Sutherland leaves Kewps
Longtime coach plans retirement.

SEDALIA - Two years ago, Hickman basketball Coach Jim Sutherland made Taylor Florence a promise. He pledged to stay at Hickman through Florence’s high school career.

Last night at Smith-Cotton, player and coached walked off the court as Kewpies for the last time.

Florence, Hickman’s only senior, saw his prep career end as Rock Bridge’s 61-50 victory eliminated the Kewpies from the Class 5 District 10 Tournament.

For Sutherland, it was his final game with the Kewpies, too. Sutherland officially concluded his decade-long run at Hickman when he resigned his coaching position, effective when his contract expires in June.

Though he waited until last night’s defeat to publicly speak about his resignation, Sutherland, 62, and his wife, Conney, had decided before the season to retire to their property in South Dakota.

In 10 seasons at Hickman, Sutherland compiled a 163-99 record. In a career that’s spanned four decades and seven head-coaching stops, Sutherland’s record stands at 576-353. Only four active high school coaches in Missouri have won more games than Sutherland, who three years ago was inducted into the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

Coincidentally, Sutherland became the second Hickman coach to announce his resignation this week. Football Coach Gregg Nesbitt will teach at Hickman this fall but will give up his coaching duties to join the staff at Central Methodist University as an assistant. Kewpies Athletic Director Doug Mirts said he hopes to fill both vacancies by late March.

Last night, there was a trace of redness in Sutherland’s eyes, but he kept his emotions under control.

"The game of basketball has been great to me. It’s been a way of life for my family forever," he said. "To walk away from the game at this point in time is going to be hard, especially with these young kids.

"But I felt like I went into it for the right reason 40 years ago, and I stayed with it for the right reasons. … It’s given me some experiences I’ll never forget, so I’ve got no regrets."

Sutherland arrived at Hickman in April 1996 via Moberly, where he spent the three previous seasons coaching the boys team. At Moberly, Sutherland doubled the Spartans’ win total from 10 to 20 in his three seasons.

Under Sutherland, the Kewpies won three district titles - in 2000, 2001 and 2003 - but never advanced past the sectional round of playoffs. The 2000 district championship was Hickman’s first in 10 seasons. The last three years were the Kewpies’ only losing seasons under Sutherland. They finished 13-15 this season.

Though he’s done with the Kewpies, Sutherland won’t rule out a return to coaching.

"If the opportunity’s there some time, oh no, I’d love to do it," he said. "The fire’s not gone as far as coaching."

But before his time at Hickman expired, Sutherland had a promise to keep. Appropriately, the coach leaves alongside one of his favorite players.

"For three years, Taylor has been a consummate point guard who doesn’t give up," Sutherland said. "Hickman High School is going to miss him."

After scoring 10 points against the Bruins, Florence broke down in tears near the Kewpies’ bench as the teams shook hands at midcourt. A few minutes later, he reflected on his relationship with Sutherland and their common exit.

"It means everything to me," Florence said. "I look up to Coach Sutherland so much. He’s been like a father to me, a second father. It’s tough, really tough."

---

Reach Dave Matter at (573) 815-1781 or dmatter@tribmail.com.

---