LOOKING BACK

 Last week I wrote of watching open gym basketball throughout the early fall. In that column I overlooked two players who will undoubtedly make significant contributions to this season’s Redhounds success on the hard wood.

Kyle West is the strongest player, physically on the team. Kyle is fundamentally sound around the basket. West uses his strength in his hips and is very adept at gaining inside position for rebounds and scoring down low. Kyle is also the best fisherman on the team.

Taylor Waddle, a young sophomore showed a lot of promise as he prepared himself for the upcoming season. Taylor plays with the intensity of his father, Creston, and his late grandfather, “Klinker” Waddle.

Koury Morris is also a strong young man who has a nice shooting touch and should give the Redhounds a better inside game.

The football Redhounds played well in the first half last week as they beat a rather stubborn McCreary County Central team that refused to lay down for the ‘Hounds.

Now, Taylor Waddle’s name pops up again. Where has Taylor been all year? I remember Taylor breaking a long touchdown run late in a game last year as a freshman.

Was last year’s run an aberration? Obviously not, as he ran for over 150 yards and three touchdowns against McCreary County Central. I have noticed Waddle on defense most of the year.

On the defensive side of the ball against McCreary Central, I felt once again Tanner Powers was very good, along with some real good play from Tommy Bailey.

The game of the year for the Corbin Redhounds will be Friday evening on Log Mountain versus the Bell County Bobcats.

The Redhounds chances are dependent on how well they are able to contain Bobcat star running back Scotty Davenport.

The formula to victory for the Redhounds is to keep turnovers to a minimum, to not have foolish penalties and move the chains on offense.

I do not know the playoff format since the Redhounds have been moved to 3A, but I would assume it is plausible that the Redhound and Bobcats might meet again in the playoffs.

The Gathering of the Redhounds for two of the undefeated teams in Redhound history took place last week at a lodge near Tompkinsville.

The 1955 state championship team and the 1960 team that was rated number one at the end of the season had a terrific time I am sure.

Some of those in attendance from the ’55 team were Calvin Bird, David Miller, David Chandler, Johnny Hoskins, Mel Chandler, Ralph Wilder, Bill Howard, Bobby Morris, Winton Boone, Don Turner, Bill Meadors and Carl Byble. I am sure I am overlooking some, and I always hope Gail “Dago” Phillips and Bob Howard, Bill Scalf and Ronnie Riley would be able to make it, but fort various reason they were unable to attend.

The 1960 group was having their first gathering and did not have as many attend as they had hoped, but I am sure the ones there really enjoyed themselves.

Rodger Bird, Barry Brooks, Phil Henderlight, Ralph Hodge, Beany Taylor, Joe Gambrell, Larry “Cotton” Adams and Johnny Rowlett were all in attendance and enjoyed the camaraderie.

I am sure everyone is aware of the passing of NFL legend Al Davis. Rodger Bird was the number one draft pick of the Oakland Raiders in 1965. In 1965, as it was in any year before or since 1965, that choice was made by Al Davis

Rodger and Al Davis maintained contact over the years, and Davis would ask about Rodger’s brother, Calvin, who was with the San Diego Chargers when Davis was a receiver’s coach there.

Rodger thought a great deal of Al Davis and was sad to hear of his passing.

I was hoping Bobby “Muncey” White would be at the Redhound Gathering for the ’55 and ’60 teams. Bobby was a freshman on both teams.