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.

High School Basketball

Boys:   Hopkinsville won a pair of games at the Paducah Tilghman Christmas Classic, defeating Mayfield 73-54 and Reidland 78-50, Christian County lost to Dyer County, TN 92-48 at the Kenwood Christmas Classic, University Heights defeated Apollo 68-59 at the Apollo-Kentucky 811 Holiday Classic.

At the Kentucky Machine and Engineering Christmas Classic at Trigg County: Murray went to triple overtime to defeat Todd Central 62-57, with Trigg County defeating Murray 68-59. Crittenden County over Stewart County, TN 52-51

Elsewhere: Caldwell County lost to Owensboro 64-42 and to Silver Thorne, Canada 68-59 at the Citizens First Holiday Classic in Bowling Green, where Bowling Green beat South Warren 63-48, but lost to Spring Hill, TN 71-58, Graves County over Leslie County 59-56 and Russellville defeated Garrard County 65-54 at the Hardee’s Classic, Warren Central defeated Madisonville 82-70 and Marshall County over Union County 69-40 at the Hancock Bank/Brand 40 Classic.

Girls:   At the Kentucky Machine and Engineering Classic at Trigg County: Caldwell County defeated Dawson Springs 51-27, but lost to Trigg County 65-50.

Heath over Hickman County 46-30, Ohio County defeated Todd Central 48-45, Bowling Green over Henderson County 62-51, Muhlenberg County over Wayne County 48-47 at the Mustang Christmas Classic, Graves County defeated Apollo 61-47, Marshall County over Nelson County 74-61 and Union County over Lyon County 50-38 at the Marshall County Christmas Classic.

Today’s games

Boys: Hopkinsville plays Paducah Tilghman at the Paducah Tilghman Christmas Classic, Trigg County plays Todd Central and Crittenden County at the Kentucky Machine and Engineering Classic, with Murray meeting Stewart County, TN, Dawson Springs is at Frederick Fraize.

Girls: At the Kentucky Machine and Engineering Classic: Trigg County meets Hickman County and Dawson Springs, with Heath meeting Dawson Springs and Caldwell County.

College Basketball

22^nd ranked Murray State opened Ohio Valley Conference play with a 78-54 win over UT Martin to improve to 13-0 on the season. Austin Peay lost to Belmont 77-67, despite 20 points from former University Heights standout Tyshwan Edmondson. Vanderbilt hit 15 three pointers in downing Lafayette 89-58.

Women’s scores: Alabama A&M over Austin Peay 80-68, Texas Tech over Western Kentucky 75-38 and 8^th ranked Kentucky downed Samford 90-61.

Today’s games

3^rd ranked Kentucky meets Loyola-Maryland, with pre game coverage from Rupp Arena at 10:30 on Lite 98.7. LSU plays its final game before Christmas against North Texas.

The Courier Journal reports high school junior Anton Gill of Raleigh, North Carolina has verbally committed to play for Louisville. The 6-2 Gill is one of the highest rated shooting guards in the 2013 class.

College Football

Kentucky coach Joker Phillips says he feels good about Wildcat football in 2012. Phillips tells the Lexington Herald Leader seeing a lot of young guys making plays next season will make things exciting, despite missing out on a bowl game this season. Phillips referred to the 5-7 2011 season as a series of ups and downs, despite ending a 26 year losing streak to Tennessee.

Meanwhile, quarterback Morgan Newton will not participate in spring practice following surgery on his right shoulder according to coach Phillips, who also says linebacker Ridge Wilson will only be allowed in non contact drills in the spring because of surgery on his left shoulder.

Austin Peay has received a transfer from the Naval Academy.  Jeremiah (JJ) Rutledge is a former star receiver and defensive back from Clarksville Northeast.  He will have four years of eligibility and has enrolled for classes in the springs semester.  Rutledge is projected to be a cornerback and possibly a kick returner according to coach Rick Christophel, who says Rutledge will work out with the team this spring.

Murray State coach Chris Hatcher announced the addition of four players during the first day of the mid year signing period Wednesday.  The Racers strengthened their interior lines with the addition of offensive lineman Hunter Hogan of Tyler, Texas, defensive end Adrian Dinkins of Ridgeland, Mississippi, and defensive tackles Kamalie Matthews of Lithonia, Georgia and Anthony Payne of Leroy, Alabama.  All four will be enrolled in classes next month and go through spring practice with the Racers.

NFL

The Indianapolis Colts look for their second win in as many games as they host Houston, with coverage at 7 this evening on Newstalk 95.3 FM/1230 AM WHOP.

NHL

The Nashville Predators host Columbus this evening, with first puck dropping at 7 in Bridgestone Arena. The Tennessean reports forward Kevin Klein will miss his second straight game because of the flu.

