West Kentucky Sports May 2020 by wkysports

Volume 3, Issue 5

20 from 20

May 2020 • Page 3

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Page 4 • May 2020

CANCELED

KHSAA officially ends spring 2020 seasons Staff Report

With the announcement April 21 of the recommended closure of all K-12 schools to in-person instruction throughout Kentucky for the remainder of the school year, the KHSAA Board of Control today approved the Commissioner’s recommendation that the 2020 state basketball tournaments will not be resumed, while also approving the cancellation of all regular-season practices and contests. All postseason tournament championship events for spring sports have also been canceled the 2019-20 school year. This means the termination of the Archery, Bass Fishing, Esports, Baseball, Softball, Tennis, and Track & Field seasons. This will also result in the continuance of all provisions of the Coronavirus Dead Period provisions until further notice to the member schools from the Commissioner.

“We have until this point purposely taken a measured approach to the resumption of our basketball events and consideration of the ending of the spring seasons for sports and sport-activities,” stated KHSAA Commissioner Julian Tackett. “We have accepted continual guidance from a variety of sources, and have steadfastly held on to hope that the great student-athletes who represent their schools through a variety of teams would have an opportunity to compete this season. “This is without question the most challenging period I have seen or faced in thirty-six years in this office. This impacts so many people, but in the end, is in the best interest of public health. We have been especially concerned with the graduating class of 2020, those seniors who put so much into their athletic partici-

pation opportunities hoping for one last time to shine before the home crowds or at postseason events. We know for the vast majority of them, their future plans are already laid out, with college and career final preparation as their next chapter. We are also keenly aware that per almost all metrics, 94% of the students who participate in high school sports and sport-activities are involved in their last organized competition while in high school, as the lion’s share of participants will not play beyond this level. In the end, however, the health and safety of all individuals, participants, coaches, and spectators, is much more important than the various interscholastic activities. “Nothing in mine, or frankly, anyone else’s professional career completely prepared me for this situation since mid-March and the related subsequent decisions. That was probably the hardest thing to deal with,” added Tackett. “These kids don’t get a chance to finish, especially the seniors, and it is as though they were robbed by an invisible enemy. It is sometimes a little easier in life when there is someone to blame. With this, however, there isn’t. We are all together fighting the same enemy with the same desired outcome. “Everyone involved in school-based athletics in our Commonwealth has been impacted. We as a staff and Board have talked every day about the students and families, coaches, administrators, officials, and fans who lost a non-recoverable portion of their lives, particularly our seniors. Corporate partners and others, while continuing to be fantastic supporters of the KHSAA and almost all agreeing to continue their full support of the Association and its events during these financially catastrophic times, also

Following the KHSAA’s announcement, all state sanctioned sports activities for the 2020 spring season have been canceled, leaving a number of fields and parks remaining empty.

missed out on great opportunities. And our venues and their employees were also tremendously fiscally and personally impacted. There were, and are, no winners in this situation and these decisions. “The Association will continue to communicate with member school Principals, Athletic Directors and Superintendents as we navigate the various stages and phases of resuming sports and sport-activities for the fall. The current virus dead period provisions will remain in place until, at the very least, we as a Commonwealth are cleared to be considered into Phase 1 of the Federal and State guidelines. Before that time, staff will advise our member schools as to any changes to the restrictions moving forward. There is also no plan at this time to alter, in any way, the Bylaw 24 Dead Periods for the coming or specific restrictions on organized activity in football and basketball that is also contained in that bylaw.

“We have recently developed special recognition programs which we hope our schools will take advantage of, to recognize at the very least the seniors

May 2020 • Page 5

Dead Period Restrictions

The following are the restrictions in place for this period for all sports and sport-activities in middle and high school in the Commonwealth. n Students shall not participate in any organized team activity or organized or semi-organized team competition in any sport or sport-activity in any format at any location in any state. These restrictions include outside teams and leagues. Students at KHSAA member schools and others (including coaches) do not avoid the perils of this virus by simply changing shirts. Also, the recent move by the Governor to close public recreational and other facilities and non-essential business makes this an obvious answer. Additionally, local county judges and mayors have implemented similar steps throughout the Commonwealth.

who lost that last season, but also all spring sports participants and those who qualified for the state basketball tournaments and were unable to complete those events.

