Sports

Coach Van Isaac is getting ready to begin his third season at the helm of the Adair County Indians. He was brought in to turn the football program around and take it back to the prominence it once had.

Unfortunately, Isaac hasn’t had much of a chance to get that process started. He was hired late in the summer before the 2019 campaign and last year, he and the Indians never knew if they were going to play from one day to the next because of COVID-19. It has been frustrating.

“Year one I got in here really late, I didn’t get in until June or July,” Isaac said. “Year two, we had Covid, so this year seems like the first normal year we’ve had. It has been the first year we’ve had spring ball, and a full off-season.

“I just can’t wait, I have a chip on my shoulder. With me being a young coach and struggling the first two years, you better believe I am hungry; and I am hungry for a win and to get this program turned around.”

The Indians opened training camp on Monday.

Adair County players have been working diligently throughout the summer and Isaac believes his team came out of the crazy 2020 Covid season with the right attitude.

“The direction we’re headed in has been in a positive direction, so we’re not going to do a lot of things different this year. I believe in what we’ve done,” the coach said. “You can be assured I am very determined to have a great season.

“The offseason was above average as it pertains to January through March. I liked the amount of kids we had in the weight room, probably 25. We had such a good spring ball. I like where we’re at overall.”

Isaac received a big surprise this summer when he found out five of his seniors from last year’s team are coming back to play a fifth year through the district’s supplemental year program. That group includes standouts like quarterback and free safety Brady Cundiff, running back and linebacker Cameron Harmon, fullback and defensive end Dylan Pierce, tight end and linebacker Dawson Conn; and lineman Brandon Foster. He said there is also a possibility he could be adding a sixth one.

With that core of players to build around, Isaac is also excited to see what his rising seniors will contribute. That talented group includes, linebacker Case Cowan, last year’s leading tackler; guard Briley Taylor, defensive tackle Joshua Smallwood, tight end Nathan Hines, quarterback and defensive back Luke Janes, fullback Brian Cornelison, and speedy wide receiver DeShawn Singleton.

“I want them to be confident, what we call supremely confident, where you are confident in your preparation, confident in the hard work you’ve put in, confident in your abilities,” Isaac said. “When we walk on to the field with a team like Taylor County or Glasgow, I do not want to be intimidated. (We need to remember) we’re pretty good, too.”

The Indians’ preseason practice schedule is Monday through Thursday, usually from 4-6 p.m. They will take part in a camp at Kentucky Wesleyan College in Owensboro July 28-31.

Adair County is scheduled to open the 2021 season Aug. 20 at home with Russell County. Isaac said he is shooting to break the all-time attendance record that night with 3,000 paid admissions. At halftime of the game, the 1992 Adair County football team and coach John Peck will be honored.

Members of the 1992  team that would like to come back for the event should contact Isaac at van.isaac@adair.kyschools.us

By Scott Wilson
scott@adairvoice.com

 

Adair County 8U Little League All-Stars have advanced to the semifinals of the state championship tournament in Richmond. The Indians will play either North Laurel or North Oldham tonight for a spot in Tuesday’s title game with Louisville Eastern. The first pitch tonight will be at 6:30 p.m. CST.

For more information on the tournament, check out Thursday’s edition of the Adair County Community Voice.

 

The Adair County 8U Little League all-stars will be in Richmond this weekend competing in the 2021 State Tournament. The Indians’ first game is scheduled for Saturday at 2:30 p.m. CDT, against either Ashland or Corbin. Be sure to post your best wishes for the team here as the Indians compete against the best teams in the state.

For more information on the tournament, check out this week’s Adair County Community Voice.

Brittany Michaela Crockett was born May 10, 1994, in Louisville. She was a gift from God from her first breath.

Brittany went to be with our heavenly Father on June 1, 2021. She was preceded in death by her grandfather, Hobert Helm.

Brittany is survived by: her parents – Michael and Patricia Crockett of Lexington; her best friend and grandmother – Linda Helm of Columbia; paternal grandmother and step-grandfather – Nenia and Eldridge “Tangle” Dykes of Columbia; her fur-baby, Minnie,who was always by her side; many other family members also survive.

Brittany loved video games, researching on the internet, animals and being with her “granny.”

The family has chosen cremation and no services are planned at this time.

