(by Don Meador)
The Allen County-Scottsville Lady Patriots open play Friday evening at 6:30 in the H & W Dukes 2A state championship tournament at the Owensboro Sportscenter. AC-S meets Johnson Central in the quarterfinal round of the tournament.
“I never dreamed I would get to take another team to a state tournament,” noted Lady Patriot coach Gary DeWitt while fighting back tears following the AC-S Section 2 championship win over Franklin-Simpson.
The dream becomes reality this week for DeWitt this week. It’s just another accomplishment for the coach who has recorded 137 wins in three stints leading the Lady Patriots. DeWitt moved from an assistant’s role under Cortni Crews to the head chair in the fall of 1996. Three years later, DeWitt celebrated after AC-S won the 1999 Region 4 title---a victory that carried the Lady Patriots to the Kentucky High School Athletic Association state tournament for the first time in 14 years.
AC-S repeated the feat in 2000 and 2001---at the time the only program in Region 4 history to three-peat as Region 4 champions. DeWitt stepped away after the 2001 season to enter administration. Three years later, DeWitt was granted permission from District officials to remain in administration and coach. His return was not as successful. Administration duties and health concerns prompted DeWitt to retire a second time following the 2007 season. Still, the following decade would find the Austin Indiana native rooting the Lady Patriots forward at most home games and selected away games.
Following his school retirement in 2018, DeWitt’s itch to get back on the sidelines carried him to Monroe County for a season. A year later, AC-S coach Greg Dunn invited DeWitt back to the Lady Patriot program as an assistant. DeWitt remained in the role until Dunn’s retirement last spring at which time DeWitt jumped at the chance to resume duties at the helm.
This season started with high expectations---expectations that are being fulfilled. A season-opening upset of Metcalfe County (73-62) set the stage. Despite a loss to a strong North Hardin team, AC-S bounced back with a 74-43 win at Hart County on December 8.
The win wasn’t just a second victory. It was in the opening round of the 2A Section 2 championship tournament---a tournament for mid-size schools based on enrollment numbers. The 2A was not around until 2018, hence, DeWitt was not overly familiar with the event. He would learn quickly, as AC-S would move to the second round on December 15. The Lady Patriots---fresh off wins over Todd Central and Bowling Green---defeated the Logan County Lady Cougars to earn a spot in the 2A finals.
A loss to Barren County on December 18 was followed by two wins in three games in the Lady Invitational of the South. After a District win at Glasgow, AC-S and Franklin-Simpson met on January 3. The Lady Patriots prevailed 69-56 to earn their opportunity this week. The win also improved DeWitt’s record to 12-0 in regional tournament-type play---9-0 in KHSAA Region 4 tournament action and now 3-0 in Section 2 action.
While DeWitt is new to 2A championships, two Lady Patriots are not. Seniors Kennedy Carter and Allison Ford---as well as assistant coach Chris Roy---have participated in 2A state tournaments. Carter and Ford represented AC-S in 2A state tournament golf. Carter is excited to be going back to 2A in basketball.
“It feels great reaching the 2A state basketball tournament, especially being the first basketball team from our school to make it,” Carter said. “It was a big deal when we were the first ones to make it in golf for the first time and now Allison and I get to share that feeling with the basketball girls. It’s a great experience.”
The opportunity to play in the 2A not only carries the chance for a state title but also gives the Lady Patriots a unique chance to test the waters during midseason. AC-S faces Johnson Central---a team that represented Region 15 last year in the KHSAA state tournament. Plus, ‘mountain’ schools like Johnson Central typically play a more physical game than counterparts from across the state. In addition, playing in a state tournament atmosphere may bring added pressure but coach DeWitt feels his team will make the adjustment well.
“I think the girls will put some pressure on themselves,” DeWitt admitted. “It’s a big deal to a kid. But, we are just going to play Lady Patriot basketball. Still, I think they will do well.”
Unlike the KHSAA state tournament where a loss means the end of your season, the 2A is followed by another month of basketball. Hence, the 2A will be an additional learning and growing experience.
“That’s a big reason that I wanted these kids to get this opportunity, to see what that’s like, to what playing in a bigger arena is like, and hopefully get us ready for March,” DeWitt stated.
As the tournament approaches, senior Debora Patrick is looking forward to the experience.
“It feels awesome,” noted senior Debra Patrick. “I hope we go and play to our full potential. I also think it will help us to build our confidence and understand we have the potential to win the state and region and go deep in the postseason.”
Carter also sees the tournament as another tool to help AC-S get better.
“I think this will get our confidence up and help us believe in ourselves that we can compete against any team in the region,” Carter said. “The 2A state level will allow us to play some good experienced teams that will help us face competitors the rest of the season.
Having personally experienced three state basketball tournaments, DeWitt knows how the local community has rallied behind his teams. He expects the same kind of support this week.
“I’m hoping we will have a lot of people come to Owensboro and support us,” coach DeWitt added. “These kids deserve that. I know it’s not the Sweet 16 but the 2A is a big deal. I expect the community to get involved with this.”
The AC-S coaches are going “all-in” with the tournament in terms of preparation. The team leaves Thursday afternoon at 3:30 from the high school. (Community members are encouraged to come out and see the team off.) The reason for the early departure is multi-fold. After a team meal on Thursday evening, Friday morning will bring a trip to the Sportscenter to watch the first game of the day---Calloway County and Nelson County. Afterwards, the ladies will have a college campus visit to Brescia. Not only will the student-athletes learn about the university but the team will have a shoot-a-round at Brescia’s gym---a gym with a college-sized court like the court at the Sportscenter. Lunch and rest follow before AC-S takes the court at 6:30 Friday evening.
Tickets can be purchased online prior to Friday by visiting www.owensborotickets.com