Posted on Tue, Apr. 22, 2008

BASKETBALL

University Heights' Hopson player of year

AP'S TOP COACHES FROM BRYAN STATION, DUNBAR

ASSOCIATED PRESS

LOUISVILLE --

Randy McCoy just finished his first season as head coach at Class A University Heights Academy in Hopkinsville after stops at Pikeville College and Morehead State.

Sometimes, the teams were pretty good. But none of them had Scotty Hopson, the Associated Press's Kentucky Boys High School Player of the Year. Champ Ligon of Bryan Station is Coach of the Year; Monique Reid of Fern Creek is girls' player of the year; and Michael Sowers of Paul Dunbar is girls' Coach of the Year.

"I've coached a lot of people in 30 years, a lot of good players," McCoy said. "And he's right at the top of the list."

Hopson can just add that to the pile of accolades he's received, including McDonald's and Parade All-American. But, McCoy said, all that success hasn't gone to Hopson's head.

"He's just a tremendous kid, a respectful kid," he said.

The 6-foot-6 guard averaged 24 points and 11 rebounds this past season, helping lead the Blazers to a 30-5 record and the All A Classic championship, generally regarded as the state championship for small schools. University Heights was eliminated in the first round of the Sweet 16 by Lexington Catholic.

Other players receiving votes for Player of the Year were Shelvin Mack of Bryan Station and Darius Miller of state champion Mason County.

Like University Heights, Ligon's Bryan Station team had a memorable season though it fell short of a championship. Not bad for a coach who was briefly fired by the school last season after posting a 24-8 record.

"In terms of my coaching career, it was pretty devastating," he said.

But the Bryan Station family wasn't having it. Members of the community expressed their support for Ligon. His players petitioned door-to-door to keep their coach.

It paid off. The Defenders lost their first game of the season to Mason County, but finished with a 30-3 record and were ranked No. 1 much of the season.

On the girls' side, Fern Creek Coach Michelle Fries can recite Reid's stats instantly. It's a habit Fries picked up last fall when she gave Reid's numbers to college suitors daily: 32 points per game, 19 rebounds per game, 56 percent field goals.

Reid, who signed with Louisville, is one of the strongest female rebounders Fries said she's ever seen.

"She's just so determined to pull down the basketball."

Tia Gibbs of Butler, Natalie Novosel of Lexington Catholic, and A.D. Slone of Pike County Central received votes for Player of the Year.

Coach Sowers' Lady Bulldogs, eliminated in the regional tournament by eventual region champ Henry Clay, went 30-3, beating Indiana's Class 2A state champion, Heritage Christian, and Henry Clay twice during the regular season. Two of his players received honorable mention on the AP's All-State Team.

AP All-State basketball teams

Boys

First team

First team