Don Rice, who coached the Christian Academy girls’ basketball team to two Seventh Region crowns and an All “A” Classic state title, announced Wednesday he has stepped down.
Rice never had a losing season at CAL, posting a 297-131 record and winning the region in 2005 and 2009. His 2004-05 Lady Centurions also won the All “A” championship.
“It’s been a great 14 years,” he said. “It’s just time to look for another opportunity and see what else I can do in basketball.”
Rice coached seven seasons at Holy Rosary before taking the CAL job in 2001. His 2004-05 team finished 30-5, beating Clinton County in the All “A” final and falling to Clinton County in the first round of the Sweet 16. Eleven of his players earned college scholarships, including All-State picks Merideth Marsh (Vanderbilt), Antonita Slaughter (Louisville) and China Dow (Middle Tennessee State).
“Slaughter was definitely one of the best players I’ve ever had, and I firmly believe China Dow was the best player to ever come through our school,” Rice said. “She could do anything on the court and also would do anything I asked her to do off the court.”
CAL athletic director Darin Long said the school is accepting applications for Rice’s replacement.
“Coach Rice has built our girls’ basketball program into one of the most consistent and successful in the state,” Long said in a release. “He has helped our players to go on and play at the next level as well as a mentor to all.”
North Oldham’s Stobaugh out
The Oldham Era reported that Chris Stobaugh has been fired after two seasons as boys’ basketball coach at North Oldham. He posted a 29-28 record, including 11-17 this season.
Athletic director Alan Yanke told the newspaper that off-court issues were the reason for the change.
“Our policy of not discussing playing time or strategy with parents was applauded before the season and then wasn’t acceptable at the end of the season,” Stobaugh told The Oldham Era.
He coached at DeSales and Male before North Oldham.
Tidbits
* The Butler girls’ basketball team is ranked No. 42 in the nation by USA Today. The Bearettes (26-3) will face Holy Cross at 6:30 p.m. Thursday in a Sixth Region Tournament semifinal at Valley.
* Nathan Roush became the eighth player in DeSales history to reach 1,000 career points, doing it in the regular-season finale against Fairdale on Feb. 22. Roush also was the starting quarterback on the Colts’ Class 2-A state championship football team.
* Pleasure Ridge Park’s Dyllin Albright signed to play soccer at Kentucky Christian.
