Thoughtful, Thorough, and Truthful News Coverage in Columbia, Kentucky
Adair County High School Football Coach Van Isaac has announced the Indians’ game scheduled for Friday at Campbellsville has been canceled. The Indians, will instead, travel to Glasgow for a battle at Barren County. The game is scheduled, according to Isaac, at 8 p.m.
The Adair County Middle School Football Indians will open their season tomorrow (Aug. 14) with a visit from Monroe County. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m.
We want to provide you with an opportunity to leave your message of support for the Indians here.
Scenes from Adair County Football Practice
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 20th District Baseball and Softball tournaments.
The baseball tournament begins Saturday, May 29th, 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 31st, at 4 p.m.
The softball tournament will start Monday, May 31st, 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 1st 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
March 11, 2021
When it comes to the playoffs, most coaches say it is a completely different season. They believe what your team accomplished during the regular season doesn’t mean a thing – win or lose. Everyone starts at 0-0 in the postseason.
Andrew Reliford and the Adair County High School Indians head into next week’s 20th District Basketball Tournament hoping that cliché is true. The Lady Indians will be the fourth seed and look to overcome Marion County, Campbellsville and Taylor County.
“I feel confident going into the postseason, but the postseason is a different animal,” Reliford said. “I have seen one seeds not show up at all, and I have seen four seeds that might have a chance. I have seen it the other way, too. There can be some crazy stuff happen sometimes in the postseason.”
The district tournament is slated to begin with Adair County (5-13, 0-3) facing Campbellsville (11-8, 3-0) on Wednesday at Adair County High School. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. The other semifinal will be Thursday, March 18, at 6 p.m. That game will include Marion County (9-4, 2-1) and Taylor County (8-10, 1-2).
The tournament championship game will be Saturday, March 20 at 6 p.m.
Even though their regular season finale is slated for Friday, the Lady Indians are focused now on preparing for Campbellsville. Reliford knows the postseason is about playing one game at a time, and getting by the Eagles will be a tough test. CHS’ inside-outside game with Briante Gowdy and Lainey Watson has proven difficult to beat.
“They’re playing extremely well right now and I think they’ve only lost two or three games since we played them,” Reliford said. “They’re very well-coached and they play so hard. Gowdy does a great job of running the show. They’re a good ball club.”
Reliford said the second semifinal with Taylor County and Marion County would also be a good contest. Both teams, he said, are very talented.
“Taylor County is a physical team and their senior leadership (Emma Maynard and Avery Smith) is very good,” Reliford said. “We can compete with them, and I think we can pick up the tempo against them, press them. However, I think our half-court offense wasn’t too bad the last time we played them.
“(Deyera) Spalding, the big girl in the middle for Marion County has excellent size and a great touch around the basket. She is such a big presence in a game and she is a very good shot blocker. (Tanika) Williams is fast and we will need to try and keep her under control.”
The Lady Indians will host Valley High School Friday in their final contest before the tournament. Tipoff is set for 5 p.m.
“Keys for us in the tournament come down to three simple things,” Reliford said. “Sports aren’t complicated. If you think about it, just take care of the ball, and put the ball in the basket. The other thing is rebounding.”
By Scott Wilson
Assistant Editor
For more information on the 20th District Tournament, get the March 11 Adair County Community Voice newspaper.
Read more of the latest headline news: https://adairvoice.com
Deron Breeze has been part of Kentucky High School basketball for a long time and the Adair County High School boys’ coach has been an annual contender in fierce 20th District and 5th Region battles. So, as he prepares for next week’s 2021 district tournament, Breeze says he is confident – confident in his team and confident this year’s title is up for grabs.
“This year, I could really see anyone winning it,” Breeze said. “It wouldn’t surprise me if the one or two seeds win, or it wouldn’t surprise me to see the three or four seeds come up and win. There is a lot of parity in this year’s tournament.”
