PIKEVILLE, Ky. – Longtime basketball coach Bobby Spears has resigned from his position with Pike Central High School, the school announced Tuesday.

“After careful consideration, I have decided to resign as the girls’ basketball coach at Pike County Central,” said Spears in a press release from the school. “I have enjoyed my four years here, working with some outstanding student-athletes, parents, and the administration. I appreciate the opportunity to coach at Pike County Central and wish the team and school the best in the future.”

With 564 career wins, Spears is tied for ninth place on the all-time wins list, the school included in its announcement.

It’s widely accepted that Spears has built a legacy defined by consistency, mentorship, and a relentless winning tradition across several storied programs in eastern Kentucky.

Throughout his extensive career, Spears became one of the most respected figures in the state’s basketball landscape, leading teams to 17 district championships.

Spears began his high school coaching career at Dorton High School in 1980. When Dorton and Virgie consolidated in 1990 to form Shelby Valley High School, Dorton had won six consecutive 59th District championships and was a perennial regional contender – despite practicing and playing all games on the road for three seasons following a fire that destroyed the Dorton gymnasium.

At Shelby Valley, Spears coached the program’s first team to reach the state tournament in 2000. That squad finished 33-2 and fell 53-51 to eventual state runner-up Shelby County in the Sweet 16.

In 2004, Spears was inducted into the Kentucky Association of Basketball Coaches “Court of Honor.” He is also a member of the Shelby Valley Athletic Hall of Fame.

During his four seasons at Pike County Central, the Lady Hawks captured two district titles, qualified for the 15th Region Tournament three times, and advanced to the semifinals in 2023 before a close loss to eventual champion Lawrence County.

More than 35 student-athletes coached by Spears have earned college basketball scholarships, including three at the NCAA Division I level.

Mountain Top Sports wishes Coach Spears the best of luck for whatever he has in mind for the future!

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by ZACH AKERS

PRESTONSBURG, Ky. – After nine seasons at the helm of the Prestonsburg Lady Blackcats, Brandon Kidd will be hanging up the whistle.

“Nine years ago, when I accepted this position, I was told by many that it couldn’t be done, that I could not win here, that I should coach boys instead, or that I should somewhere else.” Kidd wrote in a statement Friday. “But my family and I believed in this program, in this school, and most importantly in the young women who would wear the Prestonsburg jersey.

Kidd who is a graduate of Betsy Layne High School as well as the University of Pikeville spent multiple years as an assistant prior to PHS and even winning an All-A State Championship as an assistant with Betsy Layne in 2011.

“From day one, we poured everything we had into building something special,” Kidd continued. “What started with only four players on the first day has grown into a program that we built from the ground up…Outside of marrying my beautiful wife, and the birth of my two children, coaching this program has truly been the joy of my life.”

Kidd is the winningest coach in PHS history, an accolade he credits to all of those around him including his assistant coaches, players, and the community. He had multiple 20 win seasons, a district runner-up finish, a district championship, back to back final four appearances in the 15th region tournament, and three region tournament appearances in a row.

Kidd went on to say he hopes he made a positive and lasting impact on the players he coached as well as the entire Blackcat Nation.

All of us at Mountain Top Sports want to wish Coach Kidd the best of luck in all of his future endeavors both in and outside of coaching as he also serves as principal of Prestonsburg High School!

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PIKEVILLE, Ky. – Pikeville High School Athletic Director Lukas Burchett resigned Thursday, school officials said.

Pikeville Independent Schools superintendent David Trimble confirmed Burchett’s resignation and sent a statement Thursday afternoon.

“Our school district takes every situation and report very seriously and follows all protocol to the best of our abilities,” Trimble’s statement read. “It is a great privileged to be trusted by the families of nearly 1,200 students, and the safety of these students is always at the forefront of our work.”

Trimble also shared that he couldn’t comment further on details about Burchett stepping down.

“Any action taken by the school or an employee as the result of any investigation is communicated with families of those impacted. While we cannot comment further on personnel matters, we can assure that the safety of our students and staff is the focus in every situation.”

