Dobyns-Bennett High School Boys Basketball Coach Named State Coach of the Year

KINGSPORT, Tenn. – Dobyns-Bennett High School Boys Basketball Coach Chris Poore has been selected as the Basketball Coaches Association of Tennessee 4-A Boys Coach of the Year for the 2021-22 season.

"Coach Poore has accomplished everything we hired him to do and so much more," said Dobyns-Bennett High School Principal Dr. Chris Hampton. "He leads a staff of high quality coaches of character, runs a competitive and hardworking program, and is supportive of the youth of Kingsport. We also brought him to D-B to lead us to a state championship and he did that. He told us he would do that in the interview process and he delivered on a promise many thought would never happen. I am proud to call Coach Poore a colleague, friend, and member of the TRIBE!"

In the five seasons (starting the 2017-2018 school year) Poore has been head coach of the Dobyns-Bennett Boys Basketball program, he has a winning percentage of 78.03% with a total of 135 wins and 38 losses. In addition, he has coached three district championships, two regional championships, five sectional appearances in the final 16, and one state championship. Poore's most recent season resulted in the 2022 TSSAA Class 4-A state championship after a 69-60 overtime win over Bearden High School. This is the school's first state championship since 1945.

"Chris Poore is very deserving of this honor," said Dobyns-Bennett High School Athletic Director, Frankie DeBusk. "We all know it takes players to win games and especially to have the success we had as a boys basketball program last year, but our team believes in Coach Poore and he believes in our team. When you coach with the passion and knowledge that Chris exemplifies, your team will buy in and you will have success. Dobyns-Bennett is lucky to have him leading our players and I personally am appreciative of the time and effort he puts into our team."

"I am very honored to receive this award on behalf of our basketball program and our coaches," said Poore. "I am surrounded by great people and have the privilege of coaching great kids. Our players demonstrated leadership and made numerous personal sacrifices so the team could excel last season and it is exciting to see those sacrifices get rewarded. I am thankful to Kingsport for entrusting me with this position and feel blessed to serve our players, coaches, and community. Roll Tribe!"

Prior to coming to D-B in 2017, Poore served as head coach at Jefferson County High School for six seasons. Poore’s playing and coaching career reflect a long history of success. As a head coach, he led Jefferson County to their highest Associated Press state raking in school history, five straight district championship appearances, and qualified for the regional tournament six straight seasons. His playing career included being named South Atlantic Conference First Team All-Conference and Scholar Athlete of the Year while at Tusculum College, as well as touring with the Harlem Globetrotters for two seasons as a member of the Washington Generals.

Poore is married to Jessica and they have three children, Braylon, Pierce, and Parker June.

Since 1918, the Dobyns-Bennett Boys Basketball program has had 13 head coaches, including Poore. To date, they have earned 2,343 wins and 819 losses, making Dobyns-Bennett the winningest high school boys basketball program in the country.

For more information on the Basketball Coaches Association of Tennessee visit http://bcathoops.com/.

Kingsport City Schools (KCS) is a public school district located in Kingsport, Tenn., serving students in Sullivan and Hawkins county. The district has a total enrollment of over 7,600 students and is comprised of 13 schools, including a Pre-K, eight elementary schools, two middle schools, one high school, a high school program of choice, and an alternative learning program. The vision of Kingsport City Schools is to Inspire. Cultivate. Impact.

For more information on KCS, visit www.k12k.com, call (423) 378.2100, or listen live on WCSK 90.3 FM, The Voice of Kingsport City Schools. We’re social too; follow us on Facebook (Kingsport City Schools), Instagram (@kcs_district), Twitter (@KCS_District), LinkedIn (Kingsport City Schools), and check out our YouTube Channel (KPTSchools).

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