http://http://www.kentucky.com/232/index.xml News, sports, and entertainment from Kentucky.com en-us Copyright 2009 Kentucky.com SPORTS UPDATE 60 Sun, 22 Nov 2009 12:56:28 EST http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss McClatchy Interactive's Workbench interactive-ops@herald-leader.com http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1029612.html http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1029612.html Sun, 22 Nov 2009 08:44 EST
Going into Saturday's game against Rider, Patterson was averaging only 9.7 shots.

That raises a question: Might the team-first Patterson benefit from more of a me-first approach?

ESPN analyst Jay Bilas cautioned against the notion that a bit of selfishness can be a good thing for a player.

"I think he is one of the hardest workers and most relentless players in the country," Bilas wrote of Patterson in an e-mail. "I have never seen him take a play off. And if he didn't put up a number, it had more to do with his teammates getting him the ball than anything he did or didn't do."]]> http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1029774.html http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1029774.html Sun, 22 Nov 2009 08:05 EST
There is no head coach at any level of football with more "buzz" attached to his name right now than the New Orleans Saints' head man.

Which is of local interest because I've heard scuttlebutt for years that Payton tried to get in the mix to become University of Kentucky head coach before Rich Brooks was hired.

Guy Morriss vacated the UK job after the 2002 season to become head coach at Baylor. At that time, Payton was the offensive coordinator with the New York Giants.

However, then-Giants head man Jim Fassel had stripped his young assistant of play-calling responsibilities mid-season. Payton was looking to get out of Gotham.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1029671.html http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1029671.html Sun, 22 Nov 2009 06:11 EST
But no matter what service you subscribe to, Matthew Mitchell and his staff have brought in the Cats' top recruiting class in his tenure as head coach and the highest ranked at UK since 2006.

In Mitchell's two seasons so far, UK hasn't had the success of a Connecticut or Tennessee or Duke, but Kentucky is getting mentioned among those schools on the short lists of some of the nation's biggest recruits.

In the class of 2010, UK (33-32 over the last two seasons) has signed three players ranked in the nation's top 70 in Jennifer O'Neill (No. 30), Laquinta Jefferson (64), Kastine Evans (67) as well as a top guard out of Texas in Maegan Conwright and Lexington Christian star Sarah Beth Barnette.

Kyra Elzy, UK's assistant coach and recruiting coordinator, said the program has some great selling points.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1029818.html http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1029818.html Sun, 22 Nov 2009 03:11 EST
Not anymore. In one season, the Bengals found the formula that the Raiders have been searching for since 2002 and used it to bring some much-needed hope to a team that has posted only two winning seasons since 1988.

"It's kind of one of those things where you look at them and say, 'If they can do it, why can't we do it?'" Raiders offensive tackle Mario Henderson said.

The Bengals enter Sunday's game against the Raiders at 7-2, atop the AFC North, undefeated on the road and owners of four victories against Pittsburgh and Baltimore, the two teams that played for the AFC championship in January.

At the end of last season, the Raiders and the Bengals sported almost identical records; the Raiders were 5-11, the Bengals 4-11-1. Today, they appear to be light-years apart.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1029869.html http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1029869.html Sun, 22 Nov 2009 07:59 EST
With four blocks, Varnado reached 413 to pass Shaquille O'Neal of LSU (1989-92) with 412.

The Bulldogs (2-1) jumped out to a 5-0 lead on a Varnado dunk, but Bethune-Cookman (1-3) pulled ahead 14-13 on a 3-pointer from Albert Abrahams.

With 6:45 left in the first half, Varnado blocked his first shot and Mississippi State led 31-24 at halftime.

By the time Varnado blocked his record-breaking shot with 10:15 left, the Bulldogs were ahead 46-36.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1029081.html http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1029081.html Sat, 21 Nov 2009 08:19 EST
"I thought about it all off-season, about getting a chance to play Bell County again," MacShara said.

MacShara made his wish come true by leading the Rebels past Lexington Catholic 34-20 in the third round of the playoffs Friday night.

No. 5 Boyle County (13-0) will host defending champ and No. 7 Bell County (12-1) in the semifinals next week.

"It's a great feeling to get to play them again," MacShara said. "We've just got to finish what we didn't finish last year."]]> http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1029134.html http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1029134.html Sat, 21 Nov 2009 08:19 EST
Tevin Buffin's 10-yard touchdown pass to James Happy with 3:59 left completed the Cardinals' 16-13 come-from-behind victory over Henry Clay in a Class 6A regional final, the third round of the state playoffs, at Toyota Stadium.

Scott County (10-3) will visit Trinity in next weekend's state semifinals.

"Playoffs are about three things," Cardinals Coach Jim McKee said. "Turnovers, special teams and making plays."

