Friday, March 29, 2024

Former VHS basketball players honored

During the halftime on Saturday evening, there was a break in the intense action between Vienna and Goreville high schools to honor members of the VHS varsity basketball teams from 2004 to 2008.

This group was part of the most successful four-year run in school history, winning 89 games to only 31 losses.  In 2004, the Eagles began the run by winning their first Regional Championship in 29 years.  The 2004-05 team won the SEC tournament championship as the number four seed.

Former VHS basketball coach Rick Metcalf, far right, and former assistant coach Kelly Harper, next to him, stand with a number of former players from the 2004 through 2008 seasons. They are, from left, Chris Nichols, Kyle Willis, Derek Trovillion, Jamie Kerley, Sean Lasley, Corey Huckelberry, Nathan Elms, Matt Ellet and Brett Thompson.
Former VHS basketball coach Rick Metcalf, far right, and former assistant coach Kelly Harper, next to him, stand with a number of former players from the 2004 through 2008 seasons. They are, from left, Chris Nichols, Kyle Willis, Derek Trovillion, Jamie Kerley, Sean Lasley, Corey Huckelberry, Nathan Elms, Matt Ellet and Brett Thompson.

In 2005-06, the season saw the Eagles tie the school record for wins with 24 wins, winning the Vienna Classic that season as well.

The 2006-07 team was the most successful team in school history, once again tying the school record for wins at 24.  The Eagles won the Vienna Classic for the second year in a row, as well as winning the Sesser-Valier Holiday Tournament, the regular season South Egyptian Conference Championship, as well as Regional Championship.  For the first time in school history the team advanced to the Sectional Final after defeating Fairfield.

The 2007-08 season culminated this four-year run with 22 regular season wins and a back-to-back victory at the Sesser-Valier Holiday Tournament, as well as SEC regular season championship.

The senior class of 2008 graduated VHS as the “winningest” class in school history, producing three 1,000-point scorers, and multiple all-state, all-region and all- conference players.

Head coach Rick Metcalf took to center court with a number of players from that team to be recognized by the large audience in attendance for the game between cross-county rivals.