Tuesday’s High School Basketball scores

Boys: Rowan County defeated Christian County 55-51 in a rematch of last season’s state championship game at the Ashland Invitational Tournament. The Colonels were led in scoring by Quan Poindexter with 11 points, with Jarvis Irby adding 10. Christian County is now 3-6 on the season. Warren Central is also at the AIT, and they defeated Lincoln County 62-38.

Elsewhere: Todd Central defeated Lyon County 59-55 at the Webster County Holiday Classic. The Lyons also lost to host Webster County 78-68 and Greenwood defeated Lone Oak 70-67.  

At the First Southern National Bank Classic in Russellville, Russellville defeated West Creek TN 62-47, Logan County over Chicago Julian 80-72 and Bullitt Central defeated Muhlenberg County 57-42.

At the Eagle Classic at Ohio County, the host Eagles defeated Owensboro Catholic 80-43, Apollo over Bourbon County 62-56, Covington, TN over Livingston Central 61-43, Henderson County edged Breckinridge County 55-50.

Girls: Hopkinsville played a pair of games at the Lady Tiger Classic in Murray, defeating Ballard Memorial 62-47 behind Ashlee Cole’s double-double of 18 points and 21 rebounds. Christy Soldo led the Lady Tigers with 24 points. In the second game won by Hoptown 60-54 over Bowling Green, Soldo had a double-double of her own of 33 points and 18 rebounds. Hopkinsville is now 8-1 on the season.

Other games at the Lady Tiger Classic saw Bowling Green defeat Union City, TN 66-49, Muhlenberg County defeated Reidland 78-31 and Northeast 70-42. Murray High won two games over Reidland 84-32 and Northeast 82-41. Ballard Memorial lost to Union City, TN 62-41.

Elsewhere: At the First Southern National Bank Classic in Russellville, Logan County rolled over Jackson County 60-21, Mayfield defeated Russellville 54-46, St. Mary over Trimble County 56-37.

At the Webster County Holiday Classic, Todd Central over Hopkins Central 75-24, Livingston Central over Heath 60-38, Webster County over Hopkins Central 59-25.

Today’s games

Boys: Christian County meets Woodford County at the Ashland Invitational Tournament.

Elsewhere: Todd Central plays Greenwood and Webster County at the Webster County Holiday Classic, where Lone Oak plays Lyon County and host Webster County. Play continues at the First Southern National Bank Classic in Russellville.

The Eagle Classic at Ohio County has the host Eagles meeting Covington, TN, Livingston Central plays Owensboro Catholic, Apollo meets Breckinridge County and Henderson County plays Bourbon County.

Girls: Hopkinsville meets Union City, TN at Murray High’s Lady Tiger Classic, where Muhlenberg County meets host Murray, Bowling Green plays Ballard Memorial, and Reidland meets Northeast.

Todd Central plays Heath and host Webster County at the Webster County Holiday Classic, where Livingston Central plays Webster County and Hopkins Central.

Play continues at the First Southern National Bank Classic in Russellville. Todd Central meets Heath and Webster County at the Webster County Holiday Classic where Livingston Central also plays host Webster County and Hopkins Central.

College Basketball

Third ranked Kentucky welcomes the Lamar Cardinals to Rupp Arena for a 7:30 tipoff, with pre game coverage beginning at 6 on Lite 98.7.

Elsewhere: Fourth ranked Louisville opens Big East play hosting Georgetown.

Women’s action has 8^th ranked Tennessee meeting Old Dominion and number 6 Kentucky takes on Middle Tennessee.

Louisville coach Rick Pitino says he plans to end his coaching career when his contract ends after the 2016-17 season. Pitino is in his 11^th season as Louisville’s coach and led the Cardinals to the Final Four in 2005. Pitino has also coached at Kentucky and Providence, leading both schools to the Final Four. He also has coached the NBA’s New York Knicks and Boston Celtics.

College Football

The Louisville Cardinals rallied from a 21 point deficit, but lost to North Carolina State 31-24 at the Belk Bowl in Charlotte, NC. The Cardinals finished the season 7-6.

NHL

The Nashville Predators are back on the ice this evening hosting the Minnesota Wild, with coverage from Bridgestone Arena beginning at 7 on Newstalk 95.3 FM/1230 AM WHOP.

Meanwhile, the Tennessean reports Predators captain Shea Weber may try to play Friday in St. Louis. Weber suffered a concussion in a game at Dallas last week. He will not play in tonight’s game against Minnesota.

High School Basketball

Boys: Christian County meets Rowan County in a rematch of last year’s state championship game at the Ashland Invitational Tournament, Todd Central meets Lyon County who also faces Webster County at the Webster County Christmas Classic where Greenwood meets Lone Oak.

