Brockman the Bluegrass Blogger

North cruises past Webster County, 6-1

2009-09-15T13:32:00.000-05:00

Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter nbrockman@the-messenger.com

DIXON - Like any good team, the ability to make adjustments can often provide the winning edge. The Madisonville-North Hopkins girls soccer team scored three goals in both halves against Webster County, but it was the latter half that pleased coach John Tichenor the most after he gave the girls a half-time speech. The Lady Maroons put those lessons to work in the second half in an eventual 6-1 victory.

Tichenor said North (6-3) went through the motions at times, but he was pleased by the aggressive second-half play, especially in the first 10-15 minutes of the break. That's when Alex Whittington and Mason Howard each scored to give the Lady Maroons a 5-0 edge.

At halftime, Tichenor told the team the Lady Maroons must work the ball offensively down the sides to avoid the Webster (2-2-2) defenders packed in the middle.

"The concept was to play the ball wide to the corner flags into that space and let our offensive players run onto it," he said. "In the meantime, that spreads Webster County and opens up the gaps in the middle where we can serve balls in.

"It's the same concept, if you're playing a basketball game. If you always feed the post and the post is doing well, it's eventually going to open up that three-point shot."

Senior Laura Rao scored with 16:40 left to put North ahead 6-0. It was Rao's second goal of the night. The score came on an indirect free kick, which deflected off the Webster wall and into goal.

Overall, the Lady Maroons outshot Webster 37-4.

"We were out there and (Webster) knew what to expect and they played pretty well holding us to six goals with that many opportunities," Rao said.

Rao provided the assist on the game's first goal by Alex Whittington eight minutes into action. Thirteen minutes later, Rao knocked home a rebound after Ellen Whittington's shot.

Freshman Penny Pluimer scored on an assist from Howard in the first half's closing minutes. Pluimer returned the favor to Alex Whittington four minutes into the second half. Ten minutes passed before Howard scored on an assist from Ellen Whittington, who recorded two assists on the night.

Ellen Whittington said the team's play picked up in the second half.

"I think at the beginning, like (Tichenor) said, we were just playing kickball," she said. "The second half, we really worked together with our passes and did what coach asked us to do. I think it worked out for the best."

Lady Trojans coach Tom Welshans said his team didn't bring the right approach.

"I think a lot of it we were very defensive-minded today for an unknown purpose," he said. "We've been actually scoring a lot of goals this year. We just came out defensive-minded and a little intimidated and showed our youth."

On the other side of the field, Tichenor was happy with his defense's game.

"Defense was solid," he said. "We had (McKinsey) Durham in the back, who did a good job. We had (Katie) Offutt, Carli Whittington and Megan Hutchens did real well. I was pleased. I thought Emily McClure came in and gave good minutes and Haylee Taylor did well in the back, too."

North returns to action 10 a.m. Sept. 19 to open the Lady Donley Classic. Webster next plays 12:30 p.m. Saturday at Reidland.

Beach, Adams lift North to win

2009-09-15T13:31:00.000-05:00

Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter nbrockman@the-messenger.com

The game started late, but the offense was not for the Madisonville-North Hopkins boys soccer team on Thursday evening. Four different Maroons scored at least two goals as North (2-2-1) defeated Union County (1-3) by a score of 10-1 at Donley Field in a display of offensive firepower. Junior Jake Beach paced the squad with a hat trick. Senior Maarten Adams recorded four assists on the evening.

For coach Jeremy Roach, it was pleasing to see his offense succeed as he has tried many different combinations up front this season.

"I think we're starting to see it," he said. "I don't know that what we have is exactly set, but I think we know who we have to field those spots."

It took just 61 seconds for sophomore Jake Hutchens to begin the scoring.

Junior forward Ethan Crowell tallied his first score of the night three minutes later on assist from Adams. Then, the Maroons offense fell dormant until Zach Yonts found the back of the net when he fired one into the right corner for a 3-0 North advantage with 24:26 left in the first half.

Two minutes passed before Logan Whitfield joined the offensive party. Whitfield received a pass from Adams and beat his defender 1-on-1 to notch his first goal of the night.

Roach said he was particularly pleased with Adams' play.

"So far he's been our leading scorer and when he's not engaged in scoring, at least he's involved in developing those opportunities as well," he said.

With 5:34 left in the half, Whitfield struck again to put North ahead 5-0. Crowell scored a minute later as the Maroons continued to pour it on.

North led 6-0 at the break. Just like the opening half, the Maroons wasted little time getting on the board to start the second half.

Sophomore Zach Yonts tallied his lone goal of the evening at the 38:53 mark. Beach recorded the next two scores with an assist from Austin Walker on the second goal.

Beach said the key to North's success was the team's ability to pass well and get opportunities at the goal.

"We were just crossing it in good and letting people get shots off," he said. "We had 42 shots. Any time you have that, you're bound to score."

Braves forward Corey Alvey erased the shutout bid with 18:23 to go in the contest. North goalkeeper J.D. Lester left the box in an attempt to corral the ball. Alvey slipped past Lester toward an empty net and let it fly.

Beach finished off the scoring with 8:57 left on an assist from Christian Oakley.

Adams said it was nice for the Maroons to settle in offensively before a schedule of difficult games Friday and Saturday.

"Coming into the game, we all knew what it would be like, but it's nice to just come in and have an easy game because we have a tough one (today) with Daviess County," he said.

North returns to action 5:30 p.m. today to play Daviess at the Hopkinsville Boots Butts Classic.

1st half

MNH, 38:59 Jake Hutchens - MNH 1-0

MNH, 36:02 Ethan Crowell - MNH 2-0

MNH, 24:26 Zach Yonts - MNH 3-0

MNH, 22:10 Logan Whitfield - MNH 4-0

MNH, 5:34 Whitfield - MNH 5-0

MNH, 4:25 Crowell - MNH 6-0

2nd half

MNH, 38:53 Yonts - MNH 7-0

MNH, 23:39 Jake Beach - MNH 8-0

MNH, 20:58 Beach - MNH 9-0

UC, 18:23 Corey Alvey - MNH 9-1

MNH, 8:57 Beach - MNH 10-1

Rao scores twice as North shuts out Henderson

2009-09-15T13:29:00.000-05:00

Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter

nbrockman@the-messenger.com This season's version of the Henderson County girls soccer team may not be as successful as in years past, but Madisonville-North Hopkins felt no remorse taking it to their rival squad on Thursday evening.

Both teams have battled for years as 5th District rivals. The Lady Maroons (3-3) took this season's first matchup 4-0 over the Lady Colonels (0-5-1) at Donley Field.

Senior Laura Rao scored twice as North picked up its first district win in the team's first attempt.

"It felt good - that's our rival," coach John Tichenor said. "It's a district opponent, so it's a good start and puts us in the lead as far as seeding goes."

Tichenor's daughter, freshman Ellen Tichenor, provided the assist on a second-half goal by fellow freshman Penny Plumier with 28:38 left in the contest. The goal gave the Lady Maroons a comfortable 2-0 lead.

"I think the second goal was pretty much the dagger in them, and the third and four came just because I think the Henderson girls let down a little bit," John Tichenor said.

Rao snagged her second goal of the game just three minutes later when she dialed up from long distance. Rao struck from nearly 25 yards out with force to give the Lady Maroons a 3-0 advantage.

Although Henderson has not recorded a win this season, Rao said the team knew the Lady Colonels would step up and play tough.

"Hendo is Hendo," she said. "Every year, they're going to bring it to us. It doesn't matter who they've lost to or who they've tied."

John Tichenor said he has been pleased with Alex Whittington's play up front, and the freshman delivered the game's final goal with 19:26 left to play

North led just 1-0 at halftime. Rao provided the lead on a penalty kick with 22:04 remaining in the first half after taking a clip in the box. Rao's kick flew under the outstretched goalie's right side to the back of the net.

Initially, Rao shot as the referee blew the whistle after placing the ball. Rao's shot was good, but premature as the ref waived the goal off and the forward had to shoot again.

"I didn't know if I should change my side or not, if the keeper would guess it, but it worked out," she said. "You just have to pick a side and pass it in."

In junior varsity action, North defeated Henderson 4-0 as well. Halle Cunningham recorded two goals while Conner Adkins and Morgan Duvall each notched one.

The Lady Maroons return to action 11 a.m. Saturday to play Trigg County at the Henderson County Invitational.

1st half

MNH, 22:04 Laura Rao penalty kick - MNH 1-0

2nd half

MNH, 28:28 - Penny Plumier, assist Ellen Tichenor MNH 2-0

MNH, 25:33 Rao - MNH 3-0

MNH, 19:26 Alex Whittington, assist Ellen Whittington - MNH 4-0

Howerton medalist for Central

2009-09-01T22:04:00.001-05:00

By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter, nbrockman@the-messenger.com

Published: Tuesday, September 1, 2009 12:24 AM CDT

Hopkins County Central golfer Taylor Howerton teed off against Owensboro Catholic with a new title, the team's No. 1, and she held to the role's responsibilities by taking medalist honors in a dual match on Monday evening.

Howerton, an eighth-grader, earned the top spot after her recent success. She continued to perform with a day's best 41 on the back nine at Madisonville. As a team, the Lady Storm finished six strokes behind the Lady Aces 198-192.

Coach Mike Zimmer said Howerton's status is well-earned.

"I think the past four matches she's been the most consistent, the most focused, the most driven player I have, and consistent is the big key," he said. "No matter what, she is 15 yards right or left of the fairway. She is never more than that, so her second or third shots never give her trouble. You look at her scorecard. She has one six."

Howerton, who typically plays behind older sister Ashleigh Howerton, said Zimmer told the girls whoever scored better at Saturday's Glasgow Invitational would play as the team's top golfer.

After the cards were collected Saturday, Taylor Howerton's score beat Ashleigh's by two strokes.

"(Zimmer) was like 'You're going to be the No. 1, so be proud,'" Taylor Howerton said. "I was very proud."

Taylor Howerton said the key to her recent surge has been her ability to maintain focus. Now, with a higher team ranking, she said she feels no pressure.

"I'm just taking the same old approach," she said. "I'm just not nervous anymore because I know I can do it and be better."

On Monday, Taylor's tee shot on the par-three 17th found the green as did Ashleigh's. Then, on No. 18, a par five, Taylor hit the green in three shots while Ashleigh's second landed approximately 20 yards in front of the green.

Zimmer said he thinks Taylor's skills will only continue to improve.

"If she keeps playing like that, she'll win the state when she's a senior," he said. "If she keeps playing with that determination, she'll win state when she's a senior."

Meanwhile, Ashleigh, a senior, followed at 46 and Lauren Lacy broke 50 by one stroke at 49. Kaitlin Moore and Kendall Bryant rounded out the varsity squad scores with 62 and 71, respectively.

Zimmer said the latter half of his roster had an off night despite exhibiting signs of quality play in recent weeks. He expects them to return to that form if the Lady Storm are going to repeat as regional champions.

Three other Central golfers competed in a junior varsity match. Hannah Tow and Rebecca Spraggs both shot 59, and Kathryn Cartwright trailed two strokes behind at 61. Kristen Hulsey and Ashley Eastwood also participated, but did not finish.

The Lady Storm next play 4 p.m. today when Central hosts Apollo.

Storm top Caldwell in defensive battle

2009-08-29T16:21:00.002-05:00

MORTONS GAP -- It was ugly, it was wet and it was never clear until the final second ticked off the scoreboard, but first-year head Hopkins County Central coach Zach Hibbs secured both a shutout and a win in his debut.

The Storm scored on the game's opening drive and plenty of exciting plays ensued afterward, but none resulted in another score as Central defeated Caldwell County 6-0 Friday night at Storm Field.

Down six points with three minutes left in the game, Caldwell faced a second-and-8 from the Central 8-yard line. The Tigers backed themselves up on a holding call, then the Storm forced three straight incompletions thanks to Nikee Caldwell and Carlos Donahue to take over on downs with 2:18 to go.

Three consecutive rushes allowed Central to take a knee and close the door on a Storm victory. Freshman Tino Nance broke for an 11-yard rush on the final drive to secure the game.

The second half provided plenty of excitement with several turnovers and seemingly game-changing plays, yet no points.

On the opening possession of the second half, Caldwell advanced all the way to first-and-goal from the 5-yard line, before Rashad Wilkes recovered a fumbled pitch to turn the tide.

The Storm offense gave the ball back after a three-and-out and the Tigers got right back to moving downfield until a torrent of rain brought havoc to the Caldwell offense.

On fourth-and-5 from the Storm 35-yard line, running back Brandon Sigler escaped two tacklers and dove for the first-down marker on the far sideline. As Sigler hit the ground, the skies opened in anger. Caldwell advanced the ball near the redzone and the Tigers committed back-to-back fumbles on third and fourth down. Central tookover on downs at 36-yard line with 1:36 left in the third.

Neither team moved the ball well in the fourth until Caldwell's final drive, which was aided heavily by penalties. Central committed costly penalties on three straight plays as the Tigers moved from its own 23-yard line to the Storm's 21-yard line. The penalties came on a hit to the head, an unsportmanslike conduct, which led to an ejection and then offensive pass interference.

Still, the Central defense stepped up at the most crucial moment and ultimately made three straight stops to hold off the Tigers.

The Storm began the game with the first half's lone scoring drive. Central marched 65 yards on 12 plays in 5:59. The Storm utilized a heavy running attack with eight rushing plays, but sophomore quarterback Lucas Crawley demonstrated his throwing abilities as well.

Diversity proved to be the theme for Central's first offensive possession. Crawley completed passes to four different receivers and three separate backs rushed at least once on the drive.

On second-and-goal from the 8-yard line, Crawley rolled out to pass. Instead, Crawley stepped up, found a seam on the right side of the line and bowled his way into the endzone. Crawley missed the extra point, but the Storm established momentum early with a 6-0 lead.

After that possession, Central's offense failed to replicate the same success later in the half.

Meanwhile, the Storm defense did its job by preventing Caldwell from getting any closer than the Central 31-yard line.

A slew of turnovers marked the second quarter with neither squad capable of making good on its opportunities.

Central defender Carlos Donahue intercepted Tiger quarterback Blake Hodges near midfield with 7:02 to go in the half, but Crawley surrendered a pick five plays later.

Caldwell held the ball for just three plays before Wilkes, a linebacker, forced a fumble, which was picked up by fellow linebacker Nathan Crick. Later in the half, the Tigers lost another fumble on a pitch, which was picked up by Josh Adamson and Tyler Powell.

The Storm entered halftime with a 6-0 advantage.

Central returns to action at 6 p.m. Friday against Crittenden County at Caldwell County.

CC (1-1) 0 0 0 0 - 0

HCC (1-0) 6 0 0 0 - 6

1st quarter

6:01, Lucas Crawley 8-yard touchdown rush, XP failed - Central 6-0

HCC

Passing: Lucas Crawley 10-15, 69 yards, 1 INT

Receiving: Orlando Lovan 3-22 Micah Rorer 3-12 Bryan Mason 1-9 Mason Byers 2-21 Shelby Cummings 1-5

Rushing: Anthony Qualls 6-29 Cummings 10-21 Byers 3-20 Tino Nance 6-35 Crawley 2-5, 1 TD

Interception: Carlos Donahue 1-0

CC

Passing: Blake Hodges 8-21, 143 yards, 1 INT

Receiving: Brandon Sigler 7-89 David Ray Faughn 1-54

Rushing: Sigler 12-41 Blake Hodges 9-22 Tron Gray 4-(-6) Jaquan Glover 3-8

Interception: Bryce Boyd 1-4

Lady Storm get third win

2009-08-29T16:21:00.001-05:00

By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter nbrockman@the-messenger.com

Published: Friday, August 28, 2009 12:26 AM CDT

MORTONS GAP -- Morale is riding high with the Hopkins County Central volleyball program and for good reason.

The Lady Storm (3-3) defeated McLean County (1-8) in two sets 25-20, 25-12 on Thursday evening to tie their 2008-win total just six matches into the year.

"It feels great," senior Kara Willis said. "It's a good accomplishment to have right now starting off the season."

In the first game, Willis' soft touch midway through the set gave Central a 17-11 advantage. The Lady Storm built the lead to as many eight, but McLean rallied to within reach at 21-17 and then 24-20. A Cougar player eventually hit the game-winning point back into the net for a Central victory.

Both squads battled back and forth trading points to being the second game until the Lady Storm manufactured an 11-2 run behind a series of solid serves. Central's streak led the squad to a 19-9 advantage before the team closed out the win.

"We've been working on serves a lot this week," coach Mary Catherine Adamson said. "We struggled on Monday night playing Union (County) with some serves, so we practiced on them this week, and they came out and showed us."

The team finished with 12 aces and 31 "good serves," Adamson said. Dustie Hoffman proved her serving abilities early in the first game when she recorded aces in 3-of-4 consecutive serves.

"It feels pretty good (to get an ace), Hoffman said. "We've been working on (serving) a lot in practice, and we work hard."

Adamson said she's noticed a difference in Hoffman's level of success.

"She's really improved this season with serves," Adamson said. "She stayed extra to help practice on her serves and get them in."

While the squad has improved at technical areas, most team members agree Central's overall success has been established through better communication.

"We've done a lot of stuff together and built friendships and just team work," Willis said. "It's been helping us."

Those relationships translate to better on-court play, Adamson said.

"We've been doing a lot of team-building drills, so they're coming out working as a team more, calling the ball, making good passes, making good serves, just a lot of team building, so they're out there as a team working together," she said.

"It's definitely built up their confidence a lot. They're really excited about the rest of the season and seeing how many wins we can get."

The Lady Storm will look to eclipse last year's mark when Central plays host to Trigg County at 7 p.m. Thursday.

Storm to open year against Caldwell County

2009-08-29T16:20:00.000-05:00

By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter nbrockman@the-messenger.com

Published: Friday, August 28, 2009 12:26 AM CDT

MORTONS GAP -- As most of the state's high school football teams suited up for Week 1, the Hopkins County Central squad took advantage of a bye and watched Caldwell County open its season.

At 7:30 p.m. today, Central will take on the Tigers at Storm Field and will look to put last week's lessons to task.

First-year head coach Zach Hibbs said he noticed many similarities between the two teams.

"They run basically the same offense we do," Hibbs said. "They look very impressive with it. They're a lot like us in the respect they have several different players they're checking off to. When we were breaking down film, we tried to look at how they distribute the ball and they're pretty even."

During Caldwell's season-opener, the Tigers beat Calloway County 34-7 behind 253 rushing yards.

Junior linebacker Jace Oldham said the Storm defense has done its homework by watching film and pouring over scouting reports.

"They're pretty much a run team more than pass," Oldham said. "I think they have two or three good running backs. We're just going to need to be on top of ourselves.

Fellow linebacker Nathan Crick, a senior, said he's confident in stopping Caldwell's ground attack.

"We're basically a stop-the-run defense, so we'll be well prepared for the run," he said.

Caldwell quarterback Blake Hodges also completed 10-of-16 passes for 108 yards, so the Storm secondary must protect against the air as well.

Central's quarterback, sophomore Lucas Crawley, also attended Caldwell's contest last week and kept his attention on the Tiger defenders.

"What I focused on is watching them blitz and their linebackers, safeties, watching all the defensive positions, so I know where the open holes are going to be when I throw the ball," he said.

The Tigers defense held Calloway to just 60 offensive yards for the game.

Offensively, Hibbs said the team will try to maintain balance between the pass and run.

"We just want to control the tempo of the game, whatever that means," he said. "If that means we're running the ball more, if we seem to be running

that effectively, four yards and a cloud of dust - that's what we'll do. If it means that we have to take a 7-yard pass or a 5-yard pass, we'll take that too."

In the backfield, Central will utilize a slew of ball carriers including Tino Nance, Anthony Qualls, Shelby Cummings and Mason Byers.

Stopping the defense at the line will be pivotal to Central's success, Hibbs said.

"We have to keep them off Luke Crawley, and at the same time any time we decide to run the ball," he said. "I've been telling them since the beginning of conditioning, we need four yards a pop."

No matter the type of attack, tonight's game marks the beginning of a head coaching career for Hibbs and a final season for 15 seniors, and all want the first game to finish with a win.

"We have to start strong right now because it just gets tougher from here on out," Hibbs said.

Lady Maroons suffer 5-3 loss

2009-08-29T16:19:00.000-05:00

By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter nbrockman@the-messenger.com

Published: Wednesday, August 26, 2009 12:26 AM CDT

Midway through the second-half, the Madisonville-North Hopkins girls soccer team needed just one goal to knot the contest with Owensboro Catholic at Donley Field on Tuesday night.

The Lady Maroons added another goal, but it came between a flurry of activity courtesy of the Lady Aces offense as Owensboro Catholic eventually prevailed 5-3.

"The second half, they just played with heart and effort and you can't ask for more from the girls," Owensboro Catholic coach Durand Engineer said. "They're figuring out how to play in the system and our defense has picked up tremendously."

Both squads entered halftime tied at 1-1. Aces senior Jessica Ralph broke the tie five minutes into the second half. Then, both offenses remained dormant until Stephanie Dooper scored on a direct kick with 21:10 left in the game to give the visitors a 3-1 lead.

Lady Maroon senior forward Laura Rao brought the North deficit right back to one goal a minute later when she headed the ball to the back of the net.

Owensboro Catholic's Erin Lane pushed the advantage back to two with her own rapid-fire goal with 19:07 left in the second half. The goal appeared to steal any momentum North felt after the score by Rao.

Through their first four games, the Lady Aces amounted just four goals, but found their offensive stride Tuesday.

everal different formations and combinations," Engineer said. "This one, we're starting to figure out who plays well with each other and it's kind of working.

"Jessica Ralph and Erin Lane played fantastic here on the left and in the middle. Maybe, I think we'll stick with that in the future.

Anna McNulty scored with 12:45 to go to finish the scoring for Owensboro Catholic.

North notched the game's final score with four minutes remaining to pull within two on another Rao header.

The Lady Maroons had several chances in the final minutes to give the visitors a thrill, but did not make good on any of their opportunities.

"Defensively, we had too many breakdowns," North coach John Tichenor said. "I'm not really too sure what happened other than (Ralph) was running free. Five goals is entirely too many goals. You're not going to win any matches by giving up five goals."

See Loss/Page B8

In the first half, senior Kaitlyn Elder scored the contest's first point to put Owensboro Catholic ahead just four minutes into action. Elder accepted a long pass from across midfield. She dribbled past one defender, stopped and fired a shot past North keeper Sarah Kelly, who took the brunt of the blast, but the ball trickled past.

Lady Maroon freshman Penny Plumier tied the game at 1-1 nearly 20 minutes later when she rocketed a side kick from the left side to the back of the net.

"We were told in the scouting report that the goal keeper had trouble with high balls and Penny took advantage of it and hit it where it had to be and scored," Tichenor said.

Lady Aces junior Julia Klump left the game in the first half with a sprain ankle, Durand said.

In junior varsity action, North prevailed 2-1. Morgan Duvall and Anna Duff provided single goals for the Lady Maroons. North returns to action 7 p.m. Tuesday to play host to Daviess County. Owensboro Catholic next plays 7:15 p.m. Thursday at Warren Central.

1st half

36:11, Kaitlyn Elder (OC) - OC 1-0

14:50, Penny Plumier, side kick - tied 1-1

2nd half

35:40, Jessica Ralph (OC) - OC 2-1

21:10, Stephanie Dooper, direct kick (OC) - 3-1

20:02, Laura Rao, header (MNH) - OC 3-2

19:07, Erin Lane (OC) - OC 4-2

12:45, Anna McNulty (OC) - OC 5-2

4:00, Rao, header (MNH) - OC 5-3

Central falls to 0-3 in 6-1 loss

2009-08-29T16:17:00.000-05:00

By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter nbrockman@the-messenger.com

Published: Tuesday, August 25, 2009 12:24 AM CDT

MORTONS GAP - Offense eluded the Hopkins County Central boys soccer team through its first two games and the problem persisted in Monday evening's contest with Community Christian Paducah.

The Storm (0-3) ended their two-game scoreless streak, but failed to outscore the opposition in a 6-1 loss to the Warriors (2-0).

Community Christian forward Christian Biggers provided the majority of the game's offense with three goals and one assist.

Central senior goal keeper Josh Riley made several fine saves in the first 40 minutes, but Community Christian still managed three first-half goals to take an early commanding lead.

Junior forward Tristen Youngblood utilized his speed for three separate breakaway opportunities in the first-half's final 20 minutes, but his shot sailed wide once and was saved twice.

"We're still trying to find our pure scorer," co-coach David Starks said. "Tristen is our man. He has to learn. If we can get him the ball more often, with his speed, I think he can use that to his ability. I think we're going to be alright."

Meanwhile, Biggers accounted for Community Christian's first two goals. Andrew Cude provided the assist on Biggers' second goal as Cude crossed the ball from the right side. Biggers accepted the pass and headed it home for a goal.

Shawn Jones gave the Warriors their third goal of the half and Central trailed 3-0 as the teams entered halftime.

Jared Bridges scored just minutes into the second half to increase the Community Christian advantage to 4-0. The Storm held the visitors off the scoreboard for the next 10 minutes, then surrendered two quick scores.

Biggers notched his third goal with 28:28 remaining in the game, but shared the offensive load on the game's next score. On a corner kick, Biggers delivered a pass inside to Marcus Rommelman, who scored on a header.

Youngblood ended the Central shutout with just under 15 minutes left in the game when he finally connected on another opportunity.

Neither team scored in the final 15 minutes. Starks said he liked his team's second-half effort.

"The last half of that game, we saw a lot of positives," he said. "We got a lot more shots on goal and we can only build off that."

Although Riley allowed six goals on the evening, Warriors coach Loren Biggers gave the keeper credit for stopping several other well-placed shots.

"The coach just over there told him he's probably the best keeper he's seen all year," Starks said. "He does great. He comes off the line, he plays hard. He's starting to communicating well and if we keep that corps together back there...I think they're starting to come together.

Central next plays 7 p.m. Thursday at Ft. Campbell.

1st half

28:29, Christian Biggers (CC) - CC 1-0

25:55, Biggers from Andrew Cude (CC) - CC 2-0

20:02, Shawn Jones (CC) - CC 3-0

2nd half

37:08, Jared Bridges (CC) - CC 4-0

28:28, Biggers (CC) - CC 5-0

25:12, Marcus Rommelman from Biggers (CC) - CC 6-0

14:45, Tristen Youngblood (HCC) - CC 6-1

Weaver: Maroons must protect football

2009-08-24T16:22:00.001-05:00

By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter nbrockman@the-messenger.com

Published: Sunday, August 23, 2009 12:24 AM CDT

Playing on the road to begin the football season presents no easy task, but for Madisonville-North Hopkins committing five turnovers made it impossible.

The Maroons (0-1) took to the road Friday night at Murray (1-0) and struggled to take care of the ball in a 21-6 loss.

"We didn't handle the football very well at all (Friday) night," coach Will Weaver said. "We ended up having five turnovers. You're not going to win any game when you have five turnovers."

North lost three fumbles and threw two interceptions on the evening. The Tigers turned two first-quarter turnovers into at 14-0 advantage.

"We had two critical mistakes to give up those 14 points," Weaver said. "The first one was when we threw the interception for the touchdown. The second mistake we made, (Murray) had fourth-and-5 and they actually called us for encroachment, which gave them a first down, and they ended up going down and scoring.

"You take away those two major mistakes and we're definitely in the ballgame."

Quarterback Tray Carr made his first start as the offensive play-caller. A fumbled exchange on North's first drive gave Murray the ball near midfield. On third-and-2 from the North 25-yard line, Maroon Travin Hardy tackled running back Brandon Wicks for a 3-yard loss.

Murray lined up to go for it, but automatically received the first down on an encroachment penalty by the Maroons. Four plays later, Wicks dashed through the left side of the line for the contest's first points on a 6-yard touchdown rush.

The Tigers scored again when Carr's intended pass for receiver Isiah White was tipped and intercepted by Murray's Christian Duncan, who returned the ball 40 yards for a touchdown.

