Tom Leach returns home to help honor The County’s newest Hall of Fame inductees

 

IVAN K. RICE I doctorofsports@aol.com

 

PARIS, KY – Brutal cold, ice, and snow may have shut down much of everyday life last week, but none of it could cool the spirit inside the Bourbon County High School cafeteria on Friday night. In front of more than 125 guests, the Bourbon County Athletic Department welcomed 16 new members into the Bourbon County Athletic Hall of Fame, joining the 39 honorees inducted over the previous two years.

Bourbon County has long produced exceptional competitors, athletes whose talent, toughness, and commitment shaped their programs and elevated expectations for all who followed. This year’s class spans eras, sports, and generations, yet each inductee shares a common legacy, raising the standard of what it means to wear the maroon and gold.

The evening opened with a welcome from Athletic Director Wendy Rankin Mahanna, whose leadership has been central to establishing and sustaining the Hall of Fame since its creation three years ago. She thanked the committee and the inductees for their patience and cooperation throughout the selection and research process. Soon after, committee member Tony Sosby offered the blessing, followed by a meal catered by Craig’s Downtown Catering.

Committee member Ivan K. Rice then introduced the night’s master of ceremonies and guest speaker, Tom Leach, a Bourbon County graduate, 2024 Hall of Fame inductee, and the iconic “Voice of the Wildcats” for University of Kentucky football and men’s basketball. Leach’s award‑winning broadcasting career has made him one of the most respected sports voices in Kentucky, and his return to Bourbon County added a special touch to the celebration.

Leach presented the 2025 Hall of Fame Class, while Mahanna and committee member Dana McCarty Hill awarded each inductee their plaque. Committee member David Poe was also in attendance to witness his wife, Rachel, receive her induction.

The night concluded with closing remarks from Mahanna, who thanked everyone for braving the harsh weather to honor the newest members of the Colonels Athletic Hall of Fame.

The 2025 Class was also recognized the following evening during the annual Bourbon County/Paris rivalry basketball games inside Russ Day Gym.

Below are the bios of each inductee.

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Shelby Banion Shaw – Shelby became a cornerstone of the Lady Colonels softball program after transferring to Bourbon County her sophomore

year. Her impact was immediate and lasting, helping BCHS capture the District Championship in all three seasons she played. As a senior, she swept major team awards, Best Pitcher, Best Defensive Player, and the 110% Award, while also leading the team with a .580 on base percentage and a .446 batting average. Throughout her career, she earned multiple All‑Tournament Team selections and added varsity letters in volleyball and basketball.

Shelby continued her academic and athletic journey at Milligan College, becoming the first Lady Colonel softball player to compete at the collegiate level.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Don Byars – One of the most versatile athletes in school history, Byars earned the title of Best All‑Around Athlete as a senior at Bourbon County

High School. He excelled in football, basketball, and track and field, starring on the 1964 Colonels basketball team that reached the Sweet Sixteen. That same year, he dominated the Mid‑State Conference track meet, scoring 15 points to lead BCHS to the championship. Don was a two‑time Basketball All Mid‑State Conference selection and a two‑time All 10th Region honoree during his junior and senior seasons. He continued his basketball career at Morehead State University, where he became the team’s top reserve as a senior.

After college, Don dedicated three decades to officiating high school and college basketball and spent 14 years as a softball umpire. His excellence earned him induction into the Lexington-Fayette County African American Sports Hall of Fame.

