Slam Dunk Contest - University of...

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Thursday, February 16, 2012 Clinton County News Page 9 SPORTS We arrive at a place in winter when fans aligned with a col- lege team in Kentucky can bask a little, brag a little, second guess a little, plan a little and expect a lot more. KENTUCKY In Lexington it’s mid-Sweet- heart month and the Wildcats have been all that. With a run of 17 wins in a row, Kentucky is Pontiff of all it surveys once more. A lofty perch in the na- tional pecking order of underling courtiers called Duke, Syracuse and Tar Heel. A condo Big Blue Nation taxpayers expect to oc- cupy every winter. John Calipari’s Kentucky has not only beaten opponents, but bruised a psyche or two in Cha- pel Hill, Louisville, Knoxville, Nashville and Gainesville where the Gators may have had a ner- vous breakdown. In demoraliz- ing ways. (See Anthony Davis’ blocked shots file), teams aren’t the same after Kentucky. As UK rolls on amid gather- ing whispers of run-the-table, what certainly comes with cur- rent prosperity and win-out pos- sibility and bandwagon delirium, is an echo from a time distant. “If we don’t win the national cham- pionship our season will be a dis- appointment,” – UK fan, 1978. Fans, certainly Calipari, try to quell such alarmism with these things. • St. Louis, March 27, 1978, thanks to Jack Givens, things turned out well enough. Chapel Hill to Nashville, Kentucky has bruised some psyche(s) Sports in Kentucky by Bob Watkins • And, a reminder to savor a journey’s glimmer moments, let destination take care of itself. MURRAY STATE Over three and a half months, the Racers turned back all-com- ers, climbed the polls and be- came America’s Little Darling. Then, Tennessee STATE went to Murray. Before Steve Prohm could say “whaa’ happened?” the No. 7 ranked Racers had a loss at home and had a new title from ESPN, bubble team. This week, moment of truth time for bubble team Murray and for its next opponent also, St. Mary’s. To get a new EKG read on Murray State’s heart and St. Mary’s (23-3), the Gaels visit this weekend fresh off a 73-59 whuppin’ at Gonzaga. LOUISVILLE Borrowing a metaphor from nearby Churchill Downs and be- fore the Cardinals played No. 2 Syracuse Monday, Rick Pitino’s team looks like a team come to the far turn in the Derby, two lengths off the lead ... with fresh legs and nose in the wind. A team with a good run still in the tank and high seed hopes, Big East and beyond. Wayne Blackshear added to his roster gives the man who loves options, new ones for a stretch run loaded with promise and Big East farewell implica- tions. West Virginia won’t be back, neither will Syracuse. So, King Kentucky, bubble team Murray State, and Big Mo Louisville, are all headed to a party in March. Postscript: Here’s an NCAA Tournament hope Murray State is dispatched to what could be the best chance-to-advance re- gion, out West. WESTERN & HARPER HEADS At Western Kentucky interim coach Ray Harper remains the people’s choice and received a ringing endorsement from a lo- cal newspaper recently, but it’s still wait-and-see for the man whose supporters have started to call themselves Harper Heads. I like it. Still, John Pelphrey and Rich- ard Pitino will be interviewed for the Hilltoppers job. For different reasons neither is a fit at Western. As Ralph Willard did before him, young Pitino is shopping for a starter head job. And, as Willard job jumped to Pitt, Pitino would keep his bags packed. Pelphrey has already done the Sun Belt, coaching at South Alabama before a too-soon (bad) job jump to Arkansas. Pelphrey never looked good wearing red. To regain career momentum and stay on track for chance at his dream job, the Paintsville na- tive’s next head job should be at a school in a major conference, preferably in the south. At Western in 2012, stability, recruiting and loyalty are priori- ties. Harper’s credentials fill the Slam Dunk Contest Last Week’s Contest Winners 1st place -Randell Anderson - 16 Correct Picks 2nd Place -Butter Melton - 15 Correct Picks 3rd Place - Dennis Sells - 15 Correct picks (Lost tie breaker) bill. Besides, Harper is best candi- date for a four-five year contract that ought to require of all other applicants, a lie detector test. Now, about an endorsement from the Godfather, John Old- ham? CAROLE KING ‘N ME Singer-songwriter extraordi- naire Carole King had a mile- stone birthday last week. Me too. King is old enough to have penned the You’ve Got a Friend classic for her pal, crooner James Taylor. Yet, at 70, she’s still a beauty. As for me, a reader e-mailed last week with a reminder that I’m old enough to remember Adolph Rupp and able to skip past comparing Kentucky phe- nom Anthony Davis to Marcus Camby and go straight to Hall of Famer Bill Russell. It’s true. At 19, Davis is ahead of Camby at any stage of the latter’s career and has far more than Russell’s shot-block instincts. Davis runs the floor as well as Russell did, and the kid has a soft-touch jump shot with range. My advanced age allows the advantage of knowing Univer- sity