volume 11 number 5 ...pinnaclesportsview.com/files/2014pinnaclemay.pdfsecutive al aau state...

Volume 11 Number 5 (606) 246-0230 May 2014

WWW.PINNACLESPORTSVIEW.COM

INSIDE THIS ISSUEMaci Morris plays in 3x3 National Tournament

LMU Hosting Summer Youth Camps

Pineville Basketball Team Camp Schedule

UK’s A.J. Reed is National Player of Year

Brown & Brown win KMLF 5K Run

Matt Gann repeats in KMLF Golf Classic

Union College adds 47 to their football roster

and more.............................................

WWW.PINNACLESPORTSVIEW.COM May 2014

May 2014 WWW.PINNACLESPORTSVIEW.COM Page 3

Southern Starz AAU Girls' Basketball Director Doug Bush assembled a very talented team

of four highly-ranked girls' basketball players born during 1996 & 1997 to compete in the

2014 USA 3x3 U18 National Tournament at the US Olympic Training Center in Colorado

Springs on May 29-June 1. It was a solid group as the team went 5-0 through the preliminary

round to advance to the next round of tournament action. There was a lot on the line as the

winner of this event will be the USA Basketball 3x3 U18 Team that will represent the United

States in the Youth Olympic Games in Nanging, China on August 16-28. The Starz were

right in the thick of things and still had a chance to win it all as we went to press. Check our

website www.pinnaclesportsview.com for the latest on this event.

Included on the Southern Starz team were two Starz players from Alabama, one Ten-

nessean, and one Kentuckian as follows:

Shakayla Thomas (Sylacauga AL) - Thomas is a Florida St Signee & was the leading

scorer with 19 pts in the McDonald's All-Amercian Game held in Chicago's United Center

back in March.

She was named 2013-14 Miss Basketball in Alabama and is the 3-Time 5A Player of

the Year, earning multiple All-State honors, as well. She is a 6-0 Wing who is ranked as the

#12 player in the nation in the Class of 2014.

Thomas led her Southern Starz 2014 team to the AAU 11th Grade D1 National Cham-

pionship in July 2013 and led her Sylacauga Lady Aggies to a Runner-Up finish in Class

5A in Alabama.

Shaquera Wade (Huntsville AL) - Wade is an Alabama commit & is a 5-11 combo guard

who is ranked as the #34 player in the nation in the Class of 2015.

Wade led her Southern Starz 2015 team to a 3rd Place finish at the AAU 10th Grade D1

National Championship in July 2013. She recently led her Starz 2015 team to their 4th con-

secutive AL AAU State Championship. She is a 2-time Class 6A 2nd Team All-State Selec-

tion and led 6A Huntsville High School to the State Semi-finals (Final 4) in 2012-13 and

the State Quarterfinals (Elite 8) in 2013-14.

She is considered the frontrunner for Miss Basketball in Alabama for 2015.

Chassity "Lea Lea" Carter (Dickson TN) - Carter is a 5-11 Wing who is ranked as the

#10 player in the nation in the Class of 2016. Carter was a member of the 2013 USA Bas-

ketball Women's U16 National Team that went 5-0 and won the Gold Medal at the 2013

FIBA Americas U16 Championship played in June 2013 in Cancun, Mexico.

She has led her Tennessee A-Game AAU team (coached by Mark Springer) to Top 10

finishes at the AAU D1 National Championships along with multiple TN AAU State Cham-

pionships.

Carter is an All-State performer for Dickson County (TN) High School. She will be in

the running for Miss Basketball in Tennessee for 2015.

Maci Morris (Pineville KY) - Morris is a Kentucky commit & is a 6-0 guard who is ranked

in the Top 50 players in the nation in the Class of 2015. She has been a starter on the Varsity

at Bell County HS since the 7th Grade.

Morris has averaged over 20 ppg, 8 rebounds & 5 assists per game during her Soph &

JR years at Bell County. She is considered the frontrunner for Miss Basketball in Kentucky

for 2015. She was GBCA All-Region 1st Team, GBCA 13th Region Player of the Year, &

1st Team All-State in 2013-14.

