West Kentucky Sports April 2019 issue

Volume 2, Issue 3

Baseball, Softball Seasons Underway — Page 24

State running Local player out of officials lifts US team — Page 14

— Page 9

April 2019 • Page 3

2To Be | Page 5

Recognizing the accomplishments of students off the field from Murray High School and McCracken County.

24

Butler Awarded | Page 9

A Paducah Tilghman High School senior has won the Louis Stout Memorial Scholarship.

Ref Shortage | Page 14

Fans are leading to a shortage of officials across the state.

5

Sports Briefs | Page 33

A Lyon County junior set a school record in track, while Marshall County students were recognized in March.

The Back Page | Page 34

9 22

Payton Croft is the new Cardinals head coach. Second Region fans may remember him in a different role.

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Page 4 • April 2019

GOT SOCCER PHOTOS? We want to share them!

Rec and club soccer seasons are underway throughout western Kentucky. From U6 teams all the way up to full on 11v11, players are busy taking part in spring seasons.

And we want to share your child’s season with our readers! From candid shots to action pictures, there’s something for everyone. To submit a photo of your favorite players, email pictures to: wkysports@gmail.com. Please include county for rec players or club for club players, along with the player’s name. Submitted photos will be included in an upcoming issue.

2 To B e

April 2019 • Page 5

Many

noteworthy contributions by young competitors come off the field. Here are two individuals that exemplify student athletes.

Marina Smart Murray High School Smart advanced to the National Catholic Forensic League Grand National Speech Tournament in March.

Smart won second in extemporaneous speaking. Nationals will be held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin over Memorial Day weekend. Smart was a member of the 2018 Lady Tigers volleyball team. Smart (right) is pictured with fellow classmate Fatemeh Yarali, who also advanced to nationals. Yarali placed 3rd in the district in Congressional Debate.

Lilly Swanz McCracken County High School Swanz, a member of the Lady Mustangs soccer team, has been selected as finalists in the 2019 National Merit Scholarship Program. National Merit Finalists are selected from a pool of 16,000 semi-finalists. Semi-finalists are selected from 1.6 million high school juniors who entered the program by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT). The nationwide pool of finalists represents less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors. Swanz is a member of the National Honor Society, HOSA, Beta Club, Co-president of the prayer group, and a cast member of the MCHS Broadway Musical, Newsies. She attended the Governor’s Scholar Program at Murray State University in the summer of 2018.

Know

a student athlete who deserves extra recognition?

Email

us at

WKYSPORTS@GMAIL.COM

PLEASE INCLUDE A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACHIEVEMENT, ALONG WITH A PHOTO AND WHAT SPORT THE STUDENT PARTICIPATES IN.

Page 6 • April 2019

The Lyons and Lady Lyons basketball teams (pictured here) and the Lyon County varsity cheerleaders (opposite page) were celebrated at their annual banquet in March.

Photos by WKS Staff

April 2019 • Page 7

Lyon introduces Tiffany Shemwell Clayton award

Lyon County introduced a new award during its annual basketball banquet on March 24.

In addition to recognizing the Lyons and Lady Lyons basketball teams and varsity cheerleaders, organizers presented the first-ever Tiffany Shemwell Clayton Perseverance Award. The recognition was named for the late wife of WCCK broadcaster Aaron Clayton.

Coaches Jeff Doom and Jeff Emberey spoke to Clayton’s dedication to both his wife, who he lost last year after battling an illness, and to the Lyon County basketball programs. The broadcaster was back in the gymnasium calling games the day after her funeral.

Senior Allison Murphy was the awards first recipient.

Murphy and fellow senior Gabe Board were honored as Miss and Mr. Basketball respectively by Clayton and WCCK. The celebration recognized not just team efforts, but also the achievement of both Board and Murphy, who had out-

standing careers at Lyon County. Board was honored with a basketball for his 1,000 career point, which he scored last season. He was also recognized for more than 500 career rebounds and assists.

Murphy was also honored with a basketball for eclipsing the 1,000 point mark earlier this season. She pulled in 1,151 career rebounds.

Both the Lyon and Lady Lyons celebrated successful seasons.

““I’ve coached some really good teams here,” said Emberey, who earned his 300th career win this season. “This may have been one of the best.”

Emberey commended his seniors for both their time on the court and in being role models for a very young Lyon County team.

The Lyons went 21-10 against one of the most aggressive schedules the team has played in recent years.

The Lady Lyons were 15-12 overall, coming up just short in the district and regional tournaments, but developing

as a team.

Award recipients recognized at the banquet were: BOYS

Rebounding Award – Jackson Shoulders and Gabe Board Field Goal Percentage Award – Jackson Shoulders, Gabe DeFew, Gabe Board and Nick Whalin 3-point Field Goal Percentage – Gabe Board, Kade Blackburn and Travis Perry Free Throw Percentage – Gabe Board and Travis Perry Assist Award – Gabe Board and Travis Perry Freshman MVP – Brady Shoulders and Gunnar Bingham JV Player of the Year – Nick Whalin (Continued on next page)

Page 8 • April 2019

Continued from previous page

Most Improved Player – Gabe DeFew and Kade Blackburn Mental Attitude Award – Trace Adams, Gabe Board, and Gabe DeFew MVP – Gabe Board and Travis Perry GIRLS

Leading Scorer – Allison Murphy Rebounding – Allison Murphy Field Goal Percentage – Rose Smith 3-point Percentage – Cathryn Brown Best Free Throw Percentage – Cathryn Brown Most Assists – Allison Murphy Defensive Player Awards – Kenttavia Matthews and Allison Murphy Eddie Dycus 100% Award – Calista Collins

Coaches Award – Broadcaster Aaron Clayton JV Award – Ashleigh Butts, Ashlyn Doom, Isabella Ortiz, Taylyn Sutton, LuLu Taylor and Kayden Watts MVP – Allison Murphy CHEERLEADERS

Outstanding Leadership – Trinity Haines

Most Spirited Cheerleader – Madison Morgan and Kamryn Schoonover Most Improved – Kelsea Baize and Brianna Conrad Best Technique – Laney Dalbey Most Dependable – Alex Lampkin and Anna Yanez Awesome Attitude Award – Sarah Spurlock Best All Around – Caroline Cook

At left, Aaron Clayton presents the Mr. & Ms. Lyon County awards.

