Midland Valley coach’s death sends shockwaves across community

AIKEN, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) - Coach Raymond “Ike” Hicks is ed as an incredible mentor and coach after his death.

Hicks was the junior varsity basketball coach for Midland Valley High School.

He was well-known in his community, and his impact went well beyond the court.

Friends say he was active in getting kids off the street and locked into something that can take them to the next level.

He’s often referred to as “uncle” or “unc” by his players.

Those close to him described him as ionate, patient, and hardworking. Including former Midland Valley coach, Antauwn Wade.

Wade says when he got the call about Hicks ing away, he was in shock.

The first thing he thought about was Hicks’ wife and children.

He says the news of his ing took him back to the first time he saw Hicks coach.

He immediately saw his ion for the game and his players. That’s when he knew he had to hire him.

”It’s so many times where coach would take in so many kids. If a kid needed something, he will make sure that they had it. He literally had so many kids at his house or cars every time I saw him,” Wade said.

The news of his death has sent shockwaves across an entire community.

“Just last week, we were texting about some things, and when I first found out I was I was just in shock. Right now, I’m more so worried about his family and kids,” Wade said.

Wade said Hicks was notorious for being late, but he’s also a man of many talents. He always put others first.

“He would just say, hey coach, I know you don’t eat pork or beef, but I just made you an a chicken alfredo. He would always bring something for the guys, or if he had food, he would make sure that he shared with the guys as well,” Wade said.

Friends say there’s no question Coach Hicks is leaving his mark on the Midland Valley community, and that his legacy will live on.

“I just want to say that coach Ike was always a giving person no matter what. He was a remarkable coach. I must say this, he had the best JV record in school history. He also coached his son. His name is actually Raymond Hicks Jr, and we call him little Ike. So, he was a remarkable coach and a remarkable family man. Like every time you saw him, you saw his family as well, and he’s going to be missed for sure,” Wade said.

Friends of Hicks told News 12 that what he was doing for the basketball community and Midland Valley was everything basketball needed, even taking girls teams to win championships.

What they want now is to continue his leadership and legacy, and that they owe it to him and the Hicks family.

Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.