Mark Maloney on Kentucky sports

Hits and misses from Friday’s interviews with Eastern Kentucky men’s basketball coach Jeff Neubauer and his lone senior, guard Mike DiNunno.

Coach and player both cited defense as the key to EKU’s 13-3 start (3-0 Ohio Valley Conference). (See Herald-Leader and kentucky.com.)

Another key, though, when the Colonels play host to Morehead State (Saturday, 7 p.m.) figures to be rebounds.

Morehead, led by Chad Posthumus with 6.5 a game, has outrebounded opponents by an average of 37.9-33.3. The Eagles have 256 offensive rebounds.

EKU, with 148 offensive boards, has been outrebounded on average 33.0-26.9.

DiNunno, 5-foot-11, plans to do his part.

“It’s kind of just become a running theme for us this year,” he said. “We have guys who crash really well. But compared to some other teams, especially when we play the bigger teams like Illinois and West Virginia, teams like Morehead (and) a team like Towson earlier in the year, we gave up a little size to them. So we always have to make sure we focus on rebounding.

“And a big part of our rebounding, too, is it hasn’t just come from our ‘bigs’ but the focus on our other guards getting in there. Early in the year, guys like me and Glenn (Cosey) didn’t understand that we had to chase down balls just as much as our bigs did. So we try to get in there and help a little bit, and I think it’s taken some pressure off of our big men … and give them more time to rebound out of their area.”

* EKU has won 10 in a row at home, 9-0 this season. The Colonels played their first seven games at home.

“Last year we started with our first 10 games away from home, and this year we started with our first seven at home,” Neubauer said. “So it gave our new players an opportunity to come together and get comfortable in our system. So we did set up the month of December where we were on the road. We played at home on Dec. 1, and then the entire rest of the month of December we traveled. We competed really well. So now, at this point, we do have four road wins, which is as many as we had last year.”

* Cosey, a 6-0 junior, leads EKU with 15 points a game. However, a broken finger kept him out of Wednesday’s game at Murray State. Neubauer declined to say what Cosey’s status is for Saturday’s game.

“Glenn has been an outstanding shooter for us,” Neubauer said. “A really solid ball-handler. Has a great assist-turnover (50-19) ratio for us, and he has been another guys who has just been solid for us and has allowed us to get off to this good start.”

* DiNunno on another key to beating Morehead: “Just a continuous focus on the things that we’ve been locked on from the beginning of the year. We know what the formula is. We know what we have to do in order to give ourselves the definitive advantage on the floor.”

* EKU is shooting 74.6 percent at the free-throw line, topped by Corey Walden (44 of 50, 88 percent) and DiNunno (35-41, 85.4). The Colonels sank 13 of 14 chances Wednesday at Murray.

Said DiNunno: “… Three or four games ago, we didn’t shoot too well from the stripe. Coach kind of blamed himself and took that upon himself. Because we kind of got away from our usual free-throw stuff in practice because there were just so many other things that we had to focus on. … We were so focused on rebounding (vs. West Virginia) … that we kind of got away from our free-throw routine a little bit. So Coach blamed himself for it. He took it upon himself and he got us back into the rhythm of things and implemented certain segments of practice where we just worked on free throws. Ever since then, we’ve been shooting it great. We have guys on this team who are all more than capable of shooting a high percentage at the free-throw line. So it’s just a matter of locking in and stepping up to the line and hitting them.”

Walton-Verona, Owensboro Catholic, Newport Central Catholic and Bishop Brossart have advanced to the semifinals of the Touchstone Energy All “A” Classic girls’ tournament.

Saturday’s semifinals in the Frankfort Convention Center will match NewCath vs. Brossart at 10 a.m., followed by Walton-Verona against Owensboro Catholic.

Walton-Verona 61, Monroe County 39: Courtney Sandlin pours in 20 points to propel the Bearcats. Kara Taulbee adds 15, all on three-pointers, followed by Michelle Judy with 11 points and Molly Clinkenbears with 10.

Monroe’s Madison Clements and Caylan Bybee score nine points each. Bybee fouls out with 2:05 left.

