By Allen Hamrick
Post season awards have been tallied for WV basketball LKC Conference, and four CCHS Panthers are named on the list. Their performance on the courts this winter was outstanding and duly recognized. The region the Panthers played in is noted for teams that are persistent and physical. These young men didn’t just put on a Panther uniform for a fashion statement; they clocked in to play and win and earned their seat at the LKC round table. Plainly put – the WV LKC choice makers finally opened their eyes because these boys could herd cats through a river and made the courts their own personal playgrounds.
Taking top honors this season was Joel Elliott who was awarded 1st Team All LKC. Watching him handle the rock this season was like watching a Plott hound after a bear, the bear knew he could climb a tree, but the Plott wouldn’t stop. By the time teams thought they had him figured out, he was already three zip codes ahead. He didn’t just play his position well; he knew the secret password to most defenses in the league. His jumper was like watching a plane take off and the landing made the net snap.
Garnering another spot on the team was Jacoby Nichols who was awarded the 2nd team All LKC. Playing in a game with Jacoby was like knowing when he hit the floor the game was essentially won before it even got started. He was massive on the boards but didn’t just stop there; he also manufactured points by threading the needle in passing lanes to get to other shooters. To the other teams he was a nightmare not only on defense but on offense, as well. He played basketball like a surgeon, with a scalpel.
Rounding out the awards were Spencer Faulkner and Michael Foster who were awarded Honorable Mention All LKC. These two players were the all-around heavy hitters who made the Panther team a force to reckon with. Getting a rebound on them was like wrestling a tornado in a China shop – it may seem like a good idea but in the end they just couldn’t. They caused chaos on the courts whether hitting the boards hard or outside the paint. They played like toasters in a bathtub – sudden, electric, deadly and guaranteed to ruin the other team’s day. They provided the high energy needed to win games whether it was diving for loose basketballs or hitting key shots; they kept the game intense and fun to watch.
Individual trophies are great, but these four players will quickly tell you that winning a game takes five members, a bench full of backups and a good set of coaches, and it took all of them. Congratulations to these Panthers for earning their spots in the lights for the 2025-2026 season. The highlight reels won’t soon be forgotten.
