Coach Benjamin “Coyte” Vance was an outstanding championship basketball coach and principal. Coach Vance was born in Newton County and graduate of Conehatta High where he was All-State in basketball in 1947 & 1948 and Mr. Conehatta High. He earned college degrees at Mississippi State and Mississippi College. Coyte held the SEC free throw record, was named All-SEC, and was drafted by the NBA’s Milwaukee Hawks in 1952. His 27-year coaching career includes assignments at Pelahatchie, Florence, Rankin Academy, Brandon Academy, Newton Academy, and University Christian. He coached in 1,374 games and led his teams to a mark of 1,041-333, one of the few hoops mentors to reach the 1000-win milestone. His teams participated in the state playoff finals in both the public and academy ranks and advanced to championship games 9 times, winning 4 state titles. Coach Vance led Brandon Academy to the 1990 & 1994 MPSA Class 1A crowns and coached Newton Academy to the 1995 & 1996 MPSA Class 1A titles. He coached boys & girls teams to a total of 23 district, conference, and tournament championships in a time period that includes 1960 through 2001. The gyms at Brandon Academy and University Christian are named in his honor. He served as All-Star coach on 6 occasions and named Coach of the Year by the MPSA and Little Dixie Conference in the boys & girls ranks an amazing 18 times. Coyte is a charter member of the MAC and also a member of the MPSA, MAE, and MS Professional Educators. He served in the US Air Force from 1952 to 1954.