April 2019 • Page 9

Butler wins Stout scholarship The KHSAA presented the fourth annual Louis Stout Memorial Scholarships during the 2019 Whitaker Bank/KHSAA Boys’ Sweet 16 to Lance Butler of Paducah Tilghman and Brynne Galloway of Garrard County.

When former Commissioner Louis Stout passed away in 2012, his late widow Anna directed that donations on his behalf go to the Louis Stout Memorial Fund for Students. Mrs. Stout felt this was an opportunity for the KHSAA to honor student-athletes who excel in athletics, academics, school service and community service.

Winners receive a one-time $2,000 scholarship payable to an institution of higher learning, and were chosen after careful review, with selection criteria based on athletic activities, non-athletic activities, non-school activities and an essay on the role a student-athlete should play in the community.

A multi-sport athlete at Paducah Tilghman, Butler played football for the Blue Tornado for four seasons, serving as the starting kicker and punter for the last three years, and is also a distance runner on the track and field team. He previously played soccer for two seasons and spent one year on the baseball team. A 4.0 student, his many extracurricular activities include the Academic Team, Student Council, Fellowship of Christian Athletes,

BUTLER Future Business Leaders of America, Math Bowl and Science Teams, Beta Club, Spanish Club and Interact Club. In addition, Butler served as a language assistant and a tutor through the school’s ESS program, and was recently named Mr. Tilghman, an award given by the school’s teachers to the outstanding male student of a graduating class. He attends Lone Oak Church of Christ and has been a member of its youth group all four years of high school, regularly assisting with children’s Bible hour, and was selected to be a Governor’s Scholar for the state of Kentucky last year.

Galloway is entering her fourth season as a member of Garrard County’s softball team. She previously played on the Lady Lions’ volleyball team as a sophomore, and joined the bowling team as a senior after gaining interest in the sport.

Boasting a 4.0 grade point average,

Galloway is involved in a number of activities at Garrard County, including BETA Club, National Honors Society, FCCLA (Family, Career and Community Leaders of America), Student Council, Science Club, Future Farmers of America, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She has served as her Class President and the President of FCCLA. For the past three summers, she volunteered as a camp counselor for Ephraim McDowell’s Camp Can Do and Camp Healthy Kids, and set up a fundraiser last summer to raise money for Kerrington’s Heart LLC, an organization that was founded on behalf of a young girl in her community with congenital heart disease.

Individuals interested in contributing to future scholarships can send a donation care of the Louis Stout Memorial Scholarship Fund to the KHSAA offices (2280 Executive Dr., Lexington, KY, 40505).

GALLOWAY

Page 10 • April 2019

Foster lifts U.S. U23 team with late goal A former Lady Eagle helped the U.S. U-23 team go 2-1 in invitational play during March, overcoming both the clock and the Chicago Red Stars’ defense.

four of the USA’s goals at this tournament last year, stepped up and buried the penalty kick. The U.S. defense, anchored by the back line of Schuyler Debree, Kaleigh Riehl, Naomi Girma and Emily Fox, who captained the team, held fast to keep the Thorns off the board the rest of the way. Amanda McGlynn picked up the shutout in goal for the USA.

Channing Foster was named to the U.S. Under-23 Women’s National Team in time for the 2019 Thorns Spring Invitational in Portland, Oregon. The National Team is comprised of college soccer But it was during standouts from across the third and final the country, along with game where Foster two players currently was able to shine. playing professionalThe Chicago Red FOSTER ly in Europe – Schuyler Stars tallied first, scorDebree (Sparta Prague ing in the 14th minute through in the Czech Republic) and Martha Australian striker Sam Kerr. ForThomas (Le Havre in France) – and mer Santa Clara University star and one U.S. Soccer Development AcadMexico National Team player Maria emy player in Maycee Bell. Bell is a Sanchez slipped a through ball up member of the USA’s current Unthe middle to Kerr, who cut in from der-20 WNT player pool. the right behind the U.S. back line In Portland, Foster was able and just inside the penalty area. She to log quality minutes in the first took a few touches into the box bematch, despite the team falling to fore slotting the ball past onrushing Reign FC 2-1. The National Team U.S. goalkeeper Amanda McGlynn won their second match 1-0 over and into the right corner. host Portland Thorns FC. The USA equalized in the 29th The USA’s lone goal came after minute through defender Emily defender Kiara Pickett was taken Fox, who has seen time with the down in the penalty box. Forward senior National Team over the past Catarina Macario, who scored all few months, earning three caps. Fox

picked off a pass in her own defensive third, played it to midfielder Savannah DeMelo and then continued her hard run up the middle.

DeMelo returned the ball to Fox in the attacking third and the defender cut to her right at the top of the penalty box before hitting a right-footed wonder strike into the top right corner of the net from about 20 yards out.

