Inaugural Class of 13 Honorees to Be Celebrated September 5, 2025
GATESVILLE, N.C. – Gates County High School will honor its rich sports tradition this fall with the launch of the Gates County High School Athletic Hall of Fame. The inaugural class of 13 honorees, featuring standout athletes, legendary coaches, and championship teams, will be recognized during the school’s first-ever “Hall of Fame Game” on Friday, September 5, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. when the Red Barons take on KIPP Pride at Gates County High School.
Terri Riddick, Gates County Board of Education, praised the new honor. “This Hall of Fame is more than a celebration of wins and records; it’s a way to pass down the legacy of Red Baron pride to future generations.”
The Inaugural Class consists of the following:
Antonio Davis – Basketball
One of the most prolific shooters in basketball history, Davis led Gates County to a district title and later starred at Livingstone College, where he averaged 35 points per game in 1987-88. He remains the only player in NCAA history to achieve career averages of 50/50/90 in shooting percentages. Davis entered the CIAA Hall of Fame in 2020.
Devane Harvey – Football
A defensive force from 1988–91, Harvey earned All-Conference honors and went on to a decorated career at Catawba College, where he became team captain and MVP. He later played professionally in the Arena League with the Albany Firebirds and Greensboro Prowlers.
Elton Winslow – Coach
Winslow guided both boys and girls basketball teams to championships, helped found the Gates County High School tennis program, served as Athletic Director for over a decade and a coach for 30 years, and established the annual Athletic Booster Club Kickoff Dinner fundraiser.
Eric Knight – Football, Basketball, Tennis
Knight excelled in football, basketball, and tennis, earning multiple All-Conference honors and Albemarle Area Player of the Year recognition. He played in the prestigious East-West Shrine Bowl and competed against future NBA stars in the NC All-State Basketball Game.
Jessie Britt – Football
After starring at Gates County (1978–81), Britt played college football at North Carolina A&T before reaching the NFL with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Lulu Eure – Basketball, Softball
Eure was a pioneer, playing on NC State’s first intercollegiate women’s basketball team under Hall of Fame coach Kay Yow. She also competed in softball for NC State and remains one of few two-sport scholarship athletes in school history.
Mary Honey Lamb-Bowman – Basketball
A standout in the early 1970s, Lamb-Bowman went on to coach at Norfolk State, Fayetteville State, Delaware State, and T.C. Williams High School. She later received Norfolk State’s Lifetime Achievement Award and was enshrined in Delaware State University’s Hall of Fame.
Leon “Pete” Smoak – Coach
Smoak guided Gates County football from 1969 to 1990, including the undefeated 1971 Eastern State 2A Championship team (13-0), a season many regard as a state title.
Quinton Ballard – Football
Ballard earned All-East honors at Gates County High School before winning two national championships at Elon University. He later played in the NFL with the Baltimore Colts and Miami Dolphins and entered the Elon Hall of Fame in 2008.
Thomas Smith – Football
A two-time All-Conference star at Gates County High School, Smith became a standout at UNC, setting defensive records before being selected in the 1st round of the 1993 NFL Draft. He went on to play nine seasons in the NFL with Buffalo, Chicago, and Indianapolis.
Willie “Doc” Williams – Coach
Williams coached Gates County basketball to 574 career wins and led his teams to numerous playoff appearances. He also served as an assistant football coach and acted in that role for the 1971 Eastern State Championship Team.
1971 Football Team
The legendary squad finished 13-0, defeating Southern Guilford 34-8 to capture the Eastern State Championship. The team remains a symbol of Red Baron football pride.
1986–87 Girls Basketball Team
Led by determination and talent, this group finished as the NCHSAA 1A State Runners-Up with a 25–4 record, narrowly falling 50–47 to Hendersonville in the title game.
Benjamin C. Saunders, Jr., Gates County Community Partnership, highlighted the community impact. “These athletes and coaches brought people together. Their achievements inspired not just students, but the entire county. Honoring them ensures their influence continues.”
Kaye Barker, Gates County graduate and longtime athletic supporter and administrator, emphasized the significance for students. “When young athletes see the banners and names in the Hall of Fame, they will know what is possible. It connects the past to the present in a powerful way.”
The inaugural class will be officially enshrined on September 5, 2025, during halftime of the Gates County–KIPP Pride football game. Community members, alumni, and fans are invited to join in what promises to be one of the most memorable nights in Red Baron history.
“We are thrilled to launch this Hall of Fame and honor these trailblazers. Their stories are now part of the fabric of our school forever,” said Jonathan Hayes, Principal, Gates County High School.