BCHS to honor 16 standout athletes, coaches, and contributors at this evening’s ceremony

 

IVAN K. RICE I doctorofsports@aol.com

 

PARIS, KY – Tonight, inside the BCHS cafeteria, 16 new members will be inducted into the Bourbon County Athletic Hall of Fame, joining the 39 honorees welcomed over the past two years.

Tom Leach, a 2024 Inductee, will return as the evening’s guest speaker. A Bourbon County graduate, Leach is best known as the longtime “Voice of the Wildcats,” serving as the play‑by‑play announcer for University of Kentucky football and men’s basketball. His award‑winning broadcasting career has made him one of the most recognizable and respected sports voices in the state, and his ties to Bourbon County make his appearance especially meaningful for this year’s ceremony. After Leach’s address, the ceremony will recognize 16 individuals whose accomplishments, from the gridiron to the trap range, helped elevate Bourbon County athletics.

The 2025 Class will be introduced tomorrow night inside Russ Day Gym during the annual Bourbon County/Paris rivalry games. The girls’ game tips off at 6:00 p.m., followed by the boys’ game. The Hall of Fame presentation will take place between the two contests.

Below are brief bios of each inductee. Full profiles will appear in next Thursday’s (2‑12‑2026) Bourbon County Citizen sports section.

 

–2025 Induction Class–

Shelby Banion Shaw – A key contributor to three District Championship softball teams, Shelby also played volleyball and basketball. She became the first Lady Colonel to play college softball, earning academic and athletic scholarships to Milligan College.

Don Byars – Named Best All-Around Athlete his senior year, Don excelled in football, basketball, and track. He played on the 1964 Sweet Sixteen basketball team and was later inducted into the Lexington-Fayette County African American Sports Hall of Fame for his officiating career.

Jacob Coburn – A seven-year BCHS soccer player, Jacob earned multiple honors and was named to the 2010 KHSSCA Honorable Mention team. He played at the University of the Cumberlands and later founded the Men’s Soccer Club at Morehead State University.

Shane Dunsing – A standout bowler and baseball player, Shane was the Individual Regional Bowling Champion in 2012 and 2015. In 2015, he became the KHSAA Individual State Champion and the only bowler in state tournament history to roll a perfect game. He was named the Bourbon Citizen Doctor of Sports Top Sports Story of the Year.

Jim Kelly – A multi-sport athlete in basketball, baseball, football, and track, Jim briefly played football at the University of Louisville before pursuing martial arts. His success in karate led to a film and television career, followed by time as a professional tennis player.

Preston LeMaster – One of BCHS’s most decorated basketball players, Preston earned first-team all-state honors from major media outlets and was a Mr. Kentucky Basketball candidate. He played in the Kentucky-Indiana All-Star Game and spent four seasons under Coach Tubby Smith at the University of Kentucky.

Ivy Livengood – A four-year basketball starter, Ivy helped lead the Lady Colonels to their last win over GRC during her senior season. She graduated as the program’s second all-time leading scorer with 1,362 points and also competed in soccer and softball.

Nora Martin Ross – A trailblazer in trap shooting, Nora earned 22 consecutive All-American selections beginning in 1978, serving as captain 13 times. She amassed numerous championships and was inducted into the Amateur Trapshooting Association Hall of Fame in 1999.

Rick Massie – A multisport athlete who held 10 football records at BCHS, Rick walked on at the University of Kentucky before earning a football scholarship. He later played professionally for the Calgary Stampeders and the Denver Broncos, appearing in 13 NFL games and earning a Super Bowl ring.

Molly Norton Kenney – A four-year basketball starter and softball standout, Molly graduated as the Lady Colonels’ all-time leading scorer and held single-season and career home run records. She helped lead BCHS to its last win over GRC, scoring 19 points with 9 rebounds in that victory.

Rachel Poe – Beginning her 34-year teaching and coaching career in 1984, Rachel served as assistant girls’ basketball coach during a run that included 150 wins and a district title. She later became Assistant Director of the BCHS Drama Department and is most proud of helping students succeed in college athletics and the arts.

Derek Robinson – A four-year basketball starter with 111 games played, Derek set school records with 2,375 points and 583 assists. At Western Kentucky University, he earned Sun Belt Freshman of the Year, Tournament MVP, and all-conference honors. His professional career included stops in Europe, the USBL, ABA, and with the Harlem Globetrotters. He entered the 10th Region Hall of Fame in 2003.

Asia Sims – The all-time leading scorer and rebounder in Lady Colonels history, Asia totaled 2,500 points, 1,268 rebounds, 373 assists, 407 steals, and 203 blocks. A Kentucky-Indiana All-Star, she played Division I basketball at Tennessee State and was inducted into the 10th Region Girls Basketball Hall of Fame in 2022.

Johnny Stout – Johnny coached multiple sports at Bourbon County Middle and High Schools, most notably wrestling, where he helped build a championship-caliber program. He coached a state champion, a runner-up, and four state placers, and also volunteered as a football statistician.

Charles Trumbo – A standout in baseball, basketball, football, and track, Charles went on to play football at Kentucky State. He coached 34 USA Track & Field state champions and continues to mentor young athletes. He was inducted into the Lexington African American Sports Hall of Fame in 2022.

Amy Waugh – Amy began playing tennis for BCHS in 5th grade and became a 10th Region Doubles Champion as a freshman. She later served as a student athletic trainer at UK and earned her graduate degree at the University of Florida, working with national championship teams and Olympic athletes. She continued her athletic training career at UF and UK until her passing in 2020.