of Kentucky basketball has had 38 All Americans (chosen 56 times). A dozen played center including Hall of Famers Cliff Hagan and Dan Issel. Davis’ game is already broader and bet- ter rounded than all 12. Tragedy is the decadent NBA will make Davis a millionaire too soon which squelches any argument on whether or not the 19-year-old is best of them all at Kentucky. Meanwhile, Carole King is 70 and she’s still a beauty. And so it goes. 415 Burkesville Rd. Albany, KY • 387-8034 Open 7 Days A Week 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. The Klassic Shop 114 S. Washington St. • Albany, KY 606-387-5112 Maryland vs. Virginia, Saturday, February 18 Texas Tech vs. Kansas, Saturday, February 18 201 E. Water St. • Albany, KY • 387-6494 JAY AND SHERRY GARNER, OWNERS “The florist that turns your feelings into flowers” City Florist Florida vs. Arkansas, Saturday, February 18 (Women’s) Duke vs.Maryland, Sunday, February 19 Georgetown vs. Providence, Saturday, February 18 DAVID M. CROSS & TERRAN CROSS HELM Attorneys At Law 200 E. Cumberland Street • Albany, KY 42602 606-387-6638 • 606-387-6644 Fax Name ___________________________________________ Phone __________________________________________ 1. Contestant must circle one team in each advertiser’s box you think will win that game. 2. Only one entry from each individual will be accepted per week. 2. Tie breaker game must be completed. 3. Contest must be in the Clinton County News office by 4:00 p.m. Friday of each week. 4. Decision of contest judges will be final. 5. Claim prizes at the Clinton County News office. PLAYERS OF THE WEEK Players of the week sponsored by (Women’s) Florida St. vs. Miami (FL), Sunday, February 19 FIRST PRIZE $30 Gift Certificate SECOND PRIZE $20 Gift Certificate Lisa Beard State Farm Agent 106 Plaza Drive Albany, KY 606-387-6099 Missouri vs. Texas A&M, Saturday, February 18 This-n-That Tobacco 425 Tennessee Rd. • Albany, KY 387-9684 Murray St. vs. Saint Mary’s, Saturday, February 18 Clemson vs. North Carolina, Saturday, February 18 819 Tennessee Rd. Albany, KY 42602 606-387-5904 NO LOWER PRICES ANYWHERE ON CLAYTON HOMES! TIE BREAKER: University of Kentucky _______ vs. Ole Miss _____ at Rupp Arena, Saturday, February 18, 2012 - 3 p.m. CST 1687 S. Hwy. 127 Albany, KY 42602 Front End Alignment • Air Conditioner Repair 606-387-8687 (Women’s) Ole Miss vs. Tennessee, Sunday, February 19 (Women’s) Notre Dame vs. Louisville, Monday, February 20 WELDING, CUTTING & SAFETY SUPPLIES INDUSTRIAL, MEDICAL & SPECIALTY GASES 855-816-8812 One Source For All Your Gases and Supplies Propane for your Home or Business LOCALLY OWNED & OPERATED! 302 N. Washington St. Albany, KY 42602 606-387-0408 Lakes and Land Realty Nancy Mims Principal Broker/Owner 112 Cumberland St. • Albany, KY Mobile: 606.688.2513 Office: 606.387.0020 [email protected] www.countrylakesandland.com Quick Mart Shell #1 1014 Tennessee Rd. • Albany, KY Phone (606) 387-7080 Louisville vs. DePaul, Saturday, February 18 723 Burkesville Rd. • Albany, Kentucky 42602 Phone: 606-387-6421 • J.D. Mullins - Administrator Quality Care ... Close to Home Ohio St. vs. MIchigan, Saturday, February 18 (Women’s) Georgia vs. Florida, Sunday, February 19 97 Foothills Ave. Albany, Kentucky 606-387-4616 Shearer Drug Twin Lakes Medical Arts Building 606-387-6616 Drive-Thru Service (Women’s) Vanderbilt vs. UK, Monday, February 20 DAVIS INSURANCE Michael Davis, Agent Phone: 606-387-4291 Fax: 606-387-7960 Toll Free: 800-977-0723 E-Mail: [email protected] 2366 N. HWY. 127 ALBANY, KY 42602 Auto • Home • Farm • Life • Business • Watercraft 104 S. Washington St. • Albany, KY • 606-387-5060 Your Local Independent Insurance Agent JAMIE SPARKS THIRD PRIZE $10 Gift Certificate Kansas St. vs. Baylor, Saturday, February 18 Marquette vs. UCONN, Saturday, February 18 (Women’s) Ohio St. vs. Penn St., Monday, February 20 Cori Langford - Eighth Grader Daughter of Mike and Tina Langford Joe Davis - Freshman Son of Robbie and Amy Davis Seventh grade team named state runner-up The Clinton County Middle School seventh grade team traveled to Lexington, KY last week to compete in the seventh grade state tournament. The Bulldogs defeated four teams, including, Sayre, Beaumount, Anderson County, West Jessamine and Scott County to reach the final game of the tournament. In the finals, Clinton County fell to Southern Middle School of Somerset. The team finished its season with a 19-1 record. In the photo above, the team was recognized during halftime of the girls’ game Friday night. Front row from left to right: Jeffery Collins, Jacob Bertram, Conner Duvall and Jamison Summers. Back row from left to right: John Davis, Brett Gibson, Kyle Choate, Colin Langford, Noah Gregory, Josh Shelton and head coach Jack Gib- bons. Butch Irwin won first place overall in the Amateur Division in the Whitetail Deer competition at the National Wild Turkey Federation Convention in Nashville, Tenn., last weekend. He also received first and second place ribbons on two other whitetail mounts in the Com- mercial Division. Irwin wins taxidermy competition at NWTF

