Kentucky High School Athletic Association

Bass Fishing Tournament Results History

454560 BY MIKE FIELDS (March 28, 2016)

GLENDALE, AZ — Even though he was in spring training in Arizona, 1,800 miles from Rupp Arena, Los Angeles Dodgers catcher (and former Paul Laurence Dunbar basketball player) A.J. Ellis followed Dunbar’s march to the Sweet Sixteen championship.

“I had friends on Facebook who kept me up on how Dunbar was doing,” Ellis said. “I was following them closely. I had a game (the Sunday of the state finals), and when I came off the field I had a barrage of text messages from some of my high school teammates letting me know Dunbar had pulled it out.

“I was so excited for them, for the school and all the alums. I know I was excited.”

Ellis was a sophomore reserve on Dunbar’s 1997 Sweet Sixteen team that lost to Paintsville in the first round.

“I was the […]

03/24/16 – Baseball Game Length Clarification/NFHS Pitch Smart Course

Baseball Blog Updates

Now that the season is a couple of weeks old, we wanted to update everyone with a clarification with regard to the length of a contest. Games may not be shortened in an attempt to avoid pitching limitations (pitch count). By NFHS rule, games are seven (7) complete innings (with shortened format permitted by rule due to weather/darkness). Coaches may not agree to shorten contests.

In a continuing effort to help educate administrators, coaches, players, parents and fans, the NFHS has published a free online course – Introduction to Pitch Smart. Hosted by Hall of Famer, John Smoltz, the Introduction to Pitch Smart course aims to explain the principles behind Pitch Smart, a joint arm care initiative between Major League Baseball and USA Baseball. This course includes topics such as risks of arm injuries, common misconceptions, and the Pitch Smart guidelines.

To view the free course, go to nfhslearn.com.

– KHSAA –

The KHSAA staff routinely […]

2016 Bass Fishing Regional/State Results

03/24/16 – Board of Control Approves Football Playoff Structure in 5A, 6A; Issuance of RFP for Official Ball

Track and Field Blog Updates

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 24, 2016

The Board of Control conducted its fifth regularly scheduled meeting of the school year at the Lexington Center on March 18th, during which time it finalized the playoff format for 5A and 6A, approved the issuance of an RFP to designate a new official ball, and elected its President-elect for 2016-17.

After an extensive review of potential playoff formats over several meetings that was finalized in January, the Board reviewed the proposed cross-bracketing table for Class 5A and 6A for 2016 through 2018. Following the review, the Board approved the cross-bracket table for 5A and 6A, and will continue review of playoff pairing discussions in 2A, 3A and 4A for 2017 and 2018 during its May meeting, following receipt of survey results. The adopted table of cross-bracket pairings is available at http://www.khsaa.org/football/playoffpairings.pdf.

With the Association’s current ball contract with Rawlings set to expire at the end of the school year, the […]

03/24/16 – Updated Pole Vault Coaching Requirements

The Track & Field Advisory committee met on Monday, February 8, 2016 at the KHSAA office in Lexington. During the course of its meeting, the committee recommended approval of revised pole vault coaching requirements for ALL high school track and field coaches.

The first recommended change was to allow for an additional course to be used for pole vault coach certification. In addition to the fee-based course at pvscb.com, coaches with pole vaulters are also allowed to use the free NFHS Coaching Pole Vault Elective Course through NFHSLearn.com. This course can be found by following the link at http://nfhslearn.com/courses/40000/coaching-pole-vault. The recommendation has been implemented for 2016 due to the health and safety of the students and the cost savings to the member schools.

As a second recommended change, for 2016, it is highly recommended that student-athletes competing in pole vault also complete the course to ensure safety and proper awareness of the sport. Completion […]

03/24/16 – KHSAA Postseason Track & Field Dates

With spring upon us, many schools are attempting to schedule proms, graduations, etc. With that said, the KHSAA staff wanted to again remind you of the dates and locations for Regional and State Track & Field meets. These dates were posted earlier in the year and were repeated during the rules clinics to be sure all were aware of them.

For 2016, regionals can be held from May 9-21 at various locations. A summary link to the information regarding regional sites as well as state information is under continual development.

The state track meet will take place May 27-28 at the University of Kentucky Outdoor Track and Field Complex. Class 2A will be held on Friday, May 27 and Class 1A and 3A will be held on Saturday, May 28.

– KHSAA –

The KHSAA staff routinely publishes blog posts to better communicate with its various constituencies and the public. For a list of those blogs, go […]

Board Approves Cross-Bracket Pairings for 2016-18 in Class 5A, 6A; Moratorium Lifted on Contracts

Football Blog Updates

The Board of Control has finalized the cross-bracket pairings for Class 5A and 6A in the football playoffs for 2016, 2017 and 2018. The Board had determined in January, following months of dialogue and review, that some form of cross-bracketing was the desire of the membership (as opposed to playing the first two rounds of the playoffs within the district). In January, the Board then also approved rotating those regional pairings (cross-bracket pairings) in 5A and 6A for 2016 through 2018 with staff directed to bring back proposed options to the March 18th meeting. Those pairings were then finalized by the Board of Control at the March meeting and are listed at http://www.khsaa.org/football/playoffpairings.pdf. The Board also approved in January a provision that stipulates that if equal seeded teams meet in consecutive years in the third / fourth rounds, the game site from the prior year will be reversed so that the same team will […]

Dunbar celebrates long-sought title

champs

BY MIKE FIELDS (March 20, 2016)

Paul Laurence Dunbar hoisted the big trophy and cut down the nets after winning the 99th Whitaker Bank/KHSAA Boys’ Sweet Sixteen championship in Rupp Arena Sunday afternoon, and its celebration echoed through history.

