The tradition-rich Allen County-Scottsville Lady Patriot basketball program has turned to Josh Patton to lead a rebuilding challenge for the 2026-27 season.
“I’m thankful for the opportunity to lead the program,” coach Patton said during an introductory press conference and team meet and greet. “I’m familiar with the rich tradition of the Lady Patriot program. We are going to work and work hard. I am well aware of the task at hand and I’m looking forward to it.”
Patton brings seven years of coaching experience---either as an assistant or head coach--to AC-SH.
“I started out as a young coach on the boys side of things at Hopkinsville High School,” Patton explained. “I then got an opportunity to transition to girls basketball as an assistant at Webster County. After two years, I became the head coach for two years. I then was the head assistant at Madisonville-North Hopkins. Last year, I got engaged and my fiancee was living in Bowling Green. I felt like it was time to get closer so I had an opportunity to come to Allen County on the staff of coach (Jeremy) Garrett. When the girl's job came open, I felt led to pursue it.”
Coach Patton---the eighth coach in the 52-year history of the program----sees Lady Patriot basketball as a good fit given his coaching resume and approach to the game.
“I honestly miss coaching girls basketball,” Patton candidly admitted. “I missed the slower tempo of the game. When the job opened, for me, it was a no-brainer to go after it and get back on the side that I’m more comfortable with.”
At first glance, the upcoming season will be challenging. The Lady Patriots lost six seniors to graduation and two additional players to transfers. Despite the losses, Patton is optimistic when he looks at the returning players and potentially new additions from within the student body at AC-SH. The coach is eager to get started on laying the foundation for success.
“I’m a players coach,” Patton added. “I’m going to start working now to build relationships and install confidence in my players. Throughout the summer and going forward, we will look to find small wins which will turn into greater wins.”
Coach Patton is quick to note that his goal is to restore AC-S’s status as a district and regional contender, sooner rather than later.
“The situation doesn’t intimidate me,” Patton stressed. “I’m gonna come in and work and grind it out. I am a young coach but I have a lot of fire. I’m passionate about what I do. I’m going in head first and try to build this program back up, turn it around, and make this team competitive.”
Less than two days into the job, Patton has hit the ground running. The new coach is already piecing together a summer schedule, talking to the booster club about future activities, and reaching out to returning players and former players who opted not to participate in recent seasons.
The coach fully believes that the potential exists for a good season next winter. Key players anticipated to return are rising seniors Kensley Byrn and Payton Anderson. Juniors McKenna Law, Kyndall Clark, A.J. Wanta, and sophomore Bailey Gaines were also varsity players but saw very limited action last season. Additional players will arrive as freshmen from the middle school.
“I think we will surprise some people.” Patton said.
AC-S is coming off a 22-9 season---highlighted by a run to the 2A Sectional State Tournament semifinals. The Lady Patriots were the District 15 tournament runner-up. AC-S upset Cumberland County in the Region 4 quarterfinals to reach the regional semifinals for the first time in 11 years. Overall, AC-S is one of the winningest programs in the Commonwealth, having won 917 games over the course of 52 seasons.