http://www.kentucky.com/269/index.xml News, sports, and entertainment from Kentucky.com en-us Copyright 2008 Kentucky.com Sports Lead 60 Wed, 20 Aug 2008 04:54:47 EDT http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss McClatchy Interactive's Workbench webmaster@kentucky.com http://www.kentucky.com/269/story/382293.html http://www.kentucky.com/269/story/382293.html Mon, 21 Apr 2008 02:05 EDT
Sterwins, winning the $150,000 Grade III Ben Ali Stakes for Pierce and owner Eugene Melnyk, actually was completing the Pierce weekend exacta: the Ben Ali Stakes Sunday and the Giant's Causeway Stakes with Danceroftherealm on Saturday.

Sterwins paid $28.80, coming from last to win the 11/8-mile race on the Polytrack.

With Shaun Bridgmohan riding, Sterwins blew past the favorite, Go Between, in the stretch to defeat the latter by 31/4 lengths, Sir Whimsey following in third place in the field of six.

It wasn't the biggest race that Melnyk Racing Stables has won, for among the Canadian operation's credits has been the Breeders' Cup Sprint with Speightstown. Yet the Ben Ali was significant because the race revealed a new dimension for Sterwins.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/269/story/368183.html http://www.kentucky.com/269/story/368183.html Sun, 06 Apr 2008 05:52 EDT
The Jayhawks left their old coach in the dust Saturday night, getting 25 points and seven rebounds from Brandon Rush to stave off a ferocious comeback by North Carolina for an 84-66 victory in the national semifinals.

Trailing 40-12 late in the first half, Tyler Hansbrough, Wayne Ellington and the Tar Heels made a valiant rally, getting to within five points with nine minutes left, but ran out of steam in their effort to pull off the biggest Final Four comeback ever.

“I've never been so embarrassed in my life,” said Tar Heel guard Marcus Ginyard.

Now, the Jayhawks will play Memphis, an earlier 78-63 winner over UCLA, in Monday's title game.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/269/story/363129.html http://www.kentucky.com/269/story/363129.html Thu, 10 Apr 2008 12:29 EDT
“There was a big age difference,” Gillispie said on Tuesday. “I was wondering why they were such good friends.

“A very short time later, I wanted to spend all my time around Mr. Keightley. It didn't take long to figure out he can change your life. …

“He's gone. But his spirit is going to live forever.”

Keightley, 81, died on Monday while making his annual trip to Cincinnati to watch the Reds play their opening game of the baseball season. He fell, which required a trip to the University of Cincinnati hospital. Internal bleeding resulting from a previously undiagnosed tumor caused his death, a hospital spokesman said.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/269/story/362648.html http://www.kentucky.com/269/story/362648.html Thu, 10 Apr 2008 12:26 EDT
He died after falling while on an annual trip to watch the Cincinnati Reds' opening game of the baseball season. Internal bleeding, which doctors traced to an undiagnosed cancerous tumor on his spine, caused his death.

To say Mr. Keightley worked in the program's equipment room since 1962 barely begins to tell the story of his influence. As the news of his death spread, he was called a father figure to generations of players, confidant and companion to coaches, the “spirit of the program” and a beloved ambassador for UK.

“He is Kentucky basketball,” said former UK star Rex Chapman.

Marta McMackin, who left the program last year after working as an administrative assistant in the coaches' offices since the late 1970s, noted how Mr. Keightley's death permanently alters Kentucky basketball.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/269/story/362746.html http://www.kentucky.com/269/story/362746.html Thu, 10 Apr 2008 12:29 EDT
I was scrambling to leave the state high school basketball tournament to get back to the office when I ran into a familiar face behind Rupp Arena.

Bill Keightley's eyes were filled with tears.

His title may have been UK men's basketball equipment manager. His nickname may have been “Mr. Wildcat.”

What Bill Keightley really represented was the heart of University of Kentucky basketball.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/269/story/362054.html http://www.kentucky.com/269/story/362054.html Mon, 31 Mar 2008 07:56 EDT

GETTING THERE


After an easy opening-round win over Mississippi Valley State, UCLA wasn't very impressive until dismantling Xavier in the West Regional final to advance to the Final Four for the third straight year. The Bruins beat Texas A&M in the second round in yet another game where they benefited from a controversial officiating decision, as they did in a couple of key games at the end of the regular season. Then they lost all but four points of a 21-point halftime lead in the win over Western Kentucky.


Memphis had a close win in the second round over Mississippi State but otherwise the Tigers have been as dominant as a one-loss team should be.


THE COACHES
]]> http://www.kentucky.com/269/story/362046.html http://www.kentucky.com/269/story/362046.html Mon, 31 Mar 2008 07:43 EDT
Home runs never defined Ken Griffey Jr.


The backward cap. The can-you-believe-it smile. The Gold Glove that turned flyballs into mesmerizing outs. The arm that made runners think twice. He's always been much more than that sweet swing.


