Columns Sports

COVID–19 has changed the way a number of things work from voting to high school basketball. Because of the pandemic, early and absentee voting was made more widely available. It proved so popular, with voter turnout increasing exponentially in both the 2020 primary and general election, that the state legislature has taken steps to make some of the changes permanent. Another change was the beginning of the high school basketball season was pushed back to early January as opposed to early December. The Kentucky High School Athletic Association follow the legislature’s lead on voting and make the change to the basketball season permanent. With every participating high school making the high school football playoffs,...

Williamsburg Independent Schools canceled in-person classes this week because of a spike in COVID–19. That announcement was made at approximately noon on Monday. Yet Monday night, the Williamsburg Lady Jackets suited up against Whitley County for a basketball game at Williamsburg. The Williamsburg boys didn’t play against Red Bird on Saturday, or at Whitley County on Tuesday. The boys’ upcoming games against Somerset Christian, Jackson County, Middlesboro and Barbourville have also been canceled. Even before COVID–19, there have been instances where a school canceled classes because of weather or illness and then the sports team suited up and played a scheduled game. To paraphrase what my mom used to tell me, if you can’t...

High school basketball in the era of COVID–19 is driving fans, coaches and players crazy. Whether it is a team like the Whitley County Lady Colonels, who had been on a season-opening winning streak prior to Monday night’s loss to North Laurel, or the Williamsburg Yellow Jackets, who are looking to the next game to get them back on the winning track, the next game on the schedule is an opportunity to make something positive happen. How frustrating is it for these teams who may, like the Whitley County boys on Monday, find out just hours before that the next game is postponed? Corbin’s boys went through it, not opening the season...

This From the Sidelines column appeared in the March 18, 2020 print edition of the News Journal... Wow, where do I even begin? I’m sure that I won’t be able to say anything here that hasn’t already been said during the course of the past several (awful) days, but I will attempt to gather my thoughts and offer up something for you, our loyal readers. First of all, thank you. Thank you for reading these words right now, whether it be off of a printed page, or on a computer, tablet or phone screen. We at the News Journal appreciate our readers very much, both in the good times, and in the bad. With that...

Hello, and welcome to an all-new weekly column to be featured here in the News Journal. My name is Trevor Sherman, and many of you may know me either from my time spent selling advertising for this newspaper over the past several years, or from my time covering local athletic events as Sports Editor since late 2013. I am excited to begin this new phase of my career, which includes becoming a regular here on our Opinion page with What’s Happening, a column that I plan to use to share my thoughts on the many interesting and exciting events that we have happening pretty much all the time in our...

The following From the Sidelines column appeared in the January 22, 2020 print edition of the News Journal... Much has certainly been said about Justin Haddix leaving Corbin for Boyle County since the news broke this past Sunday evening, so allow me to weigh in on the situation myself. There appears to be people on both sides of the issue – those who are sad to see Haddix go, and those who are actually pleased with this development. Personally, I put myself in the first group. I mean, here is a guy who came in six years ago and immediately started winning. Almost all he did was win while he was...

This From the Sidelines column appeared in the November 13, 2019 print edition of the News Journal... Well, the fall 2019 sports season is certainly ending with a bang. All four of our coverage area high school football teams have advanced to the second round of this year’s state championship playoffs, and at least three have a great chance of playing their way into a regional title game next week. In addition to that, the Corbin Lady Hounds volleyball team is coming off of the program’s first-ever victory in a state championship tournament. I would like to take this opportunity to personally congratulate the Lady Hounds volleyball team on this historic...

The following From the Sidelines column appeared in the August 7, 2019 print edition of the News Journal... This past Sunday evening I was enjoying some rare down time at my house with my wife and kids. At one point I decided to hop on the computer to check a few things, and that is when I was totally caught off guard by the terrible news that Mr. Rick Campbell had suddenly passed away after suffering a major heart attack. I was floored. I couldn’t believe it. I had just spoken to Rick in person not that long ago, and now I’m learning that he’s gone? Just awful... Rick, of course, has...

This From the Sidelines column appeared in the January 9, 2019 print edition of the News Journal... Last week we saw the first-ever 13th Region boys and girls 2A championship basketball tournaments played at Corbin High School. As with most anything that is new, there was a bit of confusion, but overall I think that things went pretty smoothly. Our region’s tourneys featured just three games each, but my hope is to see the field of teams expand beginning next season, allowing for quarterfinal round contests like some other regions had. The current format of the 2A basketball tournaments is to crown four sectional champions, with sectional title games being held...

I may discuss it further inside Wednesday’s print edition of the News Journal, but I have so many thoughts after Friday’s Corbin versus Louisville Central Class 3A state championship game that I wanted to go ahead and post something now, the day after, while it’s all still fresh in my mind. - First and foremost, congratulations to the Redhounds on another great season, especially this outgoing senior class that has reached the state semifinals each year of their high school careers. Of course, the last two seasons have ended with trips to Kroger Field and state runner-up trophies. - I spoke to a friend after the game, and said, “I don’t...