Billy Ellis

Year Inducted: 2017

Billy Ellis was a basketball standout at South Iredell High School from 1967-1971, He averaged 31.4 points per game and scored 51 points in a game, being named his senior year. He was a two-time all-conference player and topped the 1,000-point mark for his career. He was named North Piedmont Conference Player of the Year and was selected to play in the East-West All-Star game. Ellis was inducted into South Iredell Athletic Hall of Fame in 2013.

Ellis was awarded a full basketball scholarship to play at Gardner-Webb. He was point guard of the school’s most explosive offensive era. He led the Runnin’ Bulldogs to 97 wins over his four years, including 31 in 1971-72. With Ellis running the show, they scored 100 or more points 52 times. Ellis was inducted into the Gardner-Webb Athletics Hall of Fame in 2005.

After his playing career, Ellis coached high school basketball for 20 years. He led Statesville, McDowell and Crest all to conference championships. His 2005 Crest team made it to the 3A state championship game, losing to Dudley in a 58-57 thriller in NCSU’s Reynolds Coliseum. He has served as mayor and is a current council member of the Town of Boiling Springs.