HC’s Jones named 13th Region KABC Coach of the Year

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LesNicholson

Harlan County’s Michael Jones has been named the KABC Coach of the Year for the 13th Region after leading the Black Bears to an 18-4 record heading into district tournament play next week. Jones has led the Bears to five district titles and one regional championship in his first six years as coach.

By winning just under 75 percent of his games in his seven years at the helm of the Harlan County boys basketball program, Michael Jones has been among the state’s most successful coaches since he took over the program in the fall of 2014.
Jones was honored on Friday as the KABC (Kentucky Association of Basketball Coaches) Coach of the Year for the 13th Region after leading the Bears to an 18-4 record heading into the 52nd District Tournament next week. The Bears have defeated teams from seven different regions this season and are currently ranked second in the 13th Region by the RPI system.
Jones, an all-state guard at Harlan in 1993 and 1994, has compiled a record of 154-52 in his seven seasons at HCHS, leading the Bears to five district championships and a 13th Region title in 2017. HCHS lost to Knox Central in last year’s regional finals.
Knox Central guard Jevonte Turner was selected as KABC player of the year for the 13th Region and is a finalist for the state’s Mr. Basketball award.