Cherryville High School - CHS Ironmen and Lady Ironmen Athletics

CHS Ironmen and Lady Ironmen Athletics

Cherryville High School athletically competes in the 1A classification of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association. Enrollment of high schools within the 1A classification range from Ocracoke's 28 students to Southwest Onslow High School's 729 students.

Basketball and Baseball are the sports which have historically been very successful in competing against all classifications of high schools in the locale.

Basketball The basketball success has been attributed to two stalwarts in the coaching profession. Dr. Bud Black and Dennis Tate teach basketball and coach for the basketball program at Cherryville High School. Dr. Black, returning to his hometown after finishing graduate school, began to teach the fundamentals of basketball to youngsters in the elementary school gym one to two nights a week. He received help from other great basketball players who had played at Cherryville High School and in various colleges. These included Keith Harris, Leroy Roberts, Al Graves, and Dennis Tate . These young players, mostly grades 1-6, began to understand the game and became successful in competitions with area teams from the Boys Club, YMCA, community center, etc. Many youth tournaments were won by these young players. The group who started learning the fundamentals of basketball as first graders in 1973 later won the North Carolina State Championship of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association in 1985. This state championship team had two first team All-State selections in Terry Whisnant and Kenneth Poston. Terry Whisnant accepted a full scholarship to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Kenneth Poston accepted a full scholarship to the North Carolina State University in Raleigh, North Carolina. Both Terry and Kenneth were awarded Bachelor of Science degrees. The starters on the 1985 State Championship team were Terry Whisnant, Kenneth Poston, Tony Griggs, Craig Roberts, and Jay Moss.

The community and Cherryville High School honored Dr. Bud Black on February 23, 2007 by naming the high school gymnasium court "Bud Black Court." Dennis Tate was honored on November 27, 2007 with the retirement of his jersey. Dennis is the only player from Cherryville to ever be in the NCAA Division I Final Four. Bud Black and Dennis Tate have been partners in coaching basketball for 30 years.

The 2007-2008 team had two All-State players in Cameron Lovelace and Justin Johnson. Both players were selected to play in the prestigious NCHSAA All-Star game in Greensboro. This was the first time a 1A school had ever had two players selected as one of the ten from the western part of North Carolina. Both received scholarships to college. Cameron signed for a basketball scholarship at NCAA Division I University of North Florida. Justin signed with Motlow State Community College, Lynchburg, Tennessee. Also, Tyler Buff, a guard on 2007-2008 team signed a basketball scholarship with Montreat College, Montreat, North Carolina.

The 2009-2010 basketball team won 27 games while losing 3 games and had three outstanding players. Terry Whisnant, II. was selected First Team All-State. In April, 2010, Terry Jr. committed to play at Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida. Thomas Bess was selected to several post season honors and has not committed to any university as of May, 20-10. Darius Howell signed a basketball scholarship with Sandhills Community College. Brandon Heavner, the center on the 2009-2010 team, finished third academically in his class and will attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Terry Whisnant, II, was selected by Nike (Cherryville Eagle) as one of the best 15 shooting guards in high schools from throughout America. Thereby because of this rank he played in the Lebron James (Miama Heat) Basketball Elite Summer Program. Terry has committed to play his college basketball at Florida State University.

The 2010-2011 basketball team won 25 games while losing 5 games. Terry Whisnant continued his outstanding play as he scored 2,561 points in his four-year career. This total set a new record for players in Gaston County and a new record for players in Cherryville High School. Terry Whisnant was selected as the Associated Press Player of the Year for the State of North Carolina. Terry Whisnant was selected to the Associated Press All-State team. Thomas Bess and Terry Whisnant were selected to the All-District Team and both were honored as All-Conference selections. Terry Whisnant will play his college ball at Florida State University and Thomas Bess will play at the University of North Carolina at Asheville. The Cherryville Ironmen were sectional champions and lost in the Regionals.

The Cherryville High School basketball team has had some outstanding coaches since the 1960s. The most successful ones include Emmett Feimster, Bill Hinson (coach of first conference championship team in 1969), Bud Black, David Watkins and Scott Harrill.

