Local kids get chance to be close to UK program

Thursday, August 28, 2008

Living in southwest Kentucky puts many local children several hours away from Rupp Arena, but on Wednesday evening University of Kentucky basketball coach Billy Gillispie and his players brought Wildcat basketball to Don Parson Court.

For many of the children it was their first experience being so close to Gillispie and his staff.

Madisonville-North Hopkins boys’ varsity basketball coach Marty Cline said watching the kids react to Gillispie and the players’ presence reminds him of his youth.

“This is how Kentucky basketball, in my opinion, when I was growing up was meant to be,” he said. “Kids this age fall in love with the Wildcats and they go with them the rest of their life. That’s how it was when I was growing up.

“My son’s out here. He’s involved, he’s a Wildcat fan. He saw these guys coming in, I couldn’t get him away from them. He was tugging at me, ‘Can I meet coach? Can I meet coach?’ ”

Players Mark Krebs, Dwight Perry, Michael Porter and Perry Stevenson attended the camp, and each directed a separate station.

Gillispie said he would have liked to bring more players, but with classes beginning Wednesday at UK and the late return time, additional Wildcats were inhibited from making the trip south.

Stevenson, a junior, will enter the 2008-09 season as one of seven returning letterman, and the Madisonville camp was his first stop in the series.

The trip allows the players to have direct

contact with some of the program’s greatest fans, Stevenson said.

“It’s great because (they’re) everywhere in Rupp Arena,” he said. “That’s most of the fans in the game, the kids and their parents. It’s just great to be around.”

When the players entered the gym Wednesday, the kids’ eyes lit up, but besides meeting the Wildcats, the children take the players’ words to heart, maybe even more so than their regular basketball coaches.

Cline said with players like Stevenson instructing the kids, the youngsters do not have a hard time focusing.

“That’s a big thing as far as having credibility, so instantly they’re paying attention,” he said. “They’re listening, they’re trying to learn because they see these guys doing these things on TV. “

In addition to instructing the youth on mechanics of the game, Stevenson, a Lafayette (La.) native, said he tries to impart a bigger message: do well in school.

“School is important because you can play collegiate basketball, but you need to be in school to play, so that’s the most important,” he said.

Gillispie said that message is exactly why his staff tries to get the “complete individual,” players motivated to succeed in academics, basketball and take a leadership role, “especially at a basketball place like Kentucky where basketball means so much to so many, and so we always want them to be great role models for others.”

One such player the program can look forward to for 2009-10 is North’s Jon Hood, who orally committed to UK in May.

Although NCAA guidelines bind Gillispie from commenting on possible recruits, Stevenson said he has already formed a relationship with Hood.

“We hung out a bunch,” he said. “Jon’s a great guy. He’s going to be a great addition to the team.”

Wednesday’s stop in Madisonville marks the end of UK’s summer camp series, but Gillispie said he has plans to continue the trips next year.

“We’re going to do a ton of these in the future,” he said. “It gives a lot of people to get to know us a little bit in a different light, and we definitely get to know them in a different light, so we’re excited about it.”

Central boys, North girls claim wins in rivalry

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Madisonville-North Hopkins runners Gary Bozeman and Taylor Partlow claimed top individual honors on Tuesday evening, but the Hopkins County Central boys took first as a team as the two schools competed in their annual season-opening meet at Madisonville City Park.

The rival schools split team victories with North boasting the girls’ victory, but both schools found positive results in their first race of the year.

The Lady Maroons finished first and second in Partlow, a freshman, and Bonnie Burden, an eighth-grader.

After the meet North coach Kris Wallace said despite their age, the duo have experience.

“They’re young, but that didn’t surprise me,” Wallace said. “At the end of the season last year they were both part of our top seven.”

Partlow said when she begins to tire down the final leg she thinks “cool” thoughts.

“When I’m tired I think, ‘just get done, get to the water, get to the cold air, get to the air conditioning.’”

Behind Partlow (24:56) and Burden (26:04), the Lady Storm finished three of the next four racers in Kaylee Smith, Crystal White and Mattie Russell.

“Those three all year – they’ve really been pushing each other when they train together,” Central girls’ coach Kent Akin said. “I thought the three of them would be really close.”

Smith finished just tenths of a second ahead of White (26:21.8). Central captain Mattie Russell finished a minute later in sixth place after experiencing a bit of a leg cramp in her final lap, which slowed her pace.

Russell, a junior, finished strong however, holding off North’s Emily Gallegos by a second.

Once Russell finished, she said coming down the stretch she told herself to pull it out for her teammates.

“(I said) ‘I have to finish. I have a leadership spot on the team. I have to do my best to finish for them.’”

For the North boys, Bozeman also stepped up in his leadership role to pace his team, finished 15 seconds better than his goal of 19:52.

During the last half-mile Bozeman said he looked behind to see where his nearest competitor was and seeing he had a comfortable margin, he said, “I think I got this.”

Bozeman finished nearly 30 seconds better than the next racer, but Central claimed the next four places en route to its team victory.

Storm runner Corey Eakins led his team at 20:03 and Connor Moore placed third overall at 20:45.

While most runners who crossed the line hunched over as the pain began to take control, Moore showed few signs of exhaustion.

Moore said he runs 10K races during the summer to stay in shape and that has helped him for high school competition.

“I felt great after the race,” he said. “I feel like I’m in shape, ready for the season.”

Maroon runner Aaron Poe showed he was ready for his first varsity race as well. The seventh-grader finished eighth overall with a time of 23:50.

Many of Poe’s teammates have named him the “golden boy,” but Poe said the key to his success is simple.

“What helps me keep going is I look at something really far ahead of me and then I don’t take my eye off of it and keep going, just watch that spot,” he said.

Both North and Central will race again 9 a.m. Sept. 6 in the Maroon Invitational.

Mashburn, Ripa post season-best rounds

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Madisonville-North Hopkins golfers Lauren Mashburn and Rose Ripa each finished with individual season-best scores, and the rest of the Lady Maroons followed with strong play to win a tri-match Monday evening at Lakeshore Country Club.

Mashburn shot a 37 to earn the medalist honor while Ripa turned in a 40 for the day’s second-best score as both helped North (170) defeat Muhlenberg South (186) and Apollo (196).

Not only was Ripa’s score a season-best, but it was a career-best in high-school competition for the sophomore. Mashburn missed tying her career best, set in 2007, by one stroke.

Ripa, who bogeyed her first and second holes Monday, said she did not feel comfortable until a few holes in because the driving range was closed before the match.

After the slow start, Ripa parred both the third and fourth holes and finished strong as well with a par and birdie to end the day. Ripa’s birdie on the ninth hole came after she knocked down a 30-foot putt.

Ripa nailed the putt in front of a growing crowd near twenty people. Once she walked off the green, an excited Ripa described her last shot of the day.

“I just sank it in,” she said. “I’m pretty happy about it. I have awful stage fright. I was just hoping that it would make it in.”

North coach Sam Westfall said Ripa’s improvement has come as a result of her experience.

“She’s probably got the best management on the team right now,” he said. “This is her third year and that’s about when they start playing well.”

Ripa agreed with her coach and said the major difference this year has been her mentality toward golf.

“Just maturity in the game pretty much,” she said. “This year I’ve been getting serious about the game.”

While Ripa may be gaining experience, Mashburn, a senior co-captain, has plenty, but is still coming into her own after taking part in the Governor’s Scholar Program this summer.

Although Mashburn has only been practicing with the team a few weeks now, she has found her stroke, claiming medalist titles in back-to-back matches.

“She struggled at first, and you’re going to do that when you take five weeks and don’t pick up a club, but she’s in the groove,” Westfall said. “I think she’ll only get better.”

Like Ripa, Mashburn also birdied the ninth hole, but Lauren nearly made an eagle putt to tie her personal best score.

From 140 yards out, Mashburn stuck her second shot six feet from the pin. Her eagle-attempt, however, was strong, and she settled for birdie.

Mashburn said her final hole was indicative of how her play went throughout the day.

“My second shot was really good today,” she said. “They were dead on. I just have to work on my short game. There’s always room to do something in this game.”

Behind Mashburn and Ripa, senior co-captain Mikayla McKenzie finished with a 46 and freshman Tori Eddings followed one stroke later at 47. Junior Sydney Fredrick and sophomore Ashley Mashburn contributed with 48 and 52 respectively.

Westfall said it’s not just one or two golfers who are performing well because his whole team is improving each time out.

“I think Tori’s close, I think Sydney’s close,” he said. “Mikayla had the third-best score Saturday on the front side, so she’s right there. If (the whole team) peaks at one time, it’s going to be real good, I’m hoping it’s regional.”

The Lady Maroons will look to continue their improvement and success today when they visit Owensboro Catholic.

Goodbye Bengals; hello Titans

Sunday, August 24, 2008

With the installation of my Direct TV NFL package yesterday, I officially announce the beginning of football season.

I chose to go this route because I’m a life-long Cincinnati Bengals fan, and for the first fall in my life, I am not in Ohio to root with my fellow Who Deys.

Despite my attachment to Cincinnati, I’m also looking forward to cheering for a new home team — the Tennessee Titans.

It’s nice to be in an area where the local favorite has, more or less, a recent winning tradition as opposed to one winning season in the last 17 years.

With the ticket prices at NFL games, going to watch the Bengals wasn’t exactly a wise financial move unless your idea of fun was spending $60, wearing a Ki-Jana Cater jersey and sporting a brown paper bag over your head just to watch your team get slaughtered.

Therefore, I can admit I’ve only seen about four NFL games in my life, but this season I can’t wait to make the drive down to Nashville and watch some highly competitive action.

NFL isn’t the only football season ready to kickoff that has me excited – I’m talking about the college teams.

