News sports 2008-08-16 Andanh.com

WKU football: Finding a balance Fri, 15 Aug 2008 21:19:59 -0500
David Elson’s exact words following last year’s season-ending defeat at North Texas: Sometimes you get what you deserve. Elson was referring to the Hilltoppers’ sloppy effort, which resulted in a season-high 11 penalties - including several personal fouls for excessive celebration. As if blowing a first-half lead and losing by one point weren’t bad enough - against a future Sun Belt Conference opponent, no less - WKU threw in a postgame, on-field altercation with the Mean Green for good measure. This fall, though, Elson has shown little patience for such behavior. Even less for excessive celebration. Motivated by last season’s mess at North Texas, as well as a new NCAA crackdown on personal fouls and excessive celebration penalties, Elson has stopped practice multiple times this fall. His message resonates through Houchens-Smith Stadium: Celebrate with your team, and your team only. “That’s something quite honestly that’s going to be an emphasis across college football this year,” Elson said. “We want our guys to play with a lot of emotion, play with passion, but just understand that when you go to celebrate, you’ve got to do it with your teammates and not draw attention to yourself.” Drawing attention was exactly what happened in Denton, Texas, in November. The defense was flagged for an organized team celebration after returning an interception for a touchdown near the end of the first half. Once North Texas’ comeback was complete, the Mean Green gathered at midfield and recreated the celebration, sparking the postgame altercation. Elson said the Hilltoppers have moved on from the incident, but not until they learned from it. “We talked about it across the board after last season and in the offseason and it’s behind us and everything, but it’s still always going to be there in the back of your mind,” Elson said. “But bottom line is, we have to learn from it, and we want them to make plays and we want them to celebrate, but we’ve got to do it the right way and we’re really harping on that.” The players have noticed the coaching staff’s focus on discipline, and the Toppers agree that keeping emotions in check is a priority - no matter how hard it might be. “We learned that lesson last season at North Texas, and (Elson) has been preaching it,” sophomore quarterback K.J. Black said. “Celebrate with the team and not by yourselves, and try to be more disciplined when it comes to things like that.” Still, WKU must find a balance between natural, acceptable excitement and going overboard. “It’s been a challenge, I even catch myself before I do some things here and there,” Black said. “We have good leadership, though, and we’ve had guys step up and make sure guys don’t get out of hand. “It’s difficult. I’m an emotional guy and I want to be out there having fun, but I have to make sure that I don’t go overboard and set a bad example for someone else to do the same.” When wins and losses can sometimes come down to a matter of yards, limiting unnecessary penalties is paramount. “It’s been focused on a lot, partly because the NCAA has said it’s going to be a lot more strict than it has been in the past and in the offseason some of the officials got a little ripped for letting certain things happen,” junior linebacker Blake Boyd said. “And then last year at North Texas we got the penalty for excessive celebration, and we don’t want that to happen again this year because it could have an effect on a major game. “We only lost that game by a point, and that could make a difference right there.” Elson said learning to harness emotions is a simple fact of life, and he’s made it clear that those Hilltoppers who don’t find the balance, won’t find the field. “You have to know that fine line and where to draw it,” Elson said. “And the thing is, in anything you do, if the intention is to celebrate with your teammates, then there’s no problem. “They’re getting it, and sometimes we want them out here being more emotional. But it’s just a learning process and I think you need to reteach it every year with your team and never assume that they know some of these things.”

