West Kentucky Sports October 2020

Volume 3, Issue 10

2020 SOCCER SEASON UNDERWAY Page 10

Winter sports teams cleared to practice.

Page 4

MCHS, LCHS recognize soccer seniors.

Page 20

October 2020 • Page 3

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October 2020 • Page 5

HOOPS HORIZON ON THE

Kentucky High School Athletic Association allows teams to return to winter sports practice, sets opening dates Staff Report

The path back to gymnasiums and wrestling mats across the Commonwealth has been in question since state leaders mandated a suspension of student athlete sports in the spring. Things got a little clearer in late September when the Kentucky High School Athletic Association released a timetable for winter sports.

The information outlined when practices could start and opening competitions could be held.

The KHSAA Board of Control held its second regularly-scheduled meeting of the 2020-21 academic year on Sept. 20, approving practice and competition dates for the winter sports and sport-activities of basketball, bowling, competitive cheer, dance, swimming & diving, and wrestling.

begin to get back to games and competitions, we have to help ensure a healthy transition, and returning in segments ensures an appropriate progression,” said KHSAA Commissioner Julian Tackett. “We are thankful that unlike most collegiate games last weekend, our schools seem to take extra steps to be sure that, in a safe manner, these students can remain involved. We want that involvement and despite the fact that national sports medicine authorities don’t consider sideline cheer or other groups as essential to a contest

(defining essential individuals for contests as the athletes in the contests, coaches, officials, event staff, medical staff, and security in resumption documents), we have to be sure things are done safely during this ongoing pandemic. A few individuals we have heard from seem to think that you can just pick up where things left off last year, but that is not practical from a health and safety standpoint and based on health data.”

(Continued on next page)

Bowling is permitted to practice on November 2. Competitive cheer and dance can begin official practice for its seasons this Monday, September 21 with a gradual segmented approach to activity over the next few weeks. Further details will be distributed to the member schools that allow for the resumption. Both competitive cheer and dance have already seen regional championships moved into the new year per the board’s July meeting. In cheer, these segments will further clarify “stunting” which has been restricted during the pandemic and resumption to play.

Additionally, the Board approved clarifications on sideline cheer in that stunting (defined per NFHS rules as “One or more bases support one or more top persons off the performing surface”) can only be done during sideline cheer activities on an appropriate surface and only in skills that are permitted at that time to be practiced by the school’s competitive cheer program.

“As participants in various programs

5Cayson Conner Marshall County |

Jackson Shoulders Lyon County (opposite page)

Page 6 • September 2020

KHSAA sets COVID-19 Cancellation Policies As approved at the July Board of Control meeting, the following procedure will apply to canceled games directly related to COVID-19 with respect to the calculation of RPI. n The Board approved an adjustment (for 2020-21 only) to standings as well as RPI calculation methods due to possible cancellation of games resulting from the pandemic and local impact. n In all contests, games canceled due to the pandemic or mandatory quarantines shall not have a result recorded other than a 0-0 score, and no forfeit or forfeit provisions will be applied. n In all seeded games (including district football), games canceled due to the pandemic or mandatory quarantines, the current provision of counting a contest unable to be played or rescheduled will be implemented as a win and loss for both teams when calculating winning percentage. n This method of counting as a win and loss is currently utilized in most team sports in the case that a required seeded district game is unable to be played and is not the result of forfeiture. n The RPI will be adjusted for each of these types of COVID-canceled contests to apply the out of state victory factor for both teams unless one team is able to re-schedule and play a contest. n There will be no RPI impact on allowable contests played once postseason play begins. RPI calculations in all sports will not be released until the first full week of October.

Continued from previous page Basketball can begin official practice October 26 with contests allowed to be played on a tentative start date of November 23 in a season already moved earlier than normal for a start due to facility conflicts for planned state events.

Swimming & diving and wrestling can start practices on November 2. Swimming & diving will have a total of fourteen (14) competitions beginning November 16 while wrestling can begin its regular-season on December 7 with a limit of sixteen (16) competitions. Interscholastic scrimmages are eliminated in all three sports for this season.

All six sports and sport-activities will have its seasons broken into three segments with restrictions and allowances detailed in the guidance.

“As we have said from day one, this year will likely look different,” said Com-

missioner Tackett. “As we have resumed fall competition, our staff and our member schools are constantly making notes about enhancements as we do everything possible to help keep these important activities going during the current public health crisis. Some of our schools have some additional work to do in a variety of areas, but we remain very proud of the efforts that our schools are making as they adapt to these challenging times.”

The Board also approved the creation of a semi-state round to help with the many issues caused by COVID-19 for the 2020 State Volleyball Tournament.

