It’s not as if the West Virginia state high school boys basketball tournament has been a foreign concept for former Bridgeport High School basketball Coach Bill Kerns. During his time on the BHS sideline, prior to that and well after that, Kerns has been a regular each March at the Charleston Civic Center.

 

“I’ve been to the tournament for 45 straight years,” said Kerns. “I don’t miss it.”

 

It should be noted that while Kerns is at the Civic Center each year, it’s been 22 years since he last stood foot on the basketball floor in an official capacity. The last time he was there, was in 1993. It was that year that his Indians – led by his Class AA all-state captain and his son Matt – walked away with the school’s first-ever state championship.

 

I was actually there and watched the masterful job that team did in winning the title. For those that don’t remember, the Indians were in control of the entire tournament and the same could definitely be said about Coach Bill Kerns. To be honest, Kerns – one of the best I’ve had the privilege to watch, particularly in creating defensive schemes – was in charge from the moment the state title ran began until the time it reached its conclusion.

 

Fast forward to March 21 of this year. Bill Kerns is again at the state tournament, but this year it’s different. For the first time since 1993, Kerns knew he was going to be back on the floor. At halftime of the Class AAA state championship game between Huntington and Parkersburg South, Kerns was recognized by the West Virginia Coaches Association as one of their retired coaches of the year.

 

Before I go further, I should mention the honor was more than merited. In fact, it was probably long overdue.

 

I digress.

 

Kerns said all seemed well prior to going out on the floor. This time, he was going to be joined on the floor by his son Matt and his grandson Nathan “Dutch” Kerns.

 

“We had a little meal and I had to give a few comments at a reception they had in the back (of the Civic Center),” said Kerns. “It really didn’t seem all the overwhelming, although I was certainly honored to be recognized.

 

“Eventually, they took us out on to the Civic Center floor and put is in order,” Kerns continued. “After that, I really don’t remember much. I can honestly tell you in all my years I’m pretty sure I’ve never got like that being in front of a crowd.”

 

So what happened? According to Kerns, his son told him most of what transpired. He said each person that was being honored was announced with a biography given of their accomplishments.

 

“What Matt and I were supposed to do when they PA system called out our name was to step forward two or three steps and I guess I just stood there,” said Kerns. “Matt kind of gave me a forearm shiver before I reacted. We were supposed to step forward 2-3 steps too and I just stood there.”

 

As it turned out, the public address announcer – Kerns said his son told him – had some nice things to say about the former coach. He probably touched on the 1993 state title or his BHS record that was an impressive 250-151 or his 310 total wins that he accumulated thanks to his time as a junior varsity coach at Martinsburg.

 

“I was amazed that I zoned out like that, to the point that I didn’t even wave when they called my name, but I’m pretty sure I know why. I hadn’t been on that floor since 1993 and at that time I was with a great group of kids and my son Matt who had played such a big part in helping me, the team and Bridgeport get that title. At that time, I was focused on the next play, the next possession and this time I couldn’t focus at all,” said Kerns, who also has a six-year-old grandson Ty. “It kind of all flooded back to me like it never had before and to top it off I have my grandson with me. I think that put me over the edge.”

 

“Nathan is 10 now and it’s been 22 years since we had been on that floor and our whole lives have changed,” Kerns continued. “It was a special moment for all three of us; and Nathan was proud because grandpa got a plaque. To me, being back there with Matt and my grandson, well, it was just about perfect.”

 

Just like Kerns’ state title season that saw his team go 21-4 and beat Pocahontas County, Ravenswood and Oceana on the way to the state title. It was just about as perfect as you can get.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows Bill Kerns hugging Russ Sickles, left and Chris Taylor as the Tribe gets ready to wrap up a 59-50 win over Oceana in the state title game in 1993. In the bottom photo, Kerns is joined by his son Matt, far left, and Sickles, third from left, and assistant coach Bill Bennett, far right, as they are presented with championship clocks. Photos courtesy of BHS Journalism Department and Mrs. Alice Rowe.