A couple of coaching vacancies have been filled at schools within the Western Highlands Conference.- The Hendersonville Times-News reports that long-time Hendersonville Bearcats boys basketball assistant coach Marvin Featherstone has been hired to replace Robert Strong at the school. Strong left Hendersonville to accept a teaching and athletic director's position at North Wilkes High School.
“Marvin has been a Bearcat his entire life. He's been an assistant on the team for the past nine years, and we felt like it was his time to lead the team,” Hendersonville principal Bobby Wilkins said.
Wilkins and Featherstone have known each other most of their lives. Featherstone was the starting point guard for the Bearcats in 1987 when they were coached by Wilkins. That team went on to win the 1-A state title.
“He's always been a great leader. We seem to keep following each other. When I was at the middle school, I hired him there. We've known each other a long time,” Wilkins said.
Featherstone was an assistant first under Jay Merrill, then Rich Rookey and finally coach Strong, who gave Featherstone a strong endorsement when he announced his resignation.
Strong led the Bearcats to three straight appearances in the regionals. They fell in the state semifinals this year to Monroe and ended up with a 24-5 record.
“I told the kids that they would be in great hands with Marvin. That's who I feel like should lead this team,” Strong said on May 13.
HHS Athletic Director Todd Murphy said it was an easy decision for the staff.
“When we found out about coach Strong leaving, we all knew who should take over the program. We are all excited for Marvin. He has a great history with the school in winning a state title, and the students and players love him,” Murphy said.
Featherstone, 40, is a teacher's assistant in the OCS program at HHS.
- The Asheville Citizen-Times reports that Owen High School has also named a new boys head basketball coach. After a lengthy search, the school has named David Pitts as its new leader.He comes to Owen after five seasons at North Buncombe Middle and replaces former Warhorses coach Roger Schnepp, who resigned in March after nine seasons.
“First, I'm excited to be here at Owen,” Pitts said.
“I'm looking forward to playing these teams and meeting all the other coaches. I'm hungry to work with the boys. I know this program has a rich tradition
Pitts, 30, graduated from North Buncombe in 1997 and this is his first high school coaching job. Pitts won't have to wonder what challenges await in his inaugural season with the Warhorses.
Defending WHC champion Mountain Heritage should be loaded again next season thanks to the presence of rising senior John Cannon. Cannon needs only 24 blocks to break the NCHSAA career record (435).
Hendersonville returns all but one player from its 1-A Western Regional runner-up team.
“David really did a great job in his interview, and we feel like this is the right fit for him,” Owen athletic director Darin Chaplain said. “Our administration feels like he can take our program in a great direction.”
The Warhorses went 5-18 in Schnepp's final season and should return four starters from that team.
“I like to push the ball and play pressure defense,” Pitts said. “But our style of play is going to depend on the personnel I have.”
