Old scorebooks, part 9 — PRP’s amazing comeback 20 years ago

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Yogi Berra’s quip that “It ain’t over till it’s over” resonated 20 years ago when Pleasure Ridge Park rallied to beat Harrison County in the state baseball semifinals, and went on to win its third consecutive state championship.

PRP was on the brink of defeat when it trailed 5-2 in the top of the seventh with two outs and nobody. Then everything went haywire for Harrison County.

PRP’s Brad Williams was hit by a pitch and Matt Jarboe walked. Troy Hilpp’s single drove in Williams to make it 5-3. Matt Fox followed with a smash to center field that was just out of the reach of Harrison County’s Paul Roberts. Fox wound up with a two-run triple that tied it 5-5.

Harrison County showed lots of grit. Despite the devastating turn of events, the Thorobreds loaded the bases in the bottom of the seventh but couldn’t cash in, but still […]

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Old scorebooks, part 8: Little ol’ Paintsville beats the big boys

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When Paintsville won the Sweet Sixteen championship in 1996, the Tigers showed that a Class A-size school could compete with the big boys in basketball and come out on top.

Big deal.

Paintsville had already proved that point in baseball six years earlier when it won the state title, knocking off big-city schools Pleasure Ridge Park and Tates Creek in the final four at UK’s Shively Field.

Coach Charlie Adkins’ Tigers, who were runners-up to Lafayette in 1989, finished the job in 1990.

They beat PRP 5-0 in the semifinals as Walt Crace blanked the Panthers on five hits.

Paintsville came back the next day and whipped Tates Creek 10-4. The Tigers erupted for six runs in the fourth inning, with Matt Williams and Jeremy Holbrook contributing RBI hits. Billy Phelps and Tucker Howard added solo home runs later in the game.

Mickey VanHoose (9-0) got the victory for Paintsville, with relief help from Howard.

Tates Creek pitcher Marcus Robinson (11-1) suffered his first loss of the year. […]

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Old scorebooks, part 7: LexCath wins title with ace Michael dealing victories

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Lexington Catholic, led by the standout pitching of Mark Michael, beat Pleasure Ridge Park 4-2 in nine innings to win its first state baseball championship in 1999.

Michael had a sensational senior season, going 14-0 with a 1.30 ERA and exhibiting remarkable control — he had 98 strikeouts and only 9 walks in 77 innings.

In the title game against PRP, he surrendered two runs in the first but blanked the Panthers the rest of the way. On the day he gave up five hits, struck out five, walked two and hit one batter. 

“I was really tired but I just kept throwing strikes,” Michael said after the victory at UK’s Cliff Hagan Stadium.

John Hogan had the game-winning hit — a two-run double in the ninth that drove in Andy Foster and Joey Wilson. Andrew Levenson had a sacrifice fly in the third that drove in Nate Heiple. Wilson’s solo homer in the fourth tied the game 2-2.

PRP loaded the bases with two outs in the […]

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Old scorebooks, part 6 — Eddie Brooks’ homer binge

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Bryan Station baseball coach Eddie Brooks was a star in his playing days at Lafayette. He was a slick-fielding sophomore infielder who batted ninth on the Generals’ 1989 state championship team.

But Brooks wielded a dangerous bat at the bottom of the order, and he showed plenty of power at the plate in the playoffs that year. 

He smacked three home runs — two in one inning! — in Lafayette’s 22-0 rout of Franklin County in the region semifinals. Brooks hit a 2-run homer in the fourth, then belted a solo shot and a 3-run dinger in the sixth to highlight a 15-run uprising by Lafayette. 

Exactly one week later, Brooks hit a pair of two-run homers against Danville ace Paul Morse in the sectional semifinals at Somerset as the Generals won 11-1.

What made Brooks’ post-season power display surprising was that he hit only one home run during the regular season.

Brooks went on to have a standout career at UK, and after his […]

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Old scorebooks, part 5: Harrison County’s breakthrough state title

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When Harrison County and Pleasure Ridge Park met in the 1993 baseball finals, both programs were looking for their first state championship after twice being bridesmaids.

Harrison County was runner-up in 1984 and 1987; PRP was runner-up in 1982 and 1985.

The 1993 championship game would mark the beginning of state domination by the two schools. They would combine to win the next 6 state titles — Harrison County in 1993, 1997 and 1998; PRP in 1994, 1995 and 1996.

