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When you consider that McKenzie almost didn't field a
soccer team this year, it's really a magnanimous feat
what the Rebels have accomplished this year. The Rebs
defeated host Adamsville 2-1 Friday to advance in the
District 14 A-AA soccer tournament.
Think about it for a second. The Rebels didn't have a
single player with varsity soccer experience. In fact,
the best McKenzie had were kids who played in youth
soccer leagues against the same competition and familiar
faces.
The Rebels didn't have uniforms, a coach, a place to
play nor a coach. But it all came together on a series
of frigid and overcast February afternoons when Rebel
would-be kickers embarked on their fledgling journey.
And here they are 12 weeks later only a match or two
away from regional action.
George Ognibene has done a good job learning the game
himself and has kept the kids in a fighting spirit. He
also has deferred to Bethel men's coach Kerry Brimmo,
who has some international experience in his dossier.
It has been a good formula for the Rebels. And it
makes one wonder how far this team can go.
If this was football or basketball, it would be front
page news in regional daily newspapers.
* * *
Congratulations to Bethel baseball coach Glenn Hayes
for earning KIAC coach-of-the-year honors. He has lifted
the bar for the Wildcat baseball team and led them to
new heights, including an appearance in the NAIA
regional tournament at Louisville this week.
It is the first such post-season appearance for the
Wildcat sluggers in school history.
I can recall times when Coach Hayes was the steward
for the old Brown Shoe Babe Ruth team that won so often
at old Mulberry Park. He hated losing and found unique
ways to win baseball games.
I remember during an all-star practice 30 years ago,
we spent an entire practice on the bunt; the first half
was spent executing bunt plays; the second half was
spent defending against the bunt. It's that attention to
detail that separates Hayes from other coaches. My old
Gaines team managed to knock Brown Shoe off a time or
two, but it was never easy and it was never comfortable
until the last out.
* * *
Wednesday, McKenzie High School football players took
part in a lift-a-thon to raise money for the program.
The Rebels had a good day and set some personal marks.
Shawn Luna power cleaned 345 lbs., which is pretty
impressive.
What was good to see was the spirited encouragement that
each of the players gave each other. This team has a
rather hefty challenge in front of it and this is where
they get better.
McKenzie's football team took a pretty impressive first
step toward getting better Wednesday.
* * *
If you are a fan of District 11AA girls' basketball,
you better buy a program before your favorite team plays
next season.
Four of the five teams have or will have replaced their
coaches next season. McKenzie's Dan Ridley, of course,
stepped down at the end of this past season after an
incredible five-year run. Camden's Karen Cox,
Lexington's Harlan Fesmire and Riverside's Kari
McCasland will not be on their respective benches next
year. Fesmire will go into administration in Henderson
County. Milan's Erick Volbert will return as the dean of
11AA girls' basketball next season. |
