As a correspondent sports writer for The Casey County News, I write an weekly editorial column for the publication. Published Mar. 5, 2014.
The last two weeks of CCHS basketball action has been a real treat and I am sorry to all of you Rebel and Lady Rebel fans who failed to make it to any games--especially since they've all been at our home gym, which was kind of the icing on the cake.
The best part all of these home games was the atmosphere that came with them. Having been to plenty of games over the last few years, I've seen plenty of nights where the stands are rather vacant. Even some of the nights when the student section has a crowd, they don't necessarily get "into" the games and the whole feel of the gym is pretty stagnant.
The electric atmosphere at CCHS started three weeks ago. First the boys' took a major victory over Green County the same night as the schools' Basketball Sweetheart ceremony, as well as seeing the two 2013 track and field state champions honored, Micah Smith and Shelby Stringer. The following night parents, players and alumni had a special night of honoring Coach Salyers.
Then, the final game of the season for both teams came the next Friday: a doubleheader hosting neighbor rival Lincoln County. It was a record crowd for a regular season game this year.
On top of being a great rival (particularly for the Lady Rebels) and Lincoln being close enough to send a respectable number of their own fans, Casey's crowd was aided by numerous before and between game events. Coach Salyer's was honored with the court being dedicated to him (a surprise for him) and unveiled at the beginning of the night. This was followed by a Marshall Forbes giving a spectacular performance of our national anthem. Then between games the senior ball players, cheerleaders and dance team members were recognized. After that the Casey County Bank did a $10,000 giveaway in which Principal Josh Blevins, a Rebel basketball alum himself, was randomly selected from a drawing to attempt making the necessary baskets to claim the prize... Much to his, and spectators' dismay, he came up short. The bank also honored players of the month during this break and Lakken Miller was officially welcomed into the Lady Rebel 1,000 Point Club after having hit the milestone earlier in the week.
All of this activity was just the side show to the main events: two basketball games. While the boys' took a pretty rough defeat, the Lady Rebs gave a stellar performance in which they took down the Lady Patriots, avenging their back-to-back 12th Region championship game losses from the past two years.
This night--the games, the crowd, the atmosphere--were the perfect prelude to the 47th District Tournament which Casey hosted. If you attended the doubleheader, it made you want to be there for the tournament games; if you missed the doubleheader and heard about it, you didn't want to miss out again.
Tournament time always brings a special buzz to the air--everyone knowing anything can happen and when it comes down to it, records are wiped clean and how you did all season does not matter--it's now down to earning one win at a time, one game at a time.
Casey's hosting of the tournament did not disappoint. The gym was packed night after night and saw plenty of excitement--at least for the Casey fans. Perhaps the Lady Rebel games weren't exactly nailbiters, but when you are on the winning side of a game, fans are always excited--especially when one of those wins makes history. Not only did the girls' earn the district title, but it's the first 'three-peat' in the program's history. As if that weren't enough, it gave Coach Salyers his first district title on his home court--now named after him.
Then you had the Rebels. You could not ask for a more fun game than what we saw last Thursday when the boys' took on Somerset and won by four points. The Rebels gave us everything you want in a tournament game: a comeback from behind (going down by 12 at one point), a second half that saw constant lead exchanges, a final 90 seconds that had you so nervous you could hardly stay in your seat, and a finish that made you proud to be a Rebel. They may not have come out on top in the championship game, but their second half performance gave Pulaski a run for their money and the young team fought to the end and proudly earned our school the runner-up trophy.
The home game excitement is officially over for this season, but thankfully the play is not. With both teams competing in the 12th Region tournament, the excitement only continues and if you have been to any regional games in the past, you know the electric atmosphere that exists. The boys are playing at Pulaski County High School and the girls will be at Lincoln County High School. Both teams play Wayne County. Obviously weather is keeping a lot of us at home this week but tune in on the radio if nothing else. These two teams and their coaches have given us a heck of a season and I for one don't want to see it end.
The Lady Rebels play today at 6 p.m. and the Rebels are scheduled to play Saturday at 7:45 p.m.
Showing posts with label high school sports. Show all posts
Showing posts with label high school sports. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 4, 2014
Thursday, February 20, 2014
Sports Talk: A Bittersweet farewell to Casey County's Finest
As a correspondent sports writer for The Casey County News, I write an weekly editorial column for the publication. Published Feb. 19, 2014.
In his second to last regular season home game last Saturday, parents, players, alums, fans and friends celebrated the career of 19-year Lady Rebel Coach Randy Salyers. For those who missed it, I encourage you to be there this Friday in his final regular season home game.
It just so works out that Coach Salyers gets a couple extra (hopefully two!) games in the Rebel gymnasium since CCHS is the host of this year's district tournament.
For me, Coach Salyers has been everything from a coach to a middle school P.E. teacher to a friend, and, like many, I have never really known Lady Rebel basketball without him.
My relationship with Coach Salyers began around 1998. As a sixth grader, many of my peers and I stepped up to the play with the middle school basketball team. While Coach was already working at the high school level, it was obvious he had great interest in the up and coming Lady Rebs and developing them. (I also ran track for the first time this year and, for those who don't know, he was the track Coach in those days and oversaw numerous state contenders and even state champions.)
I was too young to think a lot about the fact Coach Salyers was showing such interest in the youth of the Casey County girls' basketball program, but looking back, it's obvious he was already in it for the long haul. The summer after sixth grade he was already encouraging us to attend his open gym practices and working with the middle school coaches, including Coach Darryl Barlow. He was the eighth grade coach at the time and now sits proudly alongside Coach Salyers on the high school level and has for a number of years.
1998 would have only been two years into Coach Salyers' career with the Lady Rebs, but that detail was unbeknownst to a youngster like me. By the time I was in eighth grade, several of my classmates were dressing on his varsity squad that won the 12th Region tournament and competed in the KHSAA Sweet Sixteen. I had no idea I was riding in on the building of something historical for Casey County sports. I'm not talking about the program's first trip to the state tournament, but Coach Salyers' career that would see so many accomplishments and make Casey County a regular top contender in the 12th Region.
I did not finish my high school career as a basketball player for Coach. I gave it up my junior year to focus my efforts on running, but having dedicated so many years--summers included--to the basketball life, I could not so easily walk away. You see, Coach Salyers has a way of creating a family out of his basketball team and leaving that was impossible for me, so I stayed on as a manager for the next two years and happily saw my classmates capture back-to-back district titles in 2003 and 2004.
It's a rare exception that a parent is completely OK with someone besides themselves yelling at their daughter and it's a rare exception that a young lady can handle a grown man yelling at her, but, again, Coach Salyers has a way of making his team a family. In a family you genuinely care about each other and have a special understandings and every player under Coach Salyers understood how much he wanted to see us thrive on the court. We've all seen Coach Salyers yell at his players pretty intensely during games (that or we've experienced it first hand AS one of those players!) But Coach also always has his players' backs. He is the kind of coach that made you want to work your tail off for him, and when you did that, he would go to battle for you. If you were at last Saturday's Mercer County game, you saw that first hand.
Aside from being my coach, in both track and basketball, Coach Salyers has been a dear friend in my years since graduation, and like many I will sorely miss his presence in the county when he is gone, but could not be happier for him during this change in his life.
I have to add a fun fact to this article. I am sure many wonder why in the world my by-line includes "Peat" and I will not go into where the nickname originated. Honestly I don't even know, as I have had it since before I can remember and it began as simply a family nickname used by my parents and relatives. Coach Salyers, however, having heard my dad call me "Peat" at sporting events was the first person outside of my family to publicly call me "Peat" (embarrassing the dickens out of me!), but from there I began to embrace the name and more and more people called me "Rita Peat". By the time I was in high school few people did not know the nickname and some even confused "Peat" as my last name. If it were not for Coach Salyers, my by-line may only read "Rita Harris".