Grissom-Martin Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Scenes from Adair County High School Football Coach Van Isaac’s youth football camp.

Adair County High School will host the 2021 20^th District Baseball and Softball tournaments.

The baseball tournament begins Saturday, May 29^th, at 1:30 p.m. with Campbellsville facing Adair County. Taylor County will play Marion County at 4:30 p.m. The championship game will be Monday, May 31^st, at 4 p.m.

The softball tournament will start Monday, May 31^st, at 11 a.m. with Marion County and Adair County. Taylor County will play Campbellsville at 1:30 p.m. The championship game will be June 1^st at 5 p.m.

Tickets for all games can be found by going to https://tinyurl.com/adairtickets or by visiting the ACHS website. Tickets are required for all fans, including Adair County fans.

Questions about the district tournaments may be directed to Brent Campbell, athletics director, at 270-384-2751 or by email at brent.campbell@adair.kyschools.us.

The 2021 Adair County High School Football Camp drew a large crowd this week. Head coach Van Isaac said campers worked on basic football fundamentals including tackling, defense, passing, kicking and receiving. For more photos from the camp, check out Thursday’s issue of The Community Voice.

 

Adair County Schools will have a follow-up athletics interest meeting for the following sports: archery, bass fishing, cross country, Esports and soccer on Monday, June 7, at 6 p.m. in the high school cafeteria.

All interested athletes and parents are urged to attend. If you have questions, please contact Brent Campbell, athletics director, at 270-384-2751 or by email at brent.campbell@adair.kyschools.us.

 

 

Andrew Reliford has confirmed he has resigned his position as girls’ basketball coach at Adair County High School. A search for his successor is being conducted. Reliford said he will stay on in his teaching position with the district.

 

 

Lindsey Wilson College head football coach Chris Oliver has been named the 2021 American Football Coaches’ Association NAIA Region 1 Coach of the Year, the organization announced on Tuesday.

The honor is the sixth for Oliver, who is in his 11th season at Lindsey Wilson. He is one of two coaches across all levels of collegiate football to record multiple selections as region coach of the year in their respective region this season.

Oliver led the Blue Raiders to a 7-0 record this season, and the Mid-South Conference Bluegrass Division title. Lindsey Wilson has earned a bid into the NAIA playoffs where they will host a first-round game this Saturday at Blue Raider Stadium against No. 13 Bethel (Kan.).

In his 11 seasons, Oliver has compiled an 89-33 overall record, including a 48-7 mark over the last five seasons. He has advanced to the NAIA Championship Series six times in his career.

This season, Lindsey Wilson won the program’s fourth MSC divisional title. The Blue Raiders completed the program’s third perfect regular season as they have also accomplished the feat in 2017 and 2019.

Lindsey Wilson enters the postseason ranked No. 3 in the final regular-season NAIA Football Coaches’ Top-25 Poll.

The AFCA will announce the 2021 Spring AFCA NAIA National Coach of the Year during the week leading up to the NAIA National Championship. The Regional winners are finalists for National Coach of the Year.

Registration is still being accepted for children wanting to play in the Adair County Little League Baseball and Softball Divisions. Parents can sign-up their children Monday, March 15, and Wednesday, March 17, at the Blue Building at Joe Johnson Little League Park.

Registration will be open for boys and girls, ages 3-12,  from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. each night.

The cost is $60 for the first child of the family, $30 for each additional child. Cash, check or debit card will be accepted.

Read more of the latest headline news: https://adairvoice.com

 

The kickoff time for the Lindsey Wilson College football game with Pikeville (Ky.) on Feb. 12 has been adjusted, LWC athletics director Willis Pooler announced today.

Kickoff is now slated for 1:30 p.m. CT at Blue Raider Stadium.

“Due to the forecasted temperature for next Friday’s season opener, we felt it was important to move up the game time for the safety of our student-athletes,” Pooler said. “I would like to thank Pikeville for their willingness to make the adjustment.”

Fans will be limited to family members who appear on the pass list. All fans will be required to adhere to the attendance policy, including the Lindsey Wilson screening protocol before entering Blue Raider Stadium and wearing a face mask and observing social distancing while inside the stadium.

Visiting fans will not be permitted inside Blue Raider Stadium this season.

Adair County freshman Hannah West has made the most of her opportunities in basketball.

