IVAN K. RICE I doctorofsports@aol.com

 

2) Dalton Tucker – Football

The Bourbon County star made the Indianapolis Colts’ roster

 For this former Bourbon County Colonels, his dream came true after officially becoming a full-fledged Indianapolis Colts, as the waiting and worrying were finally over.

Twenty-four year-old undrafted free agent Dalton Tucker of Millersburg found out on a late Tuesday afternoon in August that he’s got a place at the table after all, with the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League.

Having watched him turn in consecutive strong performances in the three preseason games, against the Broncos, Texans and Bengals, The Colts just couldn’t say “no” to Tucker’s impressive combination of size, speed, athleticism, and versatility.

According to Tucker’s mother, Amy, the normally understated Dalton is understandably ecstatic to be realizing a childhood dream come true. Tucker becomes the fourth Bourbon Countian ever to make an NFL roster.

The Citizen caught up with Amy and her husband Shelby by phone, as they were making their way to meet Dalton and his wife Blass in Huntington, WV for Marshall University’s 45-3 season opening win over Stony Brook.

Amy said Dalton has received plenty of encouragement from Colts coaches and players for his hard work and determination, ever since starting rookie training camp back in May. Among his biggest supporters has been veteran Colts’ center Ryan Kelly. Amy referenced an Indy Star report where Kelly praised Dalton’s “accountability” and “character”. Kelly also likes Dalton’s “Kentucky twang”, which has already helped to make him “a fan favorite”.

One thing’s for sure, Dalton Tucker has won the respect and admiration of his new teammates, for being a guy who refuses to give up on his dream in spite of long odds stacked against him.

Tucker, who played college football at Marshall University, was the Grand Marshal of the Paris Christmas Parade.

 

3) Marleigh Estes – Track and Field

Two-time state track champion is a six-sports superstar

One of the most gifted athletes to ever come out of this community, completed her junior season at the County lettering in six varsity sports.

Estes was on the indoor and outdoor track teams, as well as the cross country, volleyball, swimming, and cheer squad. She excelled in all six sports.

She’s been named an All-Star and an All-American in what she calls her favorite sport, cheerleading. On the swim team, Estes hit the water to stay active during the already busy school year that must include her classroom work.

“I know that God blessed me with my abilities for a reason and knowing that gives me a firm foundation to rely on. I owe Him all the glory for everything I have accomplished,” said Estes, who carries a 4.2 GPA. “Sometimes I lose sight of the term “Student-Athlete” and start becoming an “Athlete-Student.” However, I always try to complete my schoolwork during school time or after practice(s), even if it’s late at night.”

At the Indoor 2A State, Estes medaled in four events, which included the 55m hurdles, 400m dash, high jump, and 4×400 meter relay.

During the KHSAA Outdoor 2A State, Marleigh defended her 300m hurdles state title winning in a school-record time of time 45.38 seconds. Earlier in the day, she finished as state runner-up in the 100m hurdles. She also won medals as part of the 4×200 and 4×400 relay teams.

Marleigh, an all-state selection, ended her outdoor season with third place in the Emerging Elite 400m hurdles at the Nike Outdoor Nationals that took place at the legendary Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon.

“Marleigh is a once-in-a-generation athlete. She’s the kind of competitor that every coach dreams of and the kind of teammate everyone wants beside them,” said Coach Drew Perraut, who coaches Marleigh in three of her sports. Her never-quit attitude, her love for sports, and her incredible talent are unmatched.”

During the fall season, Estes shares her time with the volleyball, cross country, and cheer team. She finished last volleyball season with 270 digs, 189 kills, 135 assists, 51 service aces and 12 blocks and was named the team’s “MVP” Most Versatile Player. On the cross country team, Estes received all-state honors following her 7th place finish at state and 4th at Region, in just her second year of participating in the sport. Estes, the CKC Champion, led her team to a state runner-up finish.

“We have consistently provided Marleigh with our full support in participating in various sports, as we firmly believe that each sport benefits her abilities in others,” said her Mom Leigh-Clay, who just happens to be Marleigh’s cheer coach. “She has remarkable discipline and self-motivation in each sport she undertakes, which significantly contributes to her success.”

 

4) Asher Mattox – Track and Field

The Colonel senior won a state title in Indoor and Outdoor track

How do you know if you finished your high school career on a solid note? Well, when you win multiple state individual track titles, one can easily say, job well done!

Asher Mattox started his state title runs in the indoor track season when he was crowned state champion in a meet record time of 50.93 seconds to win the 400m dash race by nearly an entire second. Mattox would also run a mean leg on the 4×400 relay team that placed third at the indoor state.

Mattox elevated his game during the outdoor season of track and field by winning the Region 4 Championship in the 300 meter hurdles, while placing third in the 110m high hurdles. He would then run a sub 49 as the leadoff man on the 4×400 relay team that jumpstarted that foursome to a regional title, just prior to helping the 4×200 relay team place second running a new school and city record time.

Mattox continued his terror on the track at the Clark’s Pump-N-Shop Track & Field State 2A Championship when he finally won his state title in his specialty event, the 300 meter hurdles. Mattox, the defending state runner-up, won the race for the first time in a new school and city record time of 38.36 seconds. He broke the city record that has stood for 44-years. He added to his day sixth place in the 110 high hurdles, while running the opening leg on the state champion and new-school record 4×400 relay team, giving him three first place state medals for the season.

The all-stater concluded his track career as a Colonel by competing at the Nike Outdoor Nationals that took place at the legendary Hayward Field.

Mattox competed in two events while in Eugene, Oregon, placing 19th in the Championship 400m hurdles (54.56), and 56th in the Emerging Elite 400 meters dash (50.72).

Mattox was also part of the Colonels cheer squad, soccer team and cross-country team.

 

5) Lady Colonels XC and Track & Field

State cross country runner-up and outdoor state fourth place

When it comes to the Bourbon County cross country and track & field programs, it’s been said once and it’ll be mentioned over and over again … success comes with demanding work and when one works hard, they are normally rewarded.

Coach Drew Perraut’s Bourbon County Lady Colonels completed another successful indoor and outdoor track season, along with another stellar cross-country finish.

The Lady Colonels opened their Cross Country season by winning the CKC Championship and then followed that up with a runner-up finish at the Regional 4 Championship, before adding the program’s first ever state runner-up finish at the 2A Cross Country State, thanks to good runs from Marleigh Estes, Macey McKinzie, Addison Felty, Ruby DeAtley, Myla Wilson, Makenna Hunter, and Lillian Perraut, with Estes, McKinzie, and Felty named all-state.

At the KHSAA State Indoor Track and Field 2A Championship, Bourbon placed 6th overall thanks to senior Ava Hernandez’s state title in the pole vault, and the team’s state runner-up finish in the 4×400 relay. Other huge points came from their third place 4×800 relay, and Addisin Felty’s fourth place in the 400 meter dash.

The team would then ride four regional champions, and four regional runners-up that helped them to a runner-up finish during the Outdoor KHSAA Region 4 Championship. Winning regional titles were Felty (400m dash), Estes (300m hurdles & high jump), and Hernandez (pole vault). Placing second in an individual event were Estes (100m hurdles), Rebekah Stewart (high jump), and Hernandez (long jump).

During the relays, Bourbon’s 4×400 and 4×800 finished as regional runner-up, while their 4×200 team placed third.