I won’t make many friends being a Buckeyes or Irish fan, but being just north of the border in Cincinnati, I’ve watched the rise of the Kentucky football program the past few years as well.

The Wildcats may have been among the nation’s best the past couple seasons, but I would still like to take the time to point out my Ohio Bobcats beat them back in 2004. As a Bobcat alum, we have to take our small victories wherever we can because there’s not much success.

Growing up in Big 10 country, I wasn’t able to watch as much SEC football as I would have liked. Now, with my new TV package, I can stay in-tune with the teams up north as well as dive into the fast-paced action of the SEC.

The upcoming season could be a litmus test of sorts for the Big Blue. With back-to-back Music City Bowl wins, UK’s program has a lot to build upon for this season and beyond. Hopefully, this season proves to be another step forward and not a step back.

UK’s recent success also reminds me of one of my favorite collegiate programs, the University of Cincinnati Bearcats, who have experienced a recent surge also.

UC shocked the Big East with a 10-3 record last season, including a bowl win, led by coach Brian Kelly in his first full year.

Due to the Bengals’ losing history, the Bearcats have been my unofficial hometown football team, and now they are in Big East, so I can share a similar dislike for the University of Louisville with local UK fans.

That dislike for the Cardinals may turn to like or at least indifference come the 2010 season though. Despite Louisville’s rivalry with UC, three players from my former high school, Cincinnati St. Xavier, chose to sign with the Cardinals this past year.

Highly touted running back Darius Ashley leads the trio. Ashley was recruited by numerous other D-I schools including Virginia before

opting to join Louisville. Ashley expects to redshirt his first-season, but by 2010 I hope to see him competing for quality minutes.

Speaking of high school players, I can’t wait to experience my first local football game next weekend, and what better way to start than with a doubleheader.

The Maroons and Storm have been preparing most of the summer, sweating profusely at two-a-days, enduring practices with the heat index at 100 or higher, and now they get to put their hard work to the test.

No more red jerseys on the quarterback, no hitting dummies, no sleds, no intrasquad practice, the real deal is soon upon us.

With less than a week remaining, if I’m this excited as a sportswriter and fan, the anticipation must be boiling over for area coaches and players.

Here’s to another exciting and successful season for each of Hopkins County’s football players and fans.

Nick Brockman is a sports reporter for The Messenger. Want to talk Bengals or local football? You can can send him an e-mail at nbrockman@the-messenger.com

Regional preview today

Saturday, August 23, 2008

Twenty-four high school boys’ golf teams will converge at Pennyrile Forest State Park Golf Course today in yet another preview of the regional tournament, and each of Hopkins County’s teams have high expectations.

Dawson Springs will host the invitational and plans to show its skills on the home course, but Madisonville-North Hopkins and Hopkins County Central will also be present, vying for the day’s team title.

The 2008 season has been a rebuilding one for the host Panther golfers, and Dawson Springs coach Jose Labrado said he’s focused on development, especially with his two middle-school golfers.

“I’m going to expect the kids that are going to play to improve their scores from what they have been doing on an everyday basis,” he said. “With the younger kids it’s just a first-time experience with this type of competition.”

In addition to the two younger Panthers, senior Dylan Frost and junior Aaron Labrado will take to the course.

Both upperclassmen have been consistently shooting low scores, but Jose said there’s still room to improve.

“They’re still right there in the low 40s,” he said. “Dylan just has a couple of holes here and there where he has some problems. I fully expect him to break into the high 30s. Of course that’s his goal, to shoot 39.”

Despite having just four members on the team, the Panthers hope to take advantage of their familiar surroundings and post a good team score.

“They know how to play certain holes, even the tough holes,” Jose said. “They have figured out which ways they have to go to get across.”

Coach Labrado said the team hopes to take advantage of its knowledge of the back nine, which he said is difficult because of its many gullies.

North coach Dan Herrmann had another take on the course though.

“The front nine is really flat,” Herrmann said.

Herrmann continued to say the front’s lack of obstacles makes it difficult for golfers to judge distance. The back nine, with its hills, should allow the Maroons to excel against the competition.

For Central, Pennyrile is a course that most of the team’s golfers are not too familiar with, but coach Daniel Kukahiko has played the course several times and he said he plans to give his players tips on how to manage certain holes.

“I think it’s a course that could definitely play into our strengths,” Kukahiko said. “It’s not a very long course and that helps us out. We don’t have a lot of heavy hitters that hit the ball 300 yards off the tee.”

Many of the teams competing in today’s invitational will also participate in the regional tournament later in the season.

Becoming familiar and comfortable with the amount of golfers can help the team later, Kukahiko said.

“The biggest benefit is that it prepares you for the regional tournament,” he said. “I think it does a lot for experience. There’s no other way to simulate that.”

The Storm’s Joey Watkins, a sophomore, has quickly improved this season, even surprising Kukahiko with his play at times.

“The potential has been there,” Kukahiko said. “When he first started playing the mental aspect of his game wasn’t there, but it’s really starting to come around. His average is really dropping, especially over the last couple weeks.

“He’s told me things that he’s figured out and that’s always nice as a coach to have someone say, “ ‘well coach I figured this out.’ He’s definitely putting in some time and it’s paying off.”

With Wakins’ improved play, combined with junior Heath Williams and senior Collin Farmer shooting in the low 40s for nine, Central hopes to move well up the standings after all scores are posted today.

Meanwhile, North has its eyes set on the team title.

Herrmann said with the Maroons’ balanced roster of Cliff Carter, Ben Gatlin, Patrick Hibbs, David Rose, Daniel Stewart and company, he expects his team to come in around 320.

Hibbs claimed the medalist title on Aug. 16 at the Maroons’ invitational and went toe-to-toe with two other golfers, taking the honor after five playoff holes.

North also took the team victory, Herrmann’s first win in four years as coach for the home school’s tournament.

The Maroons will aim to win their second invitational in a row, but no matter who wins today, with 24 teams competing, there is sure to be some competitive golfers battling at Pennyrile. The first tee times are set for 7:30 a.m.

On the girls’ side, Central’s Lady Storm will host an invitational at Madisonville Golf and Country Club at 8 a.m. today.

Lady Maroons overwhelm visiting Webster

Friday, August 22, 2008

Heidi Clayton scored a game-high five goals Thursday evening as the Madisonville-North Hopkins girls’ soccer team nearly pulled off a shutout of Webster County, winning 10-1 at Donley Field.

The Lady Maroons benefited from strong goal-keeping play by senior starter Troyanna Hardy and back-up Sarah Kelley. The duo did not allowed a goal until eight minutes left.

“You have to credit Troyanna,” junior Laura Rao said. “She had a shutout and then (Sarah) did great too. She came in and had one scored on her, it was just a defensive mix up.”

Kelley, a freshman, relieved Hardy in goal and played the final 25 minutes.

Coach Steve Shepard said he was proud of both his keepers and mentioned it’s pivotal to get Kelley quality minutes this season.

“We know Sarah is going to be our goalie next year,” he said. “She did have some decisions to make and she did get scored on, which gave her an opportunity to not get scored on. She got some work, but it’s imperative to get her in the game and get trained.”

While Hardy and Kelley kept the Lady Trojans offense in check, the Lady Maroons’ forwards took advantage of a young Webster County team.

Clayton’s five goals were just one short of tying a career-high, and she said her goals came as a result of strong teamwork.

“We executed well,” she said. “We

were able to pass well through the competition. We definitely overpowered the other team in speed.”

Rao, who scored four goals, said the team’s key to victory was being aggressive.

“We went at them from the beginning,” she said. “You always have to do that, no matter the competition.”

North’s Megan Hutchens rounded out the Lady Maroons’ scoring with a goal in the second half.

Hutchens said her goal came directly as a result of what the team has worked on in practice.

“I was just thinking, ‘finish, finish,” because we’ve been working on that a lot in practice, yesterday especially,” she said. “That corner just came perfectly to me and I was like, ‘yes!,’ so I just put it in.”

Junior Lyndi Tedder also contributed offensively with two assists on the night.

Shepard said he was most impressed with the way his team scored, not how many times they found the back of the net.

“We worked on being in control of the attack,” he said. “We dictated whether we went down the left side or down the right side.”

As for Webster County coach Tom Welshans, he said playing a talented and experienced team like North early in the season can help his girls learn a lot.

“The big thing playing a team like them is we get to find out about ourselves,” he said. “I think it will benefit us. I have no doubt we’ll play better later in the year.”

Welshans said he thought the Lady Trojans played a better second half, but could not contain Clayton.

Webster County only had four shots on goal, but three came quickly in the final 10 minutes of the game.

First-year player Alyssa Cook ended the team’s scoring drought in the 72nd minute.

“She came down and broke down their sweeper,” Welshans said. “They left their sweeper one-on-one and she just got by her with a quick ball skill and made a good shot in the corner.”

Welshans said despite the score, he was also impressed by goalie Ashley Smith’s play.

Webster County will look to learn from its loss and capture its first victory 1 p.m. Saturday when the Lady Trojans (0-2) visit Grayson County.

North returns to action 7 p.m. today against Apollo in the Daviess County Tournament as the Lady Maroons (2-0) aim to stay perfect on the season.

North takes Round 1

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

The volleyball squads from Madisonville-North Hopkins and Hopkins County Central High Schools renewed their rivalry in the first of two 2008 regular season meetings on Tuesday night.

The Lady Storm battled hard, holding tight deep into two straight sets, but ultimately the Lady Maroons put together strong runs to pull away and win both games 25-17.

Central showed they were not intimidated heading into North’s home gym, by leading 17-16 late in the first game.

“Central did a good job of taking us out of our game plan,” North coach Jon Parker said. “We couldn’t get in any rhythm.”

The Lady Maroons pushed ahead, however, on nine straight points to secure the victory.

