First Practice of Season Starts With Tryouts (10/15/2009)

Head Coach Tim Peterson gives instructions to juniors Kendrick Knopp (left) and Josh Brockman (right).

The 2009-2010 high school basketball season officially began Thursday for the Marion County Knights.  Head Coach Tim Peterson is using the first two days as tryouts for athletes who are not on the rosters of other MCHS teams.  Members of the Knights' Soccer team are expected to join practice on Monday, while members of the Football Knights will wait until the conclusion of the football season to join the squad.

 
Sophomore Patrick Gribbins (left) and freshman Brandon Sandusky (right) participate in a ball-handling drill.

Above - Juniors Dalton Mills (left) and Deshawn Douglas (right).
Below - Juniors Kendrick Knopp (left) and Josh Brockman (right).

 

Multi-Sport Knights Named Enterprise Athletes of the Year

 
Austin Spalding (above) won the Region tennis doubles title with teammate Trey Hamilton (photo by Stephen Lega, Lebanon Enterprise).

Three players from the 2008-2009 Knights basketball team have been named to the Lebanon Enterprise Athletes of the Year special section.  Boys basketball MVP Chris Southall was named Male Basketball Player of the Year, while senior guard Jermaine Porter received the honor for Male Track Competitor of the Year and junior guard Austin Spalding was named Male Tennis Player of the Year.

 
Jermaine Porter (left) was an All-State performer in three track events.  Chris Southall (right) was the Knights basketball MVP in 2008-2009 (photos by Stephen Lega, Lebanon Enterprise).

Southall led the basketball team in scoring this season and finished his career #6 in assists and #5 in three-point baskets scored.  He was also a captain of the boys soccer team.  Porter was an all-state performer for the Knights' track team in three events--triple jump, pole vault, and long jump.  Spalding had been the Knights' #1 singles tennis player, but switched to doubles this year and with partner Trey Hamilton won Marion County's first Region tennis title to advance to the state tournament.

In addition, Bryson Bell, who is expected to play basketball for the Knights in 2009-2010, was named Football Player of the Year.  To see the entire Lebanon Enterprise Athletes of the Year special section, click here.

 

Knights' Summer Games Photos

  

Marion County's boys basketball team recently completed their summer basketball schedule as they prepare for the 2009-2010 season.  Click here to see more photos of the Knights in action.

 

 

Post-Season Awards Banquet Photos

(L-R) Seniors D.J. Hall, Christopher Southall, Jason Buckman, and Tyler Thompson, and Coach Peterson

Photos from the post-seasonawards banquet have been uploaded to the Photos page.  Click on the "Photos" button in the left-hand column or here to see this and other photo albums.

 

Southall Named Team MVP at Awards Banquet

Senior guard Christopher Southall was named the Knights' 2009 Most Valuable Player at the team's awards banquet held on April 2.  Southall led the Knights in scoring and three-point field goals while finishing second in steals and assists, and was also named to the regular season and tournament All-District Teams.  Southall finished his MCHS career as the Knights' #6 leader in assists and #5 in made three-point field goals.

For a complete list of team award winners, click here.

 

Indians Claim Region Title in Double-OT

 Adair County's Corey Helm (left) and Nick Fudge (right) celebrate the Indians win in the Fifth Region Tournament Championship.

The Adair County Indians won a thrilling 82-76 double-overtime contest to claim the championship of the 2009 Fifth Region Tournament over the North Hardin Trojans in the Roby Dome at Marion County High School.  The Indians will represent the Fifth Region in the Sweet 16 for the second time in three seasons.  The Indians had struggled from the free-throw line most of the game, hitting only four of 14 attempts in regulation and first overtime.  But in the crucial final four minutes, shot a perfect 10-of-10 at the charity stripe.

  
North Hardin's LaRod King (left) ties the game at 44-44 after the Trojans were down by seven points.  Adair County's Darren Ballou (right) posts up North Hardin's Greg Johnson.

North Hardin's Cameron Irvin hit baskets to force both the first and second overtimes and finished the game with 17 points on 8-of-10 shooting.  Teammate LaRod King led the Trojans back from being down 7 points in the fourth quarter, scoring 18 for the game and grabbing a game-high 9 rebounds while James Berry hit big shot after big shot, draining seven three-pointers and finishing with 23 points.

   
North Hardin's James Berry (left) hits one of his 7 three-pointers over Adair County's Tristan Reece.  Corey Helm (center) sank 5 three-pointers for Adair County and led all scorers with 26 points.  Nick Fudge (right) sank this free-throw in overtime for one of his 10 points and also had 10 assists for the game, helping him earn MVP honors for the tournament.

Adair County's Corey Helm matched Berry shot-for-shot, sinking 5 of his 11 shots from behind the arc and leading all scorers with 26 points, and was named player of the game.  Morehead State signee Darren Ballou poured in 24 points, getting several baskets on offensive rebounds, and was also a defensive presence with five blocked shots.  Brandon Sandusky and Tristan Reece both scored 11 for the Indians.  But senior guard Nick Fudge controlled the tempo of the game, scoring 10 points and dishing out 10 assists while committing only one turnover and was named Tournament MVP.