For more information on her journey to becoming one of the top players in the region, read Thursday’s edition of the Adair County Community Voice.

 

The Lindsey Wilson College women’s basketball team shook off a rusty first half to garner a 72-64 come-from-behind victory over host Martin Methodist (Tenn.) on Monday evening at the Curry Christian Life Center in Pulaski, Tenn.

The tally in the win column snaps a season-long two-game skid for the Blue Raiders (13-3, 8-3 in the Mid-South Conference).

Lindsey Wilson used a 16-5 run in the early stages of the third quarter to turn an 11-point deficit into a 44-44 tie with three and half minutes to play in the third frame. Reagan Turner led the charge with eight points during the run. The Blue Raiders set aside their first-half shooting woes to convert on 10-of-11 from the field in the quarter, including hitting 3-of-4 from beyond the arc.

Despite taking a 55-51 lead into the fourth quarter, the Blue Raiders’ advantage was at constant risk. Martin Methodist rekindled its scoring touch to charge back, tying the game at 60-60 with 5:25 left in regulation.

Lindsey Wilson quickly regained its momentum closing with a 12-4 run, thanks in part to a clutch free throw presence that included a 6-of-8 showing in the deciding run.

Turner paced the Lindsey Wilson offense with a game-high 25 points, shooting an impressive 8-of-9 from the field, including making both of her shots from 3-point territory. Bree Glover snatched her fifth double-double of her senior campaign, contributing 18 points, 10 rebounds, and three blocks. As the conference’s leader in rebounds per game, Glover has corralled 10 or more rebounds in six consecutive games.

Sydnie Hall scored nine of her 14 points in the first quarter, including the Blue Raider’s first seven.

Lindsey Wilson will look to split their four-game road trip when they travel to Bethel (Tenn.) this evening. Tip-off is slated for 5:30 p.m.

 

Bree Glover was unstoppable on Thursday night as the senior led the Lindsey Wilson College women’s basketball team to a 63-54 victory against Pikeville (Ky.) at the Biggers Sports Center.

The forward out of Glasgow, filled the stat sheet. Glover recorded a career-high 21 rebounds, just two shy of tying the program record, 13 points, four blocks, and four steals.

After two weeks off, the Blue Raiders (10-1, 5-1 MSC) showed some rust early on with five turnovers in the first five minutes of the game. Despite that, Lindsey Wilson was able to stay close to Pikeville (9-5, 5-5 MSC), down just 18-15 at the end of the first quarter.

In the second quarter, the Blue Raiders returned to their dominant form by going on a 9-0 run and taking a 24-18 lead which turned into a 31-27 advantage by halftime.

Despite taking a seven-point lead into halftime, the Lindsey Wilson College men’s basketball team fell to Thomas More (Ky.) 67-51 on Monday at Biggers Sports Center. The loss is the sixth straight for the Blue Raiders.

Lindsey Wilson (3-8, 1-7 Mid-South Conference) shot 39.6 percent from the floor while the Saints (6-3, 4-3 MSC) came alive in the second half to finish the game with an even 50 percent from the field.

Elijah Jordan managed a team-high 18 points as Colen Gaynor was the only other Blue Raider in double figures with 10. Travez Nyx finished with nine points and a team-high five boards.

After trading baskets in the early stages of the game, Thomas More took a 19-16 lead over LWC but the Blue Raiders surged over the final nine minutes of the half. LWC closed out the half on a 14-4 run to take a 30-23 lead into the halftime locker room.

Jordan caught fire in the first half as the junior guard went 7-of-11 from the field to lead all scorers. Lindsey Wilson shot 46.4 (13-of-28) percent from the floor while limiting Thomas More to a 31.8 (7-of-22) percentage. Lindsey Wilson did the majority of their scoring in the paint, corralling a 16-4 advantage through the first 20 minutes.

The Blue Raiders struggled over the opening six minutes of the second half as they saw their lead vanish. Thomas More opened with a 21-3 scoring spurt that gave them a commanding 44-33 lead.

Lindsey Wilson returns to the court on Thursday when they welcome Pikeville (Ky.) to Biggers Sports Center at 6:30 p.m. CT.