“We will also continue to communicate with our teams that qualified for the basketball tournament and were unable to complete this event about possible activities within the bylaws of the KHSAA at the start of the 2020-21 season if they desire that opportunity. Unfortunately, our spring sports never began and as such, there represents no resumption or event opportunity.

“Our students, coaches, officials, administrators, parents, and families must be encouraged in every manner to continue to adhere to the guidance provided by our state and national leadership,” said KHSAA Board of Control President Pete Galloway. “The Association understands the extreme seriousness of this pandemic and joins in support of current measures being implemented, as well as any future considerations, to ensure a return to normalcy. In unwavering support, yet with extreme sadness, we must agree to cancel our spring sports and sport-activities. We join all Kentuckians in anticipation of a triumphant homecoming back to our schools and school facilities at some point in the fall of 2020 complete with a full complement of KHSAA sports and sport-activities.” The Board and staff will continue discussions over the coming weeks to attempt to address issues related to the fall season. “It is far too early in this process and battle against this virus to place an absolute planned schedule or dates out there,” stated Commissioner Tackett. “We remain optimistic about the fall season, even if it isn’t exactly per normal, but we will adhere to the guidance of both federal and state health officials, as well as our own Department of Education and the Governor’s office in planning our next steps in the coming weeks and months.”

n Students shall not participate where school personnel, including coaches (paid or unpaid), are involved, in attendance, or receiving reports of performance. n Prior approval for sanctioned events through the NFHS sanctioning system, both in and out of state, is now rescinded for the entirety of this period. Member schools should note that without appropriate NFHS sanctioning, provisions of the KHSAA Catastrophic Insurance policy are not in place. n Students may not participate outside of their residence in activities such as weight training, skill development, individual camps (even with per team limits on participation), team or individual camps, or open gym or field activities, even if no inter-school competition is involved. n Students may not receive in-person coaching or training from school or nonschool personnel, including coaches (either salaried or non-salaried) in any KHSAA sanctioned sport or sport-activity, and such instruction may not be provided at the residence of the student or instructor by outside individuals; n School funds may not be expended in support of interscholastic athletics in any KHSAA-sanctioned sport or sport-activity.

Page 6 â&#x20AC;˘ May 2020

20 from 20 With the announcement of canceled spring sports seasons in Kentucky, the 2019-2020 sports season has come to a close. This month, West Kentucky Sports takes a look back at some of those who competed this school year, shining a spotlight on 20 of 2020â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s standout male and female athletes. Some were high scorers or top defenders. Others led by example, showing sportsmanship on the field, while some achieved noteworthy student success while contributing to their team. In one way or another, all represented their schools well. Unfortunately, due to cancellations, athletes participating in spring sports seasons were unable to be included. Likewise, there are hundreds more athletes throughout the region not gracing these pages who competed in fall and winter seasons. All deserve recognition for their contributions this year.

May 2020 â&#x20AC;˘ Page 7

CARLEN

WHIRLEY For three straight years, the Lady Marshals have dominated First Region soccer, sweeping both the district and regional titles each year. The backbone of those teams has been a group of defenders led by keeper Carlen Whirley. The Freed-Hardeman University signee had a standout season in 2019. Whirley broke the schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s career shutout record as the defense paved the way to an 18-3-4 record. She also claimed the record for single season blanks with 18. She also led the state in shutouts. The soccer standout was earned 1st Team All-Region honors her sophomore, junior and senior seasons, was Honorable Mention All-State her junior year and 1st Team All-State her senior year. Whirley also competed through the winter months as part of the Orange Waves swim team, earning multiple top 10 individual finishes.

