2016
Old scorebooks, part 4: Franklin County’s upset for the ages
I’ve witnessed a lot of upsets over the last 40+ years, and my memory of most of them is blurry. One upset that is still clear — and still shocking — came in baseball 23 years ago this week.
On May 25, 1993, defending state champion and No. 1-ranked Lafayette, boasting a star-studded lineup and a 33-5 record, lost to unranked Franklin County, sporting a 14-21 record, in the first round of the 11th Region baseball tournament at EKU.
Franklin County trailed 4-1 with two outs and nobody on in the bottom of the seventh inning, but then the world turned upside down and the Flyers rallied for a 5-4 victory.
“Miracle is the only word to describe it,” winning pitcher Billy Taylor said after the game.
“Yes, I guess it was a miracle,” added Franklin County Coach Ben Zimmerman.
After Lafayette scored three runs in […]
05/26/16 – Republic Bank/KHSAA Track & Field State Meet Begins Friday
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 26, 2016
The 2016 Republic Bank/KHSAA Track & Field State Meet gets underway Friday afternoon at the University of Kentucky’s Outdoor Track and Field Complex with the 2A Championship starting at 4:30 p.m. The event continues Saturday morning with the 1A championship at 9 a.m., followed by the 3A meet at 4:30 p.m.
This year’s meet is the second since the KHSAA partnered with Special Olympics Kentucky to offer Unified opportunities in Track & Field. Unified participation at this year’s state meet has risen to 110 competitors, after having 35 student-athletes compete in Unified offerings at the 2015 State Meet.
Live event-by-event results will be available on the Track page at KHSAA.org during the meet. Following the event, a highlight package from each championship will be available at KHSAA.tv, with official championship photos available at khsaaphotos.org.
2016 Republic Bank/KHSAA Track & Field State Meet
Official Program – http://khsaa.org/Publications/Programs/20152016/Track/issue1/index.html
Heat Sheets/Lane Assignments – http://khsaa.org/track/2016/laneassignments.pdf
More
Old scorebooks, part 3: Pelphrey, Lorenzen, Smith played baseball, too
They aren’t remembered as baseball players, but John Pelphrey, Jared Lorenzen and Derek Smith were talented multi-sport athletes in high school.
In his junior year at Paintsville, Pelphrey was a star pitcher who helped the Tigers reach the 1986 state baseball final four in Elizabethtown. The 6-foot-7 righthander had an 11-1 record before losing a 3-1 decision to eventual champion Tates Creek in the semifinals. Pelphrey pitched well against the Commodores, giving up six hits and striking out three.
Here’s Paintsville’s lineup from that game:
Pelphrey and baseball teammates Keith Adkins and Mike Minix were standout players on Paintsville’s basketball team, which made the Sweet Sixteen three years in a row (1985, ’86, ’87). Pelphrey was named Mr. Basketball as a senior.
Jared Lorenzen and Derek Smith were a multi-sport dynamic duo in their days at Highlands. They are best remembered for their accomplishments in […]
05/24/16 – Republic Bank/KHSAA State Track & Field Information
Please read this entire correspondence to be sure that schools have all of the information they need for the 2016 Republic Bank/KHSAA Track and Field State Meet this weekend.
Teams should be aware that buses must enter from Cooper to Sports Center Drive and make the loop into the parking lot. Buses will be able to stop long enough to unload their team, but must keep moving as there is only one way in and one way out. Team pick-up can be at the back gate, but drop off must be at the front entrance.
The following links have important information for teams, parents and spectators:
Hotel Information
Purchase 2016 State Track Tickets
State Meet Instructions For Teams
State Meet Time Schedule
UK Bus Route Map
UK Layout and Logistics Map
The school-by-school roster and the performance listings have all been updated. Entries and Lane Assignments can also be found on […]
Old scorebooks, part 2: Poynter’s hot post-season for Tates Creek in 1990
Larry Poynter, in his first year as head baseball coach at Tates Creek, leads his alma mater into post-season play in the 43rd District tournament Tuesday night.
In getting his players ready for the playoffs, Poynter can tell them about how he stepped up in the 1990 post-season and was a key factor in helping the Commodores reach the state finals. (They lost to Paintsville in the championship game. That’s the last time Tates Creek made it that far.)
Poynter, a catcher, not only did his job defensively behind the plate, he also swung a big bat. In nine playoff games that spring, Poynter hit .461 (12 of 26), with 10 RBI and 7 runs. He had an astounding on-base percentage of .676 (25 of 37).
Here’s the scorebook for Tates Creek’s 16-3 victory over Bryan Station in the 11th Region finals. Poynter had a solo homer and a run-scoring double. Mark Etter had 5 RBI, including a 3-run homer for […]
05/22/16 – State Track & Field Performance Listing and School Roster
The performance list and the roster by school for all non-unified events for 1A, 2A and 3A are posted on the website at the links below.
Changes may occur as coaches and officials are to double check both the performance list and the roster by school for accuracy. An email will be sent once all changes are made and performance list are finalized.
We ask each school to check for their student athletes and to let us know immediately of any necessary changes (i.e. misspelling of names, incorrect grade, etc.) by emailing us at trresults@khsaa.org. It is important that you send corrections to trresults@khsaa.org to ensure all parties are aware of the changes.
