Holmes wins 500th as Panther coach

By Rex Kirts

A couple of long-range basketball history marks were set Tuesday at J.R. Holmes' court at South.
The Panthers (14-1) beat Columbus East, 91-61. For Holmes, in his 29th year as the South head coach, it was his 500th win with the Panthers. He's 500-171 (.745).
Overall, this is his 41st year of coaching. His combined record at Tunnelton, Mitchell and South is 643-289 (.689).
There was a cake afterward to celebrate No. 500.
Senior Aaron Binford had reason to celebrate, also. It's not often that the team's student manager gets to score in a game, but Binford did in the fourth quarter.
It was a bomb, a 3-pointer, and was his first career points. The crowd went wild. Afterward, he even autographed a program.
DURING THE WEEK Binford is a manager, but he's been dressing for all the games and has gotten in a few.
What does winning 500 mean to Holmes?
"Old," he said. "I've been at it a long time. I've been blessed with good players, good assistants, a good wife who understands the coaching thing and some good administrators.
"Any time you stay 29 years in coaching at one school you're fortunate."
Staying 29 years at one school also means you're winning. For the last 16 years, South has the best winning percentage in the state, which includes 26-0 and the state championship in 2008-09.
Holmes played everybody against East, which is struggling a young team and missing two of its starters. The Panthers led 23-16 and by halftime had the game salted away with a 49-25 lead.
"AT HALFTIME we turned them over 17 times and we had only one," Holmes said. "I was just pleased that we played hard and got on the floor and helped the helper."
That was on defense. Offensively, the Panthers took the ball to the hole a lot and got several fast breaks, many coming after steals.
Dee Davis started early hitting 3-pointers and finished with 23 points to lead South. Desmond Marks scored 18 from all over the court, Spencer Turner 13 and Joey Forney 10.
The game was a warmup for Friday's major Conference Indiana clash at Pike. They are the only teams left with unbeaten records in conference play, with two league games remaining after it.