News sports 2008-07-30 Andanh.com

Steady leadership Wed, 30 Jul 2008 10:56:08 -0500
For most of Bowling Green East Little League’s All-Stars, playing for a chance to go the World Series is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. For Bowling Green manager Rick Kelley, it’s a twice-in-a-lifetime chance. Before BG East won its state championship in Louisville last week and earned a spot in the Great Lakes Regional Tournament, its last 11-12 state championship came in 1980. And on the bench in 1980 was a 25-year-old assistant named Rick Kelley. “It does (mean a lot to me) because as a kid and as a coach, you always dream about Williamsport,” Kelley admitted. “But this definitely is not about me. It’s about these kids and a life-long impact it will have on them.” Kelley couldn’t have predicted he’d have another chance at the World Series in Williamsport, Pa., because he couldn’t foresee coaching Little League for 28 straight years without taking a season off. But Kelley, a Bowling Green business owner, has continued to coach and has seen two sons go through Little League. “It just sort of happened that I had the availability to be able to do it,” Kelley said. “It’s sort of my one hobby away from work and it just sort of perpetuated.” And he probably has a few more years remaining on the field. His son, Carson, is 6 years old and Kelley said, “I’ve got to hang around for six more years.” There’s some irony that Kelley has spent 28 years coaching Little League, because his playing career didn’t last long. Kelley played Little League in his youth at T.C. Cherry Park, but his career didn’t make it to the high school level. “I was a weak Little League player and then a worse Little League umpire,” Kelley joked. “It took me a while to finally figure out the coaching side. Little League was the end of my illustrious career.” While he didn’t play long, he had something more important than playing experience. “A lot of coaches and managers didn’t necessarily play the sport, but have a love for it,” Kelley said. That love has led to plenty of success. Along with winning the state championship this year, the squad is mostly the same from last year’s 11-year-old state championship team. “He helps us a lot,” BG East’s Zach Sibalich said. “He helps us with everything. Pitching, batting, pretty much anything - he helps us out a lot.” But talented youngsters also help a coach out. “It’s an age level that will listen to you,” Kelley said. “We’ve coached them as 10-, 11- and 12-year-olds and it’s rewarding from my standpoint to see them move forward. They’ve developed well and it’s a great group.” Some things have changed in the Little League structure over Kelley’s 28 years. In 1980, BG East played in the South Regional in St. Petersburg, Fla. The tournament was also double-elimination. Now, BG East is in the Great Lakes Regional in Indianapolis and it’s a six-team, pool-play event. BG East is guaranteed four games and opens the tournament Friday against the Illinois representative - Jackie Robinson West Little League of Chicago. There’s also more Little League coverage. ESPN will telecast the Great Lakes Regional championship. Kelley also recalled there was live radio coverage from the South Regional in 1980. “It was a big deal in 1980,” Kelley said. “ESPN has taken it to a whole new level and it’s changed somewhat from that, but I think it’s always carried the stature of a quality tournament.” Some things don’t change, though. “It’s still going to boil down to who can put the best team on the field,” Kelley said. “Basic fundamentals are still going to be important whether it’s then, now or in 30 years.”

