Last month, the Campbell County High School Boys Basketball Team faced the Newport Wildcats in the Sweet 16 tournament and clenched the win to advance to the quarterfinals.
The Camels lost to Harlan County the following day but were recognized on April 3 by the Campbell County Fiscal Court for their season performance.
“We are here to honor you,” Campbell County Judge/Executive Steve Pendery said. “It is, in fact, an honor for you to be here with us in the first place. The team has proven to be the best in our region and one of the very best in the state.”
The county’s citation of achievement cited the Camel’s season record of 27-7, which included capturing the 37th District Title and the 10th Region Title and advancing to the state tournament quarterfinals for the third time in school history.
The citation read, “Your legacy, teamwork, integrity, and excellence will continue to inspire future generations in our community.”
Pendery said this time of year, everyone is excited about the National Collegiate Athletic Association, known as the NCAA tournaments, and he said the state tournaments do not take a backseat to those in terms of talent, grit and determination.
“The often heroics, tremendous teamwork and athleticism, fantastic finishes—we’re going to mention one of those here in a minute—and high drama,” Pendery said. “All those things go into the making of a tournament, and at or near the top are the Campbell County Camels men’s team, and we want to offer our congratulations and honor you here today.”
The county first recognized Campbell County Basketball Boys Head Coach Brent Sowder, who is in his first year as the head coach.
“You all are the rock upon which the program is built,” Pendery said. “Let’s say an analogy that there’s at least some raw materials that need to be worked into shape, right? You all decide everything from good plays to how many minutes to what the strategies are going to be. You establish a culture and expectations for the team to live up to.”
Special recognition was extended to the following individuals for their contributions to the team:
- Connor Weinel, NKAC all-conference first-team selection for all-10th region player.
- Garyn Jackson, NKAC all-conference third team, all 10th region. He was also mentioned for hitting the game-winning shot to send the team to the Sweet 16.
- Broc Sorgenfrei, third team and all 10th region state tournament all-tournament team.
- Nate Smith, NKAC Dave Cowen’s Mr. Hustle award.
- Cole Johnson, NKAC academic award, National Merit Scholarship finalist.
“Thank you so much. We appreciate this; it means a lot to us,” Sowder said. “This was a great season. I’m very proud of how these young men represented the community, and I think they did Campbell County proud, so thank you for this.”
“I think that you all have accomplished things that you’re going to be talking about for the rest of your lives, and many of us will too,” Pendery said.
The county plans to recognize the Newport High School Basketball Team at its next meeting.