South Lamar School dedicates basketball court to Coach Johnnie Wilson

MILLPORT, AL. (WICBI) – The South Lamar basketball court will now be known as the Johnnie Wilson Court.

Wilson was recognized between the South Lamar and Vernon boys and girls games Friday night.

“I was just over joined, you know? Cried a little bit. I was just overjoyed,” said Wilson.

Johnnie Wilson has been coaching and volunteering his time to the South Lamar basketball program for the past 32 years. He’s coached both Junior Varsity boys and Varsity boys and girls–even taking one of the teams to victory in the 1992 State Championship.

“It means a lot to me. I just thank God that he allowed me to be healthy for these 32 years,” said Wilson.

Wilson said he never expected to be recognized in this way.

“I never envisioned this would ever happen, you know.”

But it seems like others weren’t surprised at all.

“The man has put a lot of time and a lot of unpaid hours into this place. I think it’s a very worthy honor for sure,” said Vernon head coach Kellen Nabors.

“He’s an honorable man. He’s a great man. I want to be a man like he is,” said South Lamar head coach Chris Tucker.

This is will be Coach Wilson last season with the team. But his influence and love for the game will carry on through his colleagues, players and of course the bold letters on the sidelines.

“That name represents longevity. It represents pride in South Lamar, and I think coach Wilson represents both of that,” said Tucker.

“A high character man. He was on the bench with us most of the years I played and he showed us the final points of the game. He really put into detail and simplified a lot of things for us,” said Nabors.

As for Coach Wilson, he’s trading in the basketball court and passing the ball to the next game changer.

“I’ve give them all I can give them. I’m thankful for them turning it over to someone else next year…I’m fortunate to have coached this long. And I get to coach my grandson who’s on this team this year,” said Wilson.

Coach Wilson currently does not get paid for his time coaching and assistant coaching the two teams. He says he does it because he loves the game and he loves the kids.