The tentative bracket for the boys’ tournament at Adair County High School has the host Indians taking on Campbellsville Monday, March 15, at 6 p.m. Taylor County and Marion County will play at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, March 16, with the championship game slated for Friday, March 19. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m.
Adair County comes into the tournament currently with a 13-6 overall record and a 2-1 mark in the district. Campbellsville is 9-17 on the year and 1-2 in league play. Taylor County currently holds an 11-7 slate with a 2-1 mark in the district, and Marion County at 5-10 and 1-2.
“They (Campbellsville) are the only district team to beat us, so we’ve got to figure out what we’re going to take away against them. Whatever that is or who that is, I just don’t know,” Breeze said. “Campbellsville plays four or five seniors and they’re probably the best shooting team in the district.”
John Orberson leads the Eagles in scoring with an average of 15 points per game. Arren Hash has an average of 11 points per contest with Kameron Smith contributing 10 points per game.
“If you take the Orberson kid away, then you leave the Hash kid and he’s probably the best shooter in the district,” Breeze said. “Kameron Smith, over the last two or three weeks, is playing as good as anybody. They’re going to try and muscle us inside, but they also have some weapons from 3-point range. Hopefully, we’re hitting shots that night.”
Marion County and Taylor County will meet in the other semifinal contest. Breeze said that game could go either way, too, because the Knights and the Cardinals have multiple weapons to worry opposing coaches.
“Marion County has the most talent in the district. If you were going to play a pick-up game, you’re going to pick their kids,” Breeze said. “James Jewell can dominate a game.”
Jewell averages almost 20 points per game and he is supported by Kanyon Scott-Spalding (11.5 ppg.) and Dominic White (10.8).
“The one worry I have about Marion County is Scott-Spalding. When we played them before he was in the top five in the state in rebounding. He gets so many second-chance points around the basket and that’s big.”
The Taylor County Cardinals have several weapons of their own. Carson Watson leads the pack in scoring for the Cardinals at a pace of 16.4 points an outing. Connor Wise contributes 15.9 a contest and Layken Lykens is the third peg of the Cardinals’ scoring surge at 11.5 per game.
“Taylor is going to get up and down the floor and he (coach Montrelle Irvin) won’t hold back anyone from shooting,” Breeze said. “We will try to take out Wise and Watson and make the other kids beat us.”
Breeze, right now, is not too worried about which team the Indians may play in the tournament finals. His main concern is getting by Campbellsville first.
“Getting by the first game is the biggest thing,” Breeze said. “Win the first game, and we qualify for a spot in the region tournament.”
By Scott Wilson
scott@adairvoice.com
Read more of the latest headline news: https://adairvoice.com
The Lindsey Wilson College women’s basketball team’s hopes for a Mid-South Conference Tournament title ended Monday with an 81-57 loss to Campbellsville (Ky.) in the semifinals at Studle Financial Arena in Bowling Green.
The Blue Raiders will now wait for an at-large bid into the NAIA National Tournament. The national tournament selection show is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT Thursday, March 4.
Second-seeded Campbellsville (18-1) forced Lindsey Wilson into 20 turnovers and turned those miscues into 24 points in the semifinal clash. The Lady Tigers also outscored the third-seeded Blue Raiders (19-5) 39-21 from 3-point range to advance to the conference title game.
Lindsey Wilson played nearly even with the third-ranked Lady Tigers for 15 minutes – trailing 25-24 with 4:28 left in the second quarter. But a disastrous final 4-1/2 minutes of the quarter put the No. 11-ranked Blue Raiders in a 40-28 hole at the break.
Lindsey Wilson made two of its five shot attempts over the final 4:25 and committed two turnovers while Campbellsville went 6-for-8 from the floor, including hitting three 3-pointers, to close the quarter on a 15-4 run.
The Lady Tigers carried the momentum into the third period, scoring the first nine points to extend the lead to 21 points and all but end any hopes for a comeback.
Reagan Turner paced the Blue Raiders with 14 points while Sydnie Hall chipped in 12 points.
