West Kentucky Sports August 2019

Volume 2, Issue 5

SQUAD BUILDING

— Page 20

POST 68

WINS IT ALL

— Page 4

LYON COUNTY Champions against Drugs

Informed teens make better decisions.

Talk to your kids about drugs and alcohol.

August 2019 • Page 3

18

20

Fall ball | Page 10

Fall sports kick off this month.

Looking for yout favorite soccer or football team’s schedule? Here you go.

Fresh Start | Page 18

For the first time in several years, Lyon County soccer Lyons and Lady Lyons will open the season with a new head coach. Coaches Abby Smith and Mike Daily talk about where the teams are at in the preseason, along with what they expect in 2019.

On the Move | Page 22

4

Head coaching and athletic director positions changes abounded during the offseason. A few new faces joined area programs, while others switched team colors.

Record Breakers | Page 30

The Kentucky High School Athletic Association has updated state record holders from the 20182019 season. West Kentucky athletes were among this year’s new benchmarks.

The Back Page | Page 31

Women’s soccer. It’s a thing, too.

And in some ways, it’s a better game.

ADVERTISERS INDEX:

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West Kentucky Sports is made possible through the sponsorship of advertisers listed at left. These businesses help provide local coverage of youth sports and positive acts by local athletes. On behalf of our readers, the staff would like to say:

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

Page 4 • August 2019

STATE CHAMPIONS Post 68 repeats as American Legion Senior State champions

For a second straight year, the Post 68 Aces are the American Legion Senior State champions.

one was. We came out 13-3 and put it on them. We didn’t let off. That’s awesome.”

For Price, the single may have been his biggest hit of the tournament, denying the Bombers a chance to answer back.

“There’s guys on here I’ve played against since middle school,” Board said. “You get close to guys you never thought you would before. It’s friendships that last a lifetime.”

The final game pitted Post 68 against Post 9 of Owensboro. The Aces put together five runs in the bottom of the first inning to take an early 5-0 lead. They finished things off with an RBI by Colin Price to end the game 13-3 in six innings.

“To win a state championship, that’s amazing,” Price said. “I wanted to do it for the rest of my team. It’s a great team to be a part of. We played great baseball throughout these four games.”

Price, of Mayfield, reflects the range of western Kentucky talent assembled on the squad.

“I’m not from here, so in Lyon County I got to meet a bunch of people,” Price said. “It’s been great. It’s been a fun year.”

For teammate Gabe Board, the win was a little closer to home. A 2019 Lyon County High School graduate, Board has been in no shortage of big games at the Lee S. Jones Park. It’s hard not to rank the win July 27 as the biggest.

“It’s some of the best competition in the state of Kentucky,” Board said. “I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way, coming out here on the field and playing one last game. It’s sad, but we got the win.

“It’s special. I’ve never won really big games here. This

More than a half dozen districts are represented by the Aces, with players hailing from Lyon County, Mayfield, Graves County, Union County, Livingston Central, Carlisle County and Paducah Tilghman.

In the championship game, Drew Cooper of Graves County led batters, going 2-for-2 at the plate with four RBIs. He also picked up three stolen bases. Corbett Davis was 1-for-2, driving in three runs. Board, Price, Colbe Crim, Michael Thomason and Kevin Brooks all earned RBIs throughout the afternoon.

The Aces put together two runs in each of the first two frames and picked up one in the third. Post 9 earned all three runs in the top of the fifth from Jordan Tolle, Ethan Gibson and Tucker Hagan.

But the Bombers would get no closer.

Crim crimped their momenteum with a walkoff home run in the bottom of the fifth. Thomason scored a base runner with a single, while the Aces earned their eighth run on a fielder’s choice during Brooks’ at bat. Board singled later in the frame to score Cooper, who was walked.

Post 9 escaped the inning without any more damage, but was unable to answer back in the top of the sixth.

August 2019 • Page 5

5Cameron Head • Pitching versus Ashland In the home half, Will Thompson and Brooks were walked on base, joined by Thomason who was hit by a pitch. Cooper doubled to score two base runners, extending the lead to 11-3. Cameron Dean was walked, followed by a ground out to score Brooks. Needing only one run to secure the win, Price smashed a shot to left field to bring home Cooper.

“It’s going to take somebody good to beat us; these kids are tough,” said head coach Greg Vincent. “We don’t know anything about who we’re playing, but we didn’t know last year. We’ll be fine. We’ll go up there and play our game.”

Vincent said he didn’t panic when Owensboro looked poised to rally Saturday night.

“When Colbe led off the next inning with a home run, at that point I felt comfortable. I don’t think anybody’s going to beat Cade [Duncan].

He’s tough. He’s going to be good at the next level. But when we answered their three with four, I felt like we’d

(Continued on next page)

5Colin Price • First Base versus Mayfield

Page 6 • August 2019 Continued from previous page put it away.”

Duncan threw 77 pitches across six innings, striking out seven batters and giving up six hits.

Before the final game, Post 68 had to battle through three other games, including a tough Ashland team. TheAces won the contest 188, but trailed 3-2 after the first inning. Pitcher Cam Head — one of the team’s most reliable arms over the last three seasons — shook off giving up all eight runs in the first four innings. Pitching a complete game, Head shut things down during the final three frames.

“We were going to do whatever we needed to do to win,” Vincent said.

“Cam didn’t have his best stuff, but he hasn’t lost in three years. I think he’s 20-0 now. But once we got the lead, he came to me in the fourth and said ‘Coach, I feel better now than I have all night.’ That made us feel good.

“We’ve been down a few times this years, but we just never quit.”

Post 68 earned a pair of runs in the first inning and pulled ahead with seven runs in each of the next two frames.

5Stephen Thomason • On second versus Ownesboro

As a team, the Aces hit 13-of-29 from the plate with 14 RBIs.

(Continued on Page 8)

August 2019 • Page 7

5Drew Cooper • Sliding for third versus Ownesboro

LYON COUNTY ANIMAL HOSPITAL 638 Trade Ave• Eddyville, KY 42038• (270) 388-0334

M-W, Friday: 8:00AM-5:00PM Thur, Sun: Closed Sat: 8:00AM-Noon

Page 8 • August 2019

Opening | Above: Elements of the 101st Airborne’s band perform during the 2019 American Legion State Baseball Tournament’s opening ceremonies.

Banquet | At right: A tradition at the regional level, Post 68 held a banquet before the start of the state tournament. All participating teams were invited, along with family members of area players.

The event was held in the Lyon County Convention Center on Aug. 23.

Post 68 head coach Greg Vincent said he hopes the banquet becomes a something other hosting teams continue in the future.

Continued from Page 6 Before taking on Owensboro in the finals, Post 68 beat them 10-0nin the second round.

The Aces were lead at the mound by Brady Betts, who struck out four batters and didn’t give up a run through 56 pitches across five innings. Betts allowed just one hit.