The deadline for these changes is 12:00pm Monday, May 23.
For schools who have team members who did not qualify, or have teams that will be staying for other classes meets, we are in need of volunteers to assist officials with all events. These team members can check in […]
Old scorebooks, part 1: Lafayette ace Curtis Whitney’s pitching prowess in 1992
I came across my old baseball scorebooks recently, some more than 30 years old, and flipping through the pages was like stepping back in time.
Over the next few weeks I’ll share some of the most memorable individual and team post-season performances.
For example, I found the scorebook that documented Lafayette’s post-season run to the 1992 state championship. I had forgotten just how dominant Generals’ ace Curtis Whitney was in his four playoff starts that spring: 54 strikeouts in 28 innings (four complete games).
It was 24 years ago today — May 20, 1992 — that Whitney had 15 strikeouts in Lafayette’s 19-4 rout of Bryan Station in the 43rd District semifinals.
The junior right-hander followed up by throwing a no-hitter with 10 K’s and 2 walks in the Generals’ 3-0 victory over Lexington Catholic in the 11th Region finals.
In Whitney’s next outing he had 10 K’s and allowed 4 hits in a 16-8 win over Covington Catholic in the sectional semifinals.
Whitney capped off his post-season […]
5/17/2016 – Nominations sought for Midway Female Student-Athlete of the Year – Softball
The KHSAA is excited to open the nomination process for the Midway University/KHSAA Female Student-Athlete of the Year among softball participants for 2015-2016.
This award is based on athletic and academic achievement as well as community service and leadership. The link to the application contains additional criteria and a form to nominate one female participant from each 2016 team. Nominations must come from a member school, but may be submitted by an administrator, guidance counselor, or coach. Nominations may only be submitted online at http://khsaa.org/ge79-midway-universitykhsaa-female-student-athlete-of-the-year-nomination-form/
The winner if present, will be recognized at the 2016 Worth/KHSAA Softball State Tournament on June 11 in Owensboro KY. In case the winner’s team does not qualify for the state tournament, representatives from Midway University will present the award at the recipient’s high school at a mutually determined later date.
From the winners selected for each championship, one student-athlete will be selected as the 2016-2017 Midway University/KHSAA Female Student-Athlete of the […]
05/16/16 – Republic Bank/KHSAA State Tennis Update
The draw and times for the 2016 Republic Bank/KHSAA State Tennis Tournament have been posted. Please familiarize yourself with the Tennis page on our website (http://khsaa.org/sports/spring/tennis/) for links to those and more information such as event schedule, locations, driving instructions, etc.
Please remember, there are no “hard copies” of the brackets available on site. Please remember to either print your own set from the tennis page or bookmark the link on your smart phone. The brackets will be updated periodically throughout the tournament.
Coach Check-in
On Thursday morning, coaches will need to report to the check-in tent at their site (big white tent) and find either Associate Commissioner Butch Cope (at Shillito) or Assistant Commissioner Michael Barren (at the University of Kentucky) to obtain coaching credentials. Only those coaches who have completed the Online Rules Clinic will be on the list at check-in. You will sign-in and receive your wristband, which will designate you as an […]
Greenup County’s pursuit of perfection is over, but not its pursuit of state title
BY MIKE FIELDS (May 16, 2016)
Greenup County’s hopes of becoming Kentucky’s first undefeated state baseball champion in 34 years are dead, but the Musketeers’ hopes of winning the state title are still very much alive.
Greenup County suffered its first loss of the season Saturday, falling to East Jessamine 2-1 in the Fayette County Invitational Tournament. Coach Greg Logan said his players were “heartbroken” and “crushed” when their 33-game winning streak – the third longest in state history – came to an end.
“I told them that the sun will come up tomorrow and that our main goal (winning the state championship) has not changed,” Logan said. “We hit a pot hole. This is not going to train-wreck us. It’s just a minor setback. We’ll keep it on the tracks and start another winning streak.”
The Musketeers went into the FCIT ranked No. 1 in the state and No. 11 in the nation (according to […]
05/13/16 – Nominations For Midway Female Student-Athlete Of The Year – Track & Field
The KHSAA is excited to open the nomination process for the Midway University/KHSAA Female Student-Athlete of the Year among Track & Field participants for 2015-16.
The award is based on athletic and academic achievement as well as community service and leadership. The link to the application contains additional criteria and a form to nominate one female participant from each 2016 team. Nominations must come from a member school but may be submitted by an administrator, guidance counselor or coach. Nominations may only be submitted online at http://khsaa.org/ge79-midway-universitykhsaa-female-student-athlete-of-the-year-nomination-form/.
The winner, if present, will be recognized during the Republic Bank/KHSAA Track & Field State Meet (May 27-28) in Lexington, Ky. In case the winner does not qualify for the state meet, representatives from Midway University will present the award at the recipient’s high school at a mutually determined later date.
From the winners selected for each championship, one student-athlete will be selected as the 2016-2017 Midway University/KHSAA Female Student-Athlete […]
05/13/16 – Kentucky-Indiana Basketball All Star Information
In conjunction with the Bluegrass Sports Commission, the information below relative to the Kentucky-Indiana All-Star series is listed below. Please consider attending this historic event that is being managed by our partners at the Bluegrass Sports Commission.
