Oh, Kentucky

In her farewell editorial, Jamie Lucke asks for kindness for the mountains of Kentucky. No more prisons or strip mines or slurry spills. https://t.co/Fw6a94hHQi ^JC

— Bluegrass Politics (@BGPolitics) March 1, 2019

Not only do the numbers say you don't want to get old in Kentucky, they also say you don't want to be a baby here.

Per Austin Ramsey's report in Owensboro's Messenger-Inquirer, the entire staff of the City of Drakesboro on Jan. 3--a day after the new mayor took office--quit their jobs. 

Good jobs news from Louisville.

Toward better polymer and materials scientists at Murray and aviation-maintenance technicians at Eastern.

"Carp-crete" appears to be exactly as gruesome as it sounds like it might be.

Bardstown's Stephen Foster FiveStar is going retro.

No shocker to or argument from me in the pizza category: It's Pagliai's of Princeton. I look forward to reading the rest of WKDZ's 2018 Best of Western Kentucky winners.

One of the relatively minor but definitive joys of no longer being single is that events like Movies at the Park are pretty much off my calendar. But, seriously, Elizabethtown, I hope you all have a blast.

Rest in peace, Mrs. Louvernia Campbell Deaton (1947-2019), who would've been at least partly responsible for the fine food served at Buckhorn Lake State Resort Park and Hazard's Holiday Inn.

Oh, Kentucky

Well, I just discovered my new favorite Facebook follow ...

Oh, except for, perhaps, the Winter Road Report series from The Crittenden Press ...

In the wake of New Hampshire vice-presidential-hopeful Matt Bevin's "soft" soundbites, Kentucky's social-media-sensation elementary-school principal goes a little harder-edged with his latest video.

And speaking of the governor, here's "Refreshing the Finest," Phase II.

Christmas parades: Murray, Dec. 1, and Scottsville, Dec. 7.

Oh, Kentucky

Among the Kentucky election headlines:

• "Bluegrass, white folks and GOP red"
• "Trump delivers for McConnell in Senate races"
• "Heads or tails to drink? Coin flip to settle Kentucky vote"
• "Third Danville school board seat decided by one vote"
• "As Democrats take House, Louisville's John Yarmuth may rise to power"
• "Madisonville Elects First Openly LGBTQ City Council Member"
• "Trial date set for Graves County Sheriff Dewayne Redmon"
• "Mitch McConnell warns Democrats against 'harassment' of Donald Trump"

Some gripping reporting/writing from Channel 6 in Paducah: "Police say, although they are investigating the alleged theft and Boggs’ disappearance, their priority is Boggs’ safety and well-being. 'We’re all hopeful that he turns up safe and sound. You know, if he’s watching out there, we all want him to know that everything can be taken care of.'"

Some more from the Gimlet Edmonson News in Brownsville: "The new location of Jacob’s Home Furnishings opened with a steady stream of customers all day. With tears in his eyes Jeff Jacobs thanked everyone for their support over the years for their businesses and family. 'We really appreciate it all more than you will know and we can’t say thank you enough by letting us work with what we dreamed of doing, we won’t let you down, we’ll take care of you when you do business with us.'"

Christmas parades: Owensboro, Nov. 17; Berea, Bowling Green, Cadiz, Lawrenceburg, Madisonville and Paducah, Dec. 1; Richmond, Dec. 7; Hopkinsville, Dec. 8, La Center, Dec. 15.

Oh, Kentucky

And the campgrounds open tomorrow.

Kentucky for sale:

Hiring at Levi Jackson Wilderness Road State Park and My Old Kentucky Home. 

"Rattlesnake Trail," yes. "Copperhead Trail," no. 

Oh, Kentucky

Terrifying.

Kentucky for sale:

Tammy Holloway of SurfKY News delivers a terrific history of the Episcopals' 100 years in downtown Madisonville.