Dunbar was battle-scarred as it survived a brutal post-season schedule. It beat Henry Clay in the 11th Region semifinals and Scott County in the finals to get to Rupp. Then it had to get through the gauntlet of Mercer County, Bowling Green and Newport Central Catholic to reach the championship game against Doss.

As it turned out, the last fight was the easiest. The Bulldogs delivered an early knockout punch. It rolled to a 26-7 lead over Doss and was never seriously threatened. It claimed the state title with its school-record 33rd victory in front of 10,091 fans, a large portion of whom […]

Lexington vs. Louisville for 7th time in finals

BY MIKE FIELDS (March 19, 2016)

For the seventh time in state tournament history, a Lexington team will play a Louisville team in the title game.

Paul Laurence Dunbar (32-6) will go against Doss (30-5) in the finals of the 99th Whitaker Bank/KHSAA Sweet Sixteen in Rupp Arena Sunday at 2 p.m.

Louisville holds the upper hand in the big-city championship rivalry. It has won 4 of the previous 6 showdowns.

1957: Lafayette beat Eastern 55-52 in Freedom Hall.
1963: Seneca beat Dunbar 72-66 in Freedom Hall.
1975: Male beat Henry Clay 74-59 in Freedom Hall.
1991: Fairdale beat Tates Creek 67-63 in Rupp Arena.
1994: Fairdale beat Dunbar 59-56 in Freedom Hall.
2001: Lafayette beat Male 54-49 in Rupp Arena.

Doss has set a school record with 30 wins. If Dunbar takes Sunday’s title game, it will set a school record with 33 victories.

Dunbar, Doss squeeze into title game

BY MIKE FIELDS (March 19, 2016)

When Doss and Paul Laurence Dunbar got together for a pre-season scrimmage at Taylor County last fall, a couple of weeks before Thanksgiving, little did they know they would end the season in Rupp Arena playing for the state championship.

“Funny how things happen,” Doss Coach Tony Williams said.

To get to Sunday afternoon’s title game, Doss and Dunbar had to survive tough semifinal tests Saturday night in the 99th Whitaker Bank/KHSAA Sweet Sixteen.

Doss trailed South Laurel 60-56 with less than 3 minutes left, but the Dragons closed with a rush and won 70-63.

The turning point down the stretch may have been when South Laurel’s 6-foot-8, 265-pound Caleb Taylor was called for his fifth foul with 1:47 left and the Cards up 60-59.

“I was just so happy they decided to blow that whistle,” Williams said. “Once (Taylor) went out with his fifth foul, there was a sense of relief.”

Jaylon […]

Sweet Sixteen now a Final Four

The final four of the 99th Whitaker Bank/KHSAA Sweet Sixteen is all set. Saturday night’s semifinal matchups in Rupp Arena look like this:

Newport Central Catholic (30-4) vs. Paul Laurence Dunbar (31-6), 6:30
Doss (29-5) vs. South Laurel (29-6), 8:15.

NewCath is in the semifinals for the first time since 1953 when it lost to eventual champ Lafayette. Coach Ron Dawn’s Thoroughbreds have been led by 6-foot-6 senior Ben Weyer, who’s been nothing less than fabulous in wins over Trinity and Murray.

Dunbar, state runner-up to Marion County in 1993 and to Fairdale in 1994, came into this Sweet Sixteen as the top-rated team. Junior standout Taveion Hollingsworth has been smoother than Jif peanut butter in leading Scott Chalk’s Bulldogs past Mercer County and Bowling Green.

Doss is the final four for the first time since 1985 when it lost to Clay County. The Dragons were state runners-up to Owensboro in 1980. This year’s team, coached by Tony Williams, beat Lawrence County in […]

NewCath’s Big Ben clocking big numbers

BY MIKE FIELDS (March 18, 2016)

Newport Central Catholic star Ben Weyer is making more noise in Rupp Arena this week than the Monster Jam trucks did when they rolled in here for a show last month.

In two games in the 99th Whitaker Bank/KHSAA Sweet Sixteen, the 6-foot-6 senior has put up staggering numbers — 46 points, 25 rebounds, 7 assists and 7 blocked shots — while leading NewCath to the state semifinals for the first time since 1953.

It just so happens that Weyer’s grandfather, Jim Weyer, was the starting point guard on the ’53 Thoroughbreds team that lost to eventual champ Lafayette in the final four.

Ben’s dad Joe also has Sweet Sixteen history. He played for Highlands in the 1986 and ’87 state tournaments. He, too, was a point guard who fed Bluebirds’ star Scott Draud. Highlands lost in the first round both years.

“My dad messes with me a lot,” Ben said. “He’ll say, […]

Grab bag of contenders in Sweet quarterfinals

The 99th Whitaker Bank/KHSAA Sweet Sixteen was hyped as a wide-open shootout with any number of title contenders. Friday’s quarterfinal matchups seem to bear that out. It’s hard to pick any sure-fire winners coming out of the elite eight.

