SPORTS HEADLINES 4/5/12

High School Baseball:   Hart County run ruled Dawson Springs 11-1 in 5 innings, Russellville over Metcalfe County 10-3.

Today’s games:   Christian County hosts Calloway County, Fort Campbell at Houston County, TN, Caldwell County goes to Hopkins Central, Trigg County hosts Lyon County.

High School Softball:   Christian County hosts Calloway County, Hopkinsville entertains Todd Central, University Heights welcomes Murray High, Caldwell County hosts Hopkins Central, Trigg County hosts Lyon County, Madisonville welcomes Dawson Springs.

Two members of Christian County’s 2011 football team signed collegiate letters during ceremonies at the high school Wednesday. Lucas Crawley signed with Olivet Nazarene University, an NAIA school outside of Chicago.  Four year player Dayshawn Matlock signed to play his collegiate football for Murray State University.

College Basketball:   Kentucky coach John Calipari took to the social media Wednesday to dispel any rumors he is leaving the Wildcat program to coach the NBA’s New York Knicks. Calipari said he would continue to watch NBA games involving friends who are coaches and former players, but says he is not going anywhere. Calipari said he had the best job in the country and his goal is to pass UCLA in national championships.

Meanwhile, Calipari says he wants to help negotiate a new NCAA rule concerning the one and done rule. Currently, the NBA says a player must be at least 19 or have completed his freshman year to enter the NBA draft. Calipari tells the Lexington Herald Leader he is willing to do what he can to see the rule is changed and players stay in college longer.

Western Kentucky University coach Ray Harper announced Wednesday former Hilltopper David Boyden will rejoin the program as an assistant coach. This will be Boyden’s second stint at Western as a coach. Boyden was an assistant from 2008-10 before going to Tennessee Tech. Boyden also played on the Hill from 2000-03.

College Football:   Austin Peay will conclude its spring practice with the Red/White game at 7 this evening in Governors Stadium.   Former Christian County offensive lineman Jacob Langston will play center this evening.

NFL:   The Tennessee Titans have learned their preseason schedule for the 2012 season. The games include a primetime contest between the Titans and the Arizona Cardinals August 23^rd on ESPN. Other games include a home date with the New Orleans Saints August 29-31, at Seattle August 9-13 and at Tampa Bay August 16-20. Dates for those three games will be finalized over the next month.

The NFL will release the regular season schedule later this month.

The Titans also signed veteran defensive end Leger Douzable to a contract Wednesday. Douzable played the last two seasons for Jacksonville.

NHL:   The Nashville Predators play their final home game of the regular season tonight against the Dallas Stars. Coverage from Bridgestone Arena begins at 7 on Newstalk 95.3 FM/1230 AM WHOP.

SPORTS HEADLINES 4/4/12

High School Baseball:   University Heights won its second game in as many days in defeating Fort Campbell 11-7. Darian McCombs was 3-5 for the Blazers and winning pitcher Wade Willen struck out nine and walked only one in getting the win. Cyle Jay was 3-4 for the Falcons, with pitcher JD Swails took the loss. UHA is now 2-9/2-0 in 8^th district action, while Fort Campbell is 4-4/0-2 in district play.

Elsewhere:   Hopkinsville defeated Marshall County 7-1, with Gus Sholar getting the pitching win and Josh Denton had two hits for the Tigers.   Christian County edged Trigg County 2-1. Heritage Christian Academy defeated Grace Baptist 17-1.

Russellville slid by Butler County 5-4, Clarksville High over Logan County 4-0,Webster County split a doubleheader with Paducah Tilghman—winning 10-4 and losing 8-3, Calloway County run ruled Murray 11-1 in 6 innings.

Today’s games:   Dawson Springs at Hart County, Russellville hosts Metcalfe County and Marshall County plays at Livingston Central.

High School Softball:   Butler County defeated University Heights 8-2, Trigg County run ruled Fort Campbell 21-3 in 4 innings, South Warren run ruled Russellville 19-0 in 3 innings, Jo Byrns, TN edged Todd Central 3-2 in 8 innings, Hopkins Central run ruled Dawson Springs 13-1 in 6 innings, McLean County edged Logan County 11-10.

Hopkinsville High basketballer Darius White signed a letter of intent Tuesday to play for Mid Continent University. White averaged almost six points a game during his senior season, which saw the Tigers win the 2^nd region championship and play in the Boys Sweet 16.

Two Christian County High student athletes will sign letters today. Lucas Crawley and Dayshawn Matlock will sign during ceremonies at 2:30 at the high school.

Hopkinsville High senior basketball player Christy Soldo has received an invitation to play for the Kentucky All Star team that will face the Ohio All Star team this weekend at Thomas More College.

Soldo averaged almost 19 points and almost 10 rebounds this season in leading Hopkinsville to its first Girls Sweet 16 appearance. The Murray State commitment has also been invited to try out for the Kentucky All Star team that will face Indiana this summer.