Page 8 • May 2020

Bailee

patel

Rollins College signee Bailee Patel was one of the First Region’s top swimming competitors in recent years. She has been a three-time region champion in the 100 breast, 200 IM, 200 Medley Relay, and 400 Free Relay. She was a state finalist in the 100 breaststroke in 2019, and holds regional records in the 100 breaststroke, the 200 Medley Relay, and the 400 Free Relay. She was named Region 1 Outstanding Female Athlete at the 2020 Region 1 Swim Tournament. Academically, Patel is ranked ninth in the PTHS class of 2020.

Carmen

GUNN

Carmen Gunn finished 2019 as the third highest scorer in western Kentucky and 17th in the state. Her 38 goals led Marshall County’s offense as it earned a third straight district and regional title sweep. Gunn scored 21 or more goals each of her final three years of high school.

May 2020 • Page 9

Callie CArver KIERSA ATNIP As a team, 2019-2020 was a down season for Murray. It was the first season the Lady Tigers didn’t qualify for the state basketball tournament after four consecutive appearances. Still, the Lady Tigers earned a First Region All ‘A’ title and had several individual highlights along the way. One of those was Callie Carver’s team-leading 442 points. Carver scored only one basket from 3-point range. It’s worth noting, Carver only made one attempt from outside the arch. Carver also led the Lady Tigers with 252 rebounds, averaging nine per game.

At 10-10 in 2019, Paducah Tilghman had their first .500 season since 2015, and their first in double digit wins since 2012. Kiersa Atnip scored at least one goal in 10 of those games, earning a team-high six against Apollo in an 11-1 win on Aug. 31. The senior also picked up three assists in addition to a team high 25 goals. For the year, Atnip scored nearly half of Tilghman’s 66 goals. While Tilghman’s goals fell in the middle of First Region scoring, it was more than the previous three seasons combined (13 in 2016, 15 in 2017 and 20 in 2018).

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Page 10 â&#x20AC;˘ May 2020

Crista CumMins Callie JAckson Lyon County finished 2019 with a second consecutive Fifth District championship and a 4-2 district record. The team struggled at times defensively, but one mainstay was Christa Cummins. The junior was one of two Lady Lyons named to the All-District team for two consecutive seasons. And with reason. Cummins regularly cut down the field and played consistently through games. Cummins also assisted on offense, scoring three goals and picking up two assists.

The Lady Eagles ranked third in scoring in the First Region and second defensively. Senior Callie Jackson led the attack with 494 points, more than double her single season scoring record from previous years. She averaged 15.4 points through her senior campaign and led the team in rebounding (243). Jackson helped led the Lady Eagles to a second consecutive Third District title in 2020.

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May 2020 • Page 11

Olivia

bogaczyk One of the most impressive things about McCracken County’s Olivia Bogaczyk isn’t that she lead her team with 18 goals. The junior also led the Lady Mustangs in assists (17), the only female player in the First Region to lead in both categories. Bogaczyk has the physical abilities to control the pitch but also acumen to know when it’s best to pass for the benefit of her team.

Shelby NicKaL

Shelby Nickal had a busy fall for Tilghman. The sophomore spent Friday nights kicking (and recording one huge tackle to stop a score) for Paducah Tilghman’s 9-4 football team. But most area sports fans know her for her time on the soccer field as part of a turnaround season for the Lady Tornado. Tilghman finished 2019 campaign at 10-10, recording one of their best seasons in recent years. Battling through an injury for part of the year, Nickal recorded 16 goals and 15 assists, each good for second most on the team. Nickal’s accuracy and ball control skills allowed her to compete with anyone in the First Region, but her tenacity and toughness set her apart in 2019.

Page 12 • May 2020

Rose Smith Only a handful of players in the area lead their teams in scoring in multiple sports each season. One of those few is Lyon County’s Rose Smith. Smith led both the Lady Lyon basketball and soccer teams in scoring in 2019, thanks, in part, to her ability to top speed so quickly. Few defenders on the court or the pitch could match Smith’s quickness in 2019. In soccer, Smith finished the season with 41 goals, good for 15th overall in the Commonwealth. She averaged two goals per game, setting a high mark of six in a 7-2 win over Mayfield on Aug. 23. Smith scored both goals for the Lady Lyons in a 2-1 win over Trigg County for a second consecutive district title. For the season, Smith scored all but six of Lyon County’s goals. On the court, Smith also helped her team produce a successful season. The Lady Lyons went 13-17 and fell one short point in the Fifth District tournament, but earned an All ‘A’ regional title along the way. Smith scored 379 points for the Lady Lyons, averaging 13 points per game. She hit 38-of-53 free throws (72 percent). Smith pulled in 148 rebounds for the Lady Lyons.

