Kelsie Pugh McClanahan inducted into 10th Region Hall of Fame

By Scott Collins,
Reporter

    In life some things are just destined to be. Such is the case with Kelsie Pugh and her love of basketball.
    Pugh started off early in her life discovering her love for the sport--a love that has not waned to this day. As soon as she could start moving on her own, her dad Darrell Pugh put a ball in her hands.
    As she grew older, that love became a bond between her and her dad as she set goals to achieve.
    “I loved learning about the game from my dad, and he became my biggest supporter.”
    Pugh credits her dad for instilling in her a drive  to compete and be successful,
    “My dad was my biggest influence, not just in basketball, but life. I can’t thank him enough for all that he has done for me over the years. I remember one night I missed some free throws in a game, so when we got home, he pulled the truck in front of the goal left the headlights on and I shot 100 free throws before going in the house.”
    Pugh’s skill continued to improve as she moved up through the youth leagues, middle school, and playing on summer teams. Her dad made sure she was always playing and that desire to be successful was fed.
    Pugh was brought up to be a part of the high school Ladycat program as an eighth grader. On the freshman team, she was coached by Bridget Browning and then on the Junior Varsity squad for me.
    Pugh came in as a motivated player and continued to show growth on the court and as a varsity player as the seasons progressed. She had a nose for the basket and rarely let anything stand in her way of reaching the rim. In fact, I remember one game at Williamstown when Pugh and Torie Wilhoit just had a slugfest against each other. Neither team’s defense could stop them. It was just punch after punch while the little Williamstown gym was going crazy. You couldn’t hear a thing and it got worse when we went into overtime. We fed Pugh the ball at high post and said score. And score she did as both Wilhoit and she totaled over 30 points a piece, but we held on to win the game.
    Pugh said of her experience as a Ladycat player, “Scott Collions was the best coach. He pushed me harder than I ever knew I could go. He believed in me and some nights put all his faith in me to make the shot. He drove me to where I’m at and shaped me and he always put me in the right spots to get me there.”
    When asked about her favorite memories as a Ladycat, Pugh doesn’t even have to think about it,
    “Winning districts was a dream come true. Our teamwork was the best thing about our team. We all relied on and supported each other in our roles on the team. We were the first team in forever to win a district. It was like we were famous overnight.”
    After graduation, Pugh continued her career at Kentucky Christian located in Grayson Kentucky.
    “I always wanted to play college ball, and I’m so glad I got that chance. It was a whole new world. I went from a two hour practice in high school to doing two a days and longer practices.”
    Former coaches noted the talent and skill Pugh possessed as she was inducted into the 10th Region Girl’s Basketball Hall of Fame.
    “The Hall of Fame, oh wow! That was the last goal I had set for my basketball career. It means I made a lasting impact on the game and I’m included with a group of people that were the best of the best. And it was such an honor that Collins got to tell me. I think he was as excited as I was. I called my dad at 11 o’c;ock to tell him the news.  
    Today Pugh has reversed roles as she now coaches her son as he starts through the youth leagues.
    “We won the championship this year and they had so much fun and learned so much. I want to give that back each season to each kid or team I coach. I want to continue coaching, whether it is my son or helping with the high school program one day. I want the kids to have the same chances and support I did.”
    In reflecting back over the years, Pugh commented, “Basketball has made a huge impact on my everyday life even today. Even in my job as a facility administrator for Davita, I find myself wanting to be the best clinic in our region. The structure basketball gave me is still something I use to this day. The ability to make quick changes or change direction as we did during games is a vital skill I use daily.”
    Pugh will always be remembered as one of the top Ladycats to come up through the program. As her former coach, I will always have great memories of watching her on the court. Our player/ coach relationship is just as strong today as the last time she walked out of the gym. I am so proud of  KP and the achievements and goals she has reached in life.
    Pugh ended by saying,
“I’m so blessed. I never thought this day would come. I want to thank everyone who believed in me, my coaches, my support system, my family, and all of my teammates. They all helped make this dream a reality. Basketball and the life lessons I learned will be with me forever, and hopefully, I can carry it on with my boys.”