Cooper and Price each notched two RBIs for Post in the win. Cooper went 2-for-2 at the plate.

Post 68 opened the tournament with a n 11-5 win over Mayfield. Davin McGee, Tristan Mannahan and Kevin Brooks all saw time on the mound in the win, while Post 26 relied on Mitchell O’Neil, Kendall Tinsman and Drew

Montgomery.

Taylor Goodwin earned two runs for Mayfield on one hit, while Post 68 was led by Davis Corbett. In the bottom of the sixth, Corbett smashed a shot over the left field wall with two base runners on, taking the 11-5 lead. It capped a seven-run rally for Post 68, as they had entered the inning down 5-4.

With the win, Post 68 advanced to regional play, which will begin Aug. 7 at 8:30 a.m. against the Pennsylvania state runnerup. Post 68 plays in the northwest division this year, which will be held in Charleston, Illinois. Charleston is the home of Eastern Illinois University, where Crim has signed to be a part of the Panthers’ 2020 incoming class.

August 2019 • Page 9

2019 American Legion State Tournament | Top left: Lyon County Post 68 Aces (2019 American Legion Kentucky State Champions); Top right: Mayfield’s Post 26; Left middle: Ashland Post 76; Right middle: Owensboro Post 9 (runnerup); At left: Shelbyville Post 37. All teams competed in a double elimination format, with Post 68 going undefeated across all four games. The win earned the team its second consecutive state title and a trip to regional competition in Illinois this month.

Your Home for Lyon County Lyons and Lady Lyons Basketball, Marshall County Marshals and Lady Marshals Soccer, University of Louisville Football and Basketball and NASCAR!

Page 10 • August 2019

FALL BALL

Fall sports seasons in western Kentucky get underway this month. On the following pages are schedules for mens and women soccer, along with football as of July 29.

Football McCracken County Mustangs

Graves County Eagles

Aug 24 Aug 30 Sept 6 Sept 13 Sept 20 Sept 27 Oct 4 Oct 18 Oct 25 Nov 1

Aug 23 Sept 6 Sept 13 Sept 20 Sept 27 Oct 11 Oct 18 Nov 1

Coach Marc Clark | Class 6A

Paducah Tilghman Bowling Green at Graves County at Mayfield at Marshall County at Apollo Daviess County Dyer County (Newbern), TN at Henderson County Christian County

Coach Nick Kemp Sr | Class 5A at Murray McCracken County Paducah Tilghman at Mayfield Breckinridge County at Grayson County Owensboro at Marshall County

August 2019 • Page 11

Football Ballard Memorial Bombers

Marshall County Marshals

Aug 23 Sep 6 Sept 13 Sept 20 Sept 27 Oct 4 Oct 11 Oct 18 Oct 25 Nov 1

Aug 23 Aug 30 Sept 6 Sept 13 Sept 20 Sept 27 Oct 4 Oct 18 Oct 25 Nov 1

Coach Mark J. Brooks | Class 2A

at Marshall County Crittenden County Trigg County at Madisonville-North Hopkins Caldwell County at Fulton City Murray at Mayfield at Fort Campbell at Muhlenberg County

Coach Evan Merrick | Class 6A

Ballard Memorial Madisonville-North Hopkins at Murray at Calloway County McCracken County at Daviess County Henderson County Apollo Harrison County Graves County

Crittenden County Rockets

Trigg County Wildcats

Aug 23 Sept 6 Oct 4 Oct 18 Oct 25 Nov 1

Aug 2 Aug 30 Sept 6 Sept 13 Sept 20 Sept 27 Oct 4 Oct 18 Oct 25 Nov 1

Coach Sean Thompson | Class 1A at Fort Campbell at Ballard Memorial Trigg County at Fulton County Russellville at Todd County Central

(Incomplete as of presstime)

Coach Coby Lewis | Class 3A

at Muhlenberg County Fort Campbell at Calloway County at Ballard Memorial Murray Paducah Tilghman at Crittenden County at Webster County Union County Caldwell County

Murray Tigers

Mayfield Cardinals

Aug 23 Aug 30 Sept 6 Sept 13 Sept 20 Oct 4 Oct 11 Oct 18 Oct 25 Nov 1

Aug 23 Aug 30 Sept 6 Sept 13 Sept 20 Sept 27 Oct 4, 19 Oct 18, 19 Oct 25, 19 Nov 1, 19

Coach Keith Hodge | Class 2A Graves County Calloway County Marshall County at Union County at Trigg County Fort Campbell at Ballard Memorial Caldwell County at Mayfield at Fulton County

Coach Joe Morris | Class 2A

Lausanne Collegiate (Memphis), TN at Hopkinsville at Stadium of Champions at Paducah Tilghman McCracken County Graves County at Fort Campbell at Caldwell County Ballard Memorial Murray at Madisonville-North Hopkins

Paducah Tilghman Tornado

Calloway County Lakers

Aug 24 Sept 6 Sept 13 Sept 20 Sept 27 Oct 4 Oct 18 Oct 25 Nov 1

Aug 23 Aug 30 Sept 6 Sept 13 Sept 20 Sept 27 Oct 11 Oct 18 Oct 18 Oct 25 Nov 1, 19

Coach Jonathon Smith | Class 3A at McCracken County Mayfield at Graves County Calloway County at Trigg County DeSales Union County at Webster County at Hopkinsville

Coach Chris Champion | Class 4A Todd County Central at Murray Trigg County Marshall County at Paducah Tilghman at Hopkinsville Hopkins County Central Madisonville-North Hopkins Madisonville-North Hopkins at Logan County at Union County

Page 12 • August 2019

Boys Soccer First District St. Mary Vikings Coach Blake Skeen Aug 12 Aug 13 Aug 15 Aug 20 Aug 22 Aug 26 Aug 29 Sept 3 Sept 5 Sept 9 Sept 10 Sept 16 Sept 17 Sept 19 Sept 21 Sept 26 Sept 30 Oct 1

at McCracken Co. at Marshall County at Graves County Ballard Memorial All ‘A’ Classic at Paducah Tilghman Mayfield McCracken County Caldwell County Calloway County Paducah Tilghman Trigg County Ballard Memorial Muhlenberg County Massac County, ILL Lyon County Christian County Massac County, ILL

Paducah Tilghman Tornado 7:00 PM 7:00 PM 7:30 PM 6:00 PM 7:00 PM 5:30 PM 7:00 PM 5:30 PM 7:00 PM 7:00 PM 7:00 PM 7:00 PM 6:00 PM 7:00 PM 10:00 AM 7:30 PM 5:30 PM 4:30 PM

Coach Wesley McSparin Aug 12 Aug 13 Aug 20 Aug 22 Aug 26 Aug 27 Aug 29 Aug 31 Aug 31 Sept 3 Sept 5 Sept 9 Sept 10 Sept 12 Sept 16 Sept 19 Sept 24 Sept 26 Sept 30 Oct 1 Oct 3

at Marshall County Ballard Memorial at Calloway County at McCracken Co. St. Mary Webster County Graves County Lexington Christian South Warren at Trigg County McCracken County Massac County, ILL at St. Mary Mayfield at Ballard Memorial Christian County at Lyon County Hopkinsville Sikeston, MO at Caldwell County Murray

