Tickets are on sale for the Christian County High Athletics Hall of Fame luncheon and ceremony to be held Saturday beginning at 11:30 am at Christian County High school cafeteria. Tickets are 10 dollars each and can be purchased at Heritage Bank, Remax Advantage Realtors and Christian County High School.

University Heights Academy will honor its 1992 Sweet 16 championship basketball team this Saturday at halftime of its basketball game with Apollo. Following the game, there will be an invitation only reception at Harper House. For more information on the event, contact athletic director Dick Weaver at 886-0254.

The 2^nd region umpire’s association is looking for persons interested in umpiring high school baseball this spring. If you need more information, contact Matt Bell at 270-871-6956.

The 2^nd region softball umpire’s association will hold its first meeting Sunday January 8^th at 2 pm at Broadway Elementary School in Providence. Anyone interested in umpiring this spring is asked to contact Del Brantley at 270-836-0649 for more information.

High School Basketball

Boys:   Crosstown rivals Hopkinsville and University Heights open the 8^th district portion of the season this evening at Tiger Gym. Tipoff is set for 7:30, with the Heritage Bank pre game show at 7:15 on Newstalk 95.3 FM/1230 AM WHOP.

Elsewhere this evening:   Hopkins Central hosts Caldwell County, Henderson County welcomes Union County, Dawson Springs plays at Christian Fellowship, Murray at Fulton City.

Girls:   Caldwell County at Hopkins Central, Muhlenberg County hosts McLean County, Livingston Central at Community Christian, Webster County at Graves County, Ohio County hosts Warren Central, Calloway County at Massac County, IL and Ballard Memorial meets Marion, IL.

College Basketball

Fifth ranked Louisville made easy work of IUPUI winning 90-60 at the KFC Yum Center Wednesday night. Gorugi Deng had a career high 18 points and 12 rebounds. It’s the 16^th consecutive home win for the Cardinals.

Elsewhere last night: Western Kentucky defeated Southern Illinois 62-55, Manhattan over Fordham 81-47—former Christian County standout Donovan Kates had 10 points off the bench in the win for the Jespers and Vanderbilt edged Davidson 87-83.

Women’s action saw Tennessee Tech defeat Western Kentucky 69-59.

Tonight’s action has Kentucky’s women’s team hosting Duke at Rupp Arena.

For the second straight season, Austin Peay’s Anthony Campbell has seen his season end due to a knee injury. Campbell suffered lateral and medial meniscus tears in Monday night’s win over Arkansas State.

College Football

Western Kentucky University announced coach Willie Taggart has received a contract extension through 2019 and a pay raise. The school announced Wednesday Taggart’s base salary will increase from 225 to 475 thousand dollars. Taggart in his second season led the Hilltoppers to a 7-5 record and a second place finish in the Sun Belt Conference.

Western Kentucky running back Bobby Rainey has been named the Sun Belt Conference offensive player of the year. The senior rushed for 16 hundred 95 yards in setting a single season record for the Hilltoppers this season. Rainey is also the second player in Sun Belt history to win the Offensive Player of the Year in consecutive seasons.

Louisville’s football commitment list for 2012 has reached 17 players. The Courier Journal reports defensive tackle DeQuan Ivery of Columbia High School in Lake City, Florida intends to play for the Cards next season.

NFL

Tennessee Titans rookie linebacker Colin McCarthy was named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week Wednesday. In making just his third start, McCarthy had 11 tackles, a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries in the Titans 23-17 win at Buffalo last Sunday.

The NFL weekend kicks off tonight as AFC North rivals Cleveland and Pittsburgh meet at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh.

NHL

The Nashville Predators are back in action this evening on the road against the Columbus Blue Jackets. First puck drops at 6 in Nationwide Arena.

Western Kentucky University football coach Willie Taggart has agreed to a contract extension through the year 2019.  WKU officials say Taggart's annual base salary will increase from $225,000 to $475,000.  Taggart's contract was set to expire in December, 2013.  In his second season, Taggart led the Hilltoppers to a 7-5 record and a second place finish in the Sun Belt Conference.

