Mark Myers
In 1972 Mark Myers had been selected as an Honorable Mention All-State player as a sophomore from the 15th Region. The 15th was loaded that year, with outstanding players such as Warfield’s Joe Stepp, Betsy Layne’s Danny Hall, and McDowell’s Steve Smith, among others. However, it was not Pikeville’s year to win the Regional crown … yet. A loaded Johnson Central team went to the Sweet Sixteen instead.
In the 1973 Regional Tournament, Pikeville defeated last year’s champ Johnson Central in the opening game before falling to eventual Regional champion McDowell in overtime, 83-81. Myers was named to the All-State Second Team. That was a great honor, but there was more to accomplish for Mark Myers.
Mark’s coach from previous years was Wayne Martin, who left the Panthers to coach the Pikeville College Bearsafter going 20-10 in the 1972-73 season.
Myers’ 1973-74 senior season under a new coach was a dandy for himself and his team. The cast included not only Myers, but outstanding players like Keith Stratton, Tommy Allen, among others. They finished 26-5 under new coach David Collier and bested Paintsville 66-62 to win the Regional.
Unfortunately the Panthers drew Louisville Male in the opening game of the State Tourney. Male featured Darrel Griffith and Bobby Turner, two 6’3 All-State sophomores who would later be stars for the University of Louisville. Pikeville fell 94-71. Myers finished his fine high school career by being named to the All State First Team. Pikeville finished that season at 26-5.
At the time of his graduation in 1974, Myers was the Panthers’ all-time leader in scoring with 2,406, the all-time assists and field goal leader, and the all-time free throw percentage leader. Myers decided to play for his former head coach Wayne Martin at Pikeville College.
Myers had some pretty good teammates at Pikeville college, such as Danny Moses and former Elkhorn City High School great Jimmy Kent Kerr. With that team the Bears went undefeated in the 1974-75 season, won their conference, and contended for the NAIA championship in Kansas City.
Mark Myers went on to optometry school and has successful practice in Pikeville.
