Basketball: Delta C-7 taps Dye as head coach

DEERING — The Delta C-7 school district made it official last Thursday, naming former Gideon standout Chris Dye as new head boys basketball coach.

“It means the world to me (to be chosen),” said Dye in a telephone interview with the Delta Dunklin Democrat on Friday afternoon. “I want to serve as a model for kids. I was called for this.”

Dye replaces Josh Mathis, who left the program as coach in July.

Per Delta C-7 school board policy, principal/athletic director Brad Sneed declined to comment on the hire.

The new coach is encouraged by the season the Chargers had last year, with a 12-11 finish. Delta C-7 reached the semifinals of the Class 1 District 1 tournament before bowing out to Clarkton on a buzzer-beating loss, 48-46.

Dye said he’s a defensive-minded coach, so expect the Chargers to emphasize that during the upcoming 2023-24 season. Delta opens with the Bulldog Classic on Nov. 27.

This has been a summer of change for Dye, who originally was set to be a student teacher in the Naylor School District.

That was until this opportunity arose. Dye applied for the opening, and he earned the job thanks to outstanding prior credentials.

Dye will graduate from Central Methodist University this coming winter, and he will finish his student teaching assignment while serving as a middle school science and English instructor for Delta C-7.

During a stellar playing career at Gideon, Dye was a Tri-County Conference player of the year selection (2016-17). He was a member of the Bulldog squad that finished third in 2015-16, his junior year.

Dye played primarily center, as well as power forward, for the Bulldogs. Chris also was an all-district first-team choice, and a Three Rivers all-star selection.

What’s more, he was an all-conference baseball player, playing primarily third base.

The standout had an opportunity to play basketball at Crowley’s Ridge College in Paragould, Ark.; however, he decided to focus on academics at Three Rivers College. He earned an associate’s degree in secondary education.

Dye has proven to be driven and ambitious when it comes to basketball, beginning the Grind City AAU program based in Poplar Bluff.

“I’m elated for Chris,” said Southland High School parent Lonnie Gibson, whose son Lonnie “Trace” Gibson plays for Grind City.

“He’s played in the Tri-County Conference,” Gibson continued. “He was a prolific shooter and hard to handle down low when he played. He has the knowledge, and he has impressed me as a coach.”

Grind City also has been a boon for local players. For example, Braiden Burk from Holcomb signed to play at Crowley’s Ridge, which plays in NAIA as a member of the Continental Athletic Conference.

BASKETBALL

Delta is the new ‘Grind’

Here’s a list of regional basketball players who played for Chris Dye while operating the Grind City AAU program.

Kennan Siebert, Campbell

Wyatt Janson, Campbell

Drew Fowler, Campbell

Landen Wilson, Campbell

Ben Rowland, Campbell

Amauri Gorman, Clarkton

Jacob Plunkett, Clarkton

Braiden Burk, Holcomb

Landon Smith, Holcomb

Jacob Reeves-Crittendon, Holcomb

Marcus Burton, Malden

Qamarious Farmer, Malden

Layden Kellum, Risco

Amador Luna, Senath-Hornersville

Lonnie “Trace” Gibson, Southland