When Tracy Raban took the PikeView girls job two years ago, there were big shoes to fill.
Former longtime PikeView coach Karen Miller announced prior to the 2019-20 season that she would be retiring at the end of the year and the Panthers had a magical run to the state semifinals to celebrate.
After the graduation of several key players, Raban inherited a situation where only two players had played meaningful minutes – juniors Hannah Perdue and Anyah Brown.
Still she led them back to the state tournament in 2021 and did them one better this year, guiding them to the Class AAA state semifinals after an overtime win against defending state champion Nitro.
For her efforts, Raban has been named the inaugural Lootpress Girls Basketball Coach of the Year by the Lootpress sports writers. Raban won on the strength of the fan poll, which served as the tiebreaker. She edged out Wyoming East head coach Angie Boninsegna, generating 17,010 votes. Boninsegna finished with 14,048 votes.
Raban led the Panthers through one of the state’s toughest schedules, a slate that featured Class AAAA champion Huntington, Class AAA champion Logan and Class AA runner-up Wyoming East.
But the Panthers success largely came from her ability to connect with her players.
“The bond between us, when she came there my junior year I wasn’t sure what to expect,” PikeView all-stater Hannah Perdue said. “When she got there I could just tell she knew what she was talking about and letting her lead us helped me lead the team. The things that she’s taught me and the confidence that she gave me, that’s special to me. Just how we became so close – not only has she been a coach but she’s become like a second mom to me.”
Raban, a two-time state champion at Mercer Christian as a player, brought her experience to the Panthers, helping them keep their state tournament streak alive and ensuring this year’s group of seniors were the first in school history to win multiple state tournament games.
Her team exuded a level of confidence that she helped instill in them. That was key with several of the younger players still trying fully adjust to their roles and take on a heavier load with Perdue drawing extra attention from opposing defenses.
But connecting with Perdue and relating to her as a player was one of her biggest triumphs as she helped create a winning culture built on the foundation of family.
“Obviously the confidence level,” Perdue said. “She boosted my confidence a lot more. Her determination on wanting us to win and wanting us to be better and get to the state tournament and win stands out. She made it feel like a family and that’s what she wanted us to be. It included her too and she wanted to be a part of our family. How she led the floor – I learned and kind of took over that role with her. She’s just a great role model for me. Probably my biggest role model.”
Raban will be honored at the Spring Lootpress Awards Banquet – along with the other winter and spring sports award winners – on Saturday, May 28 at the Beckley-Raleigh County Convention Center. The PikeView girls basketball program will also receive a $500 grant from the Lootpress Foundation.
Email: tylerjackson@lootpress.com and follow on Twitter @tjack94