The last few minutes of the

Channing Foster during an Ole’ Miss match against Clemson.

Photo courtesy Ole Miss Athletics

match featured plenty of drama.

With time ticking down, Chicago earned a penalty kick and Nikki Stanton stepped up to take what could have been the game-winner in the 89th minute. Instead, U.S. goalkeeper Laurel Ivory, who came on at halftime for McGlynn, dove to her right to push the ball away. Less than two minutes later, the USA got its winner.

The game flipped when Foster, who plays at the University of Mis-

sissippi, stole the ball from a defender and dribbled to the left from the top of the penalty box, evading several Red Stars in the process and then shot from just inside the box.

The left-footed strike skipped into the lower right corner for the final goal.

This year marked the U-23 WNT’s third straight year playing in the Thorns Spring Invitational.

Foster,

a

Murray

resident,

played at Graves County for her senior season in 2016. The Lady Eagles — under head coach Gerardo Herrera — went 14-6-1 and won the First Region title before falling 5-4 in the KHSAA state tournament.

In just 13 games that season, Foster netted 31 goals and 11 assists. The St. Charles, Illinois native earned all-state, district and region honors after transferring.

She is the daughter of Chuck and Angie Foster of Murray.

Page 12 • April 2019

Trigg, Marshall place at KyNASP With a 3,361 score, Marshall County High School placed 15th out of 107 schools at the state archery tournament over the weekend, while neighboring Trigg County High School placed seventh with a score of 3,408.

The Kentucky NASP State Tournament was held in Louisville with Madison Central High School taking the state title, posting a team score of 3,449. The fifth overall best female archer, Audrey Smith, led Trigg County with a score of 293 and 24 tens.

Several area schools represented western Kentucky well during the tournament.

Livingston Central competed, led by Aaron Denfip with a score of 286 and 19 tens, good for 76th out of 1,221 male high school archers. With a score of 3,335 and 174 tens, Graves County High School placed 23rd overall, led

by Corbin Luckey with a score of 286. Calloway County High School placed 67th with a score of 3,235 and 131 tens. Murray High School was 76th, scoring 3,215 as a team.

An individual competitor, Gabby Williams of Paducah Tilghman High School scored a 281 with 15 tens. Williams finished 118 out of 1,145 high school girls.

TRIGG COUNTY (TOP TEN) Audrey Smith

Score: 293, Tens: 24

Garett Knight Score: 289, Tens: 19

Jevan Hamby Score: 288, Tens: 22

Apolo Blackbear-Francis Score: 288, Tens: 20 Chase Oglesby Score: 288, Tens: 18 Joshua Ingram Score: 286, Tens: 18 Mckenna Green Score: 285, Tens: 20 Macy Mitchell Score: 283, Tens: 13

Christopher Mudd Score: 281, Tens: 17 Jadelin Morrow

Score: 276, Tens: 13

Other Trigg County archers were: JR Lynch, Cole Joyce, Trevor Linton, Madelin Morrow, Evan Shake, Katlyn Hooks, Kinley Humphries, Kole Stagner, Ethan Traub, Brooklynn Schubert, Wesley Mudd, Chandler Oglesby, Holly Flaherty and Lucas Hulsizer.

MARSHALL COUNTY

(TOP TEN) Kendra Cannon Score: 288, Tens: 21

Cameron Thomason Score: 285, Tens: 17

Caleb Miller Score: 284, Tens: 15

Savannah Fulgham Score: 283, Tens: 15

Kye Babcock Score: 282, Tens: 16 Bella Barrett Score: 282, Tens: 16 Brent Holley Score: 279, Tens: 14 Jacob Miller Score: 277, Tens: 12 Luke Jones Score: 276, Tens: 13

Hannah Smith Score: 275, Tens:

11

Other Marshall County Archers were: Cassidy Thorn, Colin Jones, Morgan Westerfield, Olivia Miller, Harley Alexander, Karsen Eubanks, Cody Warmath, Zoey Ramsey, Grace Boatright and Emily Littlejohn.

GRAVES COUNTY (TOP FIVE) Corbin Luckey Score: 286, Tens: 19 Lane Warren Score: 284, Tens: 17

(Continued on next page)

April 2019 • Page 13

Trigg, Marshall place at KyNASP Continued from previous page

Makenzie Beanland Score: 282, Tens: 17 Keaton Mohler Score: 282, Tens: 16 Hunter Hays

Score: 279, Tens: 16

Other Graves County archers were: Dylan Fowler, Lillie Johnson, Jacob Ogg, Brandy Spillman, Michael Purcell, Isaac Shelton, Lucas Smith, Daniel Wilburn, Tara Magee, Shauna Mcullough, Naomi Ellegood, Laura Beck, Laken Moffitt, Selena Elder, Abby Taylor, Micah Smith, Taylor Sidders, Liam Guess and Alexa Pritchard.

CALLOWAY COUNTY (TOP FIVE) Breanne Hayes Score: 287, Tens: 18 Ava Lewis Score: 278, Tens: 14

Hunter Rudolph

Score: 277, Tens: 16 Leonard Henry Score: 274, Tens: 11 Gage Giese Score: 271, Tens: 14

Other Calloway County archers were: Zoe Watkins, Heath Hudson, Abbigal Tabers, Issabelle Curry, Brooke Wright, Kellie Goucher, Korie Vandyke, Riley Williams, Faith Conway, Anna Wilkins, Sara Archey, Maia Moore, Jackson Hale, Tristan Coday, Stephen Lawrence, Chloe Imus and Elia Munoz.