Freshman Morgan Hestand led the charge for North down the stretch. Hested entered to serve with the score tied 17 all and closed out the game by finding a weak area in the Central defense.

“She hit the exact spot seven times in a row,” North coach Jon Parker said. “I mean how can you do that? Seven times in a row, that’s amazing. She did a great job with that.”

The second game nearly mirrored the first as both teams struggled to break away decisively until the Lady Maroons, up 21-17, scored four consecutive points to win again 25-17.

Central trailed by as many as seven at 20-13, but the Lady Storm mounted a comeback attempt to make things interesting.

Junior Kara Willis stepped up to serve with Central down 21-14 and after three serves the team pulled within four points. The rally ended at 21-17 though when a Central return failed to clear the net.

Central coach Mary Catherine Adamson said she was proud of her team’s effort, but the Lady Storm’s inconsistency serving opened the door for the Lady Maroons.

“I think us missing a few of our serves helped bring North back,” she said. “I think if we got a few more of our serves in we would have stayed up with them. Our girls were digging the balls out. I can’t say much

bad about them.”

Up 22-17, Lauren Purdy finished the second game serving as North recorded three straight points. Purdy ended the game with six kills, two blocks and two aces.

Parker said he was particularly impressed with her play.

“Lauren Purdy when she swings, she’s so high above the net it looks nasty,” he said.

Although the Lady Maroons did not take charge until late, Hested said she felt the girls handled the situation well.

“We got a little stressed out there in the middle,” she said, “but we pulled it out together and we gave it 110 percent, and that’s all we could ask for.”

Despite the loss for Central, Adamson said she has seen improvement in the team’s first three matches of the season.

“They’re all hustling and I saw in more today than in the past two games. Just not letting the ball go for anything.”

For Central, Hannah Farris ended the game with 10 serves and an ace. ReAnna Hart and Willis each had seven serves while Cassandra Haley recorded 12 assists and one ace.

Cydni Carney also recorded 12 assists, but for North. Hested ended with eight aces.

The Lady Storm will be back in action Thursday against Hopkinsville, and the Lady Maroons will visit Crittenden County on the same date as well.

North captures tri-match

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

The Hopkins County Central and Madisonville-North Hopkins girls’ golf teams were both in action Monday evening at Lakeshore Country Club, and each team ended the day with something to boast about.

Ashleigh Howerton tied for medalist as top individual golfer for the Lady Storm, but North took the team victory on its home course over Central and Henderson County.

The Lady Maroons took the tri-match’s team title, defeating Central by 10 strokes and Henderson by 11.

Although his team won the match, North coach Sam Westfall said the group is not at the top of its game, but that’s not entirely bad.

“You don’t peak during this time of the season,” he said. “You try to get better every match, and we did get better a couple strokes.

“I want to peak at regionals. That’s what we’re aiming for. We’re going to win regionals.”

Lauren Mashburn took a nine on the second hole but rebounded to lead the North squad with a 44.

“I told her it’s just one hole, don’t let it bother you,” Westfall said. “There’s nothing you can do now. Just go out and play your game and she did. Other than that one hole, she played pretty good.”

Mashburn’s teammate Rose Ripa, who took a medalist honor last week, continued to impress Westfall after shooting a 45.

“She’s done really, really good this year so far,” he said. “She’s been a real pleasant surprise.”

Despite Ripa’s success, Westfall said he thinks she can still get even closer to 40.

Other Lady Maroons contributing to the win included junior Sydney Fredrick (48), freshman Tori Eddings (49), senior Mikayla McKenzie (50) and sophomore Ashley Mashburn (51).

Despite finishing second as a team, the Lady Storm’s Howerton improved three strokes from her previous outing to tie for top individual honors.

Although she claimed the title, Howerton said she feels there is still more room for improvement.

“I had a pretty good score, but I wasn’t too pleased with it,” she said. “I could have done better.”

Howerton’s most impressive series of shots came on the sixth hole. After hitting her tee shot behind a row of large trees off the right side of the fairway, Howerton did not have a clear shot.

“I had limbs in my way and probably five feet of air to work with,” she said.

With the trees bearing down on her, Howerton hit into the middle of the fairway. On her next shot, she knocked down her iron to within five inches of the pin, where she tapped in for par.

Three holes later Howerton finished with a 40, tied for the day’s best with Henderson’s Erin Hunsaker.

Central coach Mike Zimmer said there is still room for improvement though.

“When it comes down to it she could easily shoot under 40 if she concentrates on her putting,” Zimmer said. “She can hit the ball pretty good, but she’s got to work on that short putting game.”

Before even speaking to her coach, Howerton said she knows she will “go live on the green and practice there.”

Behind Howerton on the depth chart, each of the Lady Storm golfers improved upon last week’s scores.

Lauren Lacy finished with a 45, and Howerton’s younger sister Taylor shot a 50.

Kendal Bryan and Kathryn Cartwright each posted a 61 and Kaitlin Moore ended one stroke behind at 62.

Zimmer especially noted the progress of Cartwright and Moore, who improved by nearly 10 strokes from their last outing. Zimmer said he hopes the girls can continue to improve and maintain lower scores.

The Central golfers will get another chance to improve today when they play host to Muhlenberg South and Henderson at Madisonville Golf and Country Club.

North returns to action Thursday when the team takes to the road to play Union County.

In other local golf results, each of Hopkins County’s three boys’ varsity golf teams were also in action on Monday evening.

n The North boys were victorious in their matchup with University Heights Academy at The Links at Novodell, shooting 152 to the Blazers’ 172.

Maroon golfer Patrick Hibbs finished as medalist after firing a 36, while teammate David Rose was right behind with a 38. Cliff Carter and Ben Gatlin each shot 39, while Daniel Stewart carded a 41.

The Maroons will take on Henderson County this afternoon at the Players Club.

n The Central boys’ team took fourth in a quad meet at Madisonville Golf and Country Club after shooting a combined score of 191. Apollo (153) finished first, edging out second-place Daviess County (154). Henderson County took third with 178.

Central’s Collin Farmer took top honors for the Storm, carding a 46, while Heath Williams shot 47 and Blake Nelson 48. Landon Griffith (50), Joey Watkins (51) and Andrew Schniep (52) rounded out the scores for Central.

Apollo’s Matt Atkins was the medalist, shooting a 34.

The boys will be in action again this afternoon against Henderson County at Henderson Country Club.

n Dawson Springs finished third in a tri-match against Butler County and Union County after shooting 224. Union finished first with a five-over 149, while Butler took second with 181.

Dylan Frost led the effort for the Panthers, shooting a 41, while Aaron Labrado carded a 45. Dillon Shelton and Grant McCuiston each shot 69 to round out individual results for Dawson.

Union’s Coleman West finished as medalist with a 35.

The Panthers will be back in action Thursday afternoon at Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park Golf Course.

Maroons' Hibbs wins invitational

Sunday, August 17, 2008

Most golfers participating in Saturday’s Madionsville-North Hopkins Invitational ended the day after their 18th hole, but the Maroons’ Patrick Hibbs played five more before he claimed sole possession of the tournament’s medalist title.

Hibbs and two other golfers finished with 74 and went to a sudden-death playoff format starting on the ninth hole. By the end of the 13th hole, Hibbs took top honors to go with North’s overall team victory on the day.

The tournament victory was coach Dan Hermann’s first in his four years at the school.

“I was thrilled,” Hermann said. “We started out slow, but they regrouped and came back and played really well.”

The Maroons’ great execution in the short game propelled the team to victory, Hermann said.

Through four holes of play Hibbs, however, said it was his drives that were helping him early.

“I’m hitting the ball off the tee all right and hitting the greens,” he said. “The putter’s not great right now. I just need to get my putter to work and I’ll be fine.”

Once Hibbs found his stroke on the green he collected his second medalist honor of the week. On Thursday, he also completed the feat in a tri-match against Christian County and Hopkinsville.

On Saturday, Hibbs turned it on down the stretch to force a playoff, but he nearly had to battle one of his teammates in extra holes.

“Daniel Stewart had a great round,” Hermann said. “He just kind of stumbled the last few holes or he would have been in the playoff for the top spot too.”

Stewart entered the clubhouse with a 77, second-best on the day for the Maroons. David Rose and Cliff Carter were not far behind with 81 and 82 respectively.

Ben Gatlin, who placed as a medalist Tuesday against Muhlenberg North, finished the day with an 88.

“Any day any one of them can shoot par.” Hermann said. “You just don’t know which one of them is going to do it. If one of them stumbles, it seems like one of them always steps up and plays.”

Joining North in the 15-team invitational was rival Hopkins County Central. The Storm turned in a team score of 392, led by junior Heath Williams.

After a double-bogey and bogey to start his round, Williams collected himself and recorded four straight pars followed by a birdie on the 15th hole.

Williams’ birdie came as a result of a solid iron shot on his second stroke.

From 150 yards out, Williams yelled “go, go, go,” as the ball sailed toward the elevated green.

Upon reaching the green, Williams discovered his shot had landed within six feet of the pin. After Williams knocked down the putt, he pumped his fist to celebrate his first birdie of the day.

By round’s end Williams finished with a team-best 87. Senior Collin Farmer trailed him by five strokes at 92.

Freshman Landon Griffith competed individually and turned in a card of 98. Joey Watkins (104), Andrew Schniepp (109) and Blake Nelson (114) rounded out the Storm golfers.

Central coach Daniel Kukahiko said he was impressed by the way his golfers handled the pressure of playing in an invitational, but as the day progressed it began to take a toll.

“We started off really well,” he said “I think as the day wore on they started to feel it a little bit and get frustrated with themselves. That made their scores rise a little more than they normally are.”

Central will not have much time to rest before its next match on Monday, but Kukahiko said he knows what areas need to be addressed.

