TO THE GRADS

 At the end of this week all three county high schools will have graduated. With that said, another class of athletes will leave the halls, gym floors and fields of Corbin, Whitley County and Williamsburg High School. It has been an honor documentating their accomplishments the last four years.

These seniors achieved goals that other classes before them have not and the future classes may never achieve.

The graduating football seniors of the three schools left their marks on the gridiron. It has been a pleasure covering Ryan Moses and watching him grow as a young man. He passed and ran his way over opponents for over 3,000 yards, scored 18 touchdowns and had a hand in 20 others. There was Daniel Pettit, Dusty Brown and Jeremy Collins who led the Yellow Jackets to yet another district playoff.

What an honor it was watching Whitley County give Lexington Catholic all they could handle. Jamie Lebanion, Alex Patrick, Dan Burnett, Nathaniel Davis and Jimmy Walden all had a big part in the Colonels football success once again.

At Corbin, what will they do without Caleb Watkins? Then there was the development of Ben House and Aaron Manns. Players like Ryan Fritts, C.J. Crawford and Jonathan Goforth, Jimmy Lambdin will never be forgotten after leading the Redhounds deep into the playoffs once again.

The Corbin boys’ soccer team went all the way to the regional finals before losing a shootout to South Laurel. James Grinter and Joseph Partin recently signed to play at the Cumberlands.

Coach Armondo Cima will certainly miss his nine seniors. They have provided a lot of success to the Redhound soccer program.

Roundball

In basketball, Corbin returned to Rupp Arena led by seniors Madison Johnson, Isaac Wilson, Aaron Manns and Luke Stewart. It was really enjoyable watching Luke develop into a very good player. His patience was second to none. With a personality like he has, he will be a success.

Whitley County enjoyed an outstanding basketball season. I would like to think Jamie Lebanion, Jeremy Daniels and Michael Crawford had a lot to do with that. You couldn’t hold Lebanion down for anything; he is an extremely hard worker. Daniels and Crawford have those winning personalities I like to see athletes have.

Williamsburg made their first ever trip to the state All “A” basketball tournament. Corey Fleenor, Daniel Pettit, Adam Jones, Zach Burr, Jarrod Foley, Derrek Lovett and Steven Taylor all had a big part in the success. It was a great moment in their lives and the small school as well. I can assure you there is a lot of pride in the halls of Williamsburg High.

None of the girls’ teams won a district title, but the three had their moments during the season. Corbin led by Kelci Jones got to the finals of the Lady Redhounds Cumberland Falls Tournament. Allison Woolums came on to become a valued part of that team.

Whitley County made some noise in the Paris/Bourbon County Holiday Classic. Senior Brittany Leach gave it her all in leading the Lady Colonels.

One of the biggest success stories was that of the Williamsburg ladies. They might not have won the district or made it to the region, but all the area teams knew their presence was for real. Like the boys, there were quite a few senior ladies. Jessica Ball, Sam Burr, Eleanor Croley, Taylor Haynes, Chelsea Jones, Kristin Sears and Megan Stohner. They won the Madison Southern Holiday Classic, knocking off a good Fern Creek team from Louisville. They should have gotten the win over Harlan in the final of the 13^th Region All “A” Tournament.

Spring sports

Then spring approached. A difficult time of the season for a one-man staff, but I really enjoyed getting to know the seniors on the baseball and softball teams.

I didn’t know Ben Jones existed until he played a major part in the Redhounds run for the 13^th Region baseball title. Jones is another one of those with an awesome personality. Along with Ben House and Cody Duncum. I truly wish them the best.

Jeremy Daniels, Jeremy Berta, Anthony Greenlee and Matt Sage really took charge of the Whitley County baseball team. The Colonels had a nice turn around with those guys leading the way.

Zach Burr was the lone senior on the Williamsburg baseball team. He might be better known for his success on the golf course, but he can play baseball too. He signed to play golf at Asbury. I wish him and his twin, Samantha the best at Asbury.

Allison Woolums was the only senior on the Corbin Lady Redhounds softball team that keeps improving each year. Woolums will stay with softball on the next level. She too is headed for Asbury I believe.

It’s hard to say good-bye to the ever smiling Ashley Lennon of Whitley County. It seems she has been around and all over the Lady Colonels’ field the last four years. She has done an outstanding job.

Amber Dopel, Clarissa Garcia and Whitlie Rose started about every game and contributed in the softball success as well. Brooke Gibbs was the spark plug.

At Williamsburg, Jessica Ball and Taylor Haynes really had to step up. The two along with senior teammate, Maggie Doorlag were determined not to let a losing season get them down and they didn’t quit hustling until the won the last two games of the regular season.

Corbin won tennis titles in both boys and girls. The Redhound golf team went to the state playoffs and the Williamsburg Lady Jackets had a tremendous year on the golf course.

Williamsburg just finished up the track season as regional runner-ups in both the boys and the girls. Dusty Brown, Jarrod Foley, Samantha Burr, Megan Stohner and Kim Albertson are the senior leaders.

Thanks seniors. It has been a pleasure taking notes at your games, meets or matches. You have given me many memories. Good luck in your next adventures.

Congrats Son

The one senior I want to personally congratulate and give a big hug to is my own son, Joey. He will graduate from South Laurel Saturday. I am very proud of my young man for all the hard work he has put in the classroom the last four years. He is headed to Western.

I know it will be a new adventure and a time for a lot of adjustment for both of us. He will have to get used to a new environment and we will have to get used to him being gone for months at a time.

Congratulations son, I am proud of you!!!