Morris plays for the nationally-ranked Kentucky Premier AAU program and Coach

David Tapley where she has been their leading scorer in 2014.

Bell’s Morris part of a 3 on 3 U18 team competing in Colorado Springs

Left to Right, Chassity Carter, Shakayla Thomas, Doug Bush, Shaquera Wade & Maci Morris


Railsplitters offering

youth baseball camp in June

HARROGATE, Tenn. -- The Lincoln

Memorial University baseball team will host

its annual 'Splitter Youth Baseball Camp

from June 9 until June 12 at Lamar Hennon

Field on the campus of LMU in Harrogate,

Tennessee.

The camp is open to children ages 5 to

12, and it is designed to teach the fundamen-

tals of the game of baseball to youth players.

Members of the LMU coaching staff and

players will provide daily instruction on

proper throwing and catching technique, in-

field and outfield play, pitching and hitting.

In addition to that, campers will have daily

access to the swimming pool. Each day of

the camp will conclude with a game at

Lamar Hennon Field.

Campers should bring a glove, bat,

spikes/cleats, hat, batting gloves, bathing suit

and towel, but none of those items are nec-

essary. Children are encouraged to attend as

they are. There is no obligation to purchase

any equipment not currently owned. Equip-

ment can be provided as it necessitates.

The camp begins on Monday, June 9,

running from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. daily. The

final day of the camp is Thursday, June 12.

If registration is completed and returned

by Monday, June 2, the cost is $100, a $20

discount from the normal price of $120. The

cost of admission includes a daily lunch, a

camp T-shirt, instruction from the LMU

coaching staff and players, game play, con-

tests and swimming in the LMU pool located

in Mary Mars Gymnasium.

Dates announced for Second Annual

LMU Softball Overnight Summer Camp

HARROGATE, Tenn. -- Lady Railsplit-

ter head softball coach Natalie Layden has

announced that the second annual LMU

Softball Overnight Summer Camp will be

held June 9-12 at Neely Field and on the

campus of Lincoln Memorial University.

Beginning on the evening of June 9 and

ending mid-day on June 12, the overnight

summer camp provides a short but intense

introduction to the culture of the LMU soft-

ball program. The first day will be reserved

primarily for drill work as well as detailed

instruction at each individual player's defen-

sive position. Athletes will also be taken

through hitting sessions that include the day-

to-day work undertaken by the Lady Rail-

splitters. Hitting sessions include base

running training to instill the development of

the all-around athlete.

The camp will be dedicated to live-game

action on the second and third days as ath-

letes will be able to use those in-game op-

portunities to showcase their skills and

receive immediate feedback.

There are two different options for at-

tending the LMU Overnight Summer Camp.

For an overnight camper, a non-refundable

$195 deposit is due before registration, while

$200 is due either before or on the day of

registration ($395 total). For a commuter, it's

$325 total with a $125 non-refundable de-

posit due before registration.

For any and all questions regarding the

LMU Softball Overnight Summer Camp,

contact Natalie Layden by phone

(919.452.9389), or by email (natalie.lay-

[email protected]), or assistant coach

Michelle Batts by phone (630.415.8854) or

email ([email protected]).

LMU Women's Basketball Announces

Summer Camp Schedule

HARROGATE, Tenn. -- The LMU

women's basketball team has released the

dates for the 2014 summer camp schedule

with an offering of four different camps.

The Lady Railsplitters will host a pair of

team camps at Tex Turner Arena and Mary

E. Mars Gymnasium, the secondary site lo-

cated on the main LMU campus. The high

school team camp runs from June 9-11,

while the exclusive middle school camp is

scheduled for June 16-18. Teams entered in

either camp are guaranteed at least nine

games, a post-camp tournament and an over-

time tournament. The high school camp cost

$40 and the middle school camp is $30.

The first of two individual camps, the

Women's Basketball Skills Camp, is set to

begin on June 23 and run through June 25.