7:00 PM 6:00 PM 7:00 PM 7:00 PM 5:30 PM 7:15 PM 7:00 PM 11:00 AM 5:00 PM 7:00 PM 7:15 PM 5:30 PM 7:00 PM 7:30 PM 6:00 PM 7:00 PM 7:30 PM 7:15 PM 6:30 PM 7:30 PM 7:00 PM

McCracken County Mustangs Ballard Memorial Coach Michael Wiersema Aug 12 Aug 15 Aug 22 Aug 23 Aug 24 Aug 26 Aug 31 Sept 3 Sept 5 Sept 6 Sept 7 Sept 10 Sept 13 Sept 17 Sept 19 Sept 21 Sept 27 Sept 28 Sept 28 Oct 1 Oct 3

St. Mary at Calloway County Paducah Tilghman Tates Creek Henry Clay at Ballard Memorial at Marshall County at St. Mary at Paducah Tilghman Evansville Memorial Evansville Memorial Ballard Memorial at Notre Dame, MO Graves County at Hopkinsville at Owensboro River Region Rumble River Region Rumble River Region Rumble Murray home Henderson County

7:00 PM 7:00 PM 7:00 PM 8:00 PM 2:00 PM 6:00 PM 10:30 AM 5:30 PM 7:15 PM 6:00 PM 1:00 PM 6:00 PM 7:00 PM 7:00 PM 7:00 PM 10:00 AM 6:00 PM 5:00 PM 10:00 AM 7:00 PM 7:00 PM

2018 District Record McCracken County Paducah Tilghman

13-6-1 11-10-2

Coach Jonathon Steele Aug 12 Aug 13 Aug 17 Aug 20 Aug 26 Aug 29 Sept 7 Sept 10 Sept 16 Sept 17 Sept 19 Sept 30

at Mayfield at Paducah Tilghman Graves County St. Mary McCracken County Marshall County Mayfield at McCracken County Paducah Tilghman at St. Mary at Lyon County at Hopkins Central

(Incomplete as of presstime)

St. Mary Ballard Memorial

6-11-1 0-18-1

District Champion: McCracken County Runner up: Paducah Tilghman Leading scorer: Kevin Pastor, McCracken County: 30 goals, 5 assists Most saves: AJ Ross, Ballard Memorial; 241 stops, average 13.4 per game.

Complete game shutout: Gavin O’Donley, McCracken County (8)

6:00 6:00 6:00 6:00 6:00 7:30 9:00 6:00 6:00 6:00 6:00 6:00

PM PM PM PM PM PM AM PM PM PM PM PM

August 2019 • Page 13

Boys Soccer Second District Calloway County

Graves County Eagles

Aug 12 Aug 15 Aug 20 Aug 22 Aug 27 Aug 31 Aug 31 Sept 3 Sept 7 Sept 9 Sept 12 Sept 16 Sept 24 Sept 26

Aug 15 Aug 17 Aug 20 Aug 22 Aug 24 Aug 27 Aug 29 Sept 5 Sept 9 Sept 12 Sept 13 Sept 14 Sept 17 Sept 19 Sept 21 Sept 24 Sept 26 Sept 30 Oct 1

Coach Evan Pierce

at Madisonville-North Hopkins McCracken County Paducah Tilghman at Marshall County Graves County at Bowling Green Apollo at Bowling Green Mayfield Henderson County at St. Mary at Graves County at Mayfield Hopkinsville Marshall County

(Incomplete as of presstime)

Mayfield

Coach Luis Fabian

Aug 12 Aug 13 Aug 15 Aug 20 Aug 29 Aug 31 Sept 3 Sept 5 Sept 7 Sept 9 Sept 12 Sept 16 Sept 17 Sept 19 Sept 24 Sept 26 Sept 30 Oct 3 Oct 5 Oct 5

Ballard Memorial University Heights Marshall County Murray St. Mary at Madisonville-North Hopkins at Calloway County at Massac County, ILL at Ballard Memorial Graves County at Paducah Tilghman Calloway County at Murray Lyon County at Marshall County at Graves County Lyon County Trigg County at University Heights at University Heights

Coach Michael Lane

St. Mary 7:30 PM at Ballard Memorial 6:00 PM Marshall County 7:30 PM at Christian County 7:30 PM at Trigg County 11:00 AM at Calloway County 7:30 PM at Paducah Tilghman 7:00 PM Murray home 7:30 PM at Mayfield 7:30 PM Calloway County 7:30 PM Muhlenberg County Classic Muhlenberg County Classic at McCracken County 7:00 PM at Marshall County 7:30 PM University Heights 9:30 AM at Murray 7:30 PM Mayfield 5:30 PM Fort Campbell 7:00 PM Madisonville-North 7:00 PM

2018 District Record Marshall County Calloway County Graves County Murray Mayfield

19-4-1 17-6 12-10 11-6-1 10-11-1

District Champion: Marshall County Runner up: Calloway County Leading scorer: Jacob Smith, Calloway County: 51 goals, 7 assists Most saves: Diego Juarez, Mayfield; 204 stops, average 9.7 per game.

Complete game shutout: Tyler Belcher, Marshall County (9)

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Page 14 • August 2019

Marshall County Marshals

Murray

Aug 12 Aug 13 Aug 15 Aug 17 Aug 17 Aug 20 Aug 22 Aug 27 Aug 29 Aug 31 Aug 31 Sept 5 Sept 7 Sept 10 Sept 12 Sept 14 Sept 14 Sept 19 Sept 24 Sept 26 Oct 1

Aug 12, 19 Aug 15, 19 Aug 20, 19 Aug 27, 19 Sep 5, 19 Sep 10, 19 Sep 12, 19 Sep 17, 19 Sep 24, 19 Sep 28, 19 Oct 1, 19 Oct 3, 19

Coach Donnie Heath

Paducah Tilghman St. Mary at Mayfield at Eastern at Male at Graves County Calloway County Murray at Ballard Memorial Ohio County McCracken County at Fort Campbell Greenwood at Murray Hopkinsville Sikeston, MO Evansville Harrison Graves County Mayfield at Calloway County at Henderson County

7:00 PM 7:00 PM 5:30 PM 9:00 AM 7:00 PM 7:30 PM 7:30 PM 7:30 PM 7:30 PM 6:00 PM 10:30 AM 7:15 PM 4:00 PM 7:30 PM 7:15 PM 7:00 PM 9:00 AM 7:30 PM 7:30 PM 7:30 PM 7:00 PM