Murray (30-5) vs. Newport Central Catholic (29-4), noon
Dunbar (30-6) vs. Bowling Green (31-2), 1:30
Doss (28-5) vs. Taylor County (25-8), 6:30
South Laurel (28-6) vs. South Oldham (29-5), 8:15

Dave Cantrall’s power ratings for the Lexington Herald-Leader had the tournament’s 16 teams in this order. Bold-faced teams still alive:

Dunbar

South Laurel

NewCath

Trinity

Mercer County

Bowling Green

Christian County

Taylor County

Doss

South Oldham

Lawrence County

Murray

Owensboro Catholic

Mason County

Buckhorn

Elliott County

Goodin out to prove he’s the best

BY MIKE FIELDS (March 17, 2016)

Quentin Goodin didn’t win Mr. Basketball honors Tuesday night, but the Taylor County senior wanted to show that he deserved the award with his play in the Cardinals’ 94-65 victory over Mason County Thursday night in the 99th Whitaker Bank/KHSAA Sweet Sixteen in Rupp Arena.

Goodin, a 6-foot-2 guard who has signed with Xavier, had 28 points, 12 rebounds, 6 assists and 3 steals as he led Taylor County to its first state tournament win since 1974.

Cards Coach Rich Gatewood thought “Q” had an extra kick to his game in Rupp.

Goodin admitted he did. He said he wanted to “prove a point” that he, not Carson Williams of Owen County, should have been chosen Mr. Basketball by the state’s coaches and media.

At Tuesday night’s banquet, Goodin said he started to stand up when Joe B. Hall made the announcement, “Mr. Basketball is …” but then he heard Carson Williams’ […]

Braden Miller has a ‘Ty’ to South Laurel champs

BY MIKE FIELDS (March 17, 2016)

When South Laurel’s Braden Miller hit a three-pointer midway through the first quarter of the Cardinals’ game against Christian County Thursday afternoon, he glanced into the Rupp Arena stands and spotted his family celebrating.

“It was a surreal feeling when I hit that shot,” Braden said. “To hear the noise of the crowd and to look up and see my family. My (older) brother Brennan told me after the region that if I hit a shot in Rupp, to look for him. It’s something I’ll never forget.”

What made the moment even more special was that it was part of South Laurel’s stirring 53-50 victory over Christian County, which put the Cardinals in the state tournament’s elite eight.

South Laurel, rated the second best team in the Sweet Sixteen, must be considered a threat to win the title, just like it did in 2005.

Braden Miller was only 8 when the […]

Fairdale’s back-to-back feat has aged well

BY MIKE FIELDS (March 17, 2016)

Today is the 25th anniversary of Fairdale’s completing its back-to-back Sweet Sixteen championships.

Stan Hardin’s Bulldogs beat Tates Creek 67-63 in the finals of the 74th Boys’ State Tournament in Rupp Arena on March 16, 1991 to become the first team to win consecutive state titles since Male did it in 1970 and ’71.

Fairdale’s terrific trio of Jermaine Brown, Maurice Morris and Carlos Turner combined for 40 points and 22 rebounds in the victory over Tates Creek. Nolan Barger’s Commodores were led by Darrin Horn’s 23 points and 7 rebounds, and John Mark Stuart’s 20 points.

Is Hardin surprised that, a quarter of a century later, no boys’ team has repeated as champ?

“What’s amazing to me is that it’s only been done once in the last 45 years,” Hardin said.

There have been close calls. Scott County won it all in 1998 and was runner-up in 1999. Mason County won it all […]

Sweet memories 70 years in the making

BY MIKE FIELDS (March 17, 2016)

Reginald Rice saw his first Sweet Sixteen 70 years ago at the Louisville Armory when he was a student at Garrett High School in Floyd County.

Since 1946, Rice has missed only a handful of state tournaments — usually when flooding causes havoc back home. The 87-year-old basketball fan was in his customary lower-arena, front-row seat Wednesday for the 99th renewal of the Greatest Show in Hoops. He was sitting with his son Kenny, a long-time sportscaster and, like his dad, a Sweet Sixteen junkie.

Father and son have been pretty much regulars at the state tournament since the mid-1960s. Kenny missed a few, most of them when he was working at WTVQ in Lexington and had to follow UK in the NCAA Tournament.

Reginald Rice said he loves the state tournament “atmosphere” and chatting up old friends and making new ones.

He played basketball for the Garrett Black Devils in the […]

Hollingsworth shines, Dunbar survives

BY MIKE FIELDS (March 16, 2016)

Cool, calm and clutch.

That’s Taveion Hollingsworth, a 6-foot-2 junior who plays basketball for Paul Laurence Dunbar with such remarkable ease and efficiency that it makes you wonder if he’s immune to pressure.

Hollingsworth was at this best in the biggest game of his life Wednesday night. He led Dunbar to a heart-racing (although his own heart apparently never races) 58-55 victory over Mercer County in a down-to-the-wire first-round thriller in the Whitaker Bank/KHSAA Sweet Sixteen.

Hollingsworth scored 23 of his 32 points in the second half, draining clutch shot after clutch shot to keep the Bulldogs in the chase for their first state tournament victory since 1994.

Wasn’t Hollingsworth at least a little jittery on the Rupp Arena stage?

“It was different because the place is bigger and there were more people (11,866) here,” he said softly. “But I tried not to pay attention to the crowd and just played my […]

Watson cheers Dunbar’s return to Rupp

frankwatson BY MIKE FIELDS (March 16, 2016)

The last time Paul Laurence Dunbar played in the Sweet Sixteen, in 1997, Frank Watson was the Bulldogs’ coach, having guided the Bulldogs to three state tournaments in five years.