For $75 per camper, attendees will receive a

camp T-shirt, individualized coaching from

members of the LMU staff and players,

game play and contests. Girls ranging from

third through 12th grade are eligible to attend

the camp, which will be held from 8:30 a.m.

until 4:30 p.m. on the scheduled days. Fi-

nally, the Lady Railsplitters will offer a spe-

cial one-day only High Intensity Camp on

June 28 for girls ranging from grades 8-12.

The High Intensity Camp is $100 to attend,

a price tag that also includes a camp T-shirt

with eight hours of individual instruction and

game play.

The Lincoln Memorial University women's

basketball summer camps are committed to

providing a both productive and enjoyable

experience for those who attend.

Lincoln Memorial University hosting several youth summer athletic camps


Pineville High School Basketball

Summer Team Camp

Tentative Schedule

June 9-12(subject to change)


Kentucky Two-Way Star Tabbed CollegiateBaseball National Player of the Year

LEXINGTON, Ky. -- The Southeastern

Conference Player of the Year, Kentucky

junior lefty/first baseman A.J. Reed has been

named the National Player of the Year by

Collegiate Baseball, it was announced by the

magazine on Thursday afternoon.

Reed becomes the first player in Ken-

tucky history to earn national player of the

year honors and the 13th player in the history

of the SEC to earn NCAA Player of the Year

accolades. Reed, a 6-foot-4, 240-pound two-

way star, is seeking to become just the third

SEC player to earn consensus national player

of the year honors, joining David Price

(2007) and Dave Magadan (1983).

There are five major national player of

the year awards, including the Golden Spikes

Award, presented by USA Baseball. The Na-

tional Collegiate Baseball Writers Associa-

tion presents the Dick Howser Trophy each

season in Omaha, Neb., during the College

World Series, with Baseball America and the

American Baseball Coaches Association also

crowning a national player of the year. Price

won all five of the national honors, with Ma-

gadan winning the Baseball America and

Golden Spikes Award in 1983.

A native of Terre Haute, Ind., Reed joins

SEC legends Magadan, Price, Will Clark

(1985), Derick Lilliquist (1987), Ben Mc-

Donald (1989), Lloyd Peever (1992), Todd

Helton (1995), Tim Hudson (1997), Brad

Wilkerson (1998), Eddy Furniss (1998), Kip

Bouknight (2000) and Mike Zunino (2012)

as national players of the year in the confer-

ence.

A consensus freshman All-American in

2012, Reed was also named a first-team All-

American by Collegiate Baseball, marking

the 17th player in Kentucky history to earn

All-America honors, dating back to Dom

Fucci in 1949. Reed is the first All-American

for the Wildcats since Sawyer Carroll and

Collin Cowgill were each honored in 2008.

The college baseball leader in homers

(23), slugging (.768) and OPS (1.259), Reed

also ranks as the SEC leader in RBI (70), on-

base percentage (.491), wins (11), walks (47)

and total bases (162). He also ranks third in

the SEC in average (.351), second in runs

(59), eighth in doubles (17), ninth in hits (74)

sixth in ERA (2.10), third in innings pitched

(103.0) and ninth in strikeouts (68). Reed is

currently .002 points shy of the SEC lead in

batting average and is vying for the second

triple-crown in SEC history and the first

since Rafael Palmeiro in 1984. There has

never been an SEC player to led the confer-

ence in homers and pitching victories.

Reed has hit .310 in his 168-game UK

career, with 34 doubles, three triples, 40

homers and 165 RBI. On the mound, Reed

has an 18-13 record and the third-best ERA

in UK career history (2.86), working 239 in-

nings with 171 strikeouts.

No. 22 Kentucky (35-23) opened the

NCAA Tournament against Kansas at

Louisville’s Jim Patterson Stadium.

COLLEGIATE BASEBALL

NCAA PLAYERS OF THE YEAR

2014: LHP/1B A.J. Reed, Kentucky

2013: 3B Kris Bryant, San Diego

2012: RHP Nick Petree, Missouri St.

2011: RHP Trevor Bauer, UCLA

2010: LHP Chris Sale, Florida Gulf Coast

2009: P Stephen Strasburg, San Diego St.