Sam Nease drops some Challenger Center knowledge on us in The Hazard Herald, and it’s fun to think about a former NASA engineer’s drive to it from Lancaster: “When I was driving in here today, I was thinking about how good it is for a small town to have a place like this.”

The Kentucky State Parks roll out the welcome mat for National Trails Day.

Lawlessness in LBL.

Kate Howard with the fantastic Kentucky Center for Investigative Journalism: "Kentucky’s auctions brought in more than $630,000 last year from 4,144 guns."

Unemployment here was way down last month.

Per-higher-ed-pupil spending is down 32 percent since 2008.

A Louisville hospital is using robot maids (pretty much).

15 Games Left

Today the world's second-greatest sports event -- the Kentucky Boys' High School Basketball Tournament -- will tip off at Rupp Arena, in Lexington, Kentucky.  Here are today's games (all times Central):

11 A.M.
Buckhorn Wildcats (19-15) v. Murray Tigers (29-5)

The tournament opens with a match-up straight out of the 1950's -- two town teams from each end of the Commonwealth.  What's more Kentucky than that?

12:30 P.M.
(9) Lou. Trinity Shamrocks (29-6) v. Newport Cent. Catholic Thoroughbreds (28-4)

And then we start to see the big powers, as Louisville Trinity takes on a powerhouse from the Cincinnati suburbs.

5:30 P.M.
(5) Bowling Green Purples (30-2) v. Elliott Co. Lions (22-7)

Next up, Bowling Green struggled in the Fourth Region, but they shouldn't have too much trouble with the Sixteenth Region.

7:00 P.M.
(7) Lex. Dunbar Bulldogs (29-6) v. (2) Mercer Co. Titans (33-1)

And then the showcase of the evening -- a top-10 match-up between two Central Kentucky schools that are only 40 minutes apart.  Again, what could be more Kentucky than that?

Enjoy the games, everyone.

15 Games Left

So the regional tournaments are finished and we are down to the Sweet 16.  Here are the last 11 regional finals. Thanks to Eric for his excellent coverage.  Congrats to Murray High School, which is going to State for the first time in 31 years.  Congrats to Buckhorn School, up in Perry County, which has only 350 students in grades K through 12:

1st Region Final (at Murray St. U.):
Murray 55, McCracken Co. 47

3d Region Final (at Owensboro Sportscenter):
Owensboro Catholic 51, Meade Co. 40

4th Region Final (at W. Kentucky U.):
(5) Bowling Green 49, Barren Co. 46

5th Region Final (at Nelson Co.):
Taylor Co. 69, Bardstown 53

7th Region Final (at Lou. Valley):
(9) Lou. Trinity 52, Lou. St. Xavier 48 (OT)

8th Region Final (at Henry Co.):
S. Oldham 81, Anderson Co. 44

10th Region Final (at Montgomery Co.):
Mason Co. 48, Augusta 41

12th Region Final (at Pulaski Co.):
(2) Mercer Co. 76, Casey Co. 60

14th Region Final (at Knott Co. Cent.):
Buckhorn 54, Perry Co. Cent. 51 (OT)

15th Region Final (at E. Kentucky Expo Center):
Lawrence Co. 75, Johnson Cent. 64

16th Region Final (at Morehead St. U.):
Elliott Co. 72, Boyd Co. 47

This gives us the following Regional Champions:

1st:  Murray Tigers (29-5)
2d:  (1) Christian Co. Colonels (29-2)
3d:  Owensboro Catholic Aces (22-9)
4th:  (5) Bowling Green Purples (30-2)
5th:  Taylor Co. Cardinals (24-8)
6th:  Lou. Doss Dragons (27-5)
7th:  (9) Lou. Trinity Shamrocks (29-6)
8th:  S. Oldham Dragons (28-5)
9th:  Newport Cent. Catholic Thoroughbreds (28-4)
10th:  Mason Co. Royals (23-10)
11th: (7) Lex. Dunbar Bulldogs (29-6)
12th:  (2) Mercer Co. Titans (33-1)
13th:  South Laurel Cardinals (27-6)
14th:  Buckhorn Wildcats (19-15)
15th:  Lawrence Co. Bulldogs (29-4)
16th:  Elliott Co. Lions (22-7)