Golf:   Bill BeLiles shot his age Tuesday at Hopkinsville Golf and Country Club. BeLiles fired an 82.  Don Henderson and Ty Watts were the witnesses.

College Basketball:   The Kentucky Wildcats returned to Lexington to a full house at Rupp Arena Tuesday afternoon to congratulate them on winning their 8^th national championship. The 2012 national championship banner was unfurled in the rafters at Rupp.

Baylor capped off a perfect season at 40-0 in defeating Notre Dame in the Women’s National Championship 80-61. Brittney Griner had 26 points, 13 rebounds and five blocks in the game.

Kentucky was ranked first in the final USA Today/ESPN coaches poll released Tuesday, with Louisville ranked 4^th and Murray State was ranked 16^th.

College Baseball:   Louisville defeated Western Kentucky 9-2, Austin Peay saw its seven game win streak end to Belmont 6-2 and Murray State lost to Southern Illinois 13-10.

NFL:   Nike on Tuesday released all 32 NFL teams new uniforms and there will be some subtle changes for the Tennessee Titans. The Tennessean reports the new uniforms will have new material which will produce lighter jerseys and pants for better range of movement.

NHL:   The Nashville Predators are back in fourth place in the Western Conference thanks to stellar play from backup goalie Anders Lindback in a 2-1 shootout over the Minnesota Wild at Bridgestone Arena. The Predators play their final home game Thursday night against Dallas, a game you can hear at 7 on Newstalk 95.3 FM/1230 AM WHOP.

SPORTS HEADLINES 4.3.12

High School Softball:   University Heights scored three runs in four different innings in defeating Hopkinsville 12-0 in 6 innings Monday. Chelsea Cansler was 3-5, with a home run, double and 3 rbi. Hopkinsville only had three hits in the game from Mallory Smithson, Skyler Grant—who also took the pitching loss—and Christy Soldo.

Makenzi Hamby was the winning pitcher for UHA. UHA improved to 6-4/2-0 in district play, while Hopkinsville fell to 3-6/0-3 in the district.

Elsewhere:   Livingston Central run ruled Trigg County 15-0 in 4 innings, Union County run ruled Caldwell County 12-0 in 5 innings.

Today’s games:   University Heights at Butler County, Fort Campbell hosts Trigg County, Todd Central travels to Jo Byrns, TN, Logan County is at McLean County, Russellville entertains South Warren, Caldwell County hosts Madisonville, Dawson Springs hosts Hopkins Central.

High School Baseball: University Heights defeated Fort Campbell 9-1, Livingston Central edged Trigg County 6-5, Logan County over South Warren 10-7, Russellville run ruled Dawson Springs 16-2 in 5 innings, Henderson County over Hopkins Central 13-4.

Today’s games: University Heights hosts Fort Campbell in 8^th district play at 5:30. The Heritage Bank pre game show airs at 5:15 on Newstalk 95.3 FM/1230 AM WHOP and whopam.com.

Other games:   Hopkinsville hosts Marshall County, Christian County travels to Trigg County, Caldwell County hosts Lyon County, Webster County plays at Paducah Tilghman, Russellville hosts Butler County.

Hopkinsville High basketball player Darius White will sign a collegiate letter with Mid Continent University today. The signing will take place at Hopkinsville High School at 2 pm.

College Basketball:   Eight is great for the Kentucky Wildcats as the school won its 8^th national championship last night in New Orleans defeating Kansas 67-59. Doron Lamb led the Wildcats with 22 points, followed by Marquis Teague with 14 and Michael Kidd Gilchrist had 11 as Kentucky finishes the season 38-2. Anthony Davis was named the Most Outstanding Player, despite only scoring 6 points. Davis had 16 rebounds and 6 blocked shots.

Coach John Calipari has his final talk show of the basketball season tonight at 5, followed by Big Blue Insider at 6 on Lite 98.7.

Baylor guns for a perfect 40-0 season as they meet Notre Dame in the Women’s National Championship tonight in Denver. The teams played in November with Baylor winning 94-81. Tip off is at 7:30, with pre game coverage at 7 on Newstalk 95.3 FM/1230 AM WHOP.

University of Tennessee women’s assistant coach Mickie DeMoss is leaving the program to accept a job in the WNBA. The Knoxville News Sentinel reports DeMoss—who was once head coach at Kentucky—is joining the staff of the Indiana Fever.

The big question is whether DeMoss’ departure is the start of changes in the Lady Vols program. Head Coach Pat Summitt was diagnosed with onset dementia last fall and there has been speculation she may step down.

College Football:   University of Tennessee wide receiver Da’Rick Rogers says his comments on leaving the Vols program over the weekend were misinterpreted. The Knoxville News Sentinel reports Rogers shot down suggestions Monday he would leave Tennessee after two seasons and that he was not trying to be a distraction to the program.