When Dunbar took the Rupp Arena court Wednesday night, Watson was sitting in Section 42, among the Bulldogs’ red-shirted fans, remembering those glory days two decades ago.

“Walking in here, it seems like yesterday,” he said. “It doesn’t seem like 19 years,

“I’m so happy and excited for them that they’ve made it back.”

When Dunbar opened in 1990, Watson was hired to be the school’s first basketball coach and build the program. The Bulldogs, led by Darnell Burton and Cameron Mills, quickly became a state power. They won back-to-back region titles and finished as state runners-up in 1993 (to Marion County) and 1994 (to Fairdale).

[…]

Sweet Sixteen: different kinds of bricks

BY MIKE FIELDS (March 16, 2016)

The 99th Whitaker Bank/KHSAA Boys’ Sweet Sixteen opened Wednesday, and bricks were the topic du jour in the first session as Murray blasted Buckhorn 62-35, and Newport Central Catholic whipped Trinity 48-33 in front of 9,733 fans in Rupp Arena.

It was a good-brick kind of day for Murray, a bad-brick kind of day for Trinity.

The Shamrocks suffered through a nightmarish shooting performance — brick after brick after brick — as they went 15 minutes without scoring a point against NewCath.

After taking an 11-2 lead midway through the first quarter, Trinity was shut out in the second quarter, and needed 3:30 before finally scoring again in the third quarter and ending NewCath’s 20-0 run.

During their drought, the Rocks missed 20 consecutive shots. They finished the day 12 of 46 (26%), including 4 of 21 (19%) on three-pointers.

Coach Mike Szabo thought his team looked leg-weary at Tuesday’s practice, “and today it looked […]

Sweet Sixteen a NewCath family tradition

BY MIKE FIELDS (March 16, 2016)

Newport Central Catholic sophomore guard Stephen Pangallo will carry on a family tradition by playing in the Sweet Sixteen today.

Pangallo is the grandson of NewCath Coach Ron Dawn, who played in the state tournament for the Thoroughbreds in 1973 and 1974.

Ron coached his son Ronny, who was an all-state guard for NewCath’s 2000 Sweet Sixteen team.

“It’s neat,” Ron Dawn said of the family’s state tournament tradition. “I didn’t think about it until a day or two (after the 9th Region championship).”

NewCath has another three-generation Sweet Sixteen story.

Jim Weyer played for NewCath’s 1953 state tournament team. Jim’s son Joe was on Highlands’ state tournament teams in 1986 and ’87, and Jim’s grandson Ben is a standout on this year’s NewCath team this year.

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03/14/16 – Whitaker Bank/KHSAA Boys’ Sweet 16® Broadcast Schedule

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 14, 2016

The 2016 Whitaker Bank/KHSAA Boys’ Sweet 16® begins Wednesday afternoon at Rupp Arena when Buckhorn takes on Murray at 12 p.m. Fans can follow the action for all 15 games of the tournament by watching live video webcasts at KHSAA.tv or listening online at KHSAA.net.

The 2016 Whitaker Bank/KHSAA Boys’ Sweet 16® marks just the fourth time in KHSAA history four schools have had both their boys’ and girls’ basketball teams advance to the state tournament in the same year – which Bowling Green, Murray, Mercer County and Owensboro Catholic achieved this year.

Four schools sent both their boys’ and girls’ teams to the Sweet 16® in 1977 (Owensboro, Taylor County, Laurel County and Ashland Blazer) and 1989 (Marshall County, Oldham County, George Rogers Clark and Clay County); while a state record five schools sent both their boys’ and girls’ teams to the state tournament in 1988 (Marshall County, Oldham […]

Butler flattens Flyers to claim 5th title

BY MIKE FIELDS (March 13, 2016)

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS — Butler cemented its place as one of the preeminent girls’ basketball programs in Kentucky history by blasting Franklin County 62-36 to win the St. Elizabeth Healthcare/KHSAA Sweet Sixteen championship Sunday afternoon.

The Bearettes claimed their fifth state title (2016, 2014, 2008, 1980, 1975) to join Laurel County as the only 5-time champ in the modern era. (Ashland won 5 titles between 1921 and 1929.)

Butler overwhelmed Franklin County 15-0 to start the game and 14-0 to start the second half to suck all the drama out of BB&T Arena and keep the 3,444 fans fairly quiet. Butler led 42-15 midway through the third quarter.

The Bearettes’ 26-point margin of victory was the second-largest in finals history, topped only by M.C. Napier’s 88-56 rout of Highlands in 1994.

“We just ran into a dad-burn buzz saw today,” Franklin County Coach Joey Thacker said. “We got back on our heels and it was over. We were just […]

Butler gets shot at record-tying 5th title

BY MIKE FIELDS (March 12, 2016)

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS — Butler will be chasing history when it goes up against a once-upon-a-time opponent in the girls’ state basketball finals Sunday night.

Butler outlasted All “A” champion Murray 68-58 in the semifinals of the St. Elizabeth HealthCare/KHSAA Sweet Sixteen Saturday night in BB&T Arena.

The victory earned the Bearettes a chance to tie Laurel County as the only 5-time state titlist in the modern era. They will play Franklin County in Sunday’s 2 o’clock title game. Butler grounded the Flyers in the 1980 finals.

