April 21, 2008 10:43 am
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We’re not even finished with the school year in the Tri-County, but I’ve already decided this year’s feel-good story has to be Lynn Camp High School’s athletic teams.
For as long as I can remember Lynn Camp has been the school other high schools believed they could just come to town and get an easy ‘W’ against.
Granted, a win is never guaranteed when it comes to David Mitchell’s football Wildcats.
Mitchell’s squad has captured district and region titles and found themselves a game away from reaching the Class ‘A’ state championship game not too long ago.
But now other teams are following suit.
Michelle Lewallen’s volleyball Lady Wildcats have won a district championship, but it doesn’t end with the football and volleyball teams.
Look at the job Anthony Pennington has done with the basketball Wildcats.
Just a couple of years ago, Pennington’s squad was fighting to become one of the better teams in the 13th Region.
Mission accomplished.
Two years ago, Lynn Camp’s boys basketball team upset Pineville in the 51st District Tournament, which advanced Lynn Camp to their first 13th Region Tournament in more than 40-plus years.
Just a couple of months ago, Pennington’s Wildcats pulled off another upset against Pineville in the 51st District Tournament, which led to the school’s first region tournament win EVER.
But that’s not all.
How about Richard Jones’ Lynn Camp Lady Wildcats basketball team?
The Lady Wildcats were picked by many to finish at the bottom of both the 51st District and 13th Region.
The Lady Wildcats proved everyone wrong.
After getting off to a 2-4 start, while finishing the regular season with four losses during their last five games, Jones’ squad rolled past Pineville in the first round of the 51st District before beating rival Barbourville in the finals to capture the program’s first district championship, while advancing to the 13th Region Tournament.
Now Tommy Helton’s baseball Wildcats were just two games away from reaching Applebee’s Park.
If Lynn Camp had gotten Cumberland the Wildcats could have played at Applebee’s Park, with a chance to win an All ‘A’ state championship.
A semifinalist appearance in the 13th Region Boys Basketball Tournament; a 51st District title for the girls basketball team; and one win away from capturing the 13th Region All ‘A’ Classic championship.
And just imagine, all of this has happened in one school year.
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The Times-Tribune