Players named to the All-Tournament Team were Bryan Baullt (Larue County), Demarco Phillips (Bardstown), Leonard Macon (Taylor County), Corey Helm (Adair County), Greg Johnson (North Hardin), Jordan Hickman (Bardstown), Garry Williams (John Hardin), Jordan Bramblett (North Hardin), Chris White (John Hardin), Kyle Sandusky (Adair County), Chase Cox (Taylor County), Darren Ballou (Adair County), LaRod King (North Hardin), James Berry (North Hardin), and Tournament MVP Nick Fudge (Adair County).

 

North Hardin and Adair Co. Advance; Will Meet in Region Championship

 North Hardin's Jordan Bramblett sank one of three free-throws with 0.8 seconds on the clock as the Trojans slipped past Taylor County, 57-56.  (Photo by Jesse Osbourne)

In a pair of exciting games Sunday afternoon, the North Hardin Trojans needed a Jordan Bramblett free-throw to escape the Taylor County Cardinals, and the Adair County Indians topped the Bulldogs of John Hardin to advance to Tuesday's Fifth Region Tournament Championship.

In the afternoon's first contest, Taylor County found themselves down three points when Chase Cox drilled a three-pointer to tie the game at 56-56 with 7.3 seconds left in the game.  Bramblett was attempting a desperation shot from beyond half-court when the Cardinals' Lloyd Stotts was called for a foul with 0.8 seconds left on the clock.  Bramblett was awarded three free-throws and missed the first two.  But his last attempt hit the mark to give his team the 57-56 win.  Taylor County's Leonard Macon led all scorers with 18 while Stotts and Michael Coulter both scored 9.  Greg Johnson led North Hardin with 16 points and four assists.

 
(Left) Taylor County's Leonard Macon (35) scores over North Hardin's Greg Johnson and Jordan Bramblett (15).  (Right) Greg Johnson (32) scored 16 points in the Trojans' win.  (Photos by Jesse Osbourne)

John Hardin's Chris White dominated the paint in the second game of the day, scoring 17 points on 8-of-14 shooting and collecting 9 rebounds.  But it wasn't enough to overcome the combined efforts of Darren Ballou, Corey Helm, and Nick Fudge as Adair County advanced with a 51-43 win.  Fudge scored 12 points with 8 assists and Helm sank three treys in the second half.  Ballou scored 14 on 6-of-10 shooting as the Indians out-shot the Bulldogs 48% to 38%.

  
(Right) Darren Ballou led Adair County with 14 points.  (Right) John Hardin's Chris White led all scorers with 17 points and 9 rebounds.  (Photos by Jesse Osbourne)

Adair County and North Hardin will meet in the tournament championship game at 7:00 PM Tuesday.

 

Adair, John Hardin Advance to 5th Region Semi-Finals

The Adair County Indians and John Hardin Bulldogs both won their opening round games in the Fifth Region Tournament at Marion County's Roby Dome on Thursday to advance to Sunday's semi-final round.

  Adair County's Darren Ballou (31) gets fouled by Bardstown's Damien Edelen as he drives in the paint.

In the most exciting game of the first round, Adair County needed overtime to get past defending tournament champion Bardstown.  Nick Fudge sank a pair of free-throws to put the Indians ahead 54-51 before Bardstown's Trey Cochran sank a three-pointer from the corner with 3.3 seconds left to force the extra period.  But Adair County's 6'7" Darren Ballou proved to be too much to handle near the basket, getting to the free-throw line where he sank 5 of 6 attempts in the extra period to help put away the Tigers, 63-56.  Fudge led all scorers with 23 points, including four three-pointers.  Bardstown's Demarco Phillips led the Tigers with 15 points while teammate Jordan Hickman added 14.

  
(Left) Jordan Hickman directed Bardstown's offense while scoring 14 points against Adair County.  (Right) Adair County's Nick Fudge drives for two of his game-high 23 points against Bardstown.

John Hardin's Chris White posted a double-double in the second game of the evening as the Bulldogs defeated the Larue County Hawks 70-58 to advance to Sunday's semi-final against Adair County.  White scored 21 points while grabbing 10 rebounds.  Larue County's Tyler Hornback and Bryan Bault both scored 14 for the Hawks.

  Chris White (53) scored 21 points and grabbed 10 rebounds against Larue County in the opening round of the Fifth Region Tournament.

The Fifth Region Tournament continues at the Roby Dome this Sunday with two sessions.  At 2:30 PM the Taylor County Cardinals will take on the North Hardin Trojans.  Following the completion of that game, the gym will be cleared of spectators and a second admission will be required to see Adair County and John Hardin at 5:30 PM.

 

North Hardin, Taylor Co. Open 5th Region Tourney with Wins

The North Hardin Trojans and Taylor County Cardinals advanced to the semi-finals of the Fifth Region Tournament Wednesday at Marion County High School's Roby Dome.

  North Hardin and Green Co. tip off in the opening game of the Fifth Region Tournament.

