Pitchin with Pritch: Friday night a highlight of my career

I have been more than just a little fortunate in my teaching and coaching career for the time I spent doing that. 

I taught in just three school systems and they were all good for me and to me. 

I spent the bulk of years in education at Perkins County High School, Grant High School and Perkins County Schools. 

I was lucky enough to have great assistant coaches, outstanding administrators, and lots of hard-working athletes. 

My goal was to take players from where they were when they came to me and make them better. 

I did want to win games, but I wanted to be able to show my players that there were other things that we were trying to do to make them have a better chance at being successful after their playing days were over. 

Along the way, some honors came my way and they were always a humbling experience because I never really ever expected to be included in that particular club of coaches. 

Last Friday night was maybe the highlight of my career. 

I have a lot of people to thank for that evening. The PCS administration, the basketball coaches, and the players all made it a great night. 

My wife Marlene played a big part in all that has happened while I was coaching. There were lots of times we had late suppers, no suppers, spent summer vacations going to basketball clinics, all the things that a coach does to try and improve their skills. 

I also had my favorite two Plainsmen there—my sons Troy and Travis—to make the night even better. A big thank you goes out to all of those people mentioned above. 

Also a thank you to all the former players, that sent letters, text messages, or some other correspondence and to Russ Pankonin and Tandy Overstreet for the article in the Tribune and pictures after the Plainsmen game Friday night. 

All in all, it was a great night! Perkins County patrons, thank you for all you have done for me and our teams!

State champion

Can’t close this week’s column out without congratulating Brandon Knoles winning a state championship in wrestling in Omaha over the weekend. 

Knoles won with a pin in the championship round. His championship effort is an outstanding accomplishment and he becomes the third Plainsmen to become a state champion. 

Great way to finish off your Senior year in the sport. Super job Brandon!