Hopkinsville High School will announce its new baseball coach at a 10:15 news conference this morning. We'll have more on this story later today on the WHOP Sports Flash and on our websites.

The Kentucky New Era reports Trigg County High School is close to naming a new athletics director. The Wildcat program has been searching for a new athletics leader following the unexpected resignation of Dennis Walls last month. Walls had been hired last fall to replace Jim Perrin, who returned to Christian County High School as its softball coach.

High School Basketball

Christian County’s boys and girls are back in action for the first time in the New Year at Colonel Gym against Fort Campbell. Coverage of both games with the Heritage Bank pre game show at 5:45 on Newstalk 95.3 FM/1230 AM WHOP.

Also this evening, you’ll be able to hear the University Heights at Madisonville boys game at around 7:30 on Newstalk 95.3 FM/1230 AM WHOP.

Other games this evening include Livingston Central hosting Community Christian in a boy-girl doubleheader and Hopkins Central’s boys travel to McLean County.

College Basketball

18^th ranked Murray State won its 15^th straight game knocking off Eastern Kentucky 76-67. Donte Poole tied his season and career high in leading the Racers in scoring with 22 points. Isaiah Cannan and Ed Daniel each added 16, with Stacy Wilson scoring 13 points off the bench. The Racers put their 15-0 and 3-0 Ohio Valley Conference mark on the line Saturday night at Austin Peay.

Tennessee posted season lows in shooting percentage and points in falling to Memphis 69-51.

Women’s action: Western Kentucky edged Louisiana’s Ragin’ Cajuns 49-45.

Tonight’s games:   Western Kentucky hosts Louisiana’s Ragin’ Cajuns and Manhattan takes on Loyola-Maryland. Women’s SEC action has Kentucky hosting Arkansas and Tennessee goes against Georgia.

The Ohio Valley Conference announced Wednesday Murray State’s basketball game at SIU-Edwardsville will be on ESPN U. The game on January 21^st which airs at 8 pm is one of three “wild card” dates on the OVC’s ESPN schedule, with the other dates Thursday February 2^nd and Thursday February 23^rd. Murray State’s game with Austin Peay in Clarksville Saturday night is also on ESPN U.

The Knoxville News Sentinel reports Tennessee basketball signee Jarnell Stokes has received clearance from the NCAA to join the team. Stokes graduated from Southwind High School in Memphis two weeks ago. A UT spokesman says the 6-8 Stokes will enroll in classes next week and begin practicing with the team.

College Football

The Bowling Green Daily News reported Wednesday former Western Kentucky head coach David Elson is returning to the college ranks. Elson has taken the defensive coordinator’s position at New Mexico State. Elson spent this past year as an assistant coach at Franklin Simpson High School, helping guide the Wildcats to an appearance in the Class 4-A state championship game.

The University of Louisville is reportedly receiving two transfers from the University of Florida. According to the Palm Beach Post, tight end Gerald Christian and wide receiver Robert Clark are planning to play for the Cards. Both will sit out the 2012 season and have two years of eligibility remaining.

One day after receiving his release from playing football at Tennessee, freshman wide receiver DeAnthony Arnett will transfer to Michigan State. The Knoxville News Sentinel reports Arnett’s brother as saying the paperwork is completed and that the younger Arnett is expected to enroll in classes next week.

DeAnthony Arnett had asked to be released from his scholarship to transfer to a school closer to his ailing father in Saginaw, Michigan. Arnett plans to file hardship papers to the NCAA in order to be eligible for the 2012 season.

NFL

The Tennessee Titans released two members of its coaching staff Wednesday. Coach Mike Munchak says secondary coach Marcus Robertson and assistant secondary coach Curtis Fuller will not be retained. The Titans were 18^th in total defense and 14^th against the pass in the NFL this past season. The Titans were ranked in the bottom third of interceptions, with only 11.

NHL

The Nashville Predators are back in action at the friendly confines of Bridgestone Arena hosting the Dallas Stars this evening. First puck drops at 7 pm.

Meanwhile, the Tennessean reports the Predators are keeping things a secret on whether captain Shea Weber would return to the lineup this evening. Weber has not played since suffering a concussion against Dallas December 23^rd.

Sports Weekly presented by Toyota of Hopkinsville returns from holiday break this evening at 5:08 on Newstalk 95.3 FM/1230 AM WHOP. Todd Hamilton’s guests include Christian County boys basketball coach Tyler Smithart, Hopkinsville boys basketball coach Tim Hayworth and UHA girls basketball coach Taylor Sparks.