2008: C Buster Posey, Florida St.

2007: LHP David Price, Vanderbilt

2B Tony Thomas, Florida St.

2006: RHP Wes Roemer, Cal. St. Fullerton

OF Kellen Kulbacki, James Madison

2005: OF Shane Robinson, Florida St.

2004: RHP Jered Weaver, Long Beach St.

2003: 2B Rickie Weeks, Southern

2002: SS Khalil Greene, Clemson

2001: RHP Mark Prior, Southern California

2000: RHP Kip Bouknight, South Carolina

1999: UT Jason Jennings, Baylor

1998: OF Kevin Mench, Delaware

1997: OF J.D. Drew, Florida St.

1996: RHP Kris Benson, Clemson

1995: 1B/P Todd Helton, Tennessee

OF/P Mark Kotsay, Cal. St. Fullerton

1994: P/1B Ryan Jackson, Duke

1993: UT Brooks Kieschnick, Texas

1992: P Lloyd Peever, Louisiana St.

1991: P Bobby Jones, Fresno St.

1990: OF Mike Kelly, Arizona St.

1989: P Ben McDonald, Louisiana St.

UT Scott Bryant, Texas

1988: P Andy Benes, Evansville

1987: 3B Robin Ventura, Oklahoma St.

1B Marteese Robinson, Seton Hall

1986: P Greg Swindell, Texas

1985: OF Pete Incaviglia, Oklahoma St.

1984: OF Oddibe McDowell, Arizona St.

Kentucky’s A.J. Reed named National Player of the Year by Collegiate Baseball

Congratulations should be commonplace to Kentucky’s A.J. Reed by now. He is the first

UK baseball player to earn national player of the year honors.

Photos courtesy of UK Athletics


Approximately sixty runners and walkers participated in the 2014 Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival 5K Run this year. The two runners above continue to dominate this event as Kelly

Brown (above left) was the top finisher in the women’s division, while brother James Brown (above right) won the men’s division and was the first runner across the finish line again this

year. Pinnacle Photos / John Engle

Huge Savings!


For reduced golfing rates go to playpinemountain.com

Champion ~ Matt Gann Senior Champion ~ Elmo Greer

Third Flight ~ Austin CaldwellFirst Flight ~ Chase Kress Second Flight ~ Mark Keith

Congratulationsto this year’s winners in the 2014 Kentucky Mountain Laurel Golf Classic

and thanks to all who participated!


Championship Sunday at the 2014 Kentucky Mountain Laurel Golf Classic


13th Region

Softball 2014


BARBOURVILLE, Ky. - Union head football coach Zak

Willis recently released the list of signees for the 2014 cam-

paign, which totals out at 47 newcomers.

"Our 2014 signing class is a particularly strong one in

terms of the overall speed and athleticism of the group as a

whole," said Willis. "We definitely were able to sign quality

student-athletes who will contribute heavily to an already

bright future for Union football both on and off of the field."

In an effort to win the battle in the trenches, the Bulldogs

added a total of 13 linemen - nine on offense and four on de-

fense. Union also sought to strengthen its defense as it is

bringing in a total of 26 defensive players. In addition to the

defensive linemen, the Bulldogs signed 15 linebackers, seven

defensive backs.

Offensively, Union added nine offensive linemen, six

wide receivers, three running backs and three quarterbacks.

The newest Bulldogs come from all over the United

States with 18 hailing from Kentucky. Florida is the next

highest represented state with 10, while six signees are from

Alabama and six more are from Georgia. There are two com-

ing in from California, while Texas, Connecticut, Tennessee,

Minnesota and Indiana each are represented by one.

Willis, who took the reins of the football program in mid-

April, credits the coaching staff for bringing in a solid class.

"I want to recognize our staff who in spite of being un-

sure of their futures selflessly devoted themselves to recruit-

ing this class, maintaing relationships with those signees and

keeping our program headed in the right direction," Willis

said. "We are fortunate to have such coaches."