(PRP added titles in 2008 and 2013. Harrison County captured another championship in 2010. All that success has helped make their coaches the winningest in state history. PRP’s Bill Miller is first with 1,092 victories; Harrison County’s Mac Whitaker is second with 1,064.) 

Harrison County’s breakthrough win in ’93 was remarkable in that it finished its championship run with 32 consecutive shutout innings and 68 consecutive errorless innings.

Thorobreds’ second baseman Brent Hampton explained the team’s flawless fielding after the win over PRP: “Catches on, just like […]

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Old scorebooks, part 4: Franklin County’s upset for the ages

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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 […]

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Old scorebooks, part 3: Pelphrey, Lorenzen, Smith played baseball, too

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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 […]

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Old scorebooks, part 2: Poynter’s hot post-season for Tates Creek in 1990

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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 […]

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Old scorebooks, part 1: Lafayette ace Curtis Whitney’s pitching prowess in 1992

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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 […]

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Greenup County’s pursuit of perfection is over, but not its pursuit of state title

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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 […]

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Austin Kearns part of South Lexington ‘reunion’

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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 […]

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PRP’s Bill Miller feels ‘blessed’ in fight against cancer

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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 […]

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Steve Wright steps down at Southwestern

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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 […]

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Is it time to end Kentucky-Indiana All-Star series?

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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, […]

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Hero shot for ‘Nova a personal thrill for LexCath alum

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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 […]

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Dodgers’ A.J. Ellis caught news of Dunbar’s title

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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 […]

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Dunbar celebrates long-sought title

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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 […]

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Lexington vs. Louisville for 7th time in finals

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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.

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Dunbar, Doss squeeze into title game

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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 […]

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Sweet Sixteen now a Final Four

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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 […]

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NewCath’s Big Ben clocking big numbers

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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, […]

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Grab bag of contenders in Sweet quarterfinals

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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: 

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Braden Miller has a ‘Ty’ to South Laurel champs

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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 […]

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

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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 […]

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Sweet memories 70 years in the making

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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 […]

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Hollingsworth shines, Dunbar survives

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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 […]

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Sweet Sixteen: different kinds of bricks

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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 […]

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Sweet Sixteen a NewCath family tradition

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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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Butler flattens Flyers to claim 5th title

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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 […]

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Butler gets shot at record-tying 5th title

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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 […]

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Flyers in finals for first time in 36 years.

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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 […]

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Butler buzzer-beat beats E-town

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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 […]

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Murray rolls into state final four

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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, […]

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Mercer County makes final four

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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 […]

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Scott Hundley getting out of coaching

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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.

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Flyers escape Campbell’s upset bid

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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.

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Aces deal Harlan a repeat defeat

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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.

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Boley leads E-town past Henderson County

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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 […]

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Butler bounces Bowling Green

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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 […]

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Murray beats Manual for 28th win in a row

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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 […]

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Thursday’s Sweet Sixteen matchups

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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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Holmes ‘D’ does in the Red Devils

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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 […]

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Campbell County gets its first ‘Sweet’ win

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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 […]

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Cook leads Franklin County by Shelby Valley

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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 […]

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

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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 […]

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Mercer County rolls by Leslie County

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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 […]

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Mason County ends Augusta’s run in 10th

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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.

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Boys’ Sweet Sixteen field taking shape

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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

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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 […]

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Creech’s 48 points lift Jenkins to region finals

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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 […]

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Recalling Tim Couch’s basketball glory days

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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 […]

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Justice latest Kentuckian to play hoops at Vandy

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BY MIKE FIELDS (Feb. 29, 2016)

Vanderbilt freshman Camron Justice was in the middle of the celebratory swarm on the Memorial Gym court after the Commodores beat Kentucky 74-62 in Nashville Saturday.

“I never was a huge fan of UK, but I was a Kentucky kid and I grew up watching their basketball team, so beating them was a big deal,” Justice said. “A bunch of people back home called and texted me congratulations.

“It was a huge momentum-builder for our team. It helped bring us together.”

Since the first month of the season, Justice, a 6-foot-3 shooting guard from Knott County Central, hasn’t gotten a lot of playing time. He averaged 16 minutes and 5.8 points in Vandy’s first six games, but a subsequent groin injury slowed him down. He missed five games, and coming off that injury, his play has been spotty.

