Basketball Court

Christian Gateskill-Fuqua is still a target for opponents' student sections, but there's one chant he doesn't hear any more. The Danville senior has made his mark in athletics primarily on the soccer field, but now his play on the basketball court is also commanding attention. By becoming the Admirals' starting point guard and their leading scorer this season, Gateskill-Fuqua has proved this season that he is a valuable player in both of his chosen sports, and he said he has made it clear that he isn't just playing basketball to pass the time.

Maybe quite a few kids get a car for their 16th birthday. Lauren Hatter was 18 when she got hers, but it was still a gift for her Sweet 16. Her father, Tim, delivered the black and silver 2006 Mustang Fastback to Casey County High School on March 10. It was the day before his daughter, a star guard on the Lady Rebels basketball team, was to make her debut in the Sweet Sixteen tournament in Bowling Green. "He said it was for winning player of the year and making it to the state tournament," recalled Lauren, a senior who was named The Advocate-Messenger's player of the year by area coaches.

Dan Johnson watches the fourth- and fifth-graders run up and down the carpeted basketball court and sees boys learning to serve Jesus. The boys are playing in a Saturday league at Mitchellsburg Baptist Church called Higher Goal. Started by Johnson, the church's pastor, it takes its name from Philippians 3:14 in the New Testament: "I press toward the goal for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. " Johnson, who is from Indiana, said hoops and religion were a natural fit. "The Lord blessed us with a building and we're just trying to take advantage of it," he said.

Local youths attend Sheriff's Ranch Three Jessamine County youths recently spent a week at the Kentucky Sheriff's Boys & Girls Ranch located in Gilbertsville. Ashley Adair, Leah Hazelwood and Alexus Calhoun spent a week at the camp who's programs are designed to help teach the importance of learning to live and work together, nature, spiritual and emotional development and an understanding of and relationship with law enforcement officials. The 30-acre ranch consist of wooded areas, rolling hills, a small pond, basketball court, athletic fields, swimming pool, playground, gymnasium, dormitories and a mess hall.

HOOVER, Ala. — Kentucky football players have been quick to credit strength coach Ray “Rock” Oliver for changing their workout habits and helping make them believe they can compete with any Southeastern Conference opponent. However, Kentucky basketball coach John Calipari says Oliver has been important for more than just football since coming to UK earlier this year. “For the whole weight program, what he has done is that he takes no crap. As a coach, what you want is stuff taken off your plate.

Tom Bryant, former Centre men's basketball coach and athletics director, will remain a fixture on the basketball court as the new gym floor at Sutcliffe Athletic Center has been named in his honor. A dedication will take place Dec. 3 at 8 p.m. when the Colonels host Rhodes College. Centre's home court was renovated this summer as part of the $22-million expansion and renovation project known as The College Centre. "This is an appropriate honor for Tom Bryant," says Brian Chafin, Centre's director of athletics and recreation.

Former George Rogers Clark standout Vinny Zollo has found a new home. Zollo plans to transfer to Furman in Greenville, S.C. from Western Kentucky University to finish out his collegiate career. Zollo narrowed his list of schools to Furman and Iona College earlier this week and settled on Furman. “This (was) a big decision for me, because this is the last go-around and the last chance to get it right as far as where you want to be,” Zollo said during a video post on his blog Friday.

John Wall knows all about the expectations for him and the University of Kentucky this season. Yet the talented freshman point guard from North Carolina insisted Wednesday he can't let that overwhelm him or change the way he prepares for his first ? and maybe only ? collegiate ? season. "I do worry about that (the expectations) a little bit. There are such big expectations for me and the team. Everybody is saying we supposedly had the No. 1 recruiting class in history. Some people already have us winning the national championship," Wall, who was ranked as the nation's top recruit by many, said.

John Wall knows all about the expectations for him and the University of Kentucky this season. Yet the talented freshman point guard from North Carolina insisted he can't let that overwhelm him or change the way he prepares for his first ? and maybe only ? collegiate season. "I do worry about that (the expectations) a little bit. There are such big expectations for me and the team. Everybody is saying we supposedly had the No. 1 recruiting class in history. Some people already have us winning the national championship," Wall, who was ranked as the nation's top recruit by many, said.