Prep soccer: Purples aiming high yet again Fri, 15 Aug 2008 21:20:00 -0500
With three straight Region 4 titles - and a state championship in 2006 - the Bowling Green boys’ soccer team has established itself as the team to beat in southcentral Kentucky. Last year, Bowling Green overcame the loss of a senior-laden class to advance to the state semifinals for the third straight season, finishing with an impressive 19-5-2 record. This year’s team returns almost a dozen seniors who will be leaned upon to ease the burden of graduation and preseason injuries. “We have a lot of experience, but it’s not experience that is on the field,” BG coach Craig Widener said. “These kids have been playing behind other kids most of the time they’ve been here. We’re anxious to see who will step up and how they will act in the spotlight.” BG’s biggest loss will be on offense, where the Purples must replace two of their top scorers and one of their top assist men. Senior Omar Anaya, who scored nine goals last season, senior Ed Maldanado, who missed last season with an injury, and three-year starter Austin Greer will all be expected to contribute. The Purples also have to overcome the loss - for perhaps much of the season - of senior keeper Cody Russell. The three-year starter broke both bones in his leg during a club game, and Widener said he hopes to have Russell back by at least the postseason. Without Russell, the Purples will lean on sophomore Charles Carpenter. “He’s done a great job,” Widener said. “It’s probably best for him and our team overall to have him get that experience.” Bowling Green will also be without Uriel Vargas, who was injured while driving in Mexico during the summer and is undergoing rehab in Chicago. The Purples have set up fundraisers to aid Vargas’ family and are hoping to have a “Uriel Vargas Night” at a home game sometime this season. BG has also retired Vargas’ No. 24 until he is ready to return. Injuries and graduation have left the Purples with plenty of questions, but Widener said he thinks his team is ready for another tough challenge in the district and the region. “Our district and region get stronger every single year,” Widener said. “We’ve got more kids playing on their own in the offseason and when they show up to play they are in great shape. I think as time goes on it is going to get tougher and tougher to win games in the district and region.” Greenwood (17-5-2) The Gators were nearly perfect in region play last year, but lost three of four games to Bowling Green, including the district and region championship games. Greenwood returns 13 seniors but still must find midfielders to replace a senior class that included Austin Reed and Mark Lacy. “It’s a chance for other people to step up,” Greenwood coach Scott Gural said. “So far, so good, but we still have a long way to go.” The offense and defense is pretty much set with seniors Josh Settle and Sean McCarney up front and senior keeper Eric Bowers anchoring the defense. The returning class is cause for high expectations at Greenwood, but Gural knows that ultimately his team’s legacy will be determined in the postseason. “The problem is you have to get out of your own back yard,” Gural said. “Until we can prove that we can beat them when it counts, Bowling Green is still the team to beat. That is a big monkey to toss.” Warren Central (12-5) The Dragons look to build on last season with first-year head coach Kyle Alford, who coached at Moss Middle School the last two years. Alford, who replaces Janko Emedi, said there has been growing pains, but he likes the strides his team has made in the preseason. “There has been quite a bit of adjustment on both sides,” Alford said. “The freshmen and sophomores played for me at Moss, so they were used to me. The juniors and seniors - it took some getting used to.” Alford will have senior keeper Mirel Hasanovic to anchor the defense. Senior Mirsad Nuhanovic also will provide experience. Warren Central will rely on a pair of freshmen - Evan Breakfield and Joseph Reyes - who Alford worked with at Moss. Alford said he likes his mix of players and believes there is no reason why the Dragons can’t build on last season’s success. “I think we are a really talented team,” Alford said. “We are slowly coming together. The team is practicing real well. I think we have a good chance of competing with all the teams around here this season.” Warren East (2-10-2) Expectations are also high for the Raiders, who hope to improve under second-year coach Michael Weidman. “We started to get on the right track last year,” Weidman said. “They’ve grown a lot in the offseason and taken leaps and bounds as far as the talent is concerned. I’ve got pretty good expectations for this year. I think we are going to surprise some people.” Senior captain Tyler Ghee and Manuel Ortiz will be asked to provide leadership, while the Raiders will look to freshman Diego Ortiz to replace Joe Lowe at keeper. “He’s got great reaction to the ball,” Weidman said. “He still has some learning to do, but as far as goal-keeping ability he is insane for a ninth grader.” Warren East will play this season with heavy hearts after assistant coach Josh Martin was killed in a motorcycle accident in June. The Raiders have dedicated the season to Martin. A pregame ceremony will honor the late coach prior to Tuesday’s opener against Warren Central.

