Pickett County Boys Basketball Coach Lee Amonett defended the program’s scheduling and transportation decisions during Monday night’s school board meeting.
Amonett said questions surrounding the absence of a boys basketball game against Clinton County, Kentucky, prompted him to explain why the matchup was not scheduled. He said he contacted the opposing school in March but received no contract until after filling the final opening on his schedule.
“I said if I don’t know anything by Monday, I’ve got to fill that date,” Amonett said. “Like we have to move on. I filled the date on Monday, nothing happened, and on the following Thursday the contract got emailed in. I’ve got the emails and I’ve got the text messages.”
Amonett said scheduling becomes more difficult when Pickett County advances to the state tournament because other teams fill their schedules while his team is still competing. The girls team retained its matchup with Clinton County, and Amonett said he intends to pursue a boys game next season.
“So you can put me on record, I’m going to ask Clinton County to come to Pickett County and play next year, but I can’t make ’em,” Amonett said.
Amonett also challenged concerns about separate transportation arrangements for the boys and girls basketball teams. He said requiring both teams to travel together could interfere with game-day practices, scouting preparations and arrival times for away games.
“They don’t deserve to be told ‘you don’t get to practice today, because we like you on a bus together,’” Amonett said. “‘You don’t have time to go home and shower, you just got time to eat and get back.’ That isn’t fair to those kids.”
Amonett said he is willing to discuss transportation alternatives with school administrators and the girls basketball coach. No final arrangement was established during the meeting.
In other business, the board approved the first reading of revisions to its debit and credit card policy following audit recommendations.
School officials reported full participation in senior ACT and ASVAB testing. Director Melissa Robbins said the district is examining declining enrollment in certain grade levels, including an eighth-grade class of 27 students.