Campbellsville’s Courtney Pritchett led the Lady Tigers with 19 points.
Lindsey Wilson College Athletics Department officials announced today the Blue Raiders’ football game schedule for Friday, Feb. 19, at Georgetown College has been postponed and rescheduled for Friday, March 5, at 2:30 p.m. in Georgetown.
The Lindsey Wilson College men’s soccer team, currently 0-1 on the season after Tuesday’s match at Campbellsville University was cancelled, will get back on the field this weekend when the Blue Raiders host Life (Ga.) University on Sunday. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m.
But before Lindsey Wilson faces Life at Walter Reuling Stadium, coach Ray Wells and his staff are continuing their preseason strategies of developing chemistry and fitness to get their team ready.
“We are (always) working on team chemistry, considering how long our layoff has been with the (corona)virus,” Wells said. “Most of our guys are returning so we have a strong base for this area. The new guys, like always, are adjusting to their new teammates and living in the USA. I am excited about this area so far. Another area is fitness. Again, with mostly returning players this should not be a big challenge as they all know the expectations.”
And the normally high expectations are usually met. The Blue Raiders are 58-15-4 over the last four seasons, including regular trips to the finals of the Mid-South Conference Tournament and the NAIA National Championships.
Offensively last season, Lindsey Wilson averaged around three goals per outing, while giving up an average of just over one goal per contest.
“We will need a returning player to step up for us as our top two goal scorers from last year graduated,” said Wells. “We will attempt to combine with each other to give ourselves the offense we need to win. Senior Rainer De Jesus, our team captain, will be one of those players that we look to for these goals.
“We return four of our five defenders and our goalkeeper. We should have an advantage in this area again this season. All of these kids are excellent players and athletes, so we are keeping our fingers crossed that they will again perform well.”
With the long tradition of success his program has, Wells said his players understand every time they take the field their opponents are going to give them their best shot.
“Rainer, our captain, is a well-rounded player and will again lead us on and off the field. He is a great kid and brings quality every day,” Wells said. “(Senior) Neville Morgan returns as our left back and promises to be among the best players in the league again. He has the potential to become a player and will need a good season to realize this dream.”
Turner notches out Young’s 1988-1993 career total
Reagan Turner’s basketball career started on a neighborhood goal in the small town of Tompkinsville. As a middle school player, Turner eagerly tested her skills in pickup games against the highly touted Monroe County High School players, who at the time were one of the premiere prep programs in the state.
Over time, Turner got better and better and went from being the last one picked for the games to the one doing the selecting.
Turner never stopped improving and as she prepares to wrap up her Lindsey Wilson College career this season, Turner highlighted the last four years by becoming the program’s all-time leading scorer on Saturday, scoring 15 points in an 85-79 victory over Pikeville.
“This is a very big deal to me,” Turner said. “I am amazed when I think about it, but I don’t even think it has hit me yet that it actually happened. When I got over 2,000 points, I thought I had a chance at it. However, you never know what’s going to happen with COVID-19 or injury.”
Turner finished Saturday’s game with 2,223 career points, knocking off Donna Burden Young’s former record of 2,213 scored from 1988-93.
“I tried not to get too excited about it as I got closer, but now that it is over, I guess I can get excited now,” Turner said. “For sure, now that I have the title and it is over, I can take a deep breath.”
Turner and the Blue Raiders are having a great season, currently 18-4 on the year and ranked 13th in the latest NAIA national rankings. Lindsey Wilson has won 93 games with Turner on the roster and the Blue Raiders are favorites to close out this year in the national championship tournament.
“I was not really nervous during the game,” Turner said. “My mind was focused on whether or not we got the win. It is a good bonus to get the win and the record, all in one.”
It has been a tough season for the Blue Raiders, no doubt. Games have often been canceled the day of the contest due to COVID-19 issues.
“I am pretty happy with where our team is right now, but I am hoping we will do even better,” Turner said. “After all, we had a little chip on our shoulder at the start of the season because the year started, and we weren’t even ranked. I love this group of girls and I think we work well together.”
