Story and photo by Mark Carpenter –
With a tradition as long and storied as that of Peebles High School basketball, one Hall of Fame ceremony this season wasn’t enough. Last month, the school inducted two entire teams into the Hall of Fame, the 1987 and 1998 Lady Indians. And on Friday, Feb. 3, it was time for three individuals to be honored as the newest members of the Hall of Fame as Terry Myers, Phyllis Shoemaker Unger, and Kelly Copeland added their plaques to the wall as Peebles Hall of Famers.
Terry Myers was a 1976 graduate of Peebles and considered one of the outstanding guards of his era. In only two years of varsity play, Myers tallied 707 points and had a career average of 16.7 points a game, ninth all-time at PHS, scoring over 400 points in his senior season.
He scored over 40 against South Webster in his senior year, on two other occasions scored over 30 in a game, and scored in double figured 33 times during his time as an Indian. In his senior campaign, Myers was named All-Southern Hills League and Tri-County All-League, Second Team All-Southeast District, and Honorable Mention All-State. He and the Indians won a Tri-County championship and a sectional title in 1976.
Myers’ Hall of Fame plaque was presented to him by his some, Adam and Seth.
The next inductee was 1985 Peebles graduate Phyllis Shoemaker Unger. Playing for head coach Tom Newman, Phyllis was a three-year varsity starter, selected All-SHL three times, Second Team All-District in 1984, and First Team All-District in 1985. She was named Honorable Mention All-State her junior year and Special Mention All-State her senior year.
Shoemaker Unger totaled 972 points during her Peebles career, and when she graduated was among the school’s top three all-time in rebounds. She was part of a gold ball winning Lady Indians squad in 1985, sectional titles in 1984 and 1985, a number five state ranking, and the school’s first district championship in 1985.
Her Hall of Fame plaque was presented to her by her daughter Brittany Flory.
The final indictee of the night was Kelly Copeland, a 1981 graduate of Peebles High School. One of the most dominant post players in school history, Copeland was a three-year varsity starter from 1979 through 1981. Known for his fiery competitiveness, he accumulated numerous accolades during his high school career: a two-time All-Southern Hills League selection, a three-time All-Tri-County League selection, Second Team All-District in 1980 and First Team All-District in 1981, and Second Team All-State his senior season.
Copeland finished his career with 1,060 points and school records of 752 rebounds and 26 career double-doubles. He totaled over 20 rebounds in a game twice and held that record for over 31 years. He scored in double figures 56 times and averaged 16.1 points a game in his high school career. Copeland and the Indians won two SHL gold Ball trophies, one Tri-County championship, two sectional titles, and twice finished as district runner-ups. The Indians were ranked in the state in 1980 and 1981, with a perfect 20-0 regular season in the latter.
Copeland’s Hall of Fame plaque was presented to him by Doug McFarland.