The 76th annual Kentucky vs. Indiana All-Star Game will be played on Sunday June 12th at Bellarmine University. The Girls will play at 1pm and the Boys at 3:30pm.
Tickets are $12 and can be ordered at bluegrasssports.org or by calling 859-286-5152. They will be on sale for $15 at the door.
The 2016 Boys Kentucky All-Star team is Coached by Wayne Breeden, Rodney Woods, Dom Fucci and Bart Rison:
Trey Blevins, Wayne County
Alex Cook, Male
Tyrik Edwards, Christian County
Mason Faulkner, Caverna
Quentin Goodin, Taylor County
Connor McKim, St. Xavier
Tyler Sharpe, Bullitt East
Caleb Taylor, South Laurel
Isaiah Tisdale, Henry Clay
Ben Weyer, Newport Central Catholic
Carson Williams, Owen County
Darius Williams, […]
05/13/16 – Huddle Event Tickets Available to Member Schools
Member schools are reminded that Huddle provides event tickets for you to use throughout the year. Huddle is the only ticket provider endorsed by the KHSAA. As you plan for 2016-17, you should likely include them in your plans and order early!
It is likely you have already been contacted by someone on Huddle’s staff. If not, we encourage each school to contact Huddle at 678-218-0909 or order online at www.huddleinc.com/ticket.html.
Over the past decade, Huddle Inc. has provided over 1 billion complimentary tickets to high schools across the country. If you are unfamiliar with their program, please see the following features:
- Unlimited ticket quantities for all extracurricular events through regional and national corporate partners
- Unique coupon on the ticket-back
- Customized text for each individual school
- Seven different colors
- Perforated ticket tab with sequential numbering
- Rolls of 500 or 1,000
- Student/Adult ticket designation
The KHSAA appreciates Huddle providing this service to our member schools and its continued support of the Association.
05/12/16 – Board of Control Names Spalding Official Ball Sponsor
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 12, 2016
The KHSAA Board of Control conducted its final meeting of the 2015-16 academic year over a two-day session at the Association’s headquarters May 10-11. Among the various items discussed, the Board reviewed the results of a request for proposals distributed in March for a new official ball partnership, as its current agreement with Rawlings will expire at the end of the 2015-16 season. Following its review, the Board approved the Commissioner’s recommendation to accept the three-year proposal from Spalding (2016-17 through 2018-19), pending final signed contracts.
The Board completed a comprehensive review of eligibility rules and programs within the Association as required by existing state regulation, focusing on potential Constitution and Bylaw proposals to be voted on by the membership to address undue influence (recruiting) concerns and revisions to the transfer and enrollment rules. Final proposal determinations will be determined at the Board’s July meeting.
Also […]
KHSAA Official Ball Products – 2016-2017 (effective May 12, 2016)
SportBrandModelTermBaseballSpaldingTF Pro HS Baseball (41-100HS)2016-2019Basketball-BSpaldingTF1000 Classic (74-7849)2016-2019Basketball-GSpaldingTF1000 Class 28.5 (74-7839)2016-2019FootballSpaldingAlpha -72-67582016-2019SoccerSelect SportRoyale2014-2017SoftballSpaldingDudley Thunder Heat-Polycore (43-147)2016-2019VolleyballBadenPerfection VX5EC-210 (Leather or Composite)2014-201905/10/16 – Bass Fishing, Republic Bank/KHSAA Tennis State Championships Begin This Week
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 10, 2016
State champions will be crowned in Lexington and Calvert City this weekend as the 2016 KHSAA Bass Fishing and 2016 Republic Bank/KHSAA State Tennis Championships get underway. The two-day State Bass Fishing Championship (May 13-14), with Calvert City serving as official host city, begins each morning with the boat launch from Kentucky Dam Marina at 7 a.m. Teams will start returning to the marina at 3 p.m. each day, with the weigh-ins scheduled to begin at approximately 3:30 p.m. The Bass Fishing weigh-ins will be webcast live each day at KHSAA.tv, courtesy of FLW.
During the State Bass Fishing Tournament, fans and competitors will have an opportunity to take part in the Fish Festival Expo at Kentucky Dam Marina from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day, with vendors, sponsor booths and activities for kids.
The Republic Bank/KHSAA State Tennis Championships begin this weekend (May 14-15) with the boys’ and girls’ […]
05/05/16 – State Tennis Instructions and Information
The information and instructions for the 2016 Republic Bank/KHSAA State Tennis Tournament have been posted to the KHSAA website. You can access the information by going to the Tennis page of the KHSAA website or by clicking the link below for State Instructions. All competing schools are strongly advised to download the files and review instructions to ensure everyone is aware of all KHSAA rules and regulations regarding the tournaments.
With the addition of the Team Championship weekend (May 14-15) being held the weekend before the traditional Individual/Doubles tournament (May 19-21), it is very important that teams and fans review all sites and schedules for the tournaments.
Other important information including advanced ticket sales, maps and time schedules are also available on the Tennis page at KHSAA.org under the State Information and Instructions tab.