This is the third head coaching post for Willis, who pre-

vious manned the programs at Mid-South Conference East

rival Pikeville (Ky.) and NCAA Division II Newberry (S.C.).

Willis owns a career record of 55-37.

Union went 3-8 overall in 2013 and 2-4 in the Mid-South

Conference East. The Bulldogs are set to open their 10-game

schedule on Aug. 28 at Murray State (Ky.). Union's home

opener is set for Sept. 20 versus Cumberlands (Ky.).

Union College 2014 Football Signees

Aldridge, Jonathan OL Hartford, KY Ohio County HS

Averhart, Kevin LB Dora, AL Corner HS

Averhart, Jacob LB Dora, AL Corner HS

Banks, William OL Cumberland Harlan Co. HS

Bell, Alex QB Daytona Beach, FL City College

Bernhard, Ryan OL Winchester, KY GR Clark HS

Bishop, Justice DL Greensburg, KY Green Co. HS

Bradbury, Hunter LB Cummings, GA West Forsyth HS

Brigham, Tequavis LB Marianna, FL Marianna HS

Brooks, Stephen LB Dayton, KY Newport Catholic

Burris, Blake WR Arlington, TX Oakridge School

Byerly, Blake QB Louisville, KY PRP HS

Coleman, Ryan LB Dacula, GA Buford HS

Collier, William OL Smithfield, KY Henry County HS

Crumitie, Charkues LB Monticello, FL Rickards HS

Dandridge, Garfield RB Middletown, CT Lackawanna Juco

Davis, Marques LB Columbus, GA Shaw HS

Dixon, Marcus RB Daytona Beach, FL Snow College

Gibbs, Kermit OL Louisville, KY Fern Creek HS

Harris, Andrew WR Pineville, KY Bell County HS

Harrison, Vernon LB Berea, KY Mad. Southern HS

Hay, Kay DB Blue Jay, CA San Bernadino

Huddleston, Matthew OL Thomasville, GA Thomasville HS

Isenhoff, Michael DL Chipley, FL Vernon HS

Keplinger, Kyle WR Hesperia, CA Victor Valley Col.

Laguerre, Juwel DB Homestead, FL Miami Sunset HS

Locker, Samuel OL Columbia, KY Adair County HS

McCoy, Nathaniel WR Warsaw, KY Gallatin Co.HS

Morgan, Jordan DL Butler, KY Pendleton Co. HS

Morrison, Brycyn DB Defuniak Springs, FL Walton HS

Morton, Lance QB Blaine, TN Grainger HS

Neal, Keith RB Williston, FL Williston HS

Reavish, Gaiyon LB Smyrna, GA Campbell HS

Reynolds, DJ WR Virginia, MN Mesabi CC

Reynolds, William DB Hueytown, AL Hueytown HS

Robbins, John OL Arjay, KY Pineville HS

Rogers, Travis LB Versailles, KY Woodford Co. HS

Sester, Phillip DB Manchester, KY Clay County HS

Silas, Julian DB Vernon, FL Vernon HS

Tanner, Kyle LB Marianna, FL Marianna HS

Turner, Nicholas LB Dudley, GA West Lauren HS

Weeks, Jabari LB Hueytown, AL Hueytown HS

Weeks, Malik DL Hueytown, AL Hueytown HS

Westhoff, Gregory WR Independence, KY Boone County HS

Williams, Ed LB Robertsdale, AL Robertsdale HS

Willoughby, Chase OL Eubank, KY Pulaski Co. HS

Wyrick, Dakota DB Franklin, IN Franklin Co.HS

Union College adds 47 to their football roster

for tee times

or club membership information

call 606-248-3831

You can visit us online at

www.middlesborocountryclub.com


By – Ira D. Combs

Tri State Sports Media Service Inc.

www.combsbrothersonkysports.com

Normally when late May rolls around

most of the ”True Blue” members of Big

Blue Nation are gearing their interest and

thoughts toward basketball and / or football

recruiting service reports on the elite players

that UK is after for the upcoming signing pe-

riods next November for basketball and Feb-

ruary for football . Not this May.

