Haggard returns to coach KA Rams basketball

Betty Lynn Haggard will be coaching the Kemper Academy Rams as they tip off their 2020-2021 season this week.

The Kemper Academy Rams basketball team will be tipping its 2020-2021 season off this week. Members of the team are, front row from left, Eli Miles, Hunter J. McWilliams, Landon Dickson, Zach Ferrell, Jaron McBride; second row from left; Coach Betty Lynn Haggard, Kix Wilson, Zane Knight, Dylan Williamson, Dalton McFarland, Cash Wilson, Cole Newton, and Manager Alex Ferrell. Not pictured- Asst Coach Daniel Haggard

The Kemper Academy Lady Rams basketball team will be tipping its 2020-2021 season off this week. Members of the team are, front row from left, Sammie Knight, Jordan Gully, Shadow Goodrich, Avery Luke, and KK Holley; second row from left; Coach Betty Lynn Haggard, Tori Stennis, Braylee Johnson, Sara Gaylord, Sydney Wilson, Peyton Dawkins, and assistant coach LouAnn Wilson. Not pictured- Asst Coach Daniel Haggard

Posted Thursday, November 5, 2020 11:00 am

By Steve Swogetinsky

Betty Lynn Haggard returns to coach the Kemper Academy basketball teams after being away from courtside since 2016.

Hall, a 1988 graduate of Kemper Academy, coached both teams starting in 2006. She had 10 years with the girls. There were three seasons she didn’t coach the boys.
The Rams season tipped off Tuesday night against Grace Christian. They were scheduled to play at Winston on Thursday.

“My blood runs Kemper Academy green,” Haggard said. “I love my school. I didn’t coach those years but I never left. I am a member of the school board and have been around.”
Hall plans to establish an excitement around both basketball programs.

“The teams have new uniforms for home and away games,” Haggard said. “We painted the gym. The gym floor has been redone. Kemper Academy has been around for 50 years but we wanted to put some newness back in it.”

“We had a ‘Meet the Rams’ night on Saturday,” Haggard said. “We had to do it on the football field. The teams were introduced and then we had a Haunted House and games. It was a good night.”

The event was held outside because of the COVID-19 Pandemic.
“The COVID-19 has everything messed up,” Haggard said. “We are going to be very careful. We told the kids to treat every game like it is the last one. If there is another outbreak, it could be.”

Introducing the girls team, the guards are Jordan Gully, Peyton Dawkins, Avery Luke, Sammie Knight and Braylee Johnson.
The forwards are K.K. Holley, Sydney Wilson, Sara Gaylord, Shadow Goodrich and Tori Stennis.

Playing for the boys will be guards Zach Ferrell, Jaron McBride, Hunter McWilliams, Landon Dickson, Zane Knight Kix Wilson and Cash Wilson. The forwards are Dylan Williamson, Dalton McFarland and Eli Miles.

The Rams play in the same division with Newton Academy, Columbus Christian and Hebron Christian.

“We have been practicing for about five weeks,” Haggard said. “We had to share time with the football team but that’s over now. We are ready to get the season under way and see how we do.”

Kemper Academy’s schedule for the season is as follows:

November: 3 – Grace Christian; 5 – at Winston Academy; 12 – at Enterprise; 16 – Calhoun Academy; 17 – at Starkville Christian; 20 – at Porters Chapel.

December: 1 – at Clarkdale; 3 – Enterprise; 4 – at Russell Christian; 10 – Russell Christian; 14 – at Calhoun; 21 – Pickens.

January: 5 – Hebron; 8 – Porters Chapel; 12 – at Columbus Christian; 15 – at Newton Academy; 19 – at Hebron Christian; 21 – Starkville Christian; 26 – Columbus Christian; 29 – Newton.

February: District Tournament to be announced.