Panther Nation continues to mourn today as funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. today at the First Baptist Church of Blairsville for Union County Lady Panthers’ basketball Coach Mike West.

Honorary pallbearers include members of the Union County Lady Panthers’ basketball team, the Panthers boys’ soccer team and former members of the Newton County Lady Rams’ basketball team.

West’s body was found Thursday on a hiking trail in Union County. Authorities say he died of natural causes.
West went hiking Wednesday and failed to return. Family members became concerned when he failed to return home and alerted authorities. A search party discovered his body Thursday morning, Union County Schools Superintendent Tommy Stephens said.

West led the Lady Panthers to a 20-8 season in Region 8-AA and a trip to the state playoffs in his third season as head coach. The Lady Panthers split their season series with Dawson County, one game each.

West also coached the high-octane Area 15 Union County Panthers boys' soccer team to a state playoff berth. The Panthers defeated Dawson County twice this season, both times by a 2-0 margin.

This story is courtesy of the Gold 104.3 FM News Desk