Following is the list of basketball championships and coaches: 1968-69 State AAA Conference Champions. Bill Hinson and Lester Jenkins. 1983-84 Conference Champions Conference Tournament Champions and Sectional Champions. Bud Black, Dennis Tate and Al Graves. 1984-85 State AA and Conference Champions, Conference Tournament Champions; Sectional Champions, Regional Champions, Charlotte Observer Sweet 16 Champions. David Watkins and Lester Jenkins. 1986-87 Sectional Champions. David Watkins. 1989-90 Lincoln Bank Tournament Champions. David Watkins. 1992-93 Conference Champions. David Watkins. 1993-94 Conference Tournament Champion. David Watkins. 1994-95 Conference Champion and Conference Tournament Champion. David Watkins. 1995-1996 Conference Champion and Conference Tournament Champion. David Watkins, Bud Black and Dennis Tate. 1996 Sundrop Tournament Champion. David Watkins, Bud Black and Dennis Tate. 1996-97 Conference Champion and Conference Tournament Champion. David Watkins, Bud Black and Dennis Tate. 1997 BB&T Holiday Classic Champion. David Watkins, Bud Black, Dennis Tate. 1997-98 Conference Champion and Sectional Champion. David Watkins, Bud Black, Dennis Tate. 1998 BB&T Holiday Classic Champion David Watkins, Bud Black, Dennis Tate. 1998-99 Conference Champion, Sectional Champion. David Watkins, Bud Black, Dennis Tate. 1999 BB&T Holiday Classic Champion. David Watkins, Bud Black, Dennis Tate. 1999-00 Conference Tournament Champion and Sectional Champion. David Watkins, Bud Black, Dennis Tate. 2001 BB&T Holiday Classic Champion. Scott Harrill, Bud Black, Dennis Tate. 2003 BB&T Holiday Classic Champion. Scott Harrill, Bud Black, Dennis Tate. 2003-04 Conference Champion and Sectional Champion. Scott Harrill, Dennis Tate, Bud Black. 2005 BB&T Holiday Classic Champion. Scott Harrill, Bud Black, Dennis Tate; 2005-06 Conference Champion. Scott Harrill, Bud Black, Dennis Tate. 2006 BB&T Holiday Classic Champion. Scott Harrill, Bud Black, Dennis Tate. 2006-07 Conference Champion and Conference Tournament Champion and Sectional Champions. Scott Harrill, Bud Black, Dennis Tate. 2007 Ranked # 3 in North Carolina 1A Teams. Scott Harrill, Bud Black, Dennis Tate. 2007 Ranked #8 Charlotte Observer Sweet 16. Scott Harrill, Bud Black, Dennis Tate, Antonio Griggs. 2007-08 Conference Champion and Conference Tournament Champions. Scott Harrill, Bud Black, Dennis Tate, Antonio Griggs. 2008 Ranked # 3 in North Carolina 1A Teams. Scott Harrill, Bud Black, Dennis Tate, Antonio Griggs. 2008 BB&T Holiday Classic Champion. Scott Harrills, Bud Black, Dennis Tate, Antonio Griggs. 2008-09 Sectional Champion. Scott Harrill, Bud Black, Dennis Tate, Antonio Griggs. 2009-10 Conference Champion and Conference Tournament Champions. Scott Harrill, Bud Black, Dennis Tate, Antonio Griggs. 2009-10 Ranked #7 in North Carolina 1A Teams. Scott Harrill, Bud Black, Dennis Tate, Antonio Griggs. 2009-10 Ranked # 14 Ranked #8 Charlotte Observer Sweet 16. Scott Harrill, Bud Black, Dennis Tate, Antonio Griggs. 2010-11 Conference Champion and Sectional Champions. Scott Harrill, Bud Black, Dennis Tate, Antonio Griggs.

All-Time Leading Scorers for CHS Boys Basketball 2,561 — Terry Whisnant II, CHS Class of 2011; 2,388 – Justin Johnson, '08; 1,881 - Thomas Bess, '11; 1,836 - Cameron Lovelace, '08; 1,747—Terry Whisnant, '85; 1,501—Tarbarac Bell, '00; 1,484—Jason Browne, '04; 1,423—Kenny Poston, '85; 1,288—Antone Little, '03; 1,284—Tony Griggs, '86; 1,280—Ralph Roberts, '98;1,263—Jason Allen, '94; 1,244—Kenneth Harris, '04; 1,226—Alan Griggs, '88; 1,184—Antonio Griggs, '06; 1,183—Marlon Roberts, '76; 1,169—Dennis Tate, '72; 1,140—Ronald Turner, '56; 1,064—Apollo Brooks, '92; 1,019—Jimmy Graves, '73; 1,012—Sarbarac Bell, '00

All-Time Leading Scorers for CHS Girls Basketball 1,694—Ebone Johnson, CHS Class of 2005; 1,618—Pat Sigmon, '58; 1,392—Abby Owens, '03; 1,178—Tasha Young, '95; 1,143—Natalie Willis, '04; 1,076—Shanda Young, '88; 1,063—Heather Hager, '92 -->