RUARK TO RETURN TO CHS SIDELINE

Mark Ruark will have some big shoes to fill not just Darrick Smith's, but his own as well.

Cape Central announced recently that Mark Ruark will be Central's girls basketball coach next season.

Ruark coached the Lady Tigers for nine years, starting in 1985. He led Central to its only final four appearance in 1989 and will be replacing Smith, who led the team to its first 20-win season since Ruark's 89 season.

Ruark, who is the HealthSouth Tournament organizer, has remained close to the program, so he is looking forward to the challenge.

"It's going to be fun to be back in the mix from a coaching standpoint," said Ruark. "I'm a little nervous, but I have some great friendships with coaches around here and it will be fun to be back on the sidelines again."

Ruark stepped down from his coaching position after the 93-94 season after accepting an administrative position as assistant principal.

"It will be a difficult test to manage both responsibilities, but (principal) Mr. (Randall) Fidler and (athletic director) Mr. (Terry) Kitchen have been supportive in this," Ruark said.

Central is coming off a year where it went 22-5, was state-ranked for most of the season and lost to Poplar Bluff, the state runnerup in the district championship game.