 

 

 

 

Jacob Coburn – Jacob carved out a historic soccer career at Bourbon County, competing at the high school level for seven years and collecting

numerous JV honors, including Most Improved, All‑Tournament selections, and Offensive MVP. His senior season was record‑breaking as he set school marks for Most Goals in a Match (6) and Most Goals in a Season (30) and delivered the overtime game‑winner in the 12th Region semifinal. As a senior co‑captain, Jacob earned Tournament MVP and Golden Boot honors at the Apollo Eagle Cup, Golden Boot at the Colonel Classic, and was named BCHS Most Valuable Player, Offensive MVP, Golden Boot Award winner, and Will to Win Award recipient. His team won the District Championship, and he was selected to the All‑Tournament Team. Jacob also earned Honorable Mention recognition from the Kentucky High School Soccer Coaches Association in 2010. He continued his career at the University of the Cumberlands and later founded the Men’s Soccer Club at Morehead State University.

 

 

 

 

 

Shane Dunsing – A multi‑sport athlete, Shane competed in baseball for two years but made his greatest mark in bowling, spending six seasons on

the varsity team and becoming one of the most dominant bowlers in school and regional history. Shane rolled more than 20 perfect 300 games and, at just 16 years old, held Lexington’s highest average at 225. He recorded over five 800‑plus series and captured Individual Regional Championships in 2012 and 2015. His senior year was historic as Shane won the 2015 KHSAA Individual State Championship and became the only bowler in state tournament history to roll a perfect game during the championship event. He was a three‑time All‑Tournament Team selection, a Youth Tour Champion, and earned the Bourbon County Citizen Doctor of Sports Top Sports Story of the Year in 2015.

 

 

 

 

 

Jim Kelly – Jim was a standout multi‑sport athlete at Bourbon County, competing in basketball, baseball, football, and track and field. On the

gridiron, he led the Mid‑State Conference in scoring as a junior and earned All Mid‑State Conference honors at halfback in both his junior and senior seasons. In track, Jim won the Mid‑State Conference broad jump title in 1962 and finished second in 1963. His senior year was exceptional, as he set a conference record of 21’6”, then won the Regional Meet and established a school record of 21’8”, a mark that stood for many years. He finished as the 1964 State Runner‑Up in the broad jump. Jim briefly played football at the University of Louisville before pursuing martial arts, where he trained with prominent instructors and opened his own karate school in Los Angeles. His martial arts success led to roles in movies and television, and he later competed professionally in tennis.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preston LeMaster – One of the most decorated basketball players in Bourbon County history, Preston led the Colonels to a District Championship

highlighted by a 32‑point performance in a rivalry win over Paris. That team won 25 games and reached the 10th Region semifinal. Preston was a three‑time All‑37th District selection and earned District Player of the Year as a senior. He added two first‑team All‑Region honors and was named the KABC 10th Region Player of the Year. His senior season brought statewide recognition – first‑team all‑state honors from the Associated Press, Lexington Herald‑Leader, and Louisville Courier‑Journal, along with second‑team all‑state as a junior. Preston became a Mr. Kentucky Basketball candidate, earned a spot on the Kentucky All‑Star Team for the Kentucky/Indiana All‑Star Game, and was selected to the prestigious King of the Bluegrass and Fifth Third Bank Holiday Classic All‑Tournament Teams. He was also nominated for the McDonald’s All‑American Team. Preston finished his career with 1,984 points and earned First Team All‑Region honors in baseball. He went on to play four seasons of basketball for Coach Tubby Smith at the University of Kentucky.

 

 

Ivy Livengood – A four‑year starter for the Lady Colonels, Ivy played a pivotal role in one of the program’s most memorable victories, Bourbon

County’s last win over George Rogers Clark, achieved during her senior season. That same year, she powered the Lady Colonels past No. 8 Montgomery County with a dominant 26‑point, 8‑rebound performance. Ivy earned All‑40th District honors as a junior and senior, was named All‑10th Region Honorable Mention as a junior and secured Second Team All‑Region recognition as a senior. At graduation she ranked second on the Lady Colonels’ all‑time scoring list with 1,362 points, and she remains fourth today. Ivy also competed in soccer and softball during her BCHS career.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nora Martin Ross – Long before trap shooting became a sanctioned school sport, Nora Martin Ross was already rewriting the record books. She

