Lexington has lost one of its basketball legends with the passing of Henry Burnette Bell Sr., known fondly as “Red”. He died at the age of 85, leaving behind a legacy that spans high school, college basketball, and officiating. Bell, originally from Zion Hill, Kentucky, was a two-time inductee into the Lexington African-American Sports Hall of Fame.
Born in 1939, Bell’s basketball career began at Douglass High School in Lexington, where he played from 1955 to 1958. His standout performance came on December 17, 1957, when he scored a staggering 54 points in a game against Lincoln Institute, a record that stood for over 30 years. Bell noted in a 2017 interview, “I couldn’t miss; I was radar that night.” His scoring ability helped Douglass earn runner-up finishes in both the state and national tournaments during his tenure.
In an era when all-Black high schools were excluded from the KHSAA state tournament, Bell’s Douglass team broke barriers by being the first such school to compete in the 43rd District Tournament in 1957. His average of 28 points per game in his last two seasons highlighted his scoring prowess before the advent of the 3-point line.
After his high school career, Bell attended Jackson State University, where he continued playing basketball. He pivoted to officiating in 1974 and quickly gained recognition in the field. His contributions as a referee included multiple assignments at the boys and girls Sweet 16 state tournaments. His impact on the sport was further acknowledged with his induction into the KHSAA Hall of Fame in 1992.
In recent years, Bell’s achievements were celebrated with inductive honors into the Lexington African-American Sports Hall of Fame. He was recognized in 2022 as part of the 1956 Douglass team and again in 2023 for his individual accomplishments as an athlete.
Henry Burnette Bell Sr.’s legacy is remembered not only for his athletic excellence and record-breaking performances but also for his contributions to local sports as a respected referee. His influence on the game of basketball in Lexington remains significant.
He will be sorely missed by the community he helped inspire through both his achievements on the court and his service off of it.