Transcript of Slam Dunk Contest - University of...

Page 1: Slam Dunk Contest - University of Kentuckynyx.uky.edu/dips/xt7x0k26br6g/data/09_70129_page9.pdfTragedy is the decadent NBA will make Davis a millionaire too soon which squelches any

Thursday, February 16, 2012 Clinton County News Page 9

SPORTS

We arrive at a place in winter when fans aligned with a col-lege team in Kentucky can bask a little, brag a little, second guess a little, plan a little and expect a lot more.

KENTUCKY In Lexington it’s mid-Sweet-

heart month and the Wildcats have been all that. With a run of 17 wins in a row, Kentucky is Pontiff of all it surveys once more. A lofty perch in the na-tional pecking order of underling courtiers called Duke, Syracuse and Tar Heel. A condo Big Blue Nation taxpayers expect to oc-cupy every winter.

John Calipari’s Kentucky has not only beaten opponents, but bruised a psyche or two in Cha-pel Hill, Louisville, Knoxville, Nashville and Gainesville where the Gators may have had a ner-vous breakdown. In demoraliz-ing ways. (See Anthony Davis’ blocked shots file), teams aren’t the same after Kentucky.

As UK rolls on amid gather-ing whispers of run-the-table, what certainly comes with cur-rent prosperity and win-out pos-sibility and bandwagon delirium, is an echo from a time distant. “If we don’t win the national cham-pionship our season will be a dis-appointment,” – UK fan, 1978.

Fans, certainly Calipari, try to quell such alarmism with these things.

• St. Louis, March 27, 1978, thanks to Jack Givens, things turned out well enough.

Chapel Hill to Nashville, Kentucky has bruised some psyche(s)

Sports in Kentucky by Bob Watkins

• And, a reminder to savor a journey’s glimmer moments, let destination take care of itself.

MURRAY STATEOver three and a half months,

the Racers turned back all-com-ers, climbed the polls and be-came America’s Little Darling. Then, Tennessee STATE went to Murray. Before Steve Prohm could say “whaa’ happened?” the No. 7 ranked Racers had a loss at home and had a new title from ESPN, bubble team.

This week, moment of truth time for bubble team Murray and for its next opponent also, St. Mary’s.

To get a new EKG read on Murray State’s heart and St. Mary’s (23-3), the Gaels visit this weekend fresh off a 73-59 whuppin’ at Gonzaga.