Weaver said there were many factors that led to North's missed exchanges, including starting sophomores at center and quarterback.

Carr completed just 12-of-27 passes, but ran for 91 yards on 17 carries.

"Tray did OK, he did alright," Weaver said. "We just have to protect the football a little bit better. We've got to give him a little bit more time to throw. They were blitzing off the weakside (Friday) night quite a bit and we just couldn't make our fan calls and implement Tray as much as we needed to."

Carr shined on North's lone scoring drive of the game, which happened in the second quarter. Carr accounted for 38 yards on three carries, including a 14-yard touchdown rush on third-and-goal.

Then, the Maroon defense, which allowed less than 150 yards all night kept Murray to a three-and-out.

"Our defense definitely played hard," Weaver said. "They probably outweighed us double in most positions. They had 280, 290-pound kids and they just ran the football right at us, but defensively I was pretty happy with our effort. We played well enough to win the football game, we just turned the football over."

The Maroons moved to Murray's 15-yard line on the ensuing possession. With a shaky kicking game, North opted to go for it on fourth-and-11 with back-up quarterback Jawan Combs after Carr left following an injury on third down. Combs lobbed a pass to the endzone, but it was picked.

North's offense did not breach Murray territory again until the fourth quarter. After a sack, the Maroons faced fourth-and-7 from the Tiger 43-yard line. Carr, who also works as punter, took the snap, dropped back and tossed for J.C. Wade, but the pass sailed too long resulting in a turnover on downs.

Six plays later, Murray punched in for another score and a 21-6 lead.

Weaver said the fake-punt play was designed to be a run. He said he knew it was a risk, but felt it was necessary as the game winded to an end.

"My thought process was we weren't down just a score, we were down eight points, and the way Murray had been milking the clock if we punted it and they got it back, they were just going to try and hold onto the football the entire time," he said.

"We just took a gamble and I was trying to give us a shot in the arm. If it worked out, you never know how it would have went."

Weaver said the team expects to be at full health for Friday's 7:30 p.m. home contest against Webster County. Ryan Morris and Chris White are also expected to return to action after missing the Murray game.

Mustangs capture team title

2009-08-24T16:21:00.001-05:00

By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter nbrockman@the-messenger.com

Published: Sunday, August 23, 2009 12:24 AM CDT

During Saturday's Hopkins County Invitational at Madisonville Golf and Country Club, 17 boys golf teams assembled for what many expected to be a preview of the 2nd Region Tournament.

After all the score cards were tallied, Muhlenberg County claimed the team championship as well as individual medalist honors.

The Mustangs edged Madisonville-North Hopkins 304-311 and Muhlenberg junior Kraig Farley beat teammate Jantzen Latham by one stroke for medalist with a 71. Hopkins County Central senior Heath Williams placed third individually with a 73 on his home course.

"I played about as good as I could," Farley said. "It was nice. My driving, I think I only missed one fairway. My chipping and putting kept me in it."

Muhlenberg coach Eddie Wilcox said it was a team effort that led the Mustangs to victory.

"I have to give it to the guys," he said. "It's nice to be on top, but you have to work even harder to stay on top because everyone wants to beat you now. That's what I've been trying to get through and they seem to be taking it to heart.

"We just have to keep working hard because there's a lot of season left and Madisonville-North Hopkins is an awful good team, so I expect a dog fight in the regional tournament."

The Maroons were led by senior Patrick Hibbs' 77. BJ Sissom and David Rose followed at 77 and 78, respectively.

North coach Dan Herrmann said it's going to take consistency from the entire squad to overcome the Mustangs.

"We had three good scores today and we had two more that weren't really what we needed, so it's just going to take getting that fourth score to round it out," he said. "We've played second to them three times now. It's kind of like kissing a sister."

Christian County placed third at 324 while Daviess County and Union County tied for fourth place with 329. Hayden Price and Travis Fulkerson led Daviess as each shot a round of 80. Daviess No. 1 Taylor Richard withdrew on the front nine.

Although Central did not fair well as a team, Williams defended his home turf strongly.

Playing with the top golfers from North and Muhlenberg, Williams said he finished well, but still knew he didn't have the score to take medalist.

"Well, no I played with a guy that shot 72, so I knew it wasn't going to be good enough to win," Williams said. "I had a bad front nine, shot 38, and came back and shot 35, had three birdies on the back.

"I'll take 73. I could have shot better. I missed a couple easy putts, but overall I played good."

North, 2nd (311) -- Patrick Hibbs 76, BJ Sissom 77, David Rose 78, Daniel Stewart 80, Ben Gatlin 82.

Central, 10th (358) -- Heath Williams 73, Andrew Schniepp 93, Landon Griffith 95, KO Taylor 97, Joey Watkins 114

Central cruises to team title

2009-08-24T16:19:00.000-05:00

By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter nbrockman@the-messenger.com

Published: Sunday, August 23, 2009 10:34 AM CDT

Family bonds can break easily under competition. Eighteen holes wasn't enough to separate two sisters during the Hopkins County Central Lady Storm Invitational at Madisonville Golf and Country Club on Saturday evening.

Central won the team title by nearly 30 strokes, but Lady Storm sisters Ashleigh and Taylor Howerton played an additional two holes to determine who would take second place overall. Ashleigh, a senior, and Taylor, an eighth-grader, both shot rounds of 88 through 18 holes, but Taylor triumphed in the playoff.

Franklin-Simpson senior Sabrina Ferreri claimed medalist honors at 76.

The main show took place between the Howerton duo, though, with approximately a dozen carts following the sisters as they battled against each other and the setting sun.

"I'm happy for Taylor shooting an 88 to tie her sister," Central coach Mike Zimmer said. "Ashleigh should have shot better though and it should have never been that way. I'm proud of them for the playoff. I think they did a good job and it was fun for the team to watch them play together."

As the pair approached the first playoff hole, Taylor said, "I'll let you have honors."

"Why? You're younger," Ashleigh replied.

"Have to respect your elders," Taylor said.

After that comment, Ashleigh returned, "Oh, boy."

Both sisters ultimately parred the hole and turned to the course's 18th hole to determine the winner. Taylor had the upper hand when the sisters reached the green and could have won with a two-putt. Taylor missed her second putt, opening the door for Ashleigh to tie. Unfortunately, Ashleigh missed her close putt as well and younger sister Taylor took the family title.

"I let her have her glory," Ashleigh said with a half-smile.

In addition to the Howertons, the Lady Storm boasted two other golfers with scores under 100, the only team to do so. Lauren Lacy finished at 91 and Kendall Bryant followed with a 97.

Henderson County's "A" squad placed second at 391 and Butler County took third with 395.

Individually, Ferreri, who played the course for her first time, struggled on the front nine with a 41, but settled down on the back with 35.

"I didn't have my shots going the way I wanted to go, but when I got to the back, I started hitting it better and making a few more putts than the front," she said. "I was hitting a lot more greens today and making a lot more putts, a lot more short putts that I missed in the past."

Last season, the Lady Storm won the 2nd Region Tournament. With Taylor's improved play as well as other team members, Zimmer said he's noticed a considerable difference in his squad's scores.

"This is probably 30 strokes better than we shot last year at our invitational," he said. "Four players under 100, so I'm proud it was a team effort."

For Madisonville

Zimmer also said he's thankful for the aid provided by both parents and businesses to conduct this year's tournament.

Madisonville-North Hopkins placed fourth as a team. Co-captain Rose Ripa led the Lady Maroons with a 95. Sophomore Tori Eddings nearly broke the century mark at 102.

Central, 1st 364

Taylor Howerton 88

Ashleigh Howerton 88

Lauren Lacy 91

Kendall Bryant 97

Kaitlin Moore 106

Hannah Tow 113

Rebecca Spraggs 122

Kathryn Cartwright 129

North, 4th 416

Rose Ripa 95

Tori Eddings 102

Miranda Robinson 107

Olivia Senter 112

Sydni Fazenbaker 127

For Owensboro

Apollo placed sixth as a team at 419. Lindsey Shepardson paced the squad with a round of 101. Ohio County shot 513 led by Cate Brown's 116.

Williams has come a long way in short time

2009-08-21T12:58:00.000-05:00

By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter nbrockman@the-messenger.com

Published: Friday, August 21, 2009 12:26 AM CDT

Almost a month into the high school golf season, many golfers have begun to pick up their respective games and understand some of the sport's nuances; perhaps none more than Hopkins County Central's Heath Williams.

Williams, a senior who has golfed just three years, and the Storm squad placed third during a tri-match at Madisonville Golf and Country Club on Thursday evening.

Muhlenberg County captured first place with a team score of 162. Owensboro Catholic placed second at 179 and Central finished with 185.

Williams fired a 41 on Madisonville's back nine to lead Central. It wasn't among the best scores Williams has posted this season, but he said he's come a long way from last year.

"I've learned a lot about how I play," he said. "I've learned once you hit a bad shot, you have to forget it. You have to think you're going to make every putt you step foot over. I've learned more mentally than anything else."

In addition to the mental aspect, Williams said he has picked up on subtle areas like the contours and slopes of greens. None of his golf knowledge came easily though, he said.

"I worked for it," Williams said. "Every day I was out here, I usually played 27 holes and hit balls, putted, chipped. I've been plugging away at it, practicing as hard as I can."

On Thursday, fellow senior Andrew Schniepp finished the evening with a 49. Junior Joey Watkins placed second on the team with a 45. Sophomore Landon Griffith shot an even 50 and sixth-grader Jericho Smith carded a 58.

As a first-year coach, Mark Rutledge said he relies on his golfers' personal knowledge of the game and simply helps them stay on track mentally.

"They know how to play, they have played long enough that they know what they're doing," Rutledge said. "It's just reminding them about course management, where they need to put the ball and how."

Rutledge, a casual golfer, said he understands the game and made sure to inform his team how the course would play after Tuesday's heavy rains.

"You remind them the greens are going to be slower," he said. "They're going to hold the shot more. You're going to have to hit the ball closer to the pin."

The little pieces of advice help keep the team focused.

One member who brings plenty of drive and focus is Williams.

"I've never been where I am," Williams said. "This is really the first year I've been able to compete in every tournament I play in and every match I play in. I know every time I go out there, I have a chance to win if I play good."

Williams will have an opportunity to defend his home course at approximately 1 p.m. Saturday when the Storm host the Hopkins County Central Invitational.

Hood gains footing as new Wildcat

2009-08-18T14:59:00.000-05:00

By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter nbrockman@the-messenger.com

Published: Tuesday, August 18, 2009 12:24 AM CDT

As Jon Hood stepped off Don Parson Court at Madisonville-North Hopkins High School, University of Kentucky men's basketball coach John Calipari entered Maroon Gym during the program's latest camp tour stop on Monday.

NCAA guidelines limit Hood, a 2009 North grad and Wildcat freshman, and Calipari's interaction until he begins class as a full-time student. In the mean time, Hood has been doing his best to adjust to the collegiate level and Calipari's system.

"(Coach Calipari's) been around, but hasn't been able to teach us with all the rules, so we're still in the dark," Hood said speaking for the other UK freshman players. "I've watched tapes on Memphis.

"I've talked to some of the graduate assistants, some of the managers even that were with him at Memphis to know where to spot up, to know when to shoot, stuff like that. It's going to be fun. It's going to be exciting. That's one thing I can promise you. It's going to be exciting."

Calipari is none too happy that he can't work with Hood and his other highly touted freshman.

"That is one of the rules that needs to be changed," Calipari said. "The freshman should be able to work our camps. You'll notice Jon had to leave. Well, why? Because he's a freshman, so he couldn't work our camp. That's ridiculous.

"The second part of it is he's there all summer and I can't even walk in a gym and look at him shooting. I can't walk in a weight room and see him lift a weight. My windows overlook the practice facility, but if he were down there, I couldn't peek out the window. Those are rules we have to change, so when they come with us in the summer, even if it's two hours a week, to give him 'Here's what you work on,' then he goes and works on it."

Hood made an appearance before the camp officially began Monday evening. While at North, Hood fielded questions, signed autographs and talked with a few children and parents.

Hood has been home since completing two summer school classes, which finished July 31. Since then, he said he has been enjoying his time home, but continues to work hard.

"I've been at the lake and here (at North) working out, weightlifting, shooting twice a day, lifting twice a day, running," he said.

Hood's skinny frame has been one area he has been focusing on since he officially committed to UK and he said he's seeing progress.

"Right now, they've put some weight on me," Hood said. "I'm close to where I'm supposed to be. I'm not quite there yet."

Beneath it all, Calipari said he sees great potential in Hood.

"Jon Hood is a major college player, there's no question," Calipari said. "I've watched him. He physically has to catch up to some of these guys and that's not - it's a maturation process, but he's got the skill and he's got the athleticism, he's got the length. I really feel he'll be an integral part of this program. No question about it in my mind."

Despite never playing a single minute at college, freshmen like Hood will get an equal opportunity to play if they can prove their worth, Calipari said.

"When that balls goes up, the guys that deserve to be playing will be playing," he said. "If they're all returning players, that's who they are. If they're all new players, that's who they are. (I've) always coached that way."

Davis having busy offseason

2009-08-13T11:33:00.001-05:00

By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter nbrockman@the-messenger.com

Published: Thursday, August 13, 2009 8:38 AM CDT

Good news has been easy to come by this offseason for Madisonville-North Hopkins' Martinez Davis.

During the past two weeks, Davis, a senior cornerback, has been selected to play in the 2010 Offense-Defense All-America Bowl and received his first collegiate scholarship offer.

Davis was one of 11 players selected from a series of offense-defense elite camps to compete in the All-America Bowl at Doug Shaw Memorial Stadium in Myrtle Beach, S.C. on Jan. 2. Wednesday morning, Davis received an offer to attend Army, the United States Military Academy at West Point, N.Y.

"After the whole recruiting process with them, it really opened my eyes and showed me Army is the place to be," Davis said. "Just the whole football program and commitment -- the duty, honor and respect-type rules they have, the brotherly bond their football team assured. Overall, it just really attracts me."

Although Davis said he feels a strong connection to Army, more offers are expected as the high-school season begins and the All-America Bowl could be a showcase to other interested schools.

Davis earned his bid to the bowl game after displaying his skills at a select camp. After the select camp, Davis advanced to the elite camp with 96 others and eventually received an invite to the bowl.

"It was the top athletes in the nation," Davis said of the elite camp. "It was a great experience for me competing with people at that high level. To be selected for the All-American Bowl is just a great feeling."

At the camp, Davis not only worked alongside some of the country's best prep talent, but was directed by former college and NFL coaches as well as former NFL players.

"The main thing at that camp, they taught me how to compete," Davis said. "If you get beat once, you have to come back with some fire. You can't let that happen again."

David said he also learned other corner techniques like breaking on the ball and man coverage. Davis said he thinks it was his one-on-one technique and work during drills that allowed him to stand out and be selected.

For Davis' hard work, the program awarded him an all-expenses paid trip to Myrtle Beach for the bowl game.

"That blew me out of my seat when I received that call," James Davis, Martinez's father said. "They said the only thing he needs is souvenir money. I said, 'We'll he'll be there if he has to walk.' I'm real excited about it.

Martinez Davis will report to practice for the bowl game on Dec. 27, and the game will be broadcast Jan. 2 on Fox Sports Net.

In the mean time, Davis has plenty to be excited about with the Maroons.

"I feel like now that the season is right around the corner everything has to be stepped up to the maximum and it's just time to play ball, compete," he said.

Maroons not happy with strong showing

2009-08-12T14:20:00.001-05:00

By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter

Published: Wednesday, August 12, 2009 12:26 AM CDT

nbrockman@the-messenger.com

When a golf coach's players shake their heads and show frustration after shooting one of the team's best nine-hole scores ever, that's evident of a successful and determined group.

That was just the case for Madisonville-North Hopkins boys golf coach Dan Herrmann when the Maroons defeated University Heights Academy 147-194 at Lakeshore Country Club on Tuesday evening.

Following the round, several of the Maroons showed displays of dissatisfaction in their play. Herrmann said it's nice to see because he knows his seasoned players already understand their mistakes.

"You want them to figure out what they did wrong themselves because then they get to a point where they can fix it during the middle of a round, and that's the hard part," he said. "When they get to that point, they're coaching themselves. All I'm trying to do is keep them on an even keel, keep them light-hearted a little bit. That's my goal, to have them think their way around the golf course.

"That's the best nine-hole match score we've ever had. I can't complain about that."

Senior Patrick Hibbs paced the crew with a three-under par 33 to earn medalist honors. Hibbs nailed a 20-foot putt on the ninth hole for birdie to end his day.

"Is that all I get?," Herrmann joked with Hibbs as he left the green.

"I would say it's great coaching, but it's all the hard work he puts in," Herrmann later added.

"When the season starts, Patrick is solid," Herrmann said. "Last week, he had his worst practice round he's ever shot with me since he was an eighth-grader and then he comes back and shoots a 71 (Saturday). He plays a lot. He thinks his way around the golf course, and he just usually does not make a mistake."

Daniel Stewart carded one-under par in the next group. Still, as Stewart walked off the course, he looked unhappy with his result.

"I'll take one under the rest of the year," Herrmann said to Stewart.

Then, Herrmann directed his words to Stewart's mother.

"Danielle, I'm going to thump him on the head," he said with a smile.

"You've got my permission," Danielle Stewart replied.

Behind Stewart, Ben Gatlin fired a 39. David Rose trailed one stroke behind with a 40, and Cliff Carter shot a 44.

Though Herrmann was pleased with his team's scores, he said he understands how the golfers can be upset and where they can shave strokes. When the Maroons play at home, the golfers manage their game differently, he said.

"I think they're comfortable where no matter what they do on a hole, they really aren't in that much trouble," Herrmann said. "I think it hurts their ability to make a shot because when they go to another course, they can't get away from that. They tend to just hit the ball instead of making a shot. That's hard."

North returns to action today when the Maroons visit Henderson County.

HCC looking to its seniors

2009-08-11T12:44:00.001-05:00

By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter nbrockman@the-messenger.com

Published: Tuesday, August 11, 2009 12:24 AM CDT

MORTONS GAP - In addition to sets, bumps and spikes, the Hopkins County Central volleyball team has been establishing communication as a necessary skill to be successful this season.

With the return of three seniors, the Lady Storm are poised to make leadership an asset and bounce back from a rocky 2008 season in which the squad finished 3-24.

"This year, I've really, really enforced communicating so the girls know who has the ball, who's going for it, so we can play the ball, all three and get it over the net," coach Mary Catherine Adamson said.

Seniors Kara Willis, Hannah Farris and Chelsey Cates will lead this year's 10-member varsity squad.

"The three of us are really close, and we work together a lot better than some of them did last year," Willis said. "I think we're going to work together a lot better as a team this year just becaue of the friendship we have."

Farris agreed and said the trio's friendship extends past volleyball.

"We do talk a lot on the phone and on the court," Farris said. "I just feel like communication is bigger and better."

As in any sport, Willis said trust plays a pivotal role on the court.

"You have to know which player is doing what, you have to depend on each other and realize who's going to do what, who's going to be there and who's not," she said.

Behind the senior trio, junior setter Cassandra Haley and sophomores Dustie Hoffman and Allison Larkins will round out the starting rotation. Others on this year's roster include Kaylin Watkins, Chelsey Jarrett, Stephanie McGar and Jessica Bowman.

This year's crew will have to make communication its greatest asset now without the height of Reanna Hart and Lauren Griffith, who both graduated.

Cates said it's a problem she thinks the Lady Storm can overcome, though.

"I'm not very tall, but I can get up there just like anybody else," Cates said. "I think that comes just with practice. Every time you hit, you have to try to jump higher."

Farris said the team has not forgotten to practice the fundamentals as well.

"We've been working on passing a lot because that is one key to getting a good set and a good kill, so we can beat the other teams," she said. "Passing and I think serving are the keys in volleyball that we need to work on."

Central opens its 2009 schedule at 7:30 p.m. today.

Hibbs wins second straight title

2009-08-10T20:54:00.000-05:00

By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter, nbrockman@the-messenger.com

Published: Sunday, August 9, 2009 10:45 AM CDT

Last year, Patrick Hibbs captured the Madisonville-North Hopkins Invitational with a 74, but had to play five playoff holes to take sole possession of the honor.

On Saturday afternoon, Hibbs, a Maroon senior, skipped the drama and turned in a 71 to take medalist for the second straight year.

Hibbs shot a 36 on his first nine holes then finished with a 35 to pace a field that boasted 13 teams. Hibbs finished with five birdies.

"I kept it in play, putted pretty decent and hit shots close when I needed to," he said. "Overall, I played pretty good."

Hibbs' coach Dan Herrmann said he was most impressed by his consistency and the way he played down the stretch.

"He's been like that for at least two years and he always finishes strong," Herrmann said. "He was one under (par) in the last five holes and I've never had a player that would finish that way. He always plays good at the end. He stays really focused the whole round."

Unfortunately, the rest of the Maroon squad did not replicate Hibbs' success to win the team title as they did last season. North's "A team" finished second, three strokes behind Muhlenberg County, who shot 313.

"I'm kind of disappointed because we've shot 314 and 316 in two weeks and come in second place twice in two weeks to the same team," Herrmann said. "Both of them we had a chance to win."

Behind Hibbs, Cliff Carter and Daniel Stewart shot 79 and 82 respectively. David Rose (84) and Ben Gatlin (87) also competed for the Maroons' first team.

North's second team was led by BJ Simpson's 80. Dane McCuiston fired an 86. Seth Strader and Ryan Doane each carded a 97 and Justin Baldwin shot 102. As a team, North's "B" golfers finished at 360 in ninth place.

"I gave (the second group) a goal and I won't say what it was, but they accomplished it," Herrmann said. "I had some boys shoot better than I thought and I had a couple that they know they should have shot better, but overall they all played good."

Central's first team finished in 10th, led by Storm No. 1 golfer Heath Williams' 80. Landon Griffith stepped up from the No. 4 spot and fired an 88. Andrew Schniepp shot a 95. Joey Watkins and Brett Eakins turned in scores of 99 and 118 respectively.

"Landon played well and still he left some shots out on the course," coach Mark Rutledge said. "He played very well. Heath played his normal consistent game and the others were just up and down all over the place.

"They didn't play up to their potential. I expect them to be lower than that. I think they can go lower."

Rutledge said he's still looking for a solid No. 5 golfer to round out his first team.

The second Storm team finished at 451 led by Jericho Smith at 98. KO Taylor trailed closely behind at an even 100. Blake Mitchell shot a 106 and Trevis Bell turned in a 147.

While Central had mixed results, Hibbs enjoyed home-course advantage en route to another medalist honor.

"I still have to continue working on hitting the greens," Hibbs said. "I should hit more than I am. What helped today was that it was my home course and I was very comfortable."

As Hibbs took advantage, Herrmann said playing at home may have hindered the Maroons from claiming the team title.

"I think they put a lot of pressure on themselves when they're playing at home," he said. "There's a lot of pressure. You have more spectators. You have more moms and aunts and uncles and grandparents, and they put more pressure on themselves to win."

Herrmann said he knows how the team will use their practices this week as the squad attempts to get its first team win of the season.

"A lot of them need to address their short games," he said. "I've got a lot of guys hitting the fairways, but not hitting the greens. That's just spending time on the range and we'll spend a lot more time on the range this week."

North's Tedder Oakland City-bound

2009-08-10T20:53:00.000-05:00

By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter, nbrockman@the-messenger.com

Published: Sunday, August 9, 2009 12:24 AM CDT

It's not quite high school basketball season just yet, but it's always recruiting season and Madisonville-North Hopkins hoopster Lyndi Tedder gave a verbal commitment to Oakland City University (Ind.) Thursday afternoon.

Lady Maroons coach John Paul Cummings said he's pleased for all parties involved, especially Tedder, a senior guard.

"We're really excited for Lyndi and Oakland City," Cummings said. "I feel like it's a win-win situation for both. Lyndi has really, really improved. She's a gym rat and you like to see good things happen to good people."

Meanwhile, Tedder said she's happy to get the decision out of the way.

"It's definitely a relief going into my senior year of basketball not having to worry about who's watching me, and it's a big deal to be able to go to a great school like Oakland City, too," she said. "It's D-II. I'm excited to be able to go to the next level and play."

Last season, Tedder ranked second for North in points per game with nearly 15 points each contest. She sank a team-high 44 three-point attempts as well and finished the season at 34 percent behind the arc.

Cummings said he believes Tedder still has room to reach her ultimate potential, though.

"We moved to her to the point this summer and I think that just makes her even more versatile," he said. "She's done an outstanding job of getting the ball to the open person this summer. That just adds a whole other dimension to her game. She did that quite a bit last year and she just continued to get better at that and then you put that with her outside shooting.

"It just makes her that much better and it makes us that much better. Oakland City was looking for a point-combo guard that could shoot and they were just extremely impressed. We feel like her being able to go Division II, we're just excited for her and just glad to be a part of the whole situation."

Though other schools have expressed interest in Tedder, she said all it took was one visit to the Oaks' campus to make up her mind.

"I went up there and something just made me feel at home when I visited Oakland City," she said. "I felt instantly welcomed. I felt like part of the family already because everybody knows everybody. That's not always a bad thing."

While her future collegiate playing plans have crystallized a bit, there's still much to look forward to this season.

"We definitely have some high expectations this year," Tedder said about North. "We want to win districts again this year, and I think this year we're going to break out and we're going to be contenders for regional. I'm looking forward to playing basketball with my team this year. We're going to be really good and I have high expectations."

Eight-team scrimmage set for today

2009-08-08T11:23:00.001-05:00

By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter nbrockman@the-messenger.com

Published: Saturday, August 8, 2009 9:57 AM CDT

As the high school soccer season draws closer, the girls squads from Hopkins County Central and Madisonville-North Hopkins will get one more opportunity to scrimmage live competition today at the Lady Storm Jamboree.

The official season opens Aug. 17, but eight schools will gather today at Central for one final tune-up and evaluation.

"It's kind of a fun way to put your team against different levels of competition and see how they do against them," Central coach Susan Phelps said.

"It's fun for the kids particularly during this time of the year when you're trying to see how well they do in scrimmage and what types of things you need to address."

Unlike the regular season, each game will be 40 minutes or one-half of a typical contest. Junior varsity teams will play 30 minutes. Using that format allows each team to face off against more opponents. Central will battle Christian County, Lyon County, Todd County Central and Webster County. The Lady Maroons will play Christian and Lyon.

"We're just ready to play another opponent and see what we can learn about ourselves," North coach John Tichenor said.

Tichenor said fitness has been one dimension his crew has worked on throughout the summer.

"We're in much better shape than we were two weeks ago as a team," he said. "We try to get fitter each and every practice as we train."

Competition won't be limited to school against school either, Tichenor said.

"Even though they're competing against other teams, in a lot of respect, they're competing against each other because they're vying for positions," he said of the Lady Maroons.

Phelps said it's still nice to have a somewhat lax atmosphere, which allows the coaches to employ different strategies.

"Although it's competitive, it's still a scrimmage, so we'll be looking to put kids in different positions and see how well they do," she said. "We'll probably use a couple different formations to see how well they play.

"There's lot of things we haven't decided and since it's not a tournament format like the Bluegrass Games, we get to play around a little bit with the players and figure some things out."

Other schools expected to attend include Union County and the Dawson Springs JV team.

Today's first game will start at 8 a.m. and the last scheduled matchup is set for 6 p.m.

Storm fall to Hopkinsville

2009-08-07T21:35:00.000-05:00

By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter nbrockman@the-messenger.com

Published: Wednesday, August 5, 2009 9:58 AM CDT

For the Hopkins County Central boys' golf team, Tuesday's match against Hopkinsville marked the season-opening match at Madisonville Golf and Country Club. As a team, the Storm did not yield the results they had hoped for, but senior Heath Williams made the best of his nine holes.

Williams claimed medalist honors with a score of 36, but as a team Central fell by 11 strokes to Hopkinsville, 163-174. Lady Storm golfer Taylor Howerton bested Hopkinsville's lone girls golfer 44-58.

