Thomas, Gentry To Lead Trion Basketball Squads

By JIMMY ESPY

Staff Writer
It’s déjà vu all over again at Trion High School.
Lanny Thomas, who coached the boys basketball team for 11 years will return to the helm of the Bulldog program this season.
Thomas will replace Levi Hatcher who coached the team for three seasons. The Bulldogs were 17-12 in Hatcher’s final season.
Justin Gentry, who played for Thomas at Trion, will be taking over the girls program. Gentry played basketball at Trion High under Thomas and has been an assistant coach with the boys program. He replaces Lester Galyon, who coached the Lady Bulldogs to a 12-14 record last season.
Another familiar face is returning.
Former Trion boys and girls basketball coach Lamar Turner will serve as Thomas’s assistant.
“Having Lamar Turner is a big reason why I decided to take this job,” said Thomas. “He brings a wealth of knowledge and a lot of energy to the program.”
Thomas and Turner have combined to win 364 games at Trion. Both are retired from teaching full-time but serve as part-time educators.
Athletic Director Jason Lanham said he was excited about his new coaches.
“Coach Gentry was a highly-thought-of assistant coach and is well-liked by the kids, said Lanham. “I look forward to watching him grow as a coach and grow our girls program.”
“I am very happy to have the opportunity to get Coach Thomas to come back with an assistant coach like Lamar Turner,” said Lanham. “In this area they are both very well known and respected basketball coaches.”
Lanham also praised the efforts of outgoing coaches Hatcher and Galyon.