Larry Just, who coached Butler to its 2014 championship, said he hasn’t had time to think about his team’s shot at history. “That’s something if it happens, it happens. I’ve got a tired basketball team and we just have to find energy for tomorrow.”

Murray sapped Butler with a valiant comeback. The Lady Tigers, trying to win their 30th game in a row, trailed 41-24 in the third quarter […]

Flyers in finals for first time in 36 years.

BY MIKE FIELDS (March 12, 2016)

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS — It took 36 years, but Franklin County has made it back to the state championship game in girls’ basketball.

The Flyers held on to beat Mercer County 55-51 in the semifinals of the St. Elizabeth HealthCare/KHSAA Sweet Sixteen Saturday night at BB&T Arena.

The victory puts Franklin County (31-4) in Sunday afternoon’s title game against Butler, which beat the Flyers 36-30 in the 1980 finals.

“What do you say?” We’re in a situation we all dream about,” Coach Joey Thacker said.

Franklin County, which lost to Mercer County 75-66 two months ago, led the Titans 46-35 early in the fourth quarter Saturday night. But then the Flyers went ice cold and didn’t score for more than 4 minutes. Mercer County took advantage with a 13-0 run to take a 48-46 lead.

Franklin County junior Rebecca Cooks said the scoring drought “was definitely frustrating, but we’ve been determined the whole […]

Butler buzzer-beat beats E-town

BY MIKE FIELDS (March 11, 2016)

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS — Janna Lewis wasn’t supposed to take the last shot for Butler, but she did, and her buzzer-beater gave the Bearettes a dramatic 61-59 victory over Elizabethtown in the quarterfinals of the St. Elizabeth HealthCare/KHSAA Sweet Sixteen Friday night.

Butler (29-5), a four-time state champion, will play All “A” state titlist Murray (35-1) in Saturday night’s semifinals in BB&T Arena.

“(Coach Larry Just) called a play and it didn’t work, so I flashed to the middle,” Lewis explained. “Breia (Torrens) found me and when I turned around I was open, so I said, ‘OK, I’ll shoot it,’ and it went in.”

For E-town, the heartbreak was familiar. In last year’s Sweet Sixteen quarterfinals, Covington Holy Cross hit a shot in the closing seconds to beat the Panthers 41-40. Holy Cross went on to win the state title.

“It seems like deja vu,” E-town Coach Tim Mudd said.

The Panthers […]

Murray rolls into state final four

BY MIKE FIELDS (March 11, 2016)

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS — The dynamic duo of Macey Turley and Maddie Waldrop led Murray past Owensboro Catholic 60-43 in the quarterfinals of the St. Elizabeth HealthCare/KHSAA Sweet Sixteen Friday night in BB&T Arena.

It was Murray’s third win over the Aces this season, including a victory in the championship game of the All “A” Classic.

Murray will take a 29-game winning streak into Saturday night’s semifinals against the Butler-Elizabethtown winner.

Turley, showing no ill effects from a sprained ankle she suffered in the Lady Tigers’ first-round win over Manual, hit 5 of 6 three-pointers on her way to 25 points. The 5-foot-7 sophomore point guard also had 3 assists, 3 rebounds and 2 steals.

Turley credited athletic trainer Lance Harper for getting her ready to go. Coach Rechelle Turner paid tribute to Turley’s competitive nature. “When adversity strikes, she steps it up to another level. If I’d told (her) she wasn’t playing today, […]

Mercer County makes final four

BY MIKE FIELDS (March 11, 2016)

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS — When the heat was on, Mercer County kept its cool and played its way into the final four of the St. Elizabeth HealthCare/KHSAA Sweet Sixteen. The Titans withstood a pressure-packed fourth quarter to beat Holmes 59-55 in Friday afternoon’s quarterfinals at BB&T Arena.

Mercer County (31-5) will play Franklin County (30-4) in Saturday night’s semifinals. (The Titans beat Franklin County 75-66 on Jan. 14.)

“Man, this is pretty awesome, to be sitting here going to the final four,” Titans Coach Chris Souder said.

“This is a huge win not just for our school but for our community.”

Holmes pushed Mercer County until the final horn, but the 12th Region champions hit enough free throws — including Seygan Robins’ 5-for-6 performance from the line in the last three minutes — to hold on.

“It was pretty hectic. We had to keep our composure,” Robins said. “We knew if we kept hitting our […]

Scott Hundley getting out of coaching

BY MIKE FIELDS (March 11, 2016)

Scott Hundley is stepping down as boys’ basketball coach at Woodford County to pursue a job in school administration, or maybe something in the private sector.

“It was a tough decision because I’ll miss the bonds and relationships you develop with the young men you coach,” said Hundley, who was at the St. Elizabeth HealthCare/KHSAA Girls’ Sweet Sixteen on Friday to present KABC awards to coaches and players.

“And I’ll miss the sidelines for sure.”

Hundley, 34, said the career change will give him more time with his wife Torie and their 9-month old daughter Adlee.

Hundley won Mr. Basketball honors in his senior year at Scott County. He played college basketball at Vanderbilt.

Hundley, who is president of the KABC, had a 107-82 record at Woodford County and took the Yellow Jackets to the region six years in a row. They reached the region finals in 2012.

Flyers escape Campbell’s upset bid

BY MIKE FIELDS (March 11, 2016)

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS — It wasn’t anything like early December when Franklin County crushed Campbell County 68-47 in the season opener.