I still have not wrapped my head around a season of Lady Rebel basketball without Coach Salyers. The girls playing today were not even alive when his career began 19 years ago. But, without a doubt, girls' ball at CCHS will continue and it will likely continue to thrive on the foundation Coach Salyers spent so much of his life building.For that, he will never, ever be forgotten in Casey County. I like to think that one day my daughter, born only four months ago, will also know of Coach Randy Salyers' reign over the Lady Rebels and the name he brought to the program across the 12th Region.
In his second to last regular season home game last Saturday, parents, players, alums, fans and friends celebrated the career of 19-year Lady Rebel Coach Randy Salyers. For those who missed it, I encourage you to be there this Friday in his final regular season home game.
 |
| Photo Credit: Carpe-Imago/Chris Zollner |
For me, Coach Salyers has been everything from a coach to a middle school P.E. teacher to a friend, and, like many, I have never really known Lady Rebel basketball without him.
My relationship with Coach Salyers began around 1998. As a sixth grader, many of my peers and I stepped up to the play with the middle school basketball team. While Coach was already working at the high school level, it was obvious he had great interest in the up and coming Lady Rebs and developing them. (I also ran track for the first time this year and, for those who don't know, he was the track Coach in those days and oversaw numerous state contenders and even state champions.)
 |
| Presenting Coach with a quilt made of Lady Rebel Tshirts from throughout his career. |
1998 would have only been two years into Coach Salyers' career with the Lady Rebs, but that detail was unbeknownst to a youngster like me. By the time I was in eighth grade, several of my classmates were dressing on his varsity squad that won the 12th Region tournament and competed in the KHSAA Sweet Sixteen. I had no idea I was riding in on the building of something historical for Casey County sports. I'm not talking about the program's first trip to the state tournament, but Coach Salyers' career that would see so many accomplishments and make Casey County a regular top contender in the 12th Region.
I did not finish my high school career as a basketball player for Coach. I gave it up my junior year to focus my efforts on running, but having dedicated so many years--summers included--to the basketball life, I could not so easily walk away. You see, Coach Salyers has a way of creating a family out of his basketball team and leaving that was impossible for me, so I stayed on as a manager for the next two years and happily saw my classmates capture back-to-back district titles in 2003 and 2004.
It's a rare exception that a parent is completely OK with someone besides themselves yelling at their daughter and it's a rare exception that a young lady can handle a grown man yelling at her, but, again, Coach Salyers has a way of making his team a family. In a family you genuinely care about each other and have a special understandings and every player under Coach Salyers understood how much he wanted to see us thrive on the court. We've all seen Coach Salyers yell at his players pretty intensely during games (that or we've experienced it first hand AS one of those players!) But Coach also always has his players' backs. He is the kind of coach that made you want to work your tail off for him, and when you did that, he would go to battle for you. If you were at last Saturday's Mercer County game, you saw that first hand.
Aside from being my coach, in both track and basketball, Coach Salyers has been a dear friend in my years since graduation, and like many I will sorely miss his presence in the county when he is gone, but could not be happier for him during this change in his life.
 |
| Two of my good friends whom I played ball with under Coach. |
I still have not wrapped my head around a season of Lady Rebel basketball without Coach Salyers. The girls playing today were not even alive when his career began 19 years ago. But, without a doubt, girls' ball at CCHS will continue and it will likely continue to thrive on the foundation Coach Salyers spent so much of his life building.For that, he will never, ever be forgotten in Casey County. I like to think that one day my daughter, born only four months ago, will also know of Coach Randy Salyers' reign over the Lady Rebels and the name he brought to the program across the 12th Region.
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
Sports Talk: Extra Soft High School Rivalry Pranks
As a correspondent sports writer for The Casey County News, I write an weekly editorial column for the publication. Published Feb. 12, 2014.
What are high school sports without some rivalry fun involved?
For as long as I remember the Russell County Lakers have been Casey's biggest rival--and I cannot even tell you why, other than they are a short trip down 127. I'm sure somebody knows...
Last week our boys basketball team hosted the Lakers. Unfortunately, in recent years Russell has dominated the basketball court when the teams face off. That, in addition to the fact I was more or less out of the loop when it came to Casey sports during my seven year tenure in Louisville, means I had completely forgotten about the traditional "Toilet Bowl" game when a team's first points resulted in the students streaming the court with rolls of toilet paper.
I was probably in the seventh grade the first time I attended one of these games and saw it in all of it's glory. I remember it happening at both home and away games when the two boys teams faced one another.
This past Thursday night when I was perched in my standard seat in the upper section across from the student section, I had not even wondered whether I would be seeing any toilet paper fly until I saw Athletic Director Victor Black stepping out of the midst of the students carrying a giant garbage bag filled with TP. You could see disappointment in many student faces that their "fun" was being busted and suddenly the memories of the Toilet Bowl came flooding back.
I couldn't help but smile as what I was seeing simply rehashed very, very similar experiences of my own. Mr. Black, after seeming to have confiscated a LOT of Charmin (and hopefully some off brands--surely students are smart enough to save a little change since the stuff wasn't being used for its intended purpose!), I saw him return to the stands and leave with another partial bag. Surely he'd thoroughly searched and disarmed the students. But then, when Casey scored it's first basket less than a minute into play, the rolls magically appeared and began hitting the court. Oh yes, I thought, that's right... somehow, no matter how many times the school administrators came through the stands and how many bags were emptied and puffy jackets were searched, students always managed to keep some TP hidden that would magically appear when the moment was right.
I know pranks between schools should not be condoned. There are good reasons for the TP confiscation and one has to hope that it won't end up being a close game with the Rebs on the losing end considering it leads to technical foul shots for Russell County. You also have to feel a little funny about the prank when your team ends up losing by nearly 20 points.
Having said that, though, as a parent, fan or school administrator, on some level you have to be grateful that THIS is the prank our schools choose to make a tradition. I mean, how much less damage can one do than to throw toilet paper--something made to be extra soft to the touch! We could have students vandalizing one another's school property, stealing things, etc. Instead the game gets interrupted for a few minutes.
For the students, I think the fun of this prank is not even about doing it to spite the Lakers; (especially considering the odds of the winner have been heavily tipped in Russell's direction for a number of years). It's more about proving you weren't the group that let tradition slip. The TP came out slowly but surely when Collin Miller put in two points on a fast break. It wasn't a beautiful raining down of streaming toilet paper. When the final rolls got tossed to the court and still no one was cleaning it up, you eventually saw school officials come to the student section and next thing you knew it was students who were cleaning up the mess they'd just made.
I can't speak for the students to know what they were thinking or feeling, but as an alum who once sat in the section where the TP flew from, I feel like the real accomplishment for the students is simply proving they can still find ways to make it happen no matter how many bags the administration fills when they file through the stands emptying bags and jackets. Having to eat their pride after the fact and pick up the mess they made doesn't seem so bad.
A prank is a prank and as administrators you have to try and nip them in the bud, but there is something to be said for tradition--especially when it's as harmless as tossing cushy rolls of paper in the air. There are much, much worse rivalry pranks we could be shaming our students for partaking in. So this alum had to simply smile to not only see the tradition of the toilet paper flying live on, but the complete tradition--which includes plenty of rolls leaving the stands in garbage bags!
What are high school sports without some rivalry fun involved?
For as long as I remember the Russell County Lakers have been Casey's biggest rival--and I cannot even tell you why, other than they are a short trip down 127. I'm sure somebody knows...