Bearcats lead by 17: Walton-Verona has pulled out to a 44-27 lead over Walton-Verona through three quarters.

The Bearcats have made six three-pointers — five by Kara Taulbee — to Monroe’s two (both by Molly Harlin).

Taulbee and Courtney Sandlin have 15 points each to lead Walton-Verona.

Caylan Bybee leads the Falcons with eight points, one more than Madison Clements.

Bearcats lead at half: Tied at 10 midway through the first quarter, Walton-Verona goes on a 13-0 run en route to a 27-13 halftime lead over Monroe County.

Courtney Sandlin, a 5-foot-11 junior, scored the first 11 points in that stretch, with Michelle Judy adding the bucket that gave the Bearcats a 23-10 lead midway through the second quarter.

Sandlin finishes the half with 13 points. Judy and Kara Taulbee have six each.

Monroe, runner-up to Owensboro Catholic in last year’s All “A” Classic, has Molly Harlin with six points. Caylan Bybee, the Falcons’ 6-1 senior center, has been held to a free throw and six rebounds.

No. 1 vs. No. 2: In a quarterfinals matchup of the top two teams in the tournament — according to Dave Cantrall’s rankings — No. 2 Walton-Verona leads No. 1 Monroe County 14-10 after one quarter in the Touchstone Energy All “A” Classic.

Kara Taulbee leads the Bearcats with six points, coming on a pair of three-pointers.

Madison Clements has four points for the Falcons.

Owensboro Catholic 49, Magoffin County 46: The Lady Aces led wire-to-wire, using a 9-0 run in the third quarter to break open a close game.

The 9-0 flurry gave the Aces a 31-18 lead with 3:55 left in the quarter.

The lead got up to 14 in the fourth quarter at 45-31.

Magoffin rallied to within 47-44 with 30 seconds left.

Mary Kate Clemens led Owensboro Catholic with 20 points, half of those coming in the fourth quarter. Destiny Howard and Leah Greathouse added 12 points apiece.

Madison Reed scored 20 for Magoffin, while Jamie Castle had 19.

Owensboro Catholic leads Magoffin County: It’s 33-23 in favor of the defending tournament champions after three quarters.

Leah Greathouse, Mary Kate Clemens and Destiny Howard have 10 points each for the Aces.

Madison Reed leads Magoffin with 10 and Jamie Castle has eight.

Aces lead 20-16 at halftime: Owensboro Catholic leads Magoffin County 20-16 at halftime.

The Aces have led all the way, but never by more than six points.

Magoffin is shooting just 13 percent (3-for-23), but has cashed in on 10 of 12 free throws and turned the ball over only two times.

Owensboro Catholic isn’t exactly lighting it up, either. The Aces are 8-for-28 (28.6 percent) from the floor, 4-for-6 at the foul line. The Aces are outrebounding the Hornets 27-15, but have committed seven turnovers.

Mary Kate Clemens is pacing the leaders with 10 points and five rebounds. Destiny Howard has eight caroms to go with four points.

Jamie Castle and Madison Reed have six points each for the Hornets. Morgan Arnett has five rebounds, plus two points.

Defending champs lead: Defending champion Owensboro Catholic leads Magoffin County 12-8 after one quarter of their girls’ All “A” Class quarterfinals matchup.

Mary Kate Clemens leads the Aces with six points.

Magoffin’s Jamie Castle has four points, all from the free-throw line.

Bishop Brossart 49, Louisville Holy Cross 43: Sarah Futscher scored 12 points and Abby Studtmiller had 10 to pace the Lady Stangs’ victory in the quarterfinals.

Brossart, ahead by seven points through three quarters, never let Holy Cross closer than five points in the fourth.

Maya Hardin had 15 points for the Lady Cougars, while Josie Hockman had 10.

Brossart will face Newport Central Catholic in Saturday’s first semifinal, at 10 a.m.

Stangs lead by seven through three quarters: Bishop Brossart leads Louisville Holy Cross 38-31 through three quarters.

Abby Studtmiller leads the Lady Stangs with 10 points. Sarah Futscher has eight.

Maya Hardin leads Holy Cross with 11 points.