Coach Jared Rosa

Lyon County 7:30 PM Hopkinsville 7:15 PM Mayfield 7:00 PM at Marshall County 7:30 PM at Graves County 7:30 PM Marshall County 7:30 PM at Hopkins Central 7:30 PM Mayfield 7:00 PM Graves County 7:30 PM Henderson County 11:30 AM at McCracken County 7:00 PM at Paducah Tilghman 7:00 PM

(Incomplete as of presstime)

Boys Soccer Fifth District Trigg County Wildcats

Lyon County Lyons

Aug 12 Aug 13 Aug 15 Aug 19 Aug 24 Aug 26 Sept 2 Sept 3 Sept 5 Sept 9 Sept 16 Sept 21 Sept 21 Sept 23 Sept 26 Sept 28 Oct 1 Oct 3

Aug 12 Aug 15 Aug 19 Aug 20 Aug 22 Aug 23 Aug 26 Aug 31 Sept 3 Sept 9 Sept 10 Sept 12 Sept 19 Sept. 23 Sept 24 Sept 26 Sept 30 Oct 1

Coach Josh Nichols

at Fort Campbell at Muhlenberg Co. at Christian County at Hopkins County Graves County Lyon County Todd County Central Paducah Tilghman Webster County at Lyon County St. Mary Ohio County Logan County University Heights at Caldwell County Henderson Co. Hopkinsville at Mayfield

7:00 PM 7:00 PM 7:00 PM 7:00 PM 11:00 AM 7:00 PM 7:00 PM 7:00 PM 7:00 PM 7:00 PM 7:00 PM Donley Classic Donley Classic 7:00 PM 7:00 PM 5:30 PM 7:00 PM 7:00 PM

Coach Mike Daily

at Murray 7:30 at Hopkins County 7:15 Todd County Central 7:00 at Muhlenberg Co. 7:15 Fort Campbell 7:15 Mayfield 7:15 at Trigg County 7:00 at Russellville 1:00 Caldwell County 6:00 Trigg County 7:00 at Webster County 7:15 Caldwell County 7:15 at Mayfield 7:00 at Todd County Central 7:00 Paducah Tilghman 7:30 at St. Mary 7:30 at Mayfield 7:30 at Fort Campbell 7:15

PM PM PM PM PM PM PM PM PM PM PM PM PM PM PM PM PM PM

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August 2019 • Page 15

Girls Soccer First District St. Mary Vikings

Coach Jonathon Erickson Aug 12 Aug 13 Aug 15 Aug 19 Aug 22 Aug 26 Aug 29 Sept 3 Sept 5 Sept 9 Sept 10 Sept 16 Sept 23 Sept 24 Sept 26 Sept 30 Oct 1

at McCracken County 5:30 at Marshall County 7:00 at Graves County 5:30 at Hopkins Central 6:00 All “A” Classic 5:30 at Paducah Tilghman 7:00 at Mayfield 5:30 McCracken County 7:00 Caldwell County 5:30 Calloway County 5:30 Paducah Tilghman 5:30 at Trigg County 5:30 Mayfield 6:00 at Union County 6:00 Lyon County 6:00 Christian County 7:00 Hopkins County Central 6:00 PM

Paducah Tilghman Tornado PM PM PM PM PM PM PM PM PM PM PM PM PM PM PM PM

McCracken County Mustangs Coach Chris Lacey Aug 12 Aug 15 Aug 17 Aug 22 Aug 23 Aug 24 Aug 28 Aug 30 Aug 31 Sept 3 Sept 5 Sept 12 Sept 14 Sept 14 Sept 19 Sept 21 Sept 24 Sept 26 Oct 1

St. Mary 5:30 PM University Heights 7:00 PM Graves County 7:15 PM at Smoky Mountain Cup 6:00 PM at Smoky Mountain Cup 5:00 PM at Smoky Mountain Cup 10:45 AM at Henderson County 7:30 PM at Boyle County 7:00 PM at Danville 11:00 AM at St. Mary 7:00 PM at Paducah Tilghman 5:30 PM Murray 7:15 PM at Lady Donley Classic 12:00 PM at Lady Donley Classic 5:00 PM Christian County 7:15 PM South Warren 11:30 AM Calloway County 7:15 PM Paducah Tilghman 7:15 PM at Marshall County 7:00 PM

Coach Armando Guell Aug 13 Aug 19 Aug 26 Aug 27 Aug 31 Sept 5 Sept 10 Sept 12 Sept 17 Sept 24 Sept 26 Sept 30 Oct 1

at Trigg County at Mayfield St. Mary at Fort Campbell at Apollo McCracken County at St. Mary Mayfield Lyon County at Lyon County at McCracken County at Murray at Caldwell County

7:00 7:00 7:00 7:00

PM PM PM PM

5:30 5:30 5:30 7:00 5:30 7:15 7:00 7:30

PM PM PM PM PM PM PM PM

2018 District Record McCracken County Paducah Tilghman St. MAry

12 -8 -0 4-12 0-11-2

District Champion: McCracken County Runner up: Paducah Tilghman Leading scorer: Jasmine Perry McCracken County: 27 goals, 10 assists Most saves: Molly Watkins, Tilghman; 278 stops, average 17.4 per game.

Complete game shutout: Macy Davison, McCracken County (2)

Page 16 • August 2019

Girls Soccer Second District Calloway County Lakers

Graves County Eagles

Aug 12 Aug 17 Aug 20 Aug 22 Aug 27 Aug 29 Aug 31 Aug 31 Sept 3 Sept 9 Sept 12 Sept 16 Sept 19 Sept 21 Sept 21 Sept 24 Sept 26 Oct 3

Aug 15 Aug 17 Aug 24 Aug 24 Aug 27 Aug 29 Sept 5 Sept 9 Sept 12 Sept 24 Sept 26

Coach Jeremy Stom

at University Heights Madisonville-North at Christian County at Marshall County Graves County Murray South Gibson, TENN Henry County, TENN Mayfield at St. Mary at Graves County at Mayfield at Murray at Apollo at Owensboro at McCracken County Marshall County Caldwell County

5:45 PM 6:30 PM 7:30 PM 5:30 PM 5:30 PM 5:30 PM 10:00 AM 6:00 PM 5:30 PM 5:30 PM 5:30 PM 5:30 PM 5:30 PM 11:00 AM 4 PM 7:15 PM 5:30 PM 7:00 PM

Mayfield

Coach Teresa Fabian Aug 13 Aug 15 Aug 19 Aug 20 Aug 23 Aug 29 Sept 3 Sept 5 Sept 9 Sept 10 Sept 12 Sept 16 Sept 17 Sept 19 Sept 23 Sept 24 Sept 26 Sept 30 Oct 3

at Union County Marshall County Paducah Tilghman All “A” Classic at Lyon County St. Mary at Calloway County Crittenden County Graves County Trigg County at Paducah Tilghman Calloway County at Murray at Webster County at St. Mary at Marshall County at Graves County Lyon County at Crittenden County

Coach Gerardo Herrera

St. Mary at McCracken County at Warren Central Greenwood at Calloway County at Caldwell County Murray at Mayfield Calloway County at Murray Mayfield