Prep soccer: BGHS has new lineup, same goals Fri, 15 Aug 2008 21:20:00 -0500
The faces might have changed, but the goals haven’t. The Bowling Green girls’ soccer team has won back-to-back Region 4 championships, but it will have a largely new starting lineup as it pursues a third regional crown. Bowling Green lost eight seniors from last year’s 20-3-1 team, which lost in the state quarterfinals to Marshall County. But that doesn’t diminish the Lady Purples’ aspirations. “Our goal is to always get to the state tournament,” said BGHS coach Lisa Correa. “We want to set it high. I think anybody has the ability to get there. But how much work (are you going to put in) and how bad do you want it? And sometimes you need a little luck along the way as well.” Still, Correa admits Bowling Green will probably endure some growing pains. “It’s going to be a learning process this season,” Correa said. “Hopefully we can get our team on the same page, but it’s going to have to be a work in progress right now.” It’s not a completely new lineup for the Lady Purples. Senior forwards Jane Embry Watts and Shannon Kelley return, as does midfielder Emily Gott. Senior Kara Higdon is the Lady Purples’ lone returning defender. “I think we have the ability to score. We’re just going to have to work in the back a lot, to get it organized,” Correa said. “We’ve got a lot of new players back there.” As always, Greenwood - the other power in the area - is expected to be a serious contender. Before BGHS won two straight region titles in 2006-07, the Lady Gators made five consecutive Final Four trips from 2001-05. Greenwood went 17-6-1 last year and returns eight starters from that squad. Defenders include Lauren Lamb, Heather Price and Sara Bolster. The midfield should be anchored by Krista Carter, Chelsey Halter, Whitney Young and Angelina Jones. Kaitlyn Thomason and Ariel Jones highlight the front. Greenwood also has special motivation for a successful season: This is Amy Helliwell’s final season with the Lady Gators. Following the year, she’ll join her husband Sean in Terre Haute, Ind., after Sean Helliwell was recently named head coach at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. “My motivation, and I would like to think that it’s some of the girls’ motivation, is this is my last year,” Helliwell said. “I know I just want to go as far as we can just simply because I’d like to go out on a winning streak.” Helliwell said her swan song will make the season feel different. “It’s sad, then at the same time it gives me more of a purpose,” Helliwell said. “I don’t have another year. It’s like I told the girls on the first day of practice - I’m a senior. This is my last opportunity and I’d like to get it done.” If it weren’t for Greenwood and Bowling Green, Warren Central would have been a region championship contender over the last two years. Central has amassed a 26-6-3 record over the last two years, but all six losses have been to either Greenwood or Bowling Green. Central has graduated 14 seniors over the past two seasons, but has only one senior this year after going 14-3-2 last season. “We’re going to be real young, but there’s a lot of talent in those young kids,” Central coach Sam Flener said. “We’re excited to see what they can do.” Central does return junior Kelsey Burnette, who had a team-best 26 goals and 11 assists last year. “I think she is one of the top players in the region,” Flener said. “I think strength-wise, it is from the middle of the field up (for us). It seems we have more experience on the offensive end than we do the defensive end. The defense will be young, so we get to watch them develop this year.” Also returning for Warren Central is Chelsee Breakfield, Edith Guzman, Deanna Petty and goalkeeper Amber Carter. Warren East is hoping to make strides this year following a 2-13-1 campaign. East should be strong in the net with goalkeeper Mailey Young. Sweeper Hillary Jenkins also returns. “This is the same core group of girls we had last year and we’ve been able to add a few athletic freshmen into the mix,” East coach David Embry said. “While their soccer knowledge isn’t that of some of our more veteran players, they certainly do have the physical ability to compete on the soccer field. Once they learn the system and what their role is, I expect us to be a bit more competitive this year.”

Despite tossing no-hitter, Jeff Little Leaguers lose Sat, 16 Aug 2008 12:59:00 EST
"That stings a little bit," said Indiana manager Derek Ellis, Drew's father. Ellis struck out 10 and walked three for Indiana (0-1). Click here for complete Little League World Series coverage

Phelps wins 100m butterfly by 0.01 seconds Sat, 16 Aug 2008 03:38:00 EST
There was no way, given how much ground Michael Phelps had to make up and how the pool was slipping away from him. But over a beautiful, stunning final 25 meters, Phelps -- the 23-year-old American who simply can't lose -- tracked down Serbia's Milorad Cavic today (last night EDT).

Now Bush is making his own breaks Sat, 16 Aug 2008 01:54:00 EST
The worst feeling I ever had on a football field was watching Michael Bush waving to the crowd at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium after his right leg was broken in the opener of his senior season against Kentucky.

