Madison Central

RICHMOND - George Rogers Clark got pushed around in its debut Monday night. Defending 11th¿Region champion Madison¿Central muscled its way to a 42-23 victory over the Lady Cardinals in the season opener for both teams.  “We just didn't play tough tonight,” Clark coach Scott True said. “They got real physical with us and we couldn't handle it. They pushed us off the block and forced us to run our offense 35-feet away from the basket. They were just physically tougher than us tonight.” Central was without its top player Ashton Feldhaus, who was serving a two-game suspension after getting ejected in a preseason scrimmage.

The West Jessamine girls' soccer team will play Madison Central on Monday night at 8 p.m. at Madison Southern in the semifinals of the Region 14 tournament. On Sept. 26, the Lady Colts beat Central 6-0 at home. On Thursday, West won the 27th District by edging Lexington Catholic 1-0. Lexington Catholic will play Madison Southern at 6 p.m. on Monday.

HARRODSBURG - The Mercer County defense showed measureable progress between its first game and its second. The offense, however, isn't moving forward at the same pace. The Titans kept Madison Central within reach for as long as possible Friday, but they couldn't make enough happen on offense to keep up and they suffered a 29-7 loss in their home opener. They made fewer mistakes and allowed fewer points Friday than they had in their season-opening loss to Collins, but they also generated fewer yards and fewer first downs than they had in that game six days earlier.

RICHMOND - It's no secret Dominique Hawkins wanted to play basketball at Kentucky. This morning, the Madison Central standout made it official after announcing his plans to sign with the Wildcats in front of his family, friends and classmates during an assembly at the school. Hawkins turned down offers from Purdue, South Carolina, Tennessee Tech, Valparaiso, Western Kentucky, Murray State and Morehead State to sign with  Kentucky. Butler coach Brad Stevens showed interest in Hawkins earlier this week, but Hawkins already had Kentucky penciled in as his school of choice.

RICHMOND - Fresh off wins over Lexington Christian and Mercer County, the Lincoln County softball team was looking to extend its winning ways Friday. Madison Central denied the visiting Lady Patriots their third straight win, however, rallying from a 2-0 deficit to beat Lincoln 3-2. Gabby Gabriel held Madison Central scoreless through the first five innings, but the Lady Indians put three runs on the board in the bottom of the sixth and held on for the win.  “This seems to be the story we continue to write, where we get a lead and we give it up,” Lincoln coach Kevin Bandura said.

Rob¿Caudill returned from injury with a dominating performance Monday as Danville beat No. 6 Madison¿Central 8-1 at Eastern Kentucky University. Caudill, who missed a week with a concussion, tossed a three-hitter, giving no earned runs, striking out 10 and walking one. “It was good to get Rob back, he didn't miss a beat,”¿Danville coach Paul Morse said. “He threw the ball extremely well, and got stronger as the game went on. He was feeling his way back the first couple of innings, and then really  dominated them late.” Danville picked up the game with Madison¿Central (25-6)

Madison Central 49, George Rogers Clark 35 Highlights from George Rogers Clark's loss to Madison Central Friday night at Cardinal Stadium by First String Media

Tuesday, Sept. 13 Boys' soccer Madison Central 1 East Jessamine 0 West Jessamine 4 GRC 1 Thursday, Sept. 8 Boys' soccer Dunbar 2 East Jessamine 1

LOUISVILLE - Troy Barr didn't have to spend three days coaching Madison Central's Dominique Hawkins in the Kentucky Derby Festival Basketball Classic to know what type of talent he has. “I think he is really good. We played them twice last season and played them in the summer. I saw him three times in seven months. I knew how good he was,” said Barr, the Bullitt East coach who helped coach Hawkins' team in the all-star game at Freedom Hall. “We scouted him at the Marshall County Hoop Fest.

East Jessamine baseball 5/14: W @ George Rogers Clark, 3-0 5/15: W @ Scott County, 5-4 Pitching: Conner Lindsay (W) 10K in 7.0 innings. Batting: Jacob Burnight (2B) ; Jacob Overstreet (3 walks); Burnight , Barron Blackford (1 RBI). 5/16: canceled (rain) @ Anderson County 5/17: @ Pulaski County (7 p.m.) 5/18: vs. Madison Central (12 p.m.) Record to date: 20-11 On the week: 2-0 East Jessamine softball 5/13: W vs. Rockcastle County, 10-0 Pitching: Haylee Hamm (W)

Lincoln County freshman Katie King won the 400-meter dash Thursday at the Class AAA, Region 7 meet at Southwestern High School. King, who posted  a winning time of 1 minute, 04.1 seconds, was one of three Patriots to earn automatic bids to next Saturday's state meet in Louisville. Sophomore Brian Carlson was second in the boys 1,600 (4:31.74) and freshman Morgan Gorley was second in the girls 1,600 (5:43.15). King also placed fifth in the 200 (28.86) and Carlson was third in the 3,200 (10:08.

