Grady Bethel has court at Woodington Middle named after him for 20 years of service

Grady Bethel only has one regret from his 20-years as the head basketball coach at Woodington Consolidated School — the “choice words” he used to describe the officiating of the 1970 state high school championship in Raleigh.

Upset by losing the title match by one point, which Bethel felt stemmed from bad calls made by the referees, he spouted off some inappropriate language that cost his team a third State Sportsmanship Award, an honor he coveted more than the championship.

“The thing that impresses me the most, more than the championships, is that during my career we won two state sportsmanship awards,” Bethel said to the players that returned to the school Saturday to see the school name its basketball court in Bethel’s honor. “We could have had three.”

The hard work Bethel made each year for his team to become the state’s most humble squad remain with his players to this day.

“You didn’t play basketball if you didn’t play team ball for Grady bethel,” said Billie E. Gooding, who played on the 1969 team that won the 2A State Championship. “It did not matter how good you were or how good you thought you were. If you didn’t play his way you pulled some splinters on the bench.”

Bethel’s players said he won their respect with teaching them the four P’s — preparation, practice performance and patience — and pushing them by making them run two laps down U.S. 258 and around the gymnasium before allowing them to touch a basketball at practice.

“He showed us the dos and don’ts of life,” said Hilton parker, who played for Bethel in 1964. “He was a man of integrity, he stood for what was right and he treated everybody with respect.”

These lessons led to him not only earning a winning percentage greater than .800, but also players who excelled as doctors, farmers and lawyers.

“We are very proud of Grady Bethel,” said Terry Cline, superintendent of Lenoir County Schools. “For years, this floor will represent all that he did in our community and what he continues to contribute in Lenoir County and will be the vocal point for the community and this school.”

Ida Gooding, of the class of 1969 and president Woodington High School Alumni and Friends agreed with Cline.

“This is a mark in history to dedicate the original floor that Bethel coached on during his time here,” she said.

Bethel, who was also honored by Gov. Bev Perdue, was taken away by the honor and the fact that after 39 years he is still in the hearts and minds of so many is awesome.

He graciously thanked his players and his family for giving him the resources to make this accomplishment happen.

“My grandmother always taught me, and my wife and I tried to teach our children, that character, manners, good behavior and the willingness to work, if it’s God’s will, will carry you further than all the gold, silver and riches,” he said. “We used that to win championships.”

Wesley Brown can be reached at 252-559-1075 or wbrown@freedomenc.com.

Breakout box: Bethel’s Basketball Success at Woodington

• 1964 – Named to “Century Club” Honor Roll of Veteran Coaches
• 1967-68 – Coached Woodington Consolidated School to back-to-back 2A State Sportsmanship Award
• 1969 – Coached Woodington Consolidated School to 2A State Championship
• 1971 – Coached Woodington Junior High School to a record of 26-0
• Former players include:
  • Johnnie Lyles – Former Board of Education Chairman
  • Garland Nobles Jr. – Board of Education
  • Remus Stanley – County Commissioner