a pro baseball contract with the Detroit Tigers. Danny, known as a solid hitter, attended professional try-outs at Charleston, West Virginia, and Decatur, Illinois. Tiger scout Wayne Blackburn observed Blevins’ powerhouse swing, quick feet and fielding skills before signing the Van Lear star. Blevins played in Augusta, Georgia, for the Tigers minor league farm club, where he was good enough to be offered a contract renewal and bonus at the end of his initial contract. Danny chose to return home, however, and ended his pro baseball career.

1958/59 -
Paintsville's Jack Gary Williams, star basketball player at Georgetown College, was named to the NAIA Little All-American basketball squad. Williams was an outstanding shot-maker and play-maker at Georgetown.

March 19, 1958 -
Wendall Wallen's Meade Memorial Red Devils defeated Oil Springs 85-81 to become the first basketball team in the history of the Johnson County school system to advance to the State Basketball Tournament. Grayson Boyd, Raymond Walter, David Ward, Russell Ward, Morris meek, Don Ward, Paul Setser, James Lyons, Gerald Preston, Roger Meek, Harry Meek, Kenny Childers, Donnis Butcher, and Larry Sturgill comprised the Red Devils' team. Meade Memorial was defeated by Lexington Dunbar in the opening round. Wallen was nominated as Coach of The Year.

May 28, 1958 -
Paintsville High School's golf team won the state high school golf championship on this date in 1958, the first Paintsville team to win a state championship in any sport and the first high school golf team east of Winchester to ever win the state tournament. Coached by Darrell House and Glenn Walke, the Paintsville High School golfers edged Louisville St. Xavier by two strokes. Among the outstanding young golfers were David Butler, Larry Van Hoose, Howes Johnson, and Eddie Van Hoose. Butler went on to UK on a golf scholarship and Howes Johnson won the Paintsville Country Club tournament championship in 1974 and 1976 and was runner-up in 1975.

January 30/31, 1959 -
Oil Springs High School's Wildcat basketball team under Coach Rusty Yates set state and national records on these dates when Yates had to split his team and played in two basketball tournaments on two consecutive nights. Oil Springs was playing in the Foothills Tournament at Salyersville and the first Prestonsburg Invitational Tournament. Oil Springs won the finals of both tournaments scoring an identical 68 points in each. Among those playing for Oil Springs were Mervil Blair, Raleigh Blair, Richard Conley, Burgess Blanton, Robert Van Hoose, Ken Grim and John Pelphrey.

1960 to 1980 -

1961 –
Carroll Burchett plays for Adolph Rupp at UK. Charles Osborne is at Western Kentucky playing for Ed Diddle.

May, 1961 -
PHS Halfback Mike "The Missile" Minix was named Most Valuable Player in the High School All-American game at Ft. Lauderdale, Florida on this date. He earned 20 high school varsity letters during his high school career, playing football, basketball, track and baseball. He earlier was named to the High School All-American roster and later inducted into the Kentucky Sports Hall of Fame and the Paintsville Sesquicentennial Sports Hall of Fame.

November 20, 1961 –
Johnson County native and Meade Memorial High School basketball star Donnis Butcher announced that he would sign to play professional basketball with the New York Knicks. Butcher had been selected in the spring to the collegiate Little All-American team from Pikeville College. Butcher later starred and coached for the Detroit Pistons.

March 1972 -
In only their third year as a consolidated county school, the Johnson Central Golden Eagles fight their way to the Kentucky High School Basketball Tournament. Led by Neil Marsh, James McCarty, Mike E. Preston, Joel Salyer and Mike Wallen the Eagles were knocked out by Lexington's Bryan Station in the opening round, 87-60. Others on the team in 1972 were Neal Burchett, Raymond Daniel, Redford Lemaster, Pete Magura, Paul Meek, Rick McKenzie, Charles Sparks, David Stambaugh and Tim Wheeler.

June 5, 1973 -
Johnny "Peanut" LeMaster was the first draft pick of the San Francisco Giants on June 5, 1973. The Paintsville High School athlete was the sixth player chosen in the nation in professional baseball's 1973 June draft. Peanut had graduated from high school just the week before. Peanut played in the minors for two seasons before being called up to the majors in 1975.

