LEXINGTON —
The second day of the boys’ Sweet 16 State state basketball tournament saw action begin with Warren County Central and Montgomery County.
When I arrived at Rupp, my first thought was, Madison County fans are going to fill this place again. I saw so many wearing shirts and jackets with MC on them, and they were red, white, and blue and many of them said Indians.
Then I came to my senses and realized that those were Montgomery County fans. Their school colors are the same as Madison Central’s and they are also Indians.
Their team is coached by a friend of mine, Happy Osborne, who was the longtime coach at Georgetown College. I was in school at Georgetown with his dad, Happy Sr. It was good to see him and to rejoice with him as his team won.
Coaches Joe B. Hall and Denny Crum were there in their usual seats sharing a large box of popcorn. I was privileged to visit with the two of them.
As coach Hall and I reflected on the shot Ken-Jah Bosley made from beyond half court for Central on Wednesday, we decided that reminded us of ourselves when we played.
John Adams, a former UK Wildcat who played for Coach Rupp, was also there in his usual seat. Former Wildcats Jarrod Prickett and Cameron Mills were also there.
Cameron and I were able to spend a few minutes reminiscing about his days as a Wildcat. Cameron is a very nice young man, very articulate and friendly.
There are three couples from Valdosta, Ga., who come to the Sweet Sixteen every year. They have no connection with our tournament, they simply love basketball.
The three men all played for Valdosta State and have fond memories of playing against my school, Georgetown College. I’ve come look forward to seeing them and conversing about many the interests we have in common.
Kenny Davis, who was an All-American at Georgetown College and captain of the U.S. Olympic Basketball team in 1972 was there.
Many of you will remember this is the team that was cheated out of a gold medal at the Munich Olympics and refused to accept the silver medals.
Kenny and his wife Dr. Rita Davis live in Paint Lick. It is always a pleasure to spend time with Kenny.
Two of my good friends and former classmates from college, Bill Collins and Duke Owens, both of whom starred in football at Georgetown, were there, and it was fun to chat with them as well.
The day’s second game was between Fleming County and John Hardin.
Fleming County has a much smaller enrollment but had what seemed to me to be a cheering section that was double the size of John Hardin’s. They certainly were louder in cheering for their team.
Although Fleming County lost, I was impressed with their speed and hard work.
The evening session had the largest crown yet, even larger than Wednesday’s when Madison Central played. I suppose that should not surprise anyone since Ballard, the school with the largest enrollment in the tourney was playing.
They were playing Johnson Central, a school about half as large, but their cheering section was nearly as large — and loud.
Although outmanned, Johnson Central never gave up and fought to the end.
They played a very swift moving zone defense that was pretty effective. Many have picked Ballard to win it all, and I must admit they are very good.
My prediction is that they will meet our Madison Central Indians in the final game on Sunday.
Thursday’s last game was between two of the smallest schools in the tournament, Knott County Central and Clay County. Knott County Central won a very hard-fought game.
Richie Farmer, former Clay County Tiger, Kentucky Wildcat and Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture, was there to root for his high school. I enjoyed chatting with Richie.
I continue to be impressed with cheerleaders. Cheerleading has come such a long way, and every school has had outstanding squads.
Thursday was a great day at Rupp, and I was looking forward to Friday with I left the arena.
Local News
Basketball thrills continue in Rupp Arena
Second day of boys’ sweet 16
- Local News
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Hundreds pay tribute as Sheriff Combs is laid to rest
Dozens of his fellow law enforcement officers from around Kentucky came to Church on the Rock on Saturday morning to pay a last tribute to Madison County Sheriff Jerry Combs, who was laid to rest after a funeral at the church.
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Madison Central High School
Eastern Kentucky University. The school graduated 403 students, and 21 of those were Commonwealth Diploma recipients. Class secretary Caroline Smith gave the opening remarks, and class president Mackenzie Humphrey delivered the address. All speakers at the MCHS graduation were senior class officers who gave the opening, invocation and benediction.
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Madison Southern High School
Madison Southern High School graduated 250 seniors Saturday afternoon at Eastern Kentucky University’s Alumni Coliseum.
Senior class president Kelsey Choate gave the welcoming. Mona Isaacs, chair of the Madison County Board of Education, gave remarks congratulating the seniors on completing an important milestone in their lives, and welcoming them into society as young adults.
Music at the ceremony was provided by the MSHS symphonic band, directed by David Ratliff, and the MSHS choir, directed by Letha Hembree. -
White Hall teachers say farewell for the summer
White Hall Elementary kindergarten assistant Patti Von Fischer said she found a poem on the Internet that seemed to fit the last day of school perfectly.
“The teachers jumped out of the windows; the principals ran for the door; the nurse and librarian bolted; they’re not coming back anymore,” Von Fischer read over the loudspeaker Friday before students left for the summer. -
Benson will be state’s third highest paid university president
When Michael Benson begins his tenure as the 12th president of Eastern Kentucky University on Aug. 1, his $400,000 salary plus benefits will make him Kentucky’s third-highest paid state university president.
Benson’s pay will be less only than that of Eli Capilouto, president of the University of Kentucky, $500,000 a year, and Gary Ransdell, president of Western Kentucky University, $423,588 a year, according to figures obtained from the state Council on Post-secondary education. -
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The Kentucky State Police announced the 2012 Trooper of the Year, Detective of the Year, Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Officer of the Year and other awards for acts of bravery, life-saving, professionalism and dedication to duty Friday at the Capital Plaza Hotel in Frankfort.
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Second-grade classroom receives recognition for reading nearly 1,400 books
A project at Mayfield Elementary School has received recognition across state lines from a woman who found a balloon released in celebration of one classroom having read more than 1,000 books.
Second-grade teacher Wanda Wilson started the school year by challenging her 22 students to read a total of 1,000 books by the end of the school year. -
Pets of the Week
This week's cat is an 8-week-old female kitten. This week's dog is 1-year-old Nicki, a spayed female who does not care for horses, according to her previous owner.
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Father/Daughter Dance is June 14 at RAAC
Dads and daughters will take to the dance floor Friday, June 14, for the second annual Father/Daughter Dance to benefit the Hope’s Wings Domestic Violence Program.
The ball will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Richmond Area Arts Center, 399 W. Water St. -
Three Richmond thefts reported Tuesday-Thursday
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An employee of Baptist Health, Eastern Bypass, reported Thursday that her vehicle had been broken into during the evening and a small shoulder purse was stolen. The purse contained several debit/credit cards, $70 in cash, and a Pantech slider cellular telephone. Estimated loss: $595. - More Local News Headlines
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