Their fantastic year was capped off with a big-time performance at the Clark’s Pump-N-Shop Track & Field State 2A Championship, where the team returned home with the fourth-place trophy.

The big winner for the day was Estes, who finished with 20.25 points that saw her win a state title for the second straight year in the 300 meter hurdles, running a school and city record time of 45.38 seconds. Estes’ full day would also see her place second in the 100 meter hurdles, while running a key leg on the fifth place 4×200 and the fourth place 4×400 relay teams.

Finishing as state runner-up was the foursome of Felty, McKinzie, Hunter, and DeAtley in the 4×800 relay, as well as Hernandez in the pole vault.

The top state medal winners for the Lady Colonels were Estes (4), Felty (4), Hunter (3), and McKinzie (3).

“The girls had a special season,” said Coach Drew Perraut. “One that we are all proud of thanks to their hard work and endless dedication.”

 

6) Noah Earlywine – Tennis

State Tennis Sweet 16 and 10th Region Champion

Colonel junior Noah Earlywine displayed his athletic talent after finishing off his best year as a Colonels tennis player.

Earlywine entered the 10th Regional Tournament as the defending champion, after losing only one game throughout the tournament. This season, he was determined to better that and that’s exactly what he did.

After breezing through his first three tournament matches, Noah kept his perfect record going after blanking GRC junior Gabriel Palmer in the finals.

One fan stated at the end that she’s been watching 10th Region tennis for nearly 30 years and had never seen a player go through a tournament without ever losing a game.

Coach Taylor Osborne stated, “Noah wanted to improve on his performance last year and set a goal of not dropping a game the entire tournament. I knew he had the skill for it, but mentally it is a tough thing to accomplish, and I was skeptical he could pull it off. He got as far down as 15-40 one game, and I thought that was it. But he stayed composed and battled back, and that composure is what impressed me the most. Noah never ceases to amaze me with what he accomplishes on the court.”

Earlywine opened his state tournament with a tough first round draw as he drew the same kid that eliminated him a year ago in Elizabethtown junior Ben Hanson, who came in seeded 14th. Noah, in what turned out to be a fantastic match, got the best of Hanson this time around by disposing of him in three sets. The win left Earlywine as the only non-seeded player to beat a seeded player in the opening round.

Following his second round win, Earlywine advanced to his first KHSAA Sweet 16. His state tournament run would end during this round after losing to the eventual state champion Alex Yeager out of Covington Catholic.

For Noah, who is certainly not a full-time tennis player, finished off a remarkable season that saw him with a 26-7 record, second straight regional title, and a berth in the KHSAA Sweet 16! One can easily call that a successful season for the “part-time” tennis player.

Not only was Earlywine a great tennis player, but this multi-sport athlete could also shoot the rock.

During one stretch of the basketball season, Earlywine was on fire as he hit for a career-high of 30 points and 13 rebounds during the Colonels victory against Menifee County. He followed that with 24 points, and 9 rebounds during BC’s overtime win over Western Hills. The Third Team All-Region selection finished his year averaging 13.9 points, 6.9 rebounds, and totaled 63 steals, 37 assists, while hitting 73.4% from the free throw line.

 

7) Brooklyn White – Basketball

The three-sports star was a Miss Kentucky Basketball Candidate

This Ladyhounds senior had a career to remember after she capped it off by being a candidate for the prestigious Miss Kentucky Basketball Award, after she was recognized as one of the top senior players in the 10th Region by the KABC.

“We’re extremely proud of Brooklyn and happy for her being able to achieve such an outstanding accomplishment. One of the joys of coaching is being able to see players reach their potential and to see them exceed expectations,” said Ladyhounds Head Basketball Coach Aaron Speaks. “Being nominated as a Miss Kentucky Basketball Candidate is one of the highest individual achievements a basketball player can attain. It’s a testament to her dedication, hard work, and relentless determination to be the best. I couldn’t be more proud of her. With this type of accomplishment, Brooklyn will be an inspiration for other future athletes to dream big and to keep working hard for every goal they desire to achieve. She has brought a great deal of pride to our basketball program and to our school through this athletic achievement.”

A three-year starter, White ended her career with a total of 1,312 points, 971 rebounds, 184 blocked shots, 154 steals, and 149 assists, while holding the school-record for double-doubles (19) in a single season. She was a 3-time All 40th District selection and a 2-time All-Region selection. During her senior season, she led the 10th Region with the most double-doubles (17), placed second in points average (15.4), second in field goal percentage (56.2%), third in rebounds per game (10.3), fifth in blocked shots (2.1), and finished in the top 20 in steals per game (2.2). Brook also finished 24th in the state for field goal percentage, and 39th in the state for rebounds average per game. She was named First Team All-Region, Third Team Herald Leader All-State and Courier Journal Honorable Mention All-State and selected to be on the Kentucky All-star team vs. Ohio.

Playing for the Ladyhounds softball team, White batted .431, scored 11 runs, had 25 hits, and knocked in 24 runs. For the Volleyball team, she totaled a team-best 43 blocks to go along with her team’s second-best 116 kills.

 

8) Dwayne Rice – Softball Coach

Ladyhounds’ long-time softball coach retires

The long-time Ladyhounds Softball Coach retired this past season to end a great run with the program.

Prior to the start of the 2025 season, Dwayne Rice said that this would be his last, and he made it official in a letter addressed to the Paris School System’s Administration.

Under Rice, the softball program went from pretty much nonexistence to very respectful. Rice didn’t return to just be a face of the program. No, Rice returned to his alma mater to make a difference. And he did!

“Yes, I’m going to miss coaching,” Rice said. I have made a lot of new friends through softball, and I will cherish the moment. It’s just time!”

Some of Rice’s accolades include the following: Ranked in the KHSAA record books as one of the all-time winningest softball coaches in Kentucky; Led the Ladyhounds to the program’s first District Championship; Guided the Ladyhounds to their first Regional tournament win and their first Regional Championship game; Guided the Ladyhounds “fast pitch” team to their first winning season, most (wins) in a season and (games played) in a season; Guided his 2018 Ladyhound team to a top 25 ranking in the state; First Ladyhound Coach to have victories over district heavyweights Bourbon County (4A school), George Rogers Clark (6A school), and Montgomery County (5A school), all within the same season; Led the Ladyhounds to five appearances in the All ‘A’ Classic 10th Region Championship game, winning it one time; Started the Noah Johnson Memorial Softball Classic, as well as the Ladyhounds Softball Hall of Fame.

“I would personally like to thank every parent that has been a volunteer and worked so hard to make Paris Softball what it is today and make this a special place for our girls,” said Rice. “I could not have done this without them. I would also like to thank the few that have put in hours working on the field, keeping the scorebook, filming games or whatever else was needed to make us complete. Thank you to all my assistant coaches over the years for all the hours away from their families and working to make this one of the best programs at Paris High School.”

Back on May 11 of 2024, the Paris Athletic Department decided to name the Ladyhounds softball field Dwayne Rice Field in honor of Rice’s hard work and dedication to the program.

Not only was Rice the softball coach, but he was also the bowling coach. In addition, during his years at Paris, he served as an assistant soccer coach, had a brief stent on the bench as an assistant boys’ basketball coach, and was instrumental in reviving the cross-country program.

In closing, Rice did say that he would continue to help in any way possible to be a mentor to the next softball coaching staff, but if not, he wishes the Paris softball program nothing but the best!