“We’re going to start spending more time around the putting and chipping green during practice,” he said. “We’ll continue to get better.”

Dawson Springs High School rounded out the trio of county teams participating in Saturday’s event.

Senior Dylan Frost paced the Panthers with a 93, one week after posting an 88 against Hancock County.

Junior Aaron Labrado finished two strokes back at 95. Labrado improved his score by six shots since his previous performance at Hancock.

Eighth-grader Dillon Shelton also participated in the invitational – his first 18-hole varsity tournament.

Although Shelton’s competition literally stood feet above him, he remained positive.

“It feels pretty good (to be here),” he said. “I think I’m doing good for my age.”

Shelton said he felt good to get a shot at playing a full 18 holes and his focus was to hit the ball straight and keep it in the fairway.

Dawson Springs coach Jose Labrado admitted, however, that Lakeshore is a bit more challenging than Pennyrile Forest State Park Golf Course, where the Panthers practice.

“Lakeshore is a pretty tough course,” he said. “The speed of the greens is nothing like we’re used to. The Lakeshore Country Club compared to the park out at Pennyrile, they’re just lightning quick.”

Despite the more difficult course, Labrado said his golfers did well and will take lessons from the tournament.

“They were in the hunt to improve their individual scores and I do think the short game did help them,” he said.

Dawson Springs will host its own invitational Aug. 23 at Pennyrile Forest.

White ready if asked to switch roles

Saturday, August 16, 2008

After playing two collegiate seasons as a defender, 2006 Madisonville-North Hopkins graduate Jason White has become comfortable with the advanced level of play, but now might be forced to adjust to a new position.

With a highly touted freshman class entering the program at Anderson (Ind.) University, coaches have told White he could split time as a midfielder.

One individual that does not doubt he will make an easy transition is White’s high school coach, John Tichenor.

“There’s no question he’ll pick it up,” he said. “He’s one of those kids, you can pretty much play anywhere and he’ll pick it up, no matter what the system or what the formation is.”

White started 11 games on defense during his freshman season and played in 13 contests during 2007.

In his first collegiate season, White started alongside his friend, fellow freshman Charlie Barleycorn, and two seniors. After the seniors graduated, White and Barleycorn became the veterans as sophomores on a defense that started three freshman, including the goalkeeper on what White called the “baby defense.”

White said with his experience at defense, he feels more comfortable in that position, but he understands the role of the midfielder as well.

“(It) will require a little more ball-handling as opposed to defense,” he said. “If I move to midfield I’ll be helping the midfield control the ball more and get the ball to our forwards to score.”

Over the summer, White worked at the Madisonville City Park pool, but in his free time he trained by running and practicing with other alums against Tichenor’s varsity team.

The scrimmages allow the alumni to stay in shape, but also prepare the Maroon boys for their tougher opponents.

Tichenor said some players might feel inclined to take it to the younger boys with their advanced skills, but not White.

“He’s the type (of player) that’s working with them,” Tichenor said. “If he sees something they could be doing better, he encourages them, things of that nature. It’s a joy to have him out there working with the boys.”

Thinking about White’s days in high school, Tichenor has one particular story he likes to tell.

One game during White’s career, North tied Henderson County 1-1, but Tichenor said he was distraught after the contest and not pleased with his team’s effort.

“I go to work the next morning, and there’s an e-mail from Jason, a two or three-page e-mail,” he said. “It was basically apologizing for their effort and he assured me that was going to change and that we would get better.

“It was just amazing. After that I think he had an impression on his teammates and we made short work of Henderson the next time we played them.”

White said his most memorable moments playing under Tichenor were reaching the Elite 8 in his freshman year and defeating Daviess County at Donley Field to win the region.

The achievements serve as nice memories, but White said he learned a lot of life lessons from Tichenor as well.

“I’m really blessed to have been able to play underneath him,” White said. “I think the main thing he taught me was that hard work pays off and you don’t have to be the most skilled player out there to get seen. If everyone works hard as a team and not individuals, then you’ll win and achieve a lot more than you can by yourself.”

No matter the position he plays this fall, White said he’s been blessed by God with talents and it’s his job to perfect them.

“I feel like the best thing I can do is work as hard as I can,” he said. “I’ve never been the Pele or the Ronaldo-type player, I just work as hard as I can to just win. It doesn’t matter if I score a lot of goals or get much playing time as long as when I am in, I do the best that I can. I can’t really go away unsatisfied from that.”

Pirates had season to remember

Thursday, August 14, 2008

The KIT League playoffs ended nearly two weeks ago, but since the conclusion of the season, fans have had time to gain more perspective on one of the greatest years in Tradewater Pirate history.

Tradewater battled with the Fulton Railroaders and Owensboro Oilers much of the first half of the season, but made a strong push in the final weeks to pull away and capture the regular-season pennant.

After a first-round playoff bye, the Pirates swept the Marion Bobcats in the second round. Tradewater’s dream season came to an end, however, when the Pirates were swept at the hands of the Oilers in the championship series.

“We didn’t finish up like we wanted to,” coach Kurt Elbin said. “I still feel like we were the best team in the league. We just weren’t playing our best at the right time.

“Owensboro, they were playing real well. They were clicking on all cylinders offensively. They had two good arms to throw at us and things lined up in their favor.”

After combining for a 15-0 record during the regular season, Pirate starters George Hebert and Don Pugliese ran into a tenacious Oiler offense. Hebert allowed six runs in four innings in game one, and Pugliese took the mound in game two, giving up five runs in three innings pitched.

The Oilers defeated the Pirates on back-to-back days, 9-4 and 11-1.

“You can’t take away the job George Hebert and Pugliese did for us all season,” Elbin said. “George just didn’t have his stuff. He didn’t have the velocity on his fastball. Usually when we scored four, five runs we win a ballgame.

“Donny put us in position to win all year. He just didn’t have his best stuff that first inning, and we just couldn’t come back from it.”

Despite the lackluster performance in the playoffs, Elbin undoubtedly pronounced Hebert the team’s Cy Young.

Elbin’s MVP award was a little harder to determine though.

“I think it would be a toss-up between Sean Mahley and Justin Long,” he said. “They were two-way guys. Justin Long did so much for us on the mound.”

Mahley ended the season with a .296 batting average and drove in 21 runs in 47 games while turning in a 1-2 record and 2.21 earned-run average on the mound. Long finished with a .289 average and 16 RBIs in 41 games. As a pitcher, Long posted a 4-4 record and 1.40 ERA.

The team’s pitching staff continued to produce solid efforts throughout the year, but Elbin said it was the Pirates’ ability to hit that allowed Tradewater to distance itself from the pack.

“I knew it was going to take guys a while to get adjusted to wooden bats and by the time they did it our pitching was there and it maintained,” he said. “(Our pitchers) remained to be the best pitching in the league and then when we started hitting the ball we started separating ourselves.”

The Pirates also boasted a pair of golden gloves in the field, helping the team pull away down the stretch.

Andy Gerhartz was solid up the middle all year and Logan Bawcom played a tremendous third base defensively, Elbin said.

Elbin said he also wanted to make note of another defensive player, catcher Matt Kulbacki, by awarding him the “Tough As Nails” honor.

“For catching all those games, he caught about 10 or 15 games in a row,” he said. “He was a staple behind the plate.”

While the Pirate players racked up the stats and provided great effort throughout the season, it was Elbin at the helm directing the team.

Despite Tradewater’s success, he refused to take credit, except for bringing the players together on the same team.

“The biggest thing is working with kids from the D-I level to D-III to junior college and being able to mix and match and mesh them into a team,” he said. “That was what I was most happy with.”

Elbin said he enjoyed his time as Tradewater coach, but entering his final season as an assistant at Thiel College (Pa.), he does not yet know what part of the country he will find himself in next year.

“Right now it’s looking like I will be coming back,” he added. “That’s what I want to do, but I can’t really say for sure.”

Next season’s lineup may not be the same, but Pirate fans will no doubt remember the 2008 team as one of the greatest all-time.

Central looks to remain county champs

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

This fall the Hopkins County Central girls’ cross country team has one goal in mind — defend its title as county champions. After graduating seven seniors, however, the task will require much from the youthful returnees.

The Lady Storm runners have captured the county championship three times in the last five years, including back-to-back titles in 2006 and 2007.

Although coach Kent Akin believes his team has what it takes to repeat, he said the job will be difficult because Madisonville-North Hopkins and Dawson Springs typically have solid programs.

“That’s always one of our goals to win the county championship, but it’s going to be tough this year,” coach Kent Akin said. “It’s always a competitive race.”

Last season’s team was led by Victoria Miller, Samantha Morgan, and Ashly Rodgers. Miller and Rodgers each qualified for state four times and Morgan was all-county seven times.

This year’s leader will be junior Mattie Russell, in her third year running. Russell has been named all-county twice and will assume the role of captain for the Central runners.

“She’s doing a pretty good job leading the young ones through,” Akin said. “She came out ready this year. She showed a lot of leadership in taking over the team.”

After having many older girls to look up to in previous years, Russell said she’s now adjusting to being the example to underclassmen.

“I’m a little nervous about it, trying to get to know everybody,” she said. “I know some of the younger ones. I try to get us together as much as a team as we were before and get as close as we were.”

Russell’s friends may have graduated, but she said she keeps their advice in the forefront of her mind when running.

“I think about how the seniors from last year pushed me,” Russell noted. “I think about the stuff they said to me when they ran. I got to represent, I have to do it for them.”

The Lady Storm will also expect a lot from freshman Crystal White. White took the team’s rookie of the year award as an eighth-grader and will compete solely on the varsity level now.

“She ran as an eighth grader, so she’s got a little taste of it,” Akin said. “She got to compete in some varsity races, but she also competed in a lot of middle school races.”