May 2020 • Page 13

Angela Gierhart

A multi-sport athlete, Angela Gierhart has been ranked for two seasons as one of the top 10 First Region athletes in the First Region. And with good reason. In soccer, Murray finished the season 14th in scoring (101 goals) among teams from across the Commonwealth in 2019. Gierhart was a big part of that, earning the sixth most assists in Kentucky (26). She also scored 15 goals, tied for third most on the First Region’s highest scoring team. On the court, Gierhart scored 265 points as part of a Lady Tigers team which earned a regional Class ‘A’ title.

Bobby Cummins

savanahh howell Marshall County’s Savanahh Howell had one of the program’s most successful individual seasons in recent years, medaling multiple times throughout the season as well as helping her team to first place finishes. In regional competition, Howell’s fourth place individual finish helped lead the Lady Marshals to a title.

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Page 14 â&#x20AC;˘ May 2020

Raychel

Mathis

Senior Lady Eagle Raychel Mathis has spent much of her varsity career as a leader, both on the court and the pitch. In her four high school soccer seasons, Mathis put up double digit numbers each year, thanks to her ability to see the field and maintain possession. In 2019, Mathis led the Lady Eagles to an 11-4 record, scoring 20 goals and seven assists. She had 29 goals and 34 assists during her junior season and led the team in scoring as a sophomore with 16 goals. She also earned 15 as a freshman. On the basketball court, the Lady Eagles ranked third in scoring in the First Region and second defensively. Mathis was a big part of that, finishing the season second in scoring with 343 points. She led the team in perimeter shooting, hitting 42 3-point baskets. Her 43 percent success rate was the highest among Lady Eagles making double digit attempts from outside. She hit 65-of-89 from the free throw line (73 percent). She also earned 85 rebounds. In November, the midfielder committed to continue her soccer career at Murray State.

May 2020 • Page 15

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Aubrey Thomas

McCracken County’s Aubrey Thomas was named to the 2019 All State First team for good reason. Thomas finished the 2019 season with 1,014 assists, good for sixth in the state. Thomas had 187 digs (third among Lady Mustangs) and 48 kills. Thomas and the Lady Mustangs went 32-9 overall, winning the Second District and First Region titles. They advanced all the way to the state tournament title game before falling to Notre Dame. The Lady Mustangs were 13-0 against teams in the First Region, and had an impressive 10-0 run through the middle of the season. Thomas was named the First Region Player of the Year in 2019 and to the KVCA 1st Team All-State.

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Page 16 • May 2020

Cathryn

BROWN

For Lyon County’s Cathryn Brown, 2019 was a year of transition. Brown is no stranger to adversity, having competed at the varsity level in both golf and basketball as a middle schooler. But in 2019, Brown transitioned from a perimeter player on the court to a force inside, finishing the season with 324 points (second overall for the Lady Lyons). Brown still led the team with 3-pointers made (34), but also proved she could power through the key as well as anyone in the Second Region. She finished the season with 84 buckets. She was also the Lady Lyons’ most accurate free throw shooter from players making 20 or more attempts at the line, hitting 54-of74 (73 percent). Brown had a hard fought 13 points in Lyon County’s 56-37 win over Caldwell County in the Second Region All ‘A’ Classic. In October, Brown finished in the top 12 at the Kentucky State Golf Tournament, her highest finish so far. Brown was also named to the Tom Leach All Resilient Team. The freshman had personal best seasons in both sports. She also helped brother Cullan in his battle against cancer following his diagnosis over the summer.

