Les Nicholson Photo
Kentucky signee Travis Perry helped Lyon County win its first state championship Saturday night in Rupp Arena when he had 27 points in the championship game and was named the tournament’s most valuable player.
Perry also helped Lyon County upset No. 1 Great Crossing in the semifinals Saturday morning in Rupp Arena. Great Crossing was led by UK 2025 recruiting target Malachi Moreno.
However, even though UK lost to Oakland Thursday night, apparently no Kentucky coach was in Rupp Arena for either game. While that sounds strange if no coach was really there, it’s almost a bit understandable.
Remember there was a fan wearing a “Fire Calipari” shirt at the state tournament games on Friday. Knowing how disappointed — and vocal — some UK fans were with the Oakland loss, maybe it was wiser not to become a distraction at the state tourney. Plus, it was easy to watch games online.
Kentucky coach John Calipari said he was “proud” of Perry during his radio show Monday night just like he was Billy Richmond, another UK signee who also won a state title.
“For Lyon County that has 277 students to win this state championship, are you kidding me?” Calipari said.
Calipari complimented Lyon County coach Ryan Perry, Travis’ father, what a terrific accomplishment it was for the Lyons to win and also how he kept seniors Brady Shoulders, Jack Reddick and his son together from elementary school through high school.
“He (Travis Perry) and I talked after the game. I texted his dad, too,” Calipari said. “I am happy his desire was to play at Kentucky.
“A lot of players are coming here for what the future holds but so are Reed (Sheppard) and Travis. They have a special place in their heart for this program.”
3 Responses
What a bunch of political BS.
Calipari does not care one whit about Perry or Sheppard beyond having them wear the blue and white to keep the true host of Kentucky loving UK fans off his back for not allowing them to realize their individual life long dreams of wearing that uniform.
They are KY kids, and that does not fit the mold for his Liberal Social Warrior agenda.
Reed would have started and made an even greater impact had he taken his talent to a real gold standard basketball program.
But, the Freshman of the Year was not good enough to start over Ball Hog (and NBA bound) Wagner. That was predictable a year ago, yet the Calipari Synchophants now claim that no one could have seen how good Reed Sheppard really is.
That is BS and one of the greatest excuses ever offered in defense of this fraud.
The fraud needs to go. Now the program moves yet another year behind the real contending programs, and that additional year makes any hoped for programmatic recovery more difficult and less likely to succeed.
GOOD JOB MITH BARNHART!!!!!!
Reed and Travis will be the first 2 off the bench next season to replace Boogie and DJ after they dig the hole.
It doesn’t matter if it’s a business or a basketball team….Woke Ideaology ruins everything.
😫🍼….is the way of the new entitled, sore loser, conservative.