Last week our boys basketball team hosted the Lakers. Unfortunately, in recent years Russell has dominated the basketball court when the teams face off. That, in addition to the fact I was more or less out of the loop when it came to Casey sports during my seven year tenure in Louisville, means I had completely forgotten about the traditional "Toilet Bowl" game when a team's first points resulted in the students streaming the court with rolls of toilet paper.
I was probably in the seventh grade the first time I attended one of these games and saw it in all of it's glory. I remember it happening at both home and away games when the two boys teams faced one another.
This past Thursday night when I was perched in my standard seat in the upper section across from the student section, I had not even wondered whether I would be seeing any toilet paper fly until I saw Athletic Director Victor Black stepping out of the midst of the students carrying a giant garbage bag filled with TP. You could see disappointment in many student faces that their "fun" was being busted and suddenly the memories of the Toilet Bowl came flooding back.
I couldn't help but smile as what I was seeing simply rehashed very, very similar experiences of my own. Mr. Black, after seeming to have confiscated a LOT of Charmin (and hopefully some off brands--surely students are smart enough to save a little change since the stuff wasn't being used for its intended purpose!), I saw him return to the stands and leave with another partial bag. Surely he'd thoroughly searched and disarmed the students. But then, when Casey scored it's first basket less than a minute into play, the rolls magically appeared and began hitting the court. Oh yes, I thought, that's right... somehow, no matter how many times the school administrators came through the stands and how many bags were emptied and puffy jackets were searched, students always managed to keep some TP hidden that would magically appear when the moment was right.
I know pranks between schools should not be condoned. There are good reasons for the TP confiscation and one has to hope that it won't end up being a close game with the Rebs on the losing end considering it leads to technical foul shots for Russell County. You also have to feel a little funny about the prank when your team ends up losing by nearly 20 points.
Having said that, though, as a parent, fan or school administrator, on some level you have to be grateful that THIS is the prank our schools choose to make a tradition. I mean, how much less damage can one do than to throw toilet paper--something made to be extra soft to the touch! We could have students vandalizing one another's school property, stealing things, etc. Instead the game gets interrupted for a few minutes.
For the students, I think the fun of this prank is not even about doing it to spite the Lakers; (especially considering the odds of the winner have been heavily tipped in Russell's direction for a number of years). It's more about proving you weren't the group that let tradition slip. The TP came out slowly but surely when Collin Miller put in two points on a fast break. It wasn't a beautiful raining down of streaming toilet paper. When the final rolls got tossed to the court and still no one was cleaning it up, you eventually saw school officials come to the student section and next thing you knew it was students who were cleaning up the mess they'd just made.
I can't speak for the students to know what they were thinking or feeling, but as an alum who once sat in the section where the TP flew from, I feel like the real accomplishment for the students is simply proving they can still find ways to make it happen no matter how many bags the administration fills when they file through the stands emptying bags and jackets. Having to eat their pride after the fact and pick up the mess they made doesn't seem so bad.
A prank is a prank and as administrators you have to try and nip them in the bud, but there is something to be said for tradition--especially when it's as harmless as tossing cushy rolls of paper in the air. There are much, much worse rivalry pranks we could be shaming our students for partaking in. So this alum had to simply smile to not only see the tradition of the toilet paper flying live on, but the complete tradition--which includes plenty of rolls leaving the stands in garbage bags!
Wednesday, December 25, 2013
Sports Talk: Top 10 Casey County Sports Stories of 2013
As a correspondent sports writer for The Casey County News, I write an weekly editorial column for the publication. Published Dec. 25, 2013.
1. Track & Field State Champions: Micah Smith & Shelby Stringer
Casey has done well to bring home a single state champion from the KHSAA 2A State Track and Field meet every so often, but last spring both the girls' and boys' team saw a gold medalist. Micah Smith, a 2013 graduate, cleared 6'4" in the high jump to set a new school record and take first among the state competition. Stringer not only won the girls' pole vault, but her height of 10' tied the state record, in addition to re-breaking her CCHS school record.
2. Girls' tennis team wins 12th Regional Championship
The Lady Rebel tennis squad returned a team last spring that earned the regional runner-up title for the first time in school history in 2012. They made history again when the team advanced both of its singles competitors and both of its doubles teams to the semifinals of the regional tournament and went on to claim the 12th Region title for the first time, which meant the ladies competed at state as a team for the first time in school history.
3. Girls Cross Country team qualifies for state
After having only a single varsity runner in 2012, the girls' cross country team qualified a team for the 2A State meet for the first time since 2007. The team was composed of only three high school athletes, Kelsey Arthur, Tiara Cochran and Caitlyn Pollick, while the bulk of the team were seventh grade athletes: Hailee Byrd, Laura Cuin, Breanna Davison, Noel Davison and Jenna Vaughn. With no seniors, the team hopes for a repeat in 2014.
4. CCHS adds girls’ soccer team
The high school added a new sport, girls’ varsity soccer. The last new sport came in 2003 with the cross country team. With a small roster and a limited number of games, the team, coached by Jeremy Franks, picked up two wins in its first season and qualified for the district tournament.
5. Lady Rebel basketball earns back-to-back district titles.
For only the second time in school history, the Lady Rebel basketball team earned back-to-back district titles. The last time the feat was accomplished was 2003 and 2004 when Casey County was part of the 45th District, rather than the 47th District. The team went on to compete in the 12th Region finals, facing Lincoln County for the second year in a row. The Lady Rebs narrowly missed a trip to the Sweet Sixteen Tournament when they lost by two in overtime.
6. Coach Randy Salyers announces upcoming retirement
Lady Rebel head coach Randy Salyers earned a spot in the 12th Region Coaches Association Hall of Fame as an athlete last March during the regional tournament. Shortly thereafter, the coach announced that the 2013-14 season would be his last year coaching the CCHS girls' team, ending a career that began in the fall of 1995 and has seen over 300 wins.
7. Maze Stallworth hired as new boys' basketball coach
After a two-year stint as boys' basketball head coach, Darry Burkett was fired from the position last spring. Maze Stallworth was hired as the new coach over the summer and began his first season with the Rebels this past fall.
8. Softball team earns district runner-up
After a season of only three total wins in 2012, the Lady Rebels advanced to the 47th District finals and took home the runner-up trophy after losing by one run to Rockcastle County. It was the team's first trip to the 12th Region tournament since 2005.
9. VolleyRebs earn district runner-up
The VolleyRebs continue to represent Casey County well with yet another trip to the 12th Region tournament. They earned the 47th District runner-up title after falling to Pulaski County in the championship game. They prevailed over Danville at the region and then fell to Wayne County in the second round, who went on to become the regional champs.
10. Boys' tennis regional runner-up
The boys' team took the 12th Region runner-up title, something somewhat unexpected.. 2012 was the first year since 2007 that the Rebels did not earn the regional runner-up or championship title. The team, which graduated its only 2012 state contender, came back with four seniors that led the team’s regional performance with three seniors advancing to the state tournament.
1. Track & Field State Champions: Micah Smith & Shelby Stringer
Casey has done well to bring home a single state champion from the KHSAA 2A State Track and Field meet every so often, but last spring both the girls' and boys' team saw a gold medalist. Micah Smith, a 2013 graduate, cleared 6'4" in the high jump to set a new school record and take first among the state competition. Stringer not only won the girls' pole vault, but her height of 10' tied the state record, in addition to re-breaking her CCHS school record.
2. Girls' tennis team wins 12th Regional Championship
The Lady Rebel tennis squad returned a team last spring that earned the regional runner-up title for the first time in school history in 2012. They made history again when the team advanced both of its singles competitors and both of its doubles teams to the semifinals of the regional tournament and went on to claim the 12th Region title for the first time, which meant the ladies competed at state as a team for the first time in school history.
