Undefeated Season
Christ the King Basketball Team Celebrates An Undefeated Season by Lauren Henry
The scene is a familiar one. The auditorium
is brightly lit and packed full of parents and fans. The separate voices of the crowd fade into one roar in the background accented by the squeaking of sneakers on the wooden floor. Brightly colored jerseys dart here and there on the court and out of the corner of your eye you spy the orange orb as it leaves the hands of the shooter. The crowd stands and in one triumphant moment, the ball swishes satisfyingly through the hoop. As time runs out on the clock, the fifth through sixth grade division of the Christ the King girl’s basketball team knows they have done it; they are declared the champions for both the regular season and the tournament play with an impressive final record of 12-0. Clad in their bold red jerseys with bright white numbering and lettering, the ten young ladies who comprise the team are led by their devoted coach and former R&B Singer, Russell Hamilton. You may have heard Hamilton’s song entitled “Rich Man” that reached the number nine spot on the Billboard charts. Though each girl is an individual in her own right with unique and diverse talents, they are brought together by their love of the classic American game. Coach Hamilton tells us, “Several of the
girls had never played basketball and this was my first year as a coach.” What led Hamilton to take this coaching position? He answers, “The reason I decided to coach the team was because of my daughter, Alexandra.” Alexandra was an adorable second grader, (now third grader) at Christ the King, and Hamilton says further, “I thought this would be a great opportunity for her to be in the gym with the other girls and that they could be a good influence on her. In turn, Alexandra was our little helper on and off the court.” Heading up the crew on the court is the team’s star point guard and most valuable player award winner, Catey Nash, the granddaughter of a man whose jersey (Number 44) hangs proudly from the rafters in Rupp Arena. Yes, it’s true. Catey Nash is following the footsteps of her grandfather, Charles ‘Cotton’ Nash, one of the greatest University of Kentucky Basketball players of all time. Not only was Cotton a three-time All-American for college basketball with UK, he also played baseball for the university as well. Cotton then went on to play professional basketball and baseball after graduating from college, though he was accepted into Dental school here in Lexington. Cotton played
Congratulations on your undefeated season ladies, you deserve it! Most Valuable Player: Catey Nash #12 Defensive Player of the Year: Maggie Corbett #5 Offensive Player of the Year: Maggie Vollet #25 Most Improved Defensive Player: Isabelle Kauffman #15 Rookie of the Year: Nina Jazdzweski #1 Most Athletic Player: MaryMichael Reynolds #2 Most Dedicated Player: Gracie Hardy #40 Most Coachable Player: Jordan Skinner #4 Most Improved Offensive Player: Audrey Harper #44 Outstanding Shooter: Ann Marie Sanders #43
Catey Nash named Most Valuable Player.
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AUGUST 2013 | TOPSINLEX.COM
Christ the King 5th-6th Division Regular Season and Tournament Champions with a final record of 12-0