Kentucky baseball team’s state tourney run clouded by coach’s leukemia diagnosis
A banner season for a high school baseball team turned somber this week when its coach was diagnosed with leukemia two days before the state tournament.
The Vikings of Rowan County High School in Morehead, Kentucky, have won 25 games and advanced to the state tournament for the first time since 1983. But the excitement over an historic season was tempered Tuesday when second-year coach Keith Prater received the diagnosis. The news was painfully familiar to the Rowan County athletic community, which saw a former standout athlete receive an identical diagnosis earlier this year. Also, Hunter Mitchell, a 10-year-old student battling brain cancer, became part of the school’s basketball coaching staff during the season. Mitchell has been in remission since last fall. Graham is at the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge following a successful bone marrow transplant in April.
Shawn Thacker, the school’s boys basketball coach, visited Prater at the University of Kentucky Medical Center in Lexington shortly after he heard the news.
“I told him that we’re batting 1.000 so far, and we’re going to hit another home run,” Thacker told the Ashland, Kentucky Daily Independent. “He’s going to fight this fight and have good results.”
Prater, in his second year as Rowan County head coach, is known for optimism and rejuvenating baseball programs. In 2011, Lewis County went 8-22. Prater took the helm the next spring and said in a preseason interview with The (Maysville) Ledger Independent the Lions’ aim was to flip that record to 22-8.
Lewis County did better than that: in Prater’s first year in 2012, the Lions went 25-6. Lewis County set a single-season school record the next season with 27 victories.
Reminded of that statement Tuesday, Prater said he plans to fight cancer with the same enthusiasm.
“Absolutely,” he wrote in a text message. “I have a God who will walk with me.”
Prater, 38, originally visited doctors with foot pain, which he thought was stemming from past issues with gout. Eventually, it was discovered that he was dealing with much more.
Sophomore pitcher A.J. Hacker indicated on Twitter that the coach will likely not be in the dugout in Lexington as treatment options are explored.
“After an amazing year of baseball and getting us to State for the first time in 34 years, Coach won’t be able to fight with us at Whitaker Park,” Hacker wrote. “Give him all of the love and support you can. I wish you could be with us. I love you, Coach.”
Yesterday our hearts broke. Today we rally behind our Coach! Tomorrow we play for #KeithsKorner @rc_vikings 🙏⚾️⚓️ pic.twitter.com/zbh71s9Rb6
— AJ Hacker (@AJ_Hacker25) June 7, 2017
Graham spent his senior year playing for coach Jason Davis. Prater assisted Davis that season.
“I was in shock,” Graham said via text. “My heart dropped to the bottom of my stomach. I have the absolute most respect for Coach. I know without a doubt that if I could go through the whole thing again so he wouldn’t have to, I would, because I know there’s not a thing he wouldn’t do for me.”
Said former Rowan County pitcher, and current minor leaguer, Cam Planck: “Coach Prater is the best human being alive.”
Coach Prater is the best human being alive. If this doesn’t give you chills I don’t know what will. I’ll forever be in your corner. Love you pic.twitter.com/6Zhdsjn07W
— Cam Planck (@CamRC23) June 6, 2017
Players started the hashtag #KeithsKorner on Twitter to support their coach.
Allen Prater, Keith’s father, is one of his son’s assistants. Keith’s mother runs the concession stand at home games at Morehead City Park. Prater is married with two daughters.
“Baseball is a family affair for the Praters,” Thacker said.
It’s unknown who will step in as head coach on Thursday.
“Everybody’s just kind of in shock right now,” Thacker said.
According to Thacker, friends and family are exploring ways for Prater to access video feed of Thursday’s game from wherever he may be at the time.
Thacker said he left the hospital on Tuesday under the impression that the cancer is treatable.
Details for this story were provided by the Ashland, Kentucky Daily Independent.