In a rematch in the quarterfinals of the St. Elizabeth HealthCare/KHSAA Sweet Sixteen Friday afternoon, Franklin County narrowly escaped with a 41-38 victory over the Camels in BB&T Arena.

“I don’t care if we win 3-2, as long as we get the last stop,” Franklin County Coach Joey Thacker said.

Campbell County had its chances down the stretch but either missed shots or made turnovers.

Franklin County seventh-grader Brooklynn Miles missed the front end of the bonus with her team up 41-38 with :26 left.

Campbell County couldn’t capitalize, however. Taylor Jolly missed a layup. The Flyers’ Anna Arrastia rebounded and was fouled. She went to the foul line, but she missed the front end of the bonus, too.

The Camels couldn’t take advantage. Taylor Clos was called for a charge with :02.5 left.

[…]

Aces deal Harlan a repeat defeat

BY MIKE FIELDS (March 10, 2016)

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS — Forty days after Owensboro Catholic beat Harlan by 30 points in the All “A” semifinals, the Aces won their rematch 69-49 in the first round of the St. Elizabeth HealthCare/KHSAA Sweet Sixteen at BB&T Arena Thursday night.

Owensboro Catholic (31-5) has another rematch in Friday night’s quarterfinals when it faces Murray (34-1), which dealt the Aces a 45-28 defeat in the All “A” title game. Murray also beat Owensboro Catholic 73-57 two weeks before the small-school tournament.

Mikayla Berry, a 5-foot-7 senior, led the way against Harlan with 26 points and 6 rebounds.

Annabel Moore, a 5-10 senior, had 15 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals.

Harlan, making its first Sweet Sixteen appearance since 1999, was led by Jordan Brock’s 19 points and 8 assists.

Boley leads E-town past Henderson County

BY MIKE FIELDS (March 10, 2016)

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS — Elizabethtown, rated the tournament favorite, looked the part in rolling by Henderson County 63-36 in the first round of the St. Elizabeth HealthCare/KHSAA Sweet Sixteen Thursday night in BB&T Arena.

Erin Boley, a Notre Dame signee and finalist for Naismith’s national player of the year, led the Panthers. The 6-foot-2 senior had 27 points and 7 rebounds as E-town notched its 30th victory, giving it three consecutive 30-win seasons.

E-town, the 1998 state titlist, was the Sweet Sixteen favorite the past two years but lost to Butler in the 2014 finals and to eventual champ Covington Holy Cross in the quarterfinals last year.

The Panthers get another big-game showdown with Butler in Friday night’s quarterfinals.

E-town Coach Tim Mudd said the difference against Henderson County was his team’s defense. But the Panthers also got a boost from their offense. They hit 9 of their first 11 shots, including 3 of […]

Butler bounces Bowling Green

BY MIKE FIELDS (March 10, 2016)

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS — Four-time state champion Butler, which seems to always look comfortable on the big stage, turned in another winning performance in the first round of the St. Elizabeth HealthCare/KHSAA Sweet Sixteen Thursday afternoon.

The Bearettes, getting a big boost from their bench, notched their 11th victory in a row by beating Bowling Green 64-52 in BB&T Arena.

Butler, whose state titles came in 2014, 2008, 1980 and 1975, advanced to Friday night’s quarterfinals and will face the Elizabethtown-Henderson County winner.

Jaelynn Penn led the way against Bowling Green. The 5-foot-9 junior had 20 points and 9 rebounds.

Janna Lewis and Molly Lockhart helped Butler’s bench outscore Bowling Green’s bench 30-8. Lewis had 16 points and 6 rebounds. Lockhart had 10 points and 6 rebounds.

“Our bench gave us a major spark, a big lift, in the first quarter,” Coach Larry Just said.

Bowling Green was led by Keely Morrow’s 18 points and Oneisha Turner’s 16. Ta Mia Matthews had 10 […]

Murray beats Manual for 28th win in a row

BY MIKE FIELDS (March 10, 2016)

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS — Murray, trying to duplicate Covington Holy Cross’s grand achievement as a small school last year, beat Manual 58-41 in the first round of the St. Elizabeth HealthCare/KHSAA Sweet Sixteen Thursday afternoon in BB&T Arena.

It was Murray’s 28th consecutive victory, a streak that includes the All “A” Classic title. Covington Holy Cross swept the All “A” and the Sweet Sixteen last year, and Murray has its eyes on the big prize, too.

Maddie Waldrop led the Tigers against Manual. The 6-foot-2 junior had 22 points, 14 rebounds, 3 blocked shots and 3 steals.

Alexis Burpo and Lex Mayes had 9 points each. Brittany Lawson chipped in with 8 points.

Murray point guard Macey Turley contributed 7 points, 6 assists and 5 rebounds before injuring her ankle in the opening seconds of the fourth quarter. Coach Rechelle Turner expects Turley to be available for Friday’s quarterfinals. “It’s a quick turnaround, but […]

Thursday’s Sweet Sixteen matchups

The first round of the St. Elizabeth HealthCare/KHSAA Sweet Sixteen continues Thursday at BB&T Arena:

Murray (33-1) vs. Manual (21-7), noon
Butler (27-5) vs. Bowling Green (29-4), 1:30 p.m.
Elizabethtown (29-4) vs. Henderson County (18-9), 6:30 p.m.
Owensboro Catholic (30-5) vs. Harlan (27-4), 8 p.m.

The Murray-Manual winner will face the Owensboro Catholic-Harlan winner in Friday night’s quarterfinals. The Butler-Bowling Green winner will play the E-town-Henderson County winner.