3. Girls Cross Country team qualifies for state
After having only a single varsity runner in 2012, the girls' cross country team qualified a team for the 2A State meet for the first time since 2007. The team was composed of only three high school athletes, Kelsey Arthur, Tiara Cochran and Caitlyn Pollick, while the bulk of the team were seventh grade athletes: Hailee Byrd, Laura Cuin, Breanna Davison, Noel Davison and Jenna Vaughn. With no seniors, the team hopes for a repeat in 2014.
4. CCHS adds girls’ soccer team
The high school added a new sport, girls’ varsity soccer. The last new sport came in 2003 with the cross country team. With a small roster and a limited number of games, the team, coached by Jeremy Franks, picked up two wins in its first season and qualified for the district tournament.
5. Lady Rebel basketball earns back-to-back district titles.
For only the second time in school history, the Lady Rebel basketball team earned back-to-back district titles. The last time the feat was accomplished was 2003 and 2004 when Casey County was part of the 45th District, rather than the 47th District. The team went on to compete in the 12th Region finals, facing Lincoln County for the second year in a row. The Lady Rebs narrowly missed a trip to the Sweet Sixteen Tournament when they lost by two in overtime.
6. Coach Randy Salyers announces upcoming retirement
Lady Rebel head coach Randy Salyers earned a spot in the 12th Region Coaches Association Hall of Fame as an athlete last March during the regional tournament. Shortly thereafter, the coach announced that the 2013-14 season would be his last year coaching the CCHS girls' team, ending a career that began in the fall of 1995 and has seen over 300 wins.
7. Maze Stallworth hired as new boys' basketball coach
After a two-year stint as boys' basketball head coach, Darry Burkett was fired from the position last spring. Maze Stallworth was hired as the new coach over the summer and began his first season with the Rebels this past fall.
8. Softball team earns district runner-up
After a season of only three total wins in 2012, the Lady Rebels advanced to the 47th District finals and took home the runner-up trophy after losing by one run to Rockcastle County. It was the team's first trip to the 12th Region tournament since 2005.
9. VolleyRebs earn district runner-up
The VolleyRebs continue to represent Casey County well with yet another trip to the 12th Region tournament. They earned the 47th District runner-up title after falling to Pulaski County in the championship game. They prevailed over Danville at the region and then fell to Wayne County in the second round, who went on to become the regional champs.
10. Boys' tennis regional runner-up
The boys' team took the 12th Region runner-up title, something somewhat unexpected.. 2012 was the first year since 2007 that the Rebels did not earn the regional runner-up or championship title. The team, which graduated its only 2012 state contender, came back with four seniors that led the team’s regional performance with three seniors advancing to the state tournament.
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
Sports Talk: The New and Exciting Young Rebel Basketball Team
As a correspondent sports writer for The Casey County News, I write an weekly editorial column for the publication. Published Dec. 11, 2013.
I've always enjoyed basketball and I've especially always enjoyed Casey County basketball. I suppose it's kind of a natural thing when you grow up playing for a team and cheering for them, that even in their weakest moments and seasons, you find yourself the optimist and rooting them on and finding the highlights.
However, I want to stress to all Casey County fans (and even those who maybe are not fans but love basketball) that it's time to get out of the house--even if that means facing some cold--and check out this year's teams.
I cannot actually speak for the Lady Rebels just yet, as I have yet to watch them play live... But considering where they left off last year and who they've returned (and what I've gathered from following them for my articles) they are no disappointment from what one would expect this year.
The Rebels, however, I have watched play, twice now. While the win over Washington County was of course fun, it was actually our loss to Marion County that got me so excited about this team. I was disappointed no one in my family had attended the game to share the excitement with me after the two-point loss that came in the final seconds of regulation time.
This year's boys' basketball team is truly an exciting group to watch. First of all, I get a great sense of "team" from these boys simply in the way they interact in warm ups and before games and during time outs. You see slaps on the bottom, high fives, arms around each other constantly. Every time a player comes out of the game, the bench stands and gives them five for their work on the court whether that player is having a stand out game or things just aren't going his way.
On the court... now that is something to see. This team is fast, fun and unselfish. Their hustle never stops. Multiple times Marion County got an 8-10 point lead on the Rebels last week, but we always bounced back. That's impressive for a team with only two seniors and starts three freshmen. Ninety percent of the time, these young guys are going to be facing primarily juniors and seniors--which usually makes a big difference and can cause some intimidation. You see none of that with these young men.
In addition to their nonstop hustle up and down the court, I love the way this team moves the ball. They read each other well and stealing the show for themselves is the last thing on any players mind. There have been times they've even fooled me into thinking they had turned the ball over, but before I knew it, we'd scored. Instead of a turnover, it had been a crazy fast pass to another open Rebel I had not even spotted. I'd much rather watch that kind of play any day than some one man magic show.
And on a side note, I'll mention this team loves us, the Casey County community. Before their game Saturday, they started their day off by volunteering for the Salvation Army and ringing bells in Liberty. They also attended the Pictures with Santa fundraiser taking place at the high school to raise money for Braydon Taylor's battle against.
Kudos to Coach Stallworth for what your doing for these young men both on and off the court.
The Marion County game, the season kick-off for this team, was the kind of game any basketball fan wants to watch. I suggest you get to the CCHS gymnasium sometime soon before you're stuck hearing about another amazing game instead of getting to see it live.
I've always enjoyed basketball and I've especially always enjoyed Casey County basketball. I suppose it's kind of a natural thing when you grow up playing for a team and cheering for them, that even in their weakest moments and seasons, you find yourself the optimist and rooting them on and finding the highlights.
However, I want to stress to all Casey County fans (and even those who maybe are not fans but love basketball) that it's time to get out of the house--even if that means facing some cold--and check out this year's teams.
I cannot actually speak for the Lady Rebels just yet, as I have yet to watch them play live... But considering where they left off last year and who they've returned (and what I've gathered from following them for my articles) they are no disappointment from what one would expect this year.
The Rebels, however, I have watched play, twice now. While the win over Washington County was of course fun, it was actually our loss to Marion County that got me so excited about this team. I was disappointed no one in my family had attended the game to share the excitement with me after the two-point loss that came in the final seconds of regulation time.
This year's boys' basketball team is truly an exciting group to watch. First of all, I get a great sense of "team" from these boys simply in the way they interact in warm ups and before games and during time outs. You see slaps on the bottom, high fives, arms around each other constantly. Every time a player comes out of the game, the bench stands and gives them five for their work on the court whether that player is having a stand out game or things just aren't going his way.
On the court... now that is something to see. This team is fast, fun and unselfish. Their hustle never stops. Multiple times Marion County got an 8-10 point lead on the Rebels last week, but we always bounced back. That's impressive for a team with only two seniors and starts three freshmen. Ninety percent of the time, these young guys are going to be facing primarily juniors and seniors--which usually makes a big difference and can cause some intimidation. You see none of that with these young men.
In addition to their nonstop hustle up and down the court, I love the way this team moves the ball. They read each other well and stealing the show for themselves is the last thing on any players mind. There have been times they've even fooled me into thinking they had turned the ball over, but before I knew it, we'd scored. Instead of a turnover, it had been a crazy fast pass to another open Rebel I had not even spotted. I'd much rather watch that kind of play any day than some one man magic show.
And on a side note, I'll mention this team loves us, the Casey County community. Before their game Saturday, they started their day off by volunteering for the Salvation Army and ringing bells in Liberty. They also attended the Pictures with Santa fundraiser taking place at the high school to raise money for Braydon Taylor's battle against.
Kudos to Coach Stallworth for what your doing for these young men both on and off the court.
The Marion County game, the season kick-off for this team, was the kind of game any basketball fan wants to watch. I suggest you get to the CCHS gymnasium sometime soon before you're stuck hearing about another amazing game instead of getting to see it live.