 

9) Paris School’s Athletic Department

There will be a lot of new faces in 2025-2026

When one looks at the Paris Athletic program, there will be many unfamiliar faces guiding Greyhound teams for the new school year.

For whatever reason, several high schools (even colleges) lose a coach here or there each year but for a small school like Paris, they’ve had the stern test this offseason of filling nine coaching positions, as well as the Athletic Director’s job, the person that oversees the sports programs.

Some coaches left on their own. A few stepped down and a few more were let go by the school. Some of the positions have been filled, while others remain open.

Tyquan Rice, the head coach of the Greyhounds football program for the past four years, left that position to take the same position at nearby Bourbon County High School. Replacing Rice is Dane Damron, who started his career as a graduate assistant under the legendary Coach Roy Kidd. He spent 10 years as a college head coach and seven years as an assistant coach at EKU, including five years as the Offensive Coordinator. In addition, he previously served as the head coach at Kentucky Christian University and Boyd County High School.

Dalton Harris, after two years as the head coach of the boys’ soccer team, was replaced by Terry Montgomery, who will be the program’s eighth coach over the past 11 seasons. Montgomery played collegiate soccer at the University of Louisville.

Shawn Ransom, who was released from his duties as the head boys’ basketball coach after three seasons, was replaced by Eli Strait, a former All-State and All-City player at Tates Creek High School. Strait continued his athletic career at Gardner-Webb University, a Division I program in North Carolina, where he served as captain of both the men’s basketball and soccer teams.

James Murphy stepped down as the boys and girls indoor track coach, while Marshall Mays was dismissed from his duties as the outdoor track coach. Those positions are still open.

Dwayne Rice also retired as the school’s softball and bowling coach, leaving those two positions open. Brittany McDaniels was recently announced as the new softball coach, as she took over for her dad, after spending several seasons on his staff as an assistant. The school has yet to hire a bowling coach.

Cary Barr, a mainstay in the athletic program as the AD, stepped away from that position in June. Replacing him would be Barr’s former assistant AD Kyle Campbell, the school’s head baseball coach, and just one of a handful of head coaches that remained at Paris.

The program is still in need of a tennis and bass fishing coach.

 

10) Bourbon County Boys soccer

Kentucky 2A Championship State Semifinalist

What a season for Coach Brian Cruz-Sena boys’ soccer team.

It started with Cruz-Sena’s team winning the program’s first Kentucky 2A Section 5 Soccer Championship, thanks to their dominating 8-0 win over host Henry County. The Colonels blanked both opponents during the two-day tournament that is held for schools’ size 2A through 4A, to return home with the trophy.

For their outstanding play, the following Colonels were named to the 2A Section 5 All-Tournament team. They were Lester Rosa, Omar Morales, Diego Navarro, Rolando Gomez, and Case Davis.

That was followed by another tournament championship when the Coach took his team to Williamstown to compete in the Marshall Auto Group Cup that was contested at Grant County Middle School. Bourbon, despite missing a few pieces, had just enough to win two games and capture their second tournament title of the young season.

The Colonels would then start their play in the Kentucky 2A Championship State Tournament as they made the journey to Rowan County to face Johnson Central in the elite eight and when the contest was all said and done, the Section 5 Champions found themselves headed to Owensboro after they took care of the Golden Eagles, 5-1.

In Owensboro, the Colonels dream of winning the 2A State Title ended when they lost to an undefeated Murray team, 6-1 in the semifinal round. “I’m very proud of them for what they accomplished,” Cruz-Sena said afterwards.

Bourbon’s outstanding season, their best in 15 years, closed at the 10th Regional Tournament when they suffered a tough defeat to Campbell County. It would be BC’s first regional tournament appearance in seven years.

Prior to that loss, the Colonels picked up a huge win over Montgomery County in the district tournament, sending the Indians home early from post season play, as the team from Mt. Sterling suffered their first opening round loss in district tournament play since 2010, ending a streak of 13 consecutive years of making the regional tournament. The Indians had won the last 11 out of 12 39th District Championships.

The win also snapped a 12-game losing skid to the Indians that dated back to September 15th, 2016, and pushed Bourbon County to 13 wins on the year, which is the most by a Colonel team since 2010.

“Big Shoutout to my coaching staff, Evan Sakamaki, Bryce Brockman, and Jimmy,” Cruz-Sena said after the victory. “They deserve as much credit as I’m getting. And of course, the players. Their hard work paid off!”

For their outstanding play during the regular season, seniors Omar Morales and Case Davis were named to the All 39th District Team. Named to the 39th District All-Tournament Team were seniors Jesus Mendoza-solis and Jose Rosales.

 

11) Paris Ladyhounds Basketball

Broke the school-record for steals and consecutive wins to start a season

Following their 7-21 record from the previous season, Ladyhounds Head Coach Aaron Speaks really didn’t know what to expect out of his squad this past season. With everyone returning on the roster, the Ladyhounds made a huge, and in some eyes, stunning turnaround and in doing so, they were rewarded with a Miss Basketball Candidate, a Coach of the Year, and they had their best start to a season in the traditional-rich Paris girls’ basketball program history.

Paris finished the year with a 24-7 record, which was the third most wins in the 10th Region. Coach Speaks’ team opened the year by winning their first 14 games, which helped them move all the way up to No. 3 in the region after starting the year off ranked 12th out of the 15 regional teams.

Other notable accomplishment for the team this season are as follow: All “A” Classic 10th Region Semifinalist; Williamstown Lady Demon Holiday Classic Winner; Third seed in the 40th District; Ranked No. 5 in the 10th Region; Most regular season wins in the 10th Region; New school-record for steals in a season (474); Best start to a season in Ladyhounds history (14-0); Most points scored in a season since 2004 (1,755); Most team rebounds in a season since 2020 (1,015); Ladyhounds went undefeated against non-region opponents (17-0); Finished 37th in the state for rebounds average per game (33.8); Finished 36th in the state for points average per game (58.5).

At the end of the day, it was the three seniors (Brooklyn White, Kay Oliver, Tori Dumphord) along with Molly Mason and Jamyah Bell, who played the key role in the team’s success and Speaks knows he will miss his seniors.

“We are certainly going to miss Brooklyn, Tori, and Kay because they set a standard that future Ladyhounds teams must uphold,” Speaks said. “We will miss them because they’ve meant so much to this program over the last five years. Next year’s team will have a lot of shoes to fill!”

 

12) Ladyhounds Track and Field

There’s a lot of young talent on this team

Over the past several years, the Paris track program received a lot of praise around the state and rightfully so, considering they had the two fastest female athletes to ever come out of the City of Paris, and County of Bourbon, and for the most part, even the state in Briley Cline and Taesha Speaks.

During their 2025 spring season, it appears to be several up and coming young talented female athletes that are more than ready to take the reins, following several PRs and school-records, the Ladyhounds track team finished off a brilliant year.

Junior Callie Ball now holds the school indoor record in the high jump and 400 meter dash. In addition, the 4×200 and 4×400 relay teams broke school indoor records during the KHSAA 1A Indoor State Championship.

At the Region 5 Championship, despite not having a single regional champion, the girls still manage to finish as regional runners-up.