LIVINGSTON CENTRAL (TOTAL SIX PARTICIPANTS) Aaron Denfip

Score: 286, Tens: 19

Kainan Goodaker Score: 280, Tens: 14

Kagan Goodaker Score: 272, Tens: 12

Lily Lamb

Score: 271, Tens: 11

Devon Ramage Score: 271, Tens: 11

Kyle Zimmerman

Score: 260, Tens: 5

MURRAY HIGH (TOP FIVE) Logan Kondratko

Score: 288, Tens: 21

Nicholas Welch Score: 286, Tens: 17 Ronni Like

Score: 276, Tens: 13 Thomas Lyons Score: 273, Tens: 14 Ellen Blalock

Score: 272, Tens: 9

Other Murray archers were: Jonathan Dick, Lucinda White, Gabe Robey, Colby Landrum, Sam Mitchell, Mary-Peyton Bell, Ashkahn Nabavi, Thomas Fisher, Autumn Mehr, Tyler Murphy, Sam Mcclure, Ainsley Byers and Randi Galloway.

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Page 14 • April 2019

know anybody that goes into officiating “ Iordon’t a game who says ‘somebody is going to lose.’

“

They do it because they love the game and want to give something back.

- Jeff Doom, Lyon County

April 2019 • Page 15

ARE YOU BLIND?

Check your phone, you missed a few calls.

Did you leave your glasses on the bus?

They make rule books in Braille.

Your mother would be ashamed.

If you’ve heard one of the above, there’s a good chance you’ve been to a youth sporting event recently. And if you’ve shouted one of the above — either during a little league or high school game — athletic directors and sporting event organizers have a message for you: knock it off.

Kentucky, like many states, is experiencing shrinking pools of referees to call a steadily increasing number of games. In 2018, the Bluegrass state had 700 fewer officials than the previous year, creating a headache for those trying to fill out a schedule. In some cases, games were canceled due to a lack of officials.

There are a handful of reasons for shrinking numbers, and some fear youth sports will suffer if the trend isn’t reversed.

Jeff Doom has seen the issue from every side possible. He’s currently Lyon County High School’s athletic director and head girls basketball coach, as well as a former softball coach.

Like most coaches, he’s expressed his opinion a time or two from the sideline. He’s also asking for fans to come to games with cooler heads.

“We’re going to be in a bind if we as coaches, parents and players don’t let the guys do their jobs and get off them,” Doom said. “We’re going to ruin our games for our kids because we won’t have the officials.”

While checking in on the Lyons County baseball and softball teams during their home openers in March, Doom said nobody is perfect.

“I used to really get onto officials,” Doom said.

With a smile he added, “And then I officiated. I try to stay off them as a coach now because it’s a hard job.

I don’t know anybody that goes into officiating or a game who says ‘somebody is going to lose.’ They do it because they love the game and want to give something back.”

The problem isn’t just a local one. Earlier this year Karissa Niehoff of the National Federation of State High School Associations, and Julian Tackett, Commissioner of the Kentucky High School Athletic Association, came together to pen a piece calling for cooler heads.

“The time has come for everyone involved in the game to ‘pump the brakes’ as it relates to conduct at games, particularly, the parents who attend,” Niehoff said.

Niehoff cited a National Association of Sports Officials survey that found “more than 75 percent of all high school officials say ‘adult behavior’ is the primary reason they quit. And 80 percent of all young officials hang up their stripes after just two years of whistle blowing.”

Adult behavior doesn’t always describe the situations referees are put into.

Aside from the nearly constant barrage of jokes, there also seems to be more and more reports of physical confrontations. Some of the most noteworthy from 2018: n A Kansas police officer was found guilty of misdemeanor battery for shoving a 17-year referee during a youth basketball game. The ref testified the man ignored her requests to leave the court, and instead used obscene language and shoved her out of the way.

(Continued on next page)

Page 16 • April 2019 Continued from previous page

n An AAU basketball brawl after players allegedly attacked the officiating crew for issuing a technical.

n In March of this year, an indoor soccer crew in Wisconsin was attacked for stopping play because the match was getting too rough. According to an account by television station WISN, referee Terry From was punched by a 12-yearold player after being hit with a thrown water bottle.

“I wish I could say that these incidents occurred in another state or in a different year,” Tackett said. “Unfortunately, not only were they here in our state but in the last few weeks as well. On what planet does any adult, especially a school administrator, think this type of conduct is permissible? We will, of course, issue penalties against the school for removing a team and likely issue some form of administrative penalty against the schools that failed to exercise institutional control during their recent games, but the cause is an indication of deeper, systematic problems.”

While retaining current officials falls on state administrators and athletic directors (at least, the ones not chastising crews), a bigger issue may be recruitment.

Some Days It Just Doesn’t Pay

Money isn’t a motivating factor for most officials. Still, there’s something to be said when the compensation doesn’t begin to approach the headache involved.

(Continued on page 18)

It’s for:

Collecting rules for consistency.

Fans THINK it’s for: Smashing spiders.

4

Closer to home, the KHSAA cited a number of similar incidents in their piece earlier this year, including a “school Superintendent, who has a son participating and a relative coaching, sent a threatening text to the local independent contractor who assigns games.” There was also an instance of an “athletic director cursing an official during a non-varsity game and refusing to allow the official into a dressing room to retrieve his belongings after disagreeing over the handling of a fan situation.”

4

n In Texas, according to KVIA, a 17-year old official was hospitalized after being attacked by a coach during a youth soccer match.

It’s for:

Keeping track of time. Also used in various sports to keep play moving.

Fans THINK it’s for:

Stopping play just as their team was about to score.