Turner, who is considering between enrolling in physical therapy school next year or coming back for another season with LWC, said her latest honor is nice, but it is probably not her most memorable moment.
“I am always going to remember the girls I have played with,” Turner said. “I have been blessed to have always been with a group of girls that I can be friends with. The memories on and off the court – it’s been a lot of fun.”
By Scott Wilson
scott@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.
The Adair County Middle School Indians swept a basketball doubleheader from the visiting Campbellsville Eagles Thursday night.
For more information, be sure to check out Thursday’s edition of the Adair County Community Voice.
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.
Jan. 14, 2021
It wasn’t the best game his team has played, but coach Deron Freeze will take the victory just the same. The Adair County boss said he saw a lot of positives, and a lot of things to work on, after the Indians held off a pesky Nelson County team 60-48 in the Lindsey Wilson College Classic Saturday night.
“I told the kids after the game that we didn’t have our best game tonight, but still won by double figures and that shows we could be a pretty good team,” said Breeze. “We could definitely win the district. We played probably a C- or a D game, but we still won, so that is a positive.”
The victory moves the Indians to 1-0 on the year, while Nelson County falls to 1-2.
The game started slow with neither team finding much of a rhythm. Adair County got most of its production from Lucas Pooler and Luke Janes. Nelson County went a lot to guard Lawson Strenecky, but the Indians led 16-8 at the end of the first period and 25-19 at the half.
“I don’t know how many layups we missed in the first quarter,” Breeze said. “The biggest thing for us was getting through the first game with a win. We’ve got a lot of room for improvement. Defensively, we were trying to take away their ball screen stuff by trapping it and making them rotate. I thought we did that very well.”
The back-and-forth battle continued in the second half. Adair County continued to get good production from Pooler and Janes. However, ACHS senior Aaron Steele got in on the act and scored eight points in the third period to help the Indians take a 44-29 advantage into the final period.
“We had a lot of people contribute in this game, but I didn’t think we moved the ball well,” Breeze said. “I don’t know how many assists we had but those we’re all driving and dishes, nothing where the ball swung to the weak side. We’re not patient enough on offense to get it to the weak side and you can’t beat a good team doing that.”
Steele led the Indians with 18 points on 5 of 10 shooting from the field. He also added five rebounds. Pooler scored 15 points on 5 of 11 shooting, with three rebounds and four assists. Janes added a double-double with 11 points and 15 rebounds. Connor Loy added seven points, with Clay Giles getting five and Brady Cundiff scoring four.
Lincoln Bone led Nelson County with 12 points and Strenecky scored 11.
Adair County will be back on the floor with three back-to-back games. The Indians will visit Foundation Christian Academy tonight (Jan. 14) at 7:30 p.m. and follow that with home games against Wayne County on Friday at 6:30 p.m. and Metcalfe County on Saturday at 7 p.m.
By Scott Wilson
Assistant Editor
scott@adairvoice.com
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.”
Dec. 10, 2020
The Lindsey Wilson College men’s basketball team fell to Shawnee State (Ohio) by a final score of 67-47 on Saturday afternoon at Biggers Sports Center.
Lindsey Wilson never seemed to find their rhythm offensively as the Bears’ defense was relentless. LWC shot just 31 percent from the floor on 18-of-58 shooting in a game where they didn’t make a three-point attempt.
Colen Gaynor led the Blue Raiders with 11 points and 10 rebounds to pick up a double-double. Elijah Jordan was the only other LWC player to finish in double figures with 10 points.
Lindsey Wilson trailed 37-25 at the break.
In the second half, Lindsey Wilson showed signs of life, trimming its deficit to just eight points multiple times in the half. Shawnee State had an answer for every Blue Raider comeback bid as it took the game by 20 points at 67-47.
Lindsey Wilson returns to the court on Dec. 31 with a road game at No. 1-ranked Georgetown at 2:30 p.m..