Hopkinsville High School will announce its new baseball coach during a news conference to be held at 10:15 Thursday morning at the school. The new coach will replace Randy Harrell who resigned after the 2011 season. Harrell led the Tigers to two consecutive regional championship game appearances, winning the championship in 2010. The new coach will be the fourth for the Tigers in the last six seasons.

Tuesday’s High School Basketball Results

Girls: Hopkinsville improved to 10-2 on the season with a 56-35 win over Madisonville. The Lady Tigers led the game 40-11 at half, thanks in part to a 20-0 run in the first half. Madison Duvall led a quartet of Lady Tigers with 13 points, Haley Cook added 12, Ashlee Cole pitched in 11 and Christy Soldo added 10.

University Heights got 29 points from Dannika Prater, 20 from D’Nayia Holmes and a double-double of 12 points and 15 rebounds from Cache Richardson in defeating Russellville 76-45. The Lady Blazers have won eight games in a row and are 11-1 on the season.

Christian County won at Webster County 60-48 behind 18 points each from Desherrica Edwards and Jamesha Mosley, with Kimberly Hyde adding 13. The Lady Colonels are 5-6 on the season.

Elsewhere: Fort Campbell routed Jo Byrns, TN 62-26, Todd Central rolled over South Warren 62-37, Trigg County defeated Crittenden County 62-44, Caldwell County nipped Hopkins Central 59-57, Livingston Central over Lyon County 66-44, Marshall County over Lone Oak 56-36, Paducah Tilghman over Reidland 81-32, Calloway County over Graves County 65-60 in double overtime.

Boys: Hopkinsville and Madisonville went to the wire, with the Tigers leaving Maroon Gym with a 70-68 win. Jordan Majors led the Tigers with 20 points, followed by freshman JaQualis Matlock with a double-double of 10 points and 13 rebounds. The Tigers are now 13-1 on the season.

Elsewhere: Jo Byrns defeated Fort Campbell 68-59, Trigg County edged Crittenden County 70-67, Hopkins Central over Dawson Springs 63-56, Livingston Central slid by Lyon County 57-55, Union County nipped Henderson County 54-53, Marshall County over Lone Oak 50-48, Mayfield defeated Calloway County 50-41, Paducah Tilghman routed Reidland 68-44.

Heritage Christian Academy’s Lady Warriors lost to Bethel Christian 42-40. Lydia Hite had 12 points and Grace Waldron pitched in 10 for HCA, now 4-5 on the season. The Lady Warriors play North Hardin Christian Friday night.

Hopkinsville High’s boys basketball team will not face Rowan County Sunday evening at Rupp Arena. Coach Tim Hayworth told WHOP Sports Tuesday night the game—part of the Blied Sports Rumble—has been cancelled because of a new NCAA bylaw stating the game could not be played in Rupp Arena because the University of Kentucky plays there.

College Basketball

Number two Kentucky got off to a sluggish start, but was able to roll over Arkansas Little Rock 73-51 at Freedom Hall. Freshman Anthony Davis had 22 points and 16 rebounds to pace the Wildcats, with Darius Miller adding 15 points and Terrence Jones with 10. The 14-1 Wildcats play South Carolina Saturday, with pre game coverage at 1:30 on Lite 98.7.

A programming reminder, Coach John Calipari’s call in show at 5 this evening, followed by Sports Nightly at 6 on Lite 98.7.

Number 11 Louisville snapped a two game losing streak with a 73-58 win over St. John’s in New York. Russ Smith led the Cardinals with 17 points, Kyle Kuric added 15 and Gourgi Deng had 12 for the 13-2 Cards.

Tonight’s games: 18th ranked Murray State hosts Eastern Kentucky at 7 at the CFSB Center and Tennessee takes on Memphis.

Women’s action:   Western Kentucky hosts Louisiana’s Ragin Cajuns.

College Football

Former Christian County standout Keith Tandy leads 23^rd ranked West Virginia into tonight’s matchup with number 15 Clemson in the Orange Bowl in Miami. West Virginia brings a 9-3 record into the contest, while Clemson is 10-3.

Kentucky coach Joker Phillips announced Tuesday Mike Cassity has been hired to coach defensive backs.  Cassity has 37 years of coaching experience, including 22 as a defensive coordinator.  Cassity began his career at Kentucky as a student coach in 1975, and was a part time assistant coach in 1979 and was defensive backs coach in 1980-81.  Cassity also spent five seasons from 1983-88 at Western Kentucky.  Cassity most recently was at Louisville from 2004-07 and at Marshall from 2009-11.