– KHSAA –
The KHSAA staff routinely publishes blog posts to better communicate with its various constituencies and the public. For a list of […]
05/04/16 – Track & Field Regional Entries of Unified and/or Adapted Athletes
As we approach the regional meets, we just wanted to update the membership on how to enter a Unified pair of athletes or an Adapted Athlete into the regional competition. For more information about Unified/Adapted opportunities in Track and Field, please click on this link Unified/Adapted Track & Field to visit a prior blog post.
For entry into the regional competition, we have created a link under the Track & Field Regional Meet Information and Instructions tab in order to help explain the process. Click on the following link (http://khsaa.org/track/2016/unifiedadaptedentries.pdf) to view instructions for coaches entering regional meets and Hytek operators at the regional competition. Good luck as we approach the postseason!
– 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 to http://khsaa.org/news-stats-pubs/sports-blogs/
05/03/16 – State Track & Field Instructions and Information
The information and instructions for the 2016 Republic Bank/KHSAA State Track & Field Meet have been posted to the KHSAA website. You can access the information by going to the Track and Field page of the KHSAA website or by clicking the link below for State Instructions. All competing schools are strongly advised to download the files and review instructions to ensure everyone is aware of all KHSAA rules and regulations regarding these tournaments.
Other important information including hotels, advanced ticket sales, maps and time schedules are also available on the Track and Field page at KHSAA.org under the State Meet Information and Instructions tab.
– 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 to http://khsaa.org/news-stats-pubs/sports-blogs/
05/01/16 – KHSAA Celebrates Top Licensed Officials During Annual Banquet
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 1, 2016
The KHSAA honored the top officials for 2016 during the 23rd Annual Officials Recognition Banquet today at the Association’s headquarters. The ceremony recognized the finalists for each sport or sport-activity in which the KHSAA licenses officials, as well as the Larry G. Boucher Jr. Supervisor of the Year.
Finalists in each sport were selected through a combination of their service to their association and excellence in officiating. One official in each sport was named “Outstanding Official of the Year” for his/her sport in appreciation of their dedication and service to schools and student-athletes across the state.
Outstanding Official Nominees (winners in bold)
BASEBALL – Chris Minter (Richmond), Paul Schardein (Louisville), Creal Waddell (Bowling Green)
BASKETBALL – Harold Byrd (Mount Washington), Molly Caldwell (Lexington), Jim Cecil (Pikeville), Romonte Dishman (Louisville)
COMPETITIVE CHEER – Gayle Trame (Taylor Mill), Dewana Warrix (Lexington)
FIELD HOCKEY – Mary Brainard (Lexington), Yaphet Edghill (Louisville)
FOOTBALL – […]
04/26/16 – Tennis Postseason Information
The information and instructions for the 2016 Regional Tennis Tournaments have been posted online. You can access the information by going to the Tennis page of the KHSAA website (http://khsaa.org/sports/spring/tennis/). All coaches are expected to take the time to read these items carefully, even veteran coaches, as changes have been made this year.
All competing schools should download the files to ensure that you are aware of all KHSAA rules regarding these tournaments.
Best of luck to you for the remainder of the season. Keep looking to this blog for further updates as we get closer to the Regional Tournaments and the Republic Bank/KHSAA State Tennis Championships.
– KHSAA –
The KHSAA staff routinely publishes blog posts to […]
Austin Kearns part of South Lexington ‘reunion’
BY MIKE FIELDS (April 26, 2016)
Austin Kearns was throwing batting practice in one of the cages at the South Lexington baseball complex in Shillito Park on a rainy evening last week, and nobody took a second glance at the former major league outfielder working with a group of 9- to 12-year-olds.
Kearns was just another South Lexington alum back home again.
Shillito Park was where Kearns’ baseball talent first took root. He helped South Lexington win the Cal Ripken World Series in 1992. He went on to star at Lafayette a few years later, earning Kentucky’s Mr. Baseball honors in 1998 and getting drafted in the first round by the Cincinnati Reds.
Kearns spent 12 years in the majors with five teams before retiring in 2013.
He’s been back at Shillito the past two years, helping coach the South Lexington Astros, for whom his son Aubrey, 10, is a smooth-swinging left-handed hitter.
“When I […]
04/25/16 – Draw Show For Baseball, Softball and Tennis Set For 12 PM Wednesday
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 25, 2016
The draws for the 2016 Republic Bank/KHSAA Tennis Team Championship, the Rawlings/KHSAA Baseball State Tournament and the Worth/KHSAA Softball State Tournament will be determined Wednesday, April 27th at 12 p.m. when the Draw Show is conducted at the Association’s headquarters and webcast at KHSAA.tv.
This year will mark the first time Tennis is included in the spring Draw Show, as recommended changes from the Kentucky Medical Association’s Sports Medicine Committee led to the Board of Control approving a format change to the state Tennis tournament. The changes separated the team championship event from the singles/doubles competition, which were traditionally played together, in order to limit the number of matches a student-athlete could compete in each day. For more information on the recommendations that led to changes in the state Tennis tournament, visit http://khsaa.org/111915-tennis-tournament-format-changes/
The Draw Show will be streamed live online at KHSAA.tv, with complete brackets available on the KHSAA […]
04/25/16 – Track & Field Regional Instructions
The information and instructions for the 2016 KHSAA Postseason Track & Field Regional Tournaments have been posted online. You can access the information by going to the Track & Field page of the KHSAA website. All competing schools are strongly advised to download the files and review the instructions to ensure you are aware of all KHSAA rules and regulations regarding these tournaments. (Postseason Instructions)
Information for the 2016 Republic Bank/KHSAA State Track & Field Meet will be updated periodically. Lodging information and other detailed information has been updated and can be found under the State Meet and Information and Instructions dropdown menu.