5:30 PM 7:15 PM 4:00 PM 11:00 AM 5:30 PM 7:00 PM 5:30 PM 5:30 PM 5:30 PM 5:30 PM 7:00 PM

(Incomplete as of presstime)

Marshall County Marshals 5:30 5:30 7:00 5:30 7:00 5:30 5:30 7:00 5:30 7:00 5:30 5:30 5:30 5:30 6:00 5:30 7:00 7:00 7:00

PM PM PM PM PM PM PM PM PM PM PM PM PM PM PM PM PM PM PM

Coach Michael Boone Aug 13 Aug 15 Aug 19 Aug 20 Aug 23 Aug 29 Sept 3 Sept 5 Sept 9 Sept 10 Sept 12 Sept 16 Sept 17 Sept 19 Sept 23 Sept 24 Sept 26 Sept 30 Oct 3

at Union County 5:30 Marshall County 5:30 Paducah Tilghman 7:00 Murray 5:30 at Lyon County 7:00 PM St. Mary 5:30 at Calloway County 5:30 Crittenden County 7:00 Graves County 5:30 PM Trigg County 7:00 at Paducah Tilghman 5:30 Calloway County 5:30 at Murray 5:30 at Webster County 5:30 at St. Mary 6:00 at Marshall County 5:30 at Graves County 7:00 Lyon County 7:00 at Crittenden County 7:00

PM PM PM PM PM PM PM PM PM PM PM PM PM PM PM PM PM

Murray Tigers

Coach Shauna Traylor Aug 13 Aug 20 Aug 24 Aug 27 Aug 29 Sept 5 Sept 10 Sept 12

Henry County, TN All “A” Classic Lady Dragons Classic at Marshall County at Calloway County at Graves County Marshall County at McCracken County

7:00 5:30 4:00 5:30 5:30 5:30 5:30 7:00

PM PM PM PM PM PM PM PM

Sept 14 Sept 17 Sept 19 Sept 24 Sept 28 Sept 30 Oct 3

Mustang Classic Mayfield Calloway County Graves County Madisonville-North Paducah Tilghman at Christian County

TBA 5:30 PM 5:30 PM 5:30 PM 2:30 PM 7:00 PM 7:00 PM

August 2019 • Page 17

Girls Soccer Fifth District Lyon County Lyons

Crittenden County Rockets

Aug 13 Aug 15 Aug 19 Aug 20 Aug 22 Aug 23 Aug 26 Aug 27 Aug 29 Sept 3 Sept 9 Sept 10 Sept 12 Sept 14 Sept 16 Sept 17 Sept 23 Sept 24 Sept 26 Sept 30 Oct 1

Aug 12 Aug 13 Aug 22 Aug 22 Aug 26 Aug 31 Sept 5 Sept 9 Sept 10 Sept 17 Sept 17 Sept 30 Oct 3

Coach Abby Smith

Hopkins Central 7:00 PM Owensboro 7:00 PM at Union County 7:00 PM Trigg County 7:00 PM at Crittenden County 7:00 PM Mayfield 7:00 PM Caldwell County 7:00 PM Webster County 7:00 PM Fort Campbell 7:00 PM All “A” Classic at Christian County 7:00 PM Crittenden County 7:00 PM at Trigg County 7:00 PM at Hopkins Central 12:00 PM Hopkinsville 7:00 PM at Paducah Tilghman 7:00 PM at Webster County 7:00 PM Paducah Tilghman 5:30 PM at St. Mary 6:00 PM at Mayfield 7:00 PM at Muhlenberg County 7:00 PM

Trigg County Wildcats Coach Matthew Harper Aug 13 Aug 15 Aug 20 Aug 22 Aug 27 Aug 29 Aug 31 Aug 31 Aug 31 Sept 5 Sept 10 Sept 12 Sept 16 Sept 17 Sept 19 Sept 24 Sept 26 Oct 1 Oct 3

Paducah Tilghman 7:00 at Todd County 7:00 at Lyon County 7:00 Crittenden County 7:00 Christian County 7:00 Todd County 7:00 Russellville Panther Classic Russellville Panther Classic Russellville Panther Classic at Webster County 7:00 at Mayfield 7:00 Lyon County 7:00 St. Mary 5:30 at Crittenden County 7:00 at Hopkins Central 5:30 University Heights 7:00 Caldwell County 7:00 at Fort Campbell 7:00 Hopkinsville 7:00

Coach Summer Riley

at Hopkins Central Muhlenberg County at Trigg County Lyon County at Fort Campbell at McLean County at Mayfield Warren Central at Lyon County Fort Campbell Trigg County Hopkins Central Mayfield

5:30 7:00 7:00 7:00 7:00 3:30 7:00 7:00 7:00 7:00 7:00 5:30 7:00

PM PM PM PM PM PM PM PM PM PM PM PM PM

(Incomplete as of presstime)

2018 District Record PM PM PM PM PM PM

PM PM PM PM PM PM PM PM PM PM

Lyon County Trigg County Critenden County

12 -4 -0 4-15-1 1-12-1

District Champion: Lyon County Runner up: Trigg County Leading scorer: Rose Smith, Lyon County: 34 goals, 5 assists Most saves: Abby Smith, Lyon County; 80 stops, average 5 per game.

Complete game shutout: Julia Rhone, Trigg County (2)

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Page 18 • August 2019

Fresh Start Lyons, Lady Lyons start season with familiar faces as new head soccer coaches

By Jody Norwood

For the first time since 2014, Lyon County will start the season with new coaches guiding the mens and womens soccer teams.

During the summer, new Athletic Director Zach Thomas announced new head coaches Abby Smith and Mike Daily. Both are familiar faces to local soccer fans, and the programs they’re taking over. Both have recently been assistant coaches and Daily has been involved in youth development for several years.

As with any new season, both coaches have a few roster spots left to fill.

Lyon County Lady Lyons The defending Fifth District champions are coming off their best record in recent years at 12-4 in 2018. The team also picked up a win in the All ‘A’ tournament before bowing out to University Heights Academy.

Smith will take over for Emilee Workman, who left to free up time for personal pursuits.

Looking at the roster, this will be one of the most experienced teams the Lady Lyons have fielded in years with 10 upperclassmen. That includes five seniors: Kate Gray, Bailey Guess, MaKenzie Lewis, Emily Smith and Kayden Watts.

“Age-wise, we’re good,” Smith said. “Three of our seniors have played all for four years. Some of those juniors I’ve coached since they were youth league, like U6 and U8. That gives me an idea coming in of their strengths and weaknesses, knowing them since they were little.”

Smith said her overall familiarity with the players makes the

transition easier.

“We already know each other and are comfortable,” Smith said. “Having them [as a fourth grade teacher] I know their personalities already. They’ve all had me as a fourth grade science teacher.”