began shooting registered targets in 1975 and, just one year later, captured her first of 105 Grand American trophies by winning the junior Class B award in the Class Singles with a score of 194. At age 14 she swept the women’s, junior, and sub‑junior titles at her first state shoot. She repeated as the women’s and junior champion in 1978 and 1979, and her 198 in 1979 tied the junior record. Nora earned her first All‑American Team selection in 1978, beginning a streak of 22 consecutive appearances. She served as team captain 13 times and co‑captain twice. Her career includes numerous championships and national honors, culminating in her induction into the Amateur Trapshooting Association Hall of Fame in 1999.

 

 

 

 

 

Rick Massie – Rick was a multisport athlete at Bourbon County High School, competing in basketball, track and field, and football. On the football

field, he became one of the most productive players in school history, holding 10 school records, including Most Interceptions in a season (6), Most Receptions in a season (21), and Highest Wolfpack points in a season (993). His senior year honors included The Snake Award for downfield blocking, the Coaches 110% Award, and All-State Honorable Mention defensive safety. Rick walked on at the University of Kentucky in 1979 and earned a scholarship in 1980. He became a three-year letterman, finishing with 60 receptions for 951 yards, and received the 1983 FCA Athlete of the Year Award. His professional career included time with the Calgary Stampede of the CFL and two seasons with the Denver Broncos, where he played in 13 games and recorded 16 receptions for 283 yards and 4 touchdowns. Although a broken fibula kept him out of Super Bowl XXII, he remains tied for 3rd all-time in Denver Broncos history for Most Touchdown Receptions by a Rookie with 4. He also earned the Broncos Community Service Award in 1988.

Rick spent more than 21 years teaching at Bourbon County Middle School and served three years as the BCHS Head Football and Track & Field Coach.

 

 

 

 

Molly Norton Kenney – Molly was a standout dual-sport athlete at Bourbon County High School. She was a four-year starter for the Lady

Colonels basketball team and a key contributor on the softball team. At graduation she held the school records for most home runs in a season and career. She also finished as the leading basketball scorer in program history with 1,367 points, a total that still ranks third all-time. Molly earned All-40th District and First Team All-10th Region honors during both her junior and senior seasons. She was also a member of the last Bourbon County girls’ basketball team to defeat George Rogers Clark prior to this Hall of Fame induction. In that 54–49 victory, Molly led the way with 19 points and 9 rebounds.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rachel Poe – Rachel Florence Poe began her 34-year teaching and coaching career in 1984. She served as assistant coach to Jim Ishmael, helping

guide a girls basketball program that won more than 150 games. During her time as assistant, the Lady Colonels reached the District Finals three times and won the District Championship once. She also coached the 7th-grade, 8th-grade, Freshman, JV teams, and the Varsity Head Coach from 1992 to 1999. Her teams were district runner-up twice, advanced to Regional play twice, and reached the Regional semifinals once. After her basketball coaching career, she became the Assistant Director of the BCHS Drama Department, a role she continued into retirement. She often said that coaching drama was similar to coaching basketball because you still teach discipline, teamwork, and performance … just without the bus rides. She is most proud of helping students discover their potential and continue their athletic or performance careers in college.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derek Robinson – D-Rob was a four-year starter for the Colonels basketball team, playing in 111 games under coaches Russ Day and Tony Sosby.

He became the most prolific player in program history, setting school records with 2,375 points and 583 assists. His scoring average increased each season, from 9 points per game as a freshman to 20 as a sophomore, then to 31 as a junior and 32 as a senior, leading the state in scoring both years. Derek scored in double figures 95 times, including a streak of 85 consecutive games, and recorded 17 double-doubles and a triple-double. He shot 51 percent from the field and 35 percent from three-point range, and remains the school’s all-time leader in points, assists, and steals. His honors include multiple All-District and All-Region selections, All-District Tournament Team as a senior, and Kentucky All-State First Team in 1998.