Burchett had held several positions at the school in addition to his appointment in May of 2024 as athletic director. Prior to this, he was a library media specialist, assistant football coach, and assistant baseball coach.

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UPDATE, 2 p.m., Friday, Nov. 29 — About a day-and-a-half after announcing he was quitting his position on the Pikeville City Commission, Steven Hartsock has rescinded his resignation.

“After further consideration and great talks with the mayor, city manager, and the other three commissioners along with family and friends, I have decided to stay on the Commission,” Hartsock announced on a post on his Facebook page. “I am truly sorry for what has transpired the last couple days. For the ones that called and texted to reach out and that put their faith in me to be a City Commissioner I am truly grateful and I will not let you down. I want to finish what I started and I realize how many support me in this community and I truly am blessed beyond measure. Thank you again for all your support and let’s continue making the City of Pikeville a better place for everyone!”

ORIGINAL STORY: PIKEVILLE, Ky. — Pikeville City Commissioner Steve Hartsock has announced his resignation from that body.

Hartsock announced his departure in a Facebook post Wednesday night.

”As of tonight I have informed the Mayor of Pikeville that I have resigned my position on the Pikeville City Commission,” Hartsock wrote. “It has been a pleasure serving the citizens of Pikeville for 10 years. Thanks to all that voted and believed in me but I feel as if it is in my best interest to step down. Thank you.”

Under state law, the remaining members of the commission have 30 days to appoint a replacement by a majority vote. If they fail to do so in that amount of time, the choice the falls to the governor.

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INEZ, Ky. — Martin County is expected to soon have its fourth judge-executive during the current term.

Judge Colby Kirk submitted his resignation to the county on Friday. It will be effective Oct. 28.

“It is with a heavy heart that today I announce my resignation as Martin County judge-executive and my withdrawal from the general election,” Kirk wrote. “I have been proud to serve the people of Martin County and am grateful beyond words to all who have supported me in this role.”

About an hour after Kirk submitted his resignation, economic development organization One East Kentucky announced his hiring as president and CEO of that group, effective Oct. 31.

“After an extensive search, we found a local leader who possesses the unique skills and experience to succeed in this challenging position,” said Mark Gooch, board chairman of One East Kentucky and president and CEO of Community Trust Bancorp, Inc. “Colby is a smart, strategic leader who has demonstrated his commitment to East Kentucky on a personal and professional level. He is also a strong collaborator who can unite public officials and private businesses within our region and help us advance our mission of bringing new jobs to East Kentucky. We are thrilled to welcome him to the team.”

Kirk said he will still be able to serve Martin County in his new role.

“I will have a greater opportunity to bring jobs to this region,” Kirk wrote. “I will continue to work tirelessly for Martin County, and all of Eastern Kentucky.”

Kirk was the third judge-executive to serve Martin County in less than two years.

Former Judge William “Billbo” Davis was elected to the position in 2018, but he resigned abruptly during a fiscal court meeting in March of 2021. He was replaced by Victor Slone, who died in office in January. Kirk was appointed to replace Slone, and now a new judge will be appointed to fill Kirk’s position.

Kirk had been unopposed in the November election for the next term of office. Martin County Clerk Susie Skyles tells Mountain Top News that means the next judge’s race will be determined by write-in. However, in order for write-in votes to count, candidates must register with the County Clerk’s Office by Oct. 28.

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INEZ, Ky. — Martin County will soon be without a leader.

At the end of Tuesday night’s fiscal court meeting, Judge-Executive William “BillBo” Davis announced his resignation, effective on Friday.

Davis gave no reason for his departure.

Davis also advised magistrates that they would need to meet in order to appoint someone to sign off on county business until Gov. Andy Beshear appoints a replacement.

Under state law, the governor will appoint a replacement to serve until the next general election in November of 2022. At that time, a special election will be held to elect a new judge to serve the remainder of Davis’ term, which would end in 2023.

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