THE PERRY COMMENTARY: NEWS AND NOTES FROM THE SPORTS WORLD

By DON PERRY<br>Record Sports Writer

Sun, May 18 2008

— OK, raise your hand if you had Western Kentucky and Davidson in the Sweet 16. Yea, I thought so.
While both a good teams (hey, even I had both winning their first games) there is no way I would have dreamed that Davison could have knocked off Georgetown. But that is what March Madness in all about, right?
While my bracket, which had the likes of Duke and Pittsburgh in the Final Four, has long ago found it’s way to the waste basket, I must say this tournament is giving us some great games throughout, and the Sweet 16 is no exception.
First of all, the Tennessee-Louisville match-up should be great. Then there is Xavier and West Virginia, who are both capable of pulling off an upset of UCLA if the Hilltoppers’ magic runs out this weekend,
With all the number 1 seeds still around, and with the match-ups we a seeing in the Sweet 16, I have to say the NCAA tournament directors got this one right. I only wish the football people would take notice.
n Keeping with the basketball news for a moment, has anyone noticed the hoopla surrounding Dakota Euton’s transfer to Scott County?
Euton is the 6’8” Rose Hill sophomore who already committed to Kentucky during the Tubby Smith reign. His father lost his job of 20 years and is having to relocate from Ashland to the Lexington area where he has a new job. The family decides to live in Scott County and he will commute to Lexington for work.
All is fine there—no KHSAA violations. No one can fault the man for moving for a new job. But, there is more. Euton’s father, Clay, has told both of the state newspapers that he chose to live in Scott County for it’s basketball program. To me, the Euton’s should have made the move and kept quiet about it. Mr. Euton should simply say that is where he wants to live and leave it alone. When he begins talking about Scott County’s outstanding program and how it will benefit his son, that is going to leave room for skepticism and may give some ammunition to declare wrongdoing on his part.
We know that transfers take place all the time for sports reasons, and there is no denying that fact. We also know if a parent wants to transfer there student to anther school where he or she can participate on a stronger academic team or a better debate team, nothing is going to be said about it. Maybe Euton’s dad sees this an injustice because he wants the same for his son who excels on the basketball court, and knows since his move is legitimate the KHSAA will do nothing about it, and by voicing his beliefs in the program, he’s bucking the system a little bit to show how unfair it is to limit athletic transfers but not academic transfers.
Then again, maybe that has nothing to do with it, and he simply likes flapping his jaws. Who knows?
n Congratulations to Robert Jones on his second consecutive 12th Region Coach of the Year award. Back-to-back 20-wins seasons says a lot about the shape of the program at McCreary Central.
The Raiders lose eight seniors from this year’s team, but somehow you have to figure they are going to be right in the mix of things in the 12th Region next season. Maybe not 20 wins, but that’s OK, especially if it means a deeper post season run. I’m going on the record right now saying that it will happen. The Raiders go to the Final Four of the 12th Region tournament in 2009. Call it March Madness if you will, but that’s my opinion.
n With college hoops winding down, you know it’s time for the grand ol’ game of baseball.
Locally, the Raiders baseball and softball teams have already been on the fields for some scrimmages, and will begin the regular season this week.
The boys begin the season on the road at Jackson County Tuesday night and then at South Laurel on Thursday before their home opener on Friday. The Raiders will also host a double header on Saturday against Oneida and Williamsburg beginning at 4 p.m.
The softball team opened its season at home on Monday night before four straight road games. The girls return home for an April Fool’s Day game against district rival Southwestern.
While I have to commend the Raider fans that braved some cooler weather during football season, and then packed the house during the boys basketball season, I also want to encourage everyone to extend the same support to the baseball and softball teams this spring. It makes a world of difference to have support.
n A notes column which includes something about baseball can not be complete without this phrase: “Go Reds!”
n Speaking of the Reds, maybe this is the season to turn things around. With a new manager and hopes of a stronger pitching rotation and rookies Jay Bruce and Joey Votto making the major league roster, there is room for the casual optimist to hope for better things this season.
On another Reds note, has anyone noticed what former Red Josh Hamilton has done this spring for the Texas Rangers? Hamilton is leading the majors with 13 RBI this spring while batting .556 and hitting safely in 12 of 14 games with two homers. I hope the Reds can show they got a great return when the pitching they received hits the mound both at the major league and minor league levels.
n On to football.
Is anyone else tired of the mock NFL drafts we see every night? I feel like I’ve already seen the draft a month before it even begins.
n Thursday night was a fun TV night for me and my sons as they got to stay up late (no school Friday) and watch ‘Pros vs. Joes.’ It was great to be cheering on a fellow McCreary Countian and great for the boys to see that someone from their home town is doing well.
Good luck in the finals Donnie. We will be rooting for you.
n OK, we began with college basketball, so that’s where we’ll end. Here is my new an improved Final Four prediction, not that it matters or anyone cares: Kansas, Louisville, Memphis and Xavier.

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