[HDE]

The story was updated several times, which is one of the advantages of the Internet. That part was added a little later when I talked with coach Lester.


By JOHN HENSON
Harlan County Sports.com
Through five years as a player, one as an assistant coach and the last nine as head coach, Casey Lester has spent almost half his life as a part of the Harlan High School basketball program.
Lester reportedly told his players Friday in a meeting at the school that he won't be returning for a 10th year as head coach. Harlan High School Athletic Director Kevin Ball confirmed Saturday that Lester has officially resigned. Lester, however, said he had no plans to resign until meeting with school officials.
"I have enjoyed coaching the players at Harlan over the last nine years and never had any intentions of leaving. After meeting with the administration, we had two different views about the way the program was heading," Lester said. "I want to thank all of the players, parents and students who have supported me in this stepping stone in my life. At this time I am going to enjoy spending time with my incredible wife and two great boys. Someday, I hope to be back on the basketball court sharing the love of basketball."
Lester, who compiled a record of 87-155, was never able to restore the Harlan program to the status it enjoyed during his playing career in the 1990s. He moved into the starting lineup as an eighth-grader on Mike Jones' first team, beginning one of the most successful runs in Harlan County history as part of an all-star lineup that also featured 1995 Mr. Basketball Charles Thomas and all-staters Michael Jones, Todd Cox and Lester.
Harlan won its first regional title in 14 years in 1993 and also began a string of All "A" Classic regional championships. The Dragons won the first of two straight All "A" Classic state titles in 1994 but were upset in the regional semifinals that March by Clay County.
Harlan bounced back in 1995 and advanced to the state semifinals before falling to Pleasure Ridge Park. Thomas and Cox played on the Kentucky All-Star team that summer.
Despite losing three key players to graduation (Thomas, Cox and Kevin Hudson), the Dragons made their third trip to Rupp Arena in 1996 with Lester, Nathan Blanton and Jeremy Simpson providing steady senior leadership in a lineup that also included Joel Kauffman and Kyle Jones.
Lester was an all-state selection as a senior and went on to sign with Berea College
He returned to Harlan as an assistant under Dennis Custard in the 2002 season and took over as head coach the next year. Lester rebuilt with a youthful lineup that featured eighth-grader John Smith and freshman Ryan Clem. Harlan improved from 3-23 in Lester's first year to 8-19 and then 19-13 in 2005. The Dragons fell to 13-13 in 2006 when Smith suffered a season-ending foot injury.
Lester started another rebuilding job three years ago and finished 8-18 and 7-18 the next two years before improving to 11-15 last season.