By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter
Nell Fookes, the most successful coach in the history of 9th Region girls basketball, has been selected for induction into the Kentucky High School Basketball Hall of Fame.
Scott Draud and Doug Schloemer, two former all-state boys basketball players from the 9th Region, are also among the 2019 induction class that will be officially added to the hall of fame during a ceremony on Aug. 3 at the State Theatre in Owensboro.
Fookes was head coach of the Boone County girls basketball program for 30 years. Her teams compiled a 686-255 record and won nine 9th Region championships. She holds 9th Region records for most career wins and most regional titles.
As Boone County girls basketball coach, Nell Fookes compiled a 686-255 record and won nine 9th Region championships in 30 years.
According to records posted on the Kentucky High School Athletic Association website, Fookes ranks fourth in career wins among Kentucky girls basketball coaches. None of her teams won a state championship, but two of them made it to the final four in the state playoffs.
Draud was a high-scoring guard for Highlands before the 3-point shot was added to high school basketball. He led the state in scoring his last two seasons, averaging 30.5 in 1984-85 and 35.3 in 1985-86.
Draud finished his varsity career with 2,865 points. He was the all-time scoring leader in 9th Region boys basketball for 28 years before that mark was broken in 2014 by Brandon Hatton of Dixie Heights.
Schloemer was named Mr. Kentucky Basketball in 1978 after leading Holmes to the “Sweet 16” state championship game in his senior year. He was a four-year starter for the Bulldogs and graduated with a career total of 2,617 points.
Holmes won three straight 9th Region championships with Schloemer in the lineup. He made a game-winning shot at the buzzer in the 1977 regional final and posted a double-double with 21 points and 13 rebounds in the 1978 title game.
The other former players among the 2019 hall of fame inductees are Steve Miller (Lexington Henry Clay), Charles Hurt (Shelby County), Charles Thomas (Harlan), Rick Jones (Scott County), Sammy Moore (Louisville Central), Robin Harmon-Newsome (Sheldon Clark) and Irene Moore-Strong (Breathitt County).
The other coaches to be inducted are William Falls of Hopkinsville Attucks and Curtis Turley, who coached at multiple schools.
Tickets for the hall of fame induction will be available in June. The event will be hosted by the Kentucky High School Basketball Hall of Fame in Owensboro.