We have Wildcats, Colonels, Thoroughbreds, two sets of Cardinals, two sets of Bulldogs, and -- oddly enough -- two sets of Dragons.  It all seems very Kentucky.  Seeing the Owensboro Catholic Aces, I am reminded that Evansville University's teams are the Purple Aces.  I have this image of a whole bunch of folks in that part of the Ohio Valley sitting around in the years before World War II, referring to each other as "Ace," and feeling extremely cool.

Now everyone has a week to celebrate, which they certainly deserve.

Oh, Kentucky

Sporting News: Ky. the best college hoops state http://t.co/6Mwa8Hxmvc @JonathanLintner @GoCards @UKCoachCalipari pic.twitter.com/VaGhATJp96
— Courier-Journal.com (@courierjournal) January 16, 2015

Good jobs news from Louisville.

Hardin and Pembroke distilleries are expanding distribution through a forthcoming George Jones museum.

"Four of the most popular cycling events in Kentucky"? Per the state, they include the Redbud Ride, in London; the Horsey Hundred, in Georgetown; the Preservation Pedal, in Frankfort, and the Hub City Tour, in Elizabethtown.

"When the URL one of the local plaintiff groups is 'TaxlessSociety.com', they will be back.  They are on a mission."

"Celebrate Valentine’s Day at a Kentucky State Park this year with your special someone!"

Oh, Kentucky

The Kentucky State Parks also are for lovers.

My and the president's wives would likely say that they're going too light on the proteins for breakfast this morning at South Irvine, Estill Springs, West Irvine and Estill County Middle.

Two more Dollars in Etown.

Turning to Louisville culture, the orchestra CEO has had enough understandably; Lynn's Paradise Cafe has closed mysteriously, and Jennifer Lawrence has won finally.

Cycling update: Announcing the Kentucky Century Challenge!

Rest in peace, "Big Dan" Hall, a Betsy Layne standout and part of the UK recruiting class that also included Jack Givens, James Lee, Mike Phillips and Rick Robey.

Oh, Kentucky

The KHSAA girls' golf tournament is today and Wednesday in Bowling Green. The boys' tournament is Thursday and Friday. Meet Miss Gumm.

The gov, meanwhile, will be hitting the gas on over to Hoptown.

Christmas parades: Elkton Dec. 2,

"Tentative plans are underway for a Christmas parade in Nortonville this year, so everyone needs to be thinking about this."

Louisville needs programmers.

Union and Crescent Springs have tutors.

Madisonville has Happy Feet, and it's getting (fantastic!) new trash cans downtown.

Political and economic questions will figure prominently in the next decades of development and implementation of the globally intensifying smart-grid movement!

Pass, in Chavies.

Mad props to Freddie and Mrs. Cowan!

Oh, Kentucky

"Now is not the time to be silent."

Is this Hopkinsville? No, it's Iowa.

"The people of Buckhorn can nearly all trace their family lines back multiple generations to the days of Harvey Murdoch and the building of the town. The same families living in the same areas running the same kinds of businesses can be found throughout the community. Sparks attributes this consistency with Buckhorn never having its boom time like many of the former coal camps in Perry County."


"I can still see the white coated waiter set before me a warm slice of apple pie accompanied by a small pitcher of melted butter that he would then use to anoint this heavenly dessert. Even then I knew this would be the most memorable piece of apple pie ever."

Welcome to Sonora.

Bad jobs news from Fulton.

KSPTo12.

UK's baseball team opens SEC-tournament play today.

And it's voting day.

The show will go on, starting tonight in Bardstown.

For the show to go on, eventually in Madisonville. 