With both the UK softball team and

baseball teams locked into solid post season

runs this early summer , those UK fans who

are truly UK fans and not just long time foot-

ball or basketball junkies have an opportu-

nity to follow (2) of Mitch Barnhart’s most

prized projects over the last (5) years come

to fruition . It has been a passion of Barn-

hart’s to make UK a successful and well

rounded athletic department and the fruits of

his labor are finally paying off , not to men-

tion hard working coaches like Rachel Law-

son – softball and Gary Henderson –

baseball .Lawson’s softball team will be

making the school’s first ever appearance

thursday evening in the NCAA women’s

softball college World Series in Oklahoma

City , Oklahoma . They will play Louisiana

– Lafayette at 7:00 p.m. EST. on ESPN2 .

UK enters the game with a 49 – 17 record

which is the schools all time best . UK beat

12 time NCAA softball champion UCLA 2

games in a row Sunday afternoon right in

their own backyard to gain the historic bid to

Oklahoma City . Lawson is in her 7th season

as the head coach at UK and it is her 1st ap-

pearance as a head coach in the NCAA soft-

ball championships .

Gary Henderson’s hard charging base-

ball team just finished storming thru college

baseball’s most difficult conference tourna-

ment at a 3 – 1 clip which earned them an at

large bid in the NCAA baseball tournament

. Henderson’s Bat Cats finally got a favor-

able seed both in 1st round competition and

location . UK opens play in the 2014 NCAA

baseball tournament just one hour down 1 –

64 at Jim Patterson Stadium on the U of L

campus . UK will open the Louisville re-

gional at 2:00 p.m. against the Kansas “Jay-

hawks” with no TV broadcast but you can

pull the game up live on the www.espn3.com

internet site . The host school Louisville will

play Kent State later Friday at 6:00 p.m. and

the two winners and losers will play each

other on Saturday again at 2:00 and 6:00

with Saturday’s first game winner playing

Saturday’s 2nd game loser Sunday at 6:00 in

the double elimination tournament .

The Louisville regional winner from this

weekend will play the Nashville winner the

following weekend in a best 2 of 3 super re-

gional series with that winner advancing to

the college baseball World Series in Omaha

, Nebraska the 2nd week of June .

You can go to www.ukathletics.com for

tickets to the 1st round regional site in

Louisville . Full tournament book type tick-

ets are available for all sessions or you can

buy single game tickets for all UK games on

a game by game basis .

Reds Handicapped By

Injuries and Inept OffenseAs we leave Memorial Day weekend be-

hind us and enter the last full week of May

ending the 2nd full month of the 2014 MLB

season the Cincinnati ”Reds” remain stuck

in 3rd place of the Central division of the Na-

tional League 21 – 26 basically treading

water for the last four weeks .

The main reason for this difficult period

of time for the pride of the Queen City is be-

cause they still for the most part have been

playing with a Mash Unit since opening day

. The teams # 2 starting pitcher Mat Latos

has yet to toe the mound and it appears will

not until early June at best . The teams stud

closer Aroldis Chapman “The Cuban

Missle” just 10 days ago finally was acti-

vated back on the roster . Offensively it’s

been a real struggle , yet , since basically the

3rd week of the season you can’t place much

of the blame on it’s new leadoff hitter Billy

Hamilton which is where everyone thought

the offense would struggle if it did going

into the season .

The offensive struggles start and end

with the teams two highest paid players (

Joey Votto and Jay Bruce ) who both have

been on the DL at least once already this sea-

son and Votto resides their as we speak with

the Reds headed west this week for one of

it’s most difficult road trips of the season and

Votto can’t be activated until the team re-

turns back for it’s opening home stand of

June . Now the Reds hottest hitter Devin

Mesoraco who was hitting over .400 when

he went on the DL just returned and is

mirred in a 1 – 21 slump as the Reds head

for the coast this week and since misery

loves company Jay Bruce’s uniquely quick

return from his knee surgery evidently didn’t

do anything for his recovery at the plate be-

cause he was 1 – 11 striking out (9) times

against the Cardinals this past weekend .

