January, 2007
By: Jeff Noble
Voice Editor
Last Friday in Louisville at the Kentucky Press Association’s (KPA) Winter Convention, The Breathitt County Voice won a total of five awards in the “2006 Excellence in Kentucky Newspapers Contest”. 
By D. A. Collier
Voice Sports
Jackson forward Dustin Kiburn, who scored 21 points for the Jackson City Tigers in their Thursday night game at J.B. Goff Gymnasium against Leslie County, scored the first four points for the Tigers and then hit 4-5 free throws down the stretch but it was not quite enough as Leslie prevailed 72-69.
By D.A. Collier
Voice Sports
The pace seemed to favor the Buckhorn Wildcats but the Jackson Tigers kept it close for a half in an opening round game of the All-A Tourney played at J.B Goff Gymnasium. Three minutes into the third quarter the Tigers clawed back to within three points and were only trailing 38-35. About then Buckhorn turned to their “Mr. Outside” as guard Andy Blank connected on two long three pointers for six of his game high 30 points. Then “Mr. Inside” completely turned the game around. Center Zack Gay, a 6’6″ sky-walker, blocked three shots and scored two baskets including one at the buzzer and by the end of the 3rd quarter Buckhorn had an 11 point lead on the way to a 73-55 victory.
Drew Davidson led the Tigers in scoring with 19 points. First man off the bench, Lee Watts, scored 12 points, all in the first half. In the 3rd quarter, Buckhorn’s zone made it difficult for the Tigers to get a good shot, especially Watts whose 2nd quarter performance made him a marked man in the 2nd half. Michael Watkins added 8 points. Jackson big men Dustin Kilburn (6) and Zack Luck (4) who combined for over 30 points vs. Leslie Co. together accounted for only 10 points due mostly to “Mr. Inside” Gay. Jackie Clemons and Nick Carico scored 2 points each.
Monday, January 29th, 2007
By James David Fugate
Voice Sports
The Breathitt County Bobcats are getting better with each game they play, and that didn’t bode well for visiting Menifee County Tuesday night. Coach Steve Banks’ Bobcats put 112 points on the board while holding Menifee to 61 in the lopsided blowout.
On the road at Louisville Brown, DaKota Ritchie had another big game for the young Breathitt Co.Bobcats JV Team with 12 points and Cody Moore showed he was the the big man in middle as he had lots of rebounds to go with his 16 points.
The Breathitt Co. Bobcats were on the road Friday night at Louisville Brown, which is a Kentucky Magnet School in downtown Louisville. The Bears were a very athletic team and they showed they could jump. They had 10 plus blocked shots and that is what the Bobcats are not used to in the Mountains.
A lot of anglers don’t realize just how versatile crankbaits can be in heavy cover. Such as stumps, tree tops and other types of cover. Crankbaits can range in the price of Five dollars to thirty five dollars. So most anglers are reluctant to fish them in a place where they may loose their baits. The typical bait would be a spinnerbait, jig or some type of plastic. But you have to stop and think that’s the lures the fish see over and over. Its what I call the path of least resistant.
Cats Win Streak Ends At Home
(Class “A” Regional Tourney’s Take Center Stage Across Mountains)
Vanderbilt University’s men’s basketball team had never won in Rupp Arena until the 2005- 06 season, now it has won two years in a row and beat UK the last three times it has taken the court against the once proud and feared kingdom of blue.
By D.A. Collier
Voice Sports
This one was a barn-burner and it followed what Principal Derek McKnight called “the best J. V. game in history” won by the LadyCats 51-50 in overtime. The first quarter of the LadyCats vs Letcher Central varsity game ended with an assist by Amanda Southwood to Tiffany Noble who made 1-2 free throws to put the LadyCats ahead 10-8. This Saturday afternoon game played at Fairce O. Woods Coliseum was a rematch of last year’s two regional semifinalists.
The Breathitt Bobcats are having a pretty good season, conceded that strength of schedule is somewhat suspect. Regardless, Breathitt has put itself in position to challenge for the regional crown once again…not only for this season, but for a number of seasons down the road.
