March 4, 2026 • 29 mins
Darren Headrick talks with Head Coach Kenny Brooks
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Speaker 1 (00:14):
Dope from the UK Sports Network Brescio. This is the
Kenny Brooks Show presented by blue Grass Hearing Clinic. Send
your questions to Coach Brooks on the Clark's Puffin Shop
text line at eight five nine two zero three one
two three four. You can also post your questions on
(00:38):
x at UK Sports Network or on the UK Sports
Network Facebook page. The Kenny Brooks Show, presented by Bluegrass
Hearing Clinic is brought to you by Central Bank and
by Coca Cola.
Speaker 2 (00:54):
Yeah Yeah.
Speaker 1 (00:54):
Now alongside the coach, here's the voice of Kentucky Women's basketball,
Darren Hedrick.
Speaker 3 (01:08):
From Greenville, South Carolina at the SEC Tournament. We welcome
you into the kennybrook Show presented by Bluegrass Here in clinic.
It is our last show of the season, and boy
or the Wildcats busy right now. They just finished off
a ninety four to sixty four win over the Arkansas Razorbacks.
The Wildcats put six players in double figures. Amelia Hassett,
(01:29):
Asia Boone put on a show from deep. Hassett had
six threes in the triumph for the Wildcats. Amelia and
Asia are now tied for the single season three point
record eighty six trays apiece as they get ready to
take on Georgia Tomorrow. The Wildcats will rematch with the
Lady Dogs at eleven am our airtime ten forty five
(01:51):
on the UK Sports Network. Coming up, over the next
half hour, we will chat with assistant coach Sierra Gregory
about the win over the Razorbacks and we will also
sit with head coach Kenny Brooks and talk about the
team and their performance today as well. So stick around.
It is the final Kenny Brooks Show presented by Bluegrass
here in clinic for the year and we've got coach
(02:14):
coming up. But up next, it's assistant coach Sierra Gregory
here on the UK Sports Network.
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Speaker 3 (05:20):
Wow, welcome back into the Kenny Brooks Show, presented by Bluegrass.
Here in clinic. The Wildcat's just finished off of victory
over Arkansas earlier today ninety four to sixty four, getting
ready for the Georgia Lady Bulldogs tomorrow at eleven am.
(05:43):
We'll be on the air at ten forty five, and
it's time to chat with the assistant coach who had
the scout for this Arkansas game, Sierra Gregory. We spoke
to her right after the game as part of Wildcat
wrap up, and she'll be with us now for the
first segment of Coaches Show here tonight. And coach, see,
when you look at the box score, there's a lot
of impressive numbers. What did you like most about the
(06:03):
way the team went at it and got this win?
Speaker 13 (06:06):
Yeah, you know I think that you know, we from
the tip we had great energy. You know, we shot
the ball really well. Amelia Hasset six for eleven, ab
three for six. We had six players in double digit scoring,
which is huge for US. Ten for thirty from the
three we out rebounded them by about twenty five. You know,
(06:27):
we just had overall, really really great game, twenty two assists.
You know, we were hitting on all cylinders.
Speaker 3 (06:33):
Arkansas is really good with the dribble drive and they
can get you into space and some one on one situations.
How did you get this team ready to see it
a second time after seeing it and Faible.
Speaker 13 (06:42):
Yeah, you know, it's something that presents a lot of
challenges for sure, playing them early on in the season.
It was good to, you know, have it on film.
We watched a ton of film to prepare. You know,
we did some stuff in practice the last two days,
so we felt really prepared. I think our girls are
of visual learners, so it was really good for them
to see it on the film. But yeah, I thought
(07:05):
we went out and we really executed really well, almost
for a full forty minutes.
Speaker 3 (07:09):
Not saying it's easy, but this time of year, when
you're going into the conference tournament, you're seeing teams you've
already seen is it a little easier to help the
ladies prepare because.
Speaker 13 (07:18):
They've seen this, Yeah, I think so. I know, like
Arkansas was quite a few games ago, so they kind
of forgot about it, but when they saw it on field,
they're like, oh, yeah, I remember that, I remember this player,
I remember the dribble drive and things of that nature.
So it was really good for them to see it
on the film.
Speaker 3 (07:35):
You had a great rebounding margin against them the first
time around, and I know sometimes it could be tough
when a team shoots a lot of threes because you
never know where the ball's going. But rebounding again today,
what was the key for this team?
Speaker 13 (07:45):
Yeah, you know, we talked about not just winning the
rebounding battle, but like crushing them on the boards.
Speaker 5 (07:50):
You know.