Holmes ‘D’ does in the Red Devils

BY MIKE FIELDS (March 9, 2016)

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS — Holmes relied on unrelenting defense to get to the state tournament for the first time in 14 years, so it was no surprise that its defense was the difference in a 49-35 victory over Russell in the St. Elizabeth HealthCare/KHSAA Sweet Sixteen Wednesday night in BB&T Arena.

The Bulldogs earned their 10th win in a row and a date with Mercer County in Friday’s quarterfinals.

Jynea Harris, a 5-foot-6 senior guard, led Holmes with 18 points. Maurissa Brown had 10 points. Tyrah Englemon contributed 9 points and 9 rebounds.

Russell was led by Maggie Jachimczuk’s 13 points, 9 rebounds and 3 blocked shots. Madison Darnell added 10 points for the Red Devils, who shot 33%.

Holmes had a 21-10 halftime lead on Russell, which had a difficult time against the Bulldogs’ swarming pressure.

The Red Devils, 16th Region champs for the first time since 1994, had a […]

Campbell County gets its first ‘Sweet’ win

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS — It was Wednesday — hump day — and the Campbell County Camels got over the proverbial hump and won their first-ever Sweet Sixteen game.

Campbell County beat Trimble County 48-33 in the St. Elizabeth HealthCare/KHSAA Sweet Sixteen at BB&T Arena Wednesday night.

The Camels, who lost in the opening round in three previous state tournament appearances, were led by Taylor Jolly (17 points, 3 steals) and MacKenzie Schwarber (13 points, 14 rebounds, 3 steals).

Kylie Kramer and Taylor Clos combined for 12 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists.

Trimble County, which upset Simon Kenton to win the 9th Region, gave the Camels a tough way to go. Campbell County Coach Beau Menefee said his team had a difficult time defending Trimble County’s Shelbe Black. The 6-foot junior led the Raiders with 12 points, 6 rebounds and 3 steals.

Mila Consley had 8 points, 5 rebounds and 3 blocks for Trimble County. Kaylee Clifford added 5 points, 6 asssits, 3 rebounds and […]

Cook leads Franklin County by Shelby Valley

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS — Franklin County has four 1,000-point career scorers in its lineup, so it’s rare when the Flyers go starving for offense.

So it didn’t matter that Princess Stewart, Franklin County’s top scorer this season, went 0-for-9 from the field and had only 2 points (on 2 free throws in the final minutes) in the first round of the St. Elizabeth HealthCare/KHSAA Sweet Sixteen Wednesday afternoon.

Rebecca Cook stepped up to lead the Flyers with 19 points and Dasia Kilbroune added 10 in a 47-39 victory over Shelby Valley in BB&T Arena.

It was Franklin County’s first victory in the Sweet Sixteen since 1980.

“When you haven’t won a state tournament game in 36 years, I guess it’s supposed to be hard,” Coach Joey Thacker said. “We just never could turn them over and get points, so we had to grind it out in the halfcourt.”

Stewart, Cook, Kilbourne and Malaka Frank are all 1,000-point […]

Chris Souder’s ‘best year’ of his coaching life

BY MIKE FIELDS (March 9, 2016)

Mercer County Coach Chris Souder is having a ball during March Madness, and it keeps getting better.

Tuesday night, Souder watched Mercer County’s boys beat Casey County to win the 12th Region title. His son Conner, a senior, plays for the Titans.

Wednesday afternoon, Souder guided Mercer County’s girls to a 68-39 victory over Leslie County in the opening game of the St. Elizabeth HealthCare/KHSAA Sweet Sixteen in BB&T Arena. It was the Titans’ 30th win — a school record — and put them in the state quarterfinals for the first time.

“This has been the best of year of my coaching career,” Souder said. “The fact that we won the region, and that I got to watch my son also win the region and knowing he’s going to step on the Rupp Arena floor next week.

“I played at Harrodsburg (class of 1984) and it was always a dream […]

Mercer County rolls by Leslie County

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS — Mercer County began the St. Elizabeth HealthCare/KHSAA Girls’ Sweet Sixteen by erasing all memory of last year’s lopsided loss in the state tournament.

The Titans, who were buried by Elizabethtown 79-38 in the first round in Bowling Green last year, leveled Leslie County 68-39 in Wednesday afternoon’s opener at BB&T Arena.

“What a difference a year makes,” Mercer County Coach Chris Souder said. “These kids worked extremely hard, and they came out really strong and played intense.”

Souder conceded that there was a big difference in the draw, too, noting E-town was the top-rated team in last year’s tournament, and Leslie County was the bottom-rated team this year.

“Nothing against Leslie County,” Souder said. “I was in his (Coach Mark Collett’s) boat last year.”

Mercer County started the game with an 11-0 run and added a 16-0 surge later in the quarter. Leslie County, making its first state tournament appearance in 30 years, couldn’t recover from a 42-12 halftime deficit.

Junior […]

03/08/16 – St. Elizabeth Healthcare/KHSAA Girls’ Sweet 16® Broadcast Information

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 8, 2016

The 2016 St. Elizabeth Healthcare/KHSAA Girls’ Sweet 16® gets underway Wednesday afternoon at BB&T Arena in Highland Heights. Fans can follow all the action through live webcasts at KHSAA.tv or listen to the games online at KHSAA.net.