Tennessee Titans rookie linebacker Colin McCarthy has been named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts in last Sunday's 23-17 win at Buffalo.  The fourth round pick from the University of Miami had 11 tackles, two fumble recoveries, a forced fumble and a pass defensed in just his third career start.  The Titans host New Orleans Sunday at noon at LP Field.

Sports Weekly presented by Toyota of Hopkinsville airs at 5:08 this evening on Newstalk 95.3 FM/1230 AM WHOP. Todd Hamilton will visit with several inductees going into the Heritage Bank/Christian County High School Athletics Hall of Fame this Saturday.

Tickets are on sale for the Christian County High Athletics Hall of Fame luncheon and ceremony to be held Saturday beginning at 11:30 am at Christian County High school cafeteria. Tickets are 10 dollars each and can be purchased at Heritage Bank, Remax Advantage Realtors and Christian County High School.

University Heights Academy will honor its 1992 Sweet 16 championship basketball team this Saturday at halftime of its basketball game with Apollo. Following the game, there will be an invitation only reception at Harper House. For more information on the event, contact athletic director Dick Weaver at 886-0254.

The 2^nd region umpire’s association is looking for persons interested in umpiring high school baseball this spring. If you need more information, contact Matt Bell at 270-871-6956.

High School Basketball

Boys: Christian County fell behind as many as 18 early in losing at Madisonville 87-61. CJ Cotton was the lone double figure scorer for Christian County with 18 points. Madisonville had five players in double digits, led by Tray Carr with 16. Christian County is 1-1 on the season and will host Paducah Tilghman Friday night in the second game of a doubleheader at Colonel Gym.

Elsewhere:   Lyon County defeated Fort Campbell 71-51, Trigg County over Hopkins Central 89-74, Crittenden County over Caldwell County 58-49, Logan County over Henderson County 75-68, Muhlenberg County routs Union County 94-54, Paducah Tilghman over Mayfield 56-46, Ohio County defeated Webster County 69-59 in overtime, Community Christian defeated Murray 65-61 in overtime, Graves County defeated Carbondale, IL 58-51, Greenwood edged Daviess County 58-56, Bowling Green over Elizabethtown 71-65, Franklin Simpson over South Warren 51-36,

Girls:   Martessia Williams led three players in double figures with 15 points as Christian County defeated Madisonville 57-43. The Lady Colonels host Paducah Tilghman in the first game of a doubleheader Friday night at Colonel Gym.

Hopkinsville opened 8^th district action with a 72-30 win over Fort Campbell. A quartet of Lady Tigers were in double figures led by Toodie Williams with 18. Fort Campbell was led by Angie Rangel with 11 points.

University Heights got 18 points from Dannika Prater in a 53-27 win over Lyon County. UHA will next play Hopkinsville in 8^th district action Friday night.

Elsewhere: Trigg County over Dawson Springs 42-34, Caldwell County over Crittenden County 62-43, Murray over Community Christian 64-38, Paducah Tilghman over Mayfield 66-32, Henderson County over Castle, IN 61-40, Calloway County over Marion, IL 42-27.

College Basketball

Tuesday’s score: Austin Peay’s Lady Governors could not recover from a poor first half and fell at Middle Tennessee 69-63.

Tonight’s games:   Louisville forward Rakeem Buckles is expected to play 10-14 minutes tonight against IUPUI. Buckles has been out since injuring a knee last February.

Also receiving good news is Vanderbilt, where center Festus Ezeli could play limited minutes against Davidson this evening. Ezeli practice Monday and Tuesday for the first time since spraining ligaments in his right knee six weeks ago.

Western Kentucky plays at Southern Illinois this evening and Manhattan takes on Fordham.

In women’s action, Western Kentucky takes on Tennessee Tech.

College Football

The Courier Journal reports Western Kentucky football coach Willie Taggart is in line for a new contract. A WKU spokesman says Taggart and athletics director Ross Bjork have been discussing a contract extension for the second year coach, with an official announcement coming in the near future. Western finished 7-5 this season after beginning the year 0-4 and finished second in the Sun Belt Conference.