Central's boys will see plenty of action at the Madisonville golf course as the Storm host this year's 2nd Region tournament.

"It was nice starting off here," Williams said. "We're going to be here pretty much the whole year. I think we have four away matches, maybe three, but other than that we're going to be here. I would say I would probably take 36 every day."

As a new member to the country club, Williams has been taking advantage of his access to the course playing multiple times a day during the summer including Saturday and Sunday's 41st-annual Eli Barron Tournament.

"He's going after it and playing well," coach Mark Rutledge said. "Just coming off the Eli Barron, he's got the course down and playing it constantly. That's the main thing you have to do. His concentration was there as you can see with a 36, that's an excellent score."

Behind Williams, Joey Watkins fired a 44 and Landon Griffith shot 45. Senior Andrew Schniepp carded a 49 while KO Taylor turned in a 52.

Rutledge, a first-year golf coach, said it was pleasing to see his golfers implement lessons from practice.

"They worked on stuff, but you could also see as they were playing, they were checking off in their mind, 'OK, I did well to the green, now I have to work on putting,'" he said.

"Overall, I was thrilled first time out...We'll get better as it goes along and I'll get more comfortable with everything. That's what I'm looking forward to."

Central's boys return to action Saturday at the annual Madisonville-North Hopkins Invitational at Lakeshore Country Club, a course Williams said he's looking forward to playing.

"I think going into Lakeshore will be a good test to see how we are," Williams said. "I think it's a really easy course. It's a lot easier than out here (at Madisonville). If I play like I did out here (Tuesday), I can probably shoot 70, 71. I guess we'll see how it goes."

Storm fall to Hopkinsville

2009-08-05T11:54:00.000-05:00

By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter nbrockman@the-messenger.com

Published: Wednesday, August 5, 2009 9:58 AM CDT

Arndt winding down a busy summer

2009-08-04T19:59:00.000-05:00

By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter nbrockman@the-messenger.com

Published: Tuesday, August 4, 2009 12:24 AM CDT

MORTONS GAP -- The offseason has not been a time of rest or relaxation for Centre College senior Aaron Arndt, but rather a period of improving and teaching youth.

Arndt, a goalkeeper and former Madisonville-North Hopkins standout, has been playing with the Cincinnati Kings of the Professional Developmental League as well as teaching camps in his spare time this summer.

On Thursday, Arndt spent the afternoon aiding goalies at Hopkins County Central.

One of Arndt's most important teaching principles is maintaining foot control.

"I always harp on footwork and knowing where you are at in the goal," he said. "If you have footwork, you know where you're at in the goal and don't have to make big saves. You can get your feet in front of the ball and you don't have to make any huge, diving saves.

"It's a lot easier on you, so really I just harp on footwork and hard work, too. You have to bring a good attitude every time. You have to train and be ready to get better every time you train."

Maintaining solid foot control did not come easing for Arndt, a 6-5, 220-pound goalie, though.

"That's something I still work on today is foot speed and sprint speed, just my speed overall because getting used to the long frame, you can run long distances pretty well, but short distances, getting the feet moving," he said. "Still to this day, I do footwork drills before practice and after practice."

Arndt's large frame has helped to make him a successful player. During his junior campaign at Centre, Arndt started seven of his 17 games played, recorded six shutouts and made 54 saves.

Arndt said he was not always blessed with a big build, however.

"Middle school I was about normal size, then I think about freshman, sophomore year of high school, that's when I shot up," Arndt said. "I was like 'OK, you're going to be a goalie now. You're primarily a goalie. No more playing midfield or anything like that.'

"It took a little bit of getting used to, getting coordinated. It happens with big kids. I was blessed I guess with a pretty big frame for keeping."

Just as there are differences between the high-school level and college, Arndt said there are adjustments between college and playing with the Kings.

"The speed is a little bit faster, the PDL is a little bit above where I am in college," he said, "which is good because once the game is slowed down when I go back to Centre, it will be easier for me to read the game and see what is going on."

The collegiate play is more competitive though as the team gels and unites for common goals such as defeating rivals and capturing titles, Arndt said.

As his senior season at Centre approaches, Arndt said he feels ready for the responsibility as a veteran leader.

"It's really different because last year was my first year really (playing)," he said. "I started pretty much every game. I only got a few minutes my freshman and sophomore year, but playing with the Kings and playing a full season last year really helped out just being able to step up and take control of games, knowing what I was doing out there on the field in Centre's formation, the way we want to run the field."

Arndt, who is majoring in economics, said he would like to coach in the future and is trying to attain invites to some combines post-graduation, but may also pursue a master's in business administration. Arndt said he plans to conduct a similar camp to Thursday's at Central in the coming weeks at North.

Young Central squad looking to improve

2009-07-31T11:25:00.000-05:00

By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter nbrockman@the-messenger.com

Published: Friday, July 31, 2009 12:25 AM CDT

This year's Hopkins County Central golf team boasts plenty of youth, a new coach and one ace in the hole -- home-course advantage for the 2nd Region tournament.

The Storm's 11-man roster includes just two seniors, but a lot of desire to make a deep run on the links this fall.

"I'm going to be very upset if I don't make it to state," senior Heath Williams said. "I would have been anyways, but if I don't do it here (Madisonville Golf and Country Club)...I've been playing it for three years with school golf and I'm a member here this year, so I've played it twice every day for the last two months."

Williams, the team's No. 1 golfer, will be among a trio of golfers first-year coach Mark Rutledge depends upon this season. Senior Andrew Schniepp and junior Joey Watkins have also stepped up this summer to help during practice.

"When we go out, I try to put them as the lead player in each group and match up behind them," Rutledge said. "I tell them to help out when they can if they see somebody where they can fix a swing or talk them through."

Rutledge takes the spot of Daniel Kukahiko, who will step aside this year to focus on school.

"I've told them I'm more of a manager than a coach because I can't help them a whole lot with their swing," Rutledge said. "They pretty much know what they're doing."

Rutledge, who has previously coached varsity baseball and girls basketball, said several individuals have promised aid including Kukahiko, Lady Storm coach Mike Zimmer, former coach Matt Bell and Madisonville Golf and Country Club owner, professional Jeff Howerton.

Watkins said despite the coaching change, the team has not missed a beat.

"It really hasn't changed much," he said. "It's still relaxed and just having fun."

Behind the trio of Williams, Watkins and Schniepp is junior Blake Mitchell and sophomores Landon Griffith and Zac Luckett. Freshmen Brett Eakins, Jericho Smith and Dalton Utley and sixth-graders KO Taylor and Trevis Bell round out the roster.

"We're young, so it's going to be a tough way," Watkins said. "You just have to try to keep improving and play better."

Williams said he still sees the potential for a lot of success.

"We have three guys - me, Andrew and Joey - that are going to be out there shooting fairly consistent, fairly low mid 30s, upper 30s, low 40s," Williams said. "Past that we're looking for two more people that can shoot halfway decent, and I think we can win a few more matches than we did last year for sure. I think we'll be better than last year."

Central begins the 2009 golf season 4 p.m. Monday when the Storm play host to Hopkinsville and Christian County.

BLOG: Take a bite out of crime

2009-07-30T15:54:00.000-05:00

As NFL fans wonder what color and city to get their latest Ron Mexico aka Mike Vick jersey in, I can’t help but think of one of my favorite all-time baseball players, Pete Rose.

What kind of world do we live in that Mike Vick, fresh from his 23-month federal sentence for leading a dogfighting ring, can be reinstated to the game of football, but baseball’s all-time hit king can’t get a break 20 years following his banishment?

I’m not here to defend Rose’s character or what type of person he is, but it’s certainly some food for thought. Even Hank Aaron said earlier this week he thinks Rose should be eligible for a Hall of Fame vote. Can there even be a baseball HOF without the sport’s greatest hitter? I’ve never been to Cooperstown, so as far as I’m concerned it doesn’t exist, kind of like Santa Claus post age five or a needle-free baseball clubhouse.

Mark McGwire was up for HOF consideration last year. He’s been implicated with steroid use and fell considerably short of the needed votes to earn induction, but he was still eligible. If betting on baseball is the cardinal sin of the game, what is steroid use? The taboo sin that’s OK if you want to take the risk?

Let Pete Rose into the HOF for his merits on the diamond. He bet as a coach, not a player. He earned all of his records and awards cleanly. Let him in as a player, not a coach. He PLAYED the game right. Just like Cal Ripken Jr., Rose was an icon and standard to be held on high for how to play.

As one reporter for The Cincinnati Enquirer wrote earlier this week, not acknowledging Pete in the Hall is like depriving young fans of the game’s history. Who wouldn’t want their son or daughter (softball) playing like Charlie Hustle? Rose once said “I’d walk through hell wearing a gasoline suit to play baseball.” That type of passion for a sport should be respected, revered and imitated.

Rose was seen at a Reds-Padres game this week. He had great seats behind the plate. Did he pay for them? I don’t know, but he didn’t get them from the ballclub. Rose must find his own way any time he wishes to watch a game. That’s a bit ridiculous when the team he propelled to two World Series Championships and a decade of dominance can’t reward him because of MLB’s ban.

Rose hasn’t made the best life decisions and he’s not the most cuddly human being, but his talent deserves its just recognition. Vick served nearly two years in jail for dogfighting and got a second chance from NFL commissioner Roger Goodel. Meanwhile, Rose has been suffering in his own personal prison for two decades thanks to a continued line of uptight succession now represented by Bud Selig.

America is built on second chances, give Pete his.

Tapp ready to return to racetrack

2009-07-30T15:51:00.001-05:00

By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter nbrockman@the-messenger.com

Published: Thursday, July 30, 2009 12:26 AM CDT

Six weeks ago, motocross racer and Madisonville native Ethan Tapp lay in a hospital bed as doctors worked to wire his mouth shut following an accident at an Indiana course.

A simple track run nearly derailed Tapp from participating in the sport's most touted amateur race, the 28th annual Air Nautiques/AMA Amateur National Motocross Championships.

Although Tapp just began eating solid foods, he will be among some of the nation's best bikers when he takes to the track next week. The event takes place Aug. 1-8 at Loretta Lynn's Ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tenn.

"It's going to be the biggest competition I've had all year," Tapp said. "It's pretty rigorous trying to get into it. It's a lot of people's goal just to make it to this race, let alone turn it into a career. I consider myself pretty lucky with the talent I have to be able to do something like that."

Tapp, a 2008 Madisonville-North Hopkins grad, pushed the limits of his luck when he was testing a new suspension setup in June when a mishap cost him valuable training time.

"It just caught me and I hit my chin on the handle bars," Tapp said of his accident. "I knew my jaw was broken. It was the most excruciating pain I've ever had out of all the bones I've broken. I didn't wreck. That was the most heartbreaking part. I just rode off the track and realized we had to go to the hospital."

Fortunately, Tapp had already qualified for next week's national championship by placing well during a series of area and regional qualifiers.

To prepare for the prestigious race, Tapp hired a trainer and practiced for three months in southern Georgia where he raced nearly seven hours a day.

"We were doing long 30-minute motos, we did sprints, starts," he said. "We worked on corners, and then after that we take about an hour break and we all go to the gym until late at night. We work out until about 8 p.m."

Next week's race marks the second consecutive year Tapp has participated in the championship, but he said he has attended the race every year since 2004. This time, Tapp will race in the 450cc A class and 450cc A pro sport, the highest level of amateur racing, he said.

Practice sessions begin Monday and Tapp's first race is Tuesday morning, though he has at least one race every day through Aug. 7.

Tapp will be accompanied by 41 other racers in each respective class. A winner will be crowned after three races and will be determined on a point system, which awards a certain number for each place.

"We all take off at the same time," Tapp said. "We all funnel into a really small first corner that's not big enough for 42 people. It's pretty much 100 percent skill from once the gate drops until the end of the race."

After enduring weeks of recuperation from his jaw injury, Tapp's fate will be determined by the slimmest of margins.

"If you're not on top of your game, if you're not ready to go out and do battle, you won't get a good start," he said. "Milliseconds is what decides from being in between first through 10th off of the start and being buried at the back of the pack going into the first corner."

Check next week's editions of The Messenger to track Tapp as he chases his dream.

Teaching game the mission for Fox

2009-07-29T12:00:00.001-05:00

By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter nbrockman@the-messenger.com

Published: Wednesday, July 29, 2009 12:26 AM CDT

When Madisonville resident Adam Fox walks across the stage to grab his diploma next month, it won't be the typical graduation stroll.

In a few weeks, Fox will graduate from the Myrtle Beach, S.C., campus of Golf Academy of America and begin the job market search to become a golf pro.

Fox, a 2006 Madisonville-North Hopkins graduate, started the program in January of 2008, but his passion for golf began at the age of 11 when he played with his grandfather.

Fox played in high school and upon his graduation from North, the desire to peruse the sport remained.

"After high school, I really didn't know what I wanted to and then I stumbled upon the academy over the Internet," he said. "I thought this could be a good opportunity, so me and my parents called and got some information and just built on it from there."

For four semesters, Fox has studied an intensive series of classes from the game's history and rules to tournament operations taught by a faculty that includes 10 golf pros. During his time, Fox has learned details about grasses, managing events and repairing clubs. The school also conducts business courses and all graduates receives an associate's degree in business management.

"I could sit here and ramble on all day about all the things I've learned and all the different categories of the golf game that has been put into my mind and opened my eyes about everything," he said.

"They really strive on building your game once you get here and making you a better teacher and putting you in the right direction you need to go in."

Fox said he took a club repair and marketing class where he learned the make-up of clubs and club heads and different shaft types. The Myrtle Beach Golf Academy boasts one of the largest club repair shops on the east coast, he said.

Now in his final semester, Fox gets a break from the classroom each Friday to give lessons to seniors and Special Olympics children.

Each individual seeks different advice, but there are some common themes, Fox said.

"A lot of people are seeking longer, straighter drives," he said. "With the seniors, they just want to hit it longer. They can't really hit it that far and they just want distance."

Keeping a good mindset is pivotal as well, Fox said.

"Patience is the key," he said. "You have to learn to keep a steady line, always look for the positive. You can't dwell on the negative."

Fox has seen plenty of time on the course as well with his scheduled days on the links and discounted rates.

The classroom instruction and implementation on the course has allowed Fox to improve his game tremendously, he said.

"The courses down here are extremely harder than the ones back at home," Fox said. "I've improved a lot on everything from putting to driving. My ball striking has gotten a lot better.

"I've improved as a person too. I've picked up a lot of good qualities and I know what I want to do now, which is teaching people the game."

Eli Barron tourney tees off Saturday

2009-07-29T11:58:00.000-05:00

By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter nbrockman@the-messenger.com

Published: Wednesday, July 29, 2009 12:26 AM CDT

For 41 years, golfers from Hopkins County and the western Kentucky region have been attending Madisonville Golf and Country Club's annual Eli Barron Golf Invitational.

The course has changed its look, participants have come and gone and other tournaments have sprung up, but the event continues to hold its charming draw. This Saturday and Sunday, golfers and spectators will descend on Madisonville for the latest installment in a storied event.

Few individuals know the Eli Barron better than local resident and five-time winner Jimmy Riddle.

"There are very few invitational, individual tournaments anymore," Riddle said. "It seems like every one wants to go with scrambles. I've seen state amateurs and state opens, and I even just got back from the Southern Amateur in Memphis.

"There's probably 25 people following the lead groups, where at the Eli Barron, I'll bet you Sunday there could be 100 golf carts following. It's kind of a party on Sunday to watch the final group. If you're playing good, it's a blast. If you're playing bad, it's kind of embarrassing."

Course owner and PGA professional Jeff Howerton said the local community has kept the Eli Barron a well-attended and anticipated event.

"I think with our membership, our golfers at the club are really strong and they have a lot of friends," Howerton said. "It's a good way for the whole community to get out, play a little golf, have a little dinner and get together. It's a pretty good social event as well. Saturday night we have entertainment. A lot of the guys look forward to it all year."

The event has been known to attract talented golfers from around the state, including professional J.B. Holmes, who won the Eli Barron in 2004.

"Everybody pretty much knew (Holmes) was going to go on to be a good player on the tour, so that was exciting," Howerton said. "There were a lot of people there."

Other prominent past attendees included Steve Rogers, Jimmy Brown and Adam Gary. In addition to Riddle, 2007 champ and Owensboro native Andy Roberts and Murray State University senior Mitchell Moore are expected to compete for this year's title.

Although Riddle has plenty of experience at the Madisonville course, he said that knowledge can work both ways.

"You also know where all the trouble is too and if you're thinking about that, that makes you hit it bad," he said.

Nothing beats the feeling of overcoming the course's hazards and the mental difficulties that come with the two-day invitational and being part of the final group, Riddle said.

"It's just something to stand on top of the hill at 18 and seeing all the people that will be there Sunday," he said.

Each year presents a new field and most often a new winner, but the Eli Barron continues to be one of the most anticipated sporting events in Hopkins County and western Kentucky.

"It's really prestigious for the area," Howerton said. "It's time to shine. You have to play your own ball, play two days. There's not too many of those tournaments left in our area."

Central girls win bronze at Bluegrass State Games

2009-07-28T20:03:00.000-05:00

By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter, nbrockman@the-messenger.com

Published: Tuesday, July 28, 2009 12:24 AM CDT

The Hopkins County Central Lady Storm led a trio of local soccer squads that attended the 25th annual Bluegrass State Games in Lexington during the weekend.

The Lady Storm, coached by Susan Phelps, took three of four games en route to a bronze medal with their play on Saturday and Sunday.

Last year, the Central girls finished 4-13-3, but endured a lot of major injuries to key players. This season, Phelps said it's pivotal to start strong and build confidence early.

"I had no idea what to expect actually because we had most of our players back that were injured last year and a lot of them were playing new positions," she said. "They looked really, really good at camp, but I had no idea what it would look like in a game situation when they're put under a different bit of pressure."

Central shutout its competition Saturday with a 2-0 victory against Owen County and a 1-0 win over Paducah Tilghman. Brooke Daugherty tallied both goals against Owen while Courtney Kolb recorded the lone goal in the nightcap.

The Lady Storm dropped their first game Sunday 4-0 to Mercy, but rebounded with a win against Bryan Station. Central tied Bryan Station 1-1 in regulation but won with four penalty kicks by Kolb, Rachel Gaddis, Allison Littlepage and Megan Linton. Senior Hannah Murphy scored in regulation.

Both the boys and girls teams from Madisonville-North Hopkins also competed in the event. First-year coach Jeremy Roach directed the boys to a 1-2-1 weekend mark while coach John Tichenor made the transition to the Lady Maroon program with two scrimmage losses.

The North girls crew drew a pair of difficult opponents led by Ft. Thomas Highlands, who finished last season 17-4-4. The Lady Maroons fell 3-0 to Highlands and 4-0 to Bourbon.

Tichenor, who replaced former girls coach Steve Shepard, said his squad did not fair as well as he expected, but he's still optimistic.

"I'm teaching them things that they're just not accustomed to and it's going to take a while to learn," Tichenor said. "More than anything, I'm just learning what some girls know and what they don't know, what they can and can't do and that's what the Bluegrass Games are for, especially for my team right now."

Meanwhile, the boys started the tournament strong with a 3-0 victory against Ryle with goals from Maarten Adams, Logan Whitfield and Zack Yonts. Then, the Maroons tied George Rogers Clark in a scoreless match.

Eric Logan scored a goal early as North held a 1-0 halftime advantage Sunday against Daviess County, but the Maroons surrendered two second-half goals in a 2-1 loss. Adams tallied his second goal of the weekend in a 4-1 loss to Ballard.

Like the North girls team, the boys will be searching for leaders to take the offensive responsibility after some big departures.

Roach said he expects Adams to establish himself as a threat.

"One person we know we're going to depend on up there is Maarten Adams," Roach said. "We're not going to face anybody that is going to be able to match him as far as speed goes. He's the fastest guy on the field all season."

Although each team experienced mixed levels of success at the Bluegrass Games, all three have plenty of time to improve before soccer season officially begins Aug. 17.

Messenger to launch Sports Network site

2009-07-27T19:47:00.000-05:00

By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter nbrockman@the-messenger.com

Published: Sunday, July 26, 2009 9:20 AM CDT

The Messenger will soon launch a new tool that will allow local youth and adult sports leagues to submit and publish their own results, statistics and photos online in Hopkins County's most-visited news Web site.

In partnership with CommunitySportsDesk, The Messenger created the Messenger Sports Network to expand coverage of local youth and adult teams associated with such organizations as the ABA, YAA and YMCA, as well as others.

"The new Messenger Sports Network will provide us an opportunity to reach and better serve a broader segment of sports fans in the Hopkins County area," Messenger publisher Rick Welch said. "It's an invaluable and professional tool that will positively highlight our community sports."

Submitting information is free for all interested leagues and individuals.

The Messenger provided CommunitySportsDesk with contact information for local organizations.

Leagues can benefit financially from using the service. Twenty percent of the revenue generated by advertisements sold by The Messenger for the Web site will be returned to the respective leagues.

Once launched, a link will be available at www.the-messenger.com and information can be submitted any time by coaches, players, fans or family. Each league or sport will have its individual page with standings, stats and photos.

One organization that has already expressed interest using The Messenger's new feature is the Hopkins County Family YMCA.

"I definitely think we'll use it, hopefully starting with our fall activities, which will be soccer and football and we have a fall/winter swim team," sports and marketing director Kelly Forbes said.

Although the YMCA holds non-competitive leagues, Forbes said individual stats would be posted.

Representatives from CommunitySportsDesk will teach and assist individuals how to submit information to be published on the Web site, which will utilize a user name and password. Results can be submitted from any where there is Internet access.

Forbes said the idea of controlling the timeliness and the posted information while creating exposure for the YMCA's programs drew the organization to the Messenger Sports Network.

In addition to posting information on the Web site, Welch said he plans to publish the results in The Messenger. The tool will allow The Messenger to disseminate results instantly online and provide leagues with an opportunity to share their success with the community.

"Between our staff's coverage and the information teams will submit to the Messenger Sports Network, The Messenger will continue its long-standing tradition of providing the most comprehensive sports coverage available in Hopkins County," Welch said.

Coaches required to take course on injuries and safety

2009-07-16T08:19:00.001-05:00

By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter nbrockman@the-messenger.com

Published: Thursday, July 16, 2009 12:24 AM CDT

Summer's intense heat may have spared Hopkins County this week, but Wednesday marked the final day for local high school coaches to complete a mandatory four-hour training session to learn how to prevent and treat heat-related illnesses and other injuries.

The online course was created by the Kentucky General Assembly as a result of the death of Max Gilpin, a football player at Pleasure Ridge Park. Gilpin, a sophomore, collapsed during a sprinting drill during a preseason practice in Aug. 2008. Gilpin's coach David Jason Stinson has pleaded not guilty to reckless homicide in relation to the death.

Now, each Kentucky high-school coaching staff is required to take part in the session and the distributed information is designed to help coaches treat, if not prevent future injuries.

"It pretty much breaks it down slide by slide all the things we have to deal with injuries, heat-related (illnesses) and fractures," Hopkins County Central football coach Zach Hibbs said. "It goes into great detail on each one, so we know how to identify the crisis situation, and also how to act in a crisis situation. It's a very in-depth process."

During the online session, the program prompts coaches to answer multiple-choice questions about scenarios shown in the viewed material.

Though Gilpin's injury came on the football field, coaches in every sports season must complete the course.

"I think if you're going to make any coaches watch, make all of them watch it," Madisonville-North Hopkins boys basketball coach Marty Cline said. "It's the right thing to do. I understand the purpose and I agree we're trying to be preventative in all of our aspects of coaching."

In addition to advising coaches how to treat heat-related maladies, the training session teaches how to administer first-aid and head injuries like concussions, Cline said.

Hibbs said the course instructs to take the simplest measures like searching for holes or obstructions on the field.

Even though athletic events like football and basketball practices and games typically have an athletic trainer on hand, Cline said the course teaches how to handle emergency situations when there isn't a trainer present.

"We're all fortunate here we have adequate athletic training supervision around most of the time, but they're not here all the time," he said. "We're not always going to have a trainer around and this helps along with the medical symposium clinic we attend every two years and keeping our CPR/first-aid up to date."

Keeping a level head and not surrendering to "panic mode" is a key principle to maintain as well, Hibbs said.

"We want every situation to feel safer for the players," he said. "Those first moments after a collapse from a heat-related injury are the most vital. The course tells you we have to be ready to go through drills and practice drills before our season starts to ensure we know how they work."

Local coaches hope not to be called to employ the techniques and measures learned from the mandated training session, but feel prepared just in case.

"I think anything that improves the safety for our kids and also makes us more aware of a situation where we can help is good," Hibbs said.

Camp combines fun, fundamentals

2009-07-15T14:39:00.000-05:00

By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter nbrockman@the-messenger.com

Published: Wednesday, July 15, 2009 8:29 AM CDT

MORTONS GAP -- Youth athletic camps and workshops present more than opportunities for the participants to gain knowledge on an individual sport, but also life lessons.

Organizers at this year's Hopkins County Central Storm Basketball Fundamentals Camp hope each of the 65 campers understand the possibilities to grow as players and people during this week's event.

Storm coach Matt Bell said the kids can benefit in a myriad of ways.

"If we can help them to learn something about themselves or about the game of basketball this week than we feel we've done a good job, as well as teamwork," Bell said. "These kids don't play together on regular teams. They come from all over the county and even outside the county, so just learning how to play with each other on the floor (is important)."

Bell said participants range from all directions of Hopkins County as well as a few from Webster County. The camp, which began Monday and lasts through Thursday, has two sessions with grades one through four in the morning and five through eight in the afternoon. This year's event marks the second time Bell and Lady Storm coach Jennifer Hibbs have worked in conjunction.

Each session is geared toward the different age levels in varying aspects, but the general focus remains the same.

"Our camp is more designed for individual improvement rather than who wins what award at the end of the camp," Hibbs said. "The kids learn it's not about what you do, it's about how you get better every single day."

Sydney Abbott, a third-grader at Southside Elementary, took part in the camp for her second time and described her favorite stations.

"I like to do the obstacle courses and go upstairs (in the gym) and do the jump stuff."

Hanson Elementary fifth-grader Noah Cunningham elaborated on the jumping station, which he rated his favorite.

"You jump rope and try to get 30 in a row," Cunningham said. "Then, you stood on one foot and tried to get 15 and stand on the other foot and get 15. Then, you jumped on boxes."

As one of the elder campers, Cunningham said he also learned techniques like outlet and curl passes.

For the coaches, it's also rewarding to see how their own players, who serve as helpers, relate with the children.

"For every camper we try to have a player that is either a big brother or big sister and the kids really take to their players, so during our breaks the players mess around with the kids and interact," Hibbs said. "They get along with each other."

As coaches, it's also fun to watch the Central players incorporate skills they have been taught during practice or the season, Hibbs said.

"In station work, our players teach the campers stuff we have been teaching them from day one, and they're not great at, but it's interesting to see our players teach the campers," she said. "You see them get frustrated or you see them really break stuff down, so as a coach when you see your players teach somebody else that just lets you know that at least they're listening to things you say."

From campers to players and coaches, each has an opportunity to learn at this week's camp whether about life or the game.

Tippett finds tough going in tourney

2009-07-14T13:21:00.001-05:00

By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter, nbrockman@the-messenger.com

Published: Tuesday, July 14, 2009 12:01 AM CDT

When Kalem Tippett left for last weekend's Under Armour College Bass National Championship, the Hanson resident had hopes of capturing his second collegiate title of the summer. Unfortunately, the fish eluded his hook and dream.

Tippett, a junior at Murray State University, claimed the U.S. Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship on May 28-29, but a change in location provided new challenges as he finished 25th in a field of 60 entries Saturday.

Tippett and partner Vincent Campisano won at Lake Lewisville, Texas thanks to solid execution of ledge fishing, but the strategy didn't pay off for Tippett and new partner Jonathan Byrn on the Arkansas River at North Little Rock, Ark.

"We had a tough week down there," Tippett said. "The whole river was tough. We pre-fished for four days and then fished two, and it only took 14.5 pounds to even make the top-five cut. We just couldn't find them."