10-point game at halftime: Bishop Brossart closes the first half with a 7-0 run to take a 30-20 lead over Louisville Holy Cross.

The Lady Stangs, outrebounded 16-9, nevertheless worked the ball inside and drew 11 fouls on Holy Cross. As a result, Brossart outscored the Lady Cougars 13-3 at the free-throw line.

Sarah Futscher leads Brossart with eight points.

Maya Hardin tops Holy Cross with six points.

First-quarter update: Louisville Holy Cross snd Bishop Brossart are tied at 13 through one quarter.

The winner will meet Newport Central Catholic in Saturday’s semifinals.

Josie Hoskins leads Holy Cross with five points. Abby Studtmiller and Sarah Futscher have six points each for Brossart.

Newport Central Catholic 51, Green County 37: The Thoroughbreds maintained throughout the fourth quarter and advanced to Saturday’s 10 a.m.  semifinals of the All “A” Classic.

Nicole Kiernan, a 5-foot-10 sophomore, led NewCath with 22 points, 17 rebounds, three blocks, two assists and two steals, all while committing only one turnover.

Micah Jones totaled 24 points, seven boards and four steals to lead Green County.

Third-quarter update: Newport Central Catholic went on a 12-0 run in the third quarter and leads 32-23 with one period left. Nicole Kiernan scored 12 points in the quarter and has 18 for the game.

Green County led 18-14 when Micah Jones hit a three-pointer to open the second half. The lead was 20-18 when NewCath made its run to grab a 30-20 lead.

First-half summary: Green County leads Newport Central Catholic 15-14 at halftime of the opening quarterfinals matchup in the girls’ All “A” Classic in the Frankfort Convention Center.

Western Kentucky signee Micah Jones leads Green County with nine points and seven rebounds.

Nicole Kiernan has six points and eight boards for NewCath.

Green’s zone held the Thoroughbreds to 3-for-14 shooting in the first half, but NewCath warmed up with a 4-for-10 effort in the second quarter.

The Lady Dragons, facing a man-to-man defense, shot 4-for-12 in the first quarter and 1-for-11 in the second.

Tied at 2, 4 and 6, Green County used an 8-0 run to lead early in the second quarter. NewCath outscored the Dragons 8-1 the rest of the period.

DeMarcus Cousins (Maloney photo)

Just got into the office after speaking with DeMarcus Cousins, the former University of Kentucky center who last season earned NBA All-Rookie first-team honors with the Sacramento Kings.

“Big Cuz” is at the Kentucky Basketball Academy through Wednesday for the DeMarcus Cousins Elite Skills Basketball Camp, hosted by the Bluegrass Stallions.

Cousins took time to discuss the upcoming “Kentucky Legends” exhibition game versus the John Calipari-coached Dominican Republic, what he might do if the NBA lockout remains in place at the start of next season and, of course, his Wildcats.

“I can’t wait for the 15th (of August). We get to play in Rupp,” Cousins said of the exhibition.

“It’s going to be fun. Playing with John (Wall), Eric (Bledsoe) … again — it’s going to be a lot of fun. Playing with Rajon (Rondo), that’s going to be an experience.”

As for the NBA labor situation, Cousins says his plans “really depend on it’s locked out. If we’re missing like a lot of games, I probably will (overseas). … As of right now, I’m just working out, waiting it out.”

Cousins says he has no idea where he might play if he goes overseas, not even enough of an idea for a preference between Europe and Asia.

“A very talented class,” is his assessment of the Kentucky Wildcats. “If the lockout does continue, you should see my face in Rupp this year. Hopefully, I can make it down. I didn’t get a chance last year — my schedule.”

More of Cousins’ thoughts will be recapped later today on www.kentucky.com.

Kelly Wells

In the wake of Pikeville’s stunning run to the NAIA men’s basketball national championship, Kelly Wells has been named NAIA Coach of the Year. Wells led the Bears to their first national title, with a school-best record of 30-7.

Vic Moses

Pikeville’s Vance Cooksey, Georgetown’s Vic Moses and St. Catharine’s Kashiff Carr have each been named second-team NAIA All-Americans. Honorable mention goes to Georgetown’s Eddie Gray, St. Cat’s Ervin Williams, Cumberlands’ Matt Daniel and Mid-Continent’s Chris Ferguson.