Players OK with Mavericks’ relocation Wed, 30 Jul 2008 10:56:10 -0500
As the Kentucky Mavericks prepare to move to Owensboro later this year, it appears the team still has the full support of its new, largely Bowling Green-centric roster. The Daily News on Tuesday reached eight Mavericks players - who were formally introduced Friday, three days before Monday’s announcement about the American Basketball Association franchise’s move - about the relocation. The responses were similar. For the players, excitement remains high. “Oh, definitely I’m still going to play,” former Greenwood standout Sean Clark said. “I think the team has bought a charter bus and we’re still going to practice in Bowling Green and everything, so making a drive to Owensboro 15 times a year isn’t going to be too bad. “I just want the opportunity to play again.” A common sentiment is held among the players that as long as there’s a chance to play professional basketball, they’re on board. “I haven’t had a chance to really sit down and talk to anybody about it yet, but from what I’ve seen on the news and stuff, it looks like we’re just going to use a gym up there to play games,” Southern University product and Bowling Green resident Brandon Wardlow said. “As long as there’s basketball to be played, I’ll be a part of it.” For certain players, the move is actually a benefit. The Mavericks have several players who either grew up in Owensboro or have family closer to that town than to Bowling Green. “I’m actually from Owensboro, still living there right now and was packing and getting ready to move to Bowling Green - but this might actually work better for me,” former Florida International player Michael James said. “I think that Owensboro is one of the leading sports cities around, so it kind of works in our favor, too ... there are a lot of kids and other people there that don’t have as much to look forward to as far as a college team or professional team, so I think it works out.” For Butler County native and Bellarmine product Jamie Jackson, playing in either Bowling Green or Owensboro didn’t matter. Either is closer to home than his original summer plan: Europe. “I’m just excited to be playing basketball here at all,” Jackson said. “I was going to go to Europe and play, that was my original plan, and to be able to play here in front of my family and in front of all the people I grew up around is a blessing in itself. “I can’t complain at all.” Even though most aren’t worried about the team suddenly moving to another city - even after Mavericks CEO Jason Smith specifically told the media last week that it wouldn’t - most said playing professionally in Bowling Green was something they were looking forward to, and still hope to have chance to do in the future. “I was disappointed,” Kentucky State product Marlon Walls said. “I looked forward to playing (in Bowling Green) because I know they have a really nice fan base here, and I really don’t know too much about Owensboro. “But I’m really not going to let that change anything.” Sportscenter denies set price Although Smith said Tuesday that a deal was in place with the 5,000-seat Sportscenter in Owensboro, Sportscenter facility manager Hal Mischel said no rental fee has been agreed upon. Mischel did say the Mavericks and the venue have agreed on dates for the team’s home games. The two parties are expected to meet today in Owensboro. “They’ve contacted us and we’ve agreed on some dates,” Mischel said Tuesday. “We’ve talked about price just last week and they’re supposed to be coming to Owensboro here in the next few days to meet and try to work something out.” Smith said Tuesday the team will pay about $700 a game to play at the Sportscenter and that the deal was “signed, sealed and delivered.”

Europe Junior squad named Wed, 30 Jul 2008 10:56:11 -0500
The European Junior Ryder Cup team has been finalized - the 12-member team was officially announced Tuesday. The 2008 Junior Ryder Cup will be played Sept. 15 and 16 at the Club at Olde Stone in Bowling Green. The European team will consist of two players each from Spain (Anna Arrese and Adrian Otaegui), France (Julien Brun and Stanislas Gautier), England (Chris Lloyd and Kelly Tidy) and Northern Ireland (Leona and Lisa Maguire). Carly Booth (Scotland), Moritz Lampert (Germany), Matteo Manassero (Italy) and Daisy Nielson (Denmark) round out the European squad. The American team will be finalized Aug. 16; however, several players have already qualified. Jennifer Johnson from LaQuinta, Calif., Kimberly Kim from Pahoa, Hawaii, Alexis Thompson from Coral Springs, Fla., Cameron Peck from Olympia, Wash., and Cory Whitsett from Houston, Texas, are all assured spots on the American team, leaving seven spots open.

Cards sink to seventh in Big East Wed, 30 Jul 2008 04:05:00 EST
The Cardinals found themselves in unfamiliar waters as the league's preseason media poll placed them seventh among eight teams. View our Red and Blue page Blog: Brian Bennett Blog:U of L fan blogger

Kragthorpe: Guy should play in 2008 Wed, 30 Jul 2008 02:52:00 EST
University of Louisville receiver Trent Guy, who was shot in the lower back this month, intends to play this season, coach Steve Kragthorpe said yesterday at the Big East Conference football media day.

Alabama forward commits to U of L Wed, 30 Jul 2008 02:53:00 EST
Josh Langford has been a lifelong University of Louisville basketball fan, and now he is joining the program.

West Virginia to 'spread the wealth' Wed, 30 Jul 2008 02:53:00 EST
First-year West Virginia football coach Bill Stewart has plans to unleash Pat White in new ways in the 2008 season.

Would-be freshman D-lineman won't play at UK Wed, 30 Jul 2008 02:53:00 EST
University of Kentucky football signee Donte Rumph, a defensive lineman from St. Matthews, S.C., will not join the Wildcats this fall.