4It’s for:

Making officials more visible by having a consistent uniform different from players.

Fans THINK it’s for:

Identifying people on the field who can’t see well and need seats closer to the action.

VS

what it’s for what fans THINK it’s for 4 It’s for:

Stopping or starting play

Fans THINK it’s for:

Echolocation for the visually impaired

It’s for:4

Keeping an officials feet comfortable during hours of running.

Fans THINK it’s for:

The only match a ref gets right.

4 It’s for:

Indicating direction of play, location of fouls and some infractions.

Fans THINK it’s for:

Letting everyone know a bad call is about to be made.

Continued from page 16

Salary ranges from sport to sport, and in some cases the age of participants. The average scale is between $45-$75. That fee gets chopped up between two to three hours calling most games, along with travel time. There’s also gear and sometimes costly safety equipment.

Nobody is getting rich officiating, but it’s a decent way to earn money for someone passionate about a sport. Especially for younger refs, who can make a few hundred dollars on a good weekend calling a tournament, or close to home with youth games.

Competition for Services According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the population in 1980 was north of 226 million. In 2010, it was nearly 309 million.

More people, in general, means more people playing sports.

The Aspen Institutes’s Project Play has spent the last six years tracking trends and finding ways to encourage youth to get active.

According to their 2018 report, “In 2017, 56.5 percent of children played a team sport in some form at least one time during the year — more than at any point in the past six years. Over the past three years, the percentage of children falling into that category has grown in

baseball, basketball, ice hockey, field hockey, wrestling, flag football, gymnastics, and swimming on a team, despite a major drop in soccer participation.”

Overall, the study found that 69 percent of students surveyed played on a team or participated in a sport as an individual in 2017.

But just how many kids are needing referees? That’s a hard number to pin down.

A 2017 Time article cited the $15 billion youth sports market as having “grown by 55 [percent] since 2010.”

I9 Sports Franchise — a for-profit company selling startup kits to recruit youth teams — cites

In every sports across the Commonwealth, officials play a vital role. Negative interactions with fans and an aging population have resulted in fewer referees to call more games.

Photos by WKS Staff

60 million participants annually taking part in a variety of sports.

That growing youth sports market runs headlong into school sanctioned sports, as both varieties require officials.

Requirement Barriers

Judging from comments at games, the most vocal spectator has a hard time appreciating what goes into becoming a referee.

It varies some from sport to sport, but most courses offer some combination of online and classwork. Those come after hours of self-imposed studying or years of playing. In March, Marshall County

hosted a soccer referee class utilizing remote modules to go over the basics in advance of a formal one day class.

For those participating, it required a registration process that wasn’t exactly user friendly, followed by watching seven videos and correctly answering dozens of questions. The process takes roughly two hours.

From there, participants partook of an eight hour class where all the fundamentals and rules were gone over again. The class culminated in an exam, where passing meant getting at least 80 correct questions.

All in all, aspiring officials can expect to spend a couple days get-

ting the education requirements out of the way. It takes a little longer for those who haven’t played the sport.

It may not sound like much of a hurdle, but finding the time can be an obstacle for incoming officials, especially younger ones trying to balance school, family obligations and other interests.

Technology Woes

Part of the headache for officials is growing access to technology capturing mistakes — some real, some perceived — and the use of social media to compound problems. After the play images aren’t something high school officials have access to.

(Continued on next page)

Continued from previous page

It’s one thing when a fan in the stands heckles a questionable call.

It’s a little different when one uses four different camera angles to prove the ref was “wrong.”

“This is a game played by imperfect humans, coached by imperfect humans, and officiated by imperfect humans,” Thackett said. “I don’t know if it’s the higher levels’ insatiable desire for perfection through replays and the bloviating by announcers who think they know everything or the tone and tenor of general conversation in our country, but this cannot be allowed to continue in this level of sport and this level be maintained.”

So, Why Do It?

If the low pay, hours of training and abuse aren’t attractive, why does anyone do it?

For many, it’s a love of the sport.

Ben Noles, of Calvert City, grew up playing soccer. He was a keeper for Marshall County and played at Berea College. In March, he was one of those taking the officiating course.

Although he hasn’t officiated a game since he was 16, he said it was a desire to be around the sport again that got him back into the classroom.

“I played soccer from the time I can remember through one year of college,” Noles said. “I still love soccer and tried coaching, but I work swing shift and it was difficult to work around that schedule.

“I wanted to do something pertaining to soccer and with the lack of referee’s I felt it was a way to help out the program with the shortage.”

Many new referees cite a similar background: former or current athletes just trying to help pass along the positive experiences and benefits of participating in youth sports.

What’s Next Tacket, Doom and others say that’s largely up to the fans. If the current hostile environment continues, it’s likely the referee shortage will continue to worsen across sports as older officials continue to retire. Their departure is likely to be hastened by the increasing incidents of parents (and coaches) behaving badly.

There’s also the concern that parent and coach behavior will be reflected by the players. Just as good role models and interactions inspire positive development in youth, hurling insults and disregarding authority creates equivalent reactions. Players ultimately are a relfection of their coaches, teammates and fans.

For those who think they can make better calls, go for it. Online resources like KHSAA.org and HighSchoolOfficials.com are good places to get started.

Page 22 • April 2019

Familiar faces grace new places The 2018-2019 basketball season came to a close in March. With it came a handful of area coaching moves.

One of the first changes came before the season ever began as Mayfield’s coach Chris Guhy announced itwould be his last guiding the Cardinals.

Stocked with a roster full of talented seniors playing for a well-regarded coach, it ended up being one of Mayfield’s most successful seasons.

