Bill evidently had been fighting cancer. Kercher led Eastern to back to back 6th region titles in middle 80's. I think they were back to back. He coached former Louisville players Herbert Crook and Felton Spencer.

Back-to-back indeed...in the 7th Region. 1985 upset Glen Collie's 32-2 Seneca team (Keith Williams & Tony Kimbro) in the semi-finals, then beat Ballard in the finals. In 1986, they defeated a surprising Trinity team by 4 in the championship. But the Eagles couldn't translate their magic at state. Lost in a monumental upset to Metcalfe County the first year. In '86, they beat a really good Elizabethtown team, but lost to Hazard in the quarter-finals.

Coach Kercher had the services of a 7-footer named Felton Spencer those two years. Spencer played at U. of L. and eventually spent 12 years in the NBA.

RIP, Coach.