In the opening game of the tournament, North Hardin's James Berry drained four of his six three-point attemps and scored 19 points to lead the Trojans over the Green County Dragons, 84-45.  After being held scoreless in the first half, senior Clint Henderson scored 17 points in the second to lead Green County.

 
(Left) Taylor County's student section took over one end of the Roby Dome.  (Right) Taylor County's Leonard Macon shoots over Nelson County's Tyler Foster.

Taylor County's Leonard Macon dominated the paint in the second game of the session, posting a double-double with 16 points and 19 rebounds as the Cardinals held off a late charge by Nelson County to advance with a 59-50 win.  After leading 30-26 at the half, Taylor County out-scored the Cardinals from Nelson County 17-6 in the third quarter.  The lead was stretched to 17 in the fourth before Nelson County cut the lead to single digits with 1:30 to play.  Tyler Martinez scored 15 points to lead Nelson County while Taylor County's Chase Cox led all scorers with 21.

     
(Left) North Hardin's James Berry scored 19 points and grabbed 9 rebounds against Green Co.  (Center) Taylor Co.'s Lloyd Stotts shoots a free-throw in the Cards' win over Nelson Co.  (Right) Green Co.'s Stanton Shively draws a charge against North Hardin's Jordan Bramblett.

Thursday's session will feature the Bardstown Tigers, with a record of 22-8, going up against the 23-7 Adair County Indians at 6:00 PM, to be followed by the Larue County Hawks (23-5) and the John Hardin Bulldogs (20-8) at 8:00 PM.

 

MCHS is Host to 5th Region Tournament

Marion County High School will welcome eight teams from central Kentucky for the 2009 Boys' Fifth Region Tournament.  The Roby Dome is expected to be filled to capacity this week for one of the most competitive region tournaments in recent years.

  North Hardin's LaRod King shoots a lay-up over John Hardin's Chris White. (Photo by Jill Pickett, News-Enterprise)

First-round games begin Wednesday, March 4, with the upper portion of the eight-team bracket.  At 6:00 PM 17th District champion North Hardin will face 18th District runner-up Green County.  Following that game at 8:00 PM will be 20th District champ Taylor County facing 19th District runner-up Nelson County.

 
Adair County's Nick Fudge (left) directs the Indians offense.  Taylor County's Chase Cox (right) is one of the most prolific scorers in the state at 22.8 points a game.

The lower bracket begins its first-round on Thursday, March 5.  At 6:00 PM the Bardstown Tigers, winners of the 19th District Tournament, will take on the 20th District runner-up, Adair County Indians.  The second game of that evening will begin at 8:00 PM with 18th District champion Larue County taking on the Bulldogs of John Hardin, runner-up of the 17th District.

   
Larue County's Tyler Hornbeck (left, 34) averages 13.4 points a game for the Hawks' balanced offensive attack (photo courtesy of the Larue County Herald).  Bardstown's Trey Cochran (right, 15) on defense in the 19th District Tournament (photo by Peter Zubaty, Kentucky Standard).

Semi-finals will take place on Sunday, March 8, with a split-session.  The first semi-final will begin at 2:30 PM, then the gym will be cleared of spectators before the second semi-final is played at 5:30 PM.  The championship game will take place at 7:00 PM on Tuesday, March 10.

 

Taylor Wins District; 3 Knights Earn Post-Season Awards

 Taylor County's Leonard Macon and Adair County's Darren Ballou fight for the opening tip of the 20th District Championship.

Taylor County guard Chase Cox scored 21 points to lead the Cardinals over host Adair County in a thrilling game for the championship of the 20th District Tournament, 54-49.  Cardinal center Leonard Macon added 10 points for Taylor County while Adair County's Darren Ballou, a Morehead State signee, led all scorers with 26.  Both teams will represent the 20th District in next week's 5th Region Tournament at Marion County High School.

The 2009 20th District All-Academic Team: (l-r) Lloyd Stotts of Taylor Co., Jason Buckman of Marion Co., and Nick Fudge of Adair Co.

In post-game ceremonies, three Marion County Knights were recognized with post-season awards.  For the second consecutive season Jason Buckman, a Marion County senior, was named to the District All-Academic Team along with Taylor County's Lloyd Stotts and Adair County's Nick Fudge.  Marion County seniors D.J. Hall and Christopher Southall were named to the Regular Season All-District team.  Southall was also named to the Tournament All-District Team after leading the Knights with 16 points in their final game against Adair County.

Regular Season All-District Team: (l-r) Matthew Davis (Campbellsville), Corey Helm (Adair Co.), Chase Cox (Taylor Co.), Christopher Southall (Marion Co.), Michael Coulter (Taylor Co.), Bryton Taylor (Campbellsville), Nick Fudge (Adair Co.), D.J. Hall (Marion Co.), Thomas Downs (Campbellsville), and Darren Ballou (Adair Co.)

The 2009 20th District All-Tournament Team: (l-r) Leonard Macon, Michael Coulter, and Chase Cox of Taylor County; Nick Fudge, Corey Helm, and Darren Ballou of Adair County; and Christopher Southall of Marion County.  Absent from photo is Michael McCubbin of Campbellsville.