Rest in peace, Mr. Tracy, a Scottsville native and "the heart and soul of" Eastern Kentucky University's theater department.

Oh, Kentucky

I love test marketing.

ESPN says Owensboro Catholic's Becca Greenwell is the nation's sixth-best high-school girls' basketball player heading into next season (and that Marion County's Makayla Epps is 51st).

Not sure who says Heath's softball team is the state's 19th best, but, whoever it is, hooray! The McCracken County championship is fiercely fought.

The Bluegrass Revolution of Lexington are still tops in American Ultimate Disc.

At least one more year for the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant.

Lawrenceburg city employees will see a bump.

Rest in peace, Pfc. Gross of Jeffersonville.

Preserving Portland?

Repurposing the pool?

Back in business in Buckhorn.

One and done: Boys' round of 32

It's Super Tuesday for #khsbbk, too:

First Region, at Murray State University's CSFB Center--Defending champ Marshall County and 2011 runnerup Paducah Tilghman play at 7 p.m. Central.

Second Region, at Madisonville-North Hopkins Senior High School--2011 runnerup Madisonville-North Hopkins hosts Hopkinsville at 7 Central.

Fourth Region, at Western Kentucky University's E.A. Diddle Arena in Bowling Green--Defending champ Warren Central and 2011 runnerup Bowling Green meet again, at 6 p.m. Central.

Fifth Region, at Central Hardin High School in Elizabethtown--Defending champ Bardstown and Elizabethtown John Hardin play at 6 p.m. Central.

Sixth Region, at Louisville Atherton High School and Bellarmine University's Knights Hall in Louisville--Defending champ Mount Washington Bullitt East and 2011 runnerup Louisville Pleasure Ridge Park play at 6 p.m. Central.

Eighth Region, at Henry County High School in New Castle--Defending champ Oldham County plays Shelbyville Martha Layne Collins at 6 p.m. Central.

10th Region, at Montgomery County High School in Mount Sterling--Defending champ Winchester George Rogers Clark plays Mason County at 6 p.m. Central.

11th Region, at Eastern Kentucky University's Alumni Coliseum in Richmond--Scott County and Woodford County play at 6:30 p.m. Central.

12th Region, at Pulaski County High School in Somerset--2011 runnerup Somerset Southwestern and Boyle County play at 6 p.m. Central.

14th Region, at Knott County Central High School in Hindman--2011 Knott County Central and Buckhorn play at 6 p.m. Central.

These regions have already determined their Sweet Sixteen participants:

Third Region, at Owensboro Sportcenter--Owensboro Apollo beat Muhlenberg County, 64-62, for the championship Monday night.

Seventh Region, at Bellarmine's Knights Hall--Louisville Trinity beat Louisville Saint Xavier, 67-46, for the championship Monday.

Ninth Region, at Northern Kentucky University's Bank of Kentucky Center in Highland Heights--Boone County beat 2011 runnerup Newport Central Catholic, 54-49, on Sunday.

13th Region, at Corbin's The Arena--London North Laurel beat Clay County, 54-52, on Monday.

15th Region, at the East Kentucky Expo Center in Pikeville--Paintsville Johnson Central beat Lick Creek East Ridge, 65-45, on Monday.

16th Region, at Morehead State University's Johnson Arena--2011 champ Rowan County beat 2011 runnerup Ashland Blazer, 59-56, on Monday.

Monday Night's Boys' Basketball Games

Twenty-one teams were defeated tonight, so only 26 teams are left from the 128 who started regionals last week. Here were tonight's results:

1st Region Semi-Finals (at Murray State Univ.):
Marshall Co. 49, Fulton City 30
Paducah Tilghman 70, St. Mary 56

Marshall, you always have to get past Tilghman. That's just how it goes.

