Dory Hines: The Journey of a Small-Town Hero
Myers Park head boys’ basketball coach Dory Hines has carved out an impressive basketball journey—one rooted in small-town beginnings and built through dedication, consistency, and a deep love for the game.
A native of Kinston, North Carolina, Hines was a standout performer at Eastern North Carolina powerhouse Kinston High School. During his time there, he helped lead the Vikings to two NCHSAA state championships in 2008 and 2010, establishing himself as one of the region’s top guards.
Following his high school career, Hines earned a basketball scholarship to Division II power the University of Mt. Olive, a member of Conference Carolinas. He made an immediate impact, being named Conference Carolinas Freshman of the Year in his first season. As a sophomore, Hines led the nation in assist-to-turnover ratio while helping Mount Olive remain a fixture in the Division II Top 25 rankings.
His senior season was a continuation of that success, once again guiding the Trojans to a national Top 25 ranking. Over his collegiate career, Hines was a three-time All-Conference selection, set the school’s single-game assist record with 16, finished as Mount Olive’s all-time assists leader with 622, and recorded the only triple-double in program history.
Coaching Journey
After graduating from Mount Olive, Hines seamlessly transitioned into coaching. He began his career as an assistant coach at Parrott Academy from 2014–16 before being promoted to head coach from 2017–19. His success there opened doors at the collegiate level, where he served as an assistant coach at Lander University (2019–20) and nationally ranked UNC-Pembroke (2020–22).
With his reputation growing as a tireless worker, a player’s coach, and a strong recruiter, Hines returned to familiar ground in 2022–23 as the head coach at the University of Mount Olive. While his tenure was brief, it further strengthened his résumé and leadership credentials.
In 2024–25, Hines took on a new challenge at the high school level, joining traditional NCHSAA 4A power Myers Park as an assistant coach. When the Mustangs’ head coach accepted a college position during the offseason, the opportunity opened—and the hiring of Dory Hines as head coach was widely viewed as a grand slam. The move was praised by basketball insiders, scouts, and media alike.
Myers Park: 2025–26 Season
With the introduction of new classifications by the NCHSAA, Myers Park moved from 4A to 8A, and Hines inherited a young but talented roster. At the time of writing, the Mustangs sit at 11–5, with four of their top five scorers being underclassmen.
Leading the charge:
- 6’5 sophomore Ayo Awosanya – 17.3 PPG
- 6’6 junior Thomas Vickery – 16.9 PPG
- 6’4 sophomore Rucker Jamison – 9.7 PPG
- 6’3 junior Cash Hall – 8.7 PPG
- 6’3 senior Mack Walters – 8.4 PPG
Going Home
One of the defining moments of the 2025–26 season came when Myers Park competed in the Brandon Ingram MLK Showcase in Kinston, Hines’ hometown and alma mater. Returning to the gym where his basketball journey took shape was both meaningful and symbolic.
In a marquee matchup, Myers Park secured an impressive victory over favored New Hanover, a top contender in the NCHSAA 8A Eastern Division, further validating the Mustangs’ upward trajectory.
Down the Stretch
Competing in the highly competitive Greater Charlotte 7A/8A Conference, Myers Park has positioned itself as a favorite to contend for both the regular-season and conference tournament championships. Currently ranked 10th in the NCHSAA 8A state rankings, the Mustangs appear poised for a 20-plus win season and a deep playoff run.
Don’t be surprised if Myers Park challenges West Charlotte for the NCHSAA 8A West Championship. Bold predictions, yes—but with continued growth, chemistry, and buy-in, the ceiling is high.
From the small-town roots of Kinston to the bright lights of the Queen City, Dory Hines has experienced the game at every level. His no-nonsense approach, relentless work ethic, and player-first mindset are tailor-made for this young Myers Park squad. If anyone has paid their dues in basketball, it’s Dory Hines—and big things appear to be on the horizon.