Alumni coaches bringing their teams to the court at UVa-Wise

When four local boys’ basketball teams hit the hardwood at The University of Virginia’s College at Wise on Dec. 15, they not only will be playing to win, but they also will be defending their respective coach’s honor at his alma mater.

Robert “Bull” Creech ’96, Scotty Vermillion ’98, T.J. McAmis ’00 and Zack Moore ’04 will return to their old stomping grounds with their boys’ basketball teams to battle it out at the Cavalier Alumni Coaches Invitational.

McAmis’s J.J. Kelly Indians will take on Creech’s Wolves of Wolfe County, Ky., at 6 p.m. in the Fred B. Greear Gymnasium.

The Gate City Blue Devils, under the leadership of Vermillion, will take on Moore’s Powell Valley Vikings at 7:30 p.m. The game will mark the only time the two teams will meet on the court this year following the Blue Devils’ exit from the Lonesome Pine District into the Clinch Mountain District.

Creech (1991-1995) is in his seventh year as head coach at Wolfe County. He was a four-year letterman for the Highland Cavaliers. In 1994 Creech and his teammates set the school record for number of wins.

As a three-year starter, Vermillion (1993-1997) made All-Conference in 1996 and 1997. He finished his time with the Highland Cavaliers with 1,215 points. Vermillion has been the head boys’ basketball coach at Gate City High School for five years.

McAmis (1996-2000) was the starting point guard for the Cavs for three years. He was captain of the 1999 and 2000 teams. McAmis has been head coach at J.J. Kelly for five years.

Moore (1999-2003) was an All-Conference player from 2001 to 2003, Freshman of the Year and first team NAIA All-American. The Cavs’ all-time leading scorer has been head coach at Powell Valley High School for two years.

Assistant coaches Terry Bird ’92 (Gate City) and Mike Allen ’81 (Powell Valley) are also alumni of the College. Bird is in the College’s Athletic Hall of Fame. Allen serves as a member of the College Board.

Admission to the game is $5. Advance student tickets are $3 and are available at the teams’ schools. All proceeds will benefit the UVa-Wise men’s basketball program.

For more information, contact the Office of College Relations at 276-328-0130.

Posted December 3, 2007