Jody Norwood/Tribune-Courier || Marshall County High School basketball courts recently underwent a major offseason face-lift.

Courts in session for Marshall County Schools

Work on tennis,
basketball courts
completed as
students return

By Jody Norwood
Tribune-Courier Sports Editor
jnorwood@tribunecourier.com


Two of Marshall County Schools’ largest sports facility upgrades in years have been completed just in time for use by students returning for the new school year.

The basketball court in Reed Conder Gymnasium has been stripped down and redone all the way up to a new coat of varnish. Athletic Director Jeff Stokes said a new Marshall County logo in the center of the court was also added.

According to Stokes, refinishing the court took approximately two and a half weeks to complete and workers are still cleaning the gym to get ready for the upcoming school year and basketball season. Administrators are also allowing the floor to dry as much as possible before use.

“We started it during the dead period so that it wouldn’t affect any summer activities,” Stokes said. “We’re not as busy in the gymnasium during the month of July.”

The Kentucky High School Athletic Association’s dead period began June 25 and ended July 9. During this time, athletes cannot use school facilities for athletic purposes and coaches may not have formal contact with players.

In addition to the gym floor, tennis players will find a new surface on the courts.

“We had bare pavement that was showing through,” Stokes said. “We reset every pole for the six courts we have. We have new nets which will go up as soon as the season starts.”
Work on the tennis courts also began during the dead period. The courts had not undergone such major renovation in the past 10 years, Stokes said.

“Both are ready, but we’re cleaning up,” Stokes said. “By the time school starts, we’ll be ready for gym classes.”

Stokes added that a few spots on the tennis courts are still holding water, but that they hope to have that fixed soon.

Marshall County’s hoops season begins Dec. 1 as the Lady Marshals travel to Henry County. The boys and girls first games on the fresh surface are scheduled for Dec. 3 when the Lady Marshals kick-start Hoop Fest against Massac County, Ill. The Marshals are also scheduled to play Massac in their first game the same night.