The 16 volleyball regions would be split with Regions 1-8 and 9-16 having a blind draw for individual first-round matches to be played at host sites. These matches would be scheduled early during the week of the State Tournament.

(Continued on next page)

October 2020 • Page 7

3Cathryn Brown Lyon County | 5Jay Nimmo Marshall County Continued from previous page With the field down to eight teams following the semi-states, the Board directed the Commissioner’s office to then finalize a schedule with appropriate health authorities for the quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals which are currently scheduled to be held at Valley High School in Louisville the first week of November.

The distribution of any recommend-

ed football alignment changes per enrollment report was approved by the Board.

Currently, only one school would change as Sayre has agreed to take a four seed in Class 1A, District 7 for 2020, and would join Hazard, Phelps, and Pikeville in that district for the 2021 and 2022 seasons. A realignment review is next scheduled to be implemented in the 2023 season. In further football news, the Board endorsed the Association to lift the scheduling em-

bargo for the 2021 and 2022 seasons.

The Board of Control approved KHSAA staff amendments to its Discrimination and Harassment Policy, including making hate speech an identified problem with specific references to what is hate speech and what is to happen when officials encounter it in contests.

(Continued on next page)

Page 8 • October 2020

Competitive cheerleading is one of six winter sports in Kentucky cleared to begin practicing by the Kentucky High School Athletic Association.

Continued from previous page A report on changes to federal Title IX regulation was also accepted. The federally mandated changes now require all secondary schools to designate and authorize one individual to serve as that school’s Title IX Compliance Coordinator but this person must have the authority to address specific compliance issues within the school. In response, the KHSAA will establish the position in the KHSAA online database of Title IX Annual Report Coordinator, which will be separate from the Title IX Coordinator.

The Board accepted a report on officials licensing for 2018-19 and 2019-20 compared to the current academic year.

The Association has gotten reports that several officials are sitting out this year due to being in an at-risk category, but there has been an increase in college stu-

dents becoming licensed.

In other action Wednesday, the Board:

Approved an allowance for competition on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the State Cross Country Championships depending on facility issues and availability. The available dates will give the Association options to address crowd control, the time between races, and sanitation.

Accepted a report on the State Golf Championships with plans that continue to permit a field of 144 golfers to advance to state.

Heard a report on the NFHS Pixellot Camera donation program for new School Broadcast Program schools. At least thirty additional KHSAA schools have implemented the cameras into their live streams so far in addition to more than 55 schools that were already mem-

bers of the NFHS Network School Broadcast program.

Accepted a motion to tentatively accept the membership application for Cornerstone Preparatory School in Madisonville pending review by designated KHSAA staff.

Accepted a report on disqualification reports when comparing 2018-19 to 2019-20. Given the fact that there were no spring sports, 88 schools had zero disqualifications in the 19-20 season, up from 58 the previous year.

Heard a report on eSports that the relationship with PlayVS is going well as they listened to member schools who may want to opt-out of certain games and made that possible. The Association will offer three games to member schools this season with League of Legends, Rocket League, and Smite.

October 2020 • Page 9

September Standouts

Above, Graves County’s Clint McKee battles for yards against PaFootball across Kentucky got off to a little different start in ducah Tilghman in the Eagles’ season opener Sept. 11. Below, Tilgh- September. man kicker Shelby Nickal takes a break on the sideline.

Due to COVID 19 Safe At Play requirements, districts have had Photo Credit: Jimmy Palmer | https://jimmypalmer321.zenfolio.com/ to adjust to busing restrictions, social distancing in stadiums and mask requirements. Despite those obstacles, teams have been able to return to the gridiron for the first three weeks of play.

According to statistics provided by the Kentucky High School Athletic Association, the following are a few early leaders through the first three weeks of play.

PASSING Treyvon Jefferson Hopkinsville 19-of-40, 454 yards 8 TD/ 2 INT Rush Beshear Caldwell 36-of-55, 478 yards 5 TD/ 2 INT Rowdy Sokolowski Murray 13-of-23, 320 yards 4 TD/ 0 INT RUSHING Badley Hunter McCracken 27 attempts/209 yards; 3 TD Charvelle McCallister Murray 21 attempts/234 yards; 4 TD Malachi Rider Tilghman 38 attempts/359 yards; 3 TD RECEIVING

Brian Thomas Tilghman 163 yards/9 receptions; 3 TD Daniel Coles Mayfield 173 yards/ 8 recptions; 3 TD Reece Jesse Hopkinsville 243 yards/ 6 receptions; 3 TD

Page 10 • September 2020

Pitch perfect Soccer season is underway across Kentucky.