– 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 to http://khsaa.org/news-stats-pubs/sports-blogs/
Adjusted Football Alignment, 2017 and 2018 Seasons
The Kentucky High School Athletic Association shall sponsor postseason competition in football provided that there is sufficient interest of the membership to participate in said competition. Member schools desiring to participate in KHSAA sponsored postseason competition shall notify the Association office prior to September 1. The Commissioner shall divide the state into geographic sections within six (6) enrollment-based classes with the approval of the Board of Control. In the interim, newly added or deleted programs will be handled on a case by case basis by the Commissioner’s office.
For postseason competition, in Class 1A, 5th place team from District 8 as the 4th place in District 6 for playoff brackets, 5th place team from District 5 will not advance to playoffs.
For postseason competition, in Class 6A, 5th place from District 1 as the 4th place in District 2 for playoff brackets; 5th place from 3 would become the 4th place in 5 […]
Baseball Pitch Count Regulation
KHSAA Pitching Limitation Rule (For all interscholastic play including scrimmages, regular season and all rounds of postseason) is based on the number of pitches thrown in a game with the following provisions:
04/23/2016 – State Championship Lodging Information for Bass Fishing
The KHSAA has reserved blocks of rooms at local area hotels for all teams advancing to the 2016 KHSAA Bass Fishing State Championship that will be taking place on May 13-14 at the Kentucky Dam Marina in Gilbertsville KY. Participating teams are to pay for their own rooms. The rooms are being held for coaches and participants only for Thursday night May 12 and Friday night May 13. Parents, fans and spectators will need to make reservations outside of these blocks.
Teams advancing to the state tournament can can contact one of these hotels to make reservations and pay for their rooms by going to the following link and clicking on State Information and Instructions and then clicking on State Championship Lodging Information:
Bass Fishing State Information
Participating schools should contact the hotel by May 2, 2016 to reserve and pay for their rooms. Please be sure to identify yourself as a participating team in the […]
04/22/2016 – Nominations Sought for Midway Female Student-Athlete of the Year – Bass Fishing
The KHSAA is excited to open the nomination process for the Midway University/KHSAA Female Student-Athlete of the Year among Bass Fishing participants for 2015-16.
The award is based on athletic and academic achievement as well as community service and leadership. The link to the application contains additional criteria and form to nominate one female participant from each 2016 team. Nominations must come from a member school but may be submitted by an administrator, guidance counselor or coach. Nominations may only be submitted online at http://khsaa.org/ge79-midway-universitykhsaa-female-student-athlete-of-the-year-nomination-form/.
The winner, if present, will be recognized at the KHSAA State Bass Fishing Championship on May 14 in Benton, KY. In case the winner does not qualify for the state tournament, representatives from Midway University will present the award at the recipient’s high school at a mutually determined later date.
From the winners selected for each championship, one student-athlete will be selected as the 2016-2017 Midway University/KHSAA FemaStudent-Athlete of the Year. That award […]
04/22/16 – Reminder Bylaw 23 Limitation of Seasons
This is a reminder to all administrators and coaches concerning Bylaw 23, Limitation of Seasons. KHSAA staff members have received several inquiries about permitted activity, specifically concerning fall sports and practice/tryouts for the fall. The same principle and rule would apply to any “tryout” in any sport or sport-activity that is not held during the period defined by Bylaw 23.
The first official tryout/practice date for 2016 football is July 10. For the other fall sports/sport-activities (Soccer, Golf, Field Hockey, Volleyball, Cross Country, Competitive Cheer), the first official practice date is July 15. Only after these dates can anything mandatory be required of team members or potential team members.
Until the day following the last day of school or May 31 (whichever is earliest), coaches are permitted to provide instruction and be involved with team members (provided such is approved by the principal), but continue to be restricted in “competitive” situations with other schools unless they are […]
04/20/16 – Great Offer From Our Friends at Subway Restaurants
Subway Restaurants has been a proud corporate partner with the KHSAA. In fact, you will notice in most of their stores, a window sticker indicating their support of the great activities of the KHSAA and their partnership.
This year, they are offering to directly help our membership by giving back to the local communities. Many of our schools have a camp for the specific sport, and often get t-shirts printed. Subway, through its ad agency, has a promotional special solely for KHSAA members in the counties listed on the flier at http://khsaa.org/specialprograms/corporatepartners/subway/subway2016shirtpromo.pdf. They have created a system whereby in exchange for a logoed t-shirt for your campers, each camper would also receive a Subway gift card.
Complete details are in the flier at http://khsaa.org/specialprograms/corporatepartners/subway/subway2016shirtpromo.pdf. Please direct all questions to Erin Boedecker at the Asher Agency at the number listed on the flier.