The “big four” that consist of middle schoolers Kierra Young, Rose Hayden, and Aniya Hayden, along with Ball, racked up the points for their team. The eighth grader Aniya had the best individual performance of the day with a runner-up finish in the 300 hurdles and a third place in the 100 meter hurdles. Placing fourth in their respective events were Ball (400m dash), Young (100 and 200 meter dash), as well as Paris’ 4×100 relay team, while the 4×200 and 4×400 relay teams placed second.

The team, which consisted of two juniors, two eighth graders, and two seventh graders, showed up and out again, and thanks to some great individual efforts, the Ladyhounds placed 13th overall at the KHSAA Outdoor 1A State Championship.

For the Ladyhounds, the majority of their points came from two of their three relay teams, with the 4×100 relay team having the best finish. Juniors Jamyah Bell and Ball teamed up with seventh graders Young and Rose Hayden to win their heat in a new school-record time of 51.42 seconds. Paris’ stunning performance was good enough to beat six teams in the fast heat and that pushed them to third overall, after entering the state meet ranked 15th.

The second-best finish of the day came from Young in the 200 meter dash, where she sprinted to a personal best time of 26.66 seconds to finish fifth overall, after coming in ranked 14th.

Aniya Hayden, the new school-record holder in the 100 meter hurdles, gave the Paris team their final points when she placed 7th in the 300 meter hurdles that saw her run a new school-record time of 49.75 seconds.

“Hard work meets opportunity on the track because champions aren’t defined by medals but the courage to compete,” said Head Track Coach Marshall Mays. “Our performance at the Class 1A State Track Meet is a testament of resilience, dedication, and passion of the program.”

 

–THE BEST OF THE REST (HONORABLE MENTION)–

RYAN DAVIS – The former Paris star, who graduated from Midway after scoring a single-season, program-record 59 runs in 2023, got a chance to continue his career last spring after signing a free agent contract with the Lexington Legends of the Atlantic League. Though it produced some good moments, his time with the Legends was brief. After playing in 11 games, Davis was released when the team elected to bring in more experienced free agent players who’d spent time with Major League affiliate teams. After waiting nearly, a year for a new chance to play, Davis was granted it when he was selected by the New Jersey Jackals with the 22nd pick in the Frontier League. Within hours, he was officially on the team, being offered and signing a contract. “To get another opportunity in an MLB partnered league is a huge relief,” said Davis.

ALEX KOEDER – This Greyhound concluded his one season at Paris with a memorable finish on the track team after repeating as the 1A State Triple Jump Champion. Koeder also cleared a personal best 6-2 in the high jump to place third at state in that event. The regional champion, who suffered an injury during the indoor season but bounced back beautifully in both events, would later be named all-state for both events. On the gridiron, Koeder rushed the ball 138 times for 988 yards and 15 touchdowns, which was 15th best in 1A. He scored a team best 96 points, the 21st best in 1A. On defense, he had 44 total tackles.

 

AVA HERNANDEZ – This Bourbon County star athlete started her final season off with a bang for the Colonels Track and Field Team. Ava, the school-record holder, cleared 12-0 in the pole vault to win a share of the KHSAA 2A State Indoor title, defending her state title she won as a junior. Hernandez would then help the team on the track by leading the 4×400 relay team to a state runner-up finish. Hernandez would go on to win the Region 4 Championship in her specialty event, while placing second and qualifying to state in the long jump. At the 2A State, Ava cleared 11 feet to finish as state runner-up. Receiving first team all-state honors, Ava capped off her brilliant track career at the County by participating in the 2025 Adidas Track Nationals in Greensboro, North Carolina. During the girls’ pole vault seeded national elite, Hernandez, the school, and city record holder for indoor and outdoor pole vault, placed second with a clearance of 11 feet, 11.75 inches. That was also good for seventh overall, regardless of division, gave her All-American status following her Elite Gold Performance. Hernandez will continue her track career at Minnesota State University.

 

JESUS MENDOZA SOLIS – What a year for this Colonel senior runner. Jesus started his final season with the team placing 14th overall at the KHSAA Cross Country 2A State, which led to All-State honors. That was followed by a standout indoor track season that saw him finish third at state in the 800 meter run. He also ran a leg for the third place 4×400 and 4×800 relay teams. From there, Mendoza-solis took off! At the Region 4 Championship, he finished as runner-up in the 800m and then helped the 4×400 relay win the region title. He was also on the runner-up 4×800 relay team. During the KHSAA 2A State, Jesus broke the school and city record in the 800 meter run (1:55.30), which was good enough for a state runner-up finish. Mendoza-solis would also run crucial legs on the state champion 4×400 relay team, as well as the state runner-up 4×800 relay team. After his performance, Mendoza-solis would be named KTCCCA first team all-state. To cap off his Bourbon County stellar career, Jesus, running his specialty event, placed 35th overall in a time of 1:56.20 during the Emerging Elite 800m finals, at the 2025 Nike Outdoor Nationals that took place at the legendary Hayward Field.

 

BRUCE HAYDEN – It was another standout year for this Greyhound runner. For the third straight year, the sophomore Hayden represented the school at the KHSAA 1A State XC Championship after placing fifth overall at the Region 5 Championship. He followed that up with a third place finish in the 800 meter run at the KHSAA 1A Indoor State Championship. Hayden continued his season with a region title at the 1A Region 5 Championship in the 800 meters, while also running a leg on the third place 4×400 and 4×800 relay teams. Bruce would then put together a superior performance at the outdoor KHSAA State 1A Championship by placing second in the 800 and breaking his own school-record in the process. He earned First Team KTCCCA All-state honors.

 

PARIS MIDDLE SCHOOL BOYS’ BASKETBALL – The 7th grade boys’ basketball team, in their first year of this revised conference, won the Bluegrass Conference Tournament and Regular Season Championship. The team would finish the regular season 19-0 and took a 22-0 record into the state tournament, where they, for the second straight year, bowed out to the eventual state champion. This talented Greyhounds team managed to end two seasons with a combined record of 50-2.

 

DUDLEY HILTON – The Bourbon County athletic program honored former Coach Dudley Hilton for his 50 years of coaching football that saw him make a brief stop at the County, which was enough time to lead them to their first and only state football championship when his team made a miraculous run through the state playoffs to capture the 1997 2A State Championship. What a ride this team had! They had the dirt bowl, mud bowl (twice) and the snow bowl to make that state championship run. “It was a fun time, and we enjoyed every minute of it,” said Hilton. “We had kids that believed that they could do it and we did. This place will always be special to me.”

 

LADY COLONELS WRESTLING – Two Bourbon County Lady Colonels made history when they competed in the 2025 KHSAA State Wrestling Championship, becoming the first two female wrestlers at the school to compete at state that took place inside Alltech Arena on the grounds of the Kentucky Horse Park. The wrestlers had tough draws throughout their matches with sophomore Lexi Herrington losing out to the eventual state champion, while junior Tayla Tobin faced two wrestlers that ended up finishing in the top five in her division. Herrington competed in the 126 pound division, while Tobin wrestled in the 145 pound division. For Coach Jordan Taylor’s two Lady Colonels, it was an experience of a lifetime but with both wrestlers returning next year, they’ll be looking to improve on their finish from this season where they represented the school and community well. The wrestlers advanced to state after placing fourth in their respective weight class at the Region 3 Championship.