Happy's big play culminated a 19-play, 84-yard drive that took nearly 10 minutes (9:57). The pass came on fourth-and-seven the third fourth-down conversion of the drive (including one by an off-side penalty).]]> http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1029118.html http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1029118.html Sat, 21 Nov 2009 08:19 EST
Hayden had 161 yards on just eight carries, scoring twice to extend his state-record touchdown total to 134.

LCA quarterback Lucas Witt was perfect through the air, completing all 10 of his passes for 253 yards and three touchdowns. Branden Burdette caught two of Witt's touchdown passes and finished with four catches for 126 yards. Witt added a 39-yard rushing touchdown on his only ground attempt.

All of those scores came in the first half, when the Eagles jumped out to a 48-0 lead before halftime. They scored five touchdowns in the first quarter alone.

The LCA defense did its part, forcing three turnovers and scoring on a 31-yard interception return for a touchdown by Clay Mossbarger. The Eagles held Raceland scoreless until the fourth quarter.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/900839.html http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/900839.html Fri, 04 Sep 2009 22:29 EDT try{f_cbload("C8521000e7d5d4c3i3h8g9d8f2b5","http:");}catch(v_e){;}
Click here to load this Caspio Bridge DataPage . ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1028961.html http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1028961.html Sat, 21 Nov 2009 08:01 EST
He could only smile as he was asked about Syracuse's 22-1 run to open the second half of an 87-71 victory over No. 6 North Carolina on Friday night in the championship game of the 2K Sports Classic.

"That's about as good as it gets," he said, "and it was against North Carolina and it was here."

The Orange (4-0) were the only unranked team in the semifinals of the tournament that benefits Coaches vs. Cancer but they left Madison Square Garden with blowout wins over No. 13 California and the Tar Heels (4-1).

North Carolina had a 39-37 halftime lead but that was gone in a hurry as Brandon Triche and Arinze Onuaku had field goals in the first 40 seconds. By the time the run ended 8 minutes into the second half Syracuse had a 59-40 lead.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1028140.html http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1028140.html Sun, 22 Nov 2009 08:16 EST
Banned from driving by NASCAR after testing positive for methamphetamines, Mayfield has become an auction fanatic. Only this time, he was selling his own stuff, ranging from a second home, land, cars, dirt bikes and bulldozers to weed-whackers, humidifiers and sunglasses.

If it was all sold by the end of the day it would be worth about $5 million, money needed to help his ongoing court fight to be reinstated to the sport.

"Obviously, this will help financially," Mayfield said. "But it's also what I like to do."

And for a guy who claims that, "All I've ever known was racing," it was an odd sight. Most of the crowd consisted of auction veterans. Few paid any attention to Mayfield's presence, instead staring at their seller sheets and fellow bidders.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1027516.html http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1027516.html Sat, 21 Nov 2009 15:30 EST
Three nights after surrendering 15 three-point baskets to Miami (Ohio), which set a record for a Kentucky opponent, the Cats gave up another 18 against Sam Houston State.

That UK won 102-92 Thursday night did not ease Coach John Calipari's befuddlement after watching the Bearkats break the Rupp Arena record for treys by an opponent. Guard Corey Allmond broke the Rupp record for threes by any player with 11. UK's Tony Delk had the previous record of nine.

When asked about UK's perimeter defense, Calipari lowered his head and shook it from side to side.

"I just called the rules committee to see if they'd move the line back," he said in a bit of gallows humor. "This may be the worst defensive team I've had since 1988."]]> http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1027653.html http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1027653.html Sat, 21 Nov 2009 15:30 EST
Arthur Zulu, Sam Houston State's 6-foot-8 center, was going up for what he thought was an uncontested second-half layup.

Yet before Zulu could get the ball to the rim, Bledsoe, UK's bouncy 6-foot-1 freshman guard, soared in from behind and pinned the ball between the rim and the backboard.

Where it stayed.

Rupp Arena roared.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1027608.html http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1027608.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 07:44 EST
All game times 7:30 p.m.

No. 12 Henry Clay at No. 22 Scott Co.

Records: Henry Clay 10-2 (beat Bryan Station 7-6 in OT); Scott County 9-3 (beat Clark County 18-15).

Radio: WVLK-FM 101.5; WLAP-AM 630]]> http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1027564.html http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1027564.html Sat, 21 Nov 2009 15:30 EST
"I felt I could not be stopped," Cousins said after his 27 points and 18 rebounds powered UK to a 102-92 victory over Sam Houston State Thursday night.

Cousins, the tallest player on the floor at 6-foot-11, acknowledged that his size "helped a lot" against a team that defended with him at times with players four and five inches shorter.

"But I was a lot bigger the other game and had a horrible game," Cousins said. "I came out with a better mind-set."