Logan County meets Chicago Julian and Muhlenberg County meets Bullitt Central at the First Southern National Bank Classic, where Russellville is also playing. Henderson County meets Breckinridge County, Livingston Central goes against Covington, TN, Apollo meets Bourbon County and Ohio County hosts Owensboro Catholic at the Eagle Classic. Union County meets Daviess County at the Advanced Drainage Systems Roundball Roundup at McLean County, Graves County goes against Spain Park, AL at the Beach Blowout in Fort Walton Beach, FL, Bowling Green meets Covington Holy Cross at the Lloyd Memorial Classic.

Girls:   Hopkinsville meets Bowling Green and Ballard Memorial in the Lady Tiger Classic at Murray High. Other games in that event have Bowling Green playing Union City, TN, Muhlenberg County meets Northeast and Reidland, with host Murray meeting Reidland and Northeast.

Todd Central meets Hopkins Central, who also plays host Webster County at the Webster County Holiday Classic, where Livingston Central plays Heath. Calloway County meets Casey County at the Mercer Titan Christmas Clash, Logan County meets Jackson County at the First Southern National Bank Classic, where Russellville, Mayfield and St. Mary are also playing.

College Basketball

No area teams are in action tonight, however Kentucky returns to action tomorrow night hosting Lamar at Rupp Arena, with pre game coverage at 6 on Lite 98.7.

Speaking of the Wildcats, they remain number three in both the Associated Press and USA Today/ESPN college basketball polls. Louisville is still number four in both polls which has Syracuse at the top for the third straight week.

Murray State moved up two notches this week in the Associated Press poll, as the Racers are ranked 20th this week. The Racers are ranked 21st in the USA Today/ESPN poll. Murray State plays at Eastern Illinois Friday night.

College Football

Louisville faces a North Carolina State team whose defense ranks second in the nation in takeaways in the Belk Bowl in Charlotte, NC this evening. The Cards are playing in their second bowl game in as many years, having won last year’s Beef O Brady’s Bowl.

Rain forced Vanderbilt to move its first practice for Saturday’s Liberty Bowl game against Cincinnati indoors in Memphis. The Tennessean reports coach James Franklin as saying the Commodores were very focused and that his coaches maximized the practice.

Mississippi State arrived in Nashville yesterday for its Music City Bowl appearance Friday night against Wake Forest. The Tennessean reports the team worked out at Vanderbilt University. Wake Forest will arrive in Nashville today after a workout at its campus.

NHL

The Nashville Predators were without captain Shea Weber in losing to the Detroit Red Wings 4-1 at Bridgestone Arena. Weber left the pre game skate Monday morning after the effects of an upper body injury which the Tennessean says happened near the end of the Dallas game late last week.

It’s not known how long Weber will be out of the lineup. The Predators play at Minnesota Wednesday, with coverage at 7 on Newstalk 95.3 FM/1230 AM WHOP.

High School Basketball

No area teams are in action today, but a number of tournaments involving area teams begin tomorrow. Our next high school broadcast will be Thursday night when University Heights hosts Clarksville Northwest at 7:30, with the Heritage Bank pre game show at 7:15 on Newstalk 95.3 FM/1230 AM WHOP.

College Basketball

Kentucky coach John Calipari has his weekly call in show at 5 this evening, followed by Sports Nightly at six on Lite 98.7. Kentucky returns to action Wednesday night meeting Lamar University at Rupp Arena, with pre game coverage at 6 on Lite 98.7.

It’s a quiet evening around the nation in college hoops, with action resuming across the nation tomorrow.

College Football

The Independence Bowl takes place today in Shreveport, LA as Missouri goes against North Carolina. Coverage this afternoon at 4 on Newstalk 95.3 FM/1230 AM WHOP.

The Louisville Cardinals are making final preparations for their appearance Tuesday evening in the Belk Bowl against North Carolina State in Charlotte, NC.

Vanderbilt is also making preparations for its appearance in the Liberty Bowl against Cincinnati December 31^st in Memphis, while the Music City Bowl Friday will feature Mississippi State and Wake Forest at 5:30 at LP Field in Nashville.

NFL

The Tennessee Titans still have a chance to make the NFL playoffs with a little help in the final week of the regular season. The Titans close out the regular season Sunday at Houston, but need for Cincinnati to lose against Baltimore Sunday and several other factors to make the field.

Monday Night Football has the New Orleans Saints hosting the Atlanta Falcons, with coverage beginning at 7 on Newstalk 95.3 FM/1230 AM WHOP.

NHL

The Nashville Predators are back on the ice this evening hosting the Detroit Red Wings. First puck drops at 7 in Bridgestone Arena.

High School Basketball results from Thursday

Boys: Hopkinsville trailed Paducah Tilghman by six at halftime, then went on a 20-0 run to defeat the Blue Tornado 78-66 at the Paducah Tilghman Christmas Classic. Jordan Majors led the Tigers with 20 points. In all, five Tigers were in double figure scoring. Hopkinsville is now 9-1 on the season.

Elsewhere: University Heights lost to Oakland, TN 47-38 at the Apollo-Kentucky 811 Holiday Classic, Trigg County won two games at the Kentucky Machine and Engineering Christmas Classic—defeating Todd Central 74-58 and Crittenden County 62-42. Murray High edged Stewart County, TN 52-51.