The duo endured a bit of bad luck as well, which made the odds even more difficult.

"We found one creek that had some good fish in it, but we had a bad draw on the first day," Tippett said. "We were almost the last boat out, so I knew we wouldn't get in there first, so we never even hit it.

"I ended up the first day, I hit something with my prop and ruined my prop, bent my prop shaft up, so the second day I could barely even run the big motor. We pretty much had to drop the troll motor and fish around the ramp."

Despite the challenging conditions, Tippett and his partner managed a bit of success.

"We had one 12.5 inch Kentucky Bass the first day," he said. "The second day we had two fish that weighed 5.5 pounds, and we lost another one about two pounds right out the boat."

After the first day, Murray placed 41st with a 1.14-pound total. With two fish on the second day, the pair jumped to 25th at 6.62 pounds. Even the event's most successful fisherman encountered some difficulty. On the third day of fishing, the top five boats held a one-day shoot to determine a winner and two different pairs recorded a blank.

During such situations, a fisherman's mindset is challenged, Tippett said.

"You lose a lot of confidence in yourself," he said. "Looking back, I know where the guys who ended up winning were fishing, and we fished a little bit of that stuff, but evidently we didn't fish it right."

Tippett said he plans to participate in a FLW qualifier at Lake of the Ozarks, Mo. in October. The winner will be invited to participate in the FLW Cup.

Indiana dominates second half for freshman victory

2009-07-13T14:22:00.000-05:00

By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter, nbrockman@the-messenger.com

Published: Sunday, July 12, 2009 12:22 AM CDT

MORTONS GAP - A monstrous second-half run propelled the Indiana Elite Girls 14U squad to a big win in the first-ever Kentucky-Indiana Girls Freshman All-Star game at Hopkins County Central.

The Kentucky crew trailed just four points at halftime, but Indiana powered ahead on a 30-6 second-half outburst en route to a 49-21 victory on Saturday evening. During the final 12 minutes, the Bluegrass All-Stars tallied just one field goal. Four of the team's second-half points came on free-throws in the final 37 seconds.

Still, the honor of playing in such an event resonated with the local all-stars, especially Hopkins County Central's Shalara Wells, who participated in both contests.

"It means a lot because I'm only going to be a sophomore and last year was my first year playing varsity and I started," Wells said. "It means all that hard work paid off.

"It's kind of nervewracking to be playing in both games though. I'm the youngest player in the second game, but I feel honored to be in both games."

Even for Central coach Dwain Orten, who commanded the Kentucky youngsters, the experience meant a lot. "It's a privilege to do it," he said. "We're a pretty talented team. We practiced twice because of the dead period, so we haven't had a lot of practicing in. They're an AAU team, played about 45 times this summer, so it was a pretty big challenge."

Indiana and Kentucky battled back and forth during the opening quarter with four lead changes and two ties, but the Hoosier stars grabbed the lead for good on a Maura Muenstermann jumper with 2:21 remaining in the first. The bucket gave Indiana an 8-6 advantage and the team pushed the lead to seven by the end of the first.

Kentucky fell behind by as many as nine points twice during the second quarter, but a put-back by Central's Ja'Leigh Smith and score by Webster County's Mariah Herrera drew the game to 19-15 at half.

Wells started the offense for Kentucky in the second half. Wells accepted a pass on the far corner and drove baseline to the hoop for two. The bucket represented the team's lone field goal of the second half, though.

After a 10:32 scoreless drought, McKenzie Ames and Madisonville-North Hopkins' Morgan Duvall each hit a pair of free-throws.

Orten said Indiana's second-half full-court press forced the girls into a tight situation. Not knowing each others' tendencies made it even more difficult.

"I think it was just unfamiliarity with each other," Orten said of his team's second-half struggles. "Two practices, the only thing we can do is practice against the older girls, and it's really hard to get anything done with all the talent out there. From 14-year-olds to 18-year-olds is a big difference on the girls."

For Indiana, three players reached double-figures led by Jacey Ritzert's 14.

Wells and Mariah Herrera each finished with five points to lead Kentucky offensively. Lady Storm guard Kaitlyn "Krhea" Orten tallied three points on the first three-point field goal of the game for either squad.

Despite Saturday's outcome, Orten said he's confident his team will rebound in the next matchup.

"I think the next time we play them we'll have an idea of what to do to them, plus we'll have some more practice under our belt," he said.

Indiana 13 6 14 16 - 49

Kentucky 6 9 2 4 - 21

Indiana: Jacey Ritzert 14, Maura Muenstermann 12, Tyra Buss 10, Ellie Fruit 5, Tori Schickel 5, Lori Thomas 2, Olivia Hunt 1

Kentucky: Mariah Herrera 5, Shalara Wells 5, Kaitlyn Orten 3, McKenzie Ames 2, Morgan Duvall 2, Ja'Leigh Smith 2, Jessica Stone 2

Locals shine as Kentucky wins Junior All-Star Game

2009-07-13T14:21:00.000-05:00

By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter, nbrockman@the-messenger.com

Published: Sunday, July 12, 2009 10:28 AM CDT

MORTONS GAP -- Some of the western Kentucky's most highly touted girls high school basketball players were on display Saturday evening during the annual Kentucky-Indiana Jr. All-Star game at Hopkins County Central.

Hopkins County players stole the show in a 41-32 Kentucky win, but several regional players also appeared on the Indiana Elite 16U roster, which set up some interesting matchups.

Madisonville-North Hopkins post players KeKe Drake and Tayla Foster teamed with Webster County Lady Trojan Lynette Harris to clog the lanes against a much smaller Indiana squad.

"Their team was full of all guards, so we took advantage of them in the post in the second half," Drake said.

Indiana held a slim, one-point lead at halftime, but Kentucky took a 28-25 advantage late in the third on a three-point play by Foster and never surrendered.

"They didn't have much of an answer for our interior post players," coach Erik Peyton said.

The team's defense, led by sophomore Shalara Wells, also played a pivotal role.

"I think she's probably one of the best on-ball defenders that we have and she's the youngest on the team," Peyton said.

Kentucky outscored Indiana 22-12 in the second half.

Peyton said his team showed greater patience in the final 16 minutes and worked as a unit.

"They always come out and try to do what I ask, give a full effort," he said. "Most of them ask questions, so you can just tell they're all competitors and want to win."

Some high school teammates like Drake and Foster worked together with fellow Lady Maroon Lyndi Tedder to create a smooth offensive flow. Others like Webster's Ellie Steiner and Kerstin Hayes found themselves wearing opposing jerseys on Saturday.

Steiner, who has played with the Elite for a couple summers, even dropped a three-pointer on Hayes to take a brief 25-23 lead.

"When I hit that three, I was like 'Ah,' man, she's going to get me for that one,'" Steiner said. "I didn't know what she was going to do to me."

While Steiner may have led her squad with nine points, Hayes' crew secured the victory.

Henderson County's Ariel Barnes also crossed state borders to play with the Indiana team.

Lady Storm guard Hannah Murphy looked sharp for Kentucky as she chipped in with six points. Murphy's points came on back-to-back three-point attempts within 30 seconds of each other in the second quarter.

Drake said Murphy and Tedder's play at the point aided the team significantly.

"It's great because both of them can shoot threes, so if we don't have a shot (inside), we can rely on them to make a three," Drake said.

Tedder proved her skills shooting from outside, driving the lane and finding open teammates. Tedder finished with a game-high 13 points. Drake also reached double-digits with 12.

Indiana 8 12 5 7 -- 32

Kentucky 6 13 9 13 -- 41

Indiana: Ellie Steiner 9, Sarah Thomas 7, Kelsie Linneweber 5, Giorgia Stringer 5, Erica Carpenter 4, Tessa Lynch 2

Kentucky: Lyndi Tedder 13, KeKe Drake 12, Hannah Murphy 6, Tayla Foster 4, Hadley Burns 2, Kerstin Hayes 2, Shalara Wells 2

Quinn stepping down as North football assistant

2009-07-11T15:14:00.001-05:00

By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter, nbrockman@the-messenger.com

Published: Saturday, July 11, 2009 12:22 AM CDT

Through the years, many faces and football coaches have changed along the Madisonville-North Hopkins sidelines, but one constant for the past 13 seasons has been assistant Mike Quinn -- until recently.

After serving seven different head coaches and watching his two sons, Barry and Ryan Quinn, play and graduate, Mike Quinn announced he is stepping down from his varsity position. Instead, Quinn will continue his football endeavors as head coach at Browning Springs Middle School.

Quinn said he's been involved with football for more than 30 years and needed to lighten his responsibilities.

"I felt like I just needed a break a little bit," Quinn said. "People don't understand the time it takes to be involved coaching in football or basketball mainly because you do the scouting and everything. With the summer process of the workouts and the different camps and everything, I just felt I needed a little break."

Quinn's presence with the Maroons program has allowed each successive coach to hit the ground running after a new hire.

"It definitely made it an easy transition," coach Will Weaver said. "There were never any doubts whatsoever about coach Quinn's loyalty or work ethic. His heart was always in it for the kids. That's one thing I can definitely say about him. Everything he does is for the kids' benefits."

During his tenure, Quinn worked with the freshman, junior varsity and varsity squads. His duties ranged from directing the running backs, linebackers and defensive backs to manning the headset as defensive coordinator and managing equipment needs.

His many skills and talents made him a wonderful asset, Weaver said.

"He was a guy who I moved around quite a bit on offense and defense to fill the holes because he does have head coaching experience, and he's coached just about everything you can coach on the offensive and defensive side of the ball," Weaver said. "He was always one of those guys you could count on: being on time, doing what you asked him to do, putting his heart and soul into it."

As Quinn considered what he'll miss the most, his dedication and passion could not be questioned.

"I'll miss Friday night games, not being there and really the other thing I'll miss is breaking down film of the opponents," Quinn said. "I always enjoyed doing that, figuring out what they were going to do to you."

With Quinn's departure and a new season a month away, Weaver has added four assistants to his staff.

-- Chad Price (offensive line coach)

-Coached previous four years at Indianapolis Warren Central, which won four straight 5A state championships 2003-06

-Three-time All-American offensive lineman at Western Kentucky University

-- Jay Burgett (outside linebackers and receivers)

-Defensive coordinator at Ohio County 2008

-Played at Mayfield High School and Murray State University

-- Alan Hall (linebacker coach)

-- Brock Shoulders (defensive coordinator)

Workman: girls varsity team likely in 2010

2009-07-10T14:51:00.001-05:00

By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter, nbrockman@the-messenger.com

Published: Friday, July 10, 2009 12:24 AM CDT

For the second consecutive year, there will be no girls varsity soccer at Dawson Springs, but athletic director Kent Workman said a 2010 return is likely.

Workman and the administration made the decision at the conclusion of the past school year to continue with a junior varsity team with just 12 athletes showing interest. Two girls, Beth Anne Dickens and Workman's daughter Emilee Workman, will play their senior seasons with the boys varsity team.

Although the Lady Panthers had enough players to field a team, Kent Workman said it still didn't seem realistic given the chance of injury.

"We felt if somebody gets injured, somebody gets sick or whatever, now you're down to no reserves and if two are out, you're pretty much in the hole," he said. "We felt like we were taking a really, really big risk if we tried to do that with those numbers...It was a really iffy situation at best, so the most logical way out was to stay with what we had."

Dawson Springs did not field a team last season following the graduation of seven seniors from the 2007 crew and instead played a JV schedule with Dickens and Emilee Workman on the boys team. Jim Hillerich will continue to coach the JV squad this fall.

Dawson Springs' last girls varsity team finished 3-12-3 and recorded a 3-3-2 mark in its last eight games.

At a small school like Dawson Springs, Workman said interest in sports can dwindle between different classes leading to disbanding of teams.

"It's really odd because you go through classes in school where you have either a lot of kids out of that class play athletics or they don't," he said.

Workman said he thinks only half a dozen girls from his daughter Emilee's class participate in athletics while more than 20 eighth-graders play at least one sport.

"It goes in cycles and those cycles either really, really help us or really, really hurt us," Workman said.

Another reason soccer struggles to gain interest is the lack of a youth league in Dawson Springs.

"A lot of the problem is we don't have enough kids here that participate at the youth level to make up enough teams," Workman said. "When Emilee and Beth Anne were young, we played at Princeton."

Other soccer fans can play in Nortonville or with the Hopkins County Family YMCA's program.

Workman said he would feel comfortable having 14 or 15 players to field a team and expects those figures next season.

"If the numbers of girls come out again next year that are playing this year, we should be back to varsity status," he said. "We should have good numbers next year."

Central camp to open Friday

2009-07-07T15:18:00.000-05:00

By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter nbrockman@the-messenger.com

Published: Tuesday, July 7, 2009 7:37 AM CDT

Friday's Hopkins County Central Summer Football Camp bears the name of the Storm program, but first-year head coach Zach Hibbs said the youth skills camp is less about school affiliation than helping local athletes improve.

Hibbs and the Central football staff will host a camp for children in grades 4-8 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the school's athletic complex. In addition to producing greater football knowledge, Hibbs said he hopes to create more familiarity with Central.

"A lot of these kids never get to meet us because we're on the south end (of the county) and we don't necessarily want it to be just a Central camp," he said. "Anybody is welcome to come and that's why sometimes I hesitate about putting the Central on top... We just want everyone to come have an opportunity to get better and meet us."

Athletes will be broken down into two groups: grades 4-6 and 7-8. For the younger players, the focus will be fundamentals and integrating fun into the game, while the elder division will learn finer techniques.

"With the older kids, we're going to work a lot of the skills because several of the kids -- it doesn't matter if they're going to be here or at North -- they need those skills and just helping them get geared up for their seasons in the seventh and eighth grades," Hibbs said. "That'll help tremendously."

Some camps tend to focus on positions that incorporate handling the ball like backs and receivers, but as a former lineman and line coach, Hibbs said he will make sure the positions affectionately known as "the trenches" are not forgotten.

"To me that's just as important as working the skills for receivers and running backs and defensive backs and linebackers," he said. "If kids don't know how to get into a proper stance, then it's not very easy to be an offensive lineman. If kids don't know how to get in a good stance on defense and fire off the ball, then they're at a disadvantage, so it's important for the line to get a good skills camp too."

Each camp participant will be allowed to choose his main position, but all will learn both offensive and defensive aspects.

Hibbs said many of the stretches and drills that will be utilized in Friday's camp come from various colleges the coaches played with as well as Central's own program. The camp will conclude with a passing challenge.

Several current and former players, including 2009 grads Keith and Kevin Couch, will be on hand to help as well.

Registration will be held prior to the camp beginning at 8 a.m. Cost is $20 per athlete. For more information, contact Hibbs at 339-2270.

'Dead period' a welcome time for athletes

2009-07-06T17:46:00.001-05:00

By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter nbrockman@the-messenger.com

Published: Saturday, July 4, 2009 12:22 AM CDT

The annual two-week summer "dead period" that prohibits high school athletes from participating in official practices may seem perturbing at first to coaches, but across Hopkins County many agreed it's a necessary part of the season's preparation.

Each year, students and coaches break for a two-week period in the summer to step away from their respective sports and relax before reconvening to tackle the arduous pre-season conditioning and preparation. This summer's respite began June 25 and continues through July 9.

Kent Akin, the Hopkins County Central girls cross country coach, said he wants his athletes to take it easy during the period.

"Basically I tell them to enjoy the time off, get away from everything about the sport and just enjoy being a kid," he said. "Our season is so long being four months of constant running, I just tell them to take some time off and get themselves mentally ready."

Storm basketball coach Matt Bell echoed Akin's words almost verbatim.

"Basically we just rest and relax and enjoy being a kid," Bell said. "It gives them time to be with family or hang out and do whatever it is they want to do to have a good time during the summer break."

At Madisonville-North Hopkins, soccer coach John Tichenor is making the transition from the boys program to the girls, but the message remains the same.

"I encourage them to go on vacations, do mission trips, go swimming, all the things they want to do because there's a short window there," Tichenor said. "They had a long school year. They need to do fun stuff to prevent burnout, but at the same time I want them to do some running, do some fitness."

Lady Maroons golf coach Sam Westfall said events like the Greater Owensboro Golf Series help his athletes stay tuned.

"I tell them just to work on their weaknesses," Westfall said. "I think that's the most important thing, especially in golf."

Football coach Will Weaver said he encourages the players to utilize their free memberships to Trover Sports Medicine.

"We talk to them about trying to get over there at least two or three times a week during the dead period just to maintain what we worked hard to build prior to the dead period," Weaver said.

The time off is also welcomed by the coaches, though.

While Weaver relaxed with his family in West Palm Beach, Fla., Bell said he has used the time to take his son to a basketball camp.

"It gives us an opportunity to sit down and really have some good, quality family time," Bell said.

As the Fourth of July weekend nears so does the end of the annual break from practice, and all teams will reconvene with renewed vigor and determination.

"We'll get right back in the gym with our summer hoops camp (July 13-16) and start having individual workouts in the evening," Bell said.

For the Lady Maroon soccer team, a timed two-mile run awaits.

While it lasts though, local student-athletes will be enjoying time away from the fields and courts.

"I always sell this period as a time to kind of get away from football a little bit and to come back fresh because we have a long season ahead of us," Weaver said. "Before you know it we'll be scrimmaging and our goal is to make a good run at the playoffs. I think you can burn your kids out if you don't have a time in the summer where you get away from football a little bit."

Sarles staying active for Demon Deacons

2009-07-03T09:35:00.001-05:00

By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter nbrockman@the-messenger.com

Published: Friday, July 3, 2009 12:22 AM CDT

Wake Forest University may not have a Division-I sanctioned swimming team, but that has not prevented 2006 Madisonville-North Hopkins graduate Shawn Sarles from continuing his endeavors in the pool for the Demon Deacons.

Sarles, a former Maroon swimmer, will return to school this fall as president of Wake Forest's swim club.

As president, Sarles, 21, coordinates practices, meets and recruits potential new members, but his greatest enjoyment comes from staying active.

"I'm just happy that I can still get in -- after maybe two weeks of swimming in a row -- and get around my high school times," he said. "I'm usually a second or two off my butterfly and backstroke times. That makes me feel kind of good to know I can still do that even though I don't practice as hard as I used to."

The team boasts 10-15 members and typically takes part in two fall semester meets and two spring meets. Members practice three times a week, usually on their own accord using an outlined booklet left at the pool.

The Wake squad receives funding from the school and competes against other Atlantic Coast Conference teams such as the University of North Carolina, Duke University, the University of Virginia and Georgia Institute of Technology.

"I think maybe two-thirds of them have teams, but they have club teams as well," Sarles said. "Georgia Tech, I know their club team is their "B" college team, so they always kill everybody because their kids actually swim practices with the college team. You just can't compete with that."

Sarles said matching up against teams like Georgia Tech gets him amped.

"I really like competition, I really like going to the meets," Sarles said. "It's good because it motivates me to stay in shape, to get in the pool because I have a meet coming up."

Although the atmosphere and training may be more lax at times than his high school days, Sarles said he enjoys his time in the pool and staying fit.

"I really like it because I want to be active, especially as I get older and I get busier with work and away from the gym," he said. "It's good to have and it's something I can do for a long time because it's not going to wear my joints down that much."

K.I.T. League up for grabs

2009-07-02T11:44:00.000-05:00

By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter, nbrockman@the-messenger.com

Published: Thursday, July 2, 2009 12:10 AM CDT

As the Tradewater Pirates struggle through a mid-season slide, many of the K.I.T. League's teams still find themselves in contention for this year's regular season crown.

Entering Wednesday's action, five of the league's six teams, including Tradewater, are within 3 1/2 games of the first-place Fulton Railroaders.

Nearing the season's mid-point, each team remains focused on winning the K.I.T., but several players around the league are putting together outstanding individual statistics.

Sikeston's Kody Campbell has assembled quite possibly the most mind-boggling stats. Campbell leads the league in hits (32) and RBIs (24) and ranks second (.337) in batting average to Marion Bobcat Rob Dyer (.353).

Still others have ran away with certain categories like Tradewater's Sean Flaherty for stolen bases. Thus far, Flaherty has swiped 18 bags, seven more than his closest competitor.

As a team, the Pirates have exhibited great speed on the base paths. Sean Mahley, Matt Presley and Cass Via also rank among the league's top five for stolen bases.

For Tradewater, Presley has exhibited his offensive balance ranking in the top 10 in six different offensive categories. Most notably, Presley leads the team with a .321 average.

Brock Green represents Tradewater's only other hitter to break the .300 mark at .301. Green and teammate Colby Price have clubbed a team-high three home runs on the year, three behind league-leader Tyler Choate of Owensboro.

Although Pirate infielder Austin Messerli has posted a mere .190 average, he leads the league in doubles. Of Messerli's 15 hits, eight are two-baggers.

On the mound, Bucs starting pitcher Dustin Williams places among the best pitchers. Williams leads all K.I.T. pitchers with 47 strikeouts and sits in a tie for second in both wins (3) and fewest hits allowed (9).

Four pitchers have secured four wins this season. Teammates Tim Dunn and Tyler Farley have both accomplished the feat for Fulton.

The most astounding statistic so far this season comes from a trio of pitchers. Union City hurlers Jon Ivie and Kevin Henry and Sikeston's Zach Secoy have each thrown a minimum of 15 innings and surrendered just one earned run. Ivie and Henry maintain a 0.42 ERA while Secoy comes in at 0.60. Ivie boasts a season-high six saves as well.

Pirate Ryan Tabor leads the Tradewater staff with a 1.86 ERA, yet ranks 12th in the league. Williams and Mahley are tied for 13th at 1.93.

League leaders were based on a minimum criteria of 60 plate appearances for hitters and 15 innings for pitchers.

Sharks' coaches get victory soak

2009-07-02T11:43:00.000-05:00

By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter, nbrockman@the-messenger.com

Published: Thursday, July 2, 2009 9:17 AM CDT

Before Wednesday evening's swim meet ended, Madisonville Sharks co-coach Mary Katherine Kington unloaded her phone and other items in her pockets anticipating the traditional postgame victory tossing of the coaches into the pool.

Madisonville created a large advantage early against visiting Western Hills Country Club and Kington sensed the coming plunge. When the final event ended, she kicked off her sandals and braced as four young swimmers raced toward her alongside the shallow end of the pool.

After her soaking, Kington had one word to describe her feelings during such a runaway meet.

"Anticipate," she said. "You have to put your cell phone down, put your keys down. You don't want anything in your pockets because it'll be ruined."

Soon after Kington's forced leap, the team targeted Shawn Sarles. Finally, announcer Keith Cartwright called for all coaches to be throw in and Joseph Porter became the last to be tossed.

The swimmers earned the honor to dunk their coaches with a 759-244 victory in a Country Club Conference meet. Twelve different individuals recorded at least one event win and for the Sharks.

Kendall Adkins, Olivia Devine, Jack Dodds, Ashton Gaines, Ches Hill, Linny Hooper and Libby Shockley each posted two individual victories to pace Madisonville.

Clay Cunningham, Jett Kik, Kael Knight, Kylee Knight and Morgan P'Pool rounded out the individual winners.

Kington said the team won all but two of its relays on the evening as well.

Porter, a sophomore swimmer at Transylvania University, said as the younger children progress he tries to incorporate concepts he has learned with the Pioneers.

"Practices are becoming more fun because we can actually do real sets and races and relays," he said. "It's more like stuff from college where I can bring in advanced things."

One of the team's veteran swimmers Kathryn Cartwright, a swimmer for Hopkins County Central, pulled double duty working as lifeguard and taking part in the meet.

"It is kind of extra," she said. "I am swimming and getting paid, so it's encouraging to swim."

Like Cartwright, Kington and the coaches took a dive despite being on the clock.

"They think when they win a home meet they have to push the coach in, which I don't really understand why," Kington said. "It's kind of fun for them. They feel like it's a reward for swimming well, so we don't mind. We always bring an extra change of clothes to make sure."

Still, Kington pondered why she has become the first target after victories.

"I don't know the answer - maybe because I'm the meanest," she said with a smile.

The Sharks return home at 5 p.m. Wednesday with plans of another soaking.

North names Sandidge head coach

2009-07-01T10:14:00.000-05:00

By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter nbrockman@the-messenger.com

Published: Wednesday, July 1, 2009 10:07 AM CDT

Three weeks after firing Madisonville-North Hopkins baseball coach Scott Vance, the Maroons athletic department announced its replacement in assistant Bobby Sandidge.

Sandidge, who served the past two seasons as a North assistant, earned the department's recommendation on Monday and will assume the duties of leading one of the school's most successful programs.

"I think we're going to pick up where we left off," Sandidge said. "I know I'm a young coach. I know some people may have their doubts because I am a young coach, but I'm very motivated. I'm a hard worker, and I look for the guys to expect nothing less."

Sandidge will fill the void left by Vance, who maintained a successful Maroon squad during his seven years as coach. Many of the program's supporters were upset when Vance was not retained on June 8.

"The main thing I want to address is I'm a team player, and I'm not here to say I'm the answer to anything," Sandidge said. "I'm here for the kids. I'm here to better these guys as young men. I'm here to win baseball games, and basically I think you can't go wrong if you make it about the kids."

Athletics Director Gale Travis told The Messenger in a release that an in-house hire like Sandidge proved ideal.

"He has worked closely with the program, the players, and the boosters, so his hiring should insure a smooth transition for all parties," Travis said.

Sandidge, a 1999 Hopkins County Central graduate, maintained an assistant role with the Storm baseball program from 2007-2008. Sandidge played shortstop for North for two years before moving to Central as part of the district's restructuring for three more seasons. During his junior and senior season, Sandidge was an all-state selection.

After high school, Sandidge earned all-conference honors at Brescia University his freshman year before ending his playing career. Once Sandidge stepped away as a player, he said it took him a few years to realize the desire to maintain an aspect of baseball in his life and decided to take up coaching.

Sandidge's promotion will mark his first head coaching job, but he said he's prepared after years of studying the game from individuals like his high school coach, Scott Marks, and alongside Vance and Lee James.

"(Vance) knows the game of baseball better than anybody I know around here anyway," Sandidge said. "He's a very intelligent person on the field, and I learned some things from him, but I'm also my own person ... I think every coach is different, and I've learned things from the three coaches I've been around, coach Marks probably the most."

This summer, Sandidge has been helping the American Legion Post 6 Madisonville Miners team as an assistant under Marks.

As for characteristics of a Sandidge-coached team, the newly hired skipper said he plans to blend the skills he has learned.

"I do like coach Vance's aggressive style of baseball, but I also believe you have to adapt your style to whatever kind of team you possess," he said. "Next year, we're going to have some young guys, we'll have some speed. I think smaller ball next year will be more of what you'll see.

"We're going to play as a team and win as a team. There's not going to be any individual efforts. We're going to win as one and lose as one."

Sandidge said assistant coach Sean Watts will continue with the program. Sandidge said he will be looking to fill positions for another assistant's job and head junior varsity coach.

Archers switch targets with fall hunting months away

2009-06-30T17:09:00.000-05:00

By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter nbrockman@the-messenger.com

Published: Tuesday, June 30, 2009 12:22 AM CDT

Nearly 100 youth bowfishermen took to the waters of Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley on Saturday afternoon with a dozen coming from Hopkins and Webster Counties.

Ninety-three children piled into 38 boats as part of the 2nd Annual Jarred Ashmore Memorial Bowfishing Tournament.

Local participants included Blake Beaver, Ashdyn Cardwell, Hunter Carlton, Summer Clark, Zack Clark, Kylie Daugherty, Madelyn Hackney, Dylan Honeycutt, Nolan Melton, Caleb Utley and Brady Wright.

Paul Carlton, father of 13-year-old Hunter Carlton, said the sport provides arching enthusiasts with an opportunity to stay sharp.

"Generally it's kind of like a second season for a person that's an archer," he said. "You bow hunt in the fall. Once January comes, bow season ends unless you're just an avid archer that shoots in competitions."

Hunter Carlton said despite the same basic principles there are some differences.