May 2020 • Page 17

Zoe StOm

Freed-Hardeman University signee Zoe Stom led Calloway County’s Lady Lakers to one of their most successful seasons in years during their 2019 campaign. Stom — a 2019 All State Second Team honoree —had 42 goals and 10 assists her senior season. The Lady Lakers went 13-7 -1 in 2019, giving regional champions Marshall County the only smudge on their district record in a 1-0 win on Aug 22, with Stom scoring the lone goal. The 2019 Lady Lakers fell in the Second District championship to Marshall County, but opened the tournament with a 4-3 win over Graves County. Stom had one goal and one assist in Calloway County’s first postseason tournament win since 2017.

AbiGaIl Wurth

Finishing the 2019 campaign at 10-10, Paducah Tilghman had their first .500 season since 2015, and their first to break double digit wins since going 13-7 in 2012. A big part of that success came from Abigail Wurth’s ability to maintain possession in the midfield, powering through defenses to set up scoring opportunities. The freshman earned 11 goals in 2019 and — maybe more importantly — led the team with 25 assists. Wurth finished the season with the seventh most assists in Kentucky, just three back from the third place.

Page 18 • May 2020

CAYSON CONNER

The Lady Marshals’ leading scorer for 2019-2020 excelled during the second half of Marshall County’s most successful seasons in recent years. Conner led the team with 521 points, patiently controlling play through a slate of tough opponents. Conner was second in 3-point percentages for the Lady Marshals (hitting 19-of-57 for 33 percent). Conner also led in free throw percentages among Lady Marshals making 20 or more trips to the stripe (hitting 124-of-153 for 81 percent). Conner was clutch with 26 points in Marshall County’s 52-point overtime win for their first regional title in five years on March 7.

May 2020 • Page 19

RYLEE Bush Rylee Bush was one of the key parts to Trigg County’s 20192020 Lady Wildcat basketball team. The team had one of the best season’s in the history of the Lady Wildcat program. Bush began playing for the varsity Lady Wildcats in seventh grade. Bush is a two sport athlete, regularly placing in the top 10 at track meets. She has competed in track and field events since sixth grade. But Bush is better known to many Lady Wildcat fans for her accomplishments on the court. Bush played in nearly 140

games for Trigg County, finishing her career in 2020 with 833 points and 702 rebounds according to YourSportsEdge. com. In her senior season, Bush scored 302 points, averaging nine points per game. She hit 32 percent from the field and 59 percent from the free throw stripe (120-of-204). Bush led the team in rebounds the last two seasons, earning 256 her senior year and 219 as a junior. Outside of athletics, Bush has also been a standout student. In 2019, Bush took part in the Governor’s Scholar Program. Governor’s scholars take part in a summer residential program for outstanding high school senior students in Kentucky. Over 2,000 applications are received at the state level each year, with approximately 1,000 students selected to attend. Bush took part in campus activities at Bellarmine University while studying Journalism and Mass Media.

Page 20 • May 2020

SofIa Bayer

Marshall County’s Sofia Bayer is a busy, busy student athlete. The Class of 2020 senior successfully competed at a high level in track, soccer and swimming for Marshall County. Bayer was part of a defensive unit that helped secure the Lady Marshals three consecutive district and regional titles. Bayer competed in 20 or more games all four year of high school. Marshall County led the First Region in defense each of those seasons, including 2019 when the Lady Marshals allowed just 14 goals across 25 games, good for third best in Kentucky. The program also set new records for shutouts . As part of the Orange Waves swim team, Bayer earned multiple top 10 individual finishes and regularly competed as part of a successful relay team. During regionals in February, Bayer and teammates Delaney Miller, Anne-Marie Atkins and Mary Grace Thompson finished fifth in the 200-yard relay, Marshall County’s highest place at the event. Individually she placed seventh in the 100-yard breaststroke and 12th in the 50-yard freestyle.