Subway is a proud corporate partner of the KHSAA and the KHSAA very much values […]
04/19/16 – 2016 KHSAA State Archery Championship Set for Thursday at KBA
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 19, 2016
The 2016 KHSAA State Archery Championship gets underway Thursday morning at the Kentucky Basketball Academy in Lexington. The competition begins at 9 a.m. with the first of six hour-long flights. The four teams with the highest overall scores across the opening flights will advance to the championship round, scheduled for 3:30 p.m., followed by an awards presentation for the top four teams and the top eight individuals.
Last year, Trigg County’s Clay Stevens became the first student-athlete to post a perfect score of 300 at the state championship en route to capturing the 2015 individual state title. Stevens’ performance helped Trigg County claim its third-consecutive team championship. The Wildcats finished with a total score of 4,507 points during the championship round, followed by Madison Central (4,484), Anderson County (4,466) and Letcher County Central (4,463).
A complete list of lane assignments for this year’s event can be found at http://khsaa.org/archery/2016/laneassignments.pdf
Live results for […]
2016 State Archery Individual Results AP Paragraph Format
1, Henry Thompson (7), Anderson County, 297. 2, Chance Wayne (12), Anderson County, 297. 3, Harley Marshall (11), East Carter, 297. 4, Morgan Vaughn (12), Bullitt East, 297. 5, Kennedy Sumpter (7), Harrison County, 297. 6, Bradley Wilson (11), Anderson County, 295. 7, Sam Wilson (12), Bullitt East, 295. 8, Jason Meade (12), Madison Central, 294. 8, Jared Gardner (9), Central Hardin, 294. 8, Roby Mullins (10), Lincoln County, 294. 11, Brooklyn Mays (9), Webster County, 294. 12, Jason Beirman (11), Meade County, 293. 13, Lora Lee Heady (11), Trigg County, 293. 14, Kristin Burton (12), Meade County, 293. 14, Megan Myers (12), Bethlehem, 293. 14, Nicholas Hope (12), Muhlenberg County, 293. 14, Noah Glass (10), Bullitt Central, 293. 18, Elizabeth Wagoner (12), Trigg County, 292. 18, Sioux Thomas (12), Meade County, 292. 20, Shawn Clark (11), Hopkins County Central, 292. 20, Hunter Gates (10), Butler County, 292. 20, Jonathan Stevens (12), Webster County, 292. […]
2016 State Archery Team Results AP Paragraph Format
Final Round
1, Madison Central 3436. 2, Pulaski County 3430. 3, Anderson County 3413. 4, Trigg County 3411.
Preliminary Round
1, Trigg County 3458. 2, Anderson County 3444. 3, Madison Central 3433. 4, Pulaski County 3423. 5, Meade County 3421. 6, Lincoln County 3417. 7, Lafayette 3410. 8, Muhlenberg County 3405. 9, Bullitt East 3403. 10, Webster County 3392. 11, Letcher County Central 3392. 12, Bethlehem 3385. 13, East Carter 3361. 14, Bullitt Central 3353. 15, Prestonsburg 3340. 16, Ryle 3331. 17, Pendleton County 3321. 18, Central Hardin 3313. 19, North Laurel 3281. 20, Simon Kenton 3256.
04/18/16 – KHSAA and Midway University Partner To Create Female Student-Athlete of the Year Program
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 18, 2016
The KHSAA is proud to announce Midway University as its first corporate partner to join the Association’s newly created Girls’ Sports Initiative, which aims to showcase and promote girls’ sports in Kentucky. As part of this new venture, one of the first collaborative corporate partnerships of its kind in the country to specifically target girls’ sports, Midway University will establish a Female Student-Athlete of the Year award in each female sport and sport-activity sanctioned by the KHSAA.
“We are blessed here in the Commonwealth with so many examples of great performances by not only some of the most athletic girls in the country, but a group that represents that wonderful combination of great students, exceptional student-athletes and active servant leaders in our communities,” said KHSAA Commissioner Julian Tackett. “This program will allow many of our great partners, starting with Midway University, to showcase this stellar group of student-athletes and allow the […]
04/15/16 – Bass Fishing Regional Registration Deadline Reminder
This is a reminder that the deadline to register for the 2016 KHSAA Regional Bass Fishing Tournaments is Tuesday, April 19, 2016 at 9:00 a.m. EST. Teams that wish to compete in this tournament should register their boats online. Online registration can be completed by going to the following link and filling out the entry form:
Bass Fishing Regional Registration Entry Form
Please feel free to contact me at your convenience if you have additional questions.
– 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 to http://khsaa.org/news-stats-pubs/sports-blogs/
04/15/16 – Unified and Adapted Teams Roster
The KHSAA will continue to offer both Unified and Adapted exhibition events at the region and state level. The KHSAA and Special Olympics of Kentucky (SOKY) need rosters of participating individuals, both Special Athletes and Partner Athletes.
We need each school to click on the link below to verify if your school is currently offering a Unified and/or Adapted program. This survey will allow you to answer whether or not your school is currently offering either program and will allow you enter participating student-athletes names and information if you are participating this school year. Please only submit one response per school.
Unified & Adapted Teams Interest and Roster
– 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 to http://khsaa.org/news-stats-pubs/sports-blogs/
04/15/16 – Clarification on Middle School Participation
Our office has had inquiries about participation in postseason competition for Track & Field by student-athletes in the 6th grade that were on the official grandfathered list as having participated in varsity competition prior to 2014-15 when changes in 702 KAR 7:065.