Nick Coe is preparing to begin his first season as head swim coach at Adair County High School. After several years as an assistant with the Indians, Coe is ready to hit the ground running as head coach.
However, due to COVID-19, Coe and his squad are hoping to begin preseason practice this week, some two months after the swim teams usually get their seasons underway. For sure, it has been an unusual year.

“We’ve not had a chance to practice yet, but for me I just want to make sure I make note of the changes going on. One day, there could be this rule, and then the next day it changes,” Coe said last week. “I am just making sure I am following guidelines set forth by the KHSAA (Kentucky High School Athletic Association), Lindsey Wilson College (practice facility home) and our school.
“It can be hectic at times. The kids are very eager to get started. They’re eager to get into the water. They love this sport and it is stressful for them to have the virus keep pushing the season forward.”

The Indians are heading into the year after posting a pretty successful 2019-20 campaign. Luke Rich, an eighth-grader, highlighted last year by making it to the finals of the 100 breaststroke.
“We’re going to have a very young team. I think this will be only our fourth season to even have a program,” Coe said. “The success we’ve had for being such a young team has been phenomenal. Luke reached the finals in the state last year and we did extremely well in the region, considering the number of swimmers we had in the meet.”
Coe said Adair County’s roster last year had several swimmers who had never competed in a meet, but set personal best times every outing. ACHS will have a large boys’ squad this campaign and is expected to have a full girls’ squad, too. Many seventh grade girls plan to come out for the team, Coe said.

“For us heading into this year, the key is mainly experience,” Coe said. “With so many new swimmers, we need the experience to knock off some of the nerves, and that is so important. (That is because) we will have a lot of middle school kids swimming this year.”
Coe said training this year will include helping the Indians and Lady Indians get physically stronger. He also wants to work on individual development because he hopes to spread the swimmers around to the events they like to do, while also making sure Adair County is represented in as many events as possible.

“Luke Rich will be one of the swimmers we will be expecting big things from,” Coe said. “He does the 100 breaststroke and the 200 individual medley. He is a region champion and set a personal best in the 100 breaststroke at the state. Skeet Carter should have a good year too, just missing out for last year’s region meet.

“Swimming last year, Genevieve Myles figured out the events she swam and dropped 15 seconds in time. Senior Ashley Smith should do well for us in the sprints, especially the freestyle and the backstroke.” He also mentioned Brianna Hillock and Mia Wilkerson.
Now, Coe is focused on getting his team ready for the season opener. Though he is still working on completing his schedule, he expects to have it finalized in a couple of weeks.

“We’re working on consistency with them, working on conditioning,” Coe said. “(We’re preparing for a tough schedule because) I do definitely want to swim against established, successful teams. I want our kids to have to compete because this could be our year to move up.”

By Scott Wilson
Assistant Editor
scott@adairvoice.com

 

The Board of Control conducted a special meeting on Thursday morning, upholding its earlier decision by a 12-5 vote to begin practice for winter sports on Dec. 14th and regular-season competition on Jan. 4th. Prior to confirming the start of the winter sports season, the Board voted 12-5 to push back the dates for the boys’ and girls’ Sweet 16® to March 29-April 8 after narrowly defeating other alternative dates, with the event schedule and format to be finalized at a later date in consultation with Rupp Arena.

“These are extremely complex issues. Our Board has spent an extraordinary amount of time examining every aspect surrounding the resumption of sports, particularly those that are indoors and have extreme concerns from public health officials,” said KHSAA Commissioner Julian Tackett. “At the same time, there is significant data being shared about the need for students to be engaged with one another in traditional settings, be they the classroom or the athletic court or field.

“Trying to balance competing public health concerns has been a tremendous challenge all year. Just last week, the American Academy of Pediatrics published an article on the need to get kids back involved, while at the same time, the number of positive cases of coronavirus continues to be very high both in Kentucky and in other states. Finalizing the plan for going forward allows the member schools to use some local decision making in areas that are concerning and adopts a blueprint for the rest of the school year.”

On Nov. 18th, the Board postponed all activity in the winter sports from November 20 through December 13 in congruence with the Governor’s order issued that same day. The cessation applied to all indoor interscholastic sports at all school levels, including but not limited to basketball, bowling, competitive cheer, dance, indoor track and field, swimming, and wrestling. By confirming its decision from Nov. 18th, each of these sports and sport-activities will be permitted to resume activity on Monday.