Western Kentucky freshman running back Quartterrio Morgan is leaving the Hill. The Bowling Green Daily News reported Tuesday the Jonesboro, Georgia native will be transferring to Appalachian State. Morgan did not appear in a game for the 7-5 Hilltoppers in the 2011 season.

The Courier Journal reports the University of Louisville has picked up a commitment from linebacker James Burgess of Homestead, Florida. Burgess played only three games last season because of a broken hand. He is planning to enroll in classes at U of L and participate in spring practice.

Tennessee coach Derek Dooley has changed his mind about allowing freshman wide receiver DeAnthony Arnett to transfer to either Michigan or Michigan State to be near his ailing father. Dooley made the announcement during a news conference Tuesday in Knoxville. Last week, Dooley had said he would not allow Arnett to go to either of the schools, using the same policy he uses with other players who transfer.

NFL

The Tennessee Titans have learned their opponents in the 2012 season.

Home games include: Houston, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, New England, New York Jets, Pittsburgh, Chicago and Detroit.

Away games: Houston, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Buffalo, Miami, San Diego, Green Bay and Minnesota.

The official schedule with playing dates and times will be announced this spring. The NFL Kickoff 2012 Weekend will begin Thursday night September 6^th, with the regular season concluding December 30^th. Super Bowl 47 will be played in New Orleans February 3, 2013.

Former Tennessee Titans coach Jeff Fisher was interviewed by the Miami Dolphins Tuesday. Fisher is believed to be the Dolphins top choice, however, other teams are also expected to be interested in Fisher. St. Louis and Tampa Bay also fired their coaches this week.

NHL

Nashville Predators captain Shea Weber was back in practice Tuesday, participating in non contact drills. Weber suffered a concussion in a game December 23^rd at Dallas and has missed the last four games. Coach Barry Trotz says there is still no timetable on when Weber will return to action. The Predators host Dallas Thursday night at Bridgestone Arena.

Two University of Kentucky basketball players have been honored by the Southeastern Conference. Freshman Michael Kidd-Gilchrist was named the league’s Player of the Week after averaging 21 points and 12 rebounds in wins over Louisville and Lamar last week.

Fellow freshman Anthony Davis was named the SEC Freshman of the Week after averaging 14 points, 11 rebounds and six blocks in the two wins over Louisville and Lamar last week.

The National Football League has announced the Tennessee Titans opponents for the 2012 season.

Home: Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions

Away: Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, San Diego Chargers, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings

The official 2012 schedule, with playing dates and times, will be announced in the spring.

NFL Kickoff 2012 Weekend will begin on Thursday night, September 6, and the regular season will conclude on December 30.

Super Bowl XLVII at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana will be played on Sunday, February 3, 2013.

Monday’s High School Basketball Scores

Boys: Lyon County defeated Caldwell County 71-56.

Girls: McLean County defeated Dawson Springs 62-33, Henderson County over Muhlenberg County 59-34, Carlisle County won over Mayfield 52-45, Apollo over Evansville Central 45-39.

Tonight’s games

Hopkinsville’s boys and girls teams travel to Madisonville, with coverage of both games beginning with the Heritage Bank pre game show at 5:45 on Newstalk 95.3 FM/1230 AM WHOP and whopam.com.

Boys: Fort Campbell hosts Jo Byrns, TN, Trigg County meets Crittenden County, Logan County welcomes Warren Central, Hopkins Central plays Dawson Springs, Lyon County hosts Livingston Central, Muhlenberg County entertains Owensboro, Union County hosts Henderson County, Paducah Tilghman at Reidland.

Girls: University Heights travels to Russellville, Christian County is at Webster County, Fort Campbell hosts Jo Byrns, TN, Trigg County welcomes Crittenden County, Todd Central at South Warren, Hopkins Central at Caldwell County, Livingston Central at Lyon County, Calloway County at Graves County, Marshall County at Lone Oak, Paducah Tilghman at Reidland.

College Basketball

Rider defeated Manhattan 88-77, with former Christian County standout Donovan Kates scoring nine points, Virginia edged LSU 57-52, with Anthony Hickey, Jr. scoring eight points, getting three rebounds and two assists. Tennessee defeated Chattanooga 76-63 and Vanderbilt defeated Miami of Ohio 69-62.

Women’s scores: Austin Peay edged Eastern Kentucky 66-63 and Murray State lost at Eastern Illinois 76-51.

