Former Trinity coach Tim Kelly receives an award from Greg Grantham, left, executive director of the North Carolina Basketball Coaches Association, and Que Tucker, commissioner of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association. (Courtesy photo)
WINSTON-SALEM – Former Trinity boys’ basketball coach Tim Kelly was honored at the state tournament last week.
Kelly accepted the Wooden Legacy Award as presented by the North Carolina Basketball Coaches Association during an on-court ceremony Saturday at Joel Coliseum.
Kelly coached Trinity’s team for 34 years before retiring following the 2023-24 season. He was inducted into the North Carolina High School Athletic Association’s Hall of Fame last year.
This latest honor had him back as part of the biggest stage for high school basketball in the state.
“Still hanging in there,” Kelly said.
Kelly has been back assisting coach Brett Andrews, one of his former players, on an informal basis. He said that works out well because of the flexibility it allows.
Kelly said the Bulldogs are in a rebuilding mode and with that comes some growing pains.
Trinity athletics director Robert Mitchell, who was Kelly’s longtime assistant coach, accompanied Kelly to Saturday’s game.
The National High School Basketball Coaches Association oversees the Wooden Legacy Award program, with one female and one male coach in each state selected annually. Kelly’s recognition came during halftime of the Class 5A title game between Gastonia Huss and Wilson Fike.
