By By Marty Stamper / EMG sports assistant
July 11, 2003
It's only fitting that former Noxubee County girls' basketball coach Narvel Colemon says his induction into the Mississippi Association of Coaches Hall of Fame tonight will be his second biggest accomplishment, as a high school coach.
Five times from 1986 through 1992 Colemon led Noxubee County to the Class 4A state championship game only to place second each time.
Colemon, who posted a 681-165 record at the Macon school, finally got the big gold ball symbolizing a state championship in 1993. He repeated the feat in March 1994.
In his 37-year coaching career, Colemon's teams won 17 district championship and 12 North State crowns.
Not only had Noxubee placed second five times under Colemon, the Tigerettes tied for third on four other occasions before finally winning it all.
With the induction of the Class of 2003, the MAC Coaches Hall of Fame will increase to 156 lifetime and 11 honorary members.
His teams carried a lot of prestige in the state high school hoops ranks.
The 1981-82 Tigerettes went 33-4, losing 63-43 to eventual overall state champion Harrison Central in the Class AA semifinals.
In 1982-83, Noxubee went 32-7, losing 37-36 to Brookhaven in the AA state semifinals.
Meridian edged Noxubee 44-43 in the semifinals of the 1983-84 Class AA Tournament as the Tigerettes ended up with a 29-4 mark.
Mississippi went to five classes for the 1984-85 season and Noxubee (31-3) moved up to second place, losing 61-55 to North Natchez in the Class 4A finals.
The 1985-86 finals were a rematch of the previous year with Noxubee losing 54-50 to finish 27-4.
The 1986-87 season saw the Tigerettes go 31-4 and lose 49-46 to South Pike in the Class 4A championship game.
Noxubee came in second again in 1987-88, losing 59-57 to South Jones in the 4A title game to end a 33-3 season.
The Tigerettes tied for third in 1988-89, losing 60-41 to eventual Class 4A state champion South Pike in the semifinals. Noxubee finished 30-6.
Noxubee finished second again in the 1991-92 season, falling 44-42 to Port Gibson in the 4A finals to end a 28-7 season.
Colemon won his first state championship with the 1992-93 team as Noxubee capped a perfect 38-0 season with a 58-56 win over Louisville in the 4A state finals.
It didn't take long for Colemon to get his second title as the 1993-94 Tigerettes beat Louisville 75-72 in the championship game in posting a 36-3 season.
The Tigerettes didn't return to state until the 1996-97 season when they were eliminated 61-53 by George County in the semifinals to end a 29-4 season.
Noxubee (31-4) tied for third in 1997-98, losing 55-47 to Bay St. Louis in the semifinals.
Colemon's last team also made it to "The Big House," reaching the semifinals before losing 73-55 to eventual 4A state champion Raymond to end with a 30-7 mark.
The induction and awards banquet is set for 7 tonight at the Hilton Hotel in Jackson off County Line Road and I-55 North.
Colemon didn't compile his outstanding record alone and several of the players who helped him reach this milestone are expected to attend the banquet.
Colemon retired from coaching two years ago.