College Baseball: The Kentucky Wildcats are the top ranked team in the nation according to Collegiate Baseball. The number one ranking is the first in school history. The 27-2 Wildcats—who are 19-0 at home—host Dayton Wednesday.   Kentucky is ranked 4^th in the ESPN/USA Today coaches poll.

Today’s games include: Murray State hosting Southern Illinois and Austin Peay hosts Belmont.

NHL:   The Nashville Predators continue their march toward the NHL playoffs hosting the Minnesota Wild at Bridgestone Arena this evening. First puck drops at 7 pm.

SPORTS HEADLINES 4.2.12

High School Softball:   Hopkinsville hosts University Heights in 8^th district action this afternoon at 5:30, with the Heritage Bank pre game show at 5:15 on Newstalk 95.3 FM/1230 AM WHOP and whopam.com.

Other games: Trigg County at Livingston Central, Caldwell County hosts Union County, Logan County travels to Butler County, Russellville hosts Warren East.

High School Baseball:   University Heights is at Fort Campbell in the first of back to back days of 8^th district action, Logan County hosts South Warren, Trigg County at Livingston Central, Russellville hosts Dawson Springs, Henderson County entertains Hopkins Central.

College Basketball

Kentucky guns for its 8^th national championship tonight against Kansas at the Superdome in New Orleans. The Wildcats bring a 37-2 record into the game, while Kansas is 32-6. Tip off is scheduled for 8:23, with UK network coverage at 6:30 on Lite 98.7 and Westwood One-Dial Global coverage at 7 following High School Softball on Newstalk 95.3 FM/1230 AM WHOP.

Kentucky’s Anthony Davis is the first UK player to win the Naismith Trophy, given by the Atlanta Athletic Club. Davis is also the first SEC player to win this award since Pete Maravich did it while playing for LSU in 1970.

Murray State coach Steve Prohm was given the inaugural Joe B. Hall Award at the Final Four from CollegeInsider.com. The award is given to the top first year coach in Division One basketball. Prohm lead the Racers to a 31-2 record this season and a trip to the NCAA tournament.

Women’s Final Four:   Baylor defeated Stanford 59-47 to improve to 39-0 on the season. The Lady Bears will meet Notre Dame in the national championship tomorrow night in Denver. The Fighting Irish had to go to overtime to defeat Connecticut 83-75. You can hear tomorrow night’s game at 7 on Newstalk 95.3 FM/1230 AM WHOP.

College Football:   Kentucky had a mini scrimmage on Saturday, with coach Joker Phillips saying he was pleased with the Wildcats performance. Maxwell Smith threw a pair of touchdown passes in the scrimmage. Kentucky will have its first full scrimmage Saturday.

Murray State had its first major scrimmage on Saturday with 107 plays run in the contest. Spencer Phillips was 15 of 19 for 184 yards and three scores in the scrimmage. The Racers will be off until Thursday and host the Blue-Gold game on April 14^th at 6 pm.

SPORTS HEADLINES 4.1.12

College Basketball

Kentucky and Kansas will meet for the National Championship Monday night at the Mercedes Benz Superdome. Kentucky defeated Louisville 69-61 in the first semifinal. The 37-2 Wildcats were led by national player of the year Anthony Davis with 18 points and 14 rebounds. Darius Miller added 13 points off the bench for the Wildcats. Louisville, who finished the season 30-10, was led by Peyton Siva with 13 points.

Kansas rallied from 13 points five times in the game and defeated Ohio State in the second game 64-62. The Jayhawks improved to 32-6, while the Buckeyes finish the season 31-8.

Kentucky and Kansas will play for the second time this season for the National Championship. Coverage of the game will be heard on the WHOP family of stations, with airtime at 6:30 for UK Network coverage on Lite 98.7 and at 7 on Newstalk 95.3 FM/1230 AM WHOP.

The Women's Final Four gets underway in Denver this evening with Connecticut meeting Notre Dame and Baylor playing Stanford. Coverage of the games begins at 5 on Newstalk 95.3 FM/1230 AM WHOP.

High School Baseball: Hopkinsville won a pair of games at the McCracken County Tournament Saturday, defeating Herrin, IL 5-2 and St. Mary 10-2. The Tigers improved to 4-5 on the season with the wins. There was no score available on Christian County's game with Heath at the McCracken County Tournament.

High School Softball: University Heights fell to Station Camp, TN 7-2 at the Spartan Invitational at South Warren. Todd Central also lost to Station Camp, TN at the Spartan Invitational 10-1.

NHL: The Chicago Blackhawks edged the Nashville Predators 5-4 at Bridgestone Arena. The Predators return to action Tuesday evening hosting the Minnesota Wild at 7 at Bridgestone Arena.