Speaker 13 (07:50):
I think the last game we held them to four
zero boards. This game they had seven. But it was
about the same margin of the rebounding battle this game
from the first game. So we're really proud of them
for that effort.
Speaker 3 (08:04):
Six and double figures for the wildcatch. You mentioned the
great job by Hassett and Boone. Tell me about working
with especially Asia Boone and how you've seen her grow
as a shooter. In the SEC after coming from Liberty.
Speaker 13 (08:17):
Yeah, it's been a pleasure to work with Asia this
year and just her becoming really really consistent with her
mechanics and her shot. You know, when she first came in,
we made a few like minor, minor tweaks. Obviously, she
was a great shooter at Liberty and that's why we
brought her here, but we just needed her to be
really consistent in the way that she shoots the ball,
and I think over the last couple of weeks we've
(08:39):
been really seeing that payoff. She's been lethal from behind
the arc and it's been a huge, huge thing for
us going down the stretch.
Speaker 3 (08:48):
Yeah, she shot the ball so well in February and
now into March. Was there a moment an SEC play
where you kind of saw the light bulb or the
confidence really click for her.
Speaker 13 (08:57):
Yeah, I mean, I don't know, she's just like really
got really consistent. She started shooting it the same way
and practice in our individuals, and then it was really
translating to the game. And she's she's a rhythm shooter,
so once she sees one going then it feels like
she's just thrown it in the ocean. And I think
that's really huge for her to see an early one
go in and then and that's where she gets her
(09:20):
confidence from.
Speaker 3 (09:21):
Chatting with coach Sierra Gregory here on The Kenny brook
Show presented by Bluegrass here in Clinic uh Asia. In
terms of her defense, we've seen that grow as well.
Where as some of the areas, you feel like she's
gotten stronger on the defensive side.
Speaker 13 (09:33):
Yeah, you know, Asia is actually a pretty strong little
guard and I think a lot of people don't recognize
that about her. She's one of our better on ball defenders.
And you know, even if she makes a mistakes, she
makes up for it. She fights to get back in front,
she fights her way back into the play, and you know,
she's been really good. There's been times where she's had
(09:54):
a tough assignment guarding the other team's best player. And
there's a lot of great players in the SEC, and
I think she's done a really good job at you know,
being a great on ball defender for us.
Speaker 2 (10:05):
This team.
Speaker 3 (10:05):
I feel like because of the style and the system
that Coach Brooks runs, communication is vital. Switching you have
to stay connected. Has this team gotten better and stronger
defensively as this season is gone.
Speaker 13 (10:17):
Yeah, I would say so. You know, I feel like
we're a really good defensive team where you know, we're
topping a lot of different categories in the SEC, and
it's something that we pride ourselves on. But I think
a lot of people, you know, they think about our
length when it comes to defense, and our ability to
be able to switch things and our communication and things
of that nature. I think it has grown throughout the season.
(10:39):
It still has room for improvement, but I definitely think
that we're getting better.
Speaker 3 (10:44):
Let's go back to these guards real quick, because early
on it felt like the game plan or the looks
you were getting were Hassett and Boom, You're able to
get it out on the wings because Arkansas was crashing
the paint so hard. Is that something you look for
early in games because teams are so focused on Clara?
Speaker 13 (10:59):
Yeah, I think Clara draws a ton of attention, as
they should. Right She's the focal point of a lot
of game plans against us, and we know that they're
going to crowd her, they're gonna double her, they're gonna
triple team her, they're gonna do whatever they can to
stop her, and so we just tell, you know, the
perimeter players, even Jordanobi Tiani. You gotta stay moving, right,
(11:20):
We have to have constant movement. We have to die,
we have to shape up shooters. You guys have to
be ready. You can't hit your hand and you're not
ready to shoot. And so I thought, you know, we
had moments tonight or this morning rather when we did
that really well in some moments when we didn't. But
it's definitely something that we improved on from earlier in
(11:40):
the sec. You know, Clara was getting doubled and we
were just kind of standing and looking at her, and
that's a helpless situation for Claia to be in. But
I think we definitely have improved.
Speaker 2 (11:50):
In that in that area.
Speaker 3 (11:51):
Take me to the bench in the second half of
the Arkansas game when Amelia and Asia are hitting three,
basically trading the three point single season record back and forth.
How much fun was the banch having with that?
Speaker 13 (12:03):
Yeah, that was awesome. I mean that that's incredible. I
don't think that is a normal thing for two players
to break the single season record for threes made. And
then there's you know, it's going back and forth, back
and forth, and it was a really cute moment. When
we celebrated in the locker room post game, Coach Brooks
