Brian Bean is West Stanly’s new varsity boys’ head coach. Photo courtesy West Stanly High School

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STANLY COUNTY — Two local high schools have revealed that they have made coaching changes for their boys’ teams for the upcoming 2025-26 basketball season.

Over in Oakboro, Brian Bean will be taking over head coaching duties from Dusty Pflugner for the Colts varsity team.

Bean was West Stanly’s assistant varsity coach during the previous season, as well as the school’s head coach for its junior varsity squad.

“From serving our country, to serving our students, to serving our athletes,” West Stanly said in a June 5 statement. “We are happy to announce that Brian Bean will be taking over as our new head men’s basketball coach! Go Colts!”

Last season, West’s varsity team put together a 10-15 record while its JV team had a 11-9 record.

“I couldn’t be happier for this guy,” former West Stanly basketball coach John Thompson said of Bean. “He’s a hard worker who is in this for the right reasons. Great role model for those kids and he will do well. Congratulations coach Bean, and Go Colts!”

Out in New London, North Stanly has made two coaching updates for its Comets teams for the next basketball season.

“We welcome two new basketball coaches to Comet Country,” the North Stanly Booster Club announced on June 12. “Gary Ellington, one of the best in the state, will be an assistant varsity coach this season as well as in the classroom. Sean Moore will be our head junior varsity coach. Great additions to our teams, athletes and school!”

Ellington will coach under George Walker as an assistant for the varsity team; Moore will take over head coaching duties for the JV team, replacing Ethan Conner.

For the 2024-25 campaign, North’s varsity team put together a 22-7 record while its JV squad had an 8-7 record.

The local high school basketball campaign is set to kick off in mid-November.