Rockcastle County

Not only did Sara Hammond leave a legacy at Rockcastle County, but she helped establish that 12th Region girls basketball could hold its own with any region in the state. The talented Rockcastle senior not only led the Rockets to a 36-1 season and the school’s first state championship, but she was also named Kentucky’s Miss Basketball, The Associated Press Player of the Year and Kentucky Gatorade Player of the Year. Her final high school honor was recently being named a Parade Magazine All-American — the same honor Boyle County’s Lamar Dawson earned in football.

Bluegrass South Regional Economic Development Coalition announces Rockcastle County Industrial Development Authority as the newest member of the now-nine-county regional development team. Rockcastle County joins Central Kentucky counties Anderson, Boyle, Garrard, Lincoln, Marion, Mercer, Taylor and Washington in this partnership. “Rockcastle County is excited about joining the Bluegrass South Coalition and is anxious to work on regional projects,” said RCIDA Executive Director Holly Hopkins.

Lincoln County girls basketball coach Cassandra McWhorter has been named co-Coach of the Year by the newly-formed 12th Region Girls Coaches Association. The 12th Region Boys Basketball Coaches Association has been selecting all-region teams, players and coaches for several years now, however, it wasn’t until this past year that the girls’ coaches decided to follow suit. In her first year as Lady Patriot head coach, McWhorter led Lincoln to a fourth straight 45th District championship title and a record of 22-7.

SOMERSET — If anyone knows how to stop Rockcastle County, it’s Randy Salyers. But that means the Casey County coach also knows full well how difficult it can be. Casey and Rockcastle have played each other more than any two 12th Region opponents since Rockcastle moved into the region six years ago, and the two teams will meet again at 7 p.m. today for the championship of the girls 12th Region Tournament at Pulaski County. The 47th District rivals have become quite familiar with each other, and Salyers has seen enough of the Rockets and their McDonald’s All-American, center Sara Hammond, to know that she isn’t the only player the Rebels will have to stop tonight.

SOMERSET — The Garrard County girls are growing up fast this postseason. They’re getting an education in how to play under pressure, and the fact that they’re still alive in the girls 12th Region Tournament indicates that they’re learning their lesson well. Garrard rallied to win a second straight elimination game, coming from behind twice to beat Mercer County 49-45 Tuesday night in a regional first-round game at Pulaski County. The Golden Lions erased Mercer leads in the fourth quarter and the first overtime before capturing first regional win since 2006.

Wayne County barely beat his team and then was upset by Southwestern, a team with a losing record in the district championship game, but Boyle County coach Steve Adams still thinks Wayne is the team to beat in the 12th Region Tournament. “They are so experienced and play so well together,” said Adams. Yet even the Boyle coach wouldn’t go all-in with the Cardinals in the tourney that starts Wednesday at Lincoln County. “Pulaski County can do something that Wayne County can’t — they can turn you over.

SOMERSET — The result was the same for the Casey County girls, but their coach was encouraged that the process was different. Casey couldn’t avoid another loss to Rockcastle County, which won the 47th District Tournament for the second straight year with a 53-44 victory here Thursday night in the championship game at Pulaski County. But coach Randy Salyers said it was the Rebels’ best showing against the Rockets this season, and he said he’ll make sure his players understand and appreciate what they did well in case these teams meet again next week for the regional title.

The Danville Admirals should know exactly what they’re up against this week. Their opponent is a team that saw a long string of winning seasons snapped last year and that can’t wait to prove that 2009 was an aberration and that 2010 will mark a return to form. Sound familiar? It does to Danville coach Sam Harp, because Rockcastle County comes into Saturday’s game in the Bob Allen Pigskin Classic at Admiral Stadium almost exactly where the Admirals were a week ago. The Rockets are still smarting from last year’s 5-7 finish — the same record Danville had — that included three losses in the fourth quarter or overtime, and like Danville, they return a number of experienced players but are still relatively young.

MOUNT VERNON ? Clarke Rowe rushed for 166 yards and three touchdowns and John Saylor added 146 yards and two scores to lead Rockcastle County to a 42-14 win over Lincoln County here Friday night in the Renfro Valley Jamboree Bowl. The Rockets (2-1) hit hard and hit early, opening up a 21-0 lead in the first quarter and went on to rack up 432 yards offense. The Rocket defense was equally impressive, holding the Patriots to minus-50 yards rushing. "Rock is a solid team and well-coached, and our kids got to experience that first-hand tonight," said Lincoln coach Mike Settles.

10 years ago... An estimated 1,500 people ? train buffs, historical preservationists, politicians and the merely curious ? braved a blistering sun for the dedication of the renovated L & N Depot in Stanford. The $483,000 remodeling project, which included a lighted walking trail to Danville Street and, ultimately, would include a park for children, was unveiled in a ceremony that was important to those who came but, as the guest speaker noted, also preserved an important piece of American history.