2d Region Semi-Finals (at Madisonville-North Hopkins):
Madisonville-North Hopkins 70, Christian Co. 56
Hopkinsville 66, Henderson Co. 54

3d Region Final (at Owensboro Sportscenter):
Owensboro Apollo 64, Muhlenberg Co. 62

4th Region Semi-Finals (at W. Kentucky Univ.):
Bowling Green 66, Russell Co. 56
Warren Central 72, Glasgow 66 (OT)

5th Region Semi-Finals (at Central Hardin):
Bardstown 63, Marion Co. 60
John Hardin 84, LaRue Co. 78 (OT)

LaRue scored more points than every team in the state that won tonight -- except for John Hardin.

7th Region Final (at Bellarmine Univ.):
Lou. Trinity 67, Lou. St. Xavier 46

8th Region Semi-Finals (at Henry Co.):
Collins 56, Gallatin Co. 47
Oldham Co. 47, Owen Co. 44

10th Region Semi-Finals (at Montgomery Co.):
Mason Co. 62, Montgomery Co. 57
Clark Co. 61, Campbell Co. 45

12th Region Semi-Finals (at Pulaski Co.):
Boyle Co. 63, E. Jessamine 57
Southwestern 84, W. Jessamine 74

13th Region Final (at The Arena, Corbin):
North Laurel 54, Clay Co. 52 (OT)

14th Region Semi-Finals (at Knott Co. Central):
Buckhorn 67, Powell Co. 51
Knott Co. Cent. 60, Breathitt Co. 58

15th Region Final (at E. Kentucky Expo Center, Pikeville):
Johnson Central 65, East Ridge 45

16th Region Final (at Morehead St. Univ.):
Rowan Co. 59, Ashland Blazer 56

So here's what the State Tournament looks like so far (all games at Rupp Arena). Qualifying teams in bold:

Wednesday, March 14:
Rowan Co. v. North Laurel
Boyle Co. or Southwestern v. Hopkinsville or Madisonville
Bullitt East or PRP v. Trinity
Owensboro Apollo v. Clark Co. or Mason Co.

Thursday, March 15:
Bowling Green or Warren Central v. Collins or Oldham Co.
Boone Co. v. Buckhorn or Knott Co. Central
Marshall Co. or Paducah Tilghman v. Scott Co. or Woodford Co.
Bardstown or John Hardin v. Johnson Central

Last Night's Boys' Basketball Scores

Twenty-six teams were eliminated last night, so 92 teams are still dancing. For me, the big story of the night was that Woodford County (21-12) stunned Lexington Catholic (24-8) by the score of 51-49. To me, Lex Cath is the Duke of the KHSAA, so I always feel relieved once they've been eliminated.

Fleming County (16-17) almost pulled a huge upset over Ashland Blazer (22-11), but the Tomcats escaped in overtime.

I do not consider Christian County's victory over Webster County to be an upset. I'm never surprised when County beats any team west of Owensboro.

1st Region Quarter-Finals (at Murray State Univ.):
Fulton City 58, Lone Oak 45
Marshall Co. 59, Graves Co. 36

2d Region Quarter-Finals (at Madisonville-North Hopkins):
Christian Co. 74, Webster Co. 62
Madisonville-North Hopkins 52, Lyon Co. 34

3d Region Quarter-Finals (at Owensboro Sportscenter):
Daviess Co. 67, Breckinridge Co. 56
Muhlenberg Co. 47, Grayson Co. 45

4th Region Quarter-Finals (at W. Kentucky Univ.):
Bowling Green 75, Logan Co. 59
Russell Co. 68, Barren Co. 54

5th Region Quarter-Finals (Central Hardin):
John Hardin 62, Bethlehem 45
LaRue Co. 73, Taylor Co. 53

8th Region Quarter-Finals (at Henry Co.):
Collins 69, S. Oldham 63
Gallatin Co. 56, Simon Kenton 55

9th Region Quarter-Finals (at N. Kentucky Univ.):
Cooper 56, Dixie Heights 43
Newport Central Catholic 59, Covington Catholic 40

