Rockcastle Coach Chrysti Noble is Thankful to Receive Wooden Award

Chrysti Noble with her Rockcastle County players at Rupp Arena Friday. (Larry Vaught Photo)

She won a state championship in 2011 when Rockcastle County went 36-1. She has 656 career wins after going 24-9 and getting the Rockets to the 12th Region Tournament championship game again. The playing floor at The Rock Arena in Mount Vernon is named the Coach Chrysti Noble Court.

Noble, who has been the coach at Rockcastle since 1990, added another impressive honor to her resume Friday at the Girls State Tournament in Rupp Arena when she was named the National High School Basketball Coaches Association Wooden Legacy Award  winner. The award is named for legendary collegiate coach John Wooden and goes to a coach that has “exemplified excellence on the floor, in the classroom and in the community.”

A large group of Noble’s players and their parents made the trip from Mt. Vernon to Rupp Arena to see her honored along with her family members.

“I’m so thankful that they all came,” said Noble. “I knew a few were coming, but I didn’t know all of them were.I’m very thankful and blessed to have my girls and my parents over here and my husband and mother. My son had to work today so he didn’t get to come but it was nice to have so many people here.”

Noble does not like the limelight on her. She prefers the focus to be on her team and still admits having the court named after her knowing it was her players who won games seems a bit odd. However, she knew this honor was special.

‘I didn’t really know what it was until I looked it up. What an honor it is. And of course, you know John Wooden. I’ve read every book about him.”

Noble has been a head coach for 34 years — all at Rockcastle.

“I was 23 when I started out as a head coach. I was just a baby,” she said. “Rockcastle was in the 13th Region but then moved to the 12th Region and I have just loved all my years here.”

Noble knows the Wooden Legacy Award is a memory to cherish.

“It’s something my children, grandchildren look back at but I had a lot of people be a part of this,” Noble said. “These are great kids I have had and they are successful in what they are doing. I feel like that’s the most important thing. How can you help influence your girls to be successful students and adults.”

So how much longer can she keep doing this?

“I don’t know,” she said. “I have always said I want to make sure the game loves me. That’s the most important thing.  I still love the game but I want to make sure that the game always loves me.”