Legacy on the Hardwood: Celebrating the Success of CD's Tysinger & LSHS's Hairston

By Thomas J. Martin Sr.

First and foremost, it would be a great deal for me to say that you have to pay homage when it is due. As the basketball season emerges, I’d like to highlight two hometown legends who are continually making a difference in students' lives both on and off the court. I can say these words of emphasis because I know these gentlemen personally, and these men truly deserve their flowers while they are still here.

I can remember my younger years in Lexington Middle School where I first met Coach Dustin Tysinger. He was a very mellow fellow who had lots of basketball and health knowledge that later helped us athletes as we got older. At the time, he was the gym teacher and health teacher, where he worked alongside Michael Tesh, another cool guy who didn't mind telling my mom about my antics that I would perform from the Dave Chappelle Show that used to air on Comedy Central back in the day, lol. Even though some of those funny and childish moments may have cost me at home, I never stopped—I just got more creative! But in time, Coach Tysinger would take me under his wing and try to teach me a thing or two every week, sometimes just to see where I was mentally, and I really appreciated that.

Today, he is the Head Varsity Men's Basketball Coach of the Central Davidson Spartans. He was nominated Coach of the Year in 2016 and is a proud alumnus of Central Davidson High School, Class of 1998.1 He later graduated from UNCG in 2004 with a degree in Exercise and Sport Science with a concentration in Physical Education. The Spartan program is thriving under his leadership; the 2023-2024 season saw the boys' basketball team go an outstanding 25-3 overall and 10-0 in the conference.2 He is also the father of Eli Tysinger, who happens to mirror his father's impressive skills on the court. I personally want to say congratulations on all of your success and future endeavors.

As for another great man I happen to know very well, that is Coach Robert Hairston, the Head Coach of the Lexington Senior High School Girls' Basketball Team. I can remember the days of being in his history class, and he would teach us more than just textbook history. He would lecture us on life, checks and balancing, credit cards, and mainly find ways to relate his lessons to the realities of life. He was always loved by the community, the students, and the staff.

I can remember as a kid hearing about the Yellow Jackets' basketball team winning the 1995 State Championship in Chapel Hill. It never really hit me until I first stepped foot in the Lexington Gymnasium, where a championship picture hung before me, and I noticed a lot of familiar faces, including Coach Robert Hairston. At that time in 1995, he was the assistant coach. Later in the years, he became the head coach of the Yellow Jackets boys' basketball team. He’s coached a lot of great athletes and seen a great deal of talent over his 35-year coaching career.

Now leading the girls' basketball team, Hairston coaches alongside Maury Holt and Tyrone Terry. Just last year, his team finished the regular season 1st in the 1A/2A Central Carolina Conference with a 12-0 conference record, a historic first for the school! Coach Hairston is also a college graduate of Winston-Salem State University and enjoys basketball with a passion that is infectious.3 I am definitely looking forward to seeing what the girls have in store this year.

Here at Davidson Local, we just wanted to take the time to honor these two coaches for all of their hard work, consistency, and dedication over the years. I personally want to say thank you to you both for giving a young football player a chance to experience organized basketball during my youth, along with all the invaluable life lessons. I'm sure there are other parents and players who feel the exact same way.

Good luck to the both of you this season!

Best,

Thomas J. Martin Sr.