The Knoxville News Sentinel reports former Tennessee football standout Jay Graham is returning to his alma mater to serve as Derrick Dooley’s running back coach. Graham had been an assistant at South Carolina.

NFL

The Tennessee Titans home—LP Field—will be getting some improvements. The Tennessean reports the Metro Council approved approximately 28 million dollars in improvements during a meeting Tuesday. Those improvements include high definition video boards, improvements with the sound system and elevators to the upper levels of the facility.

NHL

The Nashville Predators lose 3-2 to Phoenix. The Predators are back in action Thursday night at Columbus.

High School Basketball

Boys: Lyon County defeated Dawson Springs 77-22

Girls: Russellville over Warren East 78-35, Ohio County defeated Union County 77-65, Mayfield over Heath 46-36, Glasgow edged Bowling Green 43-38, Calloway County over Ballard Memorial 64-52.

Tonight’s games

Christian County’s boys and girls travel to Madisonville. The Heritage Bank pre game show begins coverage of both contests tonight at 5:45 on Newstalk 95.3 FM/1230 AM WHOP.

Boys: Fort Campbell hosts Lyon County, Trigg County travels to Hopkins Central, Logan County hosts Henderson County, Caldwell County at Crittenden County, Muhlenberg County welcomes Union County, Murray hosts Community Christian, Paducah Tilghman entertains Mayfield, Webster County hosts Ohio County.

Girls: Hopkinsville hosts Fort Campbell in 8^th district action, University Heights welcomes Lyon County, Caldwell County at Crittenden County, Trigg County at Dawson Springs, Murray hosts Community Christian, Paducah Tilghman entertains Mayfield, Henderson County at Castle, Indiana.

College Basketball

Kentucky is number one again this week in both major college basketball polls. The Wildcats return to action Saturday at Indiana, with pre game coverage at 2:30 on Lite 98.7.

Kentucky’s Terrence Jones was named the SEC Player of the Week Monday. The sophomore from Portland, Oregon averaged 20 points in wins last week over St. John’s and North Carolina.

Murray State’s Isaiah Cannan was named as the OVC Player of the Week for the second straight week. Cannan averaged 19 and a half points in wins over Western Kentucky and Dayton last week.

Monday scores: Austin Peay had to go to overtime to procure its first win of the season, 86-82 over Arkansas State at the Dunn Center. The win snapped a school record nine game losing streak. Former UHA standout Tyshwan Edmondson had eight points in 28 minutes playing time.

Elsewhere: Western Kentucky’s Lady Toppers defeated Louisiana Tech 69-54.

Tonight’s games:   Austin Peay’s Lady Governors entertain Middle Tennessee at 7 in the Dunn Center.

College Football

Three members of Kentucky’s football team were named to the Associated Press All-SEC team Monday. Senior Danny Trevethan was named first team linebacker, junior Larry Warford was named second team offensive lineman and senior Winston Guy was named second team safety.

NHL

The Nashville Predators return to action this evening hosting the Phoenix Coyotes at Bridgestone Arena. First puck drops at 7 pm.

The National Hockey League has voted to realign into four conferences. The Tennessean reports the Nashville Predators will retain a number of longtime rivalries with less travel. The Predators will remain in the same conference with Columbus, St. Louis, Chicago and Detroit, who are currently in the Central division according to the NHL Board of Governors. Winnipeg, Dallas and Minnesota will also join the conference with Nashville.

Tickets are on sale for the Christian County High Athletics Hall of Fame luncheon and ceremony to be held Saturday beginning at 11:30 am at Christian County High school cafeteria. Tickets are 10 dollars each and can be purchased at Heritage Bank, Remax Advantage Realtors and Christian County High School.

University Heights academy will honor its 1992 Sweet 16 championship basketball team this Saturday at halftime of its basketball game with Apollo. Following the game, there will be an invitation only reception at Harper House. For more information on the event, contact athletic director Dick Weaver at 886-0254.