Per 702 KAR 7:065, any student that has participated at the high school level prior to the 2014-2015 school year is eligible to participate in the postseason. Any current 6th grade student-athlete that was placed on the grandfathered list in prior years and appears on the school roster is eligible to compete at both the region and the state level. If you have any additional questions, please contact Sarah Bridenbaugh (sbridenbaugh@khsaa.org) at the KHSAA office.
– 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 to http://khsaa.org/news-stats-pubs/sports-blogs/
04/15/16 – 2015-2016 Financial Aid Survey
All schools, public and nonpublic, are required annually to report detailed financial information to the KHSAA as per Bylaw 11. This report is required of all member schools. It is important to note that if tuition is charged for any reason to any student (including out of district students, etc.), a complete response is required.
The link to the survey has been sent to the Principal of record and the Athletic Director has been notified. It is important to note that failing to complete this report this year will result in a possible penalty by the association.
If you have questions, feel free to contact Assistant Commissioner Sarah Bridenbaugh or Assistant Commissioner Mike Barren at the KHSAA. The deadline to complete the survey is May 6, 2016.
– 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 to http://khsaa.org/news-stats-pubs/sports-blogs/
PRP’s Bill Miller feels ‘blessed’ in fight against cancer
BY MIKE FIELDS (April 15, 2016)
LOUISVILLE — The feel-good story of this high school baseball season is that legendary Pleasure Ridge Park Coach Bill Miller feels good.
Upgrade that: “I feel great!” Miller said before a Panthers’ practice this week.
That’s a remarkable statement coming from a guy who, even though he has never smoked, was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer six months ago.
Miller, 66, knows how lucky he is to be feeling great and to be surrounded by people who care about him
“I’ve been blessed,” he said. “God’s been good to me, and I didn’t know that before.”
Miller’s frightening medical odyssey began in late September. The night after unloading two tractor-trailer loads of sod, he woke up with back pain. He figured he had pulled a muscle. When the discomfort persisted, he called his doctor, who directed him to the emergency room.
A scan revealed that Miller had a kidney stone. That was the good news. The […]
04/14/16 – Spring Sports Championship Media Credentials
The KHSAA’s online media credentialing system for the Spring Sports Championships is now live, and can be accessed by going to credentials.khsaa.org.
Credentials to each KHSAA state championship event are issued by the KHSAA to working members of the media that regularly cover high school athletics. Credentials must be requested prior to the established deadline for each sport through the online credentialing system (credentials.khsaa.org).
Credentials should be requested by the sports editor/director for all members of his/her organization needing to attend an event. Credentials for freelance photographers and stringers must be requested by the sports editor/director at the outlet the freelancer will be representing. No credentials will be issued outside of the online credentialing system. The KHSAA reserves the right to limit the quantity of credentials issued to media outlets when space is at a premium.
Failure to adhere to the KHSAA policies and guidelines, as well as unauthorized use of the media credential, will result […]
04/13/16 – KHSAA Announces Official Of The Year Nominees
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 13, 2016
The KHSAA will honor the top officials for 2016 on May 1st at the Association’s 23rd Annual Officials Recognition Banquet. The ceremony, conducted at the KHSAA Offices, honors the finalists for each sport or sport-activity in which the KHSAA licenses officials.
Finalists in each sport were selected through a combination of their service to their association and excellence in officiating. One official in each sport will be named “Outstanding Official of the Year” for his/her sport in appreciation of their dedication and service to schools and student-athletes across the state. The Association will also present the annual Larry G. Boucher Jr. Supervisor of the Year Award during the ceremony.
Outstanding Official Nominees
BASEBALL – Paul Schardein (Louisville), Chris Minter (Richmond), Creal Waddell (Bowling Green)
BASKETBALL – Romonte Dishman (Louisville), Molly Caldwell (Lexington), Jim Cecil (Pikeville), Harold Byrd (Mount Washington)
COMPETITIVE CHEER – Gayle Trame (Taylor Mill), Dewana Warrix (Lexington)
FIELD […]
04/12/16 – Reminders about Title IX and Participation List Submission
As spring sports are now fully in swing, it is time to remind each of you that the annual reports for Title IX and the Participation List are due on April 30.
- If you have specific questions about Title IX and the law itself, any of our Assistant Commissioners should be able to help get you some assistance. Asst. Commissioner Darren Bilberry (dbilberry@khsaa.org) is our primary contact for your questions related to the law and its interpretations.
- Information Technology Director Rob Catron (rcatron@khsaa.org), as well as almost any of our support staff, can help you with electronic issues including login and report preparation using the online system. The online system will have entry available beginning on Wednesday, April 13 after 8 a.m.
This year, based on feedback from the membership, there have been minimal system changes to make this task easier. Here are the highlights:
- 2015-16 is a REQUIRED student interest survey year for all schools. The T63 form […]
Steve Wright steps down at Southwestern
BY MIKE FIELDS (April 11, 2016)
Steve Wright marked his 59th birthday Monday by resigning as boys’ basketball coach at Pulaski Southwestern.
“I’m at a point in my life where I want to move on to other possibilities and opportunities,” said Wright, who has an overall record of 697-247 in 30 years.
