November 2016 archive

No. 17 Kentucky Hosts No. 12 Oklahoma for SEC/Big 12 Challenge

Matthew Mitchell (Vicky Graff Photo)

Matthew Mitchell (Vicky Graff Photo)

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The No. 17 University of Kentucky women’s basketball team completes a three-game home stretch inside Memorial Coliseum on Thursday at 7 p.m. ET against No. 12 Oklahoma as part of the SEC/Big 12 Challenge.

“Well, we have a very tough game tomorrow with Oklahoma,” UK head coach Matthew Mitchell said Wednesday. “They are a very good team and, as usual, very well-coached by Sherri Coale, and present a lot of challenges for us. We’re trying to get ready. We’re trying to get better and are seeking improvement everyday on the defensive end and the players are working hard at it. So, tomorrow night will be a great test for us. We’ll have to play extremely well to beat Oklahoma. They’re a very, very good team playing well, off to a great start this season.  Read more... (928 words, 1 image, estimated 3:43 mins reading time)

Update: TDCI Opens Community Resource Center in Pigeon Forge After Wildfire Devastation

PIGEON FORGE — In an effort to assist the Tennesseans affected by the Gatlinburg wildfires, the Tennessee State Department of Commerce & Insurance (TDCI) has established a Community Resource Center (CSC) in Pigeon Forge. It will open on Thursday, Dec. 1, in the former Boyds Bear building parking lot located at 149 Cates Lane in Pigeon Forge.

“The damage created by the wildfires was heartbreaking,” said TDCI Commissioner Julie Mix McPeak. “In an effort to help consumers begin rebuilding and restoring their lives, we worked with Pigeon Forge officials to open the Community Resource Center. We’re thankful for all our local partners who have shown such inspiring courage this week in the face of tragedy.”  Read more... (603 words, estimated 2:25 mins reading time)

Courtney Love Named to SEC Community Service Team

 LEXINGTON, Ky. – Kentucky junior linebacker Courtney Love has been selected to the Southeastern Conference Community Service Team, it was announced by the league office on Wednesday.

Courtney Love, left, is on the SEC Community Works Team.

Courtney Love, left, is on the SEC Community Service Team.

Love, a native of Youngstown, Ohio, has been very active in the community since transferring from Nebraska in 2015.

In May of 2016, Love was one of three Kentucky football players chosen to participate in a service/educational trip to Ethiopia where he helped build houses, made shoe-shining boxes for the homeless and provided food to impoverished families. He currently serves in a mentoring program with local high school students using Skype technology to talk to them about the importance of good grades and making wise decisions.  Read more... (276 words, 1 image, estimated 1:06 mins reading time)

Marshall County Hoop Fest opens Thursday night

By Jessie Brewer

Dec. 1 Session 1

4:00pm Marshall County (KY) v Massac County (IL) girls

Mar – The Lady Marshals return three starters this season, one being senior Hannah Langhi who will be counted on to provide a great offensive and defensive presence. Also returning this season is sharpshooter Miyah Davis, who has proven herself as one of the top shooters in the region.

Mas – Massac returns three of its seniors from last year’s team, guards Taylor Stoner, Natalie Hosman, and Emilee Troutt. Although a rebuilding year for the Lady Patriots, they are hoping to make a run in their Region tournament this season.  Read more... (449 words, estimated 1:48 mins reading time)

TaxSlayer Bowl confirms interest in Kentucky

Mark Stoops and Boom Williams could be headed to the TaxSlayer Bowl. (Vicky Graff Photo)

Mark Stoops and Boom Williams could be headed to the TaxSlayer Bowl. (Vicky Graff Photo)

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Nov. 30, 2016 – Following last night’s TaxSlayer Bowl Team Selection Committee Meeting, the TaxSlayer Bowl released an update on current teams being discussed as under consideration for the Saturday, Dec. 31, 2016 game.

Based on the TaxSlayer Bowl’s partnership with the Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl, the TaxSlayer Bowl will select a team from the Southeastern Conference (SEC) versus a team from the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).   Selection Committee is currently considering Kentucky, Auburn, Florida, and Arkansas from the SEC and Georgia Tech, Miami, North Carolina and Virginia Tech from the ACC.  Read more... (450 words, 1 image, estimated 1:48 mins reading time)

UK signee Sydney McLaughlin Youth Athlete of the Year

sydney-flagINDIANAPOLIS — USA Track & Field will recognize 2016 Olympian and world junior record holder Sydney McLaughlin as Youth Athlete of the Year and eight-time 2016 WMA gold medalist Irene Obera as Masters Athlete of the Year at the Jesse Owens Awards.

McLaughlin and Obera will be honored on Saturday at the Jesse Owens Awards in Orlando, Florida. The event is held in conjunction with USATF’s Annual Meeting.
  Read more... (280 words, 1 image, estimated 1:07 mins reading time)

Guest post: One door closes and another one opens

Stephen Johnson (Vicky Graff Photo)

Stephen Johnson (Vicky Graff Photo)

By KEITH PEEL

It’s funny how things work out. Not comically funny but ironic.

Sometimes I find myself anxious because of a day that is jam packed with appointments and I don’t know how I will fit them all in. Then, miraculously, someone calls to cancel a two-hour block of time and I am back on schedule.  Read more... (522 words, 1 image, estimated 2:05 mins reading time)

Guest post: Intangibles make Malik Monk favorite player

Malik Monk (Chet White/UK Athletics Photo)

Malik Monk (Chet White/UK Athletics Photo)

By BROOKE MORRISON

I was asked after watching the first few games of the season who is my favorite freshmen on this year’s talented squad? I faltered a bit. All of them are talented. All are equally impressive. At that time, I was leaning heavily toward Wenyen Gabriel. I love his length, his hustle, and his huge upside. I asked if I could watch another game or two before I gave my answer. I am glad I did.  Read more... (330 words, 1 image, estimated 1:19 mins reading time)

TaxSlayer Bowl for Cats? It could be New Year’s Eve in Florida

Vicky Graff Photo

The Cats may go bowling in Jacksonville, FL, on New Year’s Eve. (Vicky Graff Photo)

By LARRY VAUGHT

Just making a bowl game seemed an unrealistic goal to most — well, maybe not coach Mark Stoops — after Kentucky opened the season 0-2.

Even when the Cats got to 6-5 going into the regular-season ending game at Louisville, anything but a lower tier bowl seemed unlikely.

But a 41-38 win over Louisville certainly has changed a lot. I thought UK might get a spot in the Music City Bowl, but a source tells me now that barring any last-minute changes — and that’s always possible — that UK will play in the TaxSlayer Bowl in Jacksonville, Fla., Dec. 31.  Read more... (327 words, 1 image, estimated 1:18 mins reading time)

UK signee Alexander will face “Prolific” guards Friday at Marshall County Hoop Fest

DeAndre Ayton (Larry Vaught/Verizon Photo)

DeAndre Ayton (Larry Vaught/Verizon Photo)

By LARRY VAUGHT

The Marshall County Hoop Fest opens Thursday night in Benton and will again have an all-star cast of players and teams, including Kentucky signee Shai Alexander of Chattanooga.

Here is a look at some of the key teams provided by Hoop Fest officials:

5:30 p.m. Friday — Prolific Prep (CA) vs Hamilton Heights Christian (TN)  Read more... (577 words, 1 image, estimated 2:18 mins reading time)