The 2020 season opened Sept. **. The schedule is an abbreviated one for most teams in the state as programs faced uncertainty in the preseason as education officials grapple with COVID 19 -related social distancing efforts.

But a season is a season, even if it’s a little shorter than normal.

A handful of teams picked up where they left off in 2019, most notably Marshall County’s Marshals who unleashed an unexpectedly potent offense as it raced to a sweep of First Region teams. Others looked to improve on 2019’s efforts. Graves County’s Lady Eagles got off to a strong start against teams in the region, with only a close loss to Murray.

With postseason play on the horizon, here’s a look at how teams are stacking up through the First, Second and Fifth soccer districts.

October 2020 • Page 11

Page 12 • October 2020

District 1 GIRLS: It’s not a shock the Lady Mustangs picked up where they left off in 2019. McCracken County graduated only two seniors last season, where they swept the First District but went 10-10-2 overall. They swept district play again this season with a more commanding 11-1 win over Paducah TIlghman and a 6-0 win over St. Mary. Senior Olivia Bogaczyk has been leading the way, the only Lady Mustang to break double digit scoring through the first five games. Bogaczyk scored nine goals against Paducah Tilghman. They defeated Murray 4-0 but struggled against other First Region foes, falling to Graves County 2-0 and Calloway County 1-0. St. Mary opened the season with a 3-2 win over Paducah Tilghman, but hit a slide after despite solid play by sophomore keeper Anistyn Thomas. Under first year coach Wes Newsome, the Lady Blue Tornado got off to a slow start, falling to St. Mary, Marshall and McCracken by a combined 24-4. Tilghman buoyed, winning the next four games by a goal differential of 27-4. Shelby Nickal (12) and Kiersa Atnip (9) have led the way scoring as Tilghman found itself.

BOYS: Maybe for the first time since McCracken County merged, the First District could be wide open. Anyone doubting St. Mary’s defense should look back to their only loss through the first four games. The Vikings fell 2-0 to Marshall County. It may end up being the best defensive effort against the Marshals during the regular season: through the first seven games, no other team held Marshall to fewer than three scores. Keeper Jack Bell had 29 saves through the first four games, surrounded by a capable group of defenders and midfielders able to transition quickly. Of course, the team to beat in the First District is still McCracken County.

The Mustangs started the season 3-1-1, with Caleb Madison (7) and Riley Skinner (4) scoring the bulk of their 20 goals. One of the biggest surprises may have been skid at Paducah Tilghman. The Blue Tornado were 11-9-3 in 2019, thanks in part to a capable offense. Through their 0-5 start, Tilghman was outscored 32-3.

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October 2020 • Page 13

Page 14 • October 2020

District 2

GIRLS: The Second District is shaping up as a battle between reigning champion Marshall County, Graves County and Calloway County. During their lone regular season meetings, the Lady Eagles edged Marshall County 1-0 and Calloway County 4-1. With a strong roster across the field, Graves also gave McCracken it’s only smudge on the record through the Lady Mustangs’ first six games. Anyone looking to stop Graves will have to slow down Ellie Carter, who is averaging two goals per game, and Anna Whitaker. Defensively, Devanna Faulkner has done well shutting down cross over opportunities. But the Lady Marshals may have something to say. Offensively, Marshall has spread the ball around this season with eight players scoring through the first five games. Kallen Fuller (five), Kelsey Crass and Peyton Lamb (three) have led the way, but Marshall has proven it can score with any one on the roster. In Calloway, Elle Carson (nine) and Addi Shumacher (five) have done the bulk of scoring for the Lady Lakers. Sunny Clark, the lone returning full season starter at goalkeeper between the three teams, has done a capable and consistent job. Clark has 14 total saves, averaging five stops per game. Murray still can’t be counted out.

Despite going 4-4 through the opening run, the Lady Tigers are the only team to smudge Graves County’s record through late September.

October 2020 • Page 15

BOYS: There were a few question marks for Marshall County entering 2020. The Marshals graduated Bryson Penn, the First Region’s 2019 leading scorer, and opened under new head coach Bryan Blevins. Marshall responded by outscoring September opponents 41-5, with 16 different Marshals earning those goals. William Lynch has led the way with 10 of those scores as Marshall went 8-1 through the opening three weeks, with their only loss coming in a 2-1 defeat by the defending Indiana state high school champions. Murray and Calloway County both look to be the biggest competition in the district, although the Tigers and Lakers will have to find ways to score more consistently. Through the first five games, the Lakers notched as many goals as they scored (11). Murray’s defense, meanwhile, has been more than capable, giving up only one goal in their first five wins. Their biggest loss came in the 3-0 season opener against Marshall County.