"In the winter, it's a little more complicated because you have to fix your sights and all that to hit the target," Hunter Carlton said. "When you're bowfishing, you don't have to set your sight. You don't really have a sight. You basically pick a spot and shoot."

Although bowfishers can practice any time of the day, Saturday's event began at 7 p.m. and went throughout the night. The participants used lights to help locate the fish.

Paul Carlton aided his son by spotlighting.

"You see a lot more fish at night," Paul Carlton said. "Fish are a lot more visible to you at night because of the lights. Certain species only come up closer to the top of the water at night.

"We have spotlights to illuminate the fish or halogen that are run off a generator that light the whole area in front of the boat."

Each tournament has different rules for determining winners. Hunter Carlton finished Saturday's action with two fish totaling 38 pounds.

Hunter Carlton said he caught a 26-pound bighead and a 12-pound gar.

Paul Carlton said the biggest fish caught of the tournament was 44 pounds and described exactly how the equipment operates.

"You have an arrow with a line attached to it and you have a special reel on your bow," he said. "It has a barb on the arrow and you shoot the fish and the arrow hopefully stays in the fish."

Hunter Carlton, who has been bowfishing for a year, said he usually looks "up by the dam and down river" when on the lake.

Bowfishers can practice on any body of water where law permits, Paul Carlton said.

Several calls by The Messenger to other local participants were not immediately returned.

Pirates get back on track with 5-4 win

2009-06-29T16:57:00.000-05:00

By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter, nbrockman@the-messenger.com

Published: Sunday, June 28, 2009 10:46 AM CDT

DAWSON SPRINGS -- When Tradewater Pirates batter Matt Presley connected with Fulton pitcher Cory White's delivery in the eighth inning, there wasn't a doubt the ball would pass the right field fence line.

For a team that had lost six of its last nine games entering Saturday's matchup, a victory was not so certain, though. Fortunately, Presley's two-run blast broke a tie ballgame and Tradewater (14-10) moved on to defeat Fulton (13-10) by a score of 5-4.

The contest featured three lead changes, one tie and some unconventional scoring as three of the game's runs came on balks, but it was Presley's blast that decided the outcome.

Closer Christian Stutts did not let the game end without testing the Pirate fans' nerves. Stutts retired the first two batters, then allowed one run on three consecutive hits before shutting the door with a strikeout.

Both teams entered the eighth tied at 3-3, and Fulton appeared ready to break the tie. Leadoff hitter Tyler Monkman singled then promptly stole second base. Pirate reliever Nolan Mullaney struck out the next hitter.

Then, the Tradewater defense took over. Railroader Brian Beavin hit a sharp grounder to Cass Via at third. Via looked Monkman back to second and threw to first for the out. Monkman broke for third as Via released the ball. First baseman Brock Green fired a return throw back to Via, who tagged Monkman out to end the inning.

Via led off the bottom half of the eighth with a single to right and advanced to second on an errant pickoff attempt. With one out and extra innings approaching, Presley smacked a no-doubt home run to right field.

Tradewater struck first with one run in the first inning. Sean Flaherty singled with one out and the next batter, Matt Presley, reached on an error. Then, Brock Green delivered an RBI single to plate Flaherty.

Neither team mounted much offense in the next few innings until Fulton manufactured a three-run sixth. After a leadoff single and back-to-back sacrifice bunts, the Railroaders primed themselves ready for a large offensive.

Alan Stoupa provided the first run on an RBI single. Then, two more runs scored on balks by Tradewater starting pitcher Zac Tidholm. Futlon's Philip Dean attempted to add to the lead by scoring on a single from second base. Sean Flaherty, Tradewater's left fielder, had different plans and gunned Dean down. Catcher Miguel Vasquez applied a wonderful tag to complete the play.

The Pirates cut the advantage in half in the bottom of the sixth and did so without collecting a hit. Flaherty reached with one out on a fielding error and advanced to second on a passed ball and onto third on a ground-out.

With two outs, Green hit a dribbler to the Fulton second baseman, who bobbled the ball. Green reached first safely as Flaherty crossed the plate.

Tradewater benefitted from a run-scoring balk in the seventh as Fulton did earlier to knot the game at 3-3.

Tidholm pitched six full innings before exiting. He surrendered three runs on seven hits and struck out six. Tidholm also walked three and committed two balks.

Mullaney tossed two innings of relief and faced seven batters. He struck out four and gave up one hit.

Fulton (14-10) 000 003 000 -- 4 11 4

Tradewater (13-10) 100 001 12X -- 5 7 1

WP: Nolan Mullaney

LP: Cory White

S: Christian Stutts

Former North duo selected as Transy captains

2009-06-29T16:50:00.000-05:00

By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter, nbrockman@the-messenger.com

Published: Sunday, June 28, 2009 12:24 AM CDT

Once co-captains at Madisonville-North Hopkins, swimmers Maggie Davenport and Daniel Porter will assume the title again at Transylvania University this season.

Both earned recognition as captains after the team voted for its leaders in April and were approved by the coaching staff.

For Davenport, the nomination came as a bit of surprise. During her first two years at college, Davenport played soccer before making the jump to swimming as a junior last year.

"It was really humbling, the fact that I was picked to be a captain after only a year on the team," she said. "That meant a lot to me that the coaches and the players would think of me that highly."

Porter said he has known Davenport since pre-school and happily takes credit for talking her into shifting her sports focus.

"I finally convinced her to switch over to swimming and I don't think she could be happier actually," Porter said. "Maggie and I have become a lot closer in college and swimming has intensified that."

Davenport agreed and said she made the right decision.

"It was a pretty big adjustment, but I don't regret the move at all," she said. "I'm pretty happy with the way things turned out, and I think it's a lot better for me this way."

Davenport and Porter represent just two of six former North swimmers now with Transylvania. Claire Dorris, Yunan Yang and Porter's younger twin brothers Joseph and Stephen are also on the squad.

Despite sibling rivarly, Daniel Porter said he believes his brothers were among those voting for him.

"I actually do surprisingly think they voted for me," he said.

Davenport said the familiarity among the former North swimmers breeds comfort and a knowledge of how to motivate each other, as well as other intangibles.

"It's keep us pretty entertained and we get a lot of the hometown gossip that way too," she said.

Daniel Porter, who works as a student orientation leader on campus, said he understands how to work with others and accept the responsibility of a leader.

"First and foremost, you have to have good relations with everyone on the team," he said. "You've got to be the one that steps up in practice and the weight room and just in social life in general because it's college."

Helping teammates maintain focus is a big role as well, Davenport said.

"Our season is the longest in all of the sports, it's just keeping the motivation up and keeping everyone dedicated throughout the season," she said.

Davenport said she plans to incorporate lessons she learned from her predecessors too.

"The previous captains were always really open and you were able to go to them with anything and that helped my transition quite a bit," Davenport said. "That's what I hope to do: to make sure they know they can come to me about anything."

Stocked with years of experience and sage words of advice, Davenport and Porter plan to lead the Pioneers to a successful swim season.

Disc golf tourney to bring players from several states

2009-06-27T23:17:00.000-05:00

y Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter nbrockman@the-messenger.com

Published: Friday, June 26, 2009 12:25 AM CDT

Popularity for disc golf has increased steadily in western Kentucky during the past few years and one local enthusiast will make Madisonville the sport's epicenter for at least one day this weekend.

HB Clark, who designed the course at Madisonville City Park, will host the 2nd Annual Ideal Market Madisonville Open on Saturday. Participants from around the region and at least four different states are expected.

"There's a lot of people in the Madisonville, Princeton, Hopkinsville area that have taken the game up in the last couple years and because of that we'll have a lot of recreational players," Clark said.

Saturday's competition will feature 12 divisions including pro, advanced, intermediate and recreational. The pros will compete for a cash purse while recreational players will battle for pro shop prizes.

The event is a part of the AT&T Disc Golf Series and a Professional Disc Golf Association sanctioned event.

Though the event will draw some of the area's best talent, one local golfer said he thinks he will be the champion.

"It's my home court and I'm not afraid of anybody that comes out there, whether they've traveled night and day for a period of months just to get here for this tournament," Matt Vaughn jokingly asserted. "They're walking onto my turf."

Vaughn, who will compete in the advanced division, said his personal best is five strokes under par, but the course record is eight below.

Locals like Vaughn will undoubtedly have an advantage with familiarity of the course and plan to take advantage.

The toughest section of the course comes on holes seven and eight where players must navigate around the park's lake.

"The lake gives everybody trouble on that course," Clark said. "It comes into play on a couple holes where you don't think it would and you have to throw over it and alongside it quite a bit on seven and eight. The locals that can play seven and eight well will have a great advantage."

Vaughn also acknowledged the water's impact on players.

"A lot of times they intimidate," Vaughn said of the lake's presence. "A lot of people will lay up. I practice it and practice it. I can throw over the lake and I skip the lay up, which gives me a stroke on that hole."

Vaughn admitted he has lost upward of 25-30 discs in the lake before he perfected his toss.

As of Thursday afternoon, Clark said 25 individuals pre-registered, but expects many to sign up Saturday.

"Most disc golfers are procrastinators, so they'll just come in (Saturday)," he said.

Registration is $20 and includes two rounds of tournament play, lunch and a disc. Spectators are encouraged and professionals will tee off at 8:30 a.m. and approximately 1 p.m.

A glow disc golf tournament will conclude the day's events. The glow competition will be a nine-hole, two-person scramble to start at 9 p.m. Registration for that event is $10 and includes a glow in the dark disc.

For more information, visit www.BluegrassDiscGolf.org/Madisonville or call tournament director HB Clark, 792-0672.

Weaver returning to Madisonville

2009-06-25T21:11:00.000-05:00

y Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter nbrockman@the-messenger.com

Published: Thursday, June 25, 2009 12:26 AM CDT

Will Weaver said several factors caused him to originally accept the head football position at Mercer County, but one reason to stay at Madisonville-North Hopkins was enough to make him restless and eventually return.

Less than 48 hours after accepting the Mercer job, Weaver announced his resignation Wednesday morning and intention to fulfill his commitment to see his first freshman class through to graduation.

"I couldn't hardly sleep (Tuesday night) just thinking about the promise that I had made to those freshman," Weaver said. "A lot of kids have put their trust in me and the community has always been there for me.

Upon his original hiring at North, Weaver made it clear he would not be a part of North's recent history of briefly tenured coaches.

"I had the freshmen raise their hands," Weaver said in the April 28, 2007 edition of The Messenger. "I told them I'd make one promise to them -- that I'll be the coach here when they graduate."

Weaver said he held a team meeting with the Mercer players Wednesday morning and shortly thereafter made the choice to resign.

"All I kept thinking is about the commitment I made to my kids and those (Mercer) guys weren't my kids," he said. "I went back and talked with my wife. We made a family decision that no matter what happens we're coming back here and finishing our commitment. We're happy in Madisonville and we're 100 percent sure about that decision."

After meeting with the Mercer squad, Weaver informed principal Terry Yates he planned to return to North.

"He met with the players this morning, and he came in and met with me" Yates told The Advocate-Messenger in Danville. "He felt it was in the best interest of him and his family.

"We're obviously disappointed. We felt like we had a good commitment from him, and things were going in the right direction."

News of the decision traveled fast to Hopkins County.

Maroons football booster club president Jamie Buchanan said Weaver called him with the latest Wednesday morning.

"I just know he is coming back and the only thing I can say is I'm glad to see the coach is coming back just to fulfill his commitment that he made to these boys two years ago," Buchanan said, "because the kids are the most important thing out there in that facility."

The process of Weaver's determination to come back began Tuesday evening when Weaver discussed the possibility with Hopkins County Schools superintendent James Lee Stevens.

"I actually called (Tuesday night) to see if that was an option because I thought about it all night," Weaver said. "When I found out (Wednesday morning) that was a viable option, then after the team meeting I had up there (Wednesday), I knew what I had to do."

Still several factors made the Mercer position difficult to turn down.

"I guess I was caught up in it was a significant pay raise," Weaver said. "They had an indoor practice facility. They just merged two high schools that both had good tradition. They won the state championship a couple years ago.

"There was a lot of appealing things and it being close to Lexington, and they offered my wife a job at the high school along with me. There were a lot of things that were pulling me toward that job."

Weaver said the booster club didn't offer him more money to return. He simply did not want to turn his back on the players he made a promise to two years ago.

"There wasn't any negotiations or anything that went on, period," Weaver said. "I missed my kids. I'm back to finish my commitment and just wanted to know if I would be welcomed back. Mr. Stevens gave me the OK and said he would accept me back with open arms."

North, Central heat up summer hoops

2009-06-24T21:00:00.000-05:00

By Nick Brockman, Messenger Staff Report nbrockman@the-messenger.com

Published: Wednesday, June 24, 2009 12:27 AM CDT

MORTONS GAP -- During the summer months, the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees take dominance as the most heated rivalry in sports. That didn't stop the boys basketball teams from Madisonville-North Hopkins and Hopkins County Central from tangling in a scrimmage Tuesday afternoon, though.

Central and North faced off in the first of several varsity and junior varsity scrimmages spanning Tuesday and today at Storm Gym. The Storm won the event's first contest against the Maroons, 65-62.

Several coaches from both teams donned t-shirts and shorts as they paced back and forth courtside, but that didn't mean the play on the floor was lax.

"It might be a casual atmosphere, but the kids are always going to compete," North coach Marty Cline said. "It's just a pride thing. They want to compete against their cross-town buddies."

North held an 18-17 advantage after the first quarter with eight points coming from Maroon junior Dylan Basham.

The game featured 20 lead changes and seven ties, but Central jumped ahead with 4:52 remaining and never let go. Storm guard Je'Vonte Hughes gave Central a five-point lead with a breakaway layup with 2:48 to play. It was the largest lead of the game for either team.

The Maroons trailed by one point with 34 seconds remaining, but Central held on for a homecourt win.

Both teams began a new era as North graduated seven seniors, including Mr. Basketball Jon Hood, and Central lost 6-9 big man Chuck Jones and the school's all-time assist leader Cory Coble.

"We're a guard-oriented team, there's no doubt about it," Central coach Matt Bell said of his lineup. "I really like way our two sophomores are stepping up in Jake Hopper, who got some minutes late last year, and Jaylen Baxter. Those guys make us better just because we shouldn't turn the ball over as much."

Hopper exhibited his range as well by knocking down a number of 3-point baskets.

Cline also discussed his team's new approach without Hood.

"Well, we can't say give it to Jon and get out of the way anymore, so we have to make some changes," he said. "We're going through some of that stuff obviously not just with his ability, but also his size and rebounding.

"Those are things we have to make up and we're trying to figure out how we're going to do that. That's what this stuff is for."

North's big man Basham took the scoring responsibility and finished with a game-high 19 points. Basham also recorded seven rebounds and sank two 3-point attempts.

Maroons Robert Hatchett (11) and Logan Waide (10) joined Basham in double figures.

Shaquille Jernigan impressed during the contest as well with a team-high 12 points for Central. Daniel Croft tallied a double-double with 10 points and 13 rebounds. Hughes and Riley each finished in double digits with 11 points.

North will play Warren Central at noon today, and Central will play the Dragons at 2 p.m. today.

North 18 13 12 19 -- 62

Central 17 15 12 21 -- 65

North: Dylan Basham 19, Robert Hatchett 11, Logan Waide 10, Daylan Jones 5, Seth Ashby 4, Denzel Johnson 4, Isiah White 3, Jaylyn Combs 2, William Ellis 2, Joe Kington 2.

Central: Shaquille Jernigan 12, Je'Vonte Hughes 11, Josh Riley 11, Daniel Croft 10, Jake Hopper 9, Jaylen Baxter 4, Jesse Almon 4, Blake Mitchell 3, Jordan Todd 1.

Mercer's Weaver admires Smith

2009-06-23T16:10:00.002-05:00

For the first time in four years and only second time in my life, I was interviewed for an article actually. Here it is.

By LARRY VAUGHT
larry@amnews.com

Mercer County football fans may notice a familiar look in some things that new coach Will Weaver tries to incorporate into his program.

"I modeled what we did at Madisonville(-North Hopkins) after what Chuck (Smith) did at Boyle County. After I got that job, I talked to him a long time about how he did things," said Weaver, who accepted the vacant Mercer job Monday. "He told me about overall program organization and things like that. I admire what he did and felt that was a great plan to use to model my program after.

"Your talent still has to dictate what you do on the field, but I have been a spread (offense) guy who likes throwing the football around."

Weaver was head coach at Madisonville for two years and went 5-5 and 7-4, the school's first consecutive non-losing seasons in 24 years.

"He is a real good guy. I am sorry to hear that he is leaving. He is a tough guy, but it seems like he gets the kids very organized," said Nick Brockman of The Messenger, Madisonville's daily newspaper.

"He is very popular here. He turned around the program. He was doing his job and had the talent to keep it going. I don't know anything about the program at Mercer, but he was doing well here."

Madisonville lost 19-0 to Henderson County last year after beating Henderson 38-21 in 2007. Henderson coach Clay Clevenger, a Danville native who also interviewed at Mercer, respects the job Weaver has done.

"He will do a good job because he did a good job at Madisonville. He's a good guy. He really had good skill kids coming back this year, too," Clevenger said.

That includes cornerback J.C. Wade, who already has several Division I scholarship offers.

Weaver's name was mentioned prominently with several other jobs this spring, including one at Harrison County.

"I heard his name tossed around with a few jobs this summer that he was applying for. I don't know how serious he was or how many he applied for. When I first heard today about Mercer, I thought it was just another rumor," Brockman said.

However, that rumor became reality late Monday afternoon when Weaver took the job and others who were interviewed were notified that Mercer had its successor to Marty Jaggers. They included Clevenger, Rowan County coach Shadon Brown, Mercer assistant coach Bill Mason, Scott County assistant coach Dave Thomas and former Harrodsburg all-state player Dennis Johnson.

Weaver won't have much time to meet his new players because the Kentucky High School Athletic Association-mandated dead period begins Thursday. That means he won't be able to have any contact with his players for two weeks.

"That's not ideal, but there is still time to get ready," Weaver said. "I am not going to come in and make excuses. If that means working 24-7 (24 hours a day, seven days a week), then that's what we will do to get things going."

Central program takes to the air

2009-06-23T16:09:00.000-05:00

By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter, nbrockman@the-messenger.com

Published: Tuesday, June 23, 2009 8:30 AM CDT

MORTONS GAP -- Starting Thursday, Hopkins County Central sports enthusiasts will have one more avenue to get a fix for their athletic news addiction thanks to the brainchild of football coach Zach Hibbs.

After one fitful night of sleep, Hibbs crafted the idea for a Central-themed television show and that dream will soon become a realization.

"It was actually something that I sat up in the middle of the night and said 'Wow, that would be a great idea,'" Hibbs said. "I've got people around me that have been able to help me out to make it possible.

"Our kids need an opportunity to get on there and see themselves on TV and have the events broadcast."

Hibbs, who will host the 30-minute show, said he has been keeping the project quiet as he assembled the necessary means to pull off the endeavor and also to keep the guest list manageable.

"I haven't told all of my coaches about it yet because they would be beating down the door 'Let me in! Let me do it!,' " Hibbs said.

Storm senior center Cody Summers will be among Hibbs' guests on the premiere show.

The show, which is filmed at Central's Storm Production Studios, may have a football coach at the helm, but Hibbs said he wants to encompass all Storm athletics.

"That way we can do it year round," he said. "I think it will be a good thing for us."

By conducting the television program, Hibbs said he aims to help the public learn more about Central athletics as a whole.

"I know a lot of the times with us being out here in the country, a lot of times people in Madisonville don't get to hear about events that we're going to have," he said. "It's not that they don't want to come, it's just that they don't know anything about it. It's a good media for us."

Helping Hibbs behind the scenes, boys basketball coach Matt Bell provides the technical support and production work.

"Coach Bell is very talented with the things he can do in the multi-media setting," Hibbs said.

Hibbs said he plans to add theme music and visual elements as he and Bell develop the program.

"We would like to have some clips, pictures," he said. "If we can get those things in, then yes I would love for that to happen, and I think that will probably be the case."

Storm Chasers will air Thursdays and Fridays at 7 p.m. and 9 a.m. Saturdays on Cable Channel 14. New episodes will run every two to three weeks.

Program yielding positive results

2009-06-23T16:08:00.000-05:00

By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter nbrockman@the-messenger.com

Published: Saturday, June 20, 2009 1:24 AM CDT

The Difference: it's not just the name of the program, but it's also the impact one YMCA training regimen has been making with some Hopkins County athletes.

Developed by former Madisonville-North Hopkins and Hopkins County Central assistant football coach Chad Cunningham, the program helps youths improve fitness through arduous conditioning.

Named "The Difference," the workouts are specifically designed for youth and young adults ages 7-18 and utilize scheduled testing to measure increased strength and agility.

"It's basically the total body," Cunningham said of the routine. "It's a version of the presidential physical fitness test."

Cunningham, now the strength and conditioning coach for the Lady Storm soccer team, designed the program for local youth athletes to train closer to home.

"I've seen beaucoups of talent go through Hopkins County and you always hear about Owensboro and this, that and the other," he said. "Those people have a place to go to and I felt like there's no reason why we don't have that.

"There's no reason that people should have to go to Owensboro to get this kind of training. It should be offered right here with the number of kids in sports."

Kelly Forbes, the Hopkins County Family YMCA sports and marketing director, said there are currently 17 athletes enrolled in the four-week sessions and individuals can sign up to come once, twice or three times a week.

The Difference began in March and many athletes have already seen positive results, Forbes said.

"Athletes are taught proper body weight exercises, running and agility form," she said. "The have developed cardio endurance, strength, stamina, speed, power, flexibility, coordination and power from performing constantly varied functional movement exercises."

After four weeks, participants can continue to enroll in the program as they wish.

"It's something that you're going to keep getting better and seeing improvements at," Cunningham said. "Even if somebody comes and does it for eight weeks, that doesn't mean they can't keep going."

Cunningham said the participation is nearly even between boys and girls and he is even working a team camp with the Central dance squad.

"Somebody like the dance team you wouldn't think would enjoy this kind of stuff or it would help, but it helps on balance and it helps on speed," he said.

In addition to dance team members, Forbes said athletes participating in volleyball, basketball, softball, baseball, football and golf have enrolled with The Difference.

Former Central football coach Rick Snodgrass joins Cunningham as an instructor for the course.

Cunningham said he asked Snodgrass to help because of his reputation in the community and knowledge for exercise physiology.

"As far as the high school level, 25 years as a coach, he knows what he's doing," Cunningham said. "I felt he would be a good fit and he's good with the kids."

With summer in full swing, all high-school athletes are in an official down time, but that hasn't stopped the most determined from trying to make a "difference" for next season with one of the YMCA's latest offerings.

Sharks use balance, beat Hopkinsville

2009-06-19T08:27:00.000-05:00

By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter nbrockman@the-messenger.com

Published: Friday, June 19, 2009 12:22 AM CDT

Four different swimmers won each of their five individual events on Thursday evening as the Madisonville Sharks captured a dual meet victory against Hopkinsville Golf and Country Club in South Central Conference action.

Kailyn Brown, Michelle Roy and brothers Jack and Drew Dodds each claimed wins in their respective age divisions for backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly, freestyle and individual medley as Madisonville won 336-257.

Brown and Roy also competed alongside Hannah Kik and Linny Hooper in the 14-and-under division to win the 200-yard medley relay.

Madisonville snagged four relay victories one week after not claiming a single one in the squad's first home meet of the season.

"We have a 10-and-under boys relay that has a really good chance at doing well at championships if they all swim like they're supposed to," co-coach Mary Katherine Kington said.

Drew Dodds helped that group win Thursday with much assistance from Andrew Gaines, Cameron Hunt and Jett Kik.

Kington said the relays have been an area of focus as the Sharks prepare for each successive meet.

"We worked on relay transitions in practice, trying to get them off the wall as soon as the other person's fingers touch," she said. "Hopefully that helped (Thursday night)."

For the youngest swimmers, the first meets of the season mean learning the basics, Kington said.

"The early meets we just try to make sure everybody is doing their strokes properly so when we get to championships they don't get disqualified," she said. "We want everybody to learn how to race so when they finish at the wall they're competing with the person in the lane next to them and not just floating into the wall."

Olivia Devine represented one of Madisonville's sharpest young swimmers, taking first in the 25-yard back and free in the girls 6-and-under group. Emory Fazenbaker finished second in the 8-and-under individual medley.

The success has come quickly for some Shark swimmers.

"A lot of kids came in and didn't know any strokes, no technique, no fundamentals," Kington said. "Now, they have sound technique and know basically what they're supposed to do."

Kington, a 2009 Madisonville-North Hopkins graduate and former Lady Maroon swimmer, exhibited why the younger Sharks should follow her example when she took part on the first-place girls open 200-yard free relay. Hopkins County Central swimmers Kathryn Cartwright, Ellen Cox and Rebecca Spraggs joined Kington on the winning relay.

Co-coaches and North grads Joseph Porter and Shawn Sarles also earned a win as part of the open boys relay with Central teammates Kain Bean and Zach Yonts.

Several Pirates off to a hot start

2009-06-18T13:04:00.002-05:00

By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter nbrockman@the-messenger.com

Published: Thursday, June 18, 2009 12:25 AM CDT

As the Tradewater Pirates sit atop the K.I.T. League standings, many of the team's players boast among the best individual statistics for offensive and pitching categories.

Starting pitcher Dustin Williams ranks highest among Pirate players placing No. 1 in five separate categories while shortstop Colby Price paces the team offensively with three first-place honors.

Williams owns top billing in starts (3), wins (3), losses (0), fewest hits (5) and strikeouts (32). He also ranks second in innings pitched (22 2/3) and fourth for ERA (1.19).

Through Tuesday's action, Owensboro Oiler Mitch Kellum had not allowed an earned run in 15 innings pitched.

Meanwhile, Union City's Jon Ivie and Fulton's Matthew Harris have each recorded three saves to pace the K.I.T. Pirate reliever Christian Stutts trails closely behind with two.

Tradewater starter Ryan Tabor also ranks among the league's best for fewest walks. Tabor has allowed just four free passes in 16 innings while striking out 22.

At the plate, Colby Price has carried his hot bat from Oral Roberts University (Okla.) to Riverside Park and beyond. Price boasts the league's best slugging percentage (.704), most RBIs (13) and is tied for the home run lead with Tyler Choate at three. All three of Price's home runs came during a pivotal doubleheader sweep Sunday at Sikeston.

Like Williams, Fulton Railroader Philip Dean dominates the offensive categories, leading in average (.405), on-base percentage (.569), hits (17) and runs (18). Dean also ranks second in stolen bases with six.

Dean shares the lead for hits, however, with Pirates outfielder Matt Presley, who also places second in average (.362).

Jordan Hughes' league-leading 14 walks have helped him to a .500 on-base percentage despite hitting just .174 thus far.

Beau Faulk rounds out the final Pirate league leader. Faulk represents the only player in the league to play in all 14 contests.

Other Tradewater Pirates ranking among the league's best include Austin Messerli with four doubles (second) and Cass Via and Sean Flaherty each have five stolen bases, good for third.

Finally, Benton Yaun has struck out just three times in 31 plate appearances.

Pirates struggle in loss to Owensboro

2009-06-18T13:04:00.001-05:00

By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter nbrockman@the-messenger.com

Published: Thursday, June 18, 2009 12:25 AM CDT

DAWSON SPRINGS -- Another rain out might have been the best outcome for the Tradewater Pirates on Wednesday evening at Riverside Park.

After back-to-back postponements, Tradewater and the Owensboro Oilers faced off for a doubleheader, but the Pirates appeared sluggish and rusty after experiencing a couple days away from the field.

Owensboro led 5-0 in the first game as both squads entered a one-hour rain delay. When play resumed the Oilers (8-6) continued to hold onto their advantage and eventually defeated the Pirates (10-5) by a score of 10-1.

Tradewater starting pitcher Luke Rogers surrendered five runs in just two-plus innings of work. Owensboro began the night on the fast track to victory with four runs in the first inning.

Reliever Wes Clingman entered in the third to take over for Rogers and tossed a scoreless third.