 

CARY BARR – 10th Region baseball coaches and media members voted to induct ten individuals into the inaugural 10th Region Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 2025. The lone inductee from this area was Paris’ Cary Barr, a 1971 graduate of Paris High School. Barr began his career at Paris in 1988 as the head baseball coach. He was the head coach for 31 years from 1988 to 2019. He has served as an assistant coach for the past six years. Coach Barr, with over 500 career wins, was inducted into the Kentucky High School Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2014. The Paris baseball field was renamed “Cary Barr Field” in his honor.

 

JAYDYN “SHORTY” GOODWIN – Named 2025 NFCA All-South Region Second team and started all 58 games in left field for the University of Georgia. She hit .344 on the season and led the team with 189 at-bats, 65 hits, 46 runs, 13 doubles, four triples, 12 home runs, 122 total bases, and .646 slugging. Her 47 RBI finished second on the team. Shorty drew 11 walks, stole eight bases, co-led the team with 14 multi-RBI games, and finished second with 18 multi-hit games, and strung together an eight-game hitting streak. She tied Georgia’s SEC Tournament record with her four RBI and then hit a first-pitch go-ahead homerun in the top of the eighth inning in Game 7 of the Durham Regional against No. 14 Duke, proving to be the game-winning run.  Completed the Durham Regional hitting .357. Shorty smacked a two-run home run in the seventh inning in the winner-take-all game three at No. 3 Florida in the Super Regional, as she finished the NCAA Tournament hitting .348 with two homeruns and three RBI. Goodwin was also a member of the 2025 SEC Spring Academic Honor Roll.

 

FORMER GREYHOUNDS ARE STATE CHAMPIONS – Former Greyhounds Head Football Coach and player, Brian “Boo” Washington, along with Paris’ all-time passing leader Aaron Maggard, where a huge part of Lexington Sayre’s football staff that saw the Spartans win the program’s first KHSAA State 1A Football Championship. Sayre beat four of the top five teams (Raceland, Campbellsville, Pikeville, Paris) in route to their state title.

 

CHRISTOPHER WELLS – This rising Colonel track all-stater had a very respectful and grueling junior season. Wells placed 6th overall, after finishing 36th as a sophomore, running in the KHSAA 2A State Cross Country Championship. At the 2A Indoor State, Wells placed fifth in the 3200 meter run and sixth in the 1600 meter run. He was also part of the third place 4×800 relay team. During the Region 4 Championship, Wells, the school, and city record holder in both events, finished fourth in the 1600 and 3200 meter runs. He also ran a leg on the runner-up 4×800 relay team. The best middle distanced runner from this community, placed 7th in the 3200 and 8th in the 1600 meter runs at the KHSAA 2A State Championship, while helping his 4×800 relay team to a state runner-up finish. Wells concluded his season participating at the 2025 Nike Outdoor Nationals that took place at the legendary Hayward Field. Wells, who competed in the 2000 meter Steeplechase, an event that’s not contested in the KHSAA, flourished in the Championship 2K race with a 19th place finish in a time of 6:18.34 to conclude his outstanding track and field season.

 

AYSHA GARZA – The Lady Colonels tennis star made her fourth appearance at the state tournament and this time around, unlike the previous three trips, picked up her first career win at state. Garza finished the season with a 12-5 record that included her very impressive run during the regional tournament that was capped off by her best finish at the state. Garza ended the regional final match with an aggressive forehand winner to reclaim her title she lost a year ago after winning the singles title her freshman year (2023), while being a semi-finalist two other times.

 

ADDISON FELTY – The best is yet to come for this Lady Colonel following her sensational breakout junior season on the track. Addison started last fall placing 20th overall at the KHSAA Cross Country 2A State, leading to All-State honors. That was followed by an outstanding indoor track season that saw her finish fourth at state in the 400 meter dash. She would then run a leg on the third place 4×800 relay team and the state runner-up 4×400 relay team. During the Region 4 Championship, Felty captured the region title in the 400m dash and then helped the 4×400 and 4×800 relay teams to a runner-up finish. At the KHSAA 2A State, she placed third in the 400m dash and then ran well on the state runner-up 4×800 relay team and the fourth place 4×400 relay team, as she picked up all-state honors in all three events.

 

RYLEE BARNES – The Centre College commit finished her senior year with 147 kills, team-best 472 digs, 33 assists, team-best 63 service aces and 10 blocks. Over her four-year career, Barnes played in 134 games and 420 sets for the Lady Colonels. Her career numbers are as follows: 541 kills, 39 blocks, 99 assists, 1,503 digs and 231 service aces. Barnes was named to the All-Region Second Team and was also selected to the 10th Region All-Tournament Team.

 

GREYHOUND HALL OF FAME – Those inducted to the 2024 class were Charles Atkinson, Tina Davis, William “Dave” Davis, Charles Benton Day, Ashley Plummer Fowler, Clifton Garrard, Clarence Guy, Vincent D. Hawkins, Jerome Henderson, Paul Hunt, Edward E. Insko Jr., Bobby Joe Johnson, Henry Clay “Poncho” Kenney, Bo Lankster, Dr. Carla Lindsay, Clyde Marks Sr., Asa McCracken, Tommy McMahan, James “Jumper” Morris, John D. Norman Sr., Kimberly Parker-Brown, Charles Parsons, Wayne Pelfrey, James William Penn, George R. Pennington Sr., Richard “Fox” Ransom, Homer B. Royse, Joe Shriver, Thomas Hart Sledd, Don Maurice Thomas, Shawn Trumbo, Thomas C. Watson Jr., Albert B. Wess Jr., Danny L. Whalen, George Wigglesworth, Tom Woods, and Shelby Young.

 

MEDIA SERVICE AWARD – Ivan K. Rice, the Sports Editor of the Bourbon County Citizen, was named the inaugural recipient of the Bob White/Mike Fields KHSAA Media Service Award that was presented to him during the Boys’ Sweet 16 that took place inside Rupp Arena. This was given to Ivan “The Doctor of Sports” Rice in recognition of a four-plus decade career of promoting student-athletes, coaches and officials throughout the Commonwealth and devoted service to interscholastic athletics.

 

BOURBON COUNTY CHEERLEADERS – When it comes to the Bourbon County Cheer program, one word that can describe the program the best … consistent! For a third straight year, the squad advanced to state. They finished as region runner-up to earn the bid. Pretty much the entire season, the Colonel Cheer Squad had to make some adjustments, but despite all the difficulties, the team did well enough to place in the Top 20 at state, coming in at No. 14, which was four spots better from last season’s 18th place finish. The Cheerleaders would then go on to win the In-Game 40th District Cheer Competition, which came shortly after their 10th place finish at the National Cheerleading Championship that took place at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida.

 

TORI DUMPHORD – This Paris senior finished off a brilliant career on the basketball court and softball field for the Ladyhounds. Dumphord, who won the most awards at the team’s season ending basketball banquet, after leading the 10th Region with 122 steals, which is also the second most in Ladyhounds history, finished her career with a total of 791 points, 307 rebounds, 234 steals, 212 assists, 25 blocked shots, while making 116 three-point goals. She was a 2-time All 40th District Team selection and a 2-time All A Classic Academic Team selection. On the softball field, Dumphord’s career numbers had her with 124 hits, 125 runs scored, 84 RBIs, walked 56 times, and finished with a school-record 145 stolen bases. She also totaled 25 doubles, 7 triples, and 6 homeruns, with a career .413 batting average.