White said she received a lot of support last season and hopes to be a big contributor.

“(Coach) Akin has always told me that he’s had confidence that I can do it,” she said. “I was really scared (last year), but everybody talked to me and just gave me the best confidence I’ve ever had for any sport I’ve ever done.”

Joining White and Russell on the 2008 squad will be junior Sara Fleischmann in her first year running and freshman Kaitlin Moore. Altough Moore did not run last year, she has run in the past and rejoins the program.

Freshman Kendall Bryant will also run this fall and Akin said she has shown a lot of potential thus far in practice.

Eighth-grader Kaylee Smitth and seventh-grader Hannah Tow round out the Central girls’ roster.

Akin said he realizes the obstacles of having such a young team, but thinks his girls can overcome it.

“We’ll have to grow up real quickly,” he said. “I think we’ve got a pretty good base. We’ve got a lot of talent. We’ve got some kids that seem enthusiastic about the sport. That’s one of the big things about being successful in this sport.”

Now in their second week of practice, the runners are working on building endurance and keeping a steady pace by running consecutively for predetermined amounts of time.

Even in the limited amount of practice, Akin said he likes what he has seen.

“I’ve been impressed with all of them,” he said. “These younger kids, each day that they’ve ran they’ve got a little bit better. They seem like they’re getting acquainted with it. I’ve been pleased with the progress.”

The team hopes its new members will progress enough to take a third consecutive county title this season, but Russell has her sights set a little higher.

“I haven’t been to state yet,” she said. “I went last year and I watched the race. It’s amazing how many people are there and 200 runners out there. I want to go back and compete.”

Central, North capture victories

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

The Hopkins County Central and Madisonville-North Hopkins varsity girls’ soccer teams each came away with victories during Saturday’s Lady Storm Jamboree in Morton’s Gap.

The host, Central, defeated Webster County 1-0, but dropped games to Lyon County 1-0 and North 6-0.

In addition to the win over Central, the Lady Maroons beat Webster 7-0.

Although Central lost to Lyon County, Lady Storm coach Susan Phelps said the game might have been the team’s most impressive performance.

“Their work rate in the second game was very good,” she said. “Lyon County is typically a team that passes the ball very well. We were able to shut down their passing lanes. I was really pleased with their ability to do that.”

Ellen French scored on a direct kick against Webster, the team’s only goal and eventual game-winner.

Although French accumulated the Lady Storm’s lone point, another player, Amber Coakley, shined during her touches.

“She just worked extremely hard up front to get free,” Phelps said. “She received the ball a lot. You don’t realize it until you see it on film. She was always open, it was good.”

Five varsity teams participated in the jamboree with each game just 40 minutes long, allowing teams to play more opponents.

“I think being able to play three teams in a short period was also good,” Phelps said. “I like the format a lot. Kids are able to get a lot of different looks in a short amount of time.”

Central’s game against North, however, was comprised of two 25-minute halves.

Junior Laura Rao scored three goals for North in the win over their rivals. Senior Heidi Clayton scored two goals and freshman Mason Howard added one.

During North’s previous game, Rao and Clayton combined to score the team’s first goal just 12 seconds after play began.

The duo stole the ball just after kickoff and passed back and forth toward the opposing goal. Clayton tapped ahead to Rao for a 1-0 lead.

“For the first scrimmage, we’re ahead of every team I’ve ever had as far as communicating and moving the ball,” North coach Steve Shepard said.

Rao’s goal was the first of four against the Lady Trojans. Clayton scored two goals and Ellen Whittington chipped in with one as well.

Although the Lady Maroon defense did not surrender a goal on the day, Shepard said the team has work to be done defensively.

“I don’t like the ball to cross the goal mouth, that’s just a no-no in soccer,” he said. “If it does cross the goal mouth, it needs to be gone. It doesn’t need to sit there for more than one-hundreth of a second. It needs to be gone, somewhere, anywhere away. My favorite motto for the defense is ‘when in doubt, kick it out.’ ”

North will be back in action for a scrimmage at 7 p.m. today at Muhlenburg South. The Lady Maroons’ first game is Aug. 19 against Caldwell County, and Central plays the same day at Hopkinsville.

Trojan runners have eyes on state meet

Sunday, August 10, 2008

Despite the loss of some proven runners on both the boys and girls side, the Webster County cross country team expects to compete for a chance to go to state.

Last season the boys finished 10th overall in the state and the girls narrowly missed qualifying, but both intend to reach the mark this fall.

Both teams’ success helped coach Todd Whitsell increase his roster size.

“Any time you do well and can get recognized a little bit, it’s going to have other kids open up interest for you,” he said. “That’s what I looked at for a recruiting tool.”

The boys team grew by three while the girls added four individuals, so now each team sports 10 runners.

“The girls that came in have stepped up real nice,” Whitsell said. “I think the girls are going to be real competitive.”

The Lady Trojans lost the leadership of seniors Emily Patton and Brandy Shoulders, but Whitsell said he feels he knows a runner who can fill the void.

“We’re going to have to find somebody new to step up this year,” he said. “I think Ellie Steiner, that ran for me last year, will be able to provide that for us.”

For the boys, junior Chase Stone and seniors Mykel Stanley and Drew Osborn will return to lead the squad in an attempt to reach state in consecutive years.

All three of the boys set personal records at last year’s state meet.

Stone, in just his first year with the team, had the lowest time among the three, finishing at 18:00. Stanley finished at 18:36 and Osborn came in at 19:00.

Now, with a year under his belt, Stone said he’s ready for this season’s challenges.

“It’s going to be a fun season,” he said. “All three of us are leaders this year and that’s going to be a change, but I think we’re all ready to step into that role.”

Stanley has participated individually at state for the last three years, but has even more drive now in his final season.

“I’m a senior, I want to go out with a bang,” he said. “That’s pretty much what I’m focused on.”

Osborn, who has impressed Whitsell with his development during the summer, said his key to success during a meet is focusing on one goal at a time.

“Just trying to catch the person in front of you,” he said. “Just always trying to get that one spot better.”

Stone has his own thoughts, however, when he’s on the course.

“I just keep telling myself I can (do it),” he said. “Pain is natural. I also think about water.”

One thing all the boys agreed on though was that each runner

tries to occupy his mind with music.

“Everybody listens to their own song in their head,” Stanley said.

With music on the mind during a race, it may sound like the Trojans aren’t focused, but the team has been practicing since July 15.

The team has been trying to build endurance, especially for those new to the squad, Whitsell said.

During practice the runners will alternate workouts by either practicing strength on hills or long-distance. Later in the season, the runners will advance into speed workouts.

With a core of talented returning runners and dedicated beginners, Whitsell said the team’s drive will determine its future.

“I feel like if we can stayed focused and continue to work together, and to push each other every day in practice and believe in one another, I think those are the keys right there to a successful season,” he said.

The Trojans begin the season with their first meet Sept. 6 at Madisonville-North Hopkins High School.

Lady Trojans look to improve on 2007

Saturday, August 09, 2008

The Webster County varsity girls’ soccer team already has one more win that it did all last year, and the season has yet to begin.

The Lady Trojans finished 2007 with an 0-16-1 record, but notched a 2-0 win over Louisville-Seneca during the Bluegrass State Games earlier this summer.

Junior co-captain Morgan Major, who scored on a penalty kick in the victory, said it’s a nice way to kick off the 2008 campaign.

“It felt pretty good,” Major said. “I think it will be pretty good for us coming off a win to start the season.”

Webster County graduated four seniors from last year’s squad but welcomes the addition of four freshmen.

Despite last season’s lack of wins, the team scored plenty of goals.

“We want to build on that great year offensively,” coach Tom Welshans said. “We just have to learn our defensive strategies to be better.”

Welshans has had the girls working on defensive skills since June and said he feels it’s an area they will improve upon greatly.

One defender’s play he will not have to worry about is the team’s lone senior, co-captain Kristin Wright, a 2007 all-district selection.

“If somebody is going to score a lot, or we let a couple goals in, I’ll stop them,” she said. “I will do anything in my power to not let them get another goal in the game. I just never give up.”

Wright said she expects the team to be successful because of the winning attitude the girls have developed.

“We have a big season to look forward to,” she said. “We have a lot of strong players coming back, key players. We’re going to show people that we aren’t coming out here to be a joke. We’re serious, we want to play the game.”

Another defender Welshans will depend on is sophomore

Natalie Green.

“She’s our center defender,” he said. “She controls all our defensive sets, so I’m expecting her to step up into that role of defensive captain.”

Mary Rachel Hobgood will act as sweeper on defense as well.

Offensively, the Lady Trojans will be anchored by Morgan, a returning all-district selection, and forwards Sarah Dame and Shelby Todd.

Dame scored the team’s other goal in its win over Seneca and has impressed Welshans.

“She’s just got the most powerful leg,” he said. “Forty yards is no problem for her to pepper the goal.”

Major will play as center forward, but said she will use her left foot most often, which she said gives her an advantage on opponents.

“I like to play on the left side a lot,” she said. “I’m stronger with my left foot. I play up front as a forward, so it’s important for me to be able to get the ball in the goal whenever I can.”

Ellie Green, the team’s third co-captain, will be a midfielder and help fellow juniors Haley Corum and Alyssa Cook, who are new to the program.

Corum and Cook join the team after playing several years on recreational and club teams.

Freshman Halie Brown will get the nod at goalie after playing three years for Welshans on the junior varsity team.

After a summer full of progress and a win to boast as well, the Webster County girls feel well on the way to success this season.

For Wright, in her final year of high school play, she’s hoping to achieve a personal goal as well.

“I hope to score my first goal because I’ve always played defense,” she said. “I’ve never scored a goal so that’s what I hope for, and to get a few wins.”

The Lady Trojans will take to the field Aug. 18 when they visit Muhlenburg-South in search of their first regular season win.