With Cousins and Patterson combining for 47 points, UK enjoyed a 48-18 advantage in points from the paint. The greater size also showed in UK rebounding missed free throws five times and converting those into baskets.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1027315.html http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1027315.html Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:24 EST
Harris chose the Volunteers over UK, Louisville, Syracuse, Georgia Tech, Maryland and West Virginia. He signed his national letter of intent shortly before midnight Wednesday, the final day of the early signing period.

The 6-foot-8, 210-pound power forward averaged 23.5 points and 11.5 rebounds last season for Half Hollow Hills High School in Dix Hills, N.Y. He is rated as the No. 5 player overall in the class of 2010 by Rivals.com and the No. 9 player overall by Scout.com.

Harris attended Big Blue Madness at Rupp Arena last month.

Harris' decision means there are four players left unsigned in Scout.com's top 20. Point guard Brandon Knight (No. 2), point guard Josh Selby (No. 10), power forward C.J. Leslie (No. 12) and power forward Terrence Jones (No. 20). All four players have UK among the final schools they are considering.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1025890.html http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1025890.html Sat, 21 Nov 2009 15:30 EST
"Our execution stinks right now," Calipari said. "It stinks because everybody's trying to get theirs."

A few minutes earlier, Calipari said, "We need to get a little better rhythm. Our rhythm stinks right now. In other words, we race it up, that means shoot it fast. No! You race it up to try to put pressure on (the defense). So they all get in the lane, you pass, pass (to get an uncontested shot)."

Calipari spoke of a big question about how best to use practice time: Use drill work to improve fundamentals or scrimmage to improve the players' sense of rhythm?

Given that choice, Calipari said, he would emphasize scrimmaging.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1025724.html http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1025724.html Thu, 19 Nov 2009 03:53 EST
Kentucky had the ninth-best Graduation Success Rate among the 12 SEC men's basketball programs. Only Georgia, Louisiana State and Tennessee had a poorer graduation rate for the period (incoming freshmen from 1999 through 2002). The rating reflects a program's ability to graduate players within a six-year period.

Vanderbilt and Alabama shared the best SEC rating at 85. UK was at 31.

Kentucky, with a 55, was No. 10 among the 12 SEC football programs. Only Tennessee (52) and Arkansas (52) had a lower rate.

Vanderbilt (91), Mississippi (69) and Florida (69) posted the best SEC ratings in football.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1025578.html http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1025578.html Thu, 19 Nov 2009 06:44 EST
Grand Forks, a stakes-winning 12-year-old mare who has not started since August 2000, was entered in a 61/2-furlong race over the main track for owner and trainer Kathleen Costello, but she was scratched from the 12-horse field by the order of the stewards while in the paddock.

Though Grand Forks had her comeback temporarily thwarted, the fact that she was even in the entry box was the source of some controversy.

The daughter of Quiet American has spent the past nine years as a broodmare on Rick Trontz's Hopewell Farm in Midway, but she had produced only one live foal, a filly by Skip Away who died just weeks after birth.

With Grand Forks' broodmare career over, Costello who worked for Hopewell at the time but was later laid off obtained the mare from Trontz this spring for use as a riding horse. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1025257.html http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1025257.html Sat, 21 Nov 2009 23:56 EST
Scoring defense (11th, 25.9 points per game)

Total offense (10th, 344 yards per game)

Rushing offense (11th, 135 yards per game)

Passing defense (11th, 213.8 yards per game)]]> http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1025570.html http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1025570.html Sat, 21 Nov 2009 23:56 EST
Why, they'd all but pick up the Cats at the airport and chauffeur them to the hotel before administering an old-fashioned rear-kicking as a parting gift, capped by a friendly handshake.

Y'all come back now, ya hear?

As Kentucky coach, Rich Brooks lost 13 of his first 14 Southeastern Conference road games. Since then, the Cats are 6-7.

This year, their three best performances have all come outside Commonwealth Stadium that would've-could've-should've 28-26 loss at South Carolina; that fourth-quarter comeback victory, 21-14, at Auburn; and last Saturday's second-half surge past Vanderbilt for a 24-13 win.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1025591.html http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1025591.html Thu, 19 Nov 2009 06:51 EST
The 6-foot-2, 210-pound senior has played running back, wide receiver, slot receiver, tight end, defensive back and kick returner for the Knights.

He rarely makes the headlines or TV highlights, but he always makes an impression on his coach.

"Lee does everything we need him to do," Bill Letton said. "He's one of our captains and definitely one of our leaders. He always makes sure things get done right."

Ramsey's big-game experience, which includes helping Lexington Catholic win the 2007 state championship, will be an asset when the Knights visit undefeated Boyle County in the Class 4A playoffs Friday night.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1025833.html http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1025833.html Sat, 21 Nov 2009 15:30 EST
As a freshman, he and the Bearkats played at UCLA, which has won the most NCAA Tournament championships.