Justin Johnson of Concordia (Calif.) is the NAIA National Player of the Year. He averaged 14.8 points per game, shooting 52 percent from the floor, and averaged 3.8 rebounds and 2.6 steals for a team that finished 32-4 and advanced to the NAIA quarterfinals.

Morehead’s Faried, Tyndall honored

Kenneth Faried

The National Association of Basketball Coaches has named Morehead State senior Kenneth Faried to its all-star team, while Eagles Coach Donnie Tyndall has been named NABC District 19 Co-Coach of the Year.

Donnie Tyndall obliging fans.

Faried, whose 1,673 career rebounds is a modern-day collegiate record, is among 20 collegiate seniors scheduled to play April 1 in the Reese’s College All-Star Game as part of the NCAA Final Four weekend at Houston’s Reliant Stadium.

Tyndall, in his fifth season at Morehead, produced a school-record-tying 25 victories, capped by an NCAA Tournament victory over Louisville. He shares the District 19 award with Billy Kennedy, who guided Murray State to it second consecutive Ohio Valley Conference regular-season championship.

(All photos by Mark Maloney.)

NAIA Division I Men’s Basketball All-America Teams

Detroit Pistons and former University of Kentucky standout Tayshaun Prince is among four players added Tuesday to USA Basketball’s 2010-12 National Team.

The additions of Prince, Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors), Tyreke Evans (Sacramento Kings) and Jeff Green (Oklahoma City Thunder) puts the National Team roster at 31 players.

“We’re excited about the addition of these four outstanding players,” Jerry Colangelo, USA Basketball chairman, said in a press release. “Tayshaun is a versatile veteran who returns to the program after helping the United States win gold in the (2008) Olympics and at the 2007 FIBA Americas Championship, which served as our zone’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

“Jeff was part of the 2008 USA Select Team that trained against the Olympic team and he was again impressive last summer at the national team mini-camp. And in adding Tyreke and Stephen we have brought into the national team fold two of the game’s most exciting and promising newcomers.”

Prince has played in 28 games for Team USA, averaging 4.3 points and 1.9 rebounds per game. Limited to 49 games this season due to a back injury, he averaged 13.5 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.3 assists for the Pistons, shooting 48.6 percent from the field.

Previously named to the National Team were 2008 Olympians: Carmelo Anthony (Denver Nuggets), Carlos Boozer (Utah Jazz), Chris Bosh (Toronto Raptors), Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers), Dwight Howard (Orlando Magic), LeBron James (Cleveland Cavaliers), Chris Paul (New Orleans Hornets), Dwyane Wade (Miami Heat) and Deron Williams (Jazz). Also named were 2004 Olympic bronze-medalists Lamar Odom (Lakers) and Amar’e Stoudemire (Phoenix Suns).

Also on the National Team roster: LaMarcus Aldridge (Portland Trail Blazers); Chauncey Billups (Denver); Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City); Rudy Gay and O.J. Mayo (Memphis Grizzlies); Eric Gordon (Los Angeles Clippers); Danny Granger (Indiana Pacers); Andre Iguodala (Philadelphia 76ers); Al Jefferson  and Kevin Love (Minnesota Timberwolves); David Lee (New York Knicks); Brook Lopez (New Jersey Nets); Kendrick Perkins (Boston Celtics); Derrick Rose (Chicago Bulls), and Gerald Wallace (Charlotte Bobcats).

Duke University’s Mike Krzyzewski is head coach, assisted by Jim Boeheim (Syracuse), Mike D’Antoni (Knicks) and Nate McMillan (Trail Blazers).

Jackie Joyner-Kersee, arguably the greatest female athlete of our time, will be coming to Lexington this summer.

Jackie Joyner-Kersee

“JJK” will join one of her Olympic teammates, Lexington’s Sharrieffa Barksdale, for a three-day track and field camp at Henry Clay High School.

