Never let it be said that people in Manning and Clarendon County can’t keep a secret.
While dozens knew that a special ceremony was planned for South Carolina’s winningest active women’s basketball coach, the coach didn’t have a clue, or maybe just one, prior to the ceremony.
“Something strange is going on,” Coach John Franklin Thames said Wednesday night while looking over the fans at John Franklin Thames Gymnasium. “I’ve seen people here who don’t usually come to ballgames.”
With the District 9 Officials 14th Annual Christmas Basketball Tournament hosted by Manning running a full game behind schedule, Thames was watching other teams play prior to his team taking the court.
“They’re good,” he said about the Lady War Eagles of C.E. Murray during their game against the Lamar Silver Foxes. “They’re a tough team.”
While Thames was watching the game, a group of presenters was quietly gathering between games for a special ceremony honoring the man they all call “Coach”.
At the end of the Murray-Lamar game, Thames was still shaking his head about the unusual group of fans who were attending Wednesday night’s games.
“It’s really strange tonight,” he repeated.
Within minutes, the secret was out.
Manning High School Athletic Director Robbie Briggs asked the fans to focus on center court for a special halftime ceremony honoring the winningest active women’s basketball coach in South Carolina history.
With a humble smile and a look of amazement on his face, Thames slowly walked toward the presenters.
Jeffrey Black, acting as master of ceremonies, got the fans involved in the ceremony and recognized Thames’ family, friends, peers, and former and present students and players.
Manning Mayor Julia A. Nelson presented Thames with a resolution declaring Dec. 21, 2011, as Coach John Franklin Thames Day.
Chairman of County Council Dwight Stewart thanked Thames for his many contributions to the youth of Clarendon County.
Dist. 64 Rep. Kevin Johnson presented Thames with a resolution from the House and an invitation to be his guest on the House floor once the 2012 session begins.
Black presented Thames with a resolution from Congressman James Clyburn that was entered into the Congressional Record on Dec. 15, 2011.
A.C. English, his wife, Ann, and Thames’ Assistant Coach Kay Young presented Thames with copies of “Coach,” a tribute compiled and printed by the Clarendon Citizen. The proceeds from the sales of “Coach” will benefit the Coach John Franklin Thames Scholarship Fund.
The 2011-2012 Lady Monarch team presented Thames with a clock donated by Kenny and Tammy Tidwell.
Cleve Dowell, editor and publisher of the Clarendon Citizen,presented Thames with the first donation toward the Coach’s scholarship fund.
Superintendent John Tindal surrounded by members of the Clarendon School District 2 Board of Trustees closed the ceremony by applauding Thames’ many contributions to the district academically and athletically.
“Coach Thames, the board will recognize you at a later date,” Tindal said. “We’re very proud of your many accomplishments. Your dedication to Manning High School and the Monarchs is unprecedented. Thank you for all you have done for Clarendon School District 2.”
Sitting in the corner of the gymnasium named after him, Thames looked stunned by all the attention.
“It hasn’t sunk in yet,” he said. “This is amazing.”
Current and former players dropped by to congratulate Coach and get his autograph on the tribute.
“Who would have thought they’d want my autograph?” he asked. “I can’t believe all this is happening.”
Throughout the next game, Thames reminisced with friends and players. With five minutes left in the game, he was back to business. His Lady Monarchs were about to take the court and he had to get them ready.
As the whistle to start the game was blown, Thames called out, “Stay in the game and keep me in it, too.”
The first quarter ended with the Lady Monarchs ahead of Lee Central’s Lady Stallions, 9-4.
At the end of the half, Manning had pulled away to a 25-13 lead.
As the Lady Monarchs were struggling in the third quarter, Thames was heard to tell the referee after a questionable foul, “She didn’t mean to do that.” as he walked away from the referee.
A Lady Monarch sank a 2-pointer as the buzzer sounded to end the third quarter. Thames walked up to his player, smiled and quietly told her, “Quit showing off!” before telling the entire team, “Dad gum good job.”
At the end of the third quarter, the Lady Monarchs had extended their lead to 41-25 with key layups off assists.
Manning pulled away in the fourth ending the game in a rout of Lee Central, 53-31.
“The girls played well,” Thames said after the game. “The defense slacked off for a while but they picked it back up.”
Thames also applauded his assistants, Kay Young and Stan Nickell, on “keeping the floor balanced.
“They were getting everyone in and out,” Thames said. “They did a great job keeping everyone fresh.”
In the Lady Monarchs first game Wednesday, they defeated the Lakewood Lady Gators in a close game, 48-44.
Lanisha Brown led Manning scorers with 16 points, six rebounds, three steals and one assist. Karen White scored 12 points with 12 rebounds. Shanequa Muldrow had eight points, two steals and four assists. Breanna Nelson scored eight points, pulled down eight rebounds, stole the ball four times and had four assists and one blocked shot. Alexia Abraham had four points and nine rebounds.
In Manning’s 53-31 win over Lee Central, Nelson led all Manning scorers with 11 points, three rebounds, two steals, two assists and two blocked shots. Abraham had 10 points and eight rebounds. Muldrow scored nine points and had four assists. White had eight points, three rebounds and one assist. Brown scored five points and had three steals and two assists. Makeba Harvin knocked down four points, Imani Bell and Monica Nelson rounded out the scoring with two points each.
Manning will play Lamar at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 29.