Tradewater failed to get on the board once again in the third.

The Oilers touched Clingman for a run on a sacrifice fly in the top of the fourth, and then the lightning and rain took control. At 6:12 p.m., play was halted for one hour.

When the contest resumed, Owensboro added one more run in the fourth on a throwing error to take a commanding 7-0 advantage.

After 2 1/3 innings of work, James Rechenbach relieved Clingman.

Finally, in the fifth, Tradewater ended Owensboro starter Mitch Kellum's shutout bid. The Pirates loaded the bases with a single and two walks. With one out, designated hitter Matt Presley hit a sacrifice fly to score Sean Mahley. Tradewater could not muster another run from the threat, though.

The run ended Kellum's league-leading 19 consecutive-innings streak without allowing an earned run.

Rechenbach surrendered three more runs in the seventh on a two-run triple and RBI ground-out.

Offensively, Mahley, Sean Flaherty, Beau Faulk, Lanc Crochet and Benton Yaun each collected a hit for the Pirates. For Owensboro, former Tradewater plater Mike Finigan finished 3-for-4. Oiler center fielder Cody Pack also went 3-for-4 and added 4 RBIs as Owensboro tallied 15 total hits.

Tradewater and Owensboro continued play during the sixth and seventh innings despite lightning and thunder. As the teams prepared to start the second game, the lightning intensified and moderate, steady rain began to fall. Tradewater tarped the mound and and batter's box.

The second contest was scheduled to start at 9:05 p.m., but umpires decided to officially postpone the game shortly after 9:10 p.m. as lightning and light rain persisted.

The game one loss dropped the Pirates' first-place lead over Owensboro to just 1 1/2 games.

Tradewater returns to action 7 p.m. today at Union City.

Owensboro (8-6) 410 200 3 -- 10 15 3

Tradewater (10-5) 000 010 0-- 1 5 2

WP: Mitch Kellum (2-0)

LP: Luke Rogers (0-2)

Mashburn to continue career at Centre College

2009-06-17T13:11:00.001-05:00

By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter nbrockman@the-messenger.com

Published: Wednesday, June 17, 2009 12:25 AM CDT

If Lauren Mashburn thought she grew up on a golf course, the 2009 Madisonville-North Hopkins graduate will be spending even more time on the links in preparation for the collegiate season after signing a letter of intent to play at Centre College.

Mashburn, a co-captain for the Lady Maroon golf team, announced she will continue her career at Centre last week. The step seems to be one of a progression in the career of a golfer who took to the sport from a young age.

"My family has always lived on the golf course, so I rode around with dad with my little two-foot tall golf clubs for quite a while, since probably I learned how to walk," Mashburn said.

As a child, Mashburn began to learn the basics of golf at Lakeshore Country Club and beginning her seventh grade year, she played competitively for North at the same course.

North coach Sam Westfall said there are multiple characteristics that helped Mashburn establish herself as a collegiate prospect.

"Two things, I think she worked real hard when she was in high school and I think she's just a real, real good student," he said. "She worked hard like the way she did around the golf course."

Mashburn said it's nice to continue her career especially at such a prestigious school.

"It means more that I'm getting to play at Centre because they focus more on academics and arts," she said.

In addition to its reputation for academic success, Centre ranks in Golf World Magazine's top 20 in Division III according to a release from the school.

Still, Centre coach Brian Chafin said he believes Mashburn can work her way into the lineup as a freshman.

"I expect Lauren to compete for a top five spot next year as a first-year student at Centre," he said. "She has the ability to play at our level if she dedicates herself to working on her game."

Mashburn said she recently played a round with Centre assistant Tom Campbell and the pair discussed the areas she must focus on as the summer progresses.

"The stipulations were I needed to work on my short game and work on getting up and down around the green," Mashburn said. "If I did that, then my scores would drop tremendously and I wouldn't have to worry about my spot. But as of right now, with my scores as they are, I think me and another girl are still competing for the fifth and sixth spots."

As with any sport, one of the best ways to improve is through constant repetition and practice.

"My short game has never really been up to par, so I've been spending hours and hours on the driving range hitting buckets and buckets of range balls," Mashburn said.

Besides hitting the range, Mashburn said she also plans to participate in the Greater Owensboro Golf Series and play events in Evansville and the Pepsi Tour this summer. She also qualified for the Kentucky Girls Junior Amateur at Bardstown Country Club on July 8-9.

No matter the result of her tournaments this summer, Mashburn said she's confident an environment like Centre's will help her excel.

"I think actually moving to a place where there are a lot players that are significantly better than me, and instead of me looking for my competition at tournaments, I can look at my competition everyday," she said. "Because I'm such a competitive player, I think it will help me improve faster."

Summer a time to hone skills

2009-06-16T14:38:00.000-05:00

By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Writer

Published: Tuesday, June 16, 2009 12:23 AM CDT

The gyms might be empty and ball fields overgrown these days at Hopkins County schools, but summer provides the opportunity for high school athletes of nearly all sports to improve and stay active.

From swimming to baseball, basketball to football and beyond, summer's free time allows local athletes to hone the skills fans look forward to watching during the fall, winter and spring.

The warm weather, increased daylight and leisure time lends itself to natural summer sports like golf and baseball. Madisonville-North Hopkins golfer Patrick Hibbs has utilized his opportunity to play in the Kentucky State Amateur Golf Tournament at Champion Trace Golf Club in Nicholasville.

Fellow golfer Taylor Howerton of Hopkins County Central has participated in the Greater Owensboro Golf Series while older sister Ashleigh Howerton has played in the Junior Masters and plans to take part in many other tournaments this summer.

Each of the golfers can only hope practicing in the heat will give them the experience to make a deep postseason run this fall at the state tournament.

As for baseball, several North and Central players have been working their craft at Elmer Kelley Stadium for the American Legion Post 6 Madisonville Miners. Maroons like Hayden Marks, Michael Huddleston and Dalton Liking have been ripping the cover off the ball in addition to graduates Ben Campbell, Micah Rainwater and Drew Bennett.

Tyler Harris and graduate Clayton Solise have been doing a solid job representing the Storm as well.

Central and North's football teams are heading toward running at full steam with both experiencing great success at 7-on-7 passing camps in the Louisville area. With eight weeks left until opening kickoff, both squads have lots of positions to fill and questions to answer.

Even if a player chooses not to get involved with a team activity, athletes of many sports have plenty of opportunity to enhance their knowledge through camps. Softball, basketball, soccer and dance are among just a few scheduled in the coming weeks in Madisonville.

Memorial Day's passing also signaled the start to swim season. Last week, the Madisonville Golf and Country Club captured its first home meet of the year, downing Russellville Country Club. North graduates Mary Katherine Kington, Joseph Porter and Shawn Sarles lead a young and eager bunch and provide plenty of combined swimming experience as they coach the Sharks.

In addition to educational camps, basketball players hoping to advance to the next level like Storm big-man Daniel Croft will attend sessions in attempts of gaining attention and name recognition.

Not to be left out, local runners will use the cool mornings and evenings and participate in events like 5Ks to build up endurance for the approaching high school season.

Classes are out, but for student-athletes, learning continues during the summer. The focus just changes to the latter half of the equation.

Sharks win first home meet

2009-06-12T19:38:00.000-05:00

By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter nbrockman@the-messenger.com

Published: Friday, June 12, 2009 12:21 AM CDT

Lightning and rain prevented the Madisonville Sharks from completing their first home swim meet, but not from capturing a South Central Conference win.

Madisonville hosted Russellville Country Club at the Madisonville Golf and Country Club on Thursday and the teams finished 55 of 73 scheduled events before lightning forced officials to end the meet at approximately 6:30 p.m. Through 55 events, Madisonville held a 216-148 advantage.

If the rain wasn't enough to send them racing, Madisonville's trio of first-year coaches had plenty to follow in the water.

"We run circles around the pool during the meets," co-coach Mary Katherine Kington said. "(We're) just making sure that the kids are having fun and learning new things so they are constantly improving at each meet."

Madisonville racked up 19 individual first-place finishes. Emory Fazenbaker recorded the most individual wins with three in the 25-yard butterfly, 25 back stroke and 100 individual medley, all in the 8-and-under age group.

Clay Cunningham, Drew Dodds, Bob Kik, Morgan P'Pool, Michelle Roy and Rebecca Spraggs each tallied two victories. Kendall Adkins, Olivia Devine, Jett Kik, Libby Shockley and Zach Yonts produced a win a piece as well.

During the 100 individual medley, Yonts, who will be a sophomore at Madisonville-North Hopkins in the fall, swam neck-and-neck with a Russellville swimmer until the Maroon broke away in the final 25 yards.

In addition to his victory in the 100 IM, Yonts, 15, finished second in the 50 back and 50 breast stroke, losing narrowly in each event.

Yonts, who has been swimming for just two years, said it's tough to swim against more experienced opponents, but he has still developed some concrete goals for the summer.

"Just to improve all around, mostly improving on my breast stroke because it's not very good," he said. "It's always a challenge to get up there and beat them."

Kington said with a blend of new and seasoned swimmers come different bench marks.

"We have different practices for different age groups, but we try to accomplish goals with each different group of kids," she said. "Individually, we try to teach the little kids and make sure they know all four strokes and they are able to do them legally and properly, so they don't get disqualified."

Madisonville will next swim 5 p.m. Monday in a home meet.

Tippett wins U.S. Collegiate Bass Championship

2009-06-11T15:50:00.001-05:00

By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter nbrockman@the-messenger.com

Published: Thursday, June 11, 2009 12:25 AM CDT

Hanson resident Kalem Tippett wasn't in familiar water when he traveled to Lake Lewisville, Texas, but that didn't stop the angler from uncovering the secret to capturing the U.S. Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship May 28-29.

Tippett, 20, and his partner Vincent Campisano, who represented Murray State University, simply did as they would on their own turf by practicing some ledge fishing.

"That's all Kentucky Lake is pretty much," Tippett said. "We went down there looking for a ledge to fish, something like we fish here at home and ended up finding a ledge, so it was pretty much like fishing home water. It was just a point of finding where they were out."

The tactic paid dividends and the duo led all 111 competing teams after day one with five fish weighing 21.66 pounds.

Tippett, who just finished his sophomore year, said he didn't know if the lead would stick as many favored a team from the University of North Texas on its home territory.

Tippett's success continued during the tournament's second day, though the strategy did change.

"The first day, we threw crankbait pretty much all day and just lured them out," he said. "The second day, they turned off on it and we ended up having to drag Paca Craws."

Tippett admitted he wasn't quite sure what caused the different movements in the bass.

"The weather was pretty much the same both days, but the shad on the second day moved deep," he said. "(The) bass just kind of hunkered in and weren't feeding the second day like they were the first, so it took a little more time to bite."

Although it was Tippett's first time fishing a tournament with Campisano, he said the teamwork proved vital to their success.

"Most of the time you can throw different baits and give two different presentations until you figure out what's going to work," Tippett said. "That was a big part of it our second day.

"We pulled back up on our ledge where our fish were. The guy on the back of the boat kept throwing the crank bait for a little while and I started dragging the Paca Craw, and once I got a bite on it, we both swapped to the Pacas. He ended up catching two more after that."

The team caught five fish for 14.5 pounds on the second day for a 36.16-pound total and held off North Texas by eight-tenths of a pound.

"We barely squeaked them out," Tippett said. "We only found one spot really that held good fish."

During the days leading up to the tournament, Tippett said he and Campisano pre-fished and searched for ledges.

"We found a spot that was kind of at the end of a spawning flat and we just dropped off and had some real good stuff on the ledge," Tippett said. "We looked for two days for ledges and we only found one that held enough fish to last for two days."

Tippett said he will also be competing this summer at the Under Armour College Bass National Championship July 9-12 on the Arkansas River.

Klinker adjusting to life in Reds' system

2009-06-11T15:48:00.000-05:00

By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter nbrockman@the-messenger.com

Published: Thursday, June 11, 2009 12:25 AM CDT

Years removed from his playing days at Elmer Kelley Stadium, former Madisonville resident Matt Klinker continues to toil as part of the Cincinnati Reds minor league organization.

Klinker played baseball for Madisonville-North Hopkins his eighth grade and freshman year before moving to West Chester, Ohio, about 15 miles north of Cincinnati. After completing high school in 2003, Klinker attended college at Furman University (S.C.) and was picked up in the 15th round of the 2007 First-Year Player Draft by the Reds.

Two years later, Klinker, 24, has progressed to Cincinnati's Class A Advanced squad, the Sarasota Reds (Fla.). Klinker, listed at 6-5, 220 pounds, has been used as a reliever and starter in the minors, but expects to make his mark in a starting role.

"I'd say just a smart pitcher that knows how to change speeds and locate his fastball," he said of his approach. "I can run it up there to 94, but I'm on my best when I pitch about 89-92 and just change speeds with my change-up and curveball."

Klinker, a right-handed pitcher, said he likes to emulate power righties like Curt Schilling, Roger Clemens or Kevin Brown, but also admires the craftiness of Greg Maddux.

Last season, Klinker got a chance to prove his stuff against two-time All Star Dontrelle Willis, who was making a rehab start for the Lakeland Flying Tigers. For Klinker, it was his first start after being promoted from the Dayton Dragons (Ohio).

"I was like 'Wow, this guy has won a World Series and has been up in the bigs, has a multi-million dollar contract,'" Klinker said.

Klinker tuned it up and overcame any possible nerves. He tossed 62/3 shutout innings and struck out five and Sarasota eventually earned a 1-0 victory.

Although Klinker undoubtedly welcomed the promotion, leaving Dayton meant moving away from family and one of the best minor league atmospheres in the country. Dayton's Fifth Third Field averages nearly 8,500 fans per game.

"That was an awesome experience being so close to home," Klinker said. "I would have 20-25 family members and friends to every one of my starts. They just pack it out. It's one of the top 10 attendance for all Minor League Baseball."

After making six starts for Sarasota this season, Klinker strained his super splenius in his shoulder and underwent a cortisone shot to reduce inflammation.

On Sunday, Klinker threw two innings in an extended spring training game to catcher and fellow Cincinnatian Tyler Stovall.

"It's good to have local guys and we talk about the area of Cincinnati," Klinker said.

Klinker called himself a "pseudo hometown kid" and has used his connection for various opportunities like blogging for the Web site redlegnation.com about the lifestyle of a minor league ballplayer.

Still, Klinker thinks about his adjustment to a busier life and what he left behind in Hopkins County.

"It was definitely a little bit of culture shock when I went (to Cincinnati) for the first time, but I got used to it quick," he said. "I definitely miss the small-town feel of Madisonville when I moved."

Klinker said he hopes to return to Sarasota's lineup in the next week or two.

Vance out as North baseball coach

2009-06-09T16:23:00.001-05:00

By: Nick Brockman, The Messenger/nbrockman@the-messenger.com 824-3241

Published: Tuesday, June 9, 2009 4:21 PM CDT

Hopkins County Schools superintendent James Lee Stevens acknowledged Tuesday afternoon that Madisonville-North Hopkins baseball coach Scott Vance will not be retained for next season.

Vance, who guided the Maroon program for seven seasons, directed the team to a 25-10 record in 2009.

Stevens said he talked with Vance on Friday and “sent him the letter on Monday.”

“(Vance) was relieved of his duties as baseball coach at the end of the season,” Stevens said. “He will continue as a teacher in the Hopkins County School system.

“Coaches are employed on a year-to-year basis and after he completed the season, and the number of graduates we had in the baseball program, the administration members of North-Hopkins felt like we needed to go in a new direction and start a rebuilding program.”

During Vance’s tenure, he accumulated a record of 164-83 (.664) and recorded seven 7th District Tournament Championships.

Stevens said it was off-the-field issues that led to relieving Vance, though.

“His success rate has been very successful,” Stevens said. “His baseball knowledge has been very good. It’s just a failure of communications following directions of the KHSAA and school board procedures.”

After listening to the North administration, Stevens made the ultimate ruling.

“That’s not a board decision, it’s a personnel action, which is taken by the superintendent,” he said. “Basically, there had been discussion since the beginning of the baseball season with the school administration of Madisonville-North and basically, based upon the recommendation of the information that was provided to me by those people, I made the decision.”

Vance declined to comment, but did offer he would discuss the “entire and whole story after speaking with some legal representation.”

Miners off to a fast start in '09

2009-06-09T13:03:00.001-05:00

By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter, nbrockman@the-messenger.com

Published: Tuesday, June 9, 2009 12:24 AM CDT

If the Madisonville Miners' opening weekend is any indication of how the rest of the season shall go, then local baseball fans will have plenty of high-powered action to witness this summer.

The American Legion Post 6 Miners junior and senior squads swept their competition this weekend. The juniors traveled to the Bullitt East Tournament where they captured the championship while the elder team took both games in a doubleheader against Metcalfe County at Elmer Kelley Stadium.

Miners manager Scott Marks joined the junior team at Bullitt East and witnessed many positive aspects.

"My favorite part about the junior team was the way we attacked the ball at the plate," he said. "We were patiently aggressive and did a good job at the plate.

Madisonville-North Hopkins' Hayden Marks started for the Miners juniors and led the squad to a five-inning, 10-0 victory Friday night. Marks tossed four innings, struck out seven and did not allow a hit.

Fellow Maroons Michael Huddleston and Dalton Lykins each recorded two hits. Huddleston added four stolen bases and Hopkinsville's Clayton Smithson finished 3-for-4 with two doubles and three RBIs.

The offense continued on Saturday with a 14-2 victory against Anderson, Ind. and a 10-0 win against host Bullitt East.

Josh Drake and Kyle Smithson, both from Hopkinsville, secured the pitching wins.

Offensively, Lykins totaled 5-for-7 with five RBIs on the day while Hopkins County Central's Tyler Harris went 3-for-6 with four RBIs.

The junior team entered Sunday's action as the No. 1 seed in the elimination bracket. Madisonville defeated Bullitt East 12-9 to advance to the championship contest.

Kyle Smithson earned the pitching win as the Miners went the full seven innings for the only time all weekend. Drake collected two hits including a solo home run. Huddleston tacked on two more stolen bases to his weekend total and Lykins added two more RBIs.

Madisonville fell behind 5-0 to Owen County Post 39 after three innings in the championship, but scored 15 unanswered to capture the title.

Marks said it was the single most impressive part of the weekend.

"We were down 5-0 and it looked kind of bleak - it didn't bother the kids at all," he said. "They didn't play the score, they played the game."

Harris, Huddleston, Lykins and both Smithsons finished with at least two hits.

Looking back at the juniors' weekend, Marks said Lykins' performance stood out among the best.

"He caught all weekend for us and the juniors did a great job," he said. "The more tired he got, the better he played. He's definitely a competitor. He would be my MVP for the weekend being able to play all those games and catch."

Meanwhile, the elder Miners squad swept Metcalfe County 8-1 and 15-4 on Saturday.

Western Kentucky University pitcher Tyler Gilliland threw six innings and struck out six to earn the first win. University of New Orleans pitcher Jarred Marks threw one inning of no-hit relief.

Pitching continued to be the senior team's theme in the second game as 2009 Madisonville-North Hopkins graduate Ben Campbell struck out eight in five innings and surrendered just one earned run.

Campbell's former catcher Drew Bennett, now of Vincennes University (Ind.), paced the Miners with a three-hit, two RBI performance. Micah Rainwater, also a 2009 North grad, knocked in two on two hits and Gilliland added a two-run home run.

The Madisonville junior team returns to action at 4:30 p.m. today to play host to Bowling Green in a doubleheader, while the seniors do not play again until 5:30 p.m. at the Western Kentucky Dirtbags.

Terry holds off Gaston at wire in Pennyrile Soap Box Derby

2009-06-08T12:38:00.000-05:00

By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter nbrockman@the-messenger.com

Published: Sunday, June 7, 2009 12:18 PM CDT

It took 31 heats and more than four hours of racing, but in the end just .038 seconds separated Saturday afternoon's winning driver from the next competitor in the inaugural Pennyrille Soap Box Derby.

Ten-year-old Blair Terry defeated Claude Gaston by the slimmest of margins as 13 stock division drivers battled during competition held on Main Street between Fifth Third Bank and the former Bartholomews Restaurant.

Gaston did not lose a single race in the double-elimination event until he met Terry in the finals. Terry advanced to the championship from the competitor's bracket. Thus, Terry faced an arduous task: defeat Gaston twice. That, he did.

Gaston won "Phase B" of both heats with Terry taking the "Phase A" races. Terry captured the first heat by .136 seconds and edged Gaston once again in the second for the victory.

Terry said he knew his competition was tough and it took him some time after the race to understand he had won despite crossing second.

"I thought Claude was going to win, but when I came across the finish line, I won," Terry said.

The victory marks the first for Terry, who has a collection of seven top 10-finishes during his three-year racing career.

Terry's grandfather, Bill Farrell, worked many months as president of the Pennyrile Soap Box Derby Association to host the event and he openly displayed the joy he felt for his grandson.

"He's never taken first place before, so this is special," Farrell said with a tear in his eye.

With the win, Terry will join his older brother, Alex Terry, to compete in the World Championships on July 25 in Akron, Ohio. Alex Terry, 12, will compete in the rally race division.

Alex Terry said his brother appeared to focus more after falling into the competitor's bracket.

"I think he probably figured out what was at stake and he could go to Akron," Alex Terry said.

Brien Terry, father of Alex and Blair, said he agreed.

"After he lost, he seemed to start focusing," Brien Terry said. "It was a hard battle. There were a lot of good cars out there."

Although two boys raced for the event's top prize, girls occupied the third through sixth places in Carleigh Troutman, Morgan Eubanks, Mallory Howard and Miranda Kuehne.

"The girls are better racers than the boys and the reason for this is a little girl is more flexible," Farrell said. "She can get down lower in the car."

The girls nearly swept the post race awards as well. Troutman claimed Best Design for her Hopkins County Sheriff-sponsored car. Howard won Best Pit Crew for bringing an enthused cheering section and Kuehne captured Best Sportsmanship.

Joseph Clemmons earned the Best All-American award for his dedication.

After the race, each participant also received a plaque and the top four finishers sported trophies that rivaled the children's own height.

With the inaugural race completed, plans have already begun to expand next year's event.

"This is a good community and it deserves to have something like this," Farrell said. "I'm tickled pink to have this happen (Saturday). We know where our kinks are, our bumps, and next year it's going to be bigger. Our numbers will double next year."

Farrell said he plans to increase the field to include a super stock division to allow older children to race.

13 drivers to compete in today's Derby race

2009-06-06T16:10:00.000-05:00

By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter nbrockman@the-messenger.com

Published: Saturday, June 6, 2009 1:23 AM CDT

Beginning at 9 a.m. today, Madisonville's main drag will be a race drag for 13 soap box drivers hoping to capture first place in the city's first-ever All-American Soap Box Derby race.

After several months of preparation and waiting, the drivers will compete on Main Street between Fifth Third Bank and the former Bartholomews Restaurant. The race will be hosted by the Pennyrile Soap Box Derby Association.

Although numbers may be lower than the association originally expected, interest has grown considerably as the word has spread.

"I really think that this is something that Madisonville and Hopkins County is going to be able to wrap their arms around and take off like a rocket with," vice president Brien Terry said. "It's not only a sport, but there's a big factor that comes into play. It's a chance for a kid and an adult to spend some quality time together."

Today's race will be a double-elimination event. Each driver must lose two heats to be eliminated from competition. During a heat, two drivers will race and then swap lanes to ensure fairness. The day's ultimate winner will advance to the World Championship race to be held July 25 in Akron, Ohio.

Terry, who has helped two of his children race, said he has seen quite an array of strategies to winning.

"Everybody has a different philosophy," he said. "You kind of have to watch and listen and see who's winning to figure out who might have a better edge."

As veterans and organizers, Terry and Pennyrile Soap Box president Bill Farrell have been the go-to individuals for advice in this year's race.

"We do have a little more knowledge than most people here just because we've gone out and done a little bit more," Terry said. "We've been sharing everything that we know because we want everyone to have an equal shot at it."

Since Monday, Terry has been inspecting cars at the event's impound at West Broadway Elementary to ensure safety and regulations.

"It kind of feels like I've moved into West Broadway school," he said. "It's been about 9:30 every night before I've left. I'm looking to put a cot over there I think."

Drivers will meet at 7:15 a.m. today at the school and load cars onto two trailers that will carry them to the pit area at Fifth Third Bank. Starting at 8 a.m., each racer will get one practice run on the course.

Following the practice runs, official competition will commence.

Soap box racing has long been a popular event in other areas of Kentucky such as Bowling Green, but Terry and other Pennyrile Soap Box officials said they think Madisonville could be the newest hot bed.

"The longer we do this, the more we come across people that hadn't heard about it or just heard, and if these people are any indication of what is going to take place, next year should be bigger and better," Terry said. "It seems the word is starting to spread."

Hibbs, Cox prepping for tournament

2009-06-05T14:24:00.001-05:00

By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter nbrockman@the-messenger.com

Published: Friday, June 5, 2009 12:26 AM CDT

As next week's Kentucky Amateur Golf Championship nears, two Hopkins County residents will be fine tuning various aspects of their game for participation in the prestigious event.

Patrick Hibbs and Steve Cox finished third and fourth respectively in a qualifier at Henderson County Club on May 24 to earn two of the eight berths on the day.

Hibbs, who will enter his senior year Madisonville-North Hopkins in the fall, shot a 75 while Cox, a local businessman, followed one shot behind at 76.

"It's pretty cool," Hibbs said of his first trip to the Kentucky Amateur Championship. "I'm looking forward to the tournament this week because it's probably the biggest I've ever played in and I'm just hoping I will make the cut.

"It was my first competitive tournament of the year and it was nice getting back into the rhythm and feeling the pressure."

Last high-school golf season, Hibbs narrowly missed making his second consecutive state tournament by one stroke.

Now, Hibbs said he's much improved.

"I feel like my game is a lot better now," he said. "I can tell that I'm better. I'm hitting it longer and hitting it a little bit more straighter and everything, so I feel good about that. My putter is a little better than it was last year too."

When asked what has triggered his off-season improvement, Hibbs said, "A combination of weight room and having another year of experience, getting better."

Meanwhile, Cox ensured back-to-back appearances in the championship with his qualifying round at Henderson. Last year, Cox shot an opening-day score of 79 and then shot 87 in the state amateur at Paducah Country Club.

During Cox's senior year of high school in 1971, he led the Maroons to a second-place showing at state. Cox won the 2006 Madisonville City Golf Championship and has been crowned Evansville Club Champion 13 times.

Although Hibbs may be a first-timer in next week's field, he said as long as he can hit greens and stay away from three-putts, he should be in for a solid performance.

"I just know when I play my game and keep it down the middle, I'll be fine," he said. "I'll be able to compete with them."

The Kentucky Amateur Golf Championship will be played Tuesday through Thursday at Champion Trace Golf Club in Nicholasville.

The Messenger was unable to reach Cox for comment on Thursday.

Pirates derail Fulton 6-2 behind Williams' pitching effort

2009-06-04T12:45:00.001-05:00

By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter nbrockman@the-messenger.com

Published: Wednesday, June 3, 2009 12:27 AM CDT

DAWSON SPRINGS - Less than 24 hours after arriving in Hopkins County, the Tradewater's newest pitcher Dustin Williams tossed seven no-hit innings to lead the Pirates against the Fulton Railroaders.

Williams walked five and hit two batters but overcame those struggles by striking out 11 and not allowing a hit in his K.I.T. League debut. Tradewater's offense provided the pitching staff with plenty of support as the Pirates (3-2) claimed a 6-2 victory.

Manager Brandon Kitch said he liked how the Pirates swung the bats, but expects even more as the season progresses.

"We saw a lot better things today and it's only going to get better as far as the offense goes," Kitch said.

"We're not scoring enough runs for me.

"I'm used to 10 and 12 runs."

In the first, Williams started strong with back-to-back strikeouts to begin a 1-2-3 inning. Williams retired the Railroaders (3-2) in order again in the third and fifth innings, but ran into some control problems during the seventh.