11th Region Quarter-Finals (at E. Kentucky Univ.):
Madison Cent. 83, Lex. Bryan Station 66
Woodford Co. 51, Lex. Catholic 49 (OT)

12th Region Quarter-Finals (at Pulaski Co.):
Boyle Co. 57, Casey Co. 48
E. Jessmine 78, Wayne Co. 61

13th Region Quarter-Finals (at The Arena, Corbin):
Knox Central 59, S. Laurel 50
N. Laurel 59, Middlesboro 43

14th Region Quarter-Finals (at Knott Co. Central):
Buckhorn 60, Wolfe Co. 58
Powell Co. 68, Letcher Co. Cent. 57

15th Region Quarter-Finals (E. Kentucky Expo Center, Pikeville):
Betsy Layne 59, Pikeville 49
Johnson Central 65, Phelps 54

16th Region Quarter-Finals (Morehead St. Univ.):
Ashland Blazer 79, Fleming Co. 73 (OT)
East Carter 51, Russell 41

One and done: Boys' round of 128

Of course, it's not just basketball season in Kentucky.

So, I predict that there is at least one of the 118 teams still with a shot at making the 2012 PNC/KHSAA Boys' Sweet Sixteen® State Basketball Tournament that is coached by a parent who was up a lot of last night, trying not to look or sound nervous in front of his kids while listening to a weather radio in an interior closet of his home. And I predict that coach had to drink an extra cup or two of coffee today just to keep plugging through sixth-period study hall, and I predict that he's going to have to concentrate a little harder this evening to keep up with stuff like substitution patterns and timeout counts and that he's going to have to be a little more careful to not get too heated with one of his players or an official. And, even though he'll definitely be sorry when his team loses and is (one and) done for the rest of the year, I predict that he's still going to feel pretty darned thankful that losing a regional quarterfinal was the worst thing that happened to him in the last 24 hours.

The regions in action tonight:

First Region, at Murray State University's CSFB Center--The 2011 regional champ and 2012 favorite, Marshall County, tips at 7:45 Central against Graves County.

Second Region, at Madisonville-North Hopkins Senior High School--The 2011 state champ and 2012 improbable regional participant, 8-21 Christian County, tips at 7:30 against Webster County.

Third Region, at Owensboro Sportcenter.

Fourth Region, at Western Kentucky University's E.A. Diddle Arena in Bowling Green.

Fifth Region, at Central Hardin High School in Elizabethtown.

Eighth Region, at Henry County High School in New Castle.

Ninth Region, at Northern Kentucky University's Bank of Kentucky Center in Highland Heights.

11th Region, at Eastern Kentucky University's Alumni Coliseum in Richmond.

12th Region, at Pulaski County High School in Somerset.

13th Region, at Corbin's The Arena.

14th Region, at Knott County Central High School in Hindman--Can Cinderella Buckhorn keep it going, at 5:30 p.m. Central against Wolfe County?

15th Region, at the East Kentucky Expo Center in Pikeville.

16th Region, at Morehead State University's Johnson Arena--Terrific Aaron Snyder report in The Daily Independent after defending 16th champ Rowan County's 54-49 win over Westwood Fairview last night: Adam "Wing knows a thing or two about hot streaks – the senior nailed a well-documented 12-for-13 3-pointers in last season's state tournament semifinals and finals combined. He got a taste of being on the other side ... Terry had Wing baffled, so he went to his coach for reassurance. 'I went up to coach Thacker, and he said, "Son, you're playing as good as it gets,"' Wing said."

And the regions that are off tonight:

Sixth Region, at Louisville Atherton High School and Bellarmine University's Knights Hall in Louisville--GoHeath has been saying all along that Louisville Pleasure Ridge Park and Jeffersontown would be a good game, and, indeed, ...

Seventh Region, at Bellarmine's Knights Hall--There will be a new regional champ.