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
Sports Talk: Soid Finale to Casey County Fall Sports
As a correspondent sports writer for The Casey County News, I write an weekly editorial column for the publication. Published Nov. 6, 2013.
Casey County athletics may not be a sports powerhouse recognized across the Bluegrass, but the beauty in that is the excitement we can all have over the week to week and season to season victories. Last week, three of Casey's sports teams had those victories that continue to make me proud to be a Rebel.
Cross Country: The girls' team qualified for the state meet, something nobody saw coming at the start of the year. The "team" was really only an individual runner last year, but thanks to Kelsey Arthur sticking with it and the motivational efforts of new coach Jon Vaughn, not only did the girls grow by enough to have a full team (at least five runners), but they had eight runners who steadily improved their times throughout the season. Coming from the girl who ran cross country solo before Casey had a team, I'm so proud of these young ladies and their coach and the direction of this program.
Football: Never count out this program. It's so easy to look at the Rebels' record or some of the game scores and write them off, but that's because we forget just how hard our district is and that we must compete in tough games that are not mandatory for other teams in other districts. While we definitely had some games we all wish had been "W's" (Taylor County... Metcalfe County...), the team's win over Adair County last week in their last regular season game showed just how this team is improving and that their record is not a reflection of their capabilities. Adair was a 4-5 team going into the game and hoping to be 5-5. Beating the 1-8 Rebels probably seemed like a cake walk to the Indians, but instead we dominated from start to finish. I love the positive attitude coach Sam Marple continues to instill in his team, knowing the future is bright.
Volleyball: After falling in the district championship game in a less than stellar performance, it was nice that the VolleyRebs still had the opportunity to continue on to the 12th Region tournament and end their season on a high--and that they did. Sure, they ended on a loss--all but one team will--but there is a major difference in ending on a game your proud of as opposed to one you yearn to redo. The eight dedicated seniors led this team through a fantastic season right to the end when they fell to Wayne County, who went on to be the regional champions. It was a semifinal game, the furthest than the VolleyRebs have made it in the regional tournament since moving from the 45th District to the 47th District. It was a great season for the team and it's hard to imagine them hitting the court next year without those eight talented girls.
Casey County athletics may not be a sports powerhouse recognized across the Bluegrass, but the beauty in that is the excitement we can all have over the week to week and season to season victories. Last week, three of Casey's sports teams had those victories that continue to make me proud to be a Rebel.
Cross Country: The girls' team qualified for the state meet, something nobody saw coming at the start of the year. The "team" was really only an individual runner last year, but thanks to Kelsey Arthur sticking with it and the motivational efforts of new coach Jon Vaughn, not only did the girls grow by enough to have a full team (at least five runners), but they had eight runners who steadily improved their times throughout the season. Coming from the girl who ran cross country solo before Casey had a team, I'm so proud of these young ladies and their coach and the direction of this program.
Football: Never count out this program. It's so easy to look at the Rebels' record or some of the game scores and write them off, but that's because we forget just how hard our district is and that we must compete in tough games that are not mandatory for other teams in other districts. While we definitely had some games we all wish had been "W's" (Taylor County... Metcalfe County...), the team's win over Adair County last week in their last regular season game showed just how this team is improving and that their record is not a reflection of their capabilities. Adair was a 4-5 team going into the game and hoping to be 5-5. Beating the 1-8 Rebels probably seemed like a cake walk to the Indians, but instead we dominated from start to finish. I love the positive attitude coach Sam Marple continues to instill in his team, knowing the future is bright.
Volleyball: After falling in the district championship game in a less than stellar performance, it was nice that the VolleyRebs still had the opportunity to continue on to the 12th Region tournament and end their season on a high--and that they did. Sure, they ended on a loss--all but one team will--but there is a major difference in ending on a game your proud of as opposed to one you yearn to redo. The eight dedicated seniors led this team through a fantastic season right to the end when they fell to Wayne County, who went on to be the regional champions. It was a semifinal game, the furthest than the VolleyRebs have made it in the regional tournament since moving from the 45th District to the 47th District. It was a great season for the team and it's hard to imagine them hitting the court next year without those eight talented girls.
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Sports Talk: Saying Farewell Early On
As a correspondent sports writer for The Casey County News, I write an weekly editorial column for the publication. Published Oct. 16, 2013.
It often seems the "in-between" seasons go much faster than winter and summer. The days of perfect weather are limited and the beauty of the changing natural world are brief so we must soak them up while we can.
With the fleeting fall, it also seems fall sports move rapidly. The beginning of this month already saw the conclusion of our golf team's schedules and last week the volleyball and football teams both hosted their final home games and celebrated senior night.
Spring time always brings for lots of sadness in saying farewell to seniors, but it seems a little overlooked in the fall, when several months of school and graduation still lay in the distance. I was involved in numerous sports in different ways during my high school career--basketball, football--but track and field was my number one. While I did run cross country, my senior season was actually the first time Casey had an actual team in years, so it mainly just felt a lot like a different form of fall training.
In some ways I think it might be harder for the seniors who have to say goodbye to their sport in the fall than those in the spring. By spring, everyone is saying goodbye, whether it be to a sport, a club, classes, friends...high school in general. Everyone is sharing the same sentiments as the end of so much draws near.
The fall still looks to many adventures for a senior year, but these athletes already have to let go of something that has likely been (and will always be) a big part of who they are. Sure they will still be going to class and seeing their teammates frequently for another seven months, but putting on the uniform and giving the blood, sweat and tears at practice and games is coming to a close. I suppose those involved in these sports are the only ones who really understand the difficulty there is in doing so sooner rather than later in their senior years. Perhaps it brings a new sense of reality of all they will be saying farewell to in the coming months.
Some of the sports do not get the traditional senior night--golf, cross country and soccer. Given, this year, there are two seniors collectively among those sports, but it makes their exit no less difficult or meaningful. Even the cheerleaders, who have a competition season ahead as well as basketball, had an ending of sorts. Playing--and cheering--under the lights, in everything from hot to cold weather--is special. I can't put my finger on what it is, but anyone who has experienced it knows it's true. It was also obvious at the VolleyReb senior night how difficult it will be to see the season end for the group of eight seniors themselves, as well as their coaches and teammates.
While home game activity for Rebel and Lady Rebel athletics has concluded for the fall, not all of the teams are done with their seasons and those seniors still have ambitious goals for how they will conclude their careers. Be sure to show them your support in one way or another, even if you cannot attend their road events. And if you see any of them out and about in the community, congratulate them on their career of wearing the Rebel colors with pride.
It often seems the "in-between" seasons go much faster than winter and summer. The days of perfect weather are limited and the beauty of the changing natural world are brief so we must soak them up while we can.
With the fleeting fall, it also seems fall sports move rapidly. The beginning of this month already saw the conclusion of our golf team's schedules and last week the volleyball and football teams both hosted their final home games and celebrated senior night.
Spring time always brings for lots of sadness in saying farewell to seniors, but it seems a little overlooked in the fall, when several months of school and graduation still lay in the distance. I was involved in numerous sports in different ways during my high school career--basketball, football--but track and field was my number one. While I did run cross country, my senior season was actually the first time Casey had an actual team in years, so it mainly just felt a lot like a different form of fall training.
In some ways I think it might be harder for the seniors who have to say goodbye to their sport in the fall than those in the spring. By spring, everyone is saying goodbye, whether it be to a sport, a club, classes, friends...high school in general. Everyone is sharing the same sentiments as the end of so much draws near.