May 2020 â&#x20AC;˘ Page 21

Bryson

Penn

Injuries limited Bryson Penn through some of his high school career, but few players could match the strikerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s combination of speed and accuracy. In 2019, Penn notched 15 goals and 17 assists in 13 games after sidelined with a leg injury. In 2018, Penn tallied 47 goals and seven assists in games, paving the way to a 19-4-1 season which included a district championship. Penn spent his freshman and sophomore years as a Lyon County Lyon, scoring 33 goals his first year and 34 in 12 games the next. The senior was named the Region One Player of the Year for 2019, helping the Marshals secure both regional and district titles.

Page 22 • May 2020

Jay Nimmo

In 2019, Jay Nimmo became the KHSAA State Golf Championship individual medalist, winning the title by two strokes over 2018 champion John Marshall Butler from Trinity. Nimmo helped the Marshals to a fourth place overall team finish. During the regular season, Nimmo finished with ten Top 10 finishes in Invitational tournaments with four wins while finishing tied for fourth in the KGCA All State Championship and winning the Boys Region 1 Championship, helping him earn the title of Mr. Golf Kentucky. Nimmo was also part of Marshall County’s district title basketball team, earning 151 points his senior season. Nimmo hit 38 3-pointers and shot an outstanding 95 percent from the free throw stripe. His accuracy led all players taking 20 or more attempts. Although he saw reduced time on the court in 20192020, few players matched his positive attitude and competitiveness.

Jaxon Miller

McCracken County earned a district title and came up one goal short in regional play in 2019, posting a 13-6-3 record. Junior Jaxon Miller was a highlight for the Mustangs, posting seven goals and earning six assists. The midfielder has outstanding ball control abilities and was able to maintain possession through a tough slate of games.

Kade BAbb

Aa a junior, Kade Babb saw limited action behind a packed Graves County roster which featured more senior scorers than minutes available. He netted 14 total points on the season. In the 2019-2020 season, Babb stepped up and finished the season with 204 total points. But the biggest contribution may have come in stepping up as the Eagles’ rebounding leader. Last season, Babb pulled in 25 boards. In his senior season Babb led the team in rebounding with 205, averaging 6.4 per game.

Jackson Shoulders

May 2020 • Page 23

Few teams in the Second Region were fortunate enough to roster two players averaging double digit scoring through the 2019-2020 season. Lyon County was one of them. Sophomore Jackson Shoulders averaged a double-double this past season with 16 points per game and 11.5 rebounds. He led the team with 385 boards (ninth overall in the state) while picking up 534 points. The 6-foot4 forward utilized his size and strength to control the key for Lyon County, helping them capture back-to-back Fifth District titles in 2019 and 2020. Across the 2019-2020 season, Shoulders hit a respectable 95-of-158 from the free throw line, averaging 61 percent. Shoulders is already a member of Lyon’s 1,000-points club already with 1,066 career points. Shoulders has earned multiple All-District and All-Region honors as part of a core group of young players for Lyon County.

Cole Schroeder Lyon struggled to a 2-16-3 record in 2019, scoring the fewest goals (19) and giving up the most (114) of any Second Region team. One bright spot was junior Cole Schroeder. Despite the number of goals given up by the Lyons, Schroeder led the state in saves. The goalkeeper amassed 505 — 155 more than any other pair of gloves in the state — in his first year at the position, averaging 25.2 per game, while allowing just 5.3 goals per game. Schroeder’s feat wasn’t just a result of volume. He excelled at the position, using angles to limit easy shots. Schroeder also played top corner shots as capably as he did ones on the ground, diving with fluidity and recovering quickly.

Page 24 • May 2020

JacKson Mundy With a good ability to change direction at speed and survey the field, Jackson Mundy tallied 15 and six assists for Paducah Tilghman’s Blue Tornado. in 2019. Mundy led the team offensively to an 11-9-3 record. The team finished with season with the third best record in the First Region, and was second only to Marshall County in goals scored.