10th Region, at Montgomery County High School in Mount Sterling--Finally starts Thursday.

Last Night's Boys' Basketball Scores

No games in the 1st or 2d Regions last night, as the good folk of Western Kentucky wrapped everything up in time to watch Murray State beat Tennessee Tech on Saturday.

Here are two scores of interest from the rest of the Commonwealth:

In the 14th District, Bowling Green beat Warren Central 70-60. Of course, the Dragons will get another shot at BGHS in the Fourth Region finals.

In th 54th District, Buckhorn's run of great play continued as they beat Hazard 53-46 to capture the District Title.

Last Night's Boys' Basketball Scores

Here are the scores from Friday Night in Western Kentucky. After seeing Fulton City and Hoptown get crushed in so many football games last fall, it's nice to see their basketball teams do well. Meanwhile, I would love to know what has happened to the dozens of Second District trophies that Tilghman has collected down the years:

1st District Championship (at Hickman Co.):

Fulton City 68, Carlisle Co. 41

2d District Championship (at Paducah Tilghman):

Paducah Tilghman 73, Lone Oak 70

4th District Championship (at Murray):

Marshall Co. 57, Calloway Co. 52

8th District Championship (at Christian Co.):

Hopkinsville 75, Christian Co. 58

Once again, the folks in the 54th District have not posted their score in a timely manner, so I don't know what happened in the District final between Buckhorn and Hazard. And there are only District Title games being played, so no one else was eliminated. Still, here were some results of interest:

In the 13th District, pesky Russellville beat Logan Co. 83-79

In the 15th District, Barren Co. (20-12) upset Glasgow (22-7) in overtime, 70-67.

In the 24th District, number 5 Bullitt East crushed number 8 Jeffersontown, 68-47.

In the 28th District, number 18 Eastern stunned number 4 Ballard, 79-76. This means that Ballard and Trinity -- widely regarded as the two best teams in the Seventh Region -- could meet as soon as the Regional Quarter-Finals.

In the 29th District, number 16 Oldham Co. beat number 20 South Oldham, 58-43.

In the 34th District, Lloyd Memorial (15-15) shocked number 13 Dixie Heights, 59-57. Given that the only other ranked team in the Ninth Region -- Covington Holy Cross -- has already been eliminated, that region appears to be wide open.

And in the 43d District, Lexington Catholic (24-7) survived a real scare from Lafayette (13-18), finally winning 40-37.

Last Night's Boys' Basketball Scores

Just to supplement Eric's coverage, here some scores from last night.

These were district title games, so the losers still advance to regionals. Rough night for the home teams. I really wish I could have been in Eddyville for that game:

3d District (at Graves Co.):
St. Mary 66, Graves Co. 48

5th District (at Lyon Co.):
Livingston Central 58, Lyon Co. 55

6th District (at Henderson Co.):
Webster Co. 56, Henderson Co. 44

7th District (at Caldwell Co.):
Madisonville-North Hopkins 78, Caldwell Co. 49

The only other game of note is from the 17th District, where Elizabethtown (the 2000 State Champ) was eliminated 61-58 by North Hardin.

I looked all over the Internet for the Buckhorn/Perry County Central score the other night, but couldn't find it. As Eric reported, Buckhorn (23-5) stunned Perry County Central (23-5) to eliminate the team that Litkenhous had identified as the favorite in the 14th Region. Perry County Central had only lost two games to teams from Kentucky all year.

Oh, Kentucky

If we had known it was going to become Steven Curtis Chapman Day, the Kentucky desk would've baked and/or eaten a cake yesterday.

Bad jobs news from Paducah.

State of emergency in Evarts.

April Madness in Aurora!