Club hopes event gets rolling

Saturday, August 09, 2008

Local children may dream of being the next best NASCAR driver, and soon they may be able to take their first steps toward their goal with the Pennyrile Soap Box Derby Association, even before attaining a driver’s license.

The club, formed in December, hosted a presentation Friday morning at the Madisonville Chamber of Commerce to kick off its campaign to host an All-American Soap Box Derby race on June 6 in town.

“If things go well we’re going to be looking at a fall race in 2009 and a spring race in 2010,” association president Bill Farrell said.

There are two different types of races in soap box derby racing — local races with winners moving on to the world championships and rallies, in which racers accumulate points throughout a season in order to advance.

A rally race could draw participants from Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Missouri and Tennessee, thus pumping a lot of money into the community, Farrell said.

“They’re going to have to rent hotel rooms,” he continued. “They’re going to have to buy food. They’re going to go to the mall, they’re going to go to Wal-Mart. They’re going to spend money in our community and that’s what we want.”

Next June’s race will be a local race, and subsequent races would qualify as rally races, vice-president Brien Terry said.

Winners will advance to the 72nd annual World Championships, which are held in Akron, Ohio.

To send drivers to Akron the club will have to raise at least $800 for each child who advances to help offset the travel expenses.

Farrell said he hopes to raise money through local sponsorships.

Once in Akron, the real fun begins for the racers.

“When they get to Akron they’re treated like kings and queens for a week,” assistant regional director Doug Froedge said. “They’re escorted down one of the main streets with sirens and police escorts. Once you become a local champion, they really go all out.”

Each man representing the club reiterated the sport is not dominated by boys like one may think. In fact, girls have an advantage because they are more flexible and with their smaller size the team has a better idea how to distribute weight throughout the car.

Terry said the concept is reinforced when attending the championships with its vast amount of children from both genders.

“There’s a restaurant in Ohio that they have a room set aside — it’s called the Derby Room,” he said. “When you go in there it’s got pictures of all the kids from Akron that have won at the worlds. It’s got more pictures of girls on the walls than boys.”

Farrell described the typical car as, “a gravity-fed, hand-built car that will average about 30 miles an hour.”

For the association’s first race in Madisonville next June, they will race two classes, stock and super stock.

Stock division racers are ages 8-13 and are usually smaller than 5-foot-3’’ and 125 pounds while super stock is designed for children 10-17 and up to 150 pounds and six feet tall.

The association hopes to add the masters division, which incorporates a lay-down design, by the following year.

During a race, drivers will have two runs down the course. After the first run each driver will swap wheels and lanes to ensure fairness. The winner is determined by the difference in finish times over both races.

Pennyrile hopes to have 15 participants in each division for its inaugural race and continue to grow in subsequent years.

Currently, Madisonville’s first race is scheduled to take place at Industrial Drive, but the organizers said they would like to hold the event downtown on Main Street if possible.

While the race itself is a one-person sport for the driver, the process is a team-event.

“The biggest thing about soap box derby racing is it’s family-oriented,” Froedge said. “I’ve spent hundreds of miles with my nephews and sister out on the road, soap box derby racing.”

Farrell agreed and said the association’s goal is to promote family bonding.

“Akron likes for these cars to be 85 percent child built,” he said. “They want interaction, family and child.”

Cars can be purchased through All-American Soap Box Derby Association or locally through Pennyrile for same price. Car kits cost $300 and include a helmet, however wheels cost an additional $90.

Each car typically takes four to six hours to assemble and the club will begin hosting workshops in January to answer questions and assist those building cars.

Two females will play for Panthers' boys' varsity team

Friday, August 08, 2008

For 26 members of the Dawson Springs boys’ varsity soccer team this season will be one of adjusting to a youthful program in its second year of existence, but for two other members it will be one of adjusting to playing with boys.

Juniors Beth Anne Dickens and Emilee Workman will join the boys program after not enough girls of age showed interest to field a girls varsity team.

The move is not one that surprised the athletic department because the girls team graduated seven seniors last season, leaving few upperclassmen behind.

By springtime Dickens and Workman were forced to make a decision.

“It was play with the boys, or don’t play at all,” Workman said.

Boys coach Randal Campbell welcomed the addition of the girls because they bring years of talent and experience to a program that is just getting its roots.

“They bring solid fundamentals,” Campbell said. “They played on a girls soccer team several years. They have a great understanding of the game.

They’ve earned the respect of our boys.”

Although the team has not had its first game yet, Workman said she already notices great differences in the style of play.

“They’re definitely bigger than the girls,” she said. “You get knocked down a lot. They’re a lot quicker. They like more contact. They’ll run up to you and let you have it.”

Workman and Dickens agreed one difference they bring to the team is their ability to remain calm and not argue or fight like the boys may be inclined to do.

Despite the differences senior goalie Alan Higbee said there is no tension on the team because they are united in the goal to succeed.

“I don’t feel ashamed to have girls on the team,” he said. “I’m not sexist at all. They’re good, they’re going to help me.

Senior co-captain Zach Chappell agreed and welcomed the girls into the team’s family.

“We’re brothers and now two sisters,” he added. “They’re as good as we are. We can’t really patronize them.”

While the Panther boys may have welcomed Dickens and Workman quite easily, the same may not be true when the girls take to the field against opposing players.

“Some of them I think will try to be too gentle with us, or try to kill us,” Dickens said.

If other players attempt to be too physical, however, Chappell, Higbee, Aaron Duke, and Jonathan Snell all agreed they would step in to correct the situation.

Duke admitted opposing players may laugh at first to see girls on the field, but not once the ball is put in play and they exhibit their skills.

Campbell is hoping the duo will have a different effect on the opposition.

“The first couple weeks we practiced with them our boys were sweet and nice,” he said. “We’re hoping we’ll get the bluff over on (opposing teams) early.”

Besides helping the team with their experience Campbell said the girls’ presence has also raised the character of the team.

“It’s caused the boys to be much more respectful on the field, better men of character, better sportsmen, they have become greater athletes,” he noted.

While the team’s success this season is to be determined one thing is clear, the girls will remain committed to success and will not allow the opposite gender to push them around on the field.

“They will knock my boys to the ground in a heartbeat and not feel bad about it,” Campbell said. “So my boys have learned to push back.

“These two, Beth Anne and Emilee are not wimpy girls. They show up, they give me their best efforts every game.”

Team looks to bounce back

Friday, August 08, 2008

With the Dawson Springs boys’ varsity soccer program beginning its second year, coach Randall Campbell feels the young program now has the opportunity to have a “banner year.”

The Panthers recorded just one win in their first season, but now with seven seniors, the team has nowhere to go but up.

“Every sports team in Dawson Springs has a banner hanging up in the gym except our boys soccer team,” Campbell said. “It’s only our second varsity season, but we want a banner.”

Now with a year of experience to reflect upon, Campbell said the team can progress beyond the fundamentals.

“The best benefit this year is we’re smarter about soccer,” he said. “We understand the game much better. Last year we had to learn how to kick a ball, just the basic parts of kicking a ball. This year we can work on passing and communication.”

In addition to another year of experience, the program also grew from a total of 18 varsity and junior varsity players to 28, led by the seven seniors.

Seniors Carson Labrado and Zach Chappell will lead the team as co-captains.

For some programs, players with the highest stats may be picked as captains, but for Dawson Springs the titles were given to those that exhibit true leadership, regardless of goals or assists.

“For us, we’re not here just to win here this year,” Campbell said. “We’re here to build a program and I need captains who are going to instill in my younger players the great qualities that they are going to be great people of character.”

Chappell, in just his second year of soccer, said he is already noticing improvement from his teammates.

“We’ve been working on plays actually and passing more,” he said. “Last year it was like give the ball to one person to shoot and see if they’re open.”

Senior goalie Alan Higbee may not have the same experience, but he is also excited about the Panthers’ opportunities to improve.

“This is my first year playing soccer and I feel confident truthfully,” he said.

Campbell said Higbee has shown great progress during the summer practices and will be an integral part of the team’s success.

“Alan Higbee has come along,” he said. “He looks good. He’s developing into a smart goalie for me.”

Others who are expected to make big contributions will be juniors Aaron Labrado and Jacob Patton up front.

After scoring just 16 goals in 18 games last season, Campbell said he feels confident the team will have greater offensive firepower.

“Offensively we’re going to score some more goals than last year,” he said. “We have five offensive players that are going to take the ball really, really well.

“We have a number of players that are going to assist. We have some good speed and smartness there.”

Defensively, Chappell and fellow senior Nick Gogel will bring up the back.

Jonathan Snell will replace one of two seniors that graduated from Dawson Springs’ inaugural boys soccer team.

“He’s got the speed in the back and he’s got the aggressiveness to not care if he gets knocked flat on the ground,” Campbell said. “He’s going after somebody. He’s going to take care of things.”

The 2008 squad will also feature veteran experience from Beth Anne Dickens and Emilee Workman, who played last season for the girls’ varsity team.

The boys admitted the girls bring tenacious attitudes and great ball-handling skills that will no doubt help the team.

While Dawson Springs may have some individual players to rely upon this year, acting as one will be the team’s key to a successful season, Campbell said.

“Communication has been what we worked on since day one this summer,” he said. “They know how to talk to each other and how to say it and how to work as a team.”

This season may be just the program’s second ever, but Campbell isn’t afraid to aim high.

“My greatest ambition is eight wins,” he said. “We’re one team with one goal this year, that’s our motto. “

Dawson Springs begins its second season with a scrimmage Tuesday at home against Heritage Christian Academy.

Central begins the Adamson era

Thursday, August 07, 2008

There will be a number of new faces joining the Hopkins County Central volleyball program this season in hopes of creating a winning tradition, including head coach Mary Catherine Adamson.