The fall still looks to many adventures for a senior year, but these athletes already have to let go of something that has likely been (and will always be) a big part of who they are. Sure they will still be going to class and seeing their teammates frequently for another seven months, but putting on the uniform and giving the blood, sweat and tears at practice and games is coming to a close. I suppose those involved in these sports are the only ones who really understand the difficulty there is in doing so sooner rather than later in their senior years. Perhaps it brings a new sense of reality of all they will be saying farewell to in the coming months.
Some of the sports do not get the traditional senior night--golf, cross country and soccer. Given, this year, there are two seniors collectively among those sports, but it makes their exit no less difficult or meaningful. Even the cheerleaders, who have a competition season ahead as well as basketball, had an ending of sorts. Playing--and cheering--under the lights, in everything from hot to cold weather--is special. I can't put my finger on what it is, but anyone who has experienced it knows it's true. It was also obvious at the VolleyReb senior night how difficult it will be to see the season end for the group of eight seniors themselves, as well as their coaches and teammates.
While home game activity for Rebel and Lady Rebel athletics has concluded for the fall, not all of the teams are done with their seasons and those seniors still have ambitious goals for how they will conclude their careers. Be sure to show them your support in one way or another, even if you cannot attend their road events. And if you see any of them out and about in the community, congratulate them on their career of wearing the Rebel colors with pride.
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Sports Talk: Volley for a Cure
As a correspondent sports writer for The Casey County News, I write an weekly editorial column for the publication. Published Sept. 25, 2013.
It’s quite the week in Casey County. The football team is
gearing up for the first district game while also enjoying homecoming
festivities. Golf teams are preparing for their regional tournament and there
is no way to overlook the abundance of fun that comes with Apple Festival week.
But there is another big event taking place this Thursday
that should not be overlooked: Volley for a Cure.
The VolleyRebs’ annual event is taking place this Thursday
when they host Pulaski County, beginning at 5:30 p.m. The event offers shirts
to the first 100 supporters and a silent auction will take place. All of the
proceeds from the night are set to benefit Casey County’s Relay for Life
program.
In the past, the event has benefitted the Susan G. Koman
foundation, but the team has decided to keep the money close to home and put it
directly to the local program helping those we know and love fight the battle
of cancer.
Hearing someone has a form of cancer is becoming more and
more common for everyone. Sometimes it is someone you only know by name or know
is related to someone else you know; other times it hits very, very close to
home. As head Volleyball coach Veronica Sengkhamyong said to me, it’s hard to
find anyone who has not been affected by cancer in some way—especially breast
cancer.
The VolleyRebs are also inviting all cancer survivors to
attend the event and be recognized. It’s important to never overlook the
amazing odds these people beat when they take on the battle with cancer. Every
day is a gift for them and is a gift to those who love them. They’ve gone
through something that someone like myself has never had to face, and, God willing,
never will.
It’s a busy week in the county, but if possible I encourage
you to come to Thursday night’s volleyball game at the high school and support
the cause, the team, the research, the survivors and those currently fighting
for their lives.
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Sports Talk: Rebel sports coverage back on local radio station
As a correspondent sports writer for The Casey County News, I write an weekly editorial column for the publication. Published Sept. 11, 2013.
Have you made it out to Rebel field for a game this season? Maybe yes, maybe no. Schedules don’t always work out with how busy we all are these days. Here’s the good news, though, if you weren't aware: you can always tune into live Rebel action, thanks to WKDO.
I was extremely excited to find out that our local radio station was going to again be following the team to both home and away games to give all fans the opportunity to cheer Casey on from their homes or work or even while on the road.
Since I have only been living in Casey County again for the past two and a half years, I am not sure when radio broadcasts for some of our sport teams ceased, but I remember it being a regular part of my high school career. I made it to a lot of events as a student but, especially during basketball season, I missed a lot of the men’s games due to having my own busy schedule managing the girls’ team. It was nice to have the option to tune into the games from home and hear my friends’ names being announced and be in on the big moments and close games.
I know Classic Country cannot carry all of our sports teams, but I am very glad they are bringing back football and basketball. I am actually due with our first child in October, meaning life is bound to get more hectic and traveling to Rebel sporting events is only going to get more complicated. Hearing the news that more of them would be broadcast on the radio was extra exciting.
Let’s not overlook the fact this happening is not thanks to WKDO alone. A lot of our local businesses are the ones making this possible by sponsoring the broadcasts: Casey County Bank, Don Franklin Motors, Sweet Beans n' Things, Tri-County Feeds, Save-A-Lot of Liberty, Long's Automotive & Truck Service, the Monticello Banking Company, Whited's 1547 Auto Sales and the Bread of Life Café. (This was the list posted to WKDO’s Facebook page as of Aug. 22. Apologies if there are any new sponsors I did not include.)
Be sure extend your thanks to these businesses which are helping bring Rebel sports back to the radio. This is my way of thanking the radio and all of the businesses supporting Rebel sports. And while I’m at it, I’ll say nice work to Dan Johnson and Steven Brown for their football announcing and commentary. I’m loving it and it’s even worth listening to while watching live!
Have you made it out to Rebel field for a game this season? Maybe yes, maybe no. Schedules don’t always work out with how busy we all are these days. Here’s the good news, though, if you weren't aware: you can always tune into live Rebel action, thanks to WKDO.
I was extremely excited to find out that our local radio station was going to again be following the team to both home and away games to give all fans the opportunity to cheer Casey on from their homes or work or even while on the road.
Since I have only been living in Casey County again for the past two and a half years, I am not sure when radio broadcasts for some of our sport teams ceased, but I remember it being a regular part of my high school career. I made it to a lot of events as a student but, especially during basketball season, I missed a lot of the men’s games due to having my own busy schedule managing the girls’ team. It was nice to have the option to tune into the games from home and hear my friends’ names being announced and be in on the big moments and close games.
I know Classic Country cannot carry all of our sports teams, but I am very glad they are bringing back football and basketball. I am actually due with our first child in October, meaning life is bound to get more hectic and traveling to Rebel sporting events is only going to get more complicated. Hearing the news that more of them would be broadcast on the radio was extra exciting.
Let’s not overlook the fact this happening is not thanks to WKDO alone. A lot of our local businesses are the ones making this possible by sponsoring the broadcasts: Casey County Bank, Don Franklin Motors, Sweet Beans n' Things, Tri-County Feeds, Save-A-Lot of Liberty, Long's Automotive & Truck Service, the Monticello Banking Company, Whited's 1547 Auto Sales and the Bread of Life Café. (This was the list posted to WKDO’s Facebook page as of Aug. 22. Apologies if there are any new sponsors I did not include.)
Be sure extend your thanks to these businesses which are helping bring Rebel sports back to the radio. This is my way of thanking the radio and all of the businesses supporting Rebel sports. And while I’m at it, I’ll say nice work to Dan Johnson and Steven Brown for their football announcing and commentary. I’m loving it and it’s even worth listening to while watching live!
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
Sports Talk: A fan-worthy game for the Rebel Home Opener
As a correspondent sports writer for The Casey County News, I write an weekly editorial column for the publication. Published Sept. 4 2013.
Fall really seemed to come to life this past weekend, at least for me, despite the continued hot days. September is officially here and college football is underway. On top of that, Casey had its first home football game and nothing makes me happier than seeing the crowd of columbia blue and red in the stands and along the fence line of our home field. Well, I guess a win to go with it would have made me happier.
Whether you were at the game, heard or read about it afterwards or tuned in on the radio, (Thank you WKDO for carrying the games again this year), you know what a heartbreaker it was. A one-point loss always is, but add that to having led the entire game, a questionable touchdown that gave Taylor the edge in the last minute, and the real kicker: a fabulous effort on behalf of the Rebels.