Now that he's on the verge of a very powerful number, nothing has changed.


The Cincinnati Reds 38-year-old outfielder opens the season Monday only seven homers shy of 600. The countdown started late last season, and will occupy fans for the first few weeks of the new one.
]]> http://www.kentucky.com/269/story/359258.html http://www.kentucky.com/269/story/359258.html Fri, 28 Mar 2008 08:07 EDT
In the semifinals of the West Region against UCLA, Western overcame a miserable first half and a 21-point deficit to nearly pull off a stunning upset at U.S. Airways Center.

“We're really proud of our guys to battle back the way they did,” WKU Coach Darrin Horn said. “This group has shown great character and toughness all year long.”

Tyrone Brazelton scored 12 straight as part of an 20-7 Hilltoppers run that got them within four points with 5:39 left in the game, but that was as close as they could get.

“We had nothing to lose,” Brazelton said afterward, after he scored 25 of his game-high 31 points in the second half.
The Toppers succeeded in scaring the top-seeded Bruins, Coach Ben Howland said.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/269/story/359252.html http://www.kentucky.com/269/story/359252.html Sat, 29 Mar 2008 08:11 EDT
But the Cards dominated the Vols on both ends of the floor and posted a 79-60 win last night at Charlotte Bobcats Arena.
The win put the Cards (27-8) one step away from the Final Four. They now face overall No. 1 seed North Carolina (35-2) on Saturday for a trip to the national semifinals next weekend in San Antonio. The Tar Heels advanced in the opener with an easy 68-47 win over Washington State.

After struggling with turnovers in the first half, Louisville settled down in the second and finished 52 percent from the field. The Cardinals also controlled the boards against the smaller Vols, winning the rebounding battle 43-28.

Louisville's stifling defense held Tennessee to 33.9 percent shooting from the field.

“The last three games our offense and defense have been all clicking,” U of L Coach Rick Pitino said. “Our defense has stayed constant most of the year. Guys prepared hard for a week, and we told our team this game was going to be won on the backboards.”]]> http://www.kentucky.com/269/story/354877.html http://www.kentucky.com/269/story/354877.html Tue, 10 Jun 2008 17:11 EDT
With the 91st National City Boys' State Tournament on the line, Mason County turned to its leader.


Darius Miller, the 6-foot-7 University of Kentucky signee, didn't let his teammates down.


Scoring 19 of his 24 points in the second half Saturday night, Miller carried the Royals to a 57-48 victory over Holmes, cheered by a Rupp Arena crowd of 17,663 that included Miller's future coach, Billy Gillispie.


“It feels great,” said Miller, who turned 18 a day earlier. “We dreamed about this since we were little. We've played with each other since the fourth grade. This is a fabulous feeling. I've never felt anything like this.”
]]> http://www.kentucky.com/269/story/338259.html http://www.kentucky.com/269/story/338259.html Thu, 06 Mar 2008 06:15 EST
“I was really surprised he missed that 42-foot shot,” UK Coach Billy Gillispie said before adding, “I know they were trying to contest it. That says something about his performance when you're trying to contest a shot from that deep.”

It said Crawford was on his way to a career-high 35 points.

Fellow senior Ramel Bradley was so clutch that when South Carolina erased much of Kentucky's 16-point second-half lead, he launched a three-pointer that bounced high off the rim and then settled nicely in the basket.

“Shooter's bounce,” he said with his trademark smile, “and to make sure, a little bit of the basketball gods.”]]> http://www.kentucky.com/269/story/333161.html http://www.kentucky.com/269/story/333161.html Wed, 23 Apr 2008 15:36 EDT
“Joe's face dropped,” Patterson said of teammate Joe Crawford. “He goes, like, ‘Stop playing, it's not April Fool's yet.'”

It was no joke. An X-ray of Patterson's sore left ankle earlier Friday revealed a stress fracture of the medial malleolus bone. UK's star freshman will not play again this season.

On the plus side, the diagnosis prevented Patterson from risking a more serious injury by continuing to play. “If you continue to play, it'll tear all the way through,” Patterson said of the medical options he received. “It'll be 20 times worse than it is now. There were no other options. If I played, the likelihood of playing next year is not good.”

Further good news: There apparently will be a next year for Patterson at UK. He repeated his commitment to returning to the team next season rather than entering this year's NBA Draft.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/269/story/331375.html http://www.kentucky.com/269/story/331375.html Thu, 28 Feb 2008 06:14 EST
“I'm really happy,” UK basketball's leading man intoned. “I'm really excited.”

Later in his post-game performance, Gillispie reminded the skeptical audience, “Guys, we won. ... We'll take them any way we can get them. ... I'd have taken a four-point win before the game. I'm glad to have it now.”

Methinks he doth protest too much.

Off stage, Gillispie showed he could play multiple roles. Before press conference Pleasantville came Inherit the Whirlwind.]]>