March 1975 -
Johnson Central's Golden Eagles advance to the school's second state basketball tourney, losing to Knott County 88-68 in the first round.

September 2, 1975 -
Paintsville's John "Peanut" LeMaster was called up to majors by the San Francisco Giants from their AAA farm club in Phoenix on this date in 1975. Less than a week later Peanut was added to the Giant's line-up and, in his first at-bat in the major leagues, hit a home run...a feat accomplished by only 43 others in modern major league history at that time.

September, 1974 -
Paintsville attorney Howes Johnson won the Paintsville Country Club golf tournament.

March 15, 1975 –
Johnson Central’s Golden Eagles advance to the school’s second state basketball tournament, losing to Knott Central 88-68 in first round.

September, 1976 -
Howes Johnson, former PHS golfer, won his second Paintsville Country Club golf tournament.

February, 1978 -
Paintsville was approved for professional baseball as a independent member of the Appalachian League...the HiLanders. Paintsville was the smallest town in the United States with a professional baseball club. Some of the players who played in Paintsville (either for Paintsville or for an opposing team) and went on to star in the majors were: Jose Rijo, Eric Plunk (who married hometown girl Billie Griffith), Otis Nixon, Oresta Estrada, Darrell Strawberry and Gary Gaetti.

May, 1978 -
PHS played in the state baseball championship against Tates Creek. The final score was 2- 1. Randy Daniels of Paintsville was one of the outstanding high school pitchers in state.

November 24, 1978 -
Paintsville's Tigers met Ft. Campbell in the finals of the Class A high school football championships at Richmond on this date. The Ft. Campbell Falcons outlasted the Tigers by a score of 15-13. It was the Tigers' first loss of the season. Outstanding Tigers that night included David "Burr" LeMaster, Roger Daniel, Don Jarrell, Keith Gillespie, Brent Scott, B. J. Ward and Darrell Pugh.

1979
David Couch of Johnson Central was named to Kentucky’s High School All-State basketball team for the 2^nd successive year and to the Student Athlete All-American Team. Couch finished his high school basketball career at Johnson Central as the school’s career scoring and rebounding leader. He once scored 50 points against cross-town rival Paintsville. Couch went on to West Point where he played basketball under Coach Mike Krzyewsyki.

1980 to 1990 -

April 23, 1980 -
It was announced on this date in 1980 that three outstanding PHS football players had been named to the Kentucky All-Star Classic to be played in June in Louisville. Bobby Mullins, Keith Gillespie and Roger Daniel were picked to play for the East. PHS Coach Walter Brugh was selected as coach for the East squad.

June 30, 1980 -
PHS football stand-out Bobby Mullins died on this date in a tragic automobile accident following graduation ceremonies. Mullins, 18, had been named to the Kentucky All-State high school football team and had signed to play with the University of Kentucky in the fall of 1980.

Bobby had been scheduled to play in the East-West game on June 13 in Louisville. His family announced the creation of the Bobby Mullins Scholarship Fund in his honor.

February , 1980 -
Paul G. Fyffe was elected president of Appalachian League pro baseball rookie league.

1982 -
PHS football star Tony Mayes signed with the University of Kentucky in 1982 and had an outstanding collegiate football career.

May 1983 -
JCHS baseball star Willie Blair signed with Morehead State University in May 1983. In his sophomore year at Morehead, the Johnson County pitching ace was named to the All-Ohio Valley Conference team. He was drafted by Toronto in the 11th round of the June 1986 draft. Willie first played in the Florida state League (AA) as a starting pitcher in 1987. He has since played for Cleveland, Houston, Colorado Rockies, San Diego, Detroit, Arizona, New York Mets and Detroit once again in 1998. In 1997 with Detroit, Willie became the Tiger's first 16 game winner since 1991.

March 10, 1984 -
Johnson Central defeated Magoffin County to earn a spot in the state's Sweet Sixteen Basketball Tournament in Lexington. The final score was 62-60 as Harry Meek's 22 foot jump shot made the difference. Ironically, Harry's father, also Harry Meek, was a member of the Meade Memorial Red Devils which played in the 1958 state tournament. Mike Castle was the JCHS coach as the Golden Eagles boys made the trip to Rupp Arena for the first time since 1975.

