Hickory hires former WHS AD to coach boys' basketball
by Steve Behr Sports Editor
HICKORY — Former Appalachian State assistant basketball coach, and former Watauga athletic director Lavel Hall was named the new head boys’ basketball coach at Hickory High School, according to the Hickory Daily Record.
Hall’s most recent position was executive secretary of the Northwestern Conference. His hiring was approved by the Hickory Public Schools board of education Monday.
Hall takes over a program that tied with Alexander Central for the NWC regular season championship. The Red Tornadoes beat Alexander Central in the NWC Tournament championship game, and moved on to win the Western 3-A Regional championship.
Hickory lost to Rocky Mount 78-64 in the state finals. The program went 28-4 last year and is 54-8 during the last two seasons.
Hall replaces Shawn Johnson, who was arrested on July 26 and charged with 11 felony charges, including indecent liberties with a student, sex offense by a teacher and statutory rape. Johnson is in jail waiting for an Oct. 1 hearing.
“Coach Hall offers excellent coaching credentials along with wisdom and maturity built upon years of experience,” Hickory Public Schools Superintendent Walter Hart said in a news release that ran in the Hickory Daily Record. “His competence, combined with his genuine care and concern for young people, meets the needs of the program at Hickory High.”
Hall coached at Lincolnton from 1984-90, and then in the 1991-92 season before moving to Appalachian State. Hall was an assistant under Buzz Peterson when the Mountaineers went to the NCAA Tournament during the 1999-2000 season.
Watauga hired Hall to be its athletic director in 2003.
Hall’s most recent position was executive secretary of the Northwestern Conference. His hiring was approved by the Hickory Public Schools board of education Monday.
Hall takes over a program that tied with Alexander Central for the NWC regular season championship. The Red Tornadoes beat Alexander Central in the NWC Tournament championship game, and moved on to win the Western 3-A Regional championship.
Hickory lost to Rocky Mount 78-64 in the state finals. The program went 28-4 last year and is 54-8 during the last two seasons.
Hall replaces Shawn Johnson, who was arrested on July 26 and charged with 11 felony charges, including indecent liberties with a student, sex offense by a teacher and statutory rape. Johnson is in jail waiting for an Oct. 1 hearing.
“Coach Hall offers excellent coaching credentials along with wisdom and maturity built upon years of experience,” Hickory Public Schools Superintendent Walter Hart said in a news release that ran in the Hickory Daily Record. “His competence, combined with his genuine care and concern for young people, meets the needs of the program at Hickory High.”
Hall coached at Lincolnton from 1984-90, and then in the 1991-92 season before moving to Appalachian State. Hall was an assistant under Buzz Peterson when the Mountaineers went to the NCAA Tournament during the 1999-2000 season.
Watauga hired Hall to be its athletic director in 2003.