Back when Larry Warford played for Madison Central, offensive line coach Mark Scenters had a unique, but effective, way of motivating his star lineman - a Wendy's Baconator. “We used to have a running deal that if any lineman graded out well and played really well, it would result in him getting a big burger,” said Scenters, now the head coach at Garrard County. “He got a few for sure, and probably deserved more than I could afford. At least now he shouldn't have to worry about how many he buys.

Elysse Petrie struck out seven and tossed a four-hit shutout Tuesday as No. 10 Boyle County beat visiting Madison Central 5-0. Lauren Richards had a pair of triples, including one in the third inning which drove in three runs and capped a five-run inning. Amy Woolum had an RBI double and Hannah Miniard had a run-scoring single in the third as well for Boyle (15-6). “I thought Elysse pitched well. Defensively, we did a good job. They had some scoring opportunities, but we neutralized their scoring threats,” Boyle coach Brian Deem said.

LOUISVILLE - Troy Barr didn't have to spend three days coaching Madison Central's Dominique Hawkins in the Kentucky Derby Festival Basketball Classic to know what type of talent he has. “I think he is really good. We played them twice last season and played them in the summer. I saw him three times in seven months. I knew how good he was,” said Barr, the Bullitt East coach who helped coach Hawkins' team in the all-star game at Freedom Hall. “We scouted him at the Marshall County Hoop Fest.

Looking back - Madison Central standout and Kentucky Mr. Basketball Dominique Hawkins picked the University of Kentucky as his college of choice. Hawkins led the Indians to their first state title and will compete in the Derby Classic Friday at Freedom Hall in Louisville. - The University of Louisville defeated Michigan to win the school's third national championship. It gave coach Rick Pitino his second national championship as a coach. He won his first national championship as coach of the Wildcats in 1996.

RICHMOND - Minutes before he announced his college of choice Wednesday morning, Dominique Hawkins reached under the table and pulled out a University of Kentucky cap, ending speculation concerning his future plans. It was a moment he had been waiting for as a lifelong Kentucky fan. Hawkins kept the secret to himself, mother Denise and girlfriend Sara Shackelford for nearly a month. Hawkins admitted that it was hard to keep silent on his intentions, but he knew of three people in his inner circle who wouldn't reveal the Wildcats had an offer waiting on the table a week after leading the Indians to the state title.

RICHMOND - Minutes before he announced his college of choice Wednesday morning, Dominique Hawkins reached under the table and pulled out a Kentucky cap, ending speculation concerning his future plans. It was a moment he had been waiting for the lifelong Kentucky fan. Hawkins kept the secret to himself, mother Denise and girlfriend Sara Shackelford for nearly a month. Hawkins admitted that it was hard to keep silent, but he knew of three people in his inner circle who wouldn't reveal the Wildcats had an offer waiting on the table a week after leading the Indians to the state title.

RICHMOND - Dominique Hawkins might not be a McDonald's All-American, but the Madison Central guard is not coming to Kentucky thinking he's only going to play a limited role on a star-studded roster. “He believe he is going to play next year,” Madison Central coach Allen Feldhaus Jr. said. “He may not show it, but he's confident he can compete and play. He's not going to back down.” He proved that when he played against Texas twins Aaron and Andrew Harrison, both UK signees, in the Marshall County Hoop Fest early in the season.

West Jessamine head coach Josh Yost's boys' tennis team claimed victories for the Colts on consecutive days, moving them to 4-2 on the season. Led by their top three seeds, seniors Andrew Monell, Grant Wells and Justin Sanders, West swept its singles competition on the road Monday and Tuesday at Madison Central and Scott County. Monday, the Colts defeated Central 4-1 as sophomore Nick Kulaga and junior Joel Mansur also picked up one of the team's two doubles matches. Singles No. 1 Andrew Monell (WJ)