Harry Meek, by the way, signed a baseball scholarship with the University of Louisville.

February 23, 1985 -
Nine men and one woman were inducted into the Paintsville-Johnson County Sports Hall of Fame on this night. Dr. Paul B. Hall, Mary Katherine Matney Hughes, Carmel "Coots" Castle, J. Earl Walker, Walter Brugh, Charles Osborne, Carroll Burchett, Donnis Butcher, Dr. Michael B. Minix and Johnny "Peanut" LeMaster were selected as the first honorees.

March 21, 1985 -
PHS Tiger basketball team made its first trip to the state tourney since 1933 on March 21, 1985. After defeating Washington County the Tigers moved on to the Quarter Finals where they were edged by tourney favorite Hopkinsville 71-68 in overtime. Tigers playing under Coach Bill Mike Runyon in 1985 were Mike Minix, Jerry Castle, John Leslie Pelphrey, Keith Adkins and Joey Couch. John Leslie Pelphrey was an All-Tournament selection.

March 13, 1985 -
The Johnson Central Lady Eagles made the school's first trip to the girl's state basketball tournament on this date. Following a 19-8 season record, the Central Ladies fought a tough Louisville Southern team and lost 61-54 in the first round of play in Western Kentucky University's Diddle Arena. Libby Fairchild, Anita Wells and Tammy Castle starred for Johnson Central.

March 19, 1986 –
Paintsville’s Tigers met Hopkinsville once again in the first round of the state’s Sweet Sixteen, losing 83-72. Jeff Baldwin was awarded the Sweet Sixteen Academic Scholarship.

March 27, 1986 -
The Lady Eagles of Johnson Central appeared in the Kentucky Girls' High School Basketball Tournament on March 27 and came up short against Louisville Assumption 70-57 after a valiant comeback in the second half of the game. Tammy Castle, Mimi Fairchild and Missie Ratliff were among those playing for the Lady Eagles.

March 1986 -
Karen Pelphrey, Johnson Central girl's basketball career scoring leader, ended her college basketball career at Marshall University with 2,746 points, a record which remains today at Marshall. Karen was named the Southern Conference Player of the Year after being named first team All-Southern Conference in 1984, '85 and '86. Karen was the first woman athlete to have her jersey retired in the history of Marshall basketball. Her career scoring average per game was 24.1.

November 16, 1986 -
Tony Mayes, former Paintsville All-State high school football and basketball star, was the hero on this date when Kentucky beat Florida 10-3 at Commonwealth Stadium. Mayes, a senior and a defensive back, caused a Florida fumble and fell on the ball to end the game. He had played havoc with Florida's quarterback Kerwin Bell all through the game.

March 26, 1987 -
The Paintsville Tigers appeared once again in the state's Sweet Sixteen Boy's Basketball Tournament on March 26, 1987, as they brushed off Monticello 80-61 and then defeated Owensboro 58-52. The Tigers lost, however, in the semifinal round against Louisville Ballard, 61-54. Stars included Joey Couch, John Leslie Pelphrey, Mike Minix, Keith Adkins, Jared Gray, Todd Burchell, Lance Daniels and Greg Adams playing under the tutelage of Coach Bill Mike Runyon and Assistant Coach Paul David Brown. In that game the Tigers played against Allan Houston, the Ballard High School star who went on to star in the NBA.

April 14, 1987 -
PHS star and Kentucky's Mr. Basketball John Leslie Pelphrey signed a Letter of Intent to play college basketball for the University of Kentucky Wildcats under Coach Eddie Sutton. Pelphrey was the Tigers' all time leading scorer at the time with 2,477 career high school points. The 6-7 forward played in three state tournament appearances by the Tigers in '85, '86 and '87. He finished his stellar college career under Coach Rick Pitino. John entered coaching and was assistant basketball coach at Marshall University before being named assistant basketball coach at the University of Florida.

