The Wolverton era ends at Leake

Southern Sports & Travel

It was 1975 and a young Dolye Wolverton had taken over a girls basketball program at a private school in Madden, Mississippi nestled in the heart of Leake County. In the six years prior to Wolverton’s arrival the Leake Academy girls program had posted solid results under head coaches Larry Therrell and Dale Williamson with a 123-33 mark during that span which included postseason appearances in all but one season.

Four district titles were earned but those squads never advanced past the semi-final round in the state tournaments.

Wolverton would post a 24-7 record his inaugural season but still the Leake Rebelettes failed to advance past the semi-final round at the state tournament.

In Wolverton’s eighth season not only did Leake finally clear the hurdle of winning a semi-final game, they also won their first state championship and advanced to the Overall Championship Tournament quarterfinals.

Three seasons later Leake would produce arguably the most dominant stretch of basketball in the history of the MAIS.

In a five year run from the 85-86 season through 89-90 Leake went 183-8 while winning back-to-back Overall Championships, 4 Class AA State titles and Overall runners up on 2 occasions.

Those seasons also produced some of the best talent in the history of the MAIS such as Susan Byrd, Ashley Harkins and Kim Kemp.

Leake would claim its’ fifth state title in 1992 and two seasons later earned another state championship and their third Gold Ball while posting a 37-1 mark.

Two more Gold Ball trophies would make their way to Madden, Mississippi in 1999 and a decade later in 2009.

That 1999 Leake squad posted a 46-0 record and won a Class AAA State Championship and is considered by many as the best MAIS girls team ever. That group included Amanda Gulley, Stephanie Thornton, Chenoa Coleman, Emily Dees, Amy Barrett, Lori Cumberland and Sue Chennault.

Leake would enter a six year stretch between the 99-00 season through 04-05 with no Overall or State crowns but what followed would be another historic stretch of MAIS girls basketball that may never be matched.

The Leake Rebelettes totally dominated the Class AA landscape from 2005 through 2012 winning seven consecutive state championships and one Overall crown while posting a 281-15 record.

Wolverton, who was in the early stages of his 39^th season as head coach at Leake Academy, resigned on Monday following accusations of biting one of his players during a heated time-out in last week’s game at Columbia Academy.

Wolverton was not exclusively relegated to basketball but also served as athletic director and softball coach.

What happens over the next several days with regards to this unfortunate occurrence will play out on its’ own but there is no debating that Leake Academy has been turned upside down in the past week and divisions have been made but as one Leake insider said on Monday night; “I’ve been around Leake Academy my entire life, went to school there, and Coach Wolverton has been there the entire time. He was a big presence on that campus and things will certainly be different but everyone is accountable for their actions in life.”

Boys basketball coach Phil Shepard has taken over the Leake Rebelette team who are currently ranked second in Class AA with a 5-0 record.
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Statement from Leake Academy Headmaster Jerry Crowe

On Monday, November 18, 2013, Leake Academy’s headmaster Jerry Crowe accepted the resignation of longtime girls’ basketball coach Doyle Wolverton.

“We are saddened by the departure of Coach Wolverton who has been an integral part of the success of Leake Academy’s girls basketball program. However, at this juncture, we have accepted his resignation and are moving forward,” Crowe said.

“Men’s had coach Phil Shepard will serve as the interim girls’ coach. Because this is a personal matter no further comment will be made,” Crowe said.
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Statement from Doyle Wolverton
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Leake Academy board of directors, headmaster, coaches, and the Leake Academy family for the many years of support and kindness that they have shown. I also want to thank the many players, present and past, which I have been fortunate enough to coach in my career. For the betterment of the school and all parties involved, I have turned in my resignation to Leake Academy. I wish all the players and the school the best and thank them again for the thirty-nine years that I had at Leake Academy.”