UK's Hartline has chance to lead Sat, 16 Aug 2008 03:34:00 EST
Since Curtis Pulley was dismissed for violating team rules, Mike Hartline has taken center stage. "You don't go around saying, 'I'm important,' " he said, "but you have to know that you are." Gallery: UK football team practice Cards: Wolfe, Simms in battle Hoosiers: Dedmond placed at slot receiver

Wolfe, Simms in battle for No. 2 Sat, 16 Aug 2008 02:16:00 EST
University of Louisville quarterback Hunter Cantwell was like a security blanket the past two seasons as Brian Brohm's backup. Now that Cantwell is the starter, can Tyler Wolfe or Matt Simms provide the same comfort?

U.S. shot putters go thud Sat, 16 Aug 2008 02:16:00 EST
The first U.S. medal winner at the Olympic track and field competition, the shot putter who claimed a silver medal, greeted reporters yesterday by sticking out his tongue and blowing to make a very impolite sound. Then Christian Cantwell tried to sum up his feelings about an unexpectedly poor U.S. showing in the event.

IU puts Dedmond at slot receiver Sat, 16 Aug 2008 02:16:00 EST
Max Dedmond said he's always idolized Indianapolis Colts tight end Dallas Clark. Now the Indiana University redshirt freshman may get to assume a similar role for the Hoosiers. The 6-foot-5, 240-pound target from Evansville Central is being used as a slot receiver in the offense and drawing comparisons to Clark.

Ross snubs UK, joins Rangers Sat, 16 Aug 2008 01:42:00 EST
Hours before the deadline to sign this year's amateur draft picks, the Texas Rangers and second-round selection Robbie Ross agreed last night to a minor league contract with a $1,575,000 signing bonus.

Ochoa up by 2 in Canadian Open Sat, 16 Aug 2008 01:43:00 EST
Defending champion Lorena Ochoa shot a 4-under-par 68 yesterday to take a two-stroke lead during the suspended second round of the Canadian Women's Open, while Michelle Wie's 70 put her in position to make the cut.

Bats beat Columbus; magic number 6 Sat, 16 Aug 2008 01:41:00 EST
Danny Richar launched a three-run homer in the seventh inning -- his first with the Bats -- as Louisville beat the Columbus Clippers 3-0 last night for its fifth straight win.

Equine panel OKs steroid ban Fri, 15 Aug 2008 02:48:00 EST
The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission will consider a rule later this month to effectively ban anabolic steroids in thoroughbred and standardbred racing.

Fancy Fusaichi leads Gardenia field Fri, 15 Aug 2008 03:55:00 EST
Louisville-based Fancy Fusaichi will head tomorrow's $150,000, Grade III Gardenia Stakes for fillies and mares at Ellis Park.

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:

Webb cruises to 18th
Brandon Webb struck out six in eight sharp innings, Chris Snyder drove in four runs and the Arizona Diamondbacks snapped Houston Astros' eight-game winning streak with a 12-2 victory Friday night.

0816: Mark Maynard: Not much talk about UK-U of L

Successful opener
North Laurel opened their 2008 volleyball season with a sweep over visiting Middlesboro.

Despite young age, Allen brigns experience to South Laurel volleyball
Breanna Allen comes to South Laurel from Texas, where she has already been playing volleyball for many years.

Barren, Metcalfe, Monroe scrimmage
Barren County, Metcalfe County and Monroe County each scrimmaged for the first time on Friday night.

Running game big for Scotties
Running game big for Scotties. The Scotties scrimmaged Edmonson County, Clinton County and Logan County in 50-minute increments in their first of two scrimmages to begin the season.

Soccer teams kick off season Monday
Fall sports continue to kick into high gear as area soccer teams open their seasons this week.

Serving key for Lady Scotties in win
Serving saved the day for Glasgow.

Football scrimmages begin tonight
Although the start of football season is still two weeks away, it unofficially begins tonight for four area teams.

LOCAL SPORTS BRIEFS
Glasgow’s Bulle ties for 10th at Kentucky OpenGYS football sign ups run through Tuesday

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