Christian County

OWENSBORO - George Rogers Clark High School softball coach Jackie McCloud got a little emotional following his team's two-game exit from the state tournament Friday at Jack Fisher Park. McCloud reflected on his team's successful season, which came to a close following a 13-0 loss to Christian County in five innings. It wasn't easy. "My girls played hard," the veteran coach said while fighting back tears. "It's been a tough year. I'm a little emotional. You play hard to get here, and then you don't play well.

All good things must come to an end. For West Jessamine Colts softball that old adage is all too real. "It was just such a great season, I just wanted it to keep going," senior catcher and team captain Ashley Tatman said after the team's elimination from the KHSAA Fast Pitch Softball State Tournament last Friday at Sky View Park in Jeffersontown. "When you've got such momentum and you're with such great girls that you love so much, you just don't want it to end. But it has to sometime and that's just what hurts most.

West Jessamine softball capped off its season with a 1-2 record in the KHSAA Fast Pitch Softball State Tournament this weekend at Sky View Park in Jeffersontown. The regional tournament-winning team finished its season with a 30-10 record. West won its first game of the tournament Friday morning over Estill County, 2-1, in the double-elimination tournament. In their second round game in the winner's bracket, West lost to Oldham County, 7-3. Falling to the consolation bracket, West lost its first game to Christian County, 11-1.

1. Lexington Catholic 2. Paul Dunbar 3. Pleasure Ridge Park 4. Eastern 5. Owensboro Catholic 6. Ballard 7. Henry Clay 8. Apollo 9. Tates Creek 10. George Rogers Clark 11. St. Xavier 12. Danville 13. Trinity 14. Paintsville 15. Madisonville-North Hopkins 16. Christian County Lexington Christian 18. Covington Catholic 19. Oldham County 20. Henderson County ...

George Rogers Clark's seniors played well Thursday in the team's Sweet Sixteen win over Christian County, but it was two of the youngest players on the floor who made some of the biggest contributions. Sophomore Robert Hatton scored 12 points and had three assists, and eighth-grader Robbie Stenzel tallied nine points and committed only one turnover in the Cardinals' overtime win. Their poise and calm under the pressure of playing at Rupp Arena in the state finals came as no surprise to Clark coach Scott Humphrey or star guard Preston Knowles, a senior.

4 p.m. Overtime baby. Jamaizz Baker of Christian hit a 3-pointer with 9.4 seconds left to send game into OT. Clark led by 7 with 1:30 left, but couldn't hold on. ... Baker missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer. ... Knowles 20 points, Jones 18. Tubby a goner. ... 3:30 p.m. Word circulating is that Tubby Smith has resigned and is taking the job at the University Minnesota. Not confirmed. Clark leads 49-42 going into the fourth quarter. Only scored 11 points in the quarter. Jones should be well rested for this one. ... Clark looking like a solid winner here.

Just four days after winning its first 10th Region title in 17 years, George Rogers Clark is still celebrating. It's the talk of the town. The Cardinals are savoring the moment, not to mention the attention. "There's not doubt we've been riding on a high," Clark coach Scott Humphrey said on Wednesday. "We're happy for our guys, our coaching staff and it's a real exciting time in our school and in our community. " Since Clark's win over defending region champion Mason County on Sunday, Humphrey has received more than 250 e-mails and phone calls from his coaching friends, former players and others.

Tori Alcorn and Hayley Hellyer each had 22 points Wednesday to lead Boyle County to an 82-48 win over Buckhorn at the Lady Indians Invitational at Adair County. Boyle led 22-13 after the first quarter and 43-25 at the half. Hellyer added 11 rebounds for the Rebels, who play Bowling Green at 6:30 p.m. today. Kelly Horn added nine points and Kendra Ross had seven for Boyle. Christian County 73, Casey County 53 At Berea, Christian County grabbed 26 offensive boards and attempted 21 more free throws than Casey to top the Rebels at the Berea Tournament.

The top teams in the Bluegrasspreps.com high school football rankings, with this week's opponent in parentheses (all games Friday unless noted): Class A 1. Danville (at Carroll County) 2. Beechwood (vs. Bellevue) 3. Bardstown (open) 4. Newport Central Catholic (at Ludlow) 5. Mayfield (open) 6. Frankfort (vs. Owen County) 7. Pikeville (open) 8. Somerset (at Evarts) 9. Covington Holy Cross (vs. Bracken County) 10. Bethlehem (at Campbellsville)

Eva Jean Ezell, 68, of Butler Road, Hopkinsville, died Tuesday, June 27 at the Jennie Stuart Medical Center in Hopkinsville. A daughter of the late Bluford Wilson and Dollie Dimple Bracey Rogers, she worked at Pennyrile Rural Electric for 35 years as switchboard operator/receptionist. She was active with the American Cancer Society, a member of Seciond Baptist Church and the Golden Sunshine Group and choir, and the widow of Charles Boyd Ezell. She was also preceded in death by a son, Anthony Wayne Reynolds; and one grandchild.