March, 1988 -
Johnson Central's Bart Williams averaged 21 points per game in a great senior year with the Golden Eagles.

March, 1988 -
PHS Keith Adkins, averaging 33 points a game, was a runner-up for Mr. Basketball in Kentucky. Keith is now an assistant basketball coach at Campbellsville College.

1990 to Present -

June 9, 1990 -
It is considered by many to be one of Paintsville High School's greatest sports accomplishments of the final decade of the 20th Century.

On June 9, 1990, Tucker Howard smacked a home run against Lexington's Tates Creek High School Commodores to win the Kentucky High School baseball Tournament. At the time it was only the second state championship, in any sport, the Tigers had won. The football Tigers had come close in 1978 and 1985...but no cigar! The Comets girl's basketball team reached the semi-finals as did the Tigers once. Baseball Coach Charlie Adkins had taken the Tigers to the finals of state baseball just the year before.

Billy Phelps, Jeremy Holbrook, Walt Crace, Greg Slone, Matt Williams, Mickey Van Hoose, Rocky Blanekenship, Todd Porter, Joe Collins and Howard were among the heroes in the final game at Shively Stadium that fateful day. It was a day that the team, Coach Adkins and the 40 car loads of fans would never forget.

"This was the one I've been waiting for," Adkins said that Saturday. "This was it."

March 28, 1991 -
On March 28, 1992, in what has been described as the greatest basketball game ever played, UK is defeated by Duke 104-103 in overtime on a last minute shot by Christian Laettner. Paintsville's John Pelphrey was a vital part of UK's heroic game that night.

March 12, 1991 -
PHS football coaching legend Walter Brugh and LPGA golfing champion Myra Van Hoose Blackwelder were inducted into the Kentucky Sports Hall of Fame. Brugh, head football coach at Paintsville from 1956 through 1994, retired after having compiled a record of more wins than any other high school coach in the state. Blackwelder, daughter of Paintsville natives Marvin Van Hoose and Marlene Minix Van Hoose, had played for 12 seasons on the LPGA tour by 1991. She won the state women's high school golf championship for three years, was twice state women's amateur champion and won 10 intercollegiate tournaments while playing for the University of Kentucky. In 1980, she was named LPGA Rookie of the year.

October, 1991 -
Johnson Central golfer Aimee Cantrell won the first state championship in any sport for Johnson Central High School. Aimee won the girls' individual state high school golf crown.

November, 1991 -
Paintsville's Joey Couch, All-Southeastern Conference and pre-season All-American, played in his last UK football game. Joey was a captain on UK's 1991 team under Coach Bill Curry.

February 22, 1992 -
Johnson Central's Bobby Van Hoose won the state championship wrestling title on February 22, 1992 in the 103 pound weight class at Atherton High School in Louisville. Bobby was a senior at Johnson Central.

November, 1992 -
JCHS football star Chris Deaton was a stand-out for Marshall University Thundering Herd in its Division I AA football championship.

March, 1992 -
Former Paintsville teacher, coach, principal and superintendent Oran C. Teater was inducted into the Kentucky Sports Hall of Fame. Teater was an outstanding football player for both Paintsville and Centre College.

March 24, 1993 –
Central’s Lady Eagles – Amy Castle, Samantha Blevins, Tonya Lewis, Bernita Wells, Lorna Salyer, Jennifer Oaks, Missy Blair, Shannon Brown, Robin Music, Susan Russell, Jodi Maynard and Erin Blair – met Central Hardin in Frankfort’s Dudgeon Civic Center. The ladies lost 66-47 to end an exciting 32-11 season.

May 1995 -
Paintsville native Meridith Mullins graduated from Sheldon Clark High School with another winning basketball season to her credit. In four years at Paintsville Meridith became eligible for the 1000 Point Club and, during her high school career, was All-State Honorable Mention for two years. Meridith was awarded a full athletic scholarship to Transylvania University in 1994. She lettered for two years before a back injury and surgery took her out of the game.