I hope the athletes and coaches know what a great showing they made last Friday, despite the “L” that stands next to the final score. From start to finish the game was engaging and exciting for anyone spectating. I was actually supposed to leave for Ohio on Friday evening, but opted to stay home to cover the game live and leave Saturday morning instead and the Rebels definitely made that decision more than worth it.
Yes, there were mistakes and moments when I’d cringe or shout or clench my fists, but seeing both upper and lower classmen make big plays and the team bounce back from mistakes seemed to reveal a spark in Rebel football that I was so hopeful for this season.
The end result may have been a loss but I saw so many wins throughout the night that were a turn around from last season. It’s exciting to see the progress of the program and I hope the spark and momentum of the team’s home opener only builds. Casey, no doubt has a tough schedule ahead, but I am optimistic that despite the competition and win/loss results, the team will not lose that spark they showed developing last Friday.
A loss, but Congratulations to Coach Marple, his staff and the team on a great home opener nonetheless, You gave this Rebel fan, and many others I’m sure, a reason to be excited for this coming Friday and the rest of the fall. Keep it up!
Fall really seemed to come to life this past weekend, at least for me, despite the continued hot days. September is officially here and college football is underway. On top of that, Casey had its first home football game and nothing makes me happier than seeing the crowd of columbia blue and red in the stands and along the fence line of our home field. Well, I guess a win to go with it would have made me happier.
I hope the athletes and coaches know what a great showing they made last Friday, despite the “L” that stands next to the final score. From start to finish the game was engaging and exciting for anyone spectating. I was actually supposed to leave for Ohio on Friday evening, but opted to stay home to cover the game live and leave Saturday morning instead and the Rebels definitely made that decision more than worth it.
Yes, there were mistakes and moments when I’d cringe or shout or clench my fists, but seeing both upper and lower classmen make big plays and the team bounce back from mistakes seemed to reveal a spark in Rebel football that I was so hopeful for this season.
The end result may have been a loss but I saw so many wins throughout the night that were a turn around from last season. It’s exciting to see the progress of the program and I hope the spark and momentum of the team’s home opener only builds. Casey, no doubt has a tough schedule ahead, but I am optimistic that despite the competition and win/loss results, the team will not lose that spark they showed developing last Friday.
A loss, but Congratulations to Coach Marple, his staff and the team on a great home opener nonetheless, You gave this Rebel fan, and many others I’m sure, a reason to be excited for this coming Friday and the rest of the fall. Keep it up!
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Sports Talk: Sports Struggles in a Small Town
As a correspondent sports writer for The Casey County News, I
write an weekly editorial column for the publication. Published July 31,
2013.
I was delighted to see that the U.S. won its fifth Gold Cup
title this past weekend after taking out Panama in the championship game.
Currently Mexico is the only country topping the title count, with six.
Personally, I enjoy seeing our country moving forward in the
soccer world. Soccer was never a big part of my athletic growing up years. Not
only did I not play in any of my youth, but it wasn’t even a sport I was played
in an intramural sense through school or I learned the rules to—like softball
or volleyball. With Casey schools not having soccer, I never attending any games until college,
but having been to a game while visiting Brazil three years ago, there is no
doubt the level of excitement the sport holds.
While I loved my Casey County school experience, as with
anything in life, you give some and take some. There are a ton of sports out
there that our school system does not and cannot offer for one reason or
another. Some you can find only a county away; some you will only find in
Louisville or Lexington; others you might not even find in the state.
It is a tricky dilemma to argue about—the lack of any
particular sport in our area. During my time as a Casey County student I saw
the school add girls’ volleyball and both tennis teams. Cross country was added
as well after it became a sport I personally pursued. While this was a major
accomplishment and advantage to me at the time—something I was very grateful to
those who helped me—I admit it was an easier battle to win than trying to get
the school to add a new team sport. (All I needed was my own two legs and some
open fields for running—we’ve got plenty of those around here.)
Soccer seems like such a basic sport, so it’s almost like we
are selling students short by not having a program. (I’m glad we have our youth
programs.) At the same time, we are a small school system. There are only so
many students total. Of those students, only so many of them have any interest
in athletics. It’s a great thought to offer an array of sports, but the reality
is that most students have to narrow down their extracurricular to a select two
or three. While we want to see options
for sports, we also like to see successful programs in our sports, and the more
we spread out our athletes and their focus and talents on any one or two, the
harder building successful programs becomes.
It definitely is one of the tough parts about a smaller
school system. With my husband having been a soccer player and a big fan of the
sport, I do wish I had at least learned more about it in my youth, even if I’d
never played on a team. (I never played softball or volleyball on a team, but I
know the basic rules.) At least having a youth program gives our children the
opportunity to discover this sport and find out if it is something they are
passionate about or have natural talent.
The beauty of this day and age is even if your high school
does not offer a particular sport or extracurricular, it’s likely you can find
a travel team or area league to join. Whether
the high school ever offers soccer (or any other new sport) I understand is a
tricky item to tackle for many reasons, but I think it’s more important to
simply give kids at a young age the exposure to more sports or extracurricular
so they have a chance to learn about them if they so desire.
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Sports Talk: The Underdog District
As a correspondent sports writer for The Casey County News, I
write an weekly editorial column for the publication. Published May 29,
2013.
Every athlete is always reminded that anything can happen in
the post season and we have all seen it happen, but the excitement of when it
does (as long as you are the underdog, that is) never gets old.
What an unpredictable outcome for the 47th
District softball tournament last week! Not only did the top two seeds not even
make it to the championship game, but the only team to not pick up a single
regular season district win, won the tournament title: Rockcastle County.
The upsets began with our very own Lady Rebels taking on the
number two team of Pulaski County. This was a team they lost to twice during
the regular season: 0-2 and 2-9. Those girls did not just defeat Pulaski in
their tournament game, they creamed
them. As in, 12-2 so they did not even have to play all seven innings.
I’m not sure if Rockcastle was motivated by our own Lady
Rebels, but they followed their lead in the next game and jumped out on the
number one team of Somerset to take a the win 12-5.
Unfortunately for our girls, the underdog trend continued
into the championship game where they were overthrown by the least likely team
to take home the championship trophy. As opposed to the two opening tournament
games, though, Casey put up a solid fight for the title and only lost by one
run and the game came down to the last out. Just one more hit and Casey could
have easily scored to tie the game.
Seeing the tears from our players after accepting their
runner-up trophy showed exactly where their hearts were in their post-season
efforts. They believed and played as though they could win no matter what had
happened in the regular season. The risky part about having that belief is that
when you fall short of your goal it hurts that much more.
I will admit to have never expected the season these girls
have had when it began back in March. The team saw only three wins last year
and the first one did not happen until May. When they got a win four games into
the season I should have known this team would be different. The past would not
dictate who the Lady Rebels were this season or even from one game to the next.
They proved that game after game. Sure, they saw their fair share of losses and
games that they would quickly take a do-over if possible, but every team or
athlete experiences that.
To the four seniors especially, be proud of what you helped
your team accomplish in your final season. You have left what could easily be
the beginning of the turning point in this program. You gave the leadership
necessary to a team that could have gone through a season expecting very little
of themselves. Instead you led them to accomplishing something not done in
nearly a decade.
I also want to give credit to the coaches, although I know
they both give all credit to their team. I have no doubt your belief in your
girls never failed and was necessary in getting them over some of the mental
hurdles after tough games.
Way to go Lady Rebels! You’ve given us a glimpse of what
potential is in your future!
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Sports Talk: Storybook endings to track and field careers
As a correspondent sports writer for The Casey County News, I
write an weekly editorial column for the publication. Published May 22,
2013.
The ending of Micah Smith’s high school career brought back
memories of my own “storybook ending,” as I once called it. He not only won the
title but his very last high school meet saw his best performance ever.
