Pulaski's Joel Hicks, George Wythe's Meg Turner among VHSL Hall of Fame inductees

Former Pulaski County High School football coach Joel Hicks and George Wythe basketball star Meg Turner will be inducted into the Virginia High School Hall of Fame in October.

Joining them is former Pittsburgh Steelers tight end and Honaker graduate Heath Miller.

The induction is being held on Oct. 12 in Charlottesville.

Galax contributor B.J. Carroll also will be inducted into the hall of fame in the contributor category.

Turner finished her basketball career at George Wythe with five state records -- points in a season (787); most points in a career (2,202); most rebounds in a career (1,134); best scoring average in a season (32.7) and most free throws in a career (542). She became the first girl in Virginia history to eclipse the 2,000-point mark. Turner went on to play at Vanderbilt University where she was a two-year starter.

Hicks won 210 games during his 24-years at Pulaski County. His team won the 1992 Division 6 state title, and had three state runner-up finishes. Hicks was named the state coach of the year three times.

Carroll led the Galax High School theatre team to six state championships in her 33 years of coaching.

Here is more information on the nominees:

Cornelious Cousins, Jr. Hermitage HS Outdoor Track Considered the top track athlete in the Richmond metro area during the 1970’s, Cornelious “Bang” Cousins completed his running career at Hermitage High School in 1979 nationally ranked in four events – triple jump (50- 5); long jump (24-06); intermediate hurdles (37.07) and high hurdles (13.7). He was a three-time state champion in the triple jump, two-time state champion in long jump and a state champion in the intermediate hurdles. At the 1979 Group AAA outdoor meet, Cousins claimed state titles in those three events and a third place finish in the high hurdles, scoring 36 individual points, while leading the Panthers to a runner-up state finish. He earned all-district, all-region, all-state and All-American honors in all four events as a senior. His 50-5 mark in the triple jump was the longest prep jump in the nation in 1979. He was invited to compete in the prestigious International Prep Track and Field Invitational in Chicago and the Golden West Track and Field Meet in Sacramento; both meets merit an invitation to only the top eight seniors in each event. A standout triple jumper at the University of Maryland, Cousins was an All-American and an ACC triple jump champion while competing for the Terrapins. Heath Miller Honaker HS Football, Baseball, basketball A three-sport standout at Honaker High School (1997-2001), Heath Miller earned 11 varsity letters and left as one of the most accomplished high school athletes in the state of Virginia. His honors included first-team all-state, all-region and all-district selection at quarterback as a junior and senior; state offensive player of the year as senior; region offensive player of the year as junior and senior; and all-district player of the year as a junior and senior. In basketball, he was a first-team all-district selection three times, and twice earned first-team all-region honors. Miller earned first-team all-state honors in baseball three times and was the Group A Co-Player of the Year as a senior. A three-year starter at quarterback, Miller finished his career with 1,701 yards rushing and 22 touchdowns; passed for 4,410 yards and 54 TDs, and tallied 166 tackles and 11 interceptions as a defensive back. As a three-year starter on the basketball teams, Miller scored 912 points and 742 rebounds. A four-year starter on the baseball team as a first-baseman and shortstop, he had a career batting average of over .500. An All-American tight end at the University of Virginia, Miller ended his career as the ACC’s all-time leader among tight ends in receptions, touchdowns and receiving yards. He was a two-time first-team All-ACC choice and won the John Mackey Award as the nation’s top college tight end. A first-round draft choice by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2005, Miller played 11 seasons with the Steelers earning two Pro Bowl selections and helped the Steelers to two Super Bowl titles. Meg Turner George Wythe-Wytheville HS Basketball A state and national record holder during her high school basketball career, Meg Tuner finished her outstanding career at George Wythe-Wytheville High School with five state records for most points in a season (787); most points in a career (2,202); most rebounds in a career (1,134); best scoring average in a season (32.7); and most free throws in a career (542), which is still a record. She also established five national records including most free attempted in a career (742); most free attempted per game in a season (9.67); most free throws made in a career (542); most free throws made in a season (191) and most free throws made per game, per season (7.96). Turner became the first girl in Virginia history to surpass the 2,000 point mark as she became the state’s most prolific scorer. During her four-year career, she scored more than 40 points seven times, more than 30 points 33 times, and more than 20 points 59 times, while also scoring in double figures in 49 straight games. She scored double figures in 79 of her 90 career games for the Maroons. As a senior she averaged 32.7 points per game and 14.4 rebounds per game. She also was a four-year letter winner on the track team setting a school record in the 100-meter hurdles and was a member of the school’s record setting 800 and 1600-meter relay teams. Her honors included selection to the National High School Athletic Coaches Association All-America team; VHSL Region IV and New River District MVP; Roanoke Times and World News, Southwest Virginia, and Daily Telegraph Player of the Year. She attended. She was two-year starter at Vanderbilt University. Coaches Robin Dotson Central-Wise HS/J.J.Kelly HS Girls Basketball As the girls basketball coach at J.J. Kelly High School for 24 years (1987-2011) and