Adamson joins the team after working as a high school assistant coach in Winchester while attending Eastern Kentucky University.

Although Central is still days away from its first game, Adamson’s presence has already boosted the team’s morale.

“Last year, the whole spirit of the team wasn’t as good,” senior co-captain Lauren Griffith said. “It just wasn’t the same. She’s a whole lot more positive and I think it will really contribute to our team this year.”

Junior Kara Willis said Adamson’s passion and coaching style will propel the team this year.

“Her coaching style is extremely positive,” she said. “She’s able to give us energy and real positive criticism, real upbeat. She’s real energetic and just loves what she does.”

The Lady Storm lost just one senior to graduation from last year’s team and have already developed a strong team chemistry. This season, Central will have five seniors, but only two, Griffith and co-captain ReAnna Hart, have played since freshman year.

Central’s newly acquired seniors include Adrienne Brown, Kristen Howard and Emily Zimmerman.

Despite being new to the scene, the three seniors have adapted quickly and show a great interest to improve.

“They’re all about, ‘hey teach me how to do this, teach me how to do that,’” Hart said. “We just stay after practice and help them out.”

Adamson particularly noted Zimmerman’s development.

“She has greatly improved since she has come,” Adamson said. “She’s a taller girl, so she can get up and spike, but she can also pass and go for digs.”

Freshmen Dustie Hoffman and Victoria Herndon have also caught Adamson’s attention as she tries them in different positions.

“They hustle, they follow the ball, they get to it,” she said. “I think they’re going to be very valuable players in the future.”

Hart, Griffith and Willis will be the anchors of the team though, and they will be looked upon as great contributors to Central’s success.

Griffith will work as an outside hitter while Hart will take the middle hitter position. Willis’ position is not so defined as she will assume various duties that Adamson asks of her.

“She is one of our all-around players,” Adamson said. “It doesn’t matter what position you put her in, she’s going to work it. She’s going to get her spikes in, hustle to the ball, get digs so we expect her to excel even more this year.”

Juniors Chelsey Cates and Hannah Farris as well as sophomore Cassandra Haley will also see plenty of time as starters.

Rounding out the roster will be juniors Hannah Smith and Kyllie Bean, sophomore Whitney Wooton and freshmen Faith Hill, Allison Larkins and Kaylin Watkins

Along with team chemistry, the girls said they feel serving is amongst the team’s strengths this season.

“This year our coach has had us work more on serving than our previous coach did,” Griffith said. “Our serving has just gotten a whole lot better than it used to be. I don’t think we’ll be missing as many points from serving anymore.”

Although Central won just three matches last year, the Lady Storm have lofty aspirations for this season. The players said they hope to make it to districts and even regionals, but one team in particular has already been circled on its schedule.

“We’re really looking forward to the game against (Madisonville-North Hopkins),” Willis said. “We really feel strongly about beating them. There’s a lot of rivalry there.”

For Adamson, she brings a new attitude to the team and plans to guide the team on the road to success.

“I’m looking more toward the future and not the past,” she said. “We’re looking forward to a lot more wins this year.

“Leave the past in the past, we’re moving toward the future, looking in a new direction.”

Central will begin the 2008 season when it visits Muhlenburg-North at 6 p.m. on Monday.

Maroons shooting for return to state

Wednesday, August 06, 2008

For the Madisonville-North Hopkins boys’ varsity soccer team, last season’s appearance in the first round of the state tournament may have been just a steppingstone. That’s because this year’s team returns nine starters.

In 2007, the Maroons took top honors in the 5th Region and later lost to Bowling Green in the state tourney, but with most players coming back, the team expects another successful season.

“We’re pretty excited to have so many solid players back with a lot of experience that are used to our system,” coach John Tichenor said. “They know what the coaches want. It’s not something that we’re going to have to teach over.”

Among the returning players are senior captains Rush Dugger and Miles Durham. Last season Dugger led the state with 35 goals, and Durham paced all Kentucky players with 29 assists. Dugger also finished 12th in the state for assists, and Durham was in the top 20 for goals.

Tichenor said each player’s role is different but both will be expected to be great contributors to the team’s success.

“Rush is a pure goal-scorer,” Tichenor said. “He has a knack and an uncanny way of finding the back of the net.

“Miles is our distributor. He understands where the ball is going to be before it actually gets there. He can put the ball places where he knows our players are going to run on.”

Durham, as a midfielder, said he enjoys getting the goal but understands the importance of passing to his teammates when he’s being defended closely.

“First, I look to finish,” he said. “If the goal is open I try to score, but second, I look for Rush or one of the other forwards, so I can get it to them if I have the chance.”

The duo’s years of playing together also allows them to anticipate each other’s next move.

“I try to get in position where Miles can give it to me, and 95 percent of the time Miles will get it to me,” Dugger said.

Behind Dugger and Durham, the team boasts many other strong returning players as well.

Senior Micah Crowell will also start and is another viable scoring option for opposing defenses to watch.

“He takes the pressure off Miles and Rush and that’s another legitimate offensive threat so we’re very excited about him as well contributing up front,” Tichenor said.

Other starters will include Trevor Gillespie at wing while Corey Ashby and Ethan Rutledge will rotate at the stopper position.

Junior Austin Walker, last season’s most valuable player on the junior varsity team, will make the move up to varsity and become one of the team’s starting defenders.

Maartin Adams, a junior, will secure the defensive mid position.

“He’s what I call a beast in the weight room,” Tichenor said. “He will play in the middle a lot. Just his presence sometimes is intimidating to opposing players.”

Logan Whitfield will also play defense as the team’s “lock-down defender.”

“We figure out who the opposing best player is and he’s going to be the person to get that assignment,” Tichenor said.

John Arnold and JD Lester round out the North defense. Arnold will act as the team’s sweeper while Lester will take position at goalkeeper.

As sweeper Arnold will be the Maroons’ “quarterback of the defense,” organizing the team’s strategy as the game progresses.

“I have to be vocal,” he said. “I can see most of the field back there. I can orchestrate everybody and tell them where they need to be going.”

Lester will be the team’s last line of defense as goalie and assumes the position after splitting time last year as a field player and keeper.

“He understands that we need a goalie and again that’s another example of he’s doing maybe not what is best for him, but what is best for the team,” Tichenor said. “I have a lot of appreciation for JD being willing to play that position, he plays it well too.”

With so many returning pieces, the Maroons’ success is in their hands this season.

“I believe when they walk on the field, it doesn’t matter who they play, they expect to win,” Tichenor said. “That’s just a mentality that our program has taken on over the past few years. I think they expect to win, they train to win.”

North begins its quest back to state when the team visits Murray High School on Aug. 19

Price sizzles late to capture championship

Tuesday, August 05, 2008

By Nick Brockman

Messenger Sports Reporter

nbrockman@the-messenger.com

Although Sunday’s last group out in the championship flight boasted the previous two winners of the Eli Barron Golf Tournament, the battle for first was between the lesser-known duo of the foursome.

Adam Legate took a two-stroke lead over 2007 champ Andy Roberts and three-stroke lead over five-time winner and 2006 champion Jimmy Riddle, into the final round.

By day’s end, however, Jerry Price, a 22-year-old from Owensboro who now lives in Louisville, etched his name into the record books at Madisonville Golf and Country Club, overcoming a three-stroke deficit to begin the day.

Trailing Legate by two strokes after the front nine, Price, a 2008 graduate of Murray State University, began his ascent to the top as the group moved to the back.

“I was making progress, that’s all I needed,” Price said. “The back nine is where you’ve got to make your move anyway. Just stay in it on the front nine, which is what I did.”

Price benefited from another golfer’s misfortune right before the group made the turn, however, when Legate stumbled on holes eight and nine.

Legate led Price by four strokes after seven holes, but the tide quickly turned in Price’s favor.

“It was tight,” Legate said. “I had a four-shot lead there and he made a long putt on eight (for par), and I made two bogeys on nine and ten, so three shots gone right there.”

Meanwhile Roberts and Riddle posted 37 and 38 respectively on the front nine, three and six shots behind the leader Legate at three under par.

“I just didn’t hit it good enough off the tee to score,” Roberts said.

“I had three penalty shots, so I couldn’t get it in position enough consistently to get something going.”

Roberts gained a stroke on the 11th after his second shot fell within five feet of the pin, and he tapped in for the group’s only birdie of the hole.

Price, an Owensboro native, broke away from the pack with a birdie on the 12th and an eagle on the par-five 13th.

After a strong tee shot to the middle of the fairway on 13, Price knocked his second shot, from 240 yards away, within two feet of the pin. He tapped in for eagle from there.

“That shot he hit on the par five was just amazing,” Legate said. “Two feet from 240, flip-flopped (the momentum).”

Roberts agreed with Legate that Price’s play on 13 allowed him to break away.

“That eagle he made, that pretty much separated everybody unless he made some huge mistake,” Roberts said.

After the hole, Price held a two-shot lead over Legate, his closest competitor.

Price said it was his ability to consistently hit greens that allowed him to move in front.

“I think I only missed two or three greens all day,” Price said. “I was just making routine pars and taking advantage of the shorter holes and par fives.”

Legate picked up a stroke on the next hole when Price’s drive went off the left side of the green on the par-three 14th hole. Price chipped on and two-putted for bogey and Legate finished with a par.

On the very next hole, however, Price regained his two-stroke advantage as he hit yet another green and made par, while Legate bogeyed.

Despite the two-shot lead with just three holes remaining, Price said he never felt completely in command of his competitors.

“Not really, because with this course you can make a bogey here pretty quick if you hit an off-line tee shot,” he said.

“The greens are always tricky, so I knew I had to keep making pars coming in, make them come after me since I had a two-shot lead, just trying to make, which is what I did.”

