High school roundball fans . . . ‘that’s all folks’

The Ryle Lady Raiders, champions of the 9th Region, were the last team standing Sunday afternoon in Rupp Arena when this 2018-19 basketball season came to an end.

In a convincing 63-48 win over 12th Region Champions Southwestern, the Lady Raiders claimed ownership of the 2019 KHSAA Sweet 16 Championship trophy and of course, the accompanying banner that goes with it and is often more prominently displayed.

I’ll admit, it wasn’t the way I thought it would go, and at first, I thought Ryle was out of one of the Louisville Regions and had to search the school out after it began its run through the Sweet 16. (Region 9, think northern Kentucky).

Our 4th Region representative, the Trojanettes of Barren County, were respectable, picking up a first round win over Pikeville, before falling to 7th Region Male in the quarter-final round.

So, Ryle headed home with its new collection of hardware in tow, and an impressive 33-5 record for the season, and an experience of having played in the last basketball game of the season.

Now, spring and summer is ahead and, at least for a few weeks, the legion of hard-core high school basketball fans, of which I’m admittedly a member, will not be thinking so much about high school hoops.

There is lots of baseball, softball and golf ahead before we head back into gym.

Still, it was a fun year, both local and on the tournament run, and here’s hoping we can do it all again for 2019-20.

Of course still ahead is the NCAA run, and as I write this week’s musings, there are four teams from Kentucky in the brackets which should give fans from this great basketball Commonwealth of Kentucky plenty to cheer about for the next couple of weeks.

Spring Sports Preview

Longer days and milder afternoons bring on spring sports and without delay, things are already underway on the local high school level.

With that in mind, this week we bring you our annual look at the teams, players and coaches who will be wearing the blue and white C.C.H.S. uniforms for the spring athletic programs, softball, baseball, tennis and archery.

Look it over, check out the articles, study the photos and get to know these youngsters who will be representing our county this spring – and get out to support them. These athletes need to know their county supports their efforts.

Good luck!

Blue gets a Lady Bat Dawg bath

Another sure sign of the arrival of spring is the appearance of the Clinton County Softball Lady Bat Dawg Car Wash.

I stopped by Saturday at the Advance Auto location and let the CCHS Lady Bat Dawgs give “Old Blue” a good scrubbing down. They did a great job, and if it could, I think “Blue” would have been grinning as I pulled away. I do know his shine is a lot brighter.

I’m in the Sports Room (watching NCAA), don’t call me until April!