for the past five years at CentralWise High School (2011-16), Robin Dotson guided his teams to a 566-193 overall record; three state championships; three state runner-up finishes; 6 regional titles; and 13 district/conference championships. Dotson has received numerous honors including during his career: VHSL girls basketball Coach of the Year; National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Mideast Sectional Coach of the Year; Associated Press Group A/2A state coach; Virginia High School Coaches Association (VHSCA) Coach of the Year; and District/Conference Coach of the Year 15 times. In addition to coaching girls basketball, Dotson continues to serve as a head girls track coach, assistant varsity football coach, and assistant softball coach at Central. He also previously served as boys basketball head coach at J.J. Kelly, as well as, assistant boys basketball coach, assistant baseball coach, and head golf coach, Tom Harding Honaker HS Baseball Owner of the most wins in VHSL baseball history with 623 wins at Honaker High School, with over 25 district titles, four region championships and one state title, Tom Harding is recognized as one of the most respected and successful baseball coaches in Virginia High School League history. In addition, Harding has been selected District coach of the year over 25 times, Region Coach of the Year twice, Southwest Virginia coach of the year and Group A state coach of the year. In addition, Harding’s passion and dedication to his athletes was never more evident than at the 2011 state championships. He had heart surgery and checked himself out of the hospital on the Saturday of the state title game; changed into his uniform at a local Burger King; and arrived in Radford to coach his team to its first-ever state championship. In 46 seasons at Honaker, his teams have only had two losing seasons. Joel Hicks Pulaski County HS Football During his 24 years at Pulaski County, Joel Hicks won 210 games, six region titles, 13 region finals, 15 district championships, three state runner-up finishes and the 1992 Division 6 state title. His Pulaski County teams posted a .750 winning percentage (214-69); won 10-or-more games 10 times and reached the playoffs in 18 of 24 seasons. In addition, he had three perfect regular seasons. Prior to coming to Pulaski County; Hicks won an additional 91 games at two different schools in West Virginia (1964-75). During his 37 years as head coach, he had only one losing season, which he had in his first year of coaching in 1964. He also spent three seasons (1976-78) as the offensive coordinator at West Virginia University. His coaching honors included: three times selected state coach of the year; four times named Northwest Region coach of the year; and seven times Roanoke Valley District coach of the year. Munro Rateau, Jr. Fluvanna County HS Boys Basketball Munro Rateau finished his 35-year career at Fluvanna County High School in 2016 with 525 career wins; two state championships; eight appearances in the state tournament; six Final Four appearances; and two state runner-up finishes. From 1988 to 1992, his teams played in four state title games, including back-to-back championships in 1989 and 1990. In addition, his teams won 11 district championships and six regional titles. His coaching honors also included state coach of the year and numerous district and region coach of the year awards. He also served as president of the VHSCA and continues to serve on the VHSCA executive committee and its legislative committee. In his 40 years at Fluvanna County, Rateau was the boys assistant basketball coach; assistant football coach, assistant baseball coach; assistant girls basketball coach; head golf coach; head track coach; and assistant softball coach. Contributors Bettie Jo (B.J.) Carroll Galax HS Theatre and Forensics Bettie Joe “B.J.” Carroll is a giant among her peers throughout the forensics and theatre communities in Virginia. In 33 years of coaching, she has led the Galax High School theatre team to six state championships; three state runner-up finishes; five third-place finishes; 21 district and conference championships; and 13 regional titles. In forensics competitions, Galax has earned two VHSL third-place finishes; produced nine individual state champions; and the VHSL record holder, Brandon Farmer, with four individual state championships in four different categories. Carroll has been awarded Forensics and Theatre Coach of the Year honors by the Virginia Association of Speech, Debate and Drama Coaches (VASDDC). In 2010, she was honored as the NFHS Outstanding Speech, Debate and Theatre Educator Award for Section 2. Her other contributions include hosting VHSL district/conference and regional theatre festivals and forensics tournaments; as well as serving a VHSL state theatre festival judge. Francis Dall Westfield HS Director of Student Activities Francis Dall had a distinguished record of involvement in Fairfax County Public Schools and the Virginia High School League (VHSL). He became the first student activities director at Westfield High Schools from 1989-99 after serving as head football coach and athletic director at Lake Braddock Secondary form 1989-99. Prior to Lake Braddock, Doll was the head football and baseball coach at Fairfax (1983-89); head baseball coach at Herndon (1982-83); head baseball coach at Western Albemarle (1979-82); and assistant coach at Albemarle High School (1977-79). He received coach of the year awards eight times for football and baseball. His service to the VSHL includes directing and hosting the Group AAA Spring Jubilee; serving on the VHSL Football Rating Committee; serving as chairman of the Concorde District; and serving as a representative on the Northern Region football and lacrosse committees. Dall received the VHSL Torch of Honor award in 2010 and was the recipient of the Washington Post Donald Huff Award in 2010. He is a member of the Fairfax County Hall of Fame and the Westfield High School Hall of Fame. Dall passed away on November 6, 2013.