Championship coach says tradition, community backing drew him to Inez
BY BRITTNI MCCOY
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
INEZ — Martin County High School has announced Shannon Lewis as the new head coach of the Lady Cardinals basketball program.
Lewis takes over for Hall of Fame coach Robin Newsome, who recently retired after 48 years with the program, leaving behind one of the most respected legacies in Kentucky girls’ basketball.
Lewis participated in a meet-and-greet June 19, where he met with the current Lady Cardinals and began laying the groundwork for the program’s next chapter.
Following a coach with Newsome’s history is no small task, but Lewis said he understands the tradition he is stepping into.
“I’ve known her throughout the years and I know how well respected she is,” Lewis said of Newsome. “We talked about the job and I feel like this is a great place that has tradition and a backing. I feel like the administration will back the program.”
Developing players on and off the court is at the center of Lewis’ approach.
“I love meeting people and teaching kids the game,” he said. “It’s about these kids having a great experience at this level. We want to get to work and do the best we can. We’re young; it’s going to take some growing pains, but give us some time and we’ll make some noise.”
Lewis is from Lesage, West Virginia, and has three children: daughters Shealyn Porter and Tracy Pack and son Josh Pack. He has been in education for 23 years and has spent 40 years coaching.
His coaching background includes 22 years of high school girls basketball, one year of middle school girls basketball and 35 years of AAU travel basketball at all age levels. Lewis has also coached golf for seven years, cross-country for two years and track for two years.
Lewis brings a decorated résumé to Martin County with a 359-146 career record, nine Class A West Virginia state championships, six AAU national championships and three state Coach of the Year awards.
His most accomplished run came at Huntington St. Joseph in West Virginia, where he spent 18 seasons and built one of the state’s top girls’ basketball programs. He guided the Irish to nine Class A state championships and 12 state title game appearances.
St. Joseph earned national attention under Lewis’ guidance. The Irish finished with a No. 13 MaxPreps national ranking during the 2019-20 season. St. Joseph was favored to win the 2020 state tournament before it was canceled due to COVID-19. That team finished 25-1 and was ranked among the best teams in the country.
The St. Joseph program produced 30 college players under Lewis. Two of the most decorated were Mychal Johnson and Grace Hutson.
Johnson was a two-time Gatorade State Player of the Year. She earned a full scholarship to Notre Dame, where she was part of the Fighting Irish’s 2017-18 NCAA national championship team.
Hutson was also named Gatorade Player of the Year and earned a full scholarship to VCU, where she served as team captain for the last two years.
Lewis resigned from St. Joseph in 2021 and accepted an assistant coaching position at Cabell Midland. In May 2022, he accepted a position at Lakeway Christian Academy in Tennessee. He also has coached the AAU program West Virginia Thunder.
As for his priority, Lewis pointed to building trust.
“Earn the trust of my players, parents, assistant coaches, administration and community,” he said.
The family atmosphere Newsome cultivated throughout her career aligns closely with Lewis’ own coaching philosophy.
“Being in a public school system, it’s about building within. Things happen, people transfer now, but I’m a little older and the community raises their kids. You want your kids to be in a situation where they build them as young ladies and young men.”
On the court, Lewis wants the Lady Cardinals to play fast, apply pressure and be ready to adjust.
“I like to play uptempo and pressure the ball,” he said. “Also, be prepared to have or adjust to anything we need to have in our arsenal.”
Lewis values effort and teamwork. Playing time will be earned, and player development will come through daily work on fundamentals. He described himself as “very competitive and fair.”
Lewis will be joined on staff by Lance Tackett, Mark Tiller and Brady Horn. A possible addition will be announced at a later date. Tryout and open gym information is also to be announced.
The goal for this season is simple: “To compete against every opponent.”
Long-term, Lewis’ goals for the program are to compete for a 15th Region championship and an All “A” regional championship. He wants to build a culture around “family and winning.”
Lewis is ready to continue building on the foundation already in place.
“I’m excited to join the Martin County family as the new head girls basketball coach,” he said. “I’m ready to get to work and continue to build on the tradition that Robin Newsome has established for the Martin County girls basketball teams over her many years as their mentor on and off the court. Thanks to the administration of Martin County High School for this opportunity.”