Tonight’s games: Kentucky hosts Arkansas Little Rock at Freedom Hall in Louisville, with coverage at 4:30 on Lite 98.7. Louisville returns to Big East action taking on St. John’s.

Women’s games: Eighth ranked Tennessee plays Chattanooga.

Murray State moved up to 19^th in the Associated Press poll and 18^th in the ESPN/USA Today coaches poll this week. Syracuse is number one in both polls, with Kentucky second in both polls.

WPSD reports Murray State’s Ivan Aska is doubtful for tomorrow night’s game with Eastern Kentucky. Aska has a broken bone in his right hand suffered in Friday night’s win at Eastern Illinois. Murray State coach Steve Prohm says he doesn’t know how long Aska will be out of the lineup.

Kentucky coach John Calipari says Kentucky’s annual game in Louisville could be in doubt if attendance doesn’t improve. The average attendance for the last six games Kentucky has played at Freedom Hall is 13-thousand 770. Freedom Hall seats 18-thousand 665.

College Football

The Knoxville News Sentinel reports two coaches on the University of Tennessee staff are leaving. Defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox and linebackers coach Peter Sirmon are leaving Derek Dooley’s staff to go to Washington State. Two other coaches have already left the Vols staff.

NFL

Tennessee Titans coach Mike Munchak said Monday both quarterbacks Matt Hasselbeck and Jake Locker will get the chance to be the starter in 2012. Munchak told the Tennessean both competed well during the just completed season. The Titans finished 9-7 and just missed going to the AFC playoffs.

Munchak also said wide receiver Kenny Britt could rejoin the team by the 2012 season opener. Britt suffered a torn ACL in his right knee against Denver in week three of the 2011 season. Munchak says Britt is ahead of schedule on his rehab from surgery performed in October.

The Tennessean reports the St. Louis Rams and Miami Dolphins are expected to interview former Tennessee Titans coach Jeff Fisher about their head coaching vacancies.

High School Basketball

Boys: Caldwell County is at Lyon County

Girls: Dawson Springs at McLean County, Muhlenberg County at Henderson County, Mayfield at Carlisle County.

Our next high school broadcasts will be tomorrow night as Hopkinsville travels to Madisonville for a boy-girl twinbill. Coverage with the Heritage Bank pre game show airs at 5:45 on Newstalk 95.3 FM/1230 AM WHOP and worldwide at whopam.com.

The Cantrall High School basketball rankings are out in today’s Lexington Herald Leader. Trinity is number one on the boys side, with Marshall County ranked 9^th, Warren Central 20^th and Bowling Green 24^th. Hopkinsville is atop the 2^nd region poll, with Madisonville, Henderson County, University Heights and Webster County comprising the top five. Christian County is 6^th.

Manual is atop the girls poll this week, with Bowling Green 9^th and Henderson County 25^th. Henderson County tops the 2^nd region poll, with Hopkinsville second, Webster County third, UHA fourth and Christian County fifth.

College Basketball

Kentucky returns to action tomorrow night against Arkansas Little Rock at Freedom Hall, Louisville. Coverage begins at 4:30 on Lite 98.7. Coach John Calipari’s weekly call in show and Sports Nightly move to Wednesday night this week, with both shows airing at 5 on Lite 98.7.

Tonight’s games:   LSU takes on Virginia, Manhattan meets Rider, Tennessee plays Chattanooga and Vanderbilt meets Miami of Ohio.

Women’s games: Austin Peay takes on Eastern Kentucky, Murray State meets Eastern Illinois.

Sunday’s scores: The 8^th ranked Tennessee Lady Vols opened the New Year and Southeastern Conference play Sunday with a 73-52 win over Auburn. Sixth ranked Kentucky opened SEC play Sunday with a 59-56 win over Florida.

NBA

Former University of Kentucky standout Demarcus Cousins is demanding a trade from the Sacramento Kings. Kings coach Paul Westphal released a statement before Sunday’s game with New Orleans criticizing Cousins commitment to the franchise and excusing him from the game. Cousins was drafted with the 5^th pick of the 2010 draft after spending one season at Kentucky.

NFL

The Tennessee Titans saw their season come to an end Sunday, with a 23-22 win over Houston. The Titans finished the season 9-7, however because of losing to Cincinnati during the regular season, the Bengals got the final AFC wild card spot.

NHL

Sergei Kostitsyn’s hat trick helped the Nashville Predators defeat the Calgary Flames 5-3 Sunday at Bridgestone Arena. Kostitsyn took only three shots the entire game and all were goals.The Predators return to action with two home games later this week, Thursday night against Dallas and Saturday night against Carolina.