All 15 games will be streamed live at KHSAA.tv through the NFHS Network, which is a subscription based service. Subscription plans for the NFHS Network include a day pass ($9.95), a monthly pass ($14.95) and an annual pass ($119.95).

These passes, with the daily pass priced less than the cost of admission to state championship contests, not only entitle the users to all Kentucky broadcasts, but all of the broadcasts from the more than 40 participating state associations. To subscribe to the NFHS Network, visit: http://www.nfhsnetwork.com/subscribe/retail

A free audio-only feed of the games will also be available online through KHSAA.net and Mixlr (http://mixlr.com/khsaa/), which has a corresponding app available for […]

Mason County ends Augusta’s run in 10th

BY MIKE FIELDS (March 8, 2016)

MOUNT STERLING – Everything that is good and clean and competitive and entertaining and heartening about Kentucky high school basketball played out in a rousing 10th Region championship game at Montgomery County Tuesday night.

In a classic big school vs. small school matchup, traditional power Mason County outlasted tiny Augusta 48-41 in front of a packed house of 4,200 fans to earn a trip to Rupp Arena for the 99th Whitaker Bank/KHSAA Boys’ Sweet Sixteen next week.

Mason County (enrollment 800) now owns 15 region titles, and the Royals’ heritage also includes two state championships (2003, 2008).

Mason County will play 5th Region champ Taylor County in the first round of the state tournament.

Augusta (enrollment 85) was denied its first region title in 90 years.

It was easy to cast Mason County as Goliath and Augusta as David, but both coaches felt that was a misrepresentation of their team.

[…]

Boys’ Sweet Sixteen field taking shape

netcut The Whitaker Bank/KHSAA Boys’ Sweet Sixteen is taking shape. Five region champions have been crowned, and 11 more will be determined tonight to complete the field.

Christian County (2nd Region), Doss (6th), Newport Central Catholic (9th), Paul Laurence Dunbar (11th) and South Laurel (13th) have locked up spots in the 99th state tournament, which will be played March 16-20 in Rupp Arena.

Here’s a region-by-region rundown:

1st Region: McCracken County (24-9) vs. Murray (28-5)
2nd Region: Christian County (29-2)
3rd Region: Owensboro Catholic (21-9) vs. Meade County (22-10)
4th Region: Barren County (28-5) vs. Bowling Green (29-2)
5th Region: Bardstown (26-7) vs. Taylor County (23-8)
6th Region: Doss (27-5)
7th Region: St. Xavier (23-9) vs. Trinity (28-6)
8th Region: Anderson County (18-13) vs. South Oldham (27-5)
9th Region: Newport Central Catholic (28-4)
10th Region: Augusta (24-6) vs. Mason County (22-10)
11th Region: Paul Laurence Dunbar (29-6)
12th Region: Casey County […]
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Remembering kicking guru George Barber

lCondolences to the family of George Barber, who passed away March 7, 2016, after becoming ill on a trip to Florida. Barber was involved in Lexington high school football for more than four decades and was best known for coaching kickers, including his son Collin at Lexington Catholic. Here’s a story I wrote about him for the Lexington Herald-Leader in November, 2010.

BY MIKE FIELDS

George Barber gets his kicks coaching kids how to kick a football.

Here’s the kicker: He’s been doing it for 40 years.

Barber has taught dozens of Lexington high school players the finer points of place-kicking and punting.

Despite dealing with serious heart issues the last year, Barber is tutoring Lafayette’s Matt Green, Lexington Catholic’s Jake Pumphrey and Paul Laurence Dunbar’s Matt Puracchio. The trio has made 13 of 19 field goals and 65 of 72 extra points this season.

“I hope they get something out of what I’m trying […]

Creech’s 48 points lift Jenkins to region finals

BY MIKE FIELDS (March 4, 2016)

STANTON – Whitney Creech, whose prodigious scoring has raised the roofs of gyms throughout the mountains this basketball season, has lifted Jenkins’ girls into the 14th Region finals for the first time since 1997 and given them a shot at their first region title in 40 years.

Creech, a 5-foot-9 senior, poured in 48 points Friday night to lead Jenkins past host Powell County 67-58 in the region semifinals. The Cavaliers will play Leslie County Saturday night with a trip to the Houchens Industries/Sweet Sixteen on the line.

Leslie County beat Breathitt County 64-56 in the first semifinal Friday night.

Creech, who came into the game averaging 50.3 points, had 23 in the fourth quarter against Powell County, including 14 of 18 free throws.

“This is something every competitor dreams of,” Creech said. “Survive and advance, and get a chance in the finals. If we can (win Saturday), it’ll […]

Recalling Tim Couch’s basketball glory days

BY MIKE FIELDS (March 4, 2016)

Tim Couch, arguably the most accomplished quarterback in the history of Kentucky high school football, grew up thinking of himself as a basketball player first.

“I honestly didn’t like football at all until, I think, my sophomore year (at Leslie County),” he said. “I just played it because my older brother (Greg) did. My first love was basketball. I always considered myself a basketball player. That’s what I wanted to play when I was young.”

And he played it very well. Before he got to high school, he was picked to be on a national all-star team that toured Australia. He was MVP at summer camps. When he was in the eighth grade, he got a recruiting letter from Minnesota coach Clem Haskins.

As a kid, Couch loved going to the state tournament with his dad Elbert and soaking up the atmosphere in Freedom Hall and Rupp Arena.

“That was […]

03/04/16 – Whitaker Bank Scholarship Winners Announced