“Each year I reevaluate if I want to continue in the same position . . . I’m 100% convinced that at this stage in my life it’s time to move to the next chapter in my career.”
Wright said he might look at coaching on the college level, or take another high school job, or “maybe take a year off, relax and enjoy myself, or I may never coach again. I’m not sure.
“I love coaching, but it’s not who I am. It doesn’t define every move I make every day. Sometimes during the winter it feels that way, but I’m not going to look up and be 70 […]
04/11/16 – Bass Fishing Regional Instructions/Registration
Instructions and registration information for bass fishing regional tournaments is posted on the KHSAA website. This information can be accessed by going to the following links:
Is it time to end Kentucky-Indiana All-Star series?
BY MIKE FIELDS (April 8, 2016)
Tradition is getting thumped by reality when it comes to the Kentucky-Indiana All-Stars basketball series, so maybe it’s time to invoke a mercy rule and pull the plug on the games.
It’s sad to say goodbye to what was once a vital, rousing event, but it’s even sadder to watch it slowly wither away.
My suggestion is to keep naming Mr. and Miss Basketball, keep naming boys’ and girls’ all-star teams, and continue to honor the top players at a banquet the night before the boys’ Sweet Sixteen.
Just don’t play the games against Indiana anymore after the series wraps up this June.
I’m not alone in my opinion. Allen Feldhaus Jr. and Chris O’Hearn, a couple of state championship coaches who’ve also led the Kentucky All-Stars in recent years, agree that the series can’t be resuscitated.
“When some kids don’t even show up (to practice), when nobody’s coming to games, […]
Hero shot for ‘Nova a personal thrill for LexCath alum
BY MIKE FIELDS (April 5, 2016)
When Kris Jenkins hit his buzzer-beating three-pointer to give Villanova the NCAA title late Monday night in Houston, it was a shot heard ’round the nation.
And Lexington Catholic alum Cory Heitz’s reaction to Jenkins’ heroics was probably heard ’round Kendallville, Ind.
Heitz coached Jenkins at Gonzaga College High School in Washington, D.C., so he was pulling for his former player in the championship game against North Carolina.
Heitz said he watched the finals while visiting his 91-year-old grandmother in Kendallville, “and I absolutely screamed when that shot went in. I probably woke up the whole housing development. I cried a little bit, too. It’s emotional to see one of your guys hit one of the most iconic shots in basketball history. It was beautiful.”
Heitz played for Danny Haney at Lexington Catholic (class of 1995) and went on to play at the Air Force Academy.
He also was […]
04/04/16 – Reminder about Revised OAG 15-022 Opinion and 7/8 Grade Students
Most school entities have been notified from a variety of sources about an important ruling that came from the Attorney General (KYAG) recently regarding KHSAA Bylaw 4 as it relates to KRS 156.070 (2)(c) (the complete text of KRS 156.070 is located at http://www.lrc.ky.gov/statutes/statute.aspx?id=39992).
The KHSAA had long opined, on advice from the KYAG’s and all parties that have served as KHSAA counsel, that member school Boards of Education and Site Based/School Based councils could not unilaterally restrict the playing of students in 7th and 8th grade on the grades nine through 12 teams or from playing on teams at both levels. The KYAG office had contended through two opinions (OAG-90-87 and OAG 92-98) that by extension, these entities represented the same prohibited groups as specified in the statute (The state board or any agency designated by the state board to manage interscholastic athletics). This prohibition was previously published in the contents of Bylaw 4 […]
04/04/16 – Reminders About Spring Football Practice and Rest of School Year
With more than 80 percent of our football schools setting their practice window for the Monday following spring break, it seems timely to remind every about the rules on practice and equipment. There are no changes for 2016 as these changes were adopted prior to the 2015 season.
The published spring football dates are online as always, located at http://khsaa.org/football/2016/springpractice2016.pdf. There are no provisions to change submitted dates (only in an emergency request from school administration). Per the bylaw, the only change permitted is to start the three-week (19-day) window on the Monday following the ORIGINAL published spring break week. Remember, scheduling of spring practice is a calendar function NOT a coach function, it is possible that with coaching changes, spring practice may not be an option at a specific school.
03/31/16 – Unified/Adapted Track & Field
We have had several questions to our office concerning the Unified/Adapted Track and Field. The KHSAA and Special Olympics of Kentucky (SOKY) have partnered once again to offer Unified events at the regional and state competition. Many of you have asked questions regarding the management of rosters and athletes at regular season meets.
The KHSAA will continue to offer Adapted Track at the 2016 KHSAA State Track & Field meet. General information and answers to questions can be found on our website under Adapted Track & Field Information on the Track & Field page.
We are continually working on compiling a list of participating schools. If your school has an adaptive or unified athlete on your roster, please contact Assistant Commissioner Sarah Bridenbaugh, sbridenbaugh@khsaa.org immediately to be added to the list.
– KHSAA –
The KHSAA staff routinely publishes blog posts to better communicate with its various constituencies […]
Dodgers’ A.J. Ellis caught news of Dunbar’s title
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 […]
03/24/16 – Baseball Game Length Clarification/NFHS Pitch Smart Course
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 […]
03/24/16 – Board of Control Approves Football Playoff Structure in 5A, 6A; Issuance of RFP for Official Ball
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
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
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:
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
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.
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.
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