Favre faxes letter to NFL seeking reinstatement Wed, 30 Jul 2008 02:54:00 EST
Brett Favre's decision to file for reinstatement will force the Green Bay Packers to do one of three things: release him, trade him or allow him to report to camp.

Red card doubles as ticket to Beijing Wed, 30 Jul 2008 02:56:00 EST
In April, the Louisville native and Florida high school teacher was performing a regular after-class duty when he got a call on his cell phone. Quisenberry had been selected to go to Beijing.

IOC: Iraq may compete in track Wed, 30 Jul 2008 02:56:00 EST
The International Olympic Committee agreed yesterday to allow Iraq to participate in the Beijing Games, reversing itself after Baghdad pledged to ensure the independence of its national Olympics panel.

Barker's 2 shots power Bats, 6-3 Wed, 30 Jul 2008 02:56:00 EST
Kevin Barker hit two home runs to lift the Louisville Bats to a 6-3 victory over the Charlotte Knights last night.

Lee's slam lifts Astros over Reds, Arroyo 6-2 Wed, 30 Jul 2008 02:56:00 EST
Carlos Lee hit his 12th career grand slam and Brian Moehler came within one out of a complete game in the Houston Astros' 6-2 win over the Cincinnati Reds last night.

Dutrow's appeal of suspension moved back Wed, 30 Jul 2008 02:57:00 EST
Trainer Rick Dutrow has been granted a continuance by Kentucky horse racing officials, pushing back his appeal of a drug suspension.

PREP BASEBALL: Elizabethtown upends Central Hardin Thu, 1 May 2008 23:03:08 -0500
ELIZABETHTOWN What a difference two weeks can make.

PREP BASEBALL: John Hardin sweeps North Hardin Thu, 1 May 2008 23:03:06 -0500
RADCLIFF It’s been said that hitting is contagious and the John Hardin Bulldogs certainly had a bad case of it spread through the team Thursday night.

PREP SOFTBALL: Krupinski, Central Hardin shut out John Hardin Thu, 1 May 2008 23:03:06 -0500
CECILIA Having been shut out in their previous two games, the Central Hardin Lady Bruins were in a little bit of a funk.

PREP SOFTBALL/BASEBALL ROUNDUP: Lady Panthers fall; Mayfield moves to 7-1 Thu, 1 May 2008 23:03:07 -0500
The slumping Elizabethtown Lady Panthers lost for the 10th time in 13 games, falling to visiting Warren Central on Thursday, 3-1.

BOYS'/GIRLS' PREP TENNIS RESULTS: Thursday's Matches Thu, 1 May 2008 23:03:07 -0500
Results from Thursday's area high school tennis matches:

Kansas overtakes Russell-Flatwoods
The Russell-Flatwoods All-Stars, who are representing the state of Kentucky in the girls’ 11-and-12-year-old regional Little League softball tournament, dropped a 3-1 contest against Kansas on Tuesday evening.

Return to the ranks
Jeff Hall will make his return to the head coaching ranks this season.

2 WVU basketball players arrested in Pittsburgh
Two West Virginia University basketball players were charged with scuffling with police and underage drinking after a fight at a Pittsburgh Pirates game.

Drama ’til the end at final EKJGA event
The final event of the Eastern Kentucky Junior Golf Association season provided down-to-the wire drama at Bellefonte Country Club.

Russell-Flatwoods gets victory at regional tournament
Russell-Flatwoods’ 11- and 12-year-olds began play against national softball competition in the 2008 Little League Regional Tournament on Monday.

Wright battles back from adversity
Last November, J.D. Wright was accidentally shot through both legs in a hunting accident. In June, he suffered an injury to his collar bone. But now he is ready to again take to the gridiron for South Laurel football.

Top flight basketball
The inaugural Laurel County HoopFest will take place in January and showcase many top national and state high school basketball teams.

Running game a strength for Hornets
A strong running game has been the highlight of Metcalfe County football practice early on, while an injury at quarterback and attendance issues have been the low points.

LOCAL SPORTS BRIEF
Wilkinson finishes fourth, McPherson 11th in M-D division of championshipBCHS alumni football game is SaturdayBCMS fall softball tryouts set for Aug. 7Barren boys soccer alumni game is Aug. 8

Myatt tabbed Barren baseball coach
Jonathan Myatt has dreamed of coaching baseball at Barren County High school.

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