Jackson Sivillis Murray State signee Jackson Sivillis has been a key part of McCracken County’s success on the basketball court in recent years, including leading the team with 21 points in their 43-42 regional title win over Marshall County. Sivillis received more than a Division I scholarship offers, including , Murray State and Vanderbilt. He ultimately chose to become a Racer, following in the footsteps of his father Scott, who played for MSU in the 90s. His senior year, Sivillis led McCracken County with 728 points, averaging 21.4 per game. Sivillis average 84.4 percent from the free throw line, hitting 206-of-244 attempts. He also averaged eight rebounds per game, pulling in 268.

May 2020 • Page 25

Jack Bell

St. Mary soccer had a resurgence in 2019. Keeper and multi-sport athlete Jack Bell was a big part of that success. Part of a retooled defense, Bell averaged eight saves per game, finishing the season with 140 stops and six shutouts. The Vikings picked up their first ever Class A regional title in 2019. Bell was also part of St. Mary’s basketball team, proving to be a capable shooter from both 3-point range and inside the arc.

MAX Downey Injuries limited Bryson Penn through much of his high school career, but few players could match the striker’s combination of speed and accuracy. In 2019, Penn notched 15 goals and 17 assists in 13 games after sidelined with a leg injury. In 2018, Penn tallied 47 goals and seven assists in games, paving the way to a 19-4-1 season which included a district championship. Penn spent his freshman and sophomore years as a Lyon County Lyon, scoring 33 goals his first year and 34 in 12 games the next. The senior was named the Region One Player of the Year for 2019, helping the Marshals secure both regional and district titles.

Page 26 • May 2020

Ben Burkeen

Marshall County fared well defensively over the season, but improved noticeably over the second half. Goalkeeper Ben Burkeen was a key part of that growth. The Marshals gave up 10 goals through their first seven games, but just nine over the following20. Following their opening seven games, the Marshals went 17-0-3, earning both district and regional titles along the way. Burkeen recorded 14 shutouts and averaged four saves per game, finishing 2019 with the most clean sheets. Both vocal and athletic, Burkeen showed he is capable of leading Marshall’s defense.

Kade Neely Mayfield threw 49 touchdowns in 2019. Twenty of those (the most for any Cardinal) were to Kade Neely. The multi-sport athlete — Neely also excelled in basketball for Mayfield — caught 52 passes for 1,221 yards. He also picked up 114 yards and four touchdowns on 19 rushing attempts. In November, Neely signed to play for UofL.

Blake Elder Junior Blake Elder led Carlisle County to a 20-11 record in 2019-2020. The Comets finished their season with a second consecutive First District title. The feat was their first repeat since going back-toback in 2015-2016. Elder finished the season second overall in scoring for the Comets (behind senior Reese Anderson’s487) , posting 438 points. He averaged 14 points per game, using his 6-foot, 6-inch frame to dominate the inside. Elder led Carlisle County in rebounding with 187, averaging six per game.

May 2020 â&#x20AC;˘ Page 27

Chandler Steele Chandler Steele averaged 15.5 points and 8.2 rebounds per game through the 2019-2020 season to lead Calloway Countyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s scoring attack. In all, Steele earned 480 points and pulled in 254 rebounds. During that stretch, the Lakers went 18-14 and finished two points short of a district title.

Tyler Stokes Tyler Stokes scored 484 points his junior year to lead the Marshals and finished his senior campaign with 493, leading the team in rebounding both seasons (309 and 327). The Quincy University signee finished his high school career with 1,222 points and 777 rebounds. He averaged 14.6 points per game, 9.8 rebounds per game and shot almost 80 percent from the free throw line.

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Page 28 • May 2020

DraKe May

Few athletes in the First Region made as big of an impact on both sides of the field in 2019 as Marshall County’s Drake May. May was an integral part of a defense that gave up just 20 goals in 26 games, the fewest in the First Region. Few attackers made it through May’s middle of the field during that stretch. The senior also earned seven goals, coming up on set piece plays, utilizing his ability to accurately body scores for Marshall.

Gunnar Bingham

In 2020, Lyon County’s three leading scorers were two sophomores and an eighth grader. Rounding out that trio was Gunnar Bingham. Bingham averaged nine points per game, adding 296 of the Lyons’ 2,378 total team points. Lyon finished 2020 second in team scoring in the Second Region. Defensively, he was fourth overall in rebounding with 90. Bingham made noticeable strides from his freshman campaign, where he saw limited time in 26 of Lyon County’s games, scoring 28 points. He utilized his speed on drives to the basket and a clean shot from inside the arc.