The camp, focusing on “sprints, speed, throws, jumps and hurdles” will run in split sessions from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m., June 7-9. The opening session, 9 a.m.-noon, is for ages 7-11. The second session, 1-4 p.m., is for ages 12-18. Besides track and field athletes, the camp caters to baseball, basketball, football, soccer and tennis players hoping to refine their speed.

Cost for the three days is $300. Coaches may attend for $200.

JJK competed in four Olympics as a heptathlete and long-jumper.

In the heptathlon, she earned a silver medal in the 1984 Games at Los Angeles, then struck gold in 1988 at Seoul and in 1992 at Barcelona. In the long jump, she won gold in 1988, then took bronzes in 1992 and in the 1996 Atlanta Games.

Sharrieffa Barksdale

Barksdale also competed in the 1984 Olympics, reaching the semifinals in the 400-meter hurdles. She is the former American record-holder in the event. Barksdale has remained active in the sport and served as assistant manager of the U.S. Olympic track and field team at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Campers will receive a T-shirt and autographed camp photo.

A breakdown of disciplines:

Sprints — Campers will hone sprint drills, 40-yard dash, block-start technique, form running, acceleration, speed maintenance and relay exchanges.

Throws — Will be covered in detail, including training technique, and focusing on shot put and discus.

Jumps — The high jump will be broken into simple easy-to-learn parts. The long jump will be covered start-to-landing by JJK. Campers will be able to see and correct faults in their technique.

Hurdles — Technique for both long and short hurdles will be taught by JJK and Barksdale. Included will be instruction in how to alternate lead legs in order to prevent loss of momentum.

One of my favorite stories about technique comes from JJK’s husband, revered coach Bobby Kersee. Twenty years-or-so ago he was explaining to a group of reporters that the idea in the hurdles is to keep “air time” over the barriers to a minimum because that is when momentum is lost. So skim over the hurdle as close as possible without making contact, then snap that lead leg down to get back on the track. One day at practice he made his point with this visual — and I’m paraphrasing — “Jackie, I’m going to set this dime on top of a hurdle. I want you to knock it off, but don’t touch the hurdle.” Now, that’s a difficult drill!

For more information, contact Barksdale at  (859) 519-7131  or by e-mail at Blairs3833@yahoo.com.

Ted Hotaling, a men’s assistant basketball coach at Eastern Kentucky University for the last five years, has been named head coach at the University of New Haven.

Hotaling is the ninth head coach in the history of the West Haven, Conn., program.

Ted Hotaling

Hotaling is a former assistant with the Chargers, as well as nearby Yale University.

While at EKU, with the Colonels qualifying for a pair of post-season appearances, Hotaling’s main responsibilities including working with the guards and coordinating recruiting efforts.

“I am honored to be named the head men’s basketball coach at the University of New Haven,” Hotaling said in a New Haven press release. “I want to thank Debbie Chin (UNH athletic director) for giving me the opportunity to lead the program. Throughout the entire process it was evident that this is an impressive university with great support and I am excited to start working right away.

“For the past 12 years I have been fortunate to work with great people, coaches and players. It is their success and support that has enabled me to attain this position. The most important factor for success at the college level is getting the right people in the program. Our number one priority will be to attract quality student-athletes that can be successful on the floor and in the classroom and that will represent the University of New Haven in a first-class manner.” 

Hotaling’s Coaching Experience
Adelphi (Assistant Coach, 1998-99)
Yale (Assistant Coach, 1999-00)
New Haven (Assistant Coach, 2000-01)
Yale (Assistant Coach, 2001-05)
Eastern Kentucky (Assistant Coach, 2005-2010)

Turns out that the Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (KIAC), know for being among the premier conferences in the NAIA, has officials who are as highly regarded as the teams.

Sherianne Shuey

Sherianne Shuey, a KIAC official from Lancaster, has been selected to work the National NAIA Women’s Tournament for the next four seasons, starting next month.

Shuey joins Marla Gearhart, a KIAC official who has worked the last two national tournaments.

The National NAIA Men’s Tournament will include three KIAC officials: John Drake, Gary Durbin and Kevin Clary. Durbin worked the championship game last year.

