Sports

Documentary chronicles HHS championship teams

By Lightning Reports, Published: December 18, 2025

A documentary film exploring Hendersonville High School’s storied basketball tradition will stage its world premiere at the HHS auditorium on Friday, Jan.  29, with ticket sales benefiting the HHS alumni association’s scholarship fund.

“The Chapel Hill Two-Step” focuses primarily on three state championship teams: the 1992 Bearcat boys and the 1987 boys and girls teams, which won the big prize on the same today on the UNC campus—one of the most memorable days in Hendersonville history. It also traces the origins of high expectations under previous coaches Ted Carter and Jim Pardue.

“When you get to know the Hendersonville story, it’s clear that the tradition of winning is a powerful force that connects the generations,” said director Keith Dunnavant, a veteran filmmaker whose credits include the ESPN Films documentaries “Bart Starr” and “Wishbone.” 

The new film is from the same Prep Legends Media team that produced  the acclaimed documentary “The Tin Can Man,” which told the story of Hendersonville’s 1972 state championship season. The production team includes director of photography/editor Jonathan W. Hickman, editor Maggie Hickman and digital media coordinator Joe Beamon.

Longtime HHS head coach, and later principal, Bobby Wilkins, who played for Pardue in the 1970s, looms large in the narrative. His two state championship teams offer stark contrasts: the fast-paced and deep 1987 Bearcats and the 1992 overachievers, who were short-handed and played more of a half-court game but did everything right on the way to a title.

“The Chapel Hill Two-Step” also examines how the success of the boys’ program influenced the girls', and traces their ascendance under demanding head coach Jack Johnson. Players interviewed include current boys head coach Marvin Featherstone, the point guard on the 1987 Bearcats squad, as well as Cynthia Black Moore, Bobby Britt, Eric Gash, Karla Hutchinson and Bill Whitmire.

The premiere program of “The Chapel Hill Two-Step” begins at 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 29. Tickets will be available at the door for $19.26, in honor of the centennial year of the current school building.  Presenting sponsors include Henderson Oil, Boyd Chevrolet, Southern Alarm and Derek Hawkins Real Estate.