May 2020 • Page 29

Travis Perry With a youth movement pushing the program forward, Lyon County captured back-to-back Fifth District titles in 2019 and 2020. Spearheading that group has been eighth grader Travis Perry. While in middle school, Perry has already eclipsed a scoring milestone many athletes spend their entire high school career chasing. On Jan. 19, Perry earned his 1,000th career point in a 104-80 win over Dawson Springs. Perry earned 638 points his first year of varsity play and 852 in his second (good for second place in total scoring in the state)and is on pace to eclipse the school-record of 3,300 career points set by Ty Rogers. In 2019-2020, Perry averaged 26.6 points per game. His ability to keep the ball in play while drawing multiple defenders helped the Lyons average 72 points per game as a team. Lyon County went 23-10, finishing the season with 2,378 team points, second highest in the Second Region. Perry hit 77 percent of his free throw attempts during his eighth grade campaign (187-of-240). He also averaged 4.5 rebounds per game. Perry has been named to the All-2nd Region team each of the past two seasons and been named one of the top 100 varsity players in Kentucky despite not yet starting high school.

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Page 30 • May 2019

Zion Harmon Few ath;etes have created as much buzz in Kentucky as Zion Harmon has at Marshall County. Understandably so. Harmon’s work ethic is well regarded, as his ability to handle multiple defenders. Despite setting out his sophomore year, Harmon has already eclipsed the 3,000-point career mark, earning 788 as part of the Marshals in 2019-2020. Harmon averaged 25.4 points and 5 rebounds his junior season. A four-star recruit, Harmon is considered the top prospect in Kentucky and No. 6 point guard in the nation, according to multiple agencies.

Jayden Stinson

The 2019 All-Purchase Player of the Year, Jayden Stinson helped lead Mayfield to its 24th state finals appearance and third in a row. He averaged 262 passing yards per game last season for the Cardinals which was the sixth highest total in the state. In 14 games he amassed 3,506 yards, completing 174-pf-272 passes. Stinson threw 48 touchdowns to 10 interceptions. On the ground, Stinson rushed 19 times for 114 yards, scoring four times. He ended his high school career with 9,550 yards, 114 touchdowns and an impressive 65-percent completion percentage. Stinson was also a 2019 AP Kentucky Mr. Football finalist and earned an invite to the prestigious VTO All-American Challenge. In February, Stinson became one of new Murray State University head coach Dean Hood’s inaugural class of signings. At 6-foot, 2-inches and 200-pounds, Stinson has the size and arm to compete in the Ohio Valley Conference.

THE BACK PAGE

By Jody Norwood | Editor

A Marshall County native and former Lyon County resident was one of the early pioneers of basketball.

“Jumping” Joe Fulks was born in the Birmingham area of Marshall County in 1921. Fulks would later move to Lyon County, attending high school in Kuttawa before going to college at what would become Murray State University. Author John Christgau chronicles Fulks’ contribution in his 1999 book The Origins of the Jump Shot. According the Christgau, Fulks was one of eight men who at roughly the same time developed their own way of shooting, outside of the standard in those days. From the day James Naismith hung up a pair of peach baskets until about four decades later, basketball was a much different sport. Naismith originally didn’t intend for much movement, and early players followed a style of play similar to pinball: the ball did all the moving while players stood stoically waiting to send it flying off in another direction. Players on both side stayed flat footed, looking for openings in a sea of hands. There weren’t a lot of places a player could look for an opening. Except for Fulks and others, who looked up.

With defenders staying low, the upper atmosphere was a clean space. Players taking to the air could survey most of the court — at least for a second or two — and find the holes in a defense.

For Fulks, it allowed him to set multiple scoring records in what would become the modern NBA. By the time his career ended, most of the league had adopted his one handed, athletic style of play, which continues to this day.

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