Regular season competition may begin on Jan. 4th, though the Governor’s current order limits competition in the sport-activity of bowling due to the restrictions placed on bowling centers. The Association staff will communicate more details to the membership on Friday regarding the guidelines for winter sports and scheduling revisions. In the coming days and weeks, more details will be released as plans for postseason events continue to take shape.

“Our staff continues to be extremely agile in planning and adjusting to the problems of conducting competition during the pandemic,” added Tackett. “And our Board of Control continues to prioritize a full season for the spring sports and sport-activities during 2021. These schedule adjustments balance these priorities while also allowing for additional flexibility should the situation worsen again.”

Lindsey Wilson women’s basketball’s schedule this week has been adjusted, LWC athletics director Willis Pooler announced earlier this week.

The Blue Raiders (6-1) were scheduled to host Thomas More (Ky.) and Shawnee State (Ohio) this week, but due to COVID protocols, both games have been postponed. Mid-South Conference officials will announce the rescheduled dates for both games at a later date.

Despite the postponements, Lindsey Wilson will not be idle this week.

The Blue Raiders are scheduled to travel to Cumberland (Tenn.) at 5:30 p.m. CT on Thursday in Lebanon. Cumberland was also impacted by postponements with Shawnee State and Thomas More this week. Lindsey Wilson returns home on Saturday to host Freed-Hardeman (Tenn.) at 1:30 p.m. CT on Saturday at Biggers Sports Center. The meeting is the second this season between the two programs.

The Lindsey Wilson men’s basketball games with Shawnee State and Thomas More are still scheduled to take place. The game time of the Blue Raiders and Thomas More matchup has been moved to 5 p.m. CT.

All home games will be streamed live on the Lindsey Wilson Sports Network. Visiting fans are not permitted and only immediate family members on the pass list are allowed in Biggers Sports Center. Click here for the LWC Athletics home attendance protocols.

 

Lindsey Wilson basketball schedule this week:

Thursday:

LWC men’s basketball vs. Thomas More – 5 p.m. CT

LWC women’s basketball at Cumberland – 5:30 p.m. CT

Saturday:

LWC women’s basketball vs. Freed-Hardeman – 1:30 p.m. CT

LWC men’s basketball vs. Shawnee State – 4 p.m. CT

The Board of Control conducted its third regularly-scheduled meeting of the 2020-21 academic year on Wednesday and elected to postpone the start of the winter sports season to January 4th by unanimous vote. In congruence with the Governor’s order issued later the same day, official practice for all indoor interscholastic winter sports shall cease on Friday, November 20 at 5 p.m. and is planned to resume on Monday, December 14. This cessation will apply to all indoor interscholastic sports at all school levels, including but not limited to basketball, bowling, competitive cheer, dance, indoor track and field, swimming, and wrestling.

Details regarding any allowances for indoor interscholastic sports, which will be restricted prior to December 14, will be distributed to the membership prior to the Governor’s ordered shutdown of school-related in-person activity on Friday, November 20. The season calendar for each winter sport, as well as current virus data and any potential adjustments to the start and end dates for spring sports, will be reviewed in a follow-up meeting of the Board of Control currently scheduled for December 10th. The Board’s approved motion for basketball also included authorizing the Association to attempt to negotiate the dates for the Girls’ and Boys’ Sweet 16® during NFHS calendar weeks 37 and 38, and is pending final confirmation of specific available dates with the Lexington Center and Rupp Arena.

“Our Board has remained steadfast in their support for the spring sports and sport-activities in 2021 and continues to attempt during these challenging times to ensure these athletes, coaches, and schools have a full and complete season with an appropriate culminating event,” said KHSAA Commission

er Julian Tackett. “We should never forget the sacrifices made by all involved during the spring of 2020 and that has remained at the forefront of Board discussions. The currently approved action would shorten the winter seasons but the Board and staff continue to recognize that during these pandemic times, there will be nearly constant changes in the operations around education and school-based sport.”

The ongoing football playoffs were also addressed on Wednesday, with the Board authorizing the Commissioner to adjust the schedule for the state finals as necessary depending on the ever-developing situation with COVID-19 and facility availability. It was noted following the meeting that the Governor’s executive order and references to the KHSAA in that order apply to indoor sports, and there has been no adjustment to the completion of any KHSAA fall sport championship.