With a 5-0 lead in hand, Williams began the top of the seventh by hitting the first two Fulton batters in the middle of the back. A pair of wild pitches allowed the lead runner to score and the second run of the inning came on an RBI ground-out.

"I think I just got a little tired, started losing my legs and started trying to do too much," Williams said after the game.

Despite the runs, Williams still had not allowed a hit, but Kitch opted to bring in reliever James Rechenbach for the eighth because of Williams' high pitch count.

Kitch, who has seen Williams pitch before, said he knew it was time to remove the pitcher despite his success.

"He gets a little emotional sometimes and once he starts getting emotional, he begins losing control and losing focus," Kitch said.

"He got his feet wet tonight and now he knows what to expect the rest of the year. He's got great stuff."

Rechenbach retired the first two batters he faced before surrendering back-to-back singles. The next batter grounded into a fielder's choice, however, to end the threat.

Christian Stutts entered in the ninth and faced four batters to earn the save.

Offensively, the Pirates struck early with a run in the first via a Beau Faulk RBI ground-out. Neither team scored again until the fifth when Tradewater plated four runs to take a commanding 5-0 advantage.

During the fifth, four Pirates reached before Fulton recorded an out. The inning's first run came on a bases-loaded walk. Another scored on a 6-4-3 double play. Leadoff hitter Sean Mahley followed with an RBI single to center and eventually scored by advancing three times on three separate wild pitches.

Center fielder Matt Presley provided the game's final run in the eighth inning on a sacrifice fly.

Tradewater's Joe Halley tallied the team's lone multi-hit game going 2-for-2.

The Pirates return to action 7 p.m. Thursday to play host to the defemding K.I.T. League champion Owensboro Oilers.

Tradewater visits Owensboro Friday.

Fulton (3-2) 000 000 200 - 6 7 1

Tradewater (3-2) 100 040 01X - 2 2 0

WP: Dustin Williams

LP: Nick Holmes

S: Christian Stutts

Area baseball, softball teams have bright futures

2009-06-01T15:20:00.000-05:00

By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Writer

Published: Sunday, May 31, 2009 12:24 AM CDT

High school baseball and softball seasons came to a finish this week in Hopkins County with some coming unexpectedly sooner than anticipated and each local squad has not only plenty to be proud of, but a lot to look toward next season.

Softball teams like Hopkins County Central and Dawson Springs rose above expectations despite being two very young teams while the Madisonville-North Hopkins baseball club dominated Region 2 opponents throughout the regular season.

Not to be left out, Central's coach Lee James said his baseball team showed tremendous improvement during the season and finished just one game under .500. The Lady Maroons proved they can be a formidable opponent with starting pitcher Kyleigh Taylor and graduate just two players - Kelly Herrenbruck and Caitlin Todd.

At Dawson Springs, the Panthers struggled to secure wins, but coach Adam Locke has been promoting a positive atmosphere and has plenty to build upon with players like left-handed pitcher Brett Cobb and speedster Dayton Reed. Both will return for their junior campaigns next season.

While sports should always be about team accomplishments, plenty of local athletes boasted some well-deserved individual feats this season, none more significant than by Lady Storm pitcher Ali Austin, who established herself as the 7th District's top hurler.

Austin tossed Central's first-ever seven-inning perfect game in a 7-0 victory against Crittenden County on April 16. Less than two weeks later, the sophomore threw a no-hitter against Livingston Central.

For the Lady Panthers, Brooke Randolph rivaled Austin for the county's best pitcher. Randolph led Dawson to a berth in the 2nd Region Tournament, but the team drew an unfortunate opponent in Christian County.

Coach Kent Workman will not lose a single player to graduation though. This season's youth may prove to have many benefits when the club returns with plenty of varsity-experienced players next year.

Meanwhile, the North baseball team made its mark with eye-popping offensive numbers. The Maroons led the 2nd Region with 311 runs and scored 88 more runs than its closest foe. From table-setter Ryan Quinn as leadoff hitter to No. 9 batter Matt Levin, the Maroons raked opposing pitching.

With North's departure in the 2nd Region semi-finals, six seniors ended their high school careers, but some will continue at the next level. This summer, Ben Campbell and Micah Rainwater will play for the Madisonville Miners, an American Legion squad. Both are also getting looks from college coaches.

Five regulars return for North led by catcher Dalton Lykins and pitcher/shortstop Hayden Marks.

All in all, the 2009 season presented many successes. Although it's unfortunate some of Hopkins County's seniors did not graduate with that elusive regional title, this year's achievements indicate that day might not be too far away.

Tradewater shuts out Marion, 4-0

2009-06-01T15:19:00.000-05:00

By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter nbrockman@the-messenger.com

Published: Sunday, May 31, 2009 12:24 AM CDT

DAWSON SPRINGS -- One night after letting the season-opener slip away, the Tradewater Pirate pitching staff proved itself by tossing a one-hit shutout against the Marion Bobcats on Saturday night at Riverside Park.

Starting pitcher Ryan Tabor threw six no-hit innings and relievers Wes Clingman and Christian Stutts covered the next three to defeat Marion, 4-0.

Tabor started strong for Tradewater (1-1) and continued to mow down the Bobcats (1-1) during his time on the mound. Tabor struck out the side in the first inning and five of the first seven hitters he faced.

Tradewater manager Brandon Kitch sent Clingman in relief to start the seventh and he picked up where Tabor left. Marion advanced a runner to second with one out on a walk and sacrifice but, but Clingman struck out the next two hitters to escape the jam.

Stutts entered in the eighth and finished the game. With one out in the top of the ninth inning, Marion catcher Fred Rossi ended the no-hitter with a line single up the middle to center. Stutts retired the next two batters though to preserve the shutout.

Offensively, Tradewater scored its first run without recording a hit. Joe Halley reached on a two-out walk in the second inning. Then, Austin Messerli grounded a ball back to the pitcher, who made an errant throw into right field.

With runners on first and third, Cass Via stepped to the plate. The Bobcat catcher attempted a snap throw to get Messerli hanging off first, but sailed the ball into right to allow Halley to score.

The Pirates posted the game's first hits in the fifth inning with back-to-back singles from Sean Mahley and Sean Flaherty, but could not produce any runs from the situation.

Tradewater's break-out inning occurred during the seventh. Flaherty and Brock Green began the inning with a single and walk. The threat appeared to fizzle as the next two Pirates failed to reach base, but then Miguel Vasquez reached via a walk to load the bases.

That's when Halley delivered the big blow of the game on a two-run bloop double, which fell in short centerfield. Halley's contact actually cleared the bases when the center fielder attempted to nail the runner going to second. The errant throw allowed Vasquez to score from first and Tradewater led 4-0.

From that point, it was a matter of securing outs for the Pirate pitching staff as Tradewater dominated the Marion hitters.

Tabor finished the game with nine strikeouts to earn the win.

Offensively, Halley recorded Tradewater's only RBIs on the night and Green finished 2-for-4.

Tradewater will try to win the series when the two teams face off at 7 p.m. today at Riverside Park.

Marion (1-1) 000 000 000 -- 0 1 5

Tradewater (1-1) 010 000 30X -- 4 4 2

WP: Ryan Tabor (1-0)

LP: Nathan Ball (0-1)

Friday's action

Marion tallied seven unanswered runs to win the series and season-opener after Tradewater jumped ahead to an early 4-0 lead.

The Pirates led 4-2 in the ninth inning, but Tradewater's bullpen could not hold back the Bobcat attack as Marion scored twice on bases-loaded walks to tie the contest.

Marion's Andy Harris provided the game-deciding swing one inning later in the 10th. With the bases loaded and one out, Harris cleared the base paths with a three-run double.

Kington, Porter and Sarles take over for Sharks

2009-05-30T15:49:00.001-05:00

By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter nbrockman@the-messenger.com

Published: Saturday, May 30, 2009 12:22 AM CDT

This summer's Madisonville Sharks swim team will have a more youthful look not due to an influx of inexperienced swimmers, rather because of a trio of new coaches.

Former Madisonville-North Hopkins swimmers Mary Katherine Kington, Joseph Porter and Shawn Sarles will replace Jason Clark at Madisonville Golf and Country Club. Clark, who heads the North swim program, said he plans to use the summer to travel and spend time with his family, but will help out as needed.

Even in Clark's absence, his influence will be felt at the pool this summer.

"Basically, we're just going to be trying to reciprocate a lot of the things we've learned from (Clark) and coach (Charly) Rothe and put our own little twist on it and try to make the kids have a fun summer," Kington said.

Kington, a former Sharks assistant, represents the youngest coach on staff, but said she's ready for the head coaching title.

"Just graduating (Friday) night, I feel I'm a little young, but at the same time I feel like I've learned a lot from coach Clark and I've learned from the best, so I know I can do it," she said.

Porter, also a recent North grad (2008), said it's different being on the other side as a coach.

"It's a little strange I guess because I've been out here since I was four years old," he said. "It's weird to be coaching kids because it just seems like I was this young recently...I'm used to swimming with them, not being in charge of them."

Porter will bring plenty of experience to the Sharks after he swam last season as a freshman at Transylvania University. Still, Porter said he doesn't plan to incorporate much of what he learned at school because many of the Sharks swimmers are still learning the basics.

Sarles, who attends Wake Forest University (N.C.), rounds out the list of new coaches. At Wake Forest, Sarles participates on the school's club swim team.

This summer, Porter might edge his other two coaches for favorite by adjusting the practice schedule.

"I'll keep the basic outline of how coach Clark did it, but I'm going to put in the stuff I like and take out the stuff I hated when I was younger, so maybe the kids will like it better," he said.

Kington admitted she doesn't plan to pursue swimming as a career, but wanted to give back this summer to a sport that has provided her with many memorable experiences.

"I enjoy teaching (kids) how to swim because I love to swim and I know what an impact it's had on my life," she said.

Madisonville's new staff may not boast a college graduate, but Kington said the trio will work together to ensure proper teaching and success in the pool.

"We're young, but at the same time we have a lot of knowledge, a combined knowledge of the sport of swimming, so it should be fun," she said.

Colonels end Maroons' run

2009-05-27T19:28:00.001-05:00

By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter nbrockman@the-messenger.com

Published: Wednesday, May 27, 2009 12:19 AM CDT

Losing by the run rule is never easy to take, especially when the expectations are so high.

All season long, the Madisonville-North Hopkins baseball team aimed at claiming the school's first regional title since 1979 and boasted the talent to accomplish the task. That dream came to an end Tuesday night when the Maroons (25-7) dropped an 11-0 game to Henderson County (26-6) in a 2nd Region semifinal contest at Elmer Kelley Stadium.

In a season in which North scored a region-best 311 runs, the Maroons failed to record a single hit against Colonels pitcher Myles Scott.

After an uneventful first inning for both teams, the Colonels dominated at the plate and on the mound. Scott took the ball for Henderson and worked quickly throughout. His fast pace kept the Maroons off balance and Scott tossed a five-inning no-hitter.

Henderson loaded the bases with one out in the second inning to mount the first scoring threat. North starting pitcher Ben Campbell struck out Codie Abbott for the inning's second out.

Campbell fell behind 3-0 to Colonel leadoff hitter Jordan Cessna before throwing a strike. On the next pitch, the Maroons appeared to escape the jam unscathed as Cessna sent a towering fly ball to center field.

Senior Zach Baird appeared to have a beat on the ball near the warning track, but as the ball dropped toward the field it glanced off Baird's glove. Three runners scored and Cessna advanced all the way to third on the play.

Henderson followed consecutively with an RBI single, intentional walk, two-run triple and scored another on a passed ball. All seven runs on the inning were unearned.

The Colonels tallied three more runs in the third inning as five runners reached base. Gabe Pirtle and Kyle Gibson accounted for all three runs on a pair of base hits. Henderson finished off its scoring with a run in the fourth via a wild pitch.

Offensively, North never found the key to dismantling Scott's rhythm. Scott struck out eight and allowed just two base runners, both on walks. Baird represented the lone Maroon base runner to advance past first. Baird reached on a walk in the third, advanced to second on a passed ball and moved to third on a deep fly out to center.

Campbell tossed a complete game and struck out three in his final outing.

For many of North's players, the loss came as another lesson learned in postseason baseball, but for six seniors it marked the end of a career. Baird, Campbell, Justin Lamb, Matt Levin, Ryan Quinn and Micah Rainwater each ended their respective high school careers at home.

The loss represented North's third defeat of the season at home and third to 2nd Region teams, two at the hands of Henderson.

With the win, Henderson advances to play 7 p.m. Wednesday against Christian County in the 2nd Region Championship at Elmer Kelley Stadium.

North (25-7) 000 00 - 0 0 1

Henderson (26-6) 073 1X - 11 8 0

WP: Myles Scott. LP: Ben Campbell.

Christian County earned the first spot in the 2nd Region Championship game with a 5-0 win against Crittenden County (17-13).

Colonels pitcher Dylan Carroll tossed a complete game shutout and struck out 10 Rocket batters.

Although Crittenden out-hit Christian, the Colonels (18-14) made the most of their opportunities. Christian plated single runs in the third and sixth innings on respective sacrifice flies.

The Colonels' big inning came in the fifth when Christian collected three runs on four hits.

Meanwhile, Crittenden left its scoring chances on the base paths. The Rockets recorded back-to-back singles to start the fifth, but Carroll retired the next three batters in order to escape the jam. Crittenden stranded two more runners in the sixth.

Crittenden (17-13) 000 000 0 - 0 7 2

Christian (18-14) 001 031 X - 5 6 0

WP: Dylan Carroll. LP: Casey Oliver.

Christian County drops Dawson

2009-05-26T12:14:00.001-05:00

By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter, nbrockman@the-messenger.com

Published: Tuesday, May 26, 2009 12:22 AM CDT

EDDYVILLE -- Not many teams want to face the state's No. 1 squad in a one-and-out postseason situation, but that's just what happened to the Dawson Springs softball team when it played Christian County on Monday afternoon.

The Lady Panthers (14-9) trailed just 2-0 after two innings of play, but the Lady Colonels (36-3) proved just too powerful in an eventual 10-0, five-inning victory.

"If you're going to lose, losing to one of the top teams in the state isn't a bad way to lose," Dawson coach Kent Workman said after the contest. "They're quality, one through 20 I guess. He's got kids sitting the bench probably way above what any body else has got."

Christian pitchers Stacey Harbold and Hannah Driver held Dawson to just one hit and three total baserunners. Harbold tossed four innings and Driver pitched a 1-2-3 fifth inning to end the game. The pitchers combined to strike out nine of 18 batters faced.

Although the Lady Panthers faced tough competition, Workman said he had high hopes for his squad entering the game.

"Even though we were playing Christian County, my expectations were the same, no matter who we're playing," he said.

"I wish we could have hit the ball better and forced them to make more plays than they did. (Harbold is) a good pitcher, but I think we could have hit her better than we did."

Leadoff hitter Kelsey Beshears tallied Dawson's lone hit on the day, a third-inning single to left. Pitcher Brooke Randolph reached twice. In the second, Randolph walked and later reached on an error in the fourth.

Meanwhile, the Lady Colonels seemed to hit everything Randolph delivered.

Christian scored three runs in the third and five in the fourth to go ahead 10-0. All five fourth-inning runs came with two outs.

Hannah Hodge provided the big blast of the inning on a two-run homer to left field.

Hodge led a list of five Christian batters with at least two hits.

Despite the loss, Workman said Dawson, a young team that boasts no seniors, had much success this season.

"Fourteen wins is something I think they should be proud of," he said.

"I don't know right now that they are, I think maybe later on they will be."

Christian (36-3) 201 43 - 10 12 1

Dawson (14-9) 000 00 - 0 1 4

HCC hangs on for win over Lady Blazers

2009-05-26T12:13:00.000-05:00

By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter, nbrockman@the-messenger.com

Published: Tuesday, May 26, 2009 12:22 AM CDT

EDDYVILLE -- Rains threatened to wash away Monday's 2nd Region softball tournament, but fortunately for Hopkins County Central, the Lady Storm managed to soak in a win at Lee S. Jones Park.

Central (23-7) battled University Heights Academy (14-11) and overcame an 81-minute rain delay and a rain-aided, fifth-inning offensive burst from the Lady Blazers to hold on, 5-4.

"We didn't fold the whole tent, but we let a little bit of it come down," coach Jesse Huff said.

With a 5-0 lead, Lady Storm starting pitcher Ali Austin toed the rubber to begin the top of the fifth inning. University Heights recorded three straight singles with one out to plate a run. Then, the rains hit and appeared to have an adverse effect on the Central defense.

Kaytlyn Lewis scored UHA's second run on a wild pitch. Shayna Hudson hit a two-out RBI single to center to pull within two runs. Hudson quickly stole second, taking advantage of a potentially slick grip from the catcher.

Austin induced the batter, Hadley Burns, to hit a grounder to first, but it was no simple play. The ball pulled first baseman Alexis Curneal away from the bag. Neither Austin, nor second baseman Hannah Tow could get to first as Curneal's cleats appeared to adhere to the wet playing surface and Burns reached safely. Hudson scored from second on the play.

"Alexis made a good catch, but couldn't get moving," Huff said. "Everybody else was stuck too."

Austin settled down to strike out the next batter and retired the last seven batters of the game she faced in a row. Once Austin escaped the top of the fifth, the rains stopped.

"She kept them down pretty good," Huff said of the sophomore pitcher. "She held her composure. She got beat up a little bit today in the top of the fifth, but she came back and shut them down, the next (seven) batters."

Like UHA, the Lady Storm did all of its offensive damage in a single inning. Central scored five times in the fourth inning as the team's first seven batters reached base. Curneal knocked in the game's first run on a RBI single to left field.

"We put the bat on the ball and put it in the gaps," Huff said. "Once you start making things happen, you can get some runs going.

"The big hit was Alexis getting it started after we got the first two on, just getting that first run across to break the ice. Once that happened, we were able to make a run."

Austin and MacKenzie Taylor each recorded RBI singles as well and Tow plated one on a fielder's choice. The game's ultimate winning run came on a fielding error following Taylor's run-scoring base hit.

Before Central even came to its first at-bat, rains played havoc on the game's rhythm. After Austin sent the Lady Blazers down 1-2-3 in the top of the first, a combination of rain, thunder and lightning prevented play for 81 minutes. When play resumed neither team mounted much of a scoring threat until the fourth.

Offensively, Curneal led Central with a 3-for-3 day with one RBI. Austin posted the team's other multi-hit day going 2-for-3 with one RBI.

On the mound, Austin tossed a complete game and struck out eight, four looking. She allowed six hits.

Central will advance to play 5:30 p.m. today against Henderson County(13-13) at Lee Jones Park. The Lady Colonels defeated Livingston Central 5-0 to advance. The two teams have not met this season.

UHA (14-11) 000 040 0 - 4 6 2

Central (23-7) 000 500 x - 5 8 0

WP: Ali Austin. LP: Jessica Harper.

Smiling faces aplenty at Field Day

2009-05-25T22:15:00.000-05:00

By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter, nbrockman@the-messenger.com

Published: Saturday, May 23, 2009 9:27 AM CDT

Hundreds of smiling students ranging in grade levels from kindergarten to graduating seniors raced, chased and merrily roamed the grounds of the Madisonville-North Hopkins Badgett Athletic Complex on Friday during North's Olympic Field Day.

Visiting students from Hanson, Pride, Jesse Stuart and West Broadway Elementaries and Browning Springs and James Madison Middle Schools participated in athletic events that included basketball, putting, tennis, tug of war, softball and many more.

No matter the activity, one theme was common: having a good time.

"The most important thing is for the kids to have fun," Olympic Field Day committee member Tina Peyton said. "These kids look forward to this from the very beginning of the school year. The teachers tell us they come in asking 'When do we go to field day?'"

Jesse Stuart kindergarten teacher Sherri Williams said some of her students rank the day as the most special trip of the year.

"Some of them went on the zoo trip yesterday and they said 'This is better than the zoo,' so it's just an amazing experience for them to get out because this is their day," she said.

Williams' students enjoyed tennis and facepainting as well as the two obstacle courses.

"We like to run and go around the maze on the second, then you win," student Donovan Sharp said. "On the first one, you run and you jump over the little things, then you run, then you go through a tunnel and you run again and you win."

For participating in each event, students received ribbons denoting the station.

Sharp also displayed a couple temporary tattoos he received "at the tattoo store."

Hanson student Kristen Lee also visited the tattoo/facepainting station.

"I got two peace signs and a SpongeBob," she said.

Lee's classmates Nicole Hall and Jasmine Moss said they enjoyed tennis and basketball the most and received direction from the North students.

"They helped me learn how to shoot and kick the ball," Moss said.

In addition to tennis and basketball, the obstacle course proved to be a favorite. At the station, members of the Naval Junior Officer Training Course directed the children.

"I think they do like this because they can actually run and have a little bit of fun," Jordan Hunter said as he helped. "It's actually made for wheelchairs, but the kids like to have fun and run around."

North's Daniel Arnett and Tyler Conover, who also aided in the event, each said their favorite aspect of the day was seeing the kids smile and making them laugh.

At the softball session, Lady Maroon senior catcher Caitlin Todd took the mound and tossed softballs to awaiting batters. Todd, who also works as a peer tutor, said she enjoys working with the children.

"What really means the most to me is that they are human beings and even though they might have some disabilities, they still smile, they still laugh, they still have fun just like we do," she said. "It just means a lot to let them be free and have fun and just feel good about themselves."

As the temperature continued to rise Friday afternoon, event organizers curtailed the activities about 45 minutes short. Not much could spoil the fun each child already had as many sat in the shade and enjoyed ice cream sandwiches while buses arrived to take them back to their respective schools.

Griffith signs with Lindsey Wilson College

2009-05-22T11:39:00.001-05:00

By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter, nbrockman@the-messenger.com

Published: Friday, May 22, 2009 12:22 AM CDT

MORTONS GAP -- As Lauren Griffith signed her letter of intent to play volleyball at Lindsey Wilson College on Thursday afternoon, the realization came that no longer will the echoes emanating from Storm Gym be blamed on the senior's thunderous hits.

Griffith penned her name before her teammates, coaches and family in Central's lecture room.

Griffith's club coach, Steve Howard, said her ability to make powerful, direct contact has helped her advance to the collegiate level.

"Some girls hit it solid, Lauren hits with a club," Howard said. "Right now, it's more like a shotgun, but they'll get it like a rifle here in a little while. She can hammer that thing in a lot of ways."

Still, Griffith has been working throughout high school to improve her natural talent.

"I've really tried working on that and I try to go to different camps," she said. "I went to a (University of Kentucky) camp for two years and my sophomore year we went to a team camp at Webster."

Mary Catherine Adamson, who coached Griffith during her senior campaign, said the Lady Blue Raider signee has other skills, too, such as blocking and of course the intangibles.

"She's definitely a dependable girl and always willing to help out, do anything I ask," Adamson said. "I'm definitely going to miss her."

In addition to her four years with Central, Griffith joined the Audubon Volleyball Association where Howard works when he's not commanding the Owensboro Catholic squad.

Griffith said she hopes the experience with AVA can help her adjust to her new surroundings this fall.

"Whenever you go to other clubs and camps, you just have to learn stuff quick and I think it helped me out going to stuff like that, at least I hope so," Griffith said.

As co-captain last season, Griffith took a leadership role; but, as she begins at the bottom again as a college freshman, she acknowledged her responsibilities will change.

"I'm going to feel a little out of place for a little bit," she said. "Me and Reanna (Hart) just tried to hold the team together. I'll be there and trying to help out, but I'm not going to stick my foot in my mouth."

Just as any high-school student nearing graduation, memories can be difficult to leave behind. Griffith will cherish even the smallest ones, like when a team mom would make sausage bread for the Lady Storm volleyball players.

"I don't even like sausage, but I picked them out and ate the bread," she said. "It was the best ever. I think everybody misses that."

Now, moving into unfamiliar territory, Griffith has begun to set goals for her first collegiate season.

"I know I try my best, but I'm not the absolute best, and I'm just hoping to learn from others" she said. "(I hope to) get more out of it and make some friends," she said.

Area athletes have lofty goals at state

2009-05-22T11:38:00.001-05:00

By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter, nbrockman@the-messenger.com

Published: Friday, May 22, 2009 10:52 AM CDT

Nearly two dozen athletes from Hopkins County will participate in this weekend's Kentucky State Track Championships at the University of Louisville's Owsley Fraizer Cardinal Park with many opportunities to return some hardware.

Madisonville-North Hopkins boasts a county-best 16 different participating athletes followed by five from Hopkins County Central and one from Dawson Springs.

Maroon high-jumper Jon Hood returns to state as a senior one year after finishing runner-up. In 2008, Hood went to a jump-off before ultimately placing second.

This year, Hood is ranked No. 1 in the state and tied for 30th in the nation. Hood earned the ranking with a 6-10 jump, a personal best, at the Marshall County Twilight Relays on May 5. Hood took first place during regionals with a jump of 6-6.

North boys coach Eric McDurmon said he thinks a height of 6-8 could take this year's first place, but Hood has higher goals.

"I know he's hoping to get a shot at the state record," McDurmon said. "The state record is 6-11 3/4, I believe."

Joe Kington will also return for his second year as a state high-jumper after clearing the 6-0 qualifying mark. Nick Hanvy (disc, shot) and L.J. Gregory (triple jump) will also compete in the field events. Gregory will run with Rashad Combs, J.C. Wade and Martinez Davis on the school's 4x100-meter relay.

Senior Jesse Donahue will run in the 400-meter dash for the second year in a row. Donahue will join Maarten Adams, Jordan Wilson and Austin Schuknecht on the 4x400 relay team.

As for the girls, DeDe McReynolds has been among the strongest throwers in the region and will double her chances at earning one of the state's top performances by participating in both the shot and disc, coach Shelia Clay said.

Like the boys, the Lady Maroons will also send a 4x100 team represented by sprinters Koya and Syimone Baker, Taylor Hampton and Tori Wallace.

For Central, freshman Shalara Wells, who captured first in the 110 hurdles at regional, will lead a promising group of athletes.

"She works real hard," co-coach David Sullivan said. "She's at practice every day. She had a little knee injury close to the end of the season, but she was cleared from the doctor. It was just a bruise I think.

"She's pretty strong on it right now, so that's not really a big worry for us."

Seniors Wesley Ipock and Cody Heady will run in the one-mile and 100-meter dash respectively. In the field, Brianna Cobb will throw shot and Feiarra Foster will compete in the long jump. Cobb claimed first in the shot at region.

Co-coach Stephen Wood said he thinks Cobb's experience will give her a good chance to compete for the top spot at state. Wood added his feelings about taking five athletes to state as a first-year coach.

"It feels pretty good," he said. "Most of it is up to the kids and how hard they're willing to push themselves in practice and meets."

At Dawson Springs, all hopes at earning points will be pinned on high-jumper Jessica Budd, who took second place at regionals with a personal-best height of five feet.

"She's got a long skinny body and that's perfect for high jump," coach Toni Dickens said. "Last year, I think she usually jumped 4-8, 4-10, but this year she's been consistently getting first or second place at her meets."

Central will compete in class 2A events today while Dawson (1A) and North (3A) will participate Saturday.

Everyone a winner at Central

2009-05-22T11:37:00.000-05:00

y Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter, nbrockman@the-messenger.com

Published: Friday, May 22, 2009 12:22 AM CDT

MORTONS GAP -- At the field-goal kicking station, some attempts sailed left or right, some hit the crossbar or fell well below, but everyone won during Hopkins County Central's Olympic Field Day on Thursday.

More than 200 students from five elementary and middle schools attended the event, which boasted 16 sports-related stations for the children to rotate back and forth.

Unlike the summer or winter games held every four years, no points or medals were awarded, but each participant received special recognition.

"They all win," co-coordinator Zach Hibbs said. "We send them certificates to their teachers. When they get back today, their teachers will write their name on a certificate and give it to them."

Hibbs and Lee Jones organized this year's event for the first time. Hibbs incorporated other teachers and even Central students to keep the children entertained and moving in an orderly manner.