He did have a career-high 12 points (on 4-for-7 three-point shooting) against Tennessee on Jan. 20, but he’s had only […]

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Faulkner twins leaving quite a legacy at Caverna

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BY MIKE FIELDS (Feb. 25, 2016)

Madison and Mason Faulkner, the highest scoring twins in the history of Kentucky high school basketball, aren’t ready for their careers at Caverna to end just yet.

Madison, a 5-foot-8 senior, poured in 42 points to lead Caverna’s girls to a 68-52 victory over LaRue County in the 18th District semifinals Tuesday night. They will play host Green County for the district title Friday night before heading on to the 5th Region tournament at Hart County next week.

Mason, a 6-2 senior, had 31 points to spark Caverna’s boys past LaRue County 54-43 in the 18th District semifinals Tuesday night. They will play host Green County for the district title Friday night before heading on to the 5th Region tournament at Nelson County next week.

“It’s been a long journey, from no one knowing about either one of us to a lot of people knowing about both of us,” Mason […]

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LexCath will miss region for only second time in 30 years

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BY MIKE FIELDS (Feb. 24, 2016)

A history of post-season success and a current top 25 ranking won’t get a basketball coach a cup of coffee at Dunkin’ Donuts, much less guarantee his team victory at tournament time.

Just ask Lexington Catholic Coach Brandon Salsman.

His Knights, rated No. 13 in Dave Cantrall’s Rating the State, lost to No. 18 Lafayette 55-48 in the boys’ 43rd District semifinals Tuesday night. That means Lexington Catholic will miss the 11th Region for only the second time in 30 years, a testament to its staying power among the state’s elite.

Salsman has guided the Knights to seven district titles in 11 years, and he’s been involved in nine of the program’s 12 region championships (one as a player, four as an assistant, four as head coach).

But all of that glorious history didn’t take the sting out of Tuesday’s defeat.

“It was devastating,” he said. “When you walk in that locker room and […]

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State wrestling championship matchups

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Here are the matchups for tonight’s title matches at the KHSAA State Wrestling Championships at the Kentucky Horse Park’s Alltech Arena. Opening ceremonies for the finals are scheduled to begin at 6 p.m.

• 106: Cagen Wallace (Wayne Co.) vs. Chase Yost (Woodford Co.)
• 113: Tanner Yenter (Campbell Co.) vs. Konner Kraeszig (St. Xavier)
• 120: Saul Ervin (Union Co.) vs. Dallas Ochsenbein (North Oldham)
• 126: Connor Cambron (Fern Creek) vs. Bryce Sheffer (Union Co.)
• 132: Zane Brown (Male) vs. Keegan Duncan (Trinity)
• 138: Angel Vasquez (Lafayette) vs. A.J. Binder (Fern Creek)
• 145: Cody Huston (Cooper) vs. Jackson Oxford (Union Co.)
• 152: Benjamin Barton (Trinity) vs. Brady Emerson (Oldham Co.)
• 160: Max Andreoni (Woodford Co.) vs. Hudson Heidorf (Trinity)
• 170: Chris Morrow (Madison Central vs. Casey Cornett (Simon Kenton)
• 182: Elijah Allgeier (St. Xavier) vs Max Emerson (Oldham Co.)
• 195: Ray Karl Irving (Henry Clay) vs. Grant Krueger (Ashland Blazer)
• 220: Chance Orr (Paducah Tilghman) vs. Garrett Chandler (Male)
• 285: Landon Young (Lafayette) vs. Landin Jones (North Oldham)

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Mr. and Miss Basketball finalists

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The Kentucky Lions Eye Foundation and the Kentucky Association of Basketball Coaches have released the lists of finalists for Mr. and Miss Basketball — 18 boys and 17 girls, who earned Player of the Year honors in their respective regions.

Voting by coaches and media will be conducted until Feb. 26. Mr. and Miss Basketball be announced March 15 in Lexington, the night before the Boys’ Sweet Sixteen begins.

The favorites for Mr. Basketball are Quentin Goodin of Taylor County and Carson Williams of Owen County.

Goodin would be the first 5th Region player to win the award since Steffphon Pettigrew of Elizabethtown in 2007. Williams would be the first 8th Region player to win it since Rick Jones and Scott Hundley of Scott County were back-to-back winners in 1999 and 2000, respectively.

The favorites for Miss Basketball are Erin Boley of Elizabethtown and Whitney Creech of Jenkins.

