LOOKING BACK

 People have asked many times over the years how can such a small town as Corbin, or even such a small area produce so many quality athletes?

A gentleman named Gary P. West has accepted the challenge of answering that question. Mr. West has authored seven books and has a very descriptive literary style. I read his book on Kelly Coleman and thoroughly enjoyed it.

Mr. West and Doug Gibson along with Charles Thurman came to Corbin last week and met on Thursday evening with Don Estep and myself to layout West’s plans and gather whatever facts we might be able to contribute to his project.

Friday the local Rotary Club was very gracious to accept several guests as they had West as the speaker. Several former Redhounds were in attendance. Jerry Bird, Calvin Bird, Rodger Bird, Barry Brooks, Joe Gambrell to name a few.

West said the cornerstones of the book would be the fabulous Bird and Selvy families, but the book would delve deeper into the sports history of Corbin and even eastern Kentucky.

This book should generate a great deal of interest among sports fans everywhere. According to Mr. West books should be available within a year.

The Redhounds of Coach Tony Pietrowski seem to be working out some of their wrinkles the last couple of games by thumping Middlesboro and then beating Whitley County soundly, with both games on the road.

Travis Smith is back on the floor for the Redhounds and is providing that senior leadership.

Zach Farley is getting better each game as he continues to play with confidence. Zach’s shooting the ball very well and playing good defense.

Robbie Igo is playing strong inside and newcomer Caleb Maguet continues to impress me with his court awareness. With Erik Jones being cleared to play this week, team depth is certainly no problem.

I was really impressed with the play of Whitley County’s Michael Powers. As a matter of fact, it is difficult for me to understand how the Colonels have won only two games.

The parity in the 13^th Region this year is unreal. Harlan County, Clay County, North Laurel, Corbin, Knox Central, Barbourville, Bell County and Williamsburg are all contenders. It all depends on which team can get it all together for a six-game run in March.

Last Thursday evening Paul Jones, Paul Pietrowski, Roy Ely and I went to Berea to watch the game between Berea and the Alice Lloyd Eagles. Former Redhound Isaac Wilson is the starting point guard for Alice Lloyd again this year as a sophomore; Isaac scored 22 points and had nine assists as the Eagles downed Berea by around 20 points.

Wilson was by far the quickest player on the floor both on his feet and with his mind.

Alice Lloyd Coach J.R. Hammond is to be commended, he saw something in Wilson that whistled right over the head of coaches at the University of Cumberlands and Union or for that matter Eastern or Western.

This kid is a winner.

Speaking of winners, you can certainly put that tag on Michael Kidd-Gilchrest of the University of Kentucky. As the old saying goes “it is not the size of the dog in the fight, it is the size of the fight in the dog”.