Logan County High School is among two Kentucky High Schools Selected as National Recipients of NFHS National High School Spirit of Sport Award. Logan County and the other recipient, Magoffin County High School, which is located 281 miles to the east in the Appalachian Mountains, have not traditionally been common opponents or rivals in sports, nor have they generally had much in common.
That all changed forever on Friday, March 2, 2012, when an EF3 tornado descended upon Salyersville. It touched down and began a 49-mile path of destruction through four counties. In the process, scores of buildings, businesses and homes were destroyed. Both the middle school and the high school were rendered condemned following the storms.
That Friday was the night before the scheduled 15th Region girls basketball game between Magoffin County and Paintsville High School. After much discussion, the game was moved to Monday night, just two days before the start of the state tournament. Before a very small contingent of Magoffin County fans, many of whom now owned only the clothes on their backs, the Lady Hornets defeated Paintsville, 49-40.
Two days later at the KHSAA Sweet 16 girls state basketball tournament in Bowling Green, Magoffin County was pitted against Ashland Blazer High School from the 16th Region, a much larger school and its geographic neighbor located in an area that was also devastated by the tornado. Prior to the game, the two teams gathered at center court for a moment of silence and then celebrated survival. After trailing in the second half, Magoffin County came back to win, 63-59.
Logan County coach Scot McAlister was in the stands that night as he became inspired watching the undersized but feisty Magoffin County team. As a result, he decided to offer his facility to Magoffin County as a place where the team could practice, seek refuge or just get away. When the Lady Hornets arrived at Logan County, they were greeted by 300 student-athletes who had organized a pep rally and a pizza party in their honor.
Giving up their own time and at their own expense, the Logan County students drove 30 miles from Russellville to Diddle Arena in Bowling Green, where they filled one of the end zones with students dressed in the Magoffin County school colors. Although Magoffin County lost that game to Lincoln County, Logan County’s selfless involvement became the big story of the tournament. Since that game, the students from both schools have stayed in touch and forged lifetime friendships as individuals who might have otherwise never seen each other again.
Nine months later, the Magoffin students decided that they wanted to pay back the Logan County girls team by coming to its first home game. On December 1, busloads of Magoffin County students made the five-hour drive from Salyersville to Russellville. Only a few Logan County school administrators were aware of Magoffin County’s impending arrival at their game. As they poured into the gym that night, it was very apparent the impact it had on the Logan County Coach, who was moved to tears.
That all changed forever on Friday, March 2, 2012, when an EF3 tornado descended upon Salyersville. It touched down and began a 49-mile path of destruction through four counties. In the process, scores of buildings, businesses and homes were destroyed. Both the middle school and the high school were rendered condemned following the storms.
That Friday was the night before the scheduled 15th Region girls basketball game between Magoffin County and Paintsville High School. After much discussion, the game was moved to Monday night, just two days before the start of the state tournament. Before a very small contingent of Magoffin County fans, many of whom now owned only the clothes on their backs, the Lady Hornets defeated Paintsville, 49-40.
Two days later at the KHSAA Sweet 16 girls state basketball tournament in Bowling Green, Magoffin County was pitted against Ashland Blazer High School from the 16th Region, a much larger school and its geographic neighbor located in an area that was also devastated by the tornado. Prior to the game, the two teams gathered at center court for a moment of silence and then celebrated survival. After trailing in the second half, Magoffin County came back to win, 63-59.
Logan County coach Scot McAlister was in the stands that night as he became inspired watching the undersized but feisty Magoffin County team. As a result, he decided to offer his facility to Magoffin County as a place where the team could practice, seek refuge or just get away. When the Lady Hornets arrived at Logan County, they were greeted by 300 student-athletes who had organized a pep rally and a pizza party in their honor.
Giving up their own time and at their own expense, the Logan County students drove 30 miles from Russellville to Diddle Arena in Bowling Green, where they filled one of the end zones with students dressed in the Magoffin County school colors. Although Magoffin County lost that game to Lincoln County, Logan County’s selfless involvement became the big story of the tournament. Since that game, the students from both schools have stayed in touch and forged lifetime friendships as individuals who might have otherwise never seen each other again.
Nine months later, the Magoffin students decided that they wanted to pay back the Logan County girls team by coming to its first home game. On December 1, busloads of Magoffin County students made the five-hour drive from Salyersville to Russellville. Only a few Logan County school administrators were aware of Magoffin County’s impending arrival at their game. As they poured into the gym that night, it was very apparent the impact it had on the Logan County Coach, who was moved to tears.
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