Boley would be the second 5th Region player to win Miss Basketball in three […]

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Daymeon Fishback’s perfect night 20 years ago

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BY MIKE FIELDS (Feb. 19, 2016)

When I saw Daymeon Fishback working as a college basketball analyst on the SEC Network the other night, I remembered him not from his playing days at Auburn, but as Kentucky’s Mr. Basketball in 1996. Fishback’s career totals at Greenwood High School: 2,214 points, 916 rebounds, 470 assists, 168 blocked shots and 163 steals.

While looking up those numbers, I came across an interesting nugget. On this date 20 years ago (Feb. 19, 1996), Fishback had 40 points, 14 rebounds and 5 blocks in a 74-65 win over Monroe County. The eye-catching stat from that game, though, was Fishback’s 16-for-16 shooting from the field, including 6-for-6 three-pointers.

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Football coaching giant Owen Hauck dies

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BY MIKE FIELDS (Feb. 17, 2016)

Owen Hauck, whose Boone County football Rebels were the scourge of Lexington teams from the late 1980s to the mid 1990s, died this morning. He was 88.

Hauck coached Highlands to the state championship in 1964, and the Bluebirds were state runners-up under him in 1963 and 1966. He guided Boone County to state runner-up finishes in 1986, 1987, 1992 and 1994. The Rebels knocked off Lexington competition on their way to those last four title games.

During one dominant stretch, Boone County went 31-2 against Lexington teams, and it did it in smash-mouth style with a strong, physical offensive line and hard-running tailbacks. The Rebels’ star ball carriers included John Alford, John Ransdell, Tony Law, Brandon Black and, most notably, Shaun Alexander.

Alexander went on to star at Alabama and in the NFL, where he won MVP honors while playing for the Seattle Seahawks.

Alexander noted Hauck’s passing […]

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Anderson Co.’s Glen Drury true to his Bearcats

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BY MIKE FIELDS (Feb. 17, 2016)

Glen Drury is an Anderson County institution. Like those famous Lawrenceburg distilleries, Four Roses and Wild Turkey, Drury has been turning out a successful, Kentucky-specialty product for decades.

The proof: Drury, in his 31st season as a head basketball coach in his home county, earned his 500th victory when Anderson County beat Simon Kenton last week.

Drury, as expected, shrugged off praise for the accomplishment. “It just means I’ve just been fortunate to be in this business long enough to get that many wins,” he said. “And it means I’ve been blessed to have had a lot of great players over the years.”

Maybe so, but it also means that Drury has been true to himself, true to his work ethic and true to his hometown.

He’s spent more two-thirds of his 57 years involved in Anderson County basketball.

He played for the Bearcats (class of 1977) before heading […]

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Basketball a passion play for E-town’s Erin Boley

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BY MIKE FIELDS (Feb. 16, 2016)

Life is good for Erin Boley.

The Elizabethtown basketball star is the first 3,000-point scorer in school history, already a two-time Gatorade Player of the Year in Kentucky, a Notre Dame signee, a McDonald’s All-American, one of 10 semifinalists for the Naismith Trophy that goes to the top girls’ player in the nation, a straight-A student, and newly crowned homecoming queen.

Life can get better for Erin Boley, though. At least she’s determined to make it so.

“She’s always been a type-A personality, being a perfectionist in school and everything she does,” said Scott Boley, her dad. “She always wants to get better at everything. She has that passion.”

E-town Coach Tim Mudd will vouch for Erin’s dedication to basketball.

“Her practice doesn’t really start until we’re done with our team practice,” he said. “That’s when she goes to work most days. By herself, with her dad, with me or with whoever she can get to rebound for […]

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Jock Sutherland: Lafayette was ‘utopia’

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BY MIKE FIELDS (Feb. 11, 2016)

Jock Sutherland made a brief appearance at the event named his honor — the Jock Sutherland Classic — at Lafayette this past Saturday. He found time to shake hands, chat up a few fans and reminisce about his good ol’ days in basketball.

Sutherland, who will turn 88 next month, was one of the most colorful coaches in the history of Kentucky high school hoops.

He was also one of the most successful. He led three schools to a total of six Sweet Sixteen appearances: Gallatin County (1959), Harrison County (1961, 1962, 1966) and Lafayette (1971, 1979). He retired after leading Lafayette, his alma mater, to the state championship in 1979.

Sutherland guided Gallatin County to the school’s first state tournament in his fourth season there, in 1959. He still stays in touch with those Wildcat players, and had lunch with them recently. “They’re going to be my pallbearers,” Sutherland […]

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