Ones and dones: Thanks, GoHeath, for your summary of last night's boys' games. ... Coach Fudge's call for a Columbia "blue out" pulled the Adair County girls through at Taylor County in the 20th District, but the boys lost by two to the home team. ... Etown John over Radcliff North in girls' 17th. "The John Hardin Lady Bulldogs made history against North Hardin in the regular season, but the Lady Trojans weren’t about to let it happen again in the postseason," writes Nathaniel Bryan in today's News-Enterprise. ... Henderson County's boys play at home against Webster County tonight for the Sixth District championship, but that's not the story getting the attention in Henderson. ... Russellvillians can now commence making their travel plans to Bowling Green for next week's Fourth Region tournaments. ...

Also on tap tonight: From Paducah's Maiden Alley Cinema, it's the McCracken County district Poetry Out Loud competition. (You've got to figure this kid to be the favorite out in the Harlan County district.) It is very, very excellent and appropriate that the Heath sophomore will be reciting a Vachel Lindsay poem. Vachel Lindsay got clobbered then and gets clobbered now for a lot of what he wrote, for a lot of different reasons. But let me say this: That guy was, as a great writing teacher at WKU used to put it, "a writing man," baby. "General William Booth Enters Into Heaven" (50 stars) is just a masterful piece of work that literally makes my hands shake when I read it. Here's ... well, heck, here's the whole thing (hooray for public domain, and rest in peace, Vachel Lindsay):

[To be sung to the tune of The Blood of the
Lamb with indicated instrument]

I
[Bass drum beaten loudly.]

BOOTH led boldly with his big bass drum—
(Are you washed in the blood of the
Lamb?)
The Saints smiled gravely and they said:
"He's come."
(Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?)
Walking lepers followed, rank on rank,
Lurching bravoes from the ditches dank,
Drabs from the alleyways and drug fiends
pale—
Minds still passion-ridden, soul-powers frail:—
Vermin-eaten saints with mouldy breath,
Unwashed legions with the ways of Death—
(Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?)
[Banjos.]
Every slum had sent it half-a-score
The round world over. (Booth had groaned for more.)
Every banner that the wide world flies
Bloomed with glory and transcendent dyes.
Big-voiced lasses made their banjos bang,
Tranced, fanatical they shrieked and sang:—
"Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?"
Hallelujah! It was queer to see
Bull-necked convicts with that land make free.
Loons with trumpets blowed a blare, blare, blare
On, on upward thro' the golden air!
(Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?)

II

[Bass drum slower and softer.]
Booth died blind and still by Faith he trod,
Eyes still dazzled by the ways of God.
Booth led boldly, and he looked the chief
Eagle countenance in sharp relief,
Beard a-flying, air of high command
Unabated in that holy land.
[Sweet flute music.]
Jesus came from out the court-house door,
Stretched his hands above the passing poor.
Booth saw note, but led his queer ones there
Round and round the mighty court-house square.
Yet in an instant all that blear review
Marched on spotless, clad in raiment new.
The lame were straightened, withered limbs uncurled
And blind eyes opened on a new, sweet world.

[Bass drum louder.]
Drabs and vixens in a flash made whole!
Gone was the weasel-head, the snout, the jowl!
Sages and sibyls now, and athletes clean,
Rulers of empires, and of forests green!

[Grand chorus of all instruments. Tambourines to the foreground.]
The hosts were sandalled, and their wings were fire!
(Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?)
But their noise played havoc with the angel-choir.
(Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?)
O, shout Salvation! It was good to see
Kings and Princes by the Lamb set free.
The banjos rattled and tambourines
Jing-jing-jingled in the hands of Queens.

[Reverently sung, no instruments.]
And when Booth halted by the curb for prayer
He saw his Master thro' the flag-filled air.
Christ came gently with a robe and crown
For Booth the soldier, while the throng knelt down.
He saw King Jesus. They were face to face,
And he knelt a-weeping in that holy place.
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

Great Paducah Sun story about a gift to Murray from the City of the Big Shoulders.

Rest in peace, Hunter S. Thompson, too. It would've been fun to see what he wrote about this.

Which, of course, leads us to Owensboro's Johnny Depp. The end.