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Page 16 • October 2020

District 5

October 2020 • Page 17

GIRLS: The Fifth District has been all Lyon County through the first half of the season. The Lady Lyons started the season with a three game skid, falling to Hopkinsville, Hopkins Central and UHA. But against foes closer to home, Lyon won four straight, going 4-1 against Caldwell County, shutting out Trigg County 3-0 and picking up a pair of matching 6-1 wins over Crittenden County. Leah Schroeder has stepped up this season, joining returning Rose Smith at the top of the leader board. Each Lady Lyon had eight goals through the first seven games. Defensively, Lyon is in good shape, led by returner Christa Cummins and new keeper Maddie Russell. Through seven games, Russell pulled in 88 saves while allowing 2.6 per game. If Crittenden wants to reach the top of the district, it will have to find some help for leading scorer Elisabet Campbell and keeper Alexandra Geary, two of the most consistent Lady Rockets. Trigg, meanwhile, will have to generate more scoring runs. Through four played matches, only Lania Hite has scored more than one goal (Hite has three as of presstime). That should take some pressure off keeper Sarah Sink, who earned 97 saves in four games.

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Page 18 • October 2020

BOYS: Lyon County got off to a strong start in 2020 with a 7-2 decision over Butler County. Lyon struggled a bit to get back to scoring after that, needing to find more ball control at midfield.

Defense continues to be the teams strength. Despite going 2-3 through the first five matches, keeper Cole Schroeder earned 90 saves, his 18 saves per game one of the highest in the state. Lyon’s lone competition in the district this season is Trigg County. The Wildcats went 2-3-1 through the first six matches, falling 1-0 to Lyon in overtime. Seniors Will Jolly and Anthony Ethridge have done the bulk of the scoring.

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Page 20 • October 2020

Parker Kerrick

Maddie Darnall

Kiefer Court

Ben Burkeen

Nash Brasher

Eric Hicks

MCHS recognizes 2020 Staff Report

At Marshall County’s Soccer Senior Night on Sept. 24, the Marshals extended their win streak to eight with a 3-1 decision over Calloway County while the Lady Marshals bested the Lady Lakers 3-2 to improve to 5-1-1.

Collin Riley, William Lynch and Drake May scored for the Marshals, with Kiefer Court and Nick Mighell earning assists.

Lynch scored before the half to get things

started. Riley and a header by May added both of Marshall’s second half scores.

along with Lady Marshals Whitley Watwood and Maddie Darnall.

Before the game, Marshall County honored manager Nash Brasher and the 10 senior players: Tyler Treas, Kiefer Court, Pratik Patel, Nick Mighell, Caleb Nicholls, Ben Burkeen, Brady Miller, Parker Kerrick, Eric Hicks and Drake May,

Addi Schumacher took advantage of a gap in Marshall County’s defense to drive in the opening goal at the 8-minute mark. Marshall tied the game with 18 minutes remaining in the half as Hope Howard followed up a deflection, tapping

Keeper Ben Burkeen earned three saves. Jude Bazzell earned Calloway’s lone goal.

In girls action, Calloway County struck first, but the Lady Marshals responded, winning 3-2.

October 2020 • Page 21

Brady Miller

Whitley Watwood

Tyler Treas

Caleb Nicholls

Nick Mighell

Pratik Patel

soccer seniors it in before Lady Laker keeper Sunny Clark could recover.

With nine minutes remaining Janie Pagel maintained possession along the right field line, taking a shot inside the box. Clark got her hand up but the ball bounced from her glove off the post and in for the go ahead goal. Hope Howard finished off the first half scoring inside the final minute. Clark came out to challenge, but Howard went around her,

dribbling in the score.

Marshall led 3-1 at half time.

Following the break, a foul in the box gave Elle Carson a direct kick. Carson made the most of it, but the Lady Lakers would get no closer.

Marshall County’s defense played exceptionally throughout the afternoon, with defenders Chase Hill, Watwood and Darnall cutting off attacks and limiting shots on goal.

Drake May

Page 22 • October 2020

Lucas Mayberry

Sam Klueppel

Zach Reichert

Salvador Coronado

Todd Huddleston

Cole Schroeder

October 2020 • Page 23

Abbi Crawford

Jordyn Schofield

Lyon salutes 2020 soccer seniors The third time was the charm for Lyon County’s senior salute.

On Saturday, Sept. 26, Lyon County soccer fans recognized their 2020 senior athletes. The event was held at the Lee S. Jones Park in Eddyville before the Lyon-Trigg matchup.