 

BOURBON COUNTY ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME – After so many attempts and years to get one started, the Bourbon County Schools Athletic Hall of Fame is now off and running, where each year, they will recognize and honor those who have made valuable contributions to the rich tradition of Bourbon County Athletics. This year, they inducted 17 into the second Hall of Fame Class. Those inducted were Katie Blevins Allen, Gayle Conner Saunders, Lyle Eads, Jennifer Johnson Norman, Tom Leach, Wayne Mogge, Jenny Moore, David Poe, Roy Poe, Shanda Pulliam Crosby, Tony Sosby, Craig Summers, Ricky Wilson, Robin Fryman, Mike Holmes, Myron Hill, and Mike Henderson.

 

MCLAIN MURPHY – Former Bourbon County Lady Colonel basketball star was a member of the Transylvania Pioneers women’s basketball team for four years. During those four seasons, one of the most decorated players to wear the Bourbon uniform, saw her team receive three rings … one from winning the national title, another on a final four appearance and a third from an elite eight finish. Murphy said that her four years of college were the best years of her life. “Basketball has brought me friendships and memories that I will hold onto for a lifetime!”

 

10TH REGION BASKETBALL HALL OF FAME – Inducted into their 2025 Hall of Fame Class included former Paris Ladyhounds star guard Kelley Crain, along with former Greyhounds Cory Dumphord, Odell Cosby, and Tim Taylor, while Wallis Brooks was inducted into the Contributors Hall of Fame, along with long-time Bourbon County clock keeper Steve Holbrook.

 

BOURBON MIDDLE SCHOOL GIRLS BASKETBALL – Behind the outstanding play of sixth grader Leah Hinkson (26 points), the Bourbon County Middle School Lady Colonels sixth grade basketball team captured the 2024 Bluegrass Conference Tournament Championship with a 41-33 win over Clark County’s Robert D. Campbell Junior High School. With the win, Coach Hillary Norton, along with assistant coach Jennie Trautwein’s Lady Colonels ended the year with an 18-7 record. The team added the conference tournament title with the regular season conference title that saw the young squad play four games against seventh grade teams.

 

CAMERON MAYS – This Greyhound senior led the Bat Hounds in batting average (.513), runs scored (40), hits (36), walks (23), and stolen bases (64). Mays, a Union College commit, led the state in stolen bases and now holds the school-record for most stolen bases in a game (7), season (64), and career (119). Mays was ranked 16th in the state for batting average and played in the 10thRegion.com baseball all-star game for the second straight year. In addition, Mays was voted to the 10th Region Baseball Coaches Association’s Senior East All-Region Team, as well as a member of the Kentucky Sports Zone All-Region Offensive Second Team.

 

PARIS MIDDLE SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL – In only their third year of the program, the Volleyball Ladyhounds of Paris Middle showed just what they were made of as they secured the schools’ first ever Volleyball Bluegrass Conference Tournament and Regular Season Championship. They finished the year with a very impressive 18-1 record. The team members were Sagen Oliver, Amiyah Fields, Aniya Hayden, Emma Morris, Heaven Boyd, Lily Wilson, Mia Mason, Emmalyn Ogden, Gia Griffin, Gabby Garner, Maria Harriage, Head Coach Ciera Coronado, and Assistant Coach Kyleigh Slattery.

 

PARIS LITTLE HOUNDS – This 3rd/4th grade football team won the EKYFL Championship that was played at Morehead State University. It would be the Little Hounds’ second consecutive championship.

 

BOURBON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY BASKETBALL – It was another good year for BCA boys’ basketball. The team started the year by winning the Aldersgate Flames GBSC Basketball Tournament in Cincinnati. They followed that by winning their own prestigious Battle On Mustard Seed Hill Tournament, where they knocked off some incredibly good teams on their way to the title. The BCA Lions concluded their season placing fourth at the KCSAA State Tournament. It wasn’t the goal for the year for the Lions but much improved from the previous year when they finished 12th.

 

BOURBON COUNTY LITTLE COLONELS FOOTBALL – The 5th/6th grade Colonel youth football team captured the EKYFL Championship that was played at Morehead State University.

 

PRESTON COWAN – Led the football Greyhounds and Class 1A with 136 total tackles. In addition, he forced 3 fumbles and recorded a 1A second best 22 tackles for loss and 5 sacks, which was 15th best in 1A. Cowan finished his career with 411 total tackles (142 solo), 70 tackles for loss, 16 QB sacks, and he forced 13 fumbles.

 

ELIJAH WEBB – The 18th best receiver in 1A, Webb had 36 receptions for a team-best 573 yards and 9 touchdowns. He carried the ball 28 times for 216 yards and 2 touchdowns, as he scored a total of 12 touchdowns. On defense, E-Webb had a team best 4 interceptions (6th best in 1A, 33rd best in the state), 45 total tackles, with 3 quarterback sacks. Webb finished his career with 776 rushing yards, 1,402 receiving yards, 43 total touchdowns, and 17 interceptions. Inside, Webb averaged 14 points per game for the basketball Hounds. He added 5.3 rebounds, 66 steals, 46 assists, and 28 blocks to his impressive stat sheet that saw him make the all-region honorable mention team.

 

MARIQUS FERGUSON – This star concluded his final year with the Bourbon County Colonels basketball team by averaging 19.5 points per game, grabbed 3.8 rebounds, had 75 assists, 52 steals and blocked 9 shots, while making 63 three-point goals. He was named to the 10th Region First Team. On the football field, Ferguson caught the team’s second-best 30 passes for 446 yards and 4 touchdowns, ranking him the 28th best receiver in Class 3A. He also added 24 tackles on defense, as well as a fumble recovery and an interception.

 

BOURBON COUNTY ELEMENTARY TRACK – The foursome of Marley Welsh, Dani Shone, Adrianna Mays and Harper Ezell placed second in the 4×400 relay during the KTCCCA State Elementary Track and Field Championship that took place in Louisville. In addition, Mays would place second in the 400 meter dash.

 

ELI WEST – On January the 17th, Eli West scored his 1000th point as a member of the BCA Lions basketball team. He became the sixth member to ever do so. He is now currently sitting fifth in career points and climbing.

 

LADYHOUNDS SOFTBALL HALL OF FAME – The Ladyhound Softball Hall of Fame, where they extend appreciation to former players and those that go above and beyond for the program, inducted the following individuals into the 2025 class: George & Elisha Jackson– Contributors, Ronnie & Joyce Chenault– Contributors, Mike & Nell Chenault– Contributors, Colonel Paul Walker & Family– Contributors, Mike & LeAnn Lake– Contributors, Jamie & Melissa Baldwin– Contributors, Avaye Hernandez– Player, Manaiyah Jackson– Player, Maddison Williams– Player, Rheagan Steele– Player, and Jazmin Jackson– Player.

 

CARTER COBB – An Honorable Mention All 10th Region selection, Cobb concluded his only season as a Greyhound by scoring 531 points for an average of 19.0 points per game. He also added 5.4 rebounds per outing, totaled 59 steals, 34 assists, and blocked 29 shots.

 

MALACHAI RENNIE – A first team all-district selection for the County, Rennie completed 131 of his 228 pass attempts for 1,704 yards and 15 touchdowns. He was ranked as the 9th best passer in 3A. On defense, he had a team second-best 57 (39 solo) total tackles, with two picks.