A lot of pressure can build up in that final meet after
putting so much into your athletic career. The last thing you want is it to
finish feeling like you fell short in your final performance.
| From Danville Advocate Messenger |
While many people pushed me to focus on the 400, and I
love-love-loved the competitive nature of the meet-ending 1600-meter relay, the
800 was what I loved most.
After running a great time at region—but not my personal
best—I wanted nothing more than to finish out my CCHS track career at
state—back then it was on U.K.’s fancy blue track—knowing I had run my best
race ever.
God has an interesting way of working sometimes and he
decided to play a little trick on me that particular day. In regular meets my
dad or someone would always call out my first lap split so I knew whether I was
on pace or not. At state I could simply look at the large finish line clock as
I passed by on my first lap.
My heart sank to my gut when I saw that my time was about
four or five seconds off on my first lap. What was worse is that I had been
gunning for a fast first lap in order to better my chances at a P.R.
The fear of living with a less than satisfying final race outweighed
my fear of dying or the pain my legs or lungs were feeling. I pushed harder
through that second lap, in attempt to make up for the slow first lap.
I finished in fourth, a much higher finish than I’d been
ranked going into the day but saw a time that was even slower than my regional
time. Despite my place, I could not help but feeling disappointed, so I was
rather confused by the excited greetings and congratulations I was receiving
once I exited the track.
It turns out the display clock had been showing a time that
was about five seconds off the real timer. Not only had my first lap actually
been extremely fast, but my overall time was a personal best and the new school
record. Had the clock incident not happened,
I may not have run my second lap as well and finished with the time that I did.
I still remember that feeling of capturing the perfect race
on my final day as a high school athlete. My excitement to know Micah had not
only won his event but had the perfect day to end his career brought back those
memories and feelings and makes me that much happier for his hard work and
accomplishments.
Then there is Shelby Stringer, who has blown everyone from
her coaches and fans to her competition away with her stellar performances this
year. State was no exception with her 10’ vault and tying the state record. For Shelby, she has an
entire season left to raise the bar that much higher—literally and
figuratively!
| From Danville Advocate Messenger |
But any experienced athlete in Shelby’s shoes knows there is
nothing to be taken for granted and her achievements this year do not guarantee
a cakewalk next year.
The thing about track and field is that you simply never
know from season to season who is going to come into the mix of competition and
just what kind of day you are going to have when it matters most. Unlike team
sports, if you have a bad day, there is no one else for you to look to for
picking up the slack.
I was overjoyed with another area title achieved last Friday
when my cousin, Clint Hellyer, took the gold in the 300-meter hurdles. While I
wanted nothing more than to see him accomplish this, I could not help but see
the other side of this situation. This was Clint’s first year on Boyle County’s
track team.
| From Danville Advocate Messenger |
This means he was not only not in the mix of 300-hurdle
competition last year, but he never was. No matter how well other athletes did
in the past, they had no way of predicting Clint would be a state contender
until this season arrived. There were guys gunning for that state title this
year who have been hurdlers for years, yet Clint came out and captured it with
one season under his belt.
I saw the same thing happen to friends and teammates back
when I was running for Casey. The important thing is to relish the moment while
it is I here and be proud of what you accomplished and take the time to live in
this particular moment. Whether it’s your first season or last season, a state
title or a personal record, celebrate.
As for Shelby’s final season as a CCHS vaulter, I am stoked
to see the milestones in her future. Plus, I have seen her compete enough in
all of her sports to know the dedicated competitor that she is. There is no
doubt in my mind she is going to do everything in her power to seal
back-to-back state titles—and claim the state record for herself.
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Congrats Class of 2013--especially you student athletes!
As a correspondent sports writer for The Casey County News, I
write an weekly editorial column for the publication. Published May 15,
2013.
Graduation is always a bittersweet time for everyone
connected to a senior student—teachers, administrators, coaches, friends,
family, and, of course, the seniors themselves.
Every student who is closing out their time at Casey County
High School has accomplished major feats and some may be more obvious than
others, so never assume that those finishing at the top of the class have
accomplished more than others. You just never know what it took for any one
person to be where they are.
Having said that, I do feel the student athletes deserve an
extra pat on the back. Now, I’ll be honest and say that when I was a student
athlete, in many ways I found being heavily involved in a sport bettered my
work ethic when it came to the books. This was mainly because my schedule was
so booked up with games, travel and practices, I had no choice but to squeeze
in studying during the windows in between, rather than putting off your studies
because you could do it any time.
Then again, working like this became my norm and probably
does for any student athlete. You don’t have the convenience of “free time”. If
you aren’t practicing, playing or studying, you are probably sleeping—because
you can’t get enough of it!
Despite what became the norm for me as an athlete, you have
accomplished something special.
First off, we all know that in order for them to even
compete in athletics, their grades must reach a certain standard; therefore,
all of Casey’s senior athletes were making time for school.
Second, being a part of a team is a learning experience in
and of itself. The classrooms teach you the facts, how-to and prep you for
college or a career, but sports teach you lessons you can carry through life
about the kind of person you want to be; the way you dedicate yourself to something;
the way you handle problems or defeat and the way you work with others.
No matter if you were a four-year athlete or you came out to
a sport for the first time as a senior, you’ve accomplished something special.
Regardless of whether you plan to continue your athletic career at a collegiate
level or not, I can guarantee you nothing will be the same as what you
experienced while being a part of a high school team.
Be glad and proud that you took the opportunity to
participate in one or multiple sports while you were at CCHS. Whether you were
a starter, benchwarmer, record setter or MVP does not matter. You took the
opportunity to be a part of something you may never get the opportunity to try
or do again.
Congrats to all of the graduating Rebel and Lady Rebel
athletes!
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
Way to keep it classy, Ladies--both on and off the tennis courts
As a correspondent sports writer for The Casey County News, I
write an weekly editorial column for the publication. Published May 8,
2013.
Living in the basketball-centric state that we do, it is
always exciting when Casey County has a successful basketball team. District
titles are always a major celebration and even runner-up is an accomplishment.
Regional titles are a whole other ball game of excitement.
Sometimes our other sports teams’ and programs’
accomplishments get overlooked due to the fact they are simply not basketball.
As someone whose primary sport while attending CCHS was track and field I know
this. Regional titles got (get) some recognition and a pat on the back. Other
state qualifiers may get noted in an article in the paper. Those who place at
state are known by some and those who earn runner-up and state champion titles
are celebrated but often time lost in the late school year hub-bub.
But despite the sport, regional titles and state berths are
huge and I hope even those who do not closely follow the boys and girls tennis
programs (or are not necessarily tennis fans) recognize this with what they’ve
accomplished this season. Casey County, year in and year out, has stand-out
tennis teams from the boys and girls side of the house. Repetitively do they
have winning records and are ranked top in the 12th Region.
The boys’ team earned the regional runner-up title after
only sending a single player to state last year—and that player having
graduated.
The girls, made school
history with Casey’s very first regional title. What an amazing
accomplishment. To top it off, all six girls who competed made it to the
semifinal round of the tournament, earning an outright bid to compete in the
state tournament.
That team of girls has worked hard for two solid seasons to
earn their first regional title. Having not lost a single player after the 2012
season ended, they built off of the regional runner-up title they earned last
year after going 11-2 during the season.
I have also been told that the young ladies who make up the
tennis team are not only stellar at how they perform on the court with a
racket, but they are also superb with how they perform in the classroom with
the books. The entire team—not just the regional team—is made up of students
with 3.5 or better GPAs. Both seniors, Tylyn Leigh and Allie Tinsley, carry
over a 4.0 GPA.
Congrats to the entire team on being phenomenal all around
and best of luck to you at sectionals, state, and the road ahead!
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