The Cardinals went 25-8 overall, winning the Third District title in possibly the greatest game ever played in First Region. The 79-78 contest ended in triple overtime with a talented Graves County team refusing to give an inch. The Cardinals used the momentum to carry the team through regional tournament play, picking up the title in a 56-44 win over McCracken County.

Mayfield fell to Warren Central in the state tournament, but advanced to Rupp Arena, a first during Guhy’s time at the helm.

During his years in Mayfield, Guhy did lead the Cardinals to a three-peat in the All A Basketball tournament, and was just short of 300 career wins. His career record is 275-214.

of talking to my players at Trigg to let them know my family and I were relocating was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. I love my kids and pray they know how much they mean to me and how much I appreciate them as well as the community who has accepted and supported my family for the last six years. Trigg County will always hold a special place in our hearts. Thank you just isn’t enough for me to say.

“Today was the beginning of a new chapter as I was introduced as the new basketball coach at Mayfield High School. The hospitality shown to me and my family was unbelievable and the opportunity to meet my new players was exciting! I can’t thank the administration, former coaches, players, and community members enough! My family and I are truly excited to hit the ground running and are happy to be Mayfield Cardinals!”

Croft was 85-80 in six season as Trigg County’s head coach, capturing

Fifth District titles three consecutive years.

Down the road at Paducah Tilghman, head coach Roderick Thomas resigned after three seasons with the Tornado. Thomas was 55-33 overall, with the team coming in as district runner-ups each year.

Prior to his time with the boys, Thomas was head girls basketball coach for four season, amassing a 10525 record.

On March 28, Greg Overstreet was introduced as the new head coach for Paducah Tilghman High School’s boys basketball program.

Overstreet (PTHS ’80) began his coaching career at Lone Oak High School as an assistant from 1998-2003.

Since 2003 he has been head coach for St. Mary High School Boys Basketball.

During his tenure at St. Mary, his teams have won two district championships, qualified for seven regional tourna-

Guhy coached middle school and freshman basketball for several years before succeeding longtime basketball coach Scott Schlosser following his retirement in 2002.

The district announced Guhy’s successor on March 22. Payton Croft — former head coach for the Trigg County Wildcats — was named as the new Cardinals coach.

Croft expressed his thoughts on social media after the announcement.

“The last 48 hours have been indescribable,” Croft said. “The emotions

Coach Chris Guhy rallies the Cardinals during district action.

Photo courtesy of Amy Byrd

Above, coach Greg Overstreet after being introduced as the new Paducah Tilghman High School head coach. At right, Payton Croft has been named as the Mayfield High School head coach.

Photos furnished ments, and been a regional semifinalist four times. Coach Overstreet has been named regional coach of the year twice.

“I am extremely excited to be back at Paducah Tilghman and again be part of the rich tradition in athletics and academics,” said Coach Overstreet. “Outside of my family, the biggest influences in my life were the coaches and teachers in the city school system, so the opportunity to give back and pass on those same core values to these current student-athletes is priceless.”

Overstreet spent 16 years with St. Mary, and is well regarded throughout the First Region.

“Coach Overstreet is an experienced, high quality coach and a great

individual,” said Superintendent Dr. Donald Shively. “With sixteen years as a coach in the first region, he has a proven commitment to building relationships with his players to insure that they achieve their goals both as students and as athletes. I’m confident that the Tilghman community will give Coach Overstreet their full support as he builds a team that will find success both on and off the court.”

The Vikings didn’t have to look very far in finding a replacement. They also didn’t have to change any name plaques.

Shortly after Greg Overstreet made the move to Paducah Tilghman, the Vikings announced they would promote his son Wes Overstreet to head coach.

Wes had served under his father as as-

sistant coach for several years.

A 2007 graduate of St. Mary High School, Wes is a former varsity Vikings basketball player. He had served as an assistant under his father since 2013.

Page 24 • April 2019

Triple Play Baseball and softball seasons are in full

swing (pun intended). Preseason powerhouses like Marshall and McCracken are living up

to their billing, but a few teams are stepping up to the plate. On the next few pages are three standout games from baseball and softball action prior to spring break.

Lyon rallies against Marshall

Marshall County kicked off their 2019 campaign with a 3-0 start at Lyon County. But the Lyons battled through the second half of the contest to take the win 8-6.

Jake Klueppel hit a home run and led consistent batting through the second and third innings as Lyon County clawed into the lead and held on for an 8-6 win. Klueppel made the most of the night, going 3-from-3 at the plate with two RBI. Cole Griggs had a pair of hits on four at bats for Marshall County, driving in one run.

Lyon County pulled away with a three run third inning as Travis Yancy turned the first pitch into a double, bringing home Adian Rush. Later in the inning, Keaton Bridges singled on a 3-1 count, scoring two runs.

Dylan Capello earned the victory on the mound. Through five innings, Capello allowed eight hits and five runs while striking out four and walking one. Yancy came in for relief, earning three strikes while giving up one run.

For Marshall, senior Brock Anderson struck out four and gave up five runs on six hits, while Riley Harris gave up as many hits through the same number of innings, striking out three and giving up three runs.

April 2019 • Page 27

Marshall, Graves slug it out There was no shortage of scoring when Graves County hosted the Marshals on March 28. When the dust settled, the two teams had notched two dozen runs between them, with Marshall County coming out ahead 14-10.

With two outs and runners at first and third, Skyler Brown doubled to drive in two runs in the first inning.

Singles by Isiah Neeble and Jordan Riley gave Marshall the 4-0 advantage before Graves County closed the frame down. The visitors added six more runs in the fourth inning in what looked to be a runaway. yet.