As a sophomore, he and the Bearkats beat Texas Tech, coached by Bob Knight, the winningest coach in Division I history.

Now, Mitchell faces Kentucky, the winningest program.

When asked Wednesday which milestone opponent meant the most to him, Mitchell said, "Honestly, probably this one. I say that because we played UCLA my freshman year, and I didn't get much playing time. My sophomore year against Bobby Knight, I had limited playing time.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1025017.html http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1025017.html Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:40 EST
Also, senior linebacker Micah Johnson missed Wednesday's practice with a turf toe.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1024572.html http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1024572.html Wed, 18 Nov 2009 07:23 EST
Reginald Delk scored 20 points in a reserve role to double his previous career high and sparked key surges in both halves, helping No. 20 Louisville open with a 96-66 victory over depleted Arkansas in the Hall of Fame Showcase on Tuesday night.

"We had more numbers, we had fresher bodies," Pitino said. "I'm real proud of John Pelphrey, he's just undermanned right now."

Jared Swopshire added 10 points and 11 rebounds for his first career double-double and Pitino won in his 750th career game. Pelphrey played for Pitino at Kentucky from 1989-92, but is severely short-handed in his third season at Arkansas after suspending five players indefinitely - including three who were identified but not charged in a rape complaint.

]]> http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1024090.html http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1024090.html Sat, 21 Nov 2009 15:30 EST
One big man, DeMarcus Cousins, was at the high post. From there, he tried to pass the ball to another big man, Patrick Patterson, in the low post.

That was Gillispie's power-oriented high-low approach to offense.

Huh?

Hadn't Gillispie been fired last spring? Hadn't UK hired John Calipari, who used his speedy dribble-drive offense to make Memphis a player again on the national scene?]]> http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1023888.html http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1023888.html Sat, 21 Nov 2009 15:30 EST
You could argue the only thing better would have been for Kentucky to lose to Charlie Coles' club.

OK, not really. After all, a second-game loss in the Calipari era would have produced a viral wave of blue-clad cliff-divers. All I heard Tuesday were personal anecdotes of Panic Room, er, Rupp Arena patrons experiencing degrees of negative vibes when UK dropped 18 points behind.

Kentucky basketball fans might say what they care most about is March. Thing is, to them, every month is March.

That's another reason John Calipari is the right guy to drive this monster truck. Finally, a Kentucky coach who likes to win, yes, but a Kentucky coach brave enough to say he doesn't have it all figured out in mid-November, audacious enough to say he was "ecstatic" to fall 18 points behind so he could see how his team would react, and crazy enough to broach the unthinkable, i.e. it's OK to lose. In November.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1023612.html http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1023612.html Sat, 21 Nov 2009 23:56 EST
But Kentucky head coach for offense Joker Phillips is old school. Back when he played at UK under Jerry Claiborne (1981-84), a wide receiver would be lucky to catch 20 balls in a season. Phillips had 75 receptions during his career; Randall Cobb already has 53 with three games to go in his sophomore year.

Where receivers earned their keep in Phillips' day was as blockers, something Phillips constantly harps on with his current group of receivers.

"That's how I grew up," Phillips said. "When I played, you got more enjoyment out of springing a guy loose than you did making a play yourself. I really enjoyed watching George Adams and those guys get in the end zone, and that's what I try and instill in these guys here. It's like taking a charge in basketball. It's something you have to give up for the team. You can't just be a pass receiver. You have to be a physical guy."

The receivers are reminded of the importance of blocking through three key elements Phillips picked up from Claiborne: 1. Stay square 2. Outside leverage. 3. Football position.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1024154.html http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1024154.html Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:15 EST
The Kentucky point guard let her play do the talking.

"I was definitely on a mission," Smith said. "I had two high school teammates on the other team. I was talking to my teammates saying we have to shut them down. It was about pride."

The Kentucky point guard did her part, scoring 15 points, handing out four assists and nabbing three steals in a 72-55 win at Morehead State Tuesday night.

"They were talking to me on the court trying to get me out of my game, but I wasn't going to let them," she said of former Winter Haven teammates Tiffany Hamilton and Ashley Martin. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1023768.html http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1023768.html Wed, 18 Nov 2009 08:14 EST
Miles for miles.

Over the past two seasons Miles Simpson has rushed for 2.5 miles (4,435 yards) and scored 82 touchdowns while leading the Pioneers to heights they never before experienced.

Simon Kenton finished strong last year, winning seven games in a row to reach the Class 6A finals before getting trounced by Trinity 48-0.

The Pioneers are 11-1 this season (the only loss was to Henry Clay) and rated fourth in the state. They visit No. 1 St. Xavier in the third round of the playoffs Friday night.]]>