As the girls got underway with a camp following the state-mandated dead period, the familiarity was noticeable. The players refer to her as Miss Abby instead of Coach. Smith said she doesn’t mind.

“Other than Mom, that’s my second favorite name,” Smith said.

Much of what she and Workman put in place will continue over this season. Smith said she doesn’t anticipate many differences, but has already experienced two ACL tears that will prevent a freshman and a sophomore from participating. That may create for mixing up some of the offense and defense.

Lyon will open the season Aug. 13 hosting Hopkins County Central. They’re set to take part in the All ‘A’ Classic on Sept. 3, and head into districts after playing on the road at Muhlenberg County on Oct. 1.

Smith said one of the team’s best virtues isn’t skill with the ball, but instead their ability to lift up each other.

“They’re positive,” Smith said. “They’re not complaining.

They’re coming out here at 8 a.m. My girls are coming in happy and smiling. They love what they’re doing.”

Smith attributes the teams 26 rostered players to the good attitudes. She hopes that will carry over to the stands.

“The fans, I want them to go to work this year,” Smith said.

(Continued on Page 23)

August 2019 • Page 19

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Page 20 • August 2019

Squad Building

Marshall County Cheerleading hosted the Universal Cheerleaders Association during a camp at Marshall County High School in July. Fourteen middle and high school squads took part in the camp, which focused on cheers, stunts and dance moves. Participating squads were: Ballard Memorial, Lyon County, Marshall County High School, North Marshall Middle School, Lone Oak Middle School, Carlisle County Middle School, Paducah Middle School, Heath Middle School, Reidland Middle School, St. Mary middle and high school, Fulton County and Murray.

August 2019 • Page 21

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Lyons, Lady Lyons start season with new head coaches Continued from Page 18

“When we’re doing our player intros, [the fans] need to stand up and clap. These girls are going to be running for two 45 minute halves. They can stand up.

“You don’t touch the ball but for a minute, minute and a half a game,” Daily said. “If you dribble a couple times and pass the ball, you’re talking maybe a second. You have to do the most with it.

In that little bit of space, if you mess up you may not get another chance.”

Lyon County Lyons

This year, Daily said his defense is in good shape, but will be looking for a new goalkeeper headed into their season opener Aug. 12 at Murray after Justin Tabor chose not to return.

“When they get mad at a ref, cheer on the Lady Lyons. Cheer on our girls even louder. Keep it positive. Negative talk, it feeds into the kids. Every thing those parents do comes through in those kids. If [the parents] get upset, just cheer on our girls a little louder and boost them up.”

Daily may have a bit tougher road ahead of him, despite his long history with Lyon County soccer.

Daily helped start the program in 1992, a year after he formed a traveling team based out of Eddyville. He served as assistant coach previously and has helped with the youth program for several years.

“If we don’t have our youth, we don’t have our high school,” Daily said. “You’ve got to start it down here to have it up there.

They’ve got to have the basic fundamentals down.”

Daily said those building blocks are what he’s been working on for about a month. He accepted the position just before the Kentucky High School Athletic Association mandated dead period. With no one working with the Lyons following Derek McCuiston’s arrest and resignation in April, Daily said someone needed to step in.

“We had low numbers,” Daily said. “The guys were kind of in shock from the way things happened. I’ve still got a lot of that now. They were attached to him as a coach. [Derek] was with some of them for three or four years.”

The differences in coaching styles has been an adjustment for the players. Daily said he is trying to implement a team-first mentality.

“Everything is about the team,” Daily said. “We run as a team.

You mess up, you don’t get penalized individually, the team does.

If you knock a cone over in a drill, the whole team runs.”

The Lyons have been focusing on short drills and situational learning.

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Mistakes mounted for the Lyons last season as they finished the season last in the Second Region at 2-18. The team was third from last in goals scored and allowed the most at 129.

Daily said he’s yet to work with a full squad as players are out of town or attending camps.

“I think it’s going well,” Daily said. “We only have one senior.

Right now, as far as I know, we have 16 players for [both Junior Varsity and Varsity]. We’ve got our defensive lineman in mind. My biggest worry right now is goalkeeper.

“The good thing is, I’ve got some really fast kinds on the team.

Pretty sure I’m going to put Jeremiah Wilkerson in the middle.

He likes to rough things up. He’s picked up some speed and he’s smart. Sometimes I think he overthinks things, he tries to be everything on the field.I have a lot of faith in him.”

The team is young with a large number of freshmen coming in. The experience will largely comes from the group of five juniors.

The Lyons graduated Travis Crayne, Jacob Mayberry, Ethan Jackson, Haden Pollard and Trace Adams. Adams was second in scoring last season behind Travis Crayne.

Wilkerson is expected to be the lone senior on the sophmore heavy squad. The Lyons are expected to field seven sophomores at the season’s start.

“I don’t think we’ll have a problem scoring if we can get the ball through the midfield,” Daily said. “It’s win the ball in the middle and keep the other team from scoring more goals than we score.”

Hunter Thomas will serve as the Lyons assistant coach this season. Daily began coaching the sport in 1979. He began playing in college at the University of Illinois at Springfield after a football-related leg injury forced him to reconsider his sport of choice.

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Page 24 • August 2019

MOVE

Athletic directors, coaches taking up new positions during summer months Retirements, resignations and reshuffling led to new coaching positions around western Kentucky this offseason. A handful of them were filled throughout the year as seasons ended, while others weren’t announced until the conclusion of the 20182019 school year.

The following lists several of the positions filled so far. A few jobs remain vacant as of press time.

5Chelsi Stanley • Lyon County

Chelsi Stanley

Lyon County Track and Field Lyon County has new leadership for its track and field programs. Chelsi Stanley was announced as Lyon County High School’s new track and field coach via social media in June.

Jason Nickal

Paducah Tilghman Athletic Director Jason Nickal was named assistant principal and Athletics Director at Paducah Tilghman High School in early June.

From a release by district spokesperson Wayne Walden: Nickal has 24 years of experience as an educator and coach. As a wrestling coach Nickal led teams to ten state championships and over 55 individual titles. He received eleven “Coach of the Year” awards, including National Wrestling Coaches Association State Coach of the Year two times. He was inducted into the Rio Rancho (New Mexico) High School Coaches Hall of Fame in 2018.

Nickal has served as director and coach for multiple USA National Teams and has also traveled overseas to international tournaments. He has attended the USA Wrestling

Coaches College and is a copper and bronze certified coach.

Nickal received his B.S. in Natural Sciences from Chadron State College and a Masters in Educational Leadership from Walden University.

Prior to coming to McCracken County High School, Nickal was an Aquatic Science instructor at Allen High School in Allen, Texas from 2010 – 2016, where he developed the Aquatic Science curriculum and Common Formative Assessments and was part of a team whose purpose was to ensure Texas state standards were being met in science content areas.

Since 2016 Nickal has served as a faculty member, head varsity wrestling coach, and middle school head football coach for McCracken County High School and McCracken County Schools.

