Bobcats, LadyCats foundation laid for future
By James David Fugate
Voice Sports
A few parting shots are in order before we close the book on this basketball season. There’s still basketball to be played for sure, the boys’ Sweet Sixteen, the culmination of the NCAA tournament, and of course the NBA. (They’re still playing in that league, aren’t they?) However, without a team of our own, it’s simply not as exciting. Not to say that we’re not going to be rooting for June Buchanan to make a good showing at state. After all, the 14th Region has a lot of ground to recover. Over the past 25 years no other region has performed more poorly in the big show.
But back to the matter at hand, who could’ve imagined that the LadyCats would’ve played so courageously at the girls’ Sweet Sixteen last week? After taking a look at Iroquois, with their quickness and athleticism, you just knew their press would wreak havoc on the LadyCats. But Coach Peggy Moore and her staff had their team well-prepared for the full-court pressure and they handled it admirably. You have to take your hat off to seniors Tiffany Noble, Nicole Lutes and Brittany Moore for the coolness they demonstrated under fire. And then fellow senior Amy Turner, who played the last few games, including the district and region, battling a back ailment, didn’t let the pain stop her. It wasn’t the press that defeated the LadyCats, but second-chance points by the Lady Raiders and a longer bench made the difference. Their superior quickness to the ball and depth was obvious. They used the combination to make it to the final game, before falling to Lexington Christian Academy.
With their strong showing, the LadyCats proved they could play with anybody, and who knows what’s in store for next year. Junior Lenae Shouse had possibly the best game of her career in Bowling Green and most assuredly drew some attention from those in attendance. If she works hard in the off-season and dedicates herself to being the best she can be, she’ll have college recruiters salivating at the possibility of having her services at the next level.
And what about seventh-grader Kendall Noble? From all the hoopla surrounding her emergence in the LadyCat program, to her being named 14th Regional Tournament MVP, to handling Iroquois’ pressure like an old pro, to putting up outstanding numbers in almost every positive category at the Sweet Sixteen, to fielding questions from veteran reporters in the post-game interview room at Diddle Arena, the 13-year old was graceful, confident and humble. She was a picture of everything you’d want an athlete and young lady to be. Of her experience on high school girls’ basketball’s biggest stage, she remarked confidently to a reporter’s question, “I’m coming back.” Make no mistake, she will and she’ll have lots of followers and fans, including this reporter.
Turning the page, and pondering another ‘who’d thunk it’. What about the Bobcats’ big turn-around? From 4-23 and an early district exit last year to 25-4 and the region semifinals this year, Breathitt basketball is back and in a big way. Senior Brandon Hayes came through huge this year, grew into the player many expected he would be, and provided much-needed upper classman leadership. Despite the loss of Hayes and fellow senior Braston Hampton, look for Coach Steve Banks and his capable staff to have the Bobcats primed next year. Travis Smith and Justin Hollan will be back for their fourth year of inside/outside contributions, and present sophomore Ryan Allen will be even tougher on the hardwood next year after another season of football this fall. Sophomore Dusty Allen also has a chance of seeing playing time next year.
The biggest surprise with Breathitt’s boys this year was the outstanding play from the Bobcat freshman class. Channing Fugate and Nick Noble have emerged as the best freshman guard combination in the region and give Bobcat fans much to anticipate in the years to come. Freshman Dakota Ritchie gave the Bobcats valuable minutes this year and with his soft touch has the best inside/outside game we’ve seen in some time. Expect to see him have a big year next season. Fellow freshman Jade Haddix also saw important minutes and valuable contributions. Expect Haddix, along with Josh Salyers, Justin Taulbee, Cody Moore, Travis Terry, Robby Huff, and Zach Epperson to play important roles next year.
There’s baseball, and of course football, of which expectations are always sky-high, but for the first time in a long time, Bobcat and LadyCat fans are already looking forward to next year. Oh yes, there’s a lot of exciting basketball to be played.