 

MORGAN HOWELL – A force inside the paint ever since she started suiting up for the Lady Colonels, pulled down a career-high 29 rebounds to break the school-record. Howell, who was snubbed on the all-region team, also holds the school record for blocks in a season and career. She led the region with 11.5 rebounds per outing, and 4.0 block shots per game. She finished her career at Bourbon scoring 759 points, grabbing 912 rebounds, and blocked a school and city record 449 shots.

 

KATIE ABNER – In her first season with the Paris Ladyhounds, this freshman became the first Paris player to be named to an All-Region Team. Named to the Honorable Mention team, Abner led the Ladyhounds with 147 kills. She also added 24 blocks, 18 assists, 68 digs and a team second-best 42 service aces.

 

PARKER ARNOLD – Bourbon County senior golfer Parker Arnold was named to the All-Region 8 Golf First Team for his outstanding performance on the links last fall. Arnold started his final year by winning the Kentucky 2A Section 5 Championship and qualified for the Kentucky 2A State Golf Championship. He would then finish in the top 10 at the Region 8 Championship, to make a third trip to the KHSAA Semi-State.

 

AARON SPEAKS – The Paris Ladyhounds head basketball coach reached a milestone in his coaching career when his team took down Somerset and secured Speaks’ 150th win as the coach of the girls’ basketball team at Paris. Speaks was named Coach of the Year in the 10th Region after guiding his team to a 24-7 record, after going 7-21 the previous season.

 

PICKLEBALL COURTS AND SPORTS VENUE – A ribbon-cutting held Thursday, October 31 officially opened tennis, pickleball, and basketball courts at the Millersburg Road Bourbon County Park Court Sports Venue. The purpose of the ceremonial event, according to Bourbon County Judge Mike Williams was to “declare its opening to the public” which was a huge step in the development of this project. Though the park has drawn thousands of visitors through the cross country portion of the park, it now offers a place for local pickleball, tennis and basketball enthusiasts, where pickleball has taken off big time. The park also hosted the KHSAA 10th Region Tennis Tournament.

 

CASE DAVIS – Bourbon County High School soccer junior Case Davis was named the 2024 Midway University/KHSAA Boys’/Coed Soccer Student-Athlete of the Year. Davis, an All 39th District selection, finished the year scoring 11 goals and dished out 5 assists for Coach Brian Cruz-Sena’s Colonels.

 

AUSTIN BEATTY – Bourbon Christian Lions senior Austin Beatty was voted Mr. Basketball in the KCSAA for his outstanding play during this past season’s hoops action. Beatty finished the season averaging 16.7 points per game, 5.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.8 steals, while making 54.5% of his field goal attempts.

 

CRAIG CLARK – Although several runners participated from Paris, one stood out over the others when 72-year old Craig Clark, overcoming a few obstacles, competed and finished the grueling 6.2 miles Bluegrass 10,000 fun and run race for the 46th time.

 

NAKYIR JOYCE – This former Bourbon County Colonel star finished his college basketball career at Campbellsville University-Harrodsburg, averaging 7.3 points per game after playing in 25 of the team’s 26 games. Joyce had a season-high 10 steals vs. The Crown College and played a career best 42 minutes vs. Alice Lloyd. His team won the Mideast Region before being bounced out of the Men’s DII National Championship. The Pioneers finished the year ranked No. 7 nationally. Joyce finished his “grad student” season with 86 assists, 48 steals, while averaging 3 rebounds per outing.

 

SYDNIE WELLS – The Bourbon County junior competed at the 2025 Operation UNITE Archery KHSAA State Championships presented by UK HealthCare that took place inside the Central Bank Center Exhibit Halls in Lexington. In doing so, she became the fourth Bourbon County archer to compete at state over the past three seasons, which started with Wells, who won the state championship as a freshman. Wells finished her day with a very impressive 288 score that saw her hit 18 tens. Her overall ranking was 19th out of a total of 296 shooters. To get to state, Wells scored 284 with 14 tens to place 7th in the Region 7 Championship.

 

FLOOD OF 2025 – It’s not the first time, and the Lord knows it’s not the last time when flood waters will overtake Paris’ Athletic Complexes. The flooding situation around the state was awful and it didn’t spare the City of Paris and the County of Bourbon, as creeks rose quickly, leading to the cancellation of Ladyhounds and Greyhounds home softball and baseball games, as well as track practice, or any other sport that uses the Paris Athletic Complexes.

 

GREYHOUNDS BASEBALL – Coming off their most successful season in nearly four decades, when it comes to wins, Coach Kyle Campbell’s baseball Greyhounds finished the year with a 20-13 record. It would be Paris’ first winning season since 2018, and the most wins in a season since 1987, when that Greyhound team, coached by Phil Rison, posted a school-record 26 wins. The Hounds beat Montgomery County, Nicholas County, and Bourbon County and did it on consecutive nights for the first time since 2017. Paris also reached the championship game of the All A 10th Region Tournament.

 

COMMITTED TO PLAYING AT THE COLLEGIATE LEVEL – They are Riley Bussell, Soccer @ Asbury University; Morgan Howell, Basketball @ Transylvania University; Ryan Lay, Football @ Centre College; Parker Arnold, Golf @ Tennessee Wesleyan; Riley Hunt, Basketball @ Hiram College In Ohio; Ava Hernandez, Track & Field @ Minnesota State University; Maddux Littrell, Football @ Midway University; Xavier Baker, Baseball @ Alice Lloyd College; Jesus Mendoza-solis, Track & Field @ Morehead State University; Ani Sutherland, Softball @ Berea College; Cameron Mays, Baseball @ Union College; Brooklyn White, Basketball @ Transylvania University; Rylee Barnes, Volleyball @ Centre College; Adam Curran, Archery @ University of Rio Grande; Emma Dahlstrom, Softball @ Ohio Wesleyan University; Case Davis, Soccer @ Rutgers University-Camden; Destiny Allison, Softball @ Alice Lloyd College; Jordan Burbage, Track & Field @ Kentucky Christian University; Carter Cobb, Basketball @ Kentucky Christian University; Elijah Webb, Football @ Hocking College in Ohio; Colson Curtis, Baseball @ Alice Lloyd College.

 

EMMA DAHLSTROM – Lady Colonel softball pitcher Emma Dahlstrom concluded her career at the County by striking out 684 batters. She won 34 games and pitched a total of 537.4 innings. Dahlstrom’s senior year ended with a 2.84 ERA, 6 pitching wins, 174 strikeouts, which was 28th best in the state. At the plate, she had 12 hits, scored 11 runs, and was walked 13 times. She was also a member of the 10thRegion.com All-star team. Dahlstrom for her career, scored 100 runs, laced out 115 hits, had 73 RBIs and was walked 64 times. In addition, she added 8 homeruns, 2 triples and 25 doubles.

 

KENDAL HARDIN – Against Augusta, the seventh grader finished her evening with a blistering 7 three-point goals to tie her sister Laiken for the most threes made in a single game for the Lady Colonels. Her night saw her with a career-high 24 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 blocks. Hardin would later be named to the All-District Team and Honorable Mention All-Region. She led her team in scoring, assists and 3-point percentage.