It’s still not time to hit the panic button

but it’s beginning to be frustrating to many

long time Reds fans to accept the fact that

the Reds have never won a playoff game in

Great American Ball Park . Yes , that’s an ac-

curate statement . As a matter of fact if you’ll

trace back thru the record books you’ll see

that the Reds have actually won the ( last 8

World Series games that they have played in

, 1976 vs. New York Yankees 4 - 0 sweep

and in 1990 4 – 0 sweep vs. Oakland A’s )

actually counting the 7th game of the 1975

World Series vs. the Boston Red Sox they

have won (9) WS games in a row but nothing

in the post season at GABP has ended with

the home team celebrating .

It appears the Reds are headed toward

another hapless post season and this year

they may be out of contention by the all star

break if some lightning doesn’t strike the

Reds bats in the coming weeks .

You can go online to www.combsbroth-

ersonkysports.com for more coverage of UK

football and basketball as well as KHSAA

football and baseball as well .

UK softball and baseball take center stage nationally

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Collegiate Women

Sports Awards (CWSA) will present Univer-

sity of Kentucky women’s soccer All-Amer-

ican Arin Gilliland with the 2014 Honda

Inspiration Award on June 30 at 8 p.m. ET,

at the USC Galen Center Founders Room in

Los Angeles.

“This is an absolutely amazing award to

win and I am extremely humbled and hon-

ored to be the recipient,” Gilliland said.

“This award means more to me than any

award that I have ever received before in my

life. I hope that my story has inspired people

to go out and live their dreams. I think win-

ning this award means a lot to me because it

means that people can follow my footsteps

and see how I have overcome the adversity

in my life. I am absolutely speechless for the

honor and I want to thank everyone involved

in nominating me and also to the CWSA

board members for electing me

as the winner. There are a lot of

prestigious winners of this

award, and I am so proud to be

joining that elite group of

women.”

The Honda Inspiration

Award is given to one female

athlete a year who has over-

come hardship and was able to

return to play at the collegiate

level.

“What strikes me the most when hearing

that Arin won this prestigious award was

how much she has grown so much in her

time at Kentucky,” Kentucky head coach Jon

Lipsitz said. “She has developed into an in-

credible leader for this team on and off the

field and continues to be humble and gra-

cious. Arin has overcome an incredible

amount of adversity in her life

and is truly an amazing story.

We are thankful to have her in

our program and honored to be

a part of this wonderful awards

ceremony.”

"Being awarded such a

prestigious honor like the Honda

Inspiration Award is something

that Arin has absolutely de-

served in her time at Kentucky,”

UK director of athletics Mitch

Barnhart said. “Since she stepped foot on

campus three years ago, her passion and love

for her team and school has been one of the

driving forces in our recent women's soccer

success. Arin has overcome a lot of obstacles

in her life and has handled them exception-

ally well. We are elated for Arin and could

not be more proud of her for receiving this

honor."

In the spring of 2011. Gilliland’s mother,

Letita, passed away from cancer in the sum-

mer of her sophomore season. Gilliland has

continued to push forward, realizing her

dreams of playing soccer for the United

States National Team, as well as the Univer-

sity of Kentucky. Also in 2011, Gilliland tore

her ACL in the 2011 SEC Tournament quar-

terfinal against Tennessee, and had to miss

the rest of the season, including Kentucky’s

first NCAA Tournament match since the

2006 season, and first time hosting an

NCAA Tournament match since 1999.

“Arin put her family first and was a gift to

her mother and father,” UK President Dr. Eli

Capilouto said. “She has been a wonderful

gift to her teammates every year here at Ken-

tucky, and she will be an everlasting gift to

the memories of all of the UK family.”

