Columns Sports

Since this week’s edition is serving as a retrospective of the most talked about events of the past 12 months, I would like to take the opportunity to look back at the biggest sports stories of 2022. As always, this is a tough list to compile. With four coverage area schools participating in everything from football to track to volleyball to wrestling and even e-sports, it’s impossible to include every major event. However, after starting in January of 2022 and working my way forward all the way through last month, I have decided on the top six sports-related stories that were covered by the News Journal. My goal was to...

Although I was not present at last Friday’s KHSAA baseball state tournament contest between Corbin and Central Hardin, I am well aware of the bizarre series of events that occurred in the fourth inning that put the Redhounds at a disadvantage, and likely cost them the game. In case you haven’t already heard and/or seen, the game between Corbin and Central Hardin remained scoreless in the fourth inning. Redhound pitcher Evan Poore was on the mound when a Bruin runner attempted to steal home. Poore’s pitch made it to the catcher in time for him to turn and easily tag out the runner. The umpire gave the signal for the...

If you didn’t get the opportunity to get out to the Corbin Civic Center Saturday night for the debut of Allied Pro Wrestling, you missed a heck of a show. Brad Riley opening the show with a sit-in protest in the ring ala boxer Byun Jung-Il at the 1988 Seoul Olympics. For those of you not familiar with the story, Jung lost a controversial decision after he was penalized for headbutting his opponent. Jung protested the decision by sitting down in the ring, even going so far as to get a chair to be more comfortable during his sit-in. Fortunately, the boxing arena was set up with two rings and all of the...

I witnessed some old-fashioned baseball on Saturday. The game was Whitley County hosting Rockcastle County on a cold windy day. I stayed for a few innings as I was getting pictures. I’m not the diehard that I used to be when the weather could do anything and I was staying until the game was decided. In an era where Major League Baseball is all about everyone trying to hit home runs, both teams were playing rally ball. With the wind blowing out hard to left or right field at different points, it would have been easy for players to try to hit one up into the breeze and see if it gets carried...

I know there is a reason why the schools in the area of Kentucky located in Jackson, Clay, Laurel, Whitley, Knox, Bell and Harlan counties make up the 13th Region. As Tom Hanks’ character, Jim Lovell, famously, told his wife in the blockbuster movie, “Apollo 13” when she asked why his mission had to be 13, “It comes after 12.” The Pulaski County schools along with McCreary Central are among the schools in the 12th Region. So, with the region numbers starting in western Kentucky, our schools get to be in unlucky 13. Maybe the Kentucky High School Athletic Association should give our sports teams a break and let some other group of...

I have a rescue dog at home that is part Shih Tzu and, we are pretty sure, part terrier. Maggy looks like a black Shih Tzu. Shih Tzus are cute. Every dog lover loves a Shih Tzu. But, several years ago, one person in the parking lot at The Arena almost experienced one part of Maggy that is more terrier than Shih Tzu when he approached our car as my wife, Sharon, waited for me to come out from taking pictures at a concert. Maggy has some serious teeth that will take a serious bite out of someone. They say it is not the size of the dog in the fight but the...

A funny thing happened on the way to the ballfield. I expected to come into the office Monday morning preparing to write up my final basketball stories for the season and get ready for spring sports to begin. I’m not a homer when it comes to the teams that I cover. I want to see them do well but believe in telling it like it is. Going into the girls’ 13th Region Tournament, I really expected North Laurel and South Laurel to be playing for the region title on Saturday, especially after the way South Laurel ran over Corbin in the 50th District championship at Corbin two weeks ago. Coach Isaac Wilson had told...

I left Gilliam Gym at Corbin High School Friday night with a question lingering more than ever that has been on my mind all season. Where was Corbin? I’m not talking about the players. I’m willing to bet that they would tell you it wasn’t their best game, realize what they need to fix for the region tournament and begin preparing for Bell County. But what should have been a decidedly pro-Redhound crowd was closer to a home game for arch rival South Laurel as the Cardinals fans were more visible in body and spirit. As my boss, Don Estep, is a Corbin High School alum and has performed multiple duties for Corbin...

The girls’ basketball district tournaments are under way. The girls wrestling tournament was held Monday. Spring sports, including softball, along with tennis and track for both the boys and girls will begin in just a few weeks. Corbin’s Lady Redhounds, Whitley County’s Lady Colonels and Williamsburg’s Lady Jackets were or will be participating in the majority. Williamsburg doesn’t offer wrestling. Tradition in high schools across Kentucky has been to add “Lady” to the mascot when referring to the girls’ teams. However, if you look at the logos used for the teams, they are, with few exceptions, the same as the traditional logo. It is time to either drop the lady part of the...

Sports like cross country, golf, wrestling, tennis and track and field are unique in that while athletes are competing as part of a team, they have the opportunity to win individual titles as well. At the Region 7 wrestling tournament Saturday at McCreary Central, Corbin’s Seth Huff reached the championship match in the 215-pound weight class. Whitley County’s Anthony Colmus finished third in the 138-pound weight class. As a result, both will be among those competing at the semi-state tournament next weekend in Lexington. It is interesting to watch events like this and see the team dynamic. Granted, Saturday dragged on with a lot of downtime between matches. I got there to take...