LOOKING BACK

 The Redhounds put the finishing touch on a very good Easley High School South Carolina team as they captured the Cumberland Falls Invitational Tournament Saturday night. Coach Tony Pietrowski is a master of changing defenses, and he continues to utilize his players and get the best the players have to offer.

Corbin played as good a first half of the championship game as they have all year.

Zack Farley, Kaleb Maguet, Robbie Igo and Kevin Goins were on the all-tournament team and Trevor Hill was named the Most Valuable Player.

 ‘CATS

The Kentucky Wildcats lost to Louisville, but were not blown out by any means, losing 80-77. To be truthful Louisville did not beat the Cats, the Cats beat themselves. When you make 10 of 22 free throws you should be ashamed.

It makes you wonder why they have been going through the Cal’s Camp to toughen up the young freshmen. I believe the coach might consider a little free throw practice might be in order.

I felt there was other factors as well that contributed to the loss. I felt the Cats lost their composure at times.

On the positive side, I felt Willie Cauley Stein played very well although he simply could not make a free throw.

Archie Goodwin, who is probably the most athletic player on the team, plays out of control a good bit of the time.

Kyle Wiltjer has improved his overall game to compliment his perimeter marksmanship. I believe Wiltjer by tournament time will be the difference between the Cats being a contender or a pretender.

Nerlens Noel plays with more intensity than anyone on the team, but the ball continues to bounce out of his hands as he rebounds, but he is a good defender.

Alex Poythress looks like he is lost and Julius May played 35 minutes and I never even knew he was in the game. Ryan Harrow gave a good account of himself and should be an asset in the future at point guard.

 Corbin Comet

If you happen to subscribe to Sports Illustrated you can find an article about Jack Taylor scoring 138 points in a Division II game a few weeks ago. The man who wrote the article was Justin Hecket, who interviewed Frank Selvy, who was known as the “Corbin Comet”.

The reason Hecket interviewed Selvy was because Frank was and still is the only Division One player to score 100 points in one game. Of course Selvy is from Corbin and was an All-American and played nine years in the NBA.

It is a very good article, which also includes information about another 100 plus scorer out of Division II, Bevo Francis, from Rio Grande of Ohio.

 Former Redhounds

I spoke with a Redhound from the past over the Holidays. Gail “Dago” Phillips called and we talked about “Dago” recycling Christmas Cards. I saw one he sent to Paul Jones. I believe he said David Miller had advised him that it was the thing to do. Gail and his wife, Billie and his sister, Jesse and his sister-in-law Penny all live in Green Acres, Florida, but have friends in Corbin. It is always good it hear from him and his sister, Jesse.

During the Holiday Season it seems that we have an inordinate amount of health issues among former Redhounds.

To Jerry and Nancy Bird, Calvin and Okie Bird, Rodger and Sally Bird, Mel and Nancy Chandler, we have you in our thoughts and prayers.