“Mr. Nickal brings many years of experience from a variety of sporting backgrounds to the table when it comes to managing our athletic programs and extracurricular activities, said Paducah Tilghman principal Allison Stieg.

“I’m looking forward to coming to Paducah Tilghman and bringing my experience in athletics to assist our athletic programs. I hope to be a resource for coaches who can help them build championship-caliber teams,” said Nickal. “I’m also looking forward to working with the teachers and administrators in my role as assistant principal. Everyone in the community talks about the tradition and family atmosphere at Paducah Tilghman, so I’m excited to be part of that and see where this journey leads.”

Nickal is married to Sandy, who is an educator and coach. His children are a son Bo, a graduate of Penn State University who is a three-time NCAA wrestling champion, a daughter Jordan, who is enrolled in college and working in the horse training industry in Arizona, a daughter Lexis, who plays collegiate soccer at University of the Cumberlands, and a daughter

August 2019 • Page 25 Shelby, a high school sophomore who has qualified for the southeast regional Olympic Development Program in soccer.

Seth Livingston

Paducah Tilghman Wrestling Coach On the same day the Paducah Tilghman High School announced Nikal’s hiring, the district also announced hiring a new wrestling coach. In addition to his duties guiding grapplers, Seth Livingston has joined the faculty of Paducah Tilghman High School as a special education teacher.

Livingston began his coaching career at Bloomington High School in Bloomington, Illinois, where he was assistant wrestling coach. He then moved to at Winston Churchill High School in San Antonio, Texas where he was an assistant wrestling coach for four years. During his tenure, Churchill had two top ten finishes and Livingston was named state assistant coach of the year in 2015. In addition to high school coaching, Livingston also served as coach for the Texas National Team and

5Seth Livingston • Paducah Tilghman

5Jason Nickal • Paducah Tilghman

was Central Texas Freestyle/Greco Roman wrestling director. Most recently Livingston has served as an assistant wrestling coach at McCracken County High School for the past three years.

lison Stieg. “His reputation of building and maintaining strong wrestling programs precedes him. He will be a great fit among our faculty and I look forward to him raising the bar not only when it comes to wrestling, but also when it comes to serving our students in the classroom.”

(Continued on next page)

“I am very excited to have Coach Livingston join our teaching and coaching staff,” said Paducah Tilghman principal Al-

Where Athletes trAin

Page 26 • August 2019 Continued from previous page “There’s a strong tradition of excellence in athletics here, and I’m excited to build that again in the wrestling program,” said Coach Livingston. “I hope that as the wrestling program grows it will uplift all the athletic programs at Tilghman.”

Livingston earned his B.A. at Eureka College. He earned his M.A. in Teaching Special Education at University of the Cumberlands.

Coach Livingston is married to Terri Livingston and is father to a step-son, Landry, and a daughter, Everly.

Zach Thomas

Lyon County Athletic Director In May, long-time Lyon County High School Athletic Director Jeff Doom announced his resignation.

The district tapped a familiar face Lyon County sports fans as Doom’s replacement, hiring Zach Thomas. Over the years, Thomas has coached a variety of sports for Lyon, including serving as tennis coach and an assistant basketball coach.

5Zach Thomas • Lyon County

Ryan Perry

Lyon County Basketball Coach One of Thomas’ first duties was filling the Lyon County boys basketball position created after long-time coach Jeff Embrey resigned following the 2018-2019 season. Embrey provided stability to the program, serving as head coach for 12 years following a six-year span with three different skippers.

On June 11, the district announced Ryan Perry would take the helm, his first head coaching position.

Perry may be a familiar face as he has assisted with the program last season and is the father of All-Region guard Travis Perry. Travis will be entering eighth grade during the upcoming season and is one of three starters expected to return in the fall.

Mike Daily

5Ryan Perry • Lyon County

Lyon County Soccer Coach The 2018 was a rough one for Lyon County boys soccer fans. Derek McCuiston – who took over the program in 2014 – resigned following an arrest for alleged sexual exploitation offenses. The news came a few months after the Lyons went 2-18-1, posting one of the program’s worst records and finishing at the bottom of the Second Region for the first time since back-to-back winless seasons in 2012-2013.

The Lyons will have a chance to write a new chapter under Mike Daily. Daily has coached at the youth and high school level in Lyon County previously, and has remained active with teaching the sport throughout the years.

Greg Overstreet

Paducah Tilghman Basketball Coach 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.

5Michael Daily • Lyon County

August 2019 • Page 27 Prior to his time with the boys, Thomas was head girls basketball coach for four season, amassing a 105-25 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 tournaments, 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 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.”

5Greg Overstreet • Paducah Tilghman

Wes Overstreet St. Mary Basketball Coach 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 assistant 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.

Aaron Beth

Marshall County Golf Coach Aaron Beth’s Lady Eagles have been a formidable Third District basketball team during his five year run. Graves County earned district titles in every season, one First Region title and made it through the opening round of the state tournament once. In that time, the Lady Eagles were 132-33.

But Beth will move from the Eagle’s Nest gymnasium to links closer to Kentucky Lake as he takes the helm of Marshall County’s golf program. It will give him a chance to coach daughter Trinity, who will be entering sixth grade and already competes throughout the county.

It will also be a homecoming of sorts, as Beth is an MCHS alumni and former faculty member. His father Howard was also

(Continued on page 26)

5Payton Croft • Mayfield

Page 28 • August 2019

5Aaron Beth • Marshall County Continued from page 25 a long-time coach at the school, and holds records for wins and titles. His three decades of leading the Lady Marshal basketball program generated two state championships, with the 1984 Lady Marshals team having the distinction of being the last to take a state title with a perfect record.

Payton Croft

Mayfield Independent Basketball Coach Mayfield’s coach Chris Guhy announced before the 2018 season that it would be his last guiding the Cardinals. Stocked with a roster full of 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 basketball. 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 power 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.

The district announced Guhy’s successor on March 22 in Payton Croft, the former head coach for the Trigg County Wildcats.

Croft expressed his thoughts on social media after the announcement.

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

“The emotions 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 gold three times.

Chad Burgett

Trigg County Basketball Coach According to WKDZ radio, Trigg County named Chad Burgett to replace Croft as head coach of the Wildcats. Burgett has coached at Dawson Springs and Hopkins County Central.

August 2019 • Page 29

Celebrating

125 Years of

Community Banking 5Abby Smith • Lyon County Abby Smith

Lyon County Girls Soccer Coach Lyon County Elementary School teacher Abby Smith has been the assistant high school girls soccer coach since 2015.

Now – following Emilee Workman’s resignation to pursue other interests – Smith will be taking over head coaching duties with the 2019 season.

Zach Hobbs

McCracken County Baseball Coach Zach Hobbs left Calloway County following a 12-20 season where the Lakers finished as district champions and First Region runnerups. It was the end of an eight-year run that brought numerous titles to the program and a trip to the KHSAA state tournament in 2012.