“We are proud of all the officials on the KIAC staff,” Ron Dixon, who assigns conference officials, said in a press release on the KIAC web site. “Sherianne is just a continuance of what this officiating staff has done over the last four years. Everyone associated with the conference should be proud of these accomplishments, and commitment of all officials on a night-to-night basis for our student-athletes. I think it takes a special person to be an official, and we are excited to have found 115 special people to officiate the games our student-athletes play.”

Gone (ice) fishing

This will be my last blog on Kentucky.com until March. I’ll be vacationing at the Vancouver Winter Olympic Games. I’ll post updates on my personal site: www.monkeyalarm.com

Fans attending Eastern Kentucky University’s home basketball games this week are invited to take part in the fifth annual Colonel Holiday Toy Drive.

The drive, operated by the EKU Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and the Salvation Army, opened Monday at the Alumni Coliseum ticket office. Donations of new, unwrapped toys will be accepted from 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. daily through Friday.

Wednesday night, when the EKU men (6-2) play host to Ohio Valley (1-4) at 7 p.m., fans who donate to the Toy Drive will gain free admission.

Friday, when the EKU women (4-4) meet Davis & Elkins at 6 p.m., donations will earn free admission.

Bluegrass tinge to USATF annual meeting

Award winners at the USA Track & Field annual meeting in Indianapolis include several Kentucky connections.

Lexington native Tyson Gay won both the Harrison Dillard and Jesse Owens awards.

Sprinter Tyson Gay (Lafayette High School/Univ. of Arkansas) received both the Jesse Owens and Harrison Dillard awards. World-champion long-jumper Dwight Phillips (Univ. of Kentucky) took the Jim Thorpe Award.

Gay, the World Championships silver medalist at 100 meters, equaled or bettered his own American record three times in 2009. Other finalists for the award were Phillips, Christian Cantwell, Kerron Clement, Trey Hardee, Bernard Lagat and LaShawn Merritt.

USATF’s chairman and president, Stephanie Hightower (Louisville Stuart H.S./Ohio State), commended the board of directors who, over the last 11 months, have developed a ”comprehensive strategic plan.”

Also, five new members were inducted into the National Track & Field Hall of Fame — four-time Olympian Joetta Clark Diggs; Olympic long jump gold-medalists Randy Williams and Willie Steele; Olympic gold-medalist 400-meter hurdler Andre Phillips; and one of the all-time coaching greats, Dr. Ken Foreman.

Updating Charley Taylor’s recovery

Charley Taylor

Long-time Lexington Legends pitching coach Charley Taylor’s post-surgery cancer treatment is running ahead of the schedule that was posted on this blog Tuesday.

He already has returned to MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston for chemotherapy. All indications are that his recovery is going well five weeks after the surgery.

Here’s hoping Charley is back tutoring young pitchers soon on a bullpen mound.

Lyles, Clemens honored by Astros

Jordan Lyles

Koby Clemens

RHP Jordan Lyles, who went 7-11 with a 3.24 ERA for the Legends last season, is Pitcher of the Year in the Houston Astros organization.

Lyles, who turned 19 in October, ranked fourth in minor-league baseball and set a Legends record by striking out 167. He fanned 10 or more batters in four games and walked only 38 over 144 2/3 innings. The Astros landed Lyles with a 2008 supplemental first-round draft pick (38th overall).

Former Legend 3B Koby Clemens is Offensive Player of the Year in the Astros organization.

Clemens, now a catcher, hit .345 with 22 homers and 121 RBI for the Lancaster JetHawks of the High-A California League.

Eastern Kentucky University announced the signing of two men’s basketball recruits Tuesday.

Spencer Perrin, a 6-foot-5 small forward, helped Boyle County to the 12th Region championship by averaging 21 points and 11 rebounds as a senior in 2007. He is now in his second season at Lake Land College in Mattoon, Ill.

Willie Cruz is a 6-4 guard, now a senior at L’Anse Creuse High School near Detroit. Cruz averaged 20.5 points, 8.3 rebounds and 3.2 assists last season. He was named all-conference, second-team all-area and honorable mention all-state.

EKU (0-1) plays its home opener tonight at 7 against Winston-Salem.