ASHLAND —
It’s a good thing Jim Moore has unlimited text messaging on his cell phone plan. He’s gonna need it.
You see, Moore is facing somewhat of a predicament.
He’ll be in Prestonsburg, managing his son, Ronan, and the rest of the Russell-Flatwoods 9-10-year-old All-Stars in this weekend’s state tournament.
It just so happens, though, that his daughter, Maddison, will be 300 miles away in Indianapolis, where she and her Russell-Flatwoods 11-12-year-old All-Star teammates will be competing in the Central Regional Tournament. Maddison’s mother is traveling with her.
“My wife and I will burning up the texting,” Jim Moore said.
No doubt, but it’s a good problem to have for Russell-Flatwoods Little League.
And Moore will have plenty of Russell-Flatwoods company alongside him in Prestonsburg to help keep him at ease.
In total, RFLL produced four District 6 champions, including one state champ (11-12 softball). Russell’s 9-10, 10-11 and 11-12 baseball groups each brought the district title back to an excited community.
“The town is really pulling together,” Moore said. “Everybody is really happy for us. We’re going to represent Russell-Flatwoods the best way we can.”
Each of R-F’s three baseball teams will begin state tournament play on Saturday. Pool play gives way to single-elimination play by Tuesday, and all championship games are set for Thursday.
Maury Williams, the Russell-Flatwoods 10-11 manager, is genuinely enjoying the ride.
“It’s been an absolutely great experience to be a part of,” Williams said. “The boys and girls of the league are all working hard.
“All three (baseball) teams will be down there at the same time, and we’ll be able to watch one another.”
Moore hopes the success will allow folks to view the Russell-Flatwoods area will be viewed as a baseball town.
“I’m passionate about baseball, and I hope this opens up a few eyes that we can play baseball around here,” Moore said.
Both Williams and Moore said that a permeated passion among R-F coaches have helped boost teams to supremacy. They each mentioned Brent Blevins (11-12 baseball manager) as being among those.
Kendra Holmes manages the R-F 11-12 softball bunch, with Rod Hieneman serving as an assistant.
“We’ve got a great group of 11-12-year-olds, both boys and girls,” Hieneman said. “What this league did, it’s pretty cool. You don’t see it that often.”
Clarke reps Russell
Milena Clarke, an eighth-grade basketball player at Russell Middle School, was named to and competed in the Music City Mayhem All-Star Team last week in Franklin, Tenn.
Top AAU players participated in the tournament. Several of the players are ranked in ESPN’s top 100 recruits.
Clarke has played basketball for just two years. She has started for Russell’s seventh- and eighth-grade teams as well as the Lady Devils’ freshman team.
Adopted from Kazakhstan when she was 18 months old by Terry and Christi Clarke, Milena is now 13 and stands at 5-foot-8.
She plays for the D-I Greyhounds, a team based in Huntington.
Warriors stay perfect
The Kentucky Warriors’ record remains unblemished as the semi-pro football team heads into the homestretch.
The Warriors beat the Falcons, 20-12, in Cincinnati on Saturday.
David Mallory enjoyed a big game, completing 10 of 12 passes for 113 yards and two touchdowns. Jermaine Payton and Chris Stamper were on the receiving end of the scores.
JoJo Parker, of Portsmouth, rushed for 106 yards and a touchdown.
Defense, though, highlighted the victory.
Angel Gurule, an Ashland graduate, recorded two interceptions in the game.
Tyrone Allen and Tevin Smith each had seven tackles to lead the team.
The Warriors are off this weekend. They play the Tri State Sharks on the road on July 28.
AARON SNYDER can be reached at asnyder@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2664.
Local Sports
All-Stars sparkle in RFLL
- Local Sports
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Locals struggle to make impact
Some days you are the windshield and some days you are the bug.
It is a saying that proved to be all too true for Rowan County on Friday night at the KHSAA Class 2A State Track and Field Championships at the University of Louisville’s Owsley Frazier Cardinal Park. -
Rough Ending
Fairview senior Kennedy Womack wasn’t her consistent self in Saturday morning’s state tennis semifinals at the University of Kentucky’s Hilary Boone Tennis Complex.
As a result, the top seed fell to Lexington Sayre sophomore Madeline Rolph 6-1, 6-0.
Womack was obviously disappointed with her finish, especially after losing in last year’s state finals, but she was happy for her good friend Rolph. -
FLYING HIGH
If Fairview could have fielded a combined track and field team at Saturday’s Class A State Track and Field Championships, the Eagles and Lady Eagles would have had a record day. Instead, the Fairview girls had to “settle” for fifth, while the boys’ claimed 10th.
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Womack eliminated in semifinals
Top-seeded Kennedy Womack was eliminated in the semifinals of the State Tournament on Saturday at the University of Kentucky tennis courts.
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Big-inning Dawgs
It looked for a while that a questionable call may have determined the outcome of the game, but in the end, it was just an afterthought.
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Boyd County finds senior spark
Losers of four straight, Boyd County was searching for something positive Friday night before beginning postseason play Monday night.
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Doubles teams head to semis at state tourney
With rain staying away, the KHSAA State Tennis Tournament got into full swing on Friday afternoon.
Semifinals and finals will be held today at the University of Kentucky Boone/Downing Tennis Complex for boys and girls singles competitions. -
McKnight hurdling to Georgetown
Fairview’s Paige McKnight is known for jumping hurdles. She cleared a pretty big one on Thursday.
In front of friends and family at Fairview Elementary School, McKnight signed a letter of intent to run track for Georgetown College. -
Several area schools will be represented at State Track and Field championships
Local track and field athletes are ready to try to carry region competition success onto the state stage.
Several area schools will be represented at this weekend’s State Track and Field championships at the University of Louisville. The Class 2A meet is set for today at 3:15 p.m. and Class A competition is scheduled to begin on Saturday at 8:15 a.m. -
EAST KENTUCKY BASKETBALL HISTORY: Reflections on 'The Shot'
Paintsville High School legend J.R. VanHoose is also an eastern Kentucky basketball sports historian. This is one in an ongoing series of stories.
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