Price parred each of his final three holes, but Legate threatened to send the duo to a playoff with an eagle opportunity on the par-five 18th.

Legate made the green in two shots and had a chance to pull even with Price on a 20-foot uphill putt, but fell just short of the cup.

“I hit it pretty good, just misread it,” he said. “(Price) just played great on the back nine. I definitely didn’t play good, but I can’t take anything away from the way he played.”

Price finished with a three-under 68 on the day, one shot better than Legate for the tournament. Legate shot a 72 on Sunday while Roberts and Riddle each posted scores of 75.

Tournament provides chance for former teammates to reunite

Sunday, August 03, 2008

Over the years a lot of money and personal possessions have changed hands in bets on the golf course between four former golfers from Hopkins County Central High School, but many memories have resulted as well.

For golfers G.R. Chandler, Michael Dugger, Clint Sharber and Clay Williams, Saturday’s 40th annual Eli Barron Golf Tournament is a chance to reunite and relive the glory days of playing together in high school.

“It’s nice, it’s a good time,” Williams said. “It brings us back to the way we were when we were little.”

Williams shot 71 in Saturday’s opening round and trails Lexington’s Adam Legate, who fired a five under par 68, by three strokes. Defending champion Andy Roberts of Owensboro is again in the hunt after putting a 70 on the leaderboard. Jimmy Riddle and Jerry Price find themselves tied with Williams.

Dugger graduated in 2001, Williams and Sharber both graduated in 2002 and Chandler in 2003.

The foursome spent just one year together on the high school team, but they made it count by qualifying for state as a team.

Although the golfers are seven years removed from that mutual achievement, it’s still understood every summer they will golf together in the Eli Barron.

Chandler now lives in Florida and Dugger in South Carolina.

Dugger said since his move it’s been difficult to find the same comfortablity with others on the golf course.

“It’s tough when you get out (of town), living in new places,” he said. “You like to play with people you’re competitive with and enjoy playing with and those two are kind of hard to find sometimes.”

Before everyone got older and moved though, the four friends would meet on the course for late evening sessions.

Chandler lived off hole 16’s old tee box and Sharber lives off hole four. They would meet Dugger and Williams at hole five, who lived off its tee box.

“We all would meet on (hole) five since everybody lived close and we would play in the dark sometimes,” Williams said.

Now years later, the friends made their way around the course on Saturday. They made small side bets, congratulated each other, or even gave one another a hard time if it deserved.

After a solid front nine, Williams lost his touch a bit on the back, but not his sense of humor.

Williams knocked down his second shot on the par four 15th hole within six feet of the pin and said, “I can three-putt from there.”

Dugger hit from about the same spot and also found the green, saying he was “in the zone,” afterward.

On the next hole, Dugger continued his hot streak with a solid drive.

“I’m going to play another 18 after this, recalculate my score,” he said.

Earlier, when the group was on the 13th, Sharber nailed a nearly 40-foot putt for the foursome’s only birdie on the hole.

When asked about the putt after the round, Sharber said it was basically like hitting a prayer and he needed to make the putt.

Sharber drew some heat from his friends when he admitted to making a 70-foot putt in his career.

“Listen to this guy,” Dugger said.

While nothing too dramatic happened on hole nine during the group’s round on Saturday, the hole seems to be full of stories from years past.

During one occasion, before the group arrived at the course, Dugger agreed to sell Sharber a pair of Oakley glasses, but the price was not set in stone.

“We were playing for the price and he was going to charge me $50,” Sharber said. “One hole, I said let’s cut the price in half if I beat you or I’ll pay more. I won that hole.”

By hole nine, the duo agreed to go all-in. Sharber took the hole and a free pair of sun glasses.

Williams and Chandler, however, have their own memorable moment from the hole.

“One time on nine, G.R. hits a 60-footer,” Williams said. “I said I bet you $50 you can’t do it again, and he drains it. I said double or nothing you can’t do it again, and he hits it again.”

Chandler laughed after Williams recounted the tale.

“That was a good day,” Chandler said.

Recounting the memories after day one of the golf tournament, everyone agreed the event will be something they always take part in together.

The memories are important, but the friends also hope to contend for Sunday’s title. After day one Williams paced the group with a 71. Chandler and Sharber tied with 74 and Dugger finished with an 86.

Oiler dominate Tradewater

Sunday, August 03, 2008

DAWSON SPRINGS – The Tradewater Pirates took the KIT League regular season pennant last week, but on Saturday night the team came up short in its effort to claim the post-season championship as well.

Down 1-0 in the best-of-three championship series with the third-seed Owensboro Oilers, Tradewater dropped the deciding game 11-1 at Riverside Park, bringing an end to one of the most successful seasons in Pirate history.

Starting pitcher Don Pugliese surrendered four runs on two home runs in the first inning, setting the tone in what would be difficult evening for Tradewater pitchers.

Pugliese recorded each of his first five outs by strikeout, but in between he allowed four runs.

Just three hitters into the game, Owensboro took a 3-0 lead on a Mykel Makorem no-doubt home run to right-centerfield. Two batters later, Oiler first baseman Tom Freeman left the yard on a solo shot putting Owensboro ahead 4-0.

Owensboro tacked another run on Pugliese in the third inning, and Tradewater finally broke up the shutout in its half of the fourth.

Nate Wright reached when he was hit by a pitch and then moved to second on a groundout to the pitcher. With two outs, second baseman Jason Cramer hit an RBI bloop single to centerfield cutting the lead to 5-1.

Pitcher Payne Spence relieved Pugliese in the top of the fourth inning and allowed just one baserunner in his first two innings of work.

Spence ran into some trouble, however, in the sixth inning when Owensboro tagged him for four runs.

The Oilers’ first five batters reached base to begin the rally. After one run scored on an errant throw to first by Spence, Makorem added an RBI single to left field. Two more runs scored on a bases-loaded walk and RBI grounder.

Tradewater’s Kevin Belk entered to end the inning, but struggled during the seventh inning. Belk allowed five runners to reach base and was charged with two runs.

As Owensboro continued to pour on the runs, Tradewater’s offense sputtered due to a dominating performance by Oiler starter Neil Holland.

The University of Louisville hurler worked five innings, striking out six Pirates and allowing just one run on two hits.

The Pirates had just as little success against the Owensboro bullpen.

Tradewater amounted just one baserunner over the final three innings.

Pirate pitchers Eric Faint and Jonathan Lee combined to shutdown the Oilers over the final couple innings, but in the end the pitching staff lacked the support to overcome a 10-run deficit.

Tradewater finishes the 2008 season 37-17, one victory shy of its all-time most winningest season.

That took place in 2006 when the Pirates recorded a club-record 38 wins.

Thin Panthers still seeking to improve in '08

Saturday, August 02, 2008

The Dawson Springs boys’ golf team may be thin this year, but a trio of upperclassmen and a knowledgeable coach plan to make 2008 a season of continued improvement.

Dawson Springs graduated three golfers from last year’s squad while other members have chosen not to return to golf, but it has not dampened the spirits of the boys who came out to the course.

“We have pretty good team chemistry going on right now,” junior Aaron Labrado said. “We’re trying to get the young ones to like the game.”

Labrado and his older brother Carson, a senior, will help their father, coach Jose Labrado, to guide the team’s younger golfers, one freshman and five eighth graders.

Senior Dylan Frost rounds out the roster and will also play an integral role as the probable No. 1 golfer, Jose said.

The upcoming year will be a rebuilding one for the Panther golfers, following a “breakout season” in which Dawson Springs missed qualifying for state as a team by two strokes.

Last season Brett Roberts, now with Eastern Kentucky University, paced the team, but this year Frost and the Labrado brothers will have to be the example to a young crop of golfers.

When asked about the team’s greatest strength, Jose said it’s undeniably the relationship between the three elder golfers.

“The unity, they’re just close,” he said. “They’re close-knit. All three of them because they have been hanging out so long. They pick each other up, and I think that’s one of the pluses that they have.”

As the three oldest golfers on the team, the group knows its responsibility to aid the new additions to the squad.

“We just try to help them out a bit, help them with their swing,” Frost said. “(Thursday) we played up on top and they paired us up with them. We kind of helped them out with their grip, their stance.”

As a seasoned golfer, Aaron said he advises them with the mental aspect of the game as well.

“I just try whenever they’re set up wrong or not really thinking, I just try to help them to cool down and think about what they’re doing,” he said.

With intense heat bearing down on Western Kentucky for the majority of the summer, the Dawson Springs golfers have not had much time to get on the course.

Instead, the team has been spending most of its time at the practice green by sharpening its putting and chipping skills, but that’s not entirely negative, Jose said.

In fact, coach Labrado did not allow the team to use woods until the second week of practice.

“As far as I’m concerned (chipping and putting are) the fundamentals of the game,” he said.

“That was what was instilled in me when I started playing and that’s what I’ve passed on to the kids.”

While Jose may have asked his golfers not to take out their woods until the second week of practice, Carson did not even have a chance to play until he returned from the Governor’s Scholar Program. When Carson did return, Jose said he was impressed with his shots off the tee, even out-driving his father on a few holes.

Although the team understands winning matches will be a difficult task this season, the golfers are still setting individual goals.

Frost said a good nine holes for him is in the low 40s, but he would like to improve upon that mark by season’s end.

“I would just like to hit a few rounds in the 30s, keep my score a little lower,” he said.

Despite low numbers and varying ages, one thing every member will be focused on this season will be improvement.

“It’s a rebuilding year to say the least,” he said. “We’re just trying to start them up with the fundamentals. Get them started fundamentally and hopefully they’ll develop as the year goes by.”

Dawson Springs begins the 2008 high school schedule at Pennyrile Forrest State Park Golf Course on Monday afternoon when it plays host to the Cougars of McLean County High School.