The 2^nd region umpire’s association is looking for persons interested in umpiring high school baseball this spring. If you need more information, contact Matt Bell at 270-871-6956.

Tickets are on sale for the Christian County High Athletics Hall of Fame luncheon ceremony to be held Saturday beginning at 11:30 am at Christian County High school cafeteria. Tickets are 10 dollars each and can be purchased at Heritage Bank, Remax Advantage Realtors and Christian County High School.

Weekend wrap

Basketball: Both Christian County and Hopkinsville played basketball games Saturday. The Tigers defeated Graves County 60-49 at the Marshall County Hoopfest. Freshman Jaqualis Matlock had 16 points, 13 rebounds and five blocks for Hopkinsville.

Christian County edged North Hardin at the Campbellsville Classic 64-61 behind 19 points from CJ Cotton and 11 from Isaiah Pollard.

Heritage Christian Academy’s Lady Warriors finished third at the KCAA Tip Off Classic. The Lady Warriors won the consolation game 45-36 over Lexington Trinity, after losing to Bluegrass Christian 48-23.

Wrestling:   Rossview High won the Hopkinsville High Duals meet. Caldwell County finished third, Trigg County was fifth, with host Hopkinsville winless on the day.

Christian County participated in the Harpeth Invitational Saturday with Kory Polley winning at 145 pounds, while Kevi Matlock was third in the 138 division.

University Heights went to the Walton Verona Bearcat Brawl Saturday, with Chance Collins at 113, Wade Willen at 132 and Colton Hall at 160 all going 3-1 in matches, while Phillip Bradley won two matches for the Blazers.

High School Basketball

Boys: Dawson Springs hosts Lyon County

Girls: Trigg County hosts Hopkins Central, Russellville hosts Warren East, Bowling Green welcomes Glasgow, Union County hosts Ohio County, Webster County entertains Livingston Central, Mayfield at Heath.

Our next high school broadcast will be Tuesday night as Christian County’s boys and girls travel to Madisonville. Coverage of both games begins with the Heritage Bank pre game show at 5:45 on Newstalk 95.3 FM/1230 AM WHOP.

College Basketball

Murray State improved to 9-0 on the season with a 75-58 win over Dayton at the CFSB Center Sunday. Isaiah Cannan led a trio of Racers in double figures with 21 points.

Western Kentucky defeated Bowling Green 60-53, behind freshman George Fant’s 13 points and seven rebounds.

Manhattan defeated St. Peter’s 68-42, with former Christian County standout Donovan Kates not playing in the game.

Women’s play saw number 10 Kentucky defeat number 11 Louisville 74-54, number eight Tennessee defeated number 22 Texas 73-57 and Vanderbilt defeated High Point 70-54.

Tonight’s games: Austin Peay will try to get its first win of the season in 10 tries against Arkansas State.

Women’s action has Western Kentucky taking on Louisiana Tech.

Number one Kentucky does not see the court again until action Saturday at Indiana. Coach John Calipari’s weekly call in show is at five this evening, followed by Sports Nightly at six on Lite 98.7.

College Football

Despite a strong finish following an 0-4 start, 7-5 Western Kentucky was not selected to play in a bowl game Sunday. Western Kentucky had its first winning football season since 2007.

Louisville will face NC State in the Belk Bowl December 27^th in Charlotte, the Music City Bowl will have Mississippi State and Wake Forest December 30^th in Nashville, with Vanderbilt facing Cincinnati December 31^st at the Liberty Bowl in Memphis.

NFL

Chris Johnson rushed for 153 yards and two scores as the Tennessee Titans win their second straight game at Buffalo 23-17. The win moved the Titans into a tie with four other teams in contention for the final AFC wild card berth. The Titans host New Orleans next Sunday at noon at LP Field.

Monday Night Football has the Jacksonville Jaguars taking on the San Diego Chargers. Coverage of the game begins at 7 on Newstalk 95.3 FM/1230 AM WHOP.