LOUISVILLEBorrowing a metaphor from

nearby Churchill Downs and be-fore the Cardinals played No. 2 Syracuse Monday, Rick Pitino’s team looks like a team come to the far turn in the Derby, two lengths off the lead ... with fresh legs and nose in the wind. A team with a good run still in the tank and high seed hopes, Big East and beyond.

Wayne Blackshear added to his roster gives the man who loves options, new ones for a stretch run loaded with promise and Big East farewell implica-tions. West Virginia won’t be back, neither will Syracuse.

So, King Kentucky, bubble

team Murray State, and Big Mo Louisville, are all headed to a party in March.

Postscript: Here’s an NCAA Tournament hope Murray State is dispatched to what could be the best chance-to-advance re-gion, out West.

WESTERN & HARPER HEADS

At Western Kentucky interim coach Ray Harper remains the people’s choice and received a ringing endorsement from a lo-cal newspaper recently, but it’s still wait-and-see for the man whose supporters have started to call themselves Harper Heads. I like it.

Still, John Pelphrey and Rich-ard Pitino will be interviewed for the Hilltoppers job. For different reasons neither is a fit at Western.

As Ralph Willard did before him, young Pitino is shopping for a starter head job. And, as Willard job jumped to Pitt, Pitino would keep his bags packed.

Pelphrey has already done the Sun Belt, coaching at South Alabama before a too-soon (bad) job jump to Arkansas. Pelphrey never looked good wearing red. To regain career momentum and stay on track for chance at his dream job, the Paintsville na-tive’s next head job should be at a school in a major conference, preferably in the south.

At Western in 2012, stability, recruiting and loyalty are priori-ties. Harper’s credentials fill the

Slam Dunk Contest Last Week’s Contest Winners1st place -Randell Anderson - 16 Correct Picks

2nd Place -Butter Melton - 15 Correct Picks 3rd Place - Dennis Sells - 15 Correct picks (Lost tie breaker)

bill.Besides, Harper is best candi-

date for a four-five year contract that ought to require of all other applicants, a lie detector test.

Now, about an endorsement from the Godfather, John Old-ham?

CAROLE KING ‘N MESinger-songwriter extraordi-

naire Carole King had a mile-stone birthday last week. Me too.

King is old enough to have penned the You’ve Got a Friend classic for her pal, crooner James Taylor. Yet, at 70, she’s still a beauty.

As for me, a reader e-mailed last week with a reminder that I’m old enough to remember Adolph Rupp and able to skip past comparing Kentucky phe-nom Anthony Davis to Marcus Camby and go straight to Hall of Famer Bill Russell.

It’s true. At 19, Davis is ahead of Camby at any stage of the latter’s career and has far more than Russell’s shot-block instincts. Davis runs the floor as well as Russell did, and the kid has a soft-touch jump shot with range.

My advanced age allows the advantage of knowing Univer-sity of Kentucky basketball has had 38 All Americans (chosen 56 times). A dozen played center including Hall of Famers Cliff Hagan and Dan Issel. Davis’ game is already broader and bet-ter rounded than all 12.

Tragedy is the decadent NBA will make Davis a millionaire too soon which squelches any argument on whether or not the 19-year-old is best of them all at Kentucky.

Meanwhile, Carole King is 70 and she’s still a beauty.

And so it goes.

415 Burkesville Rd.Albany, KY • 387-8034

Open 7 Days A Week 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.

The Klassic Shop114 S. Washington St. • Albany, KY

606-387-5112

Maryland vs. Virginia, Saturday, February 18

University of Kentucky vs. Duke University

Texas Tech vs. Kansas, Saturday, February 18

201 E. Water St. • Albany, KY • 387-6494JAY AND SHERRY GARNER, OWNERS

“The florist that turns your feelings into flowers”

City Florist

Florida vs. Arkansas, Saturday, February 18

(Women’s) Duke vs.Maryland, Sunday, February 19

Georgetown vs. Providence, Saturday, February 18

DAVID M. CROSS &TERRAN CROSS HELM

Attorneys At Law200 E. Cumberland Street • Albany, KY 42602

606-387-6638 • 606-387-6644 Fax

Name ___________________________________________

Phone __________________________________________

1. Contestant must circle one team in each advertiser’s box you think will win that game. 2. Only one entry from each individual will be accepted per week.2. Tie breaker game must be completed. 3. Contest must be in the Clinton County News office by 4:00 p.m. Friday of each week.4. Decision of contest judges will be final.5. Claim prizes at the Clinton County News office.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