Lyon County High School is searching for a new softball coach. The Princeton Times Leader reports today that Jeff Doom is leaving the position after 20 seasons. Doom will remain as the school’s girls basketball coach.

Trigg County High School has announced its second athletic Hall of Fame class. The inductees are: Chappel Allen, Duke Burnett, David Butts, Selby Grubbs, Joe Jaggers, Sam Love, David Radford, Gary Siegmund, Buddy Sivills and Ginger Wallace. The inductees will be honored during Trigg County’s basketball game with Christian County January 27th , with a banquet to be held January 28th.

High School Basketball

Boys:   Christian County snapped a three game losing streak with a 80-77 win over Murray Tuesday night. CJ Cotton led a quartet of Colonels in double figures with 17 points. The Colonels are now 3-4 on the season.

Elsewhere: University Heights defeated Kentucky Country Day 60-47 at the Apollo-Kentucky 811 tournament in Owensboro. Other games in that event saw Henderson County defeat Oakland, TN 43-40, with Apollo defeating Morristown East, TN 64-56.

Fort Campbell defeated Dawson Springs 70-61.

Girls: University Heights got a 26 point effort from Dannika Prater in defeating Hopkins Central 81-35. The Lady Blazers improved to 7-1 with the victory.

Elsewhere: At the Marshall County Christmas Classic—host Marshall County defeated Union County 70-43, Graves County over Lyon County 55-41, Pleasure Ridge Park defeated Apollo 57-31 and Union County 58-50, Paducah Tilghman defeated Beech 78-70 and lost to Dyersburg, TN 77-64 at the Lady Bomber Shootout at Ballard Memorial.

Today’s games

Boys: University Heights meets Apollo at the Apollo-Kentucky 811 Classic in Owensboro. Hopkinsville plays Mayfield at the Paducah Tilghman Holiday Classic, where the host Blue Tornado play Livingston Central and Hickman County. Christian County plays Dyer County TN at Kenwood High in Clarksville, with tip off at 5 pm.

Madisonville meets Warren Central and Marshall County meets Union County at the Hancock Bank/Brand 40 Classic, Murray plays Todd Central and Trigg County at the Kentucky Machine and Engineering Classic at Trigg County where Crittenden County meets Stewart County, TN.

Girls: Caldwell County meets Dawson Springs and Trigg County and Heath meets Hickman County at the Kentucky Machine and Engineering Classic at Trigg County.

Madisonville meets Bourbon County and Warren Central plays Owensboro at the Hancock Bank/Brand 40 Classic, Calloway County meets Northwest at the Heritage Bank Hardwood Classic, Todd Central plays Ohio County at the Mustang Holiday Classic at Muhlenberg County, where the host Lady Mustangs meet Wayne County.

College Basketball

Kentucky defeated Samford 82-50 behind 26 points from Doron Lamb and 17 from Darius Miller. The third ranked Wildcats host Loyola-Maryland at noon tomorrow in Rupp Arena, with pre game coverage at 10:30 on Lite 98.7.

Number four Louisville improved to 11-0 after getting by Charleston 69-62. Kyle Kuric had 17 points for the Cardinals.

Manhattan defeated Towson 81-62, with former Christian County standout Donovan Kates scoring seven points in the victory.

Tennessee defeated North Carolina Asheville 72-68, ending a four game losing streak.

Women’s scores: 6^th ranked Tennessee lost to 4th ranked Stanford 97-80, Florida A&M defeated Austin Peay 86-77 and Murray State lost to Cleveland State 68-61.

Tonight’s games: 22^nd ranked Murray State opens Ohio Valley Conference action against UT Martin, Austin Peay hosts Belmont and Vanderbilt hosts Lafayette.

Women’s play has Kentucky hosting Samford, with pre game at 5:45 on Newstalk 95.3 FM/1230 AM WHOP, Austin Peay welcomes Alabama A&M, Western Kentucky plays Texas Tech.

NFL

Tennessee Titans quarterback Matt Hasselbeck practiced, while running back Chris Johnson sat out on Tuesday. Hasselbeck is battling a left calf injury suffered against New Orleans, while Johnson sprained his ankle in Sunday’s loss at Indianapolis. Johnson tells the Tennessean he expects to play when the Titans host Jacksonville at noon Saturday at LP Field.

NHL

The Nashville Predators lost to the Washington Capitals 4-1. The Predators host the Columbus Blue Jackets Thursday night at 7 in Bridgestone Arena.

Christian County Chamber of Commerce President Carter Hendricks says after the success of last summer’s Ohio Valley League baseball game between the Tradewater Pirates and Owensboro Oilers held here, baseball enthusiasts began exploring the possibility of bringing a team to Hopkinsville.

