Public appeals hearing for Picayune basketball coach

Picayune Head boys basketball Coach Kelton Thompson is not going down without a fight. Last month, he was terminated just two days before senior night and today he was contesting that decision in a public appeals hearing.
A hearing officer presided over day one of the proceeds pertaining to a failed drug test back on February 7th. However, the test was only deemed positive after failing to provide a urine sample and Thompson’s party is arguing the testing agency broke protocol during the three-hour window.
Thompson elected to have this public hearing over an executive session, allowing the parents of his players to bear witness to the claims of both sides. Parent Del Rae Smith Sr. said, “I really can’t believe what’s going on. What guy would want to have a public hearing knowing he was wrong? He believes in those kids. He molds them. It hurt these kids very bad that this situation has happened. I myself spent two days dealing with my son, can’t sleep at night.”
Parent Missy Griffith said, “The time he takes out, taking them to church, just going out of his way to do the extraordinary that rings volumes with me as a parent. And I just wish him well.”
Thompson missed the final four games of the 2018 season with the Maroon Tide going 2-2 in his absence. That includes a first-round playoff exit for the second year in a row.
Picayune school officials say they cannot comment on personnel decisions.