ASHLAND —
It makes sense that Mykal Farris would choose to play college ball at an NAIA Final Four team. She’s become accustomed to winning.
Farris took a next step in her winning career when the Ashland forward signed with Georgetown College on Monday.
After leading the Kittens to its’ first title since 1997, and an undefeated 22-0 record in the region, Farris was ready to keep playing after the season ended.
“I just wanted to keep going, I didn’t really want to stop after that last game at state,” Farris said. “It was really hard to know that high school was finally over, but the next day I went to the gym the next day to work out and get ready for college.”
Signing with Georgetown means Farris will join a team that is coming off a 24-10 season and made its first appearance in the NAIA Division I Final Four.
But, according to Farris, the whole situation was a last-minute deal that came from a tryout for the Kentucky-Indiana All-Star game.
“It was hosted at Georgetown and coach (Georgetown assistant Carter) Adams saw me play a few times in AAU and thought I already signed,” Farris said. “He talked to me and congratulated me and I told him I haven’t signed yet. He was like ‘Oh really,’ and then started talking to us.”
Farris said other colleges that showed interest included Tennessee State, Shawnee State and Asbury College.
But when the decision came down to signing she felt it was better for her education and her home life to pick Georgetown.
“I went and visited Georgetown and just fell in love with it,” Farris said. “I wanted to stay somewhere close to home and they’re a great academic school.”
Farris, who finished her career as the 20th all-time leading scorer in Kittens history with 846 points, will bring her athleticism to compete with the Tigers.
She also applied her trade to the world of track and field, finishing fifth at state in the long jump.
“We knew she would land somewhere because she’s such a good athlete,” Kittens coach Bill Bradley said. “Her basketball IQ has gone up so much the past couple years, but the athleticism has always been there. So we knew she’d end up somewhere decent.”
Bradley was one of the coaches helping out for the Kentucky-Indiana All-Star game and remembered clearly Farris’ tryout.
“I saw the day she had when she was trying out,” Bradley said. “I knew after that day she would land at a pretty good spot.”
And in typical coach fashion Bradley was quick to praise the type of player Georgetown will be getting next year.
“With her athleticism she can cover anyone defensively,” Bradley said. “For them she’ll be a lock-down defender. If her shot comes around more than it does now she can help them on offense, too. But defensively she can stop anyone around.”
Another key to Farris’ decision was the opportunity for her old coach to come see her play.
In fact, in Farris’ words, Bradley was excited to hear the news of her signing.
“Me and coach Bradley have a great connection,” Farris said. “He’s an awesome coach and I’ve known him for a long time, I’ve even babysit his kids sometimes. To have him come and watch me would be a great honor.”
In Farris’ high school career the Kittensf win total has increased every year. Her freshman year Ashland won 18 games. In her senior season the win total blossomed to 29.
Bradley said while Georgetown is coming off a winning season, they are adding another winner in Farris.
“Each year with her we’ve gotten better and better,” Bradley said. “She’s so used to winning now, she’s won nearly 100 ball games the past four years here. She’s not used to losing at all and she’ll take that attitude with her.”
KYLE HOBSTETTER can be reached at khobstetter@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2658.
Local Sports
Farris ready to win at Georgetown
Future Tiger led Kittens to first state appearance since 1997
- Local Sports
-
-
A PERFECT ENDING
With her career coming to an end, everything has come full circle for Boyd County’s Emily Stewart.
Stewart and Ashland’s McKenzie Vanover were honored as the top players on The Independent’s 2013 All-Area Softball Team. -
ALL-AREA BASEBALL: Salow, Prater are back-to-back Jacks
This season’s Player of the Year assumed a starring role in ending the seasons of both coaches who shared top honors on The Independent’s 2013 All-Area Baseball Team.
-
Ditty stands tall in state Hall of Fame
Julie Ditty never felt as small as when standing beside Pervis Ellison, the 6-foot-9 former University of Louisville basketball great.
-
'Blessed' Marsh gets due
The second-largest crowd in Elks Sports Day history came to celebrate Vic Marsh Saturday night.
-
Gullett selected as next honoree
Don Gullett, who is generally regarded as the greatest athlete in northeastern Kentucky history, will be the honoree for the 40th annual Elks Sports Day next summer.
-
Stevens, Taylor in winning mode
For the second straight Saturday, Aaron Stevens found himself as the top finisher at a local 5K race.
-
MARK MAYNARD: Marsh belongs on wall
When Vic Marsh looks up on the Elks Sports Day Wall of Fame, it’s hard for him to picture his photograph being up there with them.
-
Getting more time
Jamal Clark, Austin Allison and C.D. Spight looked liked they'd run the Jumbo play for four years.
The only play the trio tried it was the one that mattered Friday. Spight's 10-yard run — with Clark and Allison blocking — was the last touchdown in the West's overtime 20-14 win in the eighth annual Northeastern Kentucky Senior Bowl at Morehead State University's Jayne Stadium. -
NRP Bluegrass Junior: What a finish
On the 30th anniversary of the Natural Resource Partners Bluegrass Junior, Haylee Harford produced one of the classic shots in tournament history.
-
VIDEO: Faried returns to MSU for camp
Approximately 150 campers attended each of the two-day Kenneth Faried All-Star Basketball Camp on Thursday at Morehead State’s Ellis T. Johnson Arena.
- More Local Sports Headlines
-
Obama: NSA Secret Data Gathering 'Transparent'
Man Who Disrupted Flight Ranted About CIA
Feds: 7-Eleven Stores Exploited Immigrants
Fla. Teen Catches Ride With Whale Shark
G8 Leaders Huddle on Syria
Raw: Obama, Putin Meet at G8
Iran's Rowhani Urges 'Path of Moderation'
Daughter: Mandela Doing 'Very Well'
Investigators Probe Origin of Colo. Wildfire
Ex-NFL Star Chad Johnson Out of Jail
'Game of Thrones' Boosts N. Ireland
Raw: Prince Philip Leaves Hospital After Surgery
Zimmerman Jury Selection Turns to Media Exposure
Raw: FBI Meets Plane After Poison Threat
Family Tweets Say Kim Kardashian Gives Birth
US, EU Leaders Announce Free Trade Talks