 

KAY OLIVER – Finished her final softball season wearing the Ladyhounds uniform leading the team in batting average (.571), hits (40), and doubles (15). She also added 28 runs scored, 22 RB1s, and stole 21 bases. Her batting average was ranked 24th best in the state, and she was 25th best in doubles hit. Oliver’s career numbers: 128 hits, 120 runs scored, 101 RBIs, walked 45 times, and stole 102 bases. Oliver, a member of the 10thRegion.com All-star team, also totaled 41 doubles, 12 triples, and 10 homeruns, with a career .401 batting average. On the basketball court, a two-year starter, KK ended her career with a total of 466 points, 365 rebounds, 160 steals, 152 assists, and 18 blocked shots, while making 93 three-point goals. Oliver was also a member of the volleyball team and cheer squad.

 

HOMER ROYSE FIELD – The Bourbon County Middle School softball program honored the late Homer Royse by rededicating the field that was named is his honor. With the Royse family in attendance, and spearheaded by Coach Adam Wainscott, they celebrated the life, service, and enduring impact of a remarkable man. The softball program was proud to re-dedicate their playing field in honor of Homer Royse, whose passion, commitment, and contributions have left a lasting mark on the community.

 

BOURBON COUNTY BOYS’ TENNIS – Coach Taylor Osborne’s Bourbon County Colonels tennis team failed one game short of qualifying to the KHSAA State Tournament after finishing as 10th Region Runner-up.

 

JAYCEE GOODWIN – Former Lady Colonels Goodwin finished her career at Georgia State University this past spring. Her career numbers: Played in 110 games, started in 99 games, scored 37 runs, had 66 hits, 13 doubles, 1 triple, 2 homeruns, 28 RBIs, 16 walks and 11 stolen bases. On defense, she was credited with 75 putouts, 56 assists with a.929 fielding percentage. During the Peach of an Athlete Role Model Banquet, Goodwin, who stayed on the President and Dean’s List at Georgia State, was recognized as the Top Female Collegiate Honoree by the Atlanta Area Council, Scouting America.

 

TIM FRANKLIN – Coach Franklin, who has been a great mentor and coach for many throughout his 40+ years of coaching, hung up his whistle and stepped away from coaching at the end of the basketball season. Franklin started coaching 42 years ago with the majority of his time spent at Clark County at various levels, with the last 11 at Bourbon County as a boys’ varsity assistant coach. “I decided this year it was time to step away. I will miss the camaraderie from the other coaches but especially being around the players. It has been a privilege to have coached so many young men over the years, and I have enjoyed every second. I wouldn’t have been able to coach for so long without the full support of my family, especially my wife.”

 

MYLEISHA JACKSON – Her last season for the softball Ladyhounds ended with a team’s second-best .540 batting average. She led Paris in runs scored (29), while being second in RBIs (24), hits (34), and stolen bases (29). Her career numbers: 106 hits, 105 runs scored, 88 RBIs, walked 46 times, stole 100 bases, had 18 doubles, 13 triples, and 10 homeruns, finishing with a .410 career batting average. Jackson was also a member of the 10thRegion.com All-star team.

 

CYRA MCDANIELS – The future Paris Ladyhounds softball player represented the state of Kentucky during the USSSA All States National Youth Softball Championship that took place at the Space Coast Complex located in Melbourne, Florida. McDaniels was nominated for the team after playing in the Kentucky USSSA travel ball All-star game. From there, she was selected to represent Team Kentucky at the USSSA National Championships.

 

LADY COLONELS VOLLEYBALL – Bourbon County ended their season in the elite eight of the 10th Region Tournament. Lauren Eads’ team finished with a 19-16 record and in the final coaches’ poll, the Lady Colonels were ranked fifth in the region. The Coach had to say goodbye to eight seniors that have meant so much to the program over the past four years that saw them win 66 games and advance to the regional tournament three out of their four years while playing on the team.

 

CLARA COURTNEY – The Bourbon Christian Academy archer was ranked 16th out of 921 in the state for elementary girls in the NASP Program, which is an accomplishment the school and community should be immensely proud of for this up and coming shooter.

 

PARIS BOYS’ BASKETBALL – Paris was seeking their first trip to the small school state tournament in eight years, but after a rocky start during the 2025 All A Classic 10th Region Championship game against Bishop Brossart, the wait continues. It marked the sixth time the two teams met in the small school region final, with the Mustangs winning five of those meetings. Overall, the Greyhounds have advanced to the championship game 11 times, with five of those teams walking away with the region trophy.

 

COLLEGE FOOTBALL CONTEST WINNER – Christy Hunte of Nashville, TN was the winner of the 2024-2025 Football Bowl Contest. She had a lone score of 31 correct predictions out of 44 games. An interesting note – several of the games were “free” as, either the game wasn’t played, or the games had already been played before the contest was published. Christy, evidently, was unaware of the games that had already been played but won anyway. She received the $150.00 first place prize.

 

ABBY HAYS – Finished her final season with the Lady Colonels, leading the team with a .303 batting average and recorded the most hits (20). She was also a member of the 10thRegion.com All-star team. Hays for her career, scored 30 runs, belted out 55 hits, knocked in 26 and was walked 9 times.

 

FRIENDS OF COAL CAPTAINS CLUB – The KHSAA Friends of Coal Captains Club, a new initiative that recognizes and celebrates exceptional student-athlete leaders from across the Commonwealth, had several local athletes named to the club. They were Morgan Howell (girls’ basketball), Riley Hunt (girls’ basketball), Tiffany Jones (girls’ basketball), Kendell Baldwin (softball), Braxton Kay Oliver (softball, competitive cheer), and Myleisha Jackson (competitive cheer).

 

PARIS WESTERN TIGERS NIGHT – Each year, Paris High School has a Paris Western High night to honor the alumni from the segregated public school for African American students in Paris that was located at the bottom of seventh street. PHS Athletic Director Cary Barr started this tradition back in 2010 when he became the A.D. at Paris High School. Paris High School looks forward to this annual event as now they have a chili supper followed by a basketball game. The Paris basketball players wear white with blue numbered jerseys and the alumni that attend are introduced to the crowd before the start of the boys Varsity basketball game. The PHS band also plays Western’s fight song when they introduce the alumni, and the Paris Cheerleaders wear Western colors as well. “This is a big night for our school. To see the smiles on the faces of the Western alumni makes your heart glad,” Barr said. “The Western Alumni are a strong group of men and women who are proud of their tradition and heritage that they established as a school. We will never forget the blue and white of old Paris Western High School!”

 

JAMIE COWAN – This former Paris Ladyhounds basketball star didn’t have the sophomore jinx playing for the Alice Lloyd Lady Eagles after she was named to the 2024-2025 River States Conference Women’s Basketball All-Conference Second Team. Cowan, despite starting the season on the injury list, bounced back in a big way to lead the Lady Eagles in minutes played (767), points per game (12.7), field goal percentage (49.2), rebounds (251) and blocked shots (19). Cowan dished out 48 assists, had 30 steals, while averaging 71.9% from the free throw line. During the NCCAA Mideast Regional Tournament, Cowan performed a rare feat, as she recorded a triple-double with 16 points, 21 rebounds, and 10 assists, and proves that she will be one of the top players returning to the hardwood next season on any club.

 

NORTH MIDDLETOWN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ARCHERY – North Middletown Elementary’s Archery Team finished 28th (out of 42 elementary teams) during the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) National Championship finals that were held at the John T. Rhodes Myrtle Beach Sports Center in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Finnlee Brown finished first in 5th grade boys and second overall for elementary boys (out of 477 archers). The group from North Middletown has only been a team since the 2023-24 school year. Students have sharpened their archery skills, but their biggest gains have been the different lessons they learn along the way.