But Graves County wasn’t out of it

A double by Connor Mills in the home half of the fourth scored Brandon Richards, who had walked to first and advanced to second when Cody Dawson was walked. Chase Carrico singled to bring in another run, while the Eagles picked up their final run of the inning when Jordyn Naranjo doubled.

Graves County trailed 10-4, but didn’t quit.

Marshall County added four more runs across the fifth and sixth innings, while Graves added six.

Weston Harper took the win for Marshall, giving up five hits, while Drew Montgomery took the loss for Graves County. Brown led Marshall’s bats, going 2-for-3 with three RBI. Tyler Belcher also had solid at bats, hitting two doubles and driving in two batters.

File photos. Graves County photos courtesy of Jimmy Palmer.

Calloway tops Carlisle Calloway County improved to 2-0 with a win over visiting Carlisle County early in the season.

Each team scored a run in the opening inning to tie the game 1-all. Ian Fry got on base with a double and turned it into a run for the Comets before the Lakers escaped the inning. Calloway, meanwhile, took advantage of a pair of walks and a steal by Stephen Anderson to tie the game.

Bases remained empty until the bottom of the third, when Jesse Shelton got things started with a single. He was joined on base by Anderson, who

made the most of an error while laying down a bunt.

Both Lakers scored in the inning as Calloway County pulled ahead 3-1.

Carlisle turned a single by Blake Elder into a run in the fifth inning, but in the sixth inning walked Garrett Scott, who would eventually steal home to take a 4-2 lead.

Calloway County opened the season March 18 with a 4-1 win over Livingston Central.

With the loss, Carlisle County got the first smudge on their record, standing at 2-1 after sweeping Fulton County in back-to-back matches with a combined score of 26-3.

April 2019 • Page 29

Lyon gives McCracken a fight Heading into spring break, McCracken County was a perfect 6-0 and living up to preseason expectations as a top 20 team in Kentucky. Some had the Lady Mustangs in the top five.

The Lady Lyons were 3-5, having shown they can hit big, were will to sacrifice to advance the play and had smart base runners... they were just struggling to get all three parts to come together consistently.

When the two teams met March 28, Lyon County showed it can be as formidable as anyone. The Lady Lyons lost 10-7, but mustered up a formidable effort.

McCracken County put together eight unanswered runs through five innings at the Lee S. Jones Park in Eddyville. The march was spurred on by consistent big hits. Ariel Fox doubled in the first, later coming home on a single by Emma Ballard for the opening run. Both batters earned doubles in the top of the third inning as McCracken County built a 3-0 lead. Fox earned her third double in the fourth inning, helping to bring in Lacey Cruse and Alli Douglas before Lyon County closed down the inning.

Lyon County trailed 8-0 before Sydney Melton broke the trance with a home run. Melton was patient, battling through three balls and four fouls before smashing a line drive through left field. Callista Collins singled to get on base, crossing the plate on a double

by Kaelyn Conger.

Conger would double in the sixth inning to bring in two scores to go along with RBI singles by Melton and Tori Schenk. Lyon County would get within two runs, but the Lady Mustangs notched one more in the seventh inning to take the contest 10-7.

Allye Culp took the loss on the mound, giving up 10 runs and striking out two batters. Ashby Murt picked up the win, striking out eight batters and giving up 12 hits.

Lovett, Murt dynamic duo against Graves Marshall and Graves counties were scoreless through four innings in Draffenville, before the Lady Eagles notched three runs in the fifth to take the lead. But the Lady Marshals strung together four runs in the seventh inning to open their season with a win.

With two outs on the board, Carson Travis singled. She was followed on base

by Memphis Lassiter. Travis would score on an error during Cassidy Payne’s at bat.

Both Payne and Lassiter would score on the next play, a double by Bailey Wilson.

Gracey Murt struck out Kristen Wimsatt to escape the inning.

Both teams struggled to gain footing through the remainder of the contest, until the Lady Marshals lit up the board in the final frame.

With two walks and two strikes, Charley Pursley singled to load the bases. Wimsatt walked Sarenna Tomassi, scoring Presley Jezik.

Down 3-1 and needing a hit, Layne Pea notched her second of the night in spectacular fashion. Pea’s double drove in three runs, lifting Marshall to 4-3 over the visitors.

For Marshall County, Gabbi Lovett gave up six hits and three runs across four innings, striking out one batter.

Murt pitched two innings, striking out four and giving up no runs or hits. Wimsatt threw all seven innings, allowing six hits and four runs, while striking out six batters.

April 2019 • Page 31

CFS, Mayfield battle in season opener Christian Fellowship and Mayfield dueled throughout seven innings, but the Lady Eagles held on for the win despite a late rally attempt by the Lady Cardinals.

In Draffenville, a single by Desiree Thomas to bring in Hayley Sullivan and a double by Maleah Thompson to score Thomas and Katelynn Kemp gave Mayfield an early 3-0 advantage. Jaycie Jackson and Jayden Jackson both scored in the home half of the inning, but the Lady Cardinals earned a strike from the mound and one in the field to escape with their lead at 3-2.

The visitors built on their success in the top of the second, taking a 7-2 advantage before CFS resumed their attack. In the bottom of the inning, the Lady Eagles stockpiled runs, setting up a tie game at 7-all when Rachel Howard doubled to bring in both Jacksons. CFS led 9-7 at the close of the second.

Christian Fellowship scored four more runs

through the third and fourth innings while keeping Mayfield off base to lead 13-7.