The event had been previously scheduled in the season, but had been pushed back multiple times due to inclement weather.

Lyon County’s 2020 soccer seniors are: Lucas Mayberry, Abbi Crawford, Sam Klueppel, Zach Reichert, Salvador Coronado, Destiny Dycus, Todd Huddleston, Christa Cummins, Cole Schroeder, Sydney Hoffman and Jordyn Schofield.

Destiny Dycus

Sydney Hoffman

Christa Cummins

Page 24 • October 2020

Lyon County hosts Zombie Glow Run

More than 150 runners and walkers participated in the Sixth Annual Zombie Glow Run at Lee S. Jones Park in Eddyville on Sept.

25. The event goes to benefit the Lady Lyons softball team. ­Photos furnished

October 2020 • Page 25

They’re WaiTing

Lyon County Post 68 is looking for the next head coach to lead Kentucky’s most recent American Legion state championship team.

ARE YOU READY TO LEAD?

Post 68 Baseball has racked up more than 181 wins since 2014, earning Junior state championships in 2016 and 2017, and Senior state championships in 2018 and 2019. They finished in the top 25 in the nation in 2018 with appearances in the Regional World Series in both 2018 and 2019. Now, they’re looking for the next head coach to lead the area’s top talent. If that’s you, email a letter of interest to Greg Vincent at coachgv24@gmail.com or Bob Harbison at bob@eddycreek.com.

Page 26 • October 2020

5Coach Aaron Beth, Elsie Riley,Savannah Howell, Trinity Beth, Megan Hertter and Katie Roberts | Marshall County

Lady Marshals lead the way at All-State Staff Report

Across two days of KGCA AllState competition, Marshall County’s Lady Marshal golf team led the way, eventually winning team play by 32 strokes.

The team of Trinity Beth, Savannah Howell, Megan Hertter, Katie Roberts, and Elsie Riley was unstoppable throughout the weekend as they won the team competition of this event for the first time. South Warren High School and Lexington Christian

Academy finished in a tie for second place. Beth nearly took individual honors but a rally by Macie Brown on the second day of play dashed those hopes.

The Marshals also competed in plat, finishing eighth overall. Individually, Jay Nimmo tied for second place. Camdyn McLeod, Trey Wall, David Jack Morris and Preston Futrell also competed for the Marshals.

In a competition that came down to the final hole of the final player,

Madison Central High School came away victorious in the boys’ team competition with a one-stroke victory over Trinity High School. It was a massive comeback for the gentlemen of Madison Central, as Cooper Eberle, Clay Pendergrass, Warren Thomis, Gavin McKune, and Bryce Snapp erased an eleven-shot deficit after the first round to leave Lexington on top.

After their squad totaled 301 on Saturday, a huge Sunday turnaround in the form of 288 shot them up the leaderboard and earned them the title.

ANNOUNCEMENT? SIGNING? ITEMS OF INTEREST? Spread the news to nearly 3,000 readers in western Kentucky! Send relevant information on player signings, club or program announcements or other items of interest to: wkysports@gmail.com.

THE BACK PAGE

October 2020 • Page 27

By Jody Norwood | Editor

It’s 2020. At a time when, according to Back to the Future, we’re all supposed to be driving around in flying cars and using hover boards (the real kind, not just the ones known to break arms). Instead, we’re still debating if the Earth is flat and using fax machines.

Ok, admittedly, hardly anyone still uses a fax machine. But, like VHS players, they exist. There are even some people still insist on using them.

Sports isn’t immune to a lack of progress in some areas. Here are a few.

n Basketball’s possession arrow. No, turning a basketball game into a wrestling match isn’t in the spirit of the things. Neither is asking a kid to fight for every possession only to see him thwarted by someone touching the ball. n Kickoff rules. This one is mostly aimed at professional sports, where the NFL has done everything short of start the game after a coin flip. Football at higher levels is generally made up of a few broken plays. Correction: good football is made up of a few broken plays. Kickoffs are, generally, some of those moments where a couple things go right and it impacts the entire game. n Rain delays. Nature doesn’t always work in our favor. And nobody wants to end the game because of a storm. But player safety is important, and few fans or athletes really want to spend a couple hours in their car hoping the skies clear to play the final minutes.

n Intentional fouls to stop the basketball clock. The first threeand-a-half quarters of an average basketball game in Kentucky lasts under an hour. The final few minutes takes about as long. Fans get it: stopping the clock, sending the opposing player to the stripe and hoping his 1-in-4 percentage ratio is a decent strategy if you think your team can get the ball back and score. On the other hand, good teams don’t have to turn the game into a slap fight.

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