DevilMayCare

The 63rd district really showed out this weekend, going a collective 9-1 in the Tri-State Showcase. The district is shaping up to be a meat grinder this season.

Goodwin is from Louisville and previously attended Holy Cross and Ballard before moving to Hoosier country, where he currently attends Charlestown High School. He chose UK over the likes of Alabama, Clemson, and Ohio State. He and Grant Bingham give Stoops a stellar pair of bookend tackles in this class.

Congrats to both coaches. I'm sure they don't coach to win these awards, but it's great to see the spotlight shine on them. The recognition is hard earned and well deserved. Ashland lost four offensive linemen to graduation from 2019 and their incumbent QB transferred out a couple of weeks before practice started. For those reasons, I didn't envision an improvement for the Tomcats heading into 2020. Not only were they better, they were state championship better. All due credit to Love and his staff, whom I'm sure he's gladly sharing this award with.

Joe's recruitment is one to watch this summer. He's already been hitting the camp circuit this spring, with bigger opportunities possibly on the horizon.

Humphreys (6'4", 195 lbs) is a 3 star, dual threat QB, rated as the #13 prospect in Kentucky by 247 Sports. Current offers Appalachian State Austin Peay Eastern Kentucky Kent State Middle Tennessee State Murray State

From skimming the surface: 1. Male - The Bulldogs boast three of the top prospects in Kentucky - Selah Brown (DL), Vinny Anthony (WR), and Elijah Manning (LB). They return Nic Schutte at QB and Daniel Swinney looks like a very suitable replacement for Jaylin Bross. Entire o-line is back. Loaded and a firm #1, imo. 2. St. Xavier - Questions at QB. Smith and Duddy give the Tigers one of the best WR duos in the state. Jaxon Panariello looks like a future FBS linebacker. On paper, they should get the better of Trinity this year, but with the level T's program is at right now, I'm not as confident putting X at #2 as I probably should be. 3. Trinity - The Rocks should come back to earth after a historically great 2020 season, but even a reloading T is still among the favorites in 6A. Armon Tucker is one of the top RBs in the state. No Bob Beatty for the first time since 1999. 4. Manual - They have a pair of elite talents in Jawaun Northington (RB) and Malachi Lawrence (DE). The Crimsons lose enough quality bodies that I've got them at least half a notch below Louisville's Big 3, but they should have enough back to remain a fixture in the top 5 next season and potentially move up. 5. Bryan Station - Lose a very good QB and must replace a lot up front, but return basically all skill people, including one of the best RBs most outside of Lexington haven't heard of in Joey Bond. Defense should be stout, with 9 of top 11 tacklers back. Beyond that, you've got a group that includes the likes of Dixie Heights, McCracken County, and Oldham County. My sleeper pick for 6A is Daviess County. They return all skill people and QB Joe Humphreys, a possible Mr. Football darkhorse. North Hardin has been a mainstay in the top 5 for a couple of years, but I see them taking a step back to rebuild after losing a lot of talent and production on both sides of the ball. It's so hard to rank any class beyond the top 5.

8/20 vs. Clinton County 8/27 vs. Pulaski County 9/3 at Rockcastle County 9/10 - OPEN 9/17 vs. McCreary Central 9/24 vs. Warren East 10/1 vs. Casey County 10/8 at Lincoln County* 10/15 vs. Knox Central* 10/22 at Corbin* 10/29 at North Laurel *District game

8/20 - OPEN 8/27 vs. Nelson County 9/3 at Hart County 9/10 vs. Taylor County 9/17 vs. Monroe County* 9/24 vs. Clinton County* 10/1 at Campbellsville 10/8 at Warren Central 10/15 at Edmonson County* 10/22 at Metcalfe County* 10/29 vs. Todd County Central *District game

Good stuff, guys. Not many new coaches have the luxury of inheriting a three year starter at QB with the abilities of Sam Young. I'm looking forward to seeing how that coach/QB dynamic works out this year and how Coach McBroom adapts to being the man in charge. We could be seeing the beginnings of one of the great young coaches in Kentucky.

That schedule means business. I like it. Henry County might have been the second best team in its class last year in Tennessee. They've been a strong program for years now, consistently making deep playoff runs. I have no idea what they have coming back, but given their recent history, expect them to be a handful.

Sacred Heart only loses one player of consequence - Maggie Montano. They return pretty much everyone else. They're locked and loaded for a run at a repeat in 2022.

Josie Gilvin is your tournament MVP. She had 27 steals in four games, including five tonight. She also pitched in 8 rebounds, 5 assists, and 5 blocks. Ralston (18) and Wolff (10) finished in double figure scoring. Langhi (19 pts/7 rebs) and Conner (16 pts/6 ast) were rocks for the Lady Marshals in defeat.

Final, from Rupp Arena. Congratulations to the Sacred Heart Valkyries, the 2021 state basketball champion. This game was tight from start to finish. Never more than a five point lead for either team.

Ballgame. Sacred Heart wins, 49-47.

Timeout Marshall County with :1.3 to go. Lady Marshals ball at half court following TO.

Marshall County is having to frantically foul to put SH at the line.

Timeout Sacred Heart with :11 to go. Still 49-47 SH.

Timeout Marshall County with :29 remaining. 49-47 SH

Wolff tips in a missed 3. 49-47 SH

Timeout Marshall County with 2:28 to go.

Ralston to the line to shoot three... makes all of them. Clutch from the sophomore. 47 all 2:33 remaining

Langhi with a pair of FTs. 47-44 MC

The air in Rupp is thick with the tension of two teams that know exactly what's in front of them.

Media timeout with 2:57 remaining. Still 45-44 MC.