Players of the week sponsored by

(Women’s) Florida St. vs. Miami (FL), Sunday, February 19

FIRST PRIZE$30 Gift Certificate

SECOND PRIZE$20 Gift Certificate

Lisa Beard State Farm Agent106 Plaza Drive Albany, KY 606-387-6099

Missouri vs. Texas A&M, Saturday, February 18

Thi s-n-That Tobacco425 Tennessee Rd. • Albany, KY

387-9684Murray St. vs. Saint Mary’s, Saturday, February 18

Clemson vs. North Carolina, Saturday, February 18

819 Tennessee Rd.Albany, KY 42602

606-387-5904NO LOWER PRICES ANYWHERE

ON CLAYTON HOMES!

TIE BREAKER: University of Kentucky _______ vs. Ole Miss _____

at Rupp Arena, Saturday, February 18, 2012 - 3 p.m. CST

1687 S. Hwy. 127 • Albany, KY 42602Front End Alignment • Air Conditioner Repair

606-387-8687(Women’s) Ole Miss vs. Tennessee, Sunday, February 19

(Women’s) Notre Dame vs. Louisville, Monday, February 20

WELDING, CUTTING & SAFETY SUPPLIES

INDUSTRIAL, MEDICAL & SPECIALTY GASES

855-816-8812 One Source For All Your Gases and Supplies

Propanefor yourHome orBusiness

LOCALLY OWNED & OPERATED!

302 N. Washington St.Albany, KY 42602606-387-0408

Lakes and Land Realty

Nancy Mims Principal Broker/Owner112 Cumberland St. • Albany, KY

Mobile: 606.688.2513Office: 606.387.0020

[email protected]

Quick Mart Shell #11014 Tennessee Rd. • Albany, KY

Phone (606) 387-7080

Louisville vs. DePaul, Saturday, February 18

723 Burkesville Rd. • Albany, Kentucky 42602Phone: 606-387-6421 • J.D. Mullins - Administrator

Quality Care ... Close to HomeOhio St. vs. MIchigan, Saturday, February 18

(Women’s) Georgia vs. Florida, Sunday, February 19

97 Foothills Ave.Albany, Kentucky

606-387-4616

ShearerDrugTwin Lakes Medical

Arts Building

606-387-6616Drive-Thru Service

(Women’s) Vanderbilt vs. UK, Monday, February 20

DAVIS INSURANCEMichael Davis, AgentPhone: 606-387-4291 Fax: 606-387-7960 Toll Free: 800-977-0723E-Mail: [email protected]

2366 N. HWY. 127ALBANY, KY 42602

Auto • Home • Farm • Life • Business • Watercraft

104 S. Washington St. • Albany, KY • 606-387-5060

Your Local Independent Insurance Agent

JAMIE SPARKS

THIRD PRIZE$10 Gift Certificate

Kansas St. vs. Baylor, Saturday, February 18

Marquette vs. UCONN, Saturday, February 18 (Women’s) Ohio St. vs. Penn St., Monday, February 20

Cori Langford - Eighth Grader Daughter of Mike and Tina Langford

Joe Davis - Freshman Son of Robbie and Amy Davis

Seventh grade team named state runner-up

The Clinton County Middle School seventh grade team traveled to Lexington, KY last week to compete in the seventh grade state tournament. The Bulldogs defeated four teams, including, Sayre, Beaumount, Anderson County, West Jessamine and Scott County to reach the final game of the tournament.

In the finals, Clinton County fell to Southern Middle School of Somerset. The team finished its season with a 19-1 record.

In the photo above, the team was recognized during halftime of the girls’ game Friday night. Front row from left to right: Jeffery Collins, Jacob Bertram, Conner Duvall and Jamison Summers. Back row from left to right: John Davis, Brett Gibson, Kyle Choate, Colin Langford, Noah Gregory, Josh Shelton and head coach Jack Gib-bons.

Butch Irwin won first place overall in the Amateur Division in the Whitetail Deer competition at the National Wild Turkey Federation Convention in Nashville, Tenn., last weekend. He also received first and second place ribbons on two other whitetail mounts in the Com-mercial Division.

Irwin wins taxidermy competition at NWTF