Students from Earlington, Grapevine and Southside Elementaries, South and West Hopkins Middle Schools and even some from Central spent 10 minutes each at stations that included basketball drills, kickball, softball toss and many others.

Hibbs said he constructed the events based on the school's resources and used the high-school students to aid the various stations.

"I went with what I knew we had," he said. "Some of these areas are specialized. There's a football kick and a football toss. Well, not all of the students can help in that area, but the football players can."

Many participants favored the football kick like West Hopkins students Zach Massey and Zack Daugherty.

Massey said his kicking did not go so well, but that didn't prevent him from having a good time.

"Today has been awesome," he said. "Hot, but awesome. Fun, better than the other times."

West Hopkins teachers Tiffany Howard and Kim Shaw said watching the kids be successful was the most rewarding aspect of the day.

Howard answered questions between her own attempts at the kicking station and said she enjoyed seeing the high-school helpers have fun as well.

"We were just bragging on them actually," she said. "We love to see high schoolers with such a good attitude toward the smaller students. They're encouraging. It's fun."

One such helper was senior A.J. Morris, a guard on last year's Storm football team.

"I feel like it's a good thing to do to help the community," Morris said about his participation. "I feel like it's the right thing to do. We have to give back. Most of us are seniors and we have to give back to the school to show people how the school is."

Hibbs said he tried to make it clear to those students helping what the purpose of the event was supposed to be during a speech he gave Wednesday.

"(Thursday) is not your day," Hibbs told them. "As cool as you think you are, make them feel that way."

Judging from smiles and comments from students and teachers alike, the mission was accomplished.

"It's my first time and I'm really impressed with how they set it up for the kids," teacher's aid Sharon Mathias said.

Madisonville-North Hopkins will hold its version of the Special Olympics today.

Tradewater roster nears completion

2009-05-21T11:14:00.000-05:00

By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter nbrockman@the-messenger.com

Published: Thursday, May 21, 2009 12:23 AM CDT

A week away from Opening Day, the Tradewater Pirates have just one roster spot open, but coach Brandon Kitch isn't going to fill the slot with just any player he can find.

Kitch hopes to sign University of Arizona outfielder Matt Presley in the coming days to complete the 2009 Pirate squad. After being selected in the 24th round of the 2007 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft by the Boston Red Sox, Presley opted to hone his skills in college.

"I watched him workout last week and the kid's got some bat speed," Kitch said. "He's got some juice."

This season, Presley, a 6-3, 210-pound sophomore, started 13 games for the Wildcats and hit .327 and collected eight RBIs in 52 at-bats. Of his 17 hits, seven were extra-base variety.

Although Presley's college experience is still minimal, Kitch said after watching him go through drills, he thinks Presley could "rake" in the KIT League.

"This is kind of a bold statement without seeing everybody else, I think if he came in he'll be the MVP of the whole league," Kitch said. "It's kind of a bold statement. He's got that type of potential. Now all he's got to do is go out and produce."

Baseball runs in Presley's genes though as his father, Bill, played in the Baltimore Orioles and Detroit Tigers organizations. In 2007, Presley earned the Louisville Slugger and Gatorade Colorado Player of the Year awards.

Whether Presley will join the team is still uncertain, but Kitch plans to arrive in Dawson Springs today to begin his preparations for the nearing season. Most of the Tradewater players should be in town by Sunday in advance of the first team meeting to be held Monday.

Some players will not be available until after the beginning of the season, though. Oklahoma City University outfielder Jordan Hughes and pitchers Dustin Williams and Zac Tidholm will be involved in the NAIA World Series. Infielder Colby Price of Oral Roberts University (Okla.) will also be playing in the postseason. Texas Wesleyan University pitcher Kody Thiebaud will attend to a family matter before joining the ball club. All players are expected to be with Tradewater by June 5.

Kitch said he plans to conduct two-a-day workouts on Tuesday and Wednesday with a defensive focus in the morning and offensive drills in the afternoon. The Pirates will hold a batting practice session Thursday.

Tradewater opens its 2009 schedule at 7 p.m. Friday when the Pirates play host to the Marion Bobcats.

Crawley's single caps Central's rout of Lady Panthers

2009-05-20T14:59:00.000-05:00

By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter nbrockman@the-messenger.com

Published: Wednesday, May 20, 2009 12:25 AM CDT

DAWSON SPRINGS -- With two outs and the bases loaded, Hopkins County Central hitter Taylor Crawley delivered a walk-off single on Tuesday evening as the Lady Storm captured the 7th District Softball Tournament championship against Dawson Springs.

Crawley finished the game with a game-high four hits while teammate Ali Austin tossed a complete-game, one-hit shutout and Central (22-7) defeated the Lady Panthers, 10-0 in five innings.

In addition to Crawley's 4-for-4 performance, Taylor Brackett and McKenzie Taylor each finished 3-for-3. The trio combined for five RBIs and accumulated 10 of Central's 13 hits.

"Taylor Crawley was hitting the ball hard," Central coach Jesse Huff said. "She was on a mission tonight. Brackett wasn't going to be outdone and McKenzie, with bases loaded in the bottom of the fifth, she came through. She put the bat on the ball."

The Lady Storm wasted no time getting on the board by scoring two runs in the first.

"I was really, really proud of them," Austin said of her teammates' offensive success. "I was worried in the beginning, but once that first inning came off, it was obvious we were ready to play."

First baseman Alexis Curneal provided the game's first two runs on a line drive over the right fielder's head, plating Brackett and Ashley Flener.

During the fourth, the Lady Storm manufactured four more runs to take a commanding lead. Eight batters went to the plate during the outburst. Taylor brought home the inning's first run on a suicide squeeze. The next two runs scored on a single play that involved a wild pitch and an errant throw, which landed in left field. Then, Flener doubled home the seventh run, but was thrown out sliding into third on a great relay.

On the mound, Austin commanded the game from the opening pitch and retired the first 11 batters she faced.

Lady Panthers coach Kent Workman said he didn't feel like his players were swinging at the right pitches and thus didn't make enough solid contact.

"To me, it was like we were waiting for a gift down the middle every time and Ali's not going to give you that," he said.

Dawson did not manage a baserunner until Austin allowed a two-out walk in the fourth to Emilee Workman.

Jalyn Walls ended Austin's no-hit attempt in the fifth inning with a bloop single to right field. The hit prevented Austin from recording her third hitless game of the season.

Missing the personal accomplishment did not bother the sophomore pitcher.

"You win some and you lose some, but we won, so that's what counts," Austin said. "I try to do my best every game and I did do my best because we won, so that (no-hitter) doesn't really matter to me."

In the fifth, Central cemented the win with a two-run single by Taylor and a walk-off hit by Crawley.

With the win, the Lady Storm claimed their second 7th District title in as many years.

After the game, officials announced the All-District team. Representatives from Central included Austin, Brackett, Crawley, Flener and senior Brittney Orten. For Dawson, Randolph, Workman, Shelby Bruce and Kelsey Beshears made the list.

Seniors Kelly Herrenbruck and Caitlin Todd represented Madisonville-North Hopkins while Danielle Flood and Hannah Riddle from Caldwell County also earned recognition.

Central and Dawson now await the regional draw to be held Saturday morning.

Dawson (14-8) 000 00 - 0 1 4

Central (22-7) 201 43 - 10 13 1

WP: Ali Austin

LP: Brooke Randolph

Marks returns, leads Maroons

2009-05-19T13:56:00.002-05:00

By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter nbrockman@the-messenger.com

Published: Tuesday, May 19, 2009 12:22 AM CDT

PRINCETON -- One month after suffering an ankle injury while sliding into home plate, Madisonville-North Hopkins pitcher Hayden Marks exhibited few signs of rust as he returned to defeat Dawson Springs in the opening round of the 7th District Tournament.

Marks tossed a complete game and came just two outs from recording a no-hitter as the Maroons (23-9) rolled against the Panthers (0-23) in an 18-1 five-inning victory at Princeton's V.F.W. Ballpark on Monday evening.

"For the most part, I thought he had great command," Vance said of Marks. "His velocity, I don't think was 100 percent, but it was there somewhere between 85 and 90 percent and that just comes with pitching a bit.

"He did what we wanted. He got us a 'W' and we punched our ticket into next week's regional tournament."

Marks struck out the first six Dawson batters of the contest to build some early confidence.

"It was great because coming back I didn't know how it would be," Marks commented on his return to the rubber. "I didn't know if I would have control or be in the strike zone. It's still tender, but it felt fine landing on it and throwing off the mound."

At the plate, North created havoc from the first inning. The Maroons sent 16 hitters to the plate in the first en route to 12 runs. Senior shortstop Ben Campbell knocked in the game's first two runs on a triple. Justin Lamb, Zach Baird and Michael Huddleston provided RBI singles in the inning. Micah Rainwater contributed the big blast of the outburst with a three-run double.

Dawson did not help its cause by creating nine errors on the game including six in the first inning.

In the second, North batted around again and plated five more runs. This time, Huddleston knocked the big hit with a two-run home run to left field.

Meanwhile, Marks cruised on the mound and did not allow a baserunner until a walk with two outs in the fourth to Brett Cobb. Then, in the fifth, Marks surrendered back-to-back hits. The first by Todd Bullock broke up his no-hit bid and the second, a double by Alan Higbee, ended the shutout. Marks, however, secured outs from the next two batters to preserve the victory.

By game's end, Marks struck out 10 Panthers. For Marks, the start was his first since April 18 against Daviess County. During that contest, Marks injured his ankle when his leg connected with the Daviess catcher's shin guards as he slid across the dish.

Although Marks has not seen any live action since that point, Vance said the sophomore pitcher has been throwing on the side from a chair to retain arm strength.

After the game, Marks said he felt confident in his teammates' offensive firepower as well as his command.

"When we hit the ball like that, I don't think there's any team that can compete with us," he said. "It feels good to pitch with a good lead and just have confidence to throw strikes."

Offensively, Huddleston and Rainwater each finished 3-for-3 with three RBIs.

Dawson (0-23) 000 00 - 1 2 9

North (23-9) (12)51 0X - 18 9 0

WP: Hayden Marks. LP: Ethan Scott

Storm knock off host Tigers

2009-05-19T13:56:00.001-05:00

By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter nbrockman@the-messenger.com

Published: Tuesday, May 19, 2009 12:22 AM CDT

PRINCETON -- Coach Lee James' Hopkins County Central baseball team pulled off a bit of a shocker on Monday evening by sending host Caldwell County packing in the 7th District Tournament at V.F.W. Ballpark.

Although the Storm (12-11) entered with a better record, the Tigers (12-16) beat Central 10-0 during the regular season and held home-field advantage for the postseason matchup. Neither fact aided Caldwell in a 15-2 five-inning Central victory on Monday.

"I think we had that underdog mentality today," James said. "I don't think many people gave us much of any chance to win this game, let alone in five.

"I don't think many people -- I think some people probably didn't even come to this game because they thought Caldwell was probably going to hand it to us pretty easily. I think the guys heard that and took that (underdog) approach."

Visiting Central scored seven times in the top of the first inning to take a lead the squad never surrendered. Each of the Storm's first five batters came around to score and 11 hitters came up to the plate.

Designated hitter Austin Johnston got the scoring going with a two-run single that fell at the base of the right field fence. Then, Quentin Gordon ripped an RBI double. Cody Nesmith and Will Miller scored runs on a pair of sacrifices and Micah Rorer knocked in a run on his second hit of the inning.

On the mound, junior Ethan Smith established himself early by striking out at least two in the first three innings.

"I just count on him to do that," James said about his starter. "Anything less than that anymore is sub-par for him. He knows his job and he goes out and does it.

"We gave him some runs early and he was able to pitch easy as we call it. Pitching is never easy, but when you have a seven-run lead then it becomes easier, if you let it."

Caldwell leadoff hitter Brandon Sigler tagged one of Smith's mistakes though on a 3-2 count in the third. Sigler sent the pitch over the left field wall for a solo home run. The Tigers scored their only other run in the fourth on a sacrifice fly.

The Storm bats fell silent during the second and third, but found the mark again in the fourth with eight more runs. During the outburst, Johnston, Nesmith, Miller, Tyler Harris and Coleman Ladd each contributed at least one RBI.

By game's end, Central tallied 14 hits and defensively did not commit an error after making 24 in the team's last two contests. The win snapped a four-game losing streak for the Storm.

The win reiterated James' belief in his team even when they were down last week.

"I told everybody, I'm not worried about this team physically," he said. "If we can get mentally ready to play, they physically can do the job they need to do."

Smith finished the game with nine strikeouts and did not walk a batter. He allowed just three hits.

Offensively, Quentin Gordon ended the day a perfect 4-for-4 with one RBI. Rorer recorded three hits and one RBI. Ladd and Johnston each plated three runs on two hits. Miller ended the game with two RBIs and one hit.

Central's win sets up an all-Hopkins County Championship game as the Storm will play Madisonville-North Hopkins at 6 p.m. today for the 7th District crown.

At 12-11, James said he knows his team will be underdogs throughout the rest of the postseason, but he doesn't mind the title.

"We like that role," he said. "We'll take that."

Central (12-11) 700 80 - 15 14 0

Caldwell (12-16) 001 10 - 2 3 3

WP: Ethan Smith. LP: T.J. Gilkey.

Postseason kicks off starting Monday

2009-05-18T15:58:00.001-05:00

By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter nbrockman@the-messenger.com

Published: Sunday, May 17, 2009 1:22 AM CDT

After months of practice, rain-outs, thrilling wins and defeats, everything will be on line as local baseball and softball teams compete in Monday and Tuesday's 7th District Tournaments.

Dawson Springs will play host to the softball tournament while Caldwell County will hold the baseball tourney at Princeton City Park.

All three Hopkins County softball teams have a solid chance of capturing the 7th District title while Madisonville-North Hopkins enters as the favorite in baseball.

Monday's softball night cap is the best first-round matchup on paper for either tournament with the Lady Maroons (9-20) and Lady Panthers (13-7) set to tangle at approximately 7:30 p.m.

Lady Maroon No. 1 Kyleigh Taylor has missed much of the season with an injured knee, but was recently cleared and the North has posted a 1-1 record since her return.

"It kind of gives them a little more confidence having one of their players back and just kind of raises their spirit a bit," North coach Kacie Jackson said. "They're just excited for her to be back."

Just having Taylor in the lineup does not mean the Lady Maroons are ensured to be competitive though. Jackson said her team will have to play solid defense and put the ball in play offensively.

Dawson coach Kent Workman said he isn't taking North lightly, even after two regular season victories.

"It's the same old adage...'The more times you play a team, the more likely you are of getting beat,'" Workman said. "We've played them twice this year, 6-2, 9-2. It's real easy for us to walk in there thinking we're going to win the game right off the bat and everything go wrong, so that's the main focus."

The Panthers earned both wins without facing Taylor, so her presence could create a different outcome.

Dawson boasts its own power pitcher though in Brooke Randolph. On Saturday, Randolph earned a win against Union County, one of the top teams in Region 2 this season. Randolph struck out nine and walked just two in seven innings.

The Lady Tigers (3-14) and defending champion Lady Storm (20-7) will kickoff the softball tournament at 5:30 p.m. Monday. Caldwell did not win a regular season game against 7th District opponents.

Central has allowed less than one run per game against its district foes. The Lady Storm lost just one game in Region 2, a 1-0 extra-inning contest to Webster County. Pitchers Ali Austin and Taylor Crawley should see most of the action on the mound for Central. Central has tossed eight shutouts thus far with Austin recording a perfect game and no-hitter.

Meanwhile, the Maroons baseball team (22-9) dropped just two games in Region 2 play and finished with an undefeated mark against 7th District schools. Through 31 games, North has recorded an average of nearly nine runs per game. The defending champ Maroons will begin the tournament 5 p.m. Monday in Princeton by playing Dawson (0-21).

The Panthers will try to record the biggest upset of the year and avoid a second straight winless season. Dawson has not won a game since defeating Christian Fellowship 8-3 on May 7, 2007. Since, the Panthers have dropped 47 contests in a row.

Following that game, host team Caldwell (11-14) will battle Hopkins County Central (11-11). Caldwell won the squads' only regular season matchup 10-0 at home.

The Storm have been up and down during the season's final month. After winning five straight, Central has lost six of its last eight. Defense has been a problem in the last two games with the Storm committing 24 errors.

All could be wiped clean though with a win on Monday. Starter Ethan Smith, Central's No. 1, did not pitch in the team's 18-3 loss to Union on Friday and should be expected to throw.

Tuesday's softball championship will start at 6 p.m. while a time has yet to be set for baseball's title game.

Lady Panthers split twin bill

2009-05-18T15:56:00.000-05:00

By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter nbrockman@the-messenger.com

Published: Sunday, May 17, 2009 1:22 AM CDT

DAWSON SPRINGS - Eighth-grader Jalyn Walls delivered a solid pitching performance in the first game of a doubleheader for the Dawson Springs softball team, but the Lady Panthers did not secure a win until the day's second contest with Union County.

Walls and fellow pitcher Brooke Randolph each tossed complete games for Dawson (13-7), but what most impressed coach Kent Workman was his team's ability to bounce back against Union (25-9) for a 3-1 victory after losing the first game, 4-2.

"That's the last thing that I told them, that I was really, really proud of," Workman said. "We've had a real problem of trying to refocus in that second ballgame and I kind of emphasized that before we started."

Randolph kept the Lady Panthers on track early by retiring the first eight Bravettes she faced. Also, the Dawson offense scored two runs in the first despite not recording a hit. The Lady Panthers manufactured the runs on two walks and two sacrifices. Randolph delivered a sacrifice fly while Whitney Copeland brought home Emilee Workman on a sacrifice bunt.

Union cut the lead in half in the fourth inning, however. With one out, Randolph surrendered back-to-back singles.

See Split/Page B2

Two batters later, Abby Hosman singled to right field, but just one runner crossed the plate. Randolph walked one before striking out the next batter on a 3-2 pitch to end the threat.

In the fifth, Dawson tallied four straight singles and Randolph's hit knocked in an insurance run to take a 3-1 advantage.

On the mound, Randolph did not allow a hit after the fourth to secure the win.

During the first game, Walls pitched strongly, but the Lady Panther offense left runners stranded in every inning and finished the contest with 12 runners left on base.

"(Walls) did a super job," Workman said. "I don't know if it was the difference in speed that through them off. An eighth-grader, JV, our second pitcher only allowing four runs, that's super for me. She kept her composure the whole time. She was nervous as a cat when she first started."

The Bravettes jumped on the board in the first inning with two runs. Taner Fowler scored the game's first run on a solo home run to left field. Union accounted for two more runs with an RBI double in the third and RBI ground-out in the sixth.

Despite allowing nine hits, Walls maintained solid control by striking out four and walking just one.

Kelsey Beshears ripped an RBI single in the fourth to put the Lady Panthers in the scoring column. In the seventh, Halyn Burden stepped to the plate with the bases loaded and two outs. Copeland scored on a wild pitch, to cut the deficit to two, but Burden grounded out to shortstop to end the game.

Offensively, Randolph and Beshears paced the Dawson squad for the day. Randolph finished 4-for-6 with a double and two RBIs and Beshears hit 3-for-7 with one RBI.

Dawson plays host to the 7th District Tournament, which begins Monday, and will play at 7:30 p.m. against Madisonville-North Hopkins.

Game 1

Union 201 001 0 - 4 9 2

Dawson 000 100 1 - 2 6 2

WP: Morgan Utley

LP: Jalyn Walls

Game 2

Union 000 100 0 - 1 5 3

Dawson 200 010 X - 3 6 1

WP: Brooke Randolph

LP: Abby Hosman

Senior Night forgettable for Storm

2009-05-16T17:40:00.000-05:00

By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter nbrockman@the-messenger.com

Published: Saturday, May 16, 2009 12:21 AM CDT

MORTONS GAP - When the Hopkins County Central baseball team's five seniors left Friday evening's matchup, the veterans trotted off the field to a thunderous cheer. Unfortunately, it was not in a winning cause.

For Storm players Quentin Gordon, Dustin Grant, Austin Johnston, Cody Nesmith and Will Miller, the walk to the dugout on Senior Night marked the final such time at home, coming in an 18-3 loss to Union County (15-12).

Union scored in every inning and advanced to an 11-0 lead after just three at-bats against Central (11-11).

Down 16-0 to begin the fifth inning, Storm coach Lee James called time to remove his seniors from the field as the Braves' leadoff batter stepped into the box. The five players exited the field of play to applause from fans, coaches and opponents alike as five substitutes entered.

It was the younger group who broke up Union starter Blaine Avey's no-hit bid in the bottom of the fifth.

Junior Tyler Harris reached with one out on a walk and advanced to third on a wild pitch and throwing error. Fellow junior Coleman Ladd provided Central with its first run on an RBI ground-out.

With two outs, Joey Watkins lifted a single into left field to erase Central's zero in the hit column. Next up, Micah Rorer slapped a double into right field. Then, sophomore Stephen Gordon ripped a two-run single to left.

Defensively, Central struggled throughout by committing nine errors. Union sent at least six batters to the plate in each inning and batted around three separate times.

Miller started the game for the Storm, but did not make it past the second inning. Three other pitchers tried their hands, but experienced nearly the same level of success. All four combined to allow 17 hits.

The loss ends Central's regular season and the Storm will try to break their four-game losing streak at 5:30 p.m. Monday at Caldwell County to being the 7th District Tournament. Central lost its only regular season matchup with Caldwell, an away contest, 10-0 on April 17.

Union (15-12) 353 52 - 18 17 2

Central (11-11) 000 03 - 3 3 9

WP: Blaine Avey

LP: Will Miller

North blasts Trigg County in 5 innings

2009-05-15T11:43:00.002-05:00

By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter nbrockman@the-messenger.com

Published: Friday, May 15, 2009 12:23 AM CDT

Two days removed from a difficult loss at Henderson County, the Madisonville-North Hopkins baseball team rebounded in rare fashion on Thursday to show the Maroons are still a favorite to capture the 2nd Region.

North (22-8) scored five times in the first inning and displayed flawless defense all the while starter Ben Campbell dealed on the mound en route to a 10-0 run rule-shortened victory against Trigg County (16-13) at Elmer Kelley Stadium.

Although the Maroons jumped to a quick 5-0 advantage, the Wildcats threatened to score first. Leadoff hitter Shane Banks started the contest with a single and then advanced second on a sacrifice bunt. With two outs, Campbell walked clean-up hitter Will Stagner. Then, Campbell escaped the jam by striking out the next batter.

In the bottom half of the first, each of the first five Maroon hitters reached and scored.

Campbell gave himself some early breathing room with a two-run double for the game's first runs. Aaron Young also ripped a two-run double and third baseman Micah Rainwater accounted for the inning's other run with an RBI double to centerfield. North finished the evening with five extra-base hits.

After a bit of trouble in the first, Campbell settled in and allowed just one hit and three base runners over the next four innings. Banks recorded both Wildcat hits to finish 2-for-3.

Catcher Dalton Lykins knocked in the Maroons' next run in the third. With an 0-2 count, Lykins blasted a home run to straight center as North increased its lead to 6-0.

The Maroons tallied a pair of runs during both the fourth and fifth innings. Michael Huddleston and Rainwater provided RBI base hits in the fourth. Left fielder Ryan Quinn ripped a two-out RBI single in the fourth and two batters later, Campbell slapped a hard single past the third baseman to score Quinn and end the game.

Offensively, five Maroons recorded multi-hit games led by Campbell, who finished 2-for-3 with three RBIs. Eight North hitters finished with at least one hit.

On the mound, Campbell tossed a complete game shutout. In addition to allowing just two hits, the senior struck out five and walked just one.

North ends its regular season today at Daviess County and opens the 7th District Tournament at 5 p.m. Monday against Dawson Springs at Caldwell County.

Trigg (16-13) 000 00 - 0 2 1

North (22-8) 501 22 - 10 13 0

WP: Ben Campbell

LP: Will Stagner

Pirates adding to bullpen as season nears

2009-05-15T11:43:00.001-05:00

By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter nbrockman@the-messenger.com

Published: Friday, May 15, 2009 12:23 AM CDT

With just two weeks until Opening Day, the Tradewater Pirates bolstered their bullpen by adding two more pitchers to increase the staff size to 11.

Zac Tidholm of Oklahoma City University and Jesse Darby from West Virginia University each joined the club this week as signee Andrew Hockenberry opted out of his contract. Tradewater's current roster stands at 23 with one spot available.

Tidholm and Darby, both lefties, will give the Pirates a considerable edge as Tradewater now boasts six left-handers.

According to Darby's biography at MSNsportsNet.com, he is described as a "left-handed pitcher with good size who can contribute...reliable strike thrower who is maturing into a contributing pitcher for WVU...could be valuable out of the bullpen...continues to improve command in all three of his pitches."

Darby, a 6-5, 189-pound redshirt sophomore, made just three appearances this season for the Mountaineers. Darby gave up four earned runs and struck out four in three innings.

Tidholm has also been called "a left-handed power pitcher" according to ocusports.com.

During the 2009 season, Tidholm worked mainly as a reliever making 15 appearances and just one start. Tidholm, a 6-4, 195-pound sophomore, did not record a decision, but maintained a 2.77 ERA in 13 innings pitched. He struck out 12 and walked four. Tidholm pitched at Conners State College (Okla.) as a freshman.

Tidholm marks the third player from Oklahoma City to join the Pirates with fellow pitcher Dustin Williams and outfielder Jordan Hughes already signed.

Notes

n Many college seasons have wrapped up for the year, but one player still enjoying success is infielder Colby Price with Oral Roberts University (Okla.).

During the second game of a doubleheader at Oakland University (Mich.) on Sunday, Price blasted a two-run home run to left field to begin a seven-run second inning. The homer marked Price's third of the season. Oral Roberts marched on to a 12-1 victory. In the sixth, Priced added an RBI single and finished the day 3-for-5.

For the season, Price has posted a .330 batting average.

n At San Bernardino Valley College (Calif.), pitcher Nolan Mullaney earned a selection to the Second Team All-Foothill Conference. Mullaney led the Wolverines in wins (7), earned run average (3.86), games started (13), complete games (5), and innings pitched (88 2/3).

North names Roach to succeed Tichenor

2009-05-14T22:01:00.000-05:00

By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter nbrockman@the-messenger.com

Published: Wednesday, May 13, 2009 12:23 AM CDT

The Madisonville-North Hopkins athletic department announced the hiring of Jeremy Roach, a first-time soccer coach, on Monday to take over the position vacated by John Tichenor earlier this year.

Roach, a current North art teacher and swim assistant, will replace Tichenor, who accepted the soccer position in 1986. Tichenor accepted the Lady Maroons head coaching job when former coach Steve Shepard stepped down in February.

Although Roach, a 1997 Hopkins County Central graduate, did not play soccer in high school, he reffed at the club level as a student and said he has followed the sport and has a firm knowledge of its intricacies.

"As long as you have the coach in place, the support staff with you, these players ... play this game all year round," Roach said. "They know what they're doing, they just need a good coach that can get them there and focused."

Roach has assisted the North swim program for two years and worked from 2005-2007 as an assistant for the Maroon football team and will assume his first varsity head coaching position with his soccer hiring.

What Roach lacks in experience, he has already tried to fill with determination to assemble a solid staff.

Rufus Baker, whose son, sophomore Dylan Baker, plays for North, said he was surprised to hear of the hiring, but has taken note of Roach's immediate dedication.

"We were a little taken aback by it to begin with, but I've met coach Roach and he's already getting very involved," Baker said. "He's assembling a really good staff of assistant coaches. We may be just fine."

Roach said he has already hired former Maroon Jared Durbin, who played at Kentucky Wesleyan, to an assistant position and is looking at four or five other candidates.

With Tichenor now directing the Lady Maroons, Roach will be charged with the responsibility of maintaining a tradition of success on the boys squad. Since 2001, North has compiled a 117-39-14 record. Making the task even more difficult is the graduation of top two scorers Miles Durham and Rush Dugger.

Among the leading returners are keeper J.D. Lester, defender Austin Walker and forward/midfielder Robbie Hatchett.