The local team would use the historic name of the team which once played in the Kitty League—the Hoptown Hoppers. Hendricks says there’s a good possibility the team would begin play in 2012.

The Ohio Valley League—which gets its players from the collegiate ranks—currently has four teams. The Christian County School Board last week passed a measure to explore letting the proposed team use Christian County and Hopkinsville High’s baseball facilities for its home games. The 50 game season would take place from early June until early August.

High School Basketball

Heritage Christian Academy hosted Jo Byrns in a doubleheader at Warrior Gym Monday night.   The Warriors rolled to a 79-46 win behind Alex Little’s 19 points. Little was one of four players who scored in double figures for HCA, now 9-1 on the season.   The Lady Warriors lost to Jo Byrns 39-26. Grace Waldron led HCA with 19 points. The Lady Warriors are now 4-4 on the season.

Other scores

Boys: University Heights lost to Morristown East 68-40 at the Apollo-Kentucky 811 Holiday Tournament, where Henderson County defeated Seneca 64-52 and host Apollo lost to Kentucky Country Day 65-37. Caldwell County lost to South Warren 62-59 at the Citizens First Holiday Classic, Muhlenberg County defeated Dunbar 73-59 at the iHigh Fayette County Invitational, Hopkins Central over McLean County 52-47, Livingston Central over Dawson Springs 74-44.

Girls: Marshall County lost to Pleasure Ridge Park 54-49 at the Marshall County Christmas Tournament, where Graves County fell to Nelson County 49-37, Apollo edged Union County 42-40, Covington, TN over Lyon County 75-44, Paducah Tilghman defeated Ballard Memorial 79-59 at the Lady Bomber Classic, Daviess County defeated Webster County 53-42, Greenwood over Metcalfe County 65-41 at the Caverna Lady Colonel Holiday Classic.

Tonight’s games

Boys:   Christian County hosts Murray—tip off at 7:30 with the Heritage Bank pre game show at 7:15 on Newstalk 95.3 FM/1230 AM WHOP.

Fort Campbell meets Dawson Springs, University Heights meets Kentucky Country Day at the Apollo-Kentucky 811 Holiday Tournament, where Henderson County faces Oakland, TN, Logan County plays Owensboro and Franklin County at the Citizens First Holiday Classic, where Bowling Green meets Shelby Valley, Muhlenberg County meets Knott County Central at the iHigh Fayette County Invitational, Calloway County meets Henry County, TN and Lyon County travels to Calloway County.

Girls: University Heights hosts Hopkins Central, Logan County welcomes West Creek, TN, Graves County meets Lyon County and Marshall County takes on Union County at the Marshall County Christmas tournament, Russellville meets Bardstown at the Caverna Lady Colonel Christmas Tournament, Paducah Tighman meets Dyersburg, TN and Beech at the Lady Bomber Shootout at Ballard Memorial.

College Basketball

Kentucky returns to action this evening hosting Samford, with pre game coverage at 4:30 on Lite 98.7.

Elsewhere this evening—Tennessee takes on North Carolina-Asheville, Manhattan meets Towson. Murray State’s Lady Racers meet Cleveland State at the Magnolia Classic at Ole Miss, while Austin Peay’s Lady Governors hosts Florida A and M

Monday scores:   LSU handed 10^th ranked Marquette its first loss of the season 67-59 in Baton Rouge. Anthony Hickey scored eight points and had five rebounds, six assists, and two blocks.   Jeffery Taylor had 29 points as Vanderbilt defeated Longwood 99-71.  Murray State’s Lady Racers lost to Ole Miss 64-59 at the Magnolia Classic.

College Football

Austin Peay will play a game in the 2012 season at national power Virginia Tech. The Hokies will host the Governors September 8^th at Lane Stadium in Blacksburg. Virginia Tech is representing the Atlantic Coast Conference at the Allstate Sugar Bowl January 3^rd in New Orleans. Virginia Tech is one of two BCS teams Austin Peay will play in 2012, with the other being Western Kentucky in its season opener September 1^st.

NFL

Tennessee Titans coach Mike Munchak says if quarterback Matt Hasselbeck is healthy, he will start Saturday against Jacksonville at LP Field. Hasselbeck left Sunday’s loss at Indianapolis due to a left calf injury sustained in the December 11^th game against New Orleans.

Meanwhile, Titans running back Chris Johnson is also expected to play Saturday against Jacksonville according to the Tennessean. Johnson sprained his ankle in Sunday’s loss to Indianapolis. Coach Mike Munchak says Johnson could miss some practice time this week, but could play Saturday.

NHL

The Nashville Predators return to action this evening in the nation’s capitol against the Washington Capitals.