Hobbs transitioned onto Geno Miller’s staff at McCracken County as the program entered its third season. Hobbs helped the team to a third consecutive postseason run, picking up district and regional titles. The Mustangs have continued to build on their success. In 2019 the team picked up its sixth straight matching titles and advanced as far as the championship round of the state tournament before falling 4-2 to Tates Creek.

Now, Hobbs will have a chance to take the program’s helm as Miller accepted McCracken County’s athletic director position in May.

Despite Hobbs’ success, Miller will be a tough act to follow. In almost 17 seasons as a varsity baseball coach, his teams went 495-157. He averaged just under 30 wins per season and was one of the most successful active coaches before stepping down.

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Page 30 • August 2019

Record breakers

Record holders across the Commonwealth have been updated in several sports following the 2018-2019 season.

Collected here are several single record setting single game performances, along with season and career stats.

GIRLS SOCCER Lilly Strader of University Heights Academy scored her 177th goal, good for ninth overall in state records.

Parker Greer finished her high school career with 125 goals for Murray’s Lady Tigers, tied for 16th overall. She is signed to play at Murray State University.

TRACK AND FIELD Calloway County’s 4x200 meter track team of Jacob Watters, Logan Curd, Aaron Fennel and Luke Schwepker ran a 1:29:70 in 2019, good enough for title at the 2A state meet. It was also historically the third best time in the event, which dates back to 2000.

Isiah Pantiere of University Heights took the 1A 400 meter dash at the state meet. His 49.40 was seventh overall in state records. Pantiere also the 200 meter dash with a time of 21.67, setting

a new state record by slightly more than a third of a second.

Barrett Henley of Mayfield used a 5202.50 to take the 2019 1A shot put title.

His distance was 12th best in the event dating back to 1966. Henley joined just four other athletes to win the event in consecutive years, joining fellow Cardinal Chris Champion (2001-2003).

Sophie Galloway took the 2019 100 meter hurdles at the 3A state meet.

Her time of 14.45 was sixth best in the event’s 43rd running. Galloway also took the long jump with a distance of 18-03.25, coming up just short of her 2018 jump of 18-04. Galloway became the seventh jumper to take the title in consecutive years going back to 1969.

Her 2018 distance remains 10th best in the state. Galloway also won back-toback titles in triple jump, besting her 2018 distance of 38-10 with a 40-07, good enough to place her first historically in the event.

Marshall County’s Tori McCracken hit a 5-02 in high jump at the 2018 3A state meet, good enough for first overall. In 2019, she did even better, posting a

5Parker Greer • Murray

5-06. The 2019 score puts her in a 10way tie for second place in the event, behind Warren Central’s Robin Gard who hit the 5-10.25 mark back in 1982.

Valesha Watson of Paducah Tilghman took the state 3A 100 meter dash title in 2018 with a 12.13 time, good for third highest overall. She tied the time in 2019, earning her fourth consecutive title in the event. No other athlete has won the event as many times in Kentucky, but fellow Tilghman alumni Shanae Wilson came close after earning three straight from 2000-2002. Watson also placed first in the 400 meter dash with a 57.36 time, good for 11th overall in state records, and earned a second consecutive 200 meter dash title.

Keagin Brooks of Murray won the 2019 discus throw with a distance of 114-07.

It was 18th overall in records dating back to 1970.

* Editor’s Note: State and records are compiled by the Kentucky High School Athletic Association. As of July 15, statewide baseball and boys basketball records were incomplete and not included.

THE BACK PAGE

By Jody Norwood | Editor

On July 7, the U.S. National Women’s soccer team defeated the Netherlands 2-0 to win the World Cup. For soccer fans, it was a good game capping a juggernaut season for the team.

The journey was filled with potholes of all things not related to the team, the games or the sport.

Kneeling, patriotism, celebrations and sexual orientation were just a few distractions from what was an otherwise amazing run culminating in a second consecutive title for the United States. It’s unfortunate that those were the stories some were focusing on instead of using it as an opportunity to discuss the sport — and women’s sports in general — of soccer.

For those who aren’t fans, there are a few differences in the way men and women play, but not like the profound as the divergence of baseball and softball. Or even the athletic disparity in mens and womens basketball.

No, soccer, generally, is a game where women are as physical as men, at least at higher levels. For anyone fed up with flopping antics in MLS, the female side of the sport may even be a breath of fresh, honest air. Maybe it’s a bit of a chip on their collective shoulders, that female soccer players feel they have to be tougher than their male counterparts to prove they deserve just as much spotlight. Or maybe paltry paychecks — at least in comparison to men in the same sport — aren’t worth trading pride for a deceitful yellow card.

Whatever the difference in mindset, women’s soccer is worth giving a watch for any fan of the sport. Kick back, enjoy the game and leave all the other stuff at the door. Now is a perfect time to give it a chance as high school teams throughout the area will be kicking off (pun intended) their seasons this month.

There are some interesting narratives, too.

McCracken County has had a lock on the since 2013. Their season opens Aug. 12 against St. Mary. Their main competition in the First is likely to be Paducah Tilghman, now in its second year under head coach Armando Guell. The Lady Tornado were the last team other than the Lady Mustangs to win the First District title, back in 2012. Tilghman opens the season — the first since it began rebuilding — Aug. 13 at Trigg County. The Lady Wildcats’ top competition this year will likely be Lyon County, who begin the season hosting Hopkins County Aug. 13. It will be the first season for Abby Smith as head coach.

The Second District will also have a strong group again this season, led by returning title holder Marshall County. The Lady Marshals open the season Aug. 13 hosting St. Mary. The Lady Vikings have a tough opening schedule, also playing Second District runnerup Graves County on Aug. 15 in the Lady Eagles’ season opener.

August 2019 • Page 31

CALENDAR of EVENTS

AUGUST 3 Marshall County Youth League Football online signups are open now through August 3. Students grades second through sixth will play tackle football. First-grade students have the option to play tackle or flag football. Kindergarten students will play flag football. The Marshall County Youth League Football registration link may be found at https://www.marshallcountyfootball.com/.

AUGUST 10 Marshall County Meet the Marshals will be held for the 2019 soccer teams at Colburn Stadium in Draffenville. An alumni game is also planned.

AUGUST 24 The Lyon County High School alumni game is scheduled for Founder’s Day at 7 p.m. rain or shine. Forms are available at Lyon County Animal Hospital or email ashley.davis@ lyon.kyschools.us. $25 registration fee and forms are due by August 10. All proceeds go to the LCHS Lyons and Lady Lyons soccer teams.

SEPT. 27 The 5th Annual Zombie Glow Run/ Walk will be held at the Lee S. Jones Park in Eddyville to benefit the Lyon County Lady Lyons Softball Team. The event begins at 7:30 P.M.

Planning a fundraiser? Program or club event? Email us the details at wkysports@gmail.com to include it on our calendar at no charge as space permits.

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