Marshall County defeated Madisonville 75-56 and Warren Central beat Union County 93-55 at the Hancock Bank/Brand 40 Classic, Graves County over Russellville 59-43 at the Hardee’s Classic, Franklin Simpson defeated Webster County 56-51 at the Rafferty’s Holiday Classic.

Girls: Christian County lost to Monroe County 74-37 at the Republic Bank Holiday Classic, Trigg County defeated Dawson Springs 62-55 and Hickman County 57-52 at the Kentucky Machine and Engineering Classic, where Caldwell County lost to Heath 48-43. Dawson Springs lost to Heath 50-43.

Madisonville lost to Bourbon County 34-33 and defeated Warren Central 42-38 at the Hancock Bank/Brand 40 Classic, Calloway County over Lexington, TN 53-49 at the Heritage Bank Hardwood Classic, Todd Central defeated Wayne County 58-39 and lost to Henderson County 60-41 at the Mustang Christmas Classic, where Muhlenberg County edged Ohio County 53-51 and Henderson County won over Harlan 42-39.

Today’s games:

Boys: At the Kentucky Machine and Engineering Classic—Trigg County meets Stewart County, TN, Todd Central plays two games against Stewart County, TN and Crittenden County, Murray faces Crittenden County.

Warren Central meets Marshall County and Madisonville plays Union County at the Hancock Bank/Brand 40 Classic, Russellville plays Warren East at the Hardee’s Classic.

Girls: Christian County meets Meade County at the Republic Bank Holiday Classic, at the Kentucky Machine and Engineering Classic—Trigg County meets Heath, Caldwell County plays Hickman County and Dawson Springs faces Hickman County.

College Basketball

3^rd ranked Kentucky improved to 11-1 on the season with an 87-63 win over Loyola-MD Thursday at Rupp Arena. Freshman Kyle Wiltjer led Kentucky with 24 points off the bench on 7-11 shooting. Fellow freshman Anthony Davis had his fifth double-double of the season with 15 points and 11 rebounds. A third rookie—Michael Kidd-Gilchrist added 15 and senior Darius Miller pitched in 13. Kentucky returns to action next Wednesday hosting Lamar, with pre game coverage at 6 on Lite 98.7.

LSU defeated North Texas 67-58. Anthony Hickey, Jr. did not score, but had four steals in 22 minutes of play.

Tonight’s games:   In state rivals Louisville and Western Kentucky meet at the KFC Yum Center. It will be the ninth time in five years that former high school stars George Fant—now of Western and formerly of Warren Central and Chane Behanan—now of Louisville, formerly of Bowling Green High will meet on the hardwood.

Former Christian County standout Donovan Kates and the Manhattan Jespers meet George Mason, Tennessee takes on East Tennessee.

The Memphis Commercial Appeal reports Jarnell Stokes from Southwind High School has completed his course work for his senior year and is planning to enroll at the University of Tennessee next month. Stokes chose Tennessee over SEC schools Arkansas, Kentucky, Florida and Memphis. If he is declared eligible by the NCAA, he will be able to play for the Vols immediately. Stokes was the 11^th ranked prospect in the nation.

College Football

University of Kentucky coach Joker Phillips announced Thursday the signing of junior college free safety Kory Brown. Brown comes to Lexington from East Central Community College in Mississippi. Brown was a two year player for East Central and was redshirted this year because of a knee injury. He will enroll in classes at UK in January and participate in spring practice.

Members of the Louisville Cardinals say their game against North Carolina in the Belk Bowl next Tuesday in Charlotte is a trip all about business. Coach Charlie Strong says the players focus has been bolstered by those who played on the team which won the Beef O Brady’s bowl last year.

NFL

The Tennessee Titans play the Jacksonville Jaguars at noon tomorrow at LP Field. It’s a must win for the Titans who are fighting for a playoff spot.

Newstalk 95.3 FM/1230 AM WHOP will have a doubleheader of games tomorrow, with Miami and New England airing at 11:30, with San Francisco and Seattle on the air at 3 pm.

NHL

The Nashville Predators rallied from a 4-1 deficit at the end of the first period and defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets 6-5 at Bridgestone Arena. Martin Erat had the late game heroics for the Preds, who are in action this evening against the Dallas Stars, with coverage at 7:30 on Newstalk 95.3 FM/1230 AM WHOP.

Kentucky improved to 11-1 with a 87-63 win over Loyola-MD this afternoon at Rupp Arena.  Freshman Kyle Wiltjer led Kentucky with 24 points off the bench on 7-11 field goal shooting.  Fellow freshman Anthony Davis had his fifth double-double of the season with 15 points and 11 rebounds.  Michael Kidd-Gilchrist also had 15 points and senior Darius Miller had 13 for the 11-1 Wildcats.  Kentucky is back in action December 28th hosting Lamar University, with pre game coverage at 6 on Lite 98.7.