LOOKING BACK

 I had occasion this past week during summer basketball to meet a fine young man who is currently the head basketball coach of the Williamsburg Yellow Jackets, Patrick Robinson. I knew Patrick’s grandfather, his dad Bo Robinson and his aunt Patsy and uncle Tommy Faulkner. I understand with those bloodlines how Patrick would be described above as “a fine young man”, but there is more to coach Robinson.

I watched his demeanor on the sidelines as he directed his young players through time when they played well and times when they struggled a bit.

Coach Robinson was always cool and in control and when he spoke, the coach had the full attention of his players.

Williamsburg High School is a class A school competing against larger high schools in the 50^th District, but coach Robinson is going to out a very competitive team on the floor in 2011-12.

The Corbin Redhounds played Rockcastle County, Harlan, Pulaski County, Lee County and Williamsburg during a week and a half of summer basketball before moving on to Lexington to play in the AAU competition at the Kentucky Basketball Academy.

There were times the Redhounds of next year showed reasons for optimism, but much work is to be done between now and November.

The main reason for hope next season was the Redhounds play against Pulaski County. The game was very physical and Pulaski County is very talented. What really impressed me with the play of the Redhounds was the heart they played with in that game. Travis Smith was bumped and held and pushed throughout the game, but maintained his poise and was unstoppable as he scored 38 points to lead the Redhounds to a hard fought win. Robbie Igo really went to war and played the way everyone has hoped he would.

Hunter Grubb is an aggressive as Taylor Jones was last year and I look for Hunter to play a big role on next year’s team.

Zack Farley is also playing well on defense and has a nice jump shot. Kyle West played strong inside before being injured and Donnie Wilson showed some quickness and some ability to score. Koury Morris adds size inside and seems to be fundamentally sound. Koury also played aggressive inside.

Two younger kids I really like on the perimeter are Trevor Hill, who will be an eighth grader and Brent Perry, who will be a seventh grader.

Kevin Goins was not available against Pulaski County, but will contribute heavily next season,

Andrew Johnson really impressed me with his defense, and some moves he made to the basket. Zack Henson looks like a football player and is, but he also has a game on the basketball court. Basketball will be fun in 2011-12.

Some more faces in the crowd are Ken and Joan Cobb, who can be counted on for their support of Redhound football or basketball. Walt Smith and his brother, James is always in attendance.

Todd and Marian Boggs are usually at every game supporting the Redhounds. R. L. Brown, whose grandson Sam is a player with the junior varsity attends many games.

Jim Curry has always been a strong Redhound fan.

I think it is great that a few kids have decided to play football and basketball. At this point in time when each sport demands more preparation than ever before, it takes real dedication to satisfy the demands of playing two sports.

Hunter Grubb and Zack Henson are two young men who are working hard to make an impact on each Redhound squad, football and basketball.

When I think of two-sport stars that played at Corbin High School, one man stands above all others, Calvin Bird.

Calvin at one time held the record for one game scoring 49 points in one football game before his younger brother, Billy, broke that record by scoring 66 points in one game,

Calvin also set a school record of 61 points in a single basketball game, which was later equaled by Marion Selvy.

Calvin still holds the record at the University of Kentucky for points in one football game with 25 points.

In my opinion, the all time greatest athlete at Corbin High School, Calvin Bird, always a Redhound.