At Western Kentucky University he helped the Hilltoppers win two regular-season championships and two Sun Belt Conference Tournament titles. His collegiate awards include Sun Belt Freshman of the Year (1999), Sun Belt Tournament MVP (2002), All-Conference Team, and WKU Senior Athlete of the Year.

Derek played professionally in Sweden, France, Germany, the USBL, ABA, and with the Harlem Globetrotters. He was inducted into the 10th Region Basketball Hall of Fame in 2003 and now works as a special education teacher and head basketball coach.

 

Asia Sims – Asia is the all-time leading scorer and rebounder in Lady Colonels basketball history. In 171 games, she totaled 2,500 points, 1,268

rebounds, 373 assists, 407 steals, and 203 blocked shots. She earned All-Region Third Team honors as a freshman, All-Region Second Team as a sophomore, and First Team All-Region as a junior and senior. She was Honorable Mention All-State by both the Herald-Leader and Courier-Journal as a junior and senior, and a USA Today Third Team All-State selection as a senior. As a junior, Asia averaged 17.8 points and 9.1 rebounds per game and was selected for the Kentucky-Indiana All-Star Junior Game. Her senior season included averages of 20 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 steals per game, and she again earned selection to the Kentucky All-Star Team. Asia also ran track and continued her basketball career at Division I Tennessee State University. She was inducted into the 10th Region Girls Basketball Hall of Fame in 2022.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Johnny Stout – Johnny Stout spent many years coaching at Bourbon County Middle School and Bourbon County High School. He coached Track &

Field, Basketball, Football, and Wrestling, teaching countless athletes the fundamentals and discipline needed to succeed. As middle school football coach, he led his team to a perfect 8-0 season. His longest and most influential tenure came in wrestling, where he helped build a championship-caliber program. Under his leadership, Bourbon County produced a state champion, a state runner-up, and four state placers. Johnny also volunteered his time to keep statistics for the high school football team.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Charles Trumbo – Charles was a standout multi‑sport athlete at Bourbon County High School, excelling in baseball, basketball, football, and track

and field. His versatility was matched by his production, earning Mid‑State Conference honors in both football and track. As a senior, he delivered one of the most dominant defensive seasons in school history, setting ten tackle records, including 27 tackles in a single game and 180 tackles for the season. His relentless defensive play earned him a spot on Coach Cotton Correll’s prestigious Vulture Squad during both his junior and senior years. His leadership and commitment were further recognized when the Board of Education honored him with the Bourbon County Colonel Award, given for excellence and dedication to the football program.

After graduation, Charles continued his football career at Kentucky State College. His impact on athletics extended far beyond his playing days. As a coach, he guided 34 USA Track & Field State Champions, becoming a respected mentor whose influence shaped generations of young athletes. Even today, he remains active in the sport, assisting at track meets and offering guidance to up‑and‑coming competitors. In 2022, Charles’ lifelong contributions led to his induction into the Lexington African American Sports Hall of Fame, cementing his legacy as one of Bourbon County’s most accomplished and influential athletic figures.

 

 

Amy Waugh – Amy Waugh began playing tennis for Bourbon County High School in the 5th grade. After her 7th-grade season she earned the Up &

Coming Award following a runner-up finish in the 10th Region Doubles Tournament, a result she repeated in 8th grade. As a freshman she became a 10th Region Doubles Champion, helping the Lady Colonels win three straight 10th Region Team Championships. Switching to singles as a sophomore, Amy won three consecutive 10th Region Singles Championships. She was team MVP as a junior and senior, served as team captain, and received the Colonel Award from the Board of Education. She also played basketball and worked as a student athletic trainer, traveling with the 1997 State Championship Football Team.

