60 Wins and Counting: Go Lee High

And now for a nice feel-good sports story to kick off your holiday weekend. Tired of whiny professional athletes and college stars whose infractions are quickly swept under the rug lest they impact The Season? How about a return to high school hoops?

On Wednesday night, the Fighting Leemen of Robert E. Lee High School, in Staunton, Virginia, extended their winning streak to sixty games. On the floor, the Leemen are led by Eli Crawford, who by all accounts is just a solid nice kid from a great family. Eli was the state player of the year last year, as a junior. Incidentally, the Lee winning streak started a few years back under the leadership of Eli's cousin, Tyler, who now plays at Georgetown. Lee has captured the state championship two years running, and this season is off to a great start.

The amazing thing about Lee High basketball's great success is that the pool of student-athletes at Lee is small. Lee High is the only high school in the quiet Shenandoah Valley town of Staunton, which boasts about 25,000 people. But Lee High completely dominates in the AA basketball world in the state. I don't think I can remember a year when they didn't at least make it to the state tournament. Of course, the reason -- and anyone from Staunton will tell you this -- for Lee's success over the years is Coach Hatcher.

Coach Paul Hatcher has been at Lee High since the 1960s, dedicating his entire life to Lee High -- and not just to the basketball team. Coach Hatcher has also taught P.E. and drivers ed to just about every kid who has gone through Lee High (including me). His wife Judy taught in the local elementary schools for years and has mentored many Staunton youth, both basketball players and not. His sons are both active with the team and one of them is reported to be one of the most popular teachers at Lee High today. They're a great family and for many years, have supported a program that brings much joy to a sleepy little town.

In 2002, Coach Hatcher became the winningest coach in Virginia history. The General Assembly passed a resolution honoring him. (That's it for the "law" in this piece.) Last year, Coach Hatcher was named Coach of the Year for AA Basketball. In truth, he probably could win it every year. The Leemen travel to the big city - D.C. - on December 30 at 2:30 P.M. for a game at the MCI Center against their constant rival, the Spotswood Trailblazers. If you're in the area, I encourage you to head over and check it out. It will restore your faith in the value of sports for the players, the coaches, the fans, and the community.

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