UK senior soccer star Arin Gilliland to receive 2014 Honda Inspiration Award


July will mark my

eleventh year of doing

this column. It has been

a very satisfying and

life-altering period of

time. It all started when

I bought an ad in two

different newspapers for

an event that was taking

place. Each individual

left my office with my

first attempt at Outdoor

Truths promising me

they would sporadically

run the article as space

became available. Each

paper has carried the

column ever since and

has only rarely missed putting it in their pub-

lication. What began with two newspa-

pers is now in several newspapers as well as

some regional magazines and on many web-

sites. I reminisce not to boast but to tell you

how blessed I have been through these many

years. Those blessings have come from sev-

eral avenues. First of all, I have had the won-

derful privilege of being a part of some great

home-town newspapers and blue-collar

hunting and fishing magazines. The men and

women who make up these publications

truly understand that a great segment of their

readers are hunters, fishermen (or women),

and believers in God. We may have different

doctrinal beliefs and some may not even be

totally sure about church and Christians, and

even Christ. But what we are all sure about

is that Someone greater than man created

this earth that we get to play in every time

we hunt or fish. Our local newspapers at

times take a lot of criticism but they also

bring you the good stuff that many folks in

bigger cities never get.

Another blessing that

has thrilled my soul is

when you tell me about

how some story I have

written about caused

you to remember a spe-

cial outdoor time in your

life with a father,

mother, or friend. These

stories come just at the

right time and make me

feel so honored to have

had a part of bringing

back these precious

memories. And lastly,

these eleven years have

made me more sensitive

to what creation has to say about God. It was

a few years ago that I realized when Jesus

started His ministry here on earth, and He

went looking for some good men who He

would make His disciples, the first place he

went was to the lake and there He found

Peter and his brother Andrew and made them

“fishers of men.” Many fishermen that I

know might not consider themselves disciple

material but God must think differently. I’ve

learned that God’s provision is illustrated by

the sparrow and the lily. His care is illus-

trated by the sheep and his power in our life

by His ability to speak peace to the winds

and the waves. And I am more convinced

than ever that He knows your name, cares for

you immensely, and hurts when you hurt. If

I began to count my blessings there’s no

doubt that my time with you each week

would be at the top.

Gary Miller

[email protected]

Outdoor Truthswith Gary Miller

Averaged 9.3 points, 4.6 reboundsand 2.0 assists in nine games

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Sophomore guard Do-

minique Hawkins concluded his trip to the

Far East with Sports Reach and has returned

to the United States. Hawkins joined several

other collegiate players and participated in

the cultural exchange that also included play-

ing in nine games.

Hawkins averaged 9.3 points, 4.6 rebounds

and 2.0 assists per game in the nine contests.

The Richmond, Ky., native topped double-

figures in three games including a break-out

27-point effort in a win over Lithuania. In

that contest, Hawkins was 10-of-15 from the

field and connected on both of his attempts

from long range.

In a game against the Lithuania All-Stars,

Hawkins hauled in 11 rebounds and dished

out five assists while contributing six points.

He concluded the trip with back-to-back

double-figure scoring efforts with tallies of

11 against Athletas Lithuania and 14 against

Atletis Lithuania.

Hawkins played in 33 games for UK’s na-

tional runner-up squad. He scored 25 points

and hauled in 23 rebounds while dishing out

12 assists in his first season. The 6-foot

guard served as a top defensive performer

during UK’s NCAA Tournament run with

John Calipari citing his efforts against

Michigan’s Nik Stauskas as a key to UK’s

win over the Wolverines.

Hawkins is one of several Wildcats who

have participated in the cultural exchange

during Calipari’s tenure. Other players who

have participated include Josh Harrellson,

Jon Hood and Eloy Vargas. Harrellson’s trip

came in the summer of 2010 and was fol-

lowed by a breakout senior campaign in

which he averaged 7.6 points and 8.7 re-

bounds per game while shooting 61 percent

from the field.

Joining Hawkins on the trip were players

from Illinois, Jacksonville State, Murray

State, Southern, TCU, Texas Tech and Troy.

Founded in 1986 by Robby Spear, Sports

Reach attempts to reach the world through

sports. For more information on Sports

Reach, visit sportsreach.org.

Kentucky sophomore Dominique Hawkins

concludes his trip to the Far East


Pinnacle Photos / Ray Welch

13th Region

Baseball 2014


Pinnacle Photo ~ 2014 Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival Golf Classic

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