March 1995 -
Johnson Central's Lady Eagles advanced to the Kentucky Girls State Basketball Tournament on March 14, 1995 as they defeated Pike Central 65-64. The team included Missy Blair, Teresa Lewis, Cynthia Ousley, Robin Music, Shannon Brown and Jill Blancett. The Lady Eagles lost to Jackson County in the first round of the tourney 55-46.

March 1995 -
The Paintsville Tigers defeated Magoffin County 95-66 on March 12, 1995 to earn a berth in the State High School Basketball Tournament. The Tigers lost in the first round to Montgomery County by a score of 78-71 in overtime. The 1994/95 team included Brian Lyon, J. R. Van Hoose, Josh McKenzie, Brad Sergent and Jimmy Wayne Foster.

April 17, 1995 -
Paintsville High School football coaching legend Walter Brugh retired as head football coach after 39 years on April 17, 1995. Brugh began his coaching career at Paintsville with a 10-1 season in 1956. When he retired Brugh was the all-time winning high school football coach in the state with 279 wins. He had returned to Paintsville in 1951 as assistant coach under Jim Wheeler, a position he served in until assuming the reins in 1956. Brugh had coached many of Paintsville's gridiron greats, including Mike Minix, Joey Couch and Tony Mayes. Brugh, himself, had a notable football playing career under Coach W. L. Perkins at PHS and at The Citadel.

March 16, 1996-
On March 16, 1996, the Paintsville Tigers boys basketball team won the Kentucky State Basketball Tournament! The first time EVER for a Johnson County team, boys or girls. The Tigers thrashed the Ashland Tomcats in the finals 71-53. This was the first state tournament win by a 15th Region team since Inez in 1954. J. R. Van Hoose was named tournament MVP. His teammates, under the coaching of Bill Mike Runyon, included Craig Ratliff, Josh McKenzie, Matt Ratliff, Todd Tackett, and Mike Short. In the course of the tournament Paintsville barely defeated Owensboro 80-78 in over time to go on to edge Allen County-Scottsville 78-76. The Tigers then stunned the state with a blow-out of Lexington Catholic 96-78 before meeting Ashland in the finals.

March 1997 -
Paintsville once again in state basketball tournament, loses to Fort Thomas Highlands in the semi-finals.

March 11, 1997 -
Paintsville football great Dr. Michael B. Minix was inducted into the Kentucky Sports Hall of Fame on March 11, 1997. Minix was a five year starter for the Tigers and a three time All-State selection. In 1960 he led the state and the nation in high school scoring with 252 points.

March 21, 1998 -
The Paintsville Tigers returned to the Kentucky Boy's Basketball Tournament on March 21, 1998. Only seniors J. R. Van Hoose and Todd Tackett returned from previous successful seasons. They were joined by Derek Howard, Josh Greiner, Mark Grim, Danny Scott, Ben Trimble, Mitchell Grim, Jason Conley, Mike Burchett and Ethan Blackburn. Paintsville downed Clay County, Boyd County and Fleming County to face Scott County in the finals. The Tigers lost the finals 89-78. Todd Tackett scored more than 20 points in the first half of this game before injuring his back and being taken out of the game.

1998 -
PHS basketball coach Bill Mike Runyon was nominated as National High School Basketball Coach of the Year.

May 1998 -
Kentucky's Mr. Basketball J. R. Van Hoose signed with Marshall University in May 1998. J. R. scored more than 3,000 points in his high school career, exceeding the Paintsville High School scoring record set in 1987 by John Pelphrey who amassed 2,477 points at PHS. J. R. Became the first freshman in Marshall's history to lead the team in scoring (14.7) and rebounding (8.1). He was runner-up for Freshman of the Year in the Mid-American Conference.

1999 -
PHS Jake Karn becomes the Tigers' first cross country state champion. He was coached by Mark Baldwin.
April 7, 2000
Keith Adkins, former Paintsville High School basketball star and a runner-up for Kentucky’s Mr. Basketball in 1988, was named head basketball coach at Campbellsville University to succeed former UK star Travis Ford. Adkins had served for three years as an assistant coach under Ford. He had previously served as an assistant coach at North Carolina-Greensboro following a year assisting at Pikeville College. Adkins is the son of Paintsville’s legendary baseball coach, Charlie Adkins.