The Lady Cardinals attempted to rally in the fifth and sixth innings, scoring three unanswered runs. But the visitors were unable to overcome as CFS took the win 13-10.

Abigail Cima tripled for CFS’s biggest hit on the afternoon, while Howard doubled and batted in four runs. Maddie Irvan was 3-for-3 at the plate, with one RBI. For Mayfield, Sullivan was 3-for 5 from the plate with one RBI. Thomas, Kemp and McKenzie Neely all had two hits for the Lady Cardinals.

Eighth grader Jayden Jackson struck out one batter and gave up 13 hits in the win. Desiree Thomas took the loss on the mound for the Lady Cardinals, also giving up 13 hits, but striking out two.

Page 32 • April 2019

Student Signings TRISTAN BARRETT

McKendree University Tristan Barrett signed his letter of intent to join the bass fishing program at McKendree University in Lebanon, Illinois.

Tristan has been a member of the Marshall County High School bass fishing program for four years and won the 2018 KHSSA Kentucky State Bass Fishing Championship last May.

MIA MYERS

Kentucky Wesleyan College Mia Myers will continue her soccer career close to home. Myers, an All-Fifth District player, signed her letter of intent to play at Kentucky Wesleyan College. Myers was part of last season’s Fifth District championship team and was consistently a scoring threat for the Lady Lyons. She finished 2018 with 16 goals and 10 assists.

CHET CRETSINGER

MacMurray College Chet Cretsinger a four-year member of the Marshall County High School football team, signed to continue his football and academic career at MacMurray College in Jacksonville, Ill. Chet was a major contributor on the offensive and defensive line during his high school career. A three-year starter on the offensive line and a two-way starter his junior and senior seasons.

Kentucky 2A Championships has expanded to eight sections for state competitions. The inaugural 2A Championships had four sections for this past basketball season. Section 1 for the 2019-20 season is comprised of Calloway County, Hopkins County Central, Trigg County, Union County and Webster County. The Kentucky 2A Championships crowned its first two state champions in January. John Hardin won the boys’ 2A Championships while Christian Academy of Louisville claimed the girls’ 2A Championships. The 2020-21 school year is expected to add baseball and softball state championship. Volleyball and soccer will follow in the 2021-22 school year. The organization also awarded a number of scholarships.

Justin Tabor, a junior at Lyon County High School, set a LCHS record in the 400 meter sprint at Murray State on March 25 during the Invitational of the South meet with a time of 54.9.

Griffen Ives (left) and Mason Cosner (right) were named the coUK Sports Medicine Comeback Athlete of the Year in March.

Both Marshall County High School athletes recovered from gunshots sustained during the 2018 shooting that claimed the lives of two fellow classmates.

This is the first time the award — now in its third year — has been shared by more than one recipient.

West Kentucky Area Sports Briefs

April 2019 • Page 33

Page 34 • April 2019

THE BACK PAGE

By Jody Norwood | Editor

Coaching changes often don’t come until the end of the school year for most sports. With the close of basketball season in March, there was some notable shuffling.

One of those coaches was Payton Croft.

Croft was head coach at Trigg County for six seasons. He was 85-80 overall, with three consecutive Fifth District titles.

He was regard well by fans, but, for me, I remember him slightly differently.

I worked in Lyon County during Croft’s years playing for Crittenden County High School. At the time, the Fifth District had several memorable players. One of those was Lyon Ty Rogers, one of only three players in Second Region history to eclipse 3,000 career points. Another was Kenny Ray Turner, a 6-foot, 7-inch giant for Trigg County who had to be close to 300 pounds, but was regularly one of the Wildcats’ leading scorers.

And there was Croft, a leader on the court who was as quick and smart as anyone in the district.

Croft was consistently one of Crittenden County’s assist leaders season after season. I don’t have any Rockets all-time lists, but Croft has to be in the top 10 for setting up the score.

Maybe higher. He was also a good shooter.

Personally, assists has always been a favorite stat of mine.

Scoring is phenomenal, but there’s something to be said for the players who put team scores above their own tally.

Of course, he had a pretty good example. Payton is the son of long-time Rocket coach Jimmy Croft. A member of the Marion-Crittenden County Athletics Hall of Fame, Jimmy Croft coached the Rockets from 1995-2005. According to The Crittenden Press, Jimmy Croft is one of four coaches to post a winning record for their time helming the Rockets. The others are Dean Akridge (29-24), L.B. Gaston (72-68) and Roy McKamey (33-19).

CALENDAR of EVENTS

APRIL 7 Lyon County archery range will host shootings events on the first Sunday of every month through September. The Hammond Creek Trail System shares land with the range. Expect trail closures on Red Trail between junctions J and K, and possibly the entire Blue Hammond Creek Trail. Signs will be posted at the closure points.

APRIL 8 McCracken County Youth Soccer Association has partnered with Elite Soccer Services to provide free youth soccer training and skill building for registered participants for the Spring 2019 season.

Training begins at 6 p.m. at the fields, and is planned for every Monday from April 8 through May 13. Bring the kids out individually for expert instruction or let the entire team get some extra practice and some team building at the same time.

MAY 4 McCracken County Band will host a mattress sale fundraiser from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the high school. The event coincides with the first ever Mustang Market at the school.

JUNE 15 Marshall County Schools will hold their 2019-2020 sports physicals on June 15 from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the high school. A $15 fee per student will be collected. Checks may be made payable to the Marshall County Health Department. This will be the only sports physical date scheduled for the upcoming school year.

Planning a fundraiser? Program or club event?

Email us the details at wkysports@gmail.com and we will include it on our calendar at no charge as space permits.