Amy attended the University of Kentucky as a student athletic trainer for all sports, then earned her graduate degree in Athletic Training at the University of Florida, working with the National Champion Football Team and the Swimming and Diving program, which included three Olympic medalists. She later worked as an athletic trainer for both UF and UK until her passing in 2020. An endowed scholarship in her name now supports pre-athletic training students in the UK College of Health Sciences.

 

 

 

 

–ALL HALL OF FAME PHOTOS TAKEN BY KRISTA BARNETT–

 

Bourbon County High School’s Athletic Hall of Fame criteria…

Mission: To recognize and honor those who have made valuable contributions to the rich tradition of Bourbon County Athletics.

Hall of Fame Policies

1. Individuals may be nominated as a player, coach, or supporter of Bourbon County Athletics.
2. Teams as a whole may also be nominated.
3. The maximum number of individuals admitted per year will be three. One team can be admitted as well for a total of 4 inductees. (The first few years will be the exception).
4. All nominees should be of good character and shall be good role models. Inductees shall not have been convicted of a felony. If the discovery of a felony occurs after induction, or one occurs while in the Hall of Fame, then that inductee will be removed as a member of the hall of fame.

Nomination Criteria

1. Athletes must be a Bourbon County graduate and be 10 years removed from graduation. They should have an exceptional, verifiable record as a Bourbon County athlete.
2. Former coaches of Bourbon County may be nominated if they are no longer coaching.
3. Those individuals who have made outstanding contributions to athletics outside of being an athlete or coach.

Recognition and Privileges of Membership

1. Inductees will be recognized at a home football or basketball game and will also be honored at a Hall of Fame banquet.
2. A plaque will be presented to individual inductees. A permanent recognition of the Hall of Fame will be in the High School front hallway.
3. Individual inductees will be given lifetime passes to all Bourbon County regular season home athletic events (does not include in-season tournaments, classics, or bowl games).

 Nomination Procedures

1. Nomination forms can be found on the BCHS Athletics website as well as the District and High School pages. Forms should be submitted to the Bourbon County High School Athletic Director. All forms will be kept on file for 5 years.
2. The nomination deadline is May 1st of each year.
3. The committee will meet and select the Hall of Fame inductees by June 15th.
4. Inductees will be notified immediately, and the information will be made public by July 1.

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The 2023 Inaugural class: Twenty-two individuals were honored as the first class inducted into the Bourbon County Athletic Hall of Fame. Inducted into the inaugural class were Wilson Barlow (contributor), Bill Case (basketball), Kathy Johnston (Athletic Director), Mabel Stimpson (coach), Jerry White (track and field), Mary Witt Wilson (track and field), Allen Cleaver (track and field), Jeff Royce (basketball), Jane Jolly (cheer coach), Jim Hurley (basketball), Russ Day (coach), Jeff Jett (coach), Jack Tucker (basketball), Jim Lemaster (basketball), Larry Conrad (coach), Eugene “Cotton” Correll (coach), John Sosby (contributor), Kelly Galbraith-Geoghegan (basketball & track and field), Jim Ishmael (coach), and Pam Raglin (track and field).

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The 2024 class: Seventeen individuals were honored as the second class inducted into the Bourbon County Athletic Hall of Fame. Inducted into the class were Katie Blevins Allen (soccer), Gayle Conner Saunders (cheerleader), Lyle Eads (coach), Robin Fryman (track and field), Mike Henderson (coach), Myron Hill (golf), Mike Holmes (coach), Jennifer Johnson Norman (basketball), Tom Leach (contributor), Wayne Mogge (football & basketball), Jenny Moore (soccer), David Poe (coach), Roy Poe (contributor), Shanda Pulliam Crosby (basketball & track and field), Tony Sosby (coach), Craig Summers (basketball), and Ricky Wilson (basketball).

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Note: You can view more of this year’s hall of fame photos taken by Krista Barnett on her Facebook page by clicking on this link: (1) Facebook=

You can also view the entire Hall of Fame story inside today’s (2-12-2026) Bourbon County Citizen’s sports section!