LOOKING BACK

 The calendar has rapidly moved toward the month of February and with it the intensity of the basketball season begins to rise to a new level.

The Corbin Redhounds have definitely stepped up their game this past week with three big wins over South Laurel, Bell County and Pineville.

I try to watch each of the Redhounds and see how they develop both as individuals and as a team.

Travis Smith is still at the head of the class as the best player in the 13^th region. Travis has taken on a new role however, as he is now putting more trust in his teammates. Travis is a very clever defender and an excellent rebounder and passer. When the game is on the line, there is no better player in the 13^th region.

Zack Farley is more often than not as quick or quicker than anyone on the court. Farley takes the ball to the basket and finishes extremely well and has a nice shooting touch from the perimeter.

Robbie Igo plays as hard as anyone on the floor. Robbie is a strong inside presence on defense and is a strong rebounder. Igo can also put up points in streaks. Robbie needs to stay out of foul trouble.

Kyle West is a fundamentally sound player who blocks out on rebounds and sets screens and plays well within Coach Tony Pietrowski’s offensive sets

Caleb Maguet has to be a favorite among his teammates; Caleb is totally unselfish and does so many little things to help this team win. He makes good passes, sets screens, defends, and is very physical. It also helps that he never misses a free throw.

Hunter Grubb is back after missing a few games and has brought with him some scoring punch, as he will score from inside or outside. Hunter is also a good defender.

Joey Shelton can play inside or outside and can score and rebound. Joey is a solid player as well on defense.

Victor Berezutchi is a big kid and is very athletic. Victor is getting better and could be very instrumental as to how far this team will go.

Trevor Hill, the young eighth grader, is a very talented player with an intensive competitive attitude. Trevor has had a couple of games where he has had difficulty getting his rhythm, but he can shoot the ball with anybody on the floor.

Trevor’s going to be a fine player as he gets more playing time.

I watched College Game Day Saturday and I became very irratated as I listened to Bobby Knight.

Knight is the biggest hypocrite I have ever seen. He takes it on himself to criticize recruiting practices of coaches in a thinly veiled shot at Coach Caliapri.

This coming from an overbearing bully that was run out of Indiana after numerous incidents of abuse and temper tantrums.

I cannot believe ESPN would allow an individual of his character a forum which to expose his cynical points of view.

Last week I wrote of the many football scholarships that were earned in the decades of the 50’s and 60’s.

Going on memory alone, I may have missed even more, but I know I missed David Burton, who had an outstanding career at Clemson, Morris “Moose” Garrison, Kentucky, Larry “Cotton” Adams, North Dakota State and Ken Cox, Kentucky.

Coaches Bill Tucker, Walt Green, Carl Oakley and Ledger Howard.

Now for basketball players from the decade of the 50’s and 60’s who earned basketball scholarships.

Frank Selvy – Furman, Robert Barton – Furman, Bob Cathers – Erskine, C. D. Vermillion – Erskine, Darrel Storm – Erskine, Roy Gilliam, Jr. – Erskine, Jerry Bird – Kentucky, Bobby Terrell – Louisville, Edd Selvy – Furman, Don Turner – Union, Jerry Smith – Furman, Terry Smith – Iowa Wesleyan, Boyce Frederick – Furman, Marvin Selvy – Louisville, Charles “Curly” Selvy – Furman and David Selvy – Furman.

The coaches of this era were Harry Taylor and W.C. Sargent.

Congratulations go out to Scott County Head Basketball Coach Billy Hicks as he won his 800^th game. Coach Hicks began his career at Evarts High School before moving on to Harlan High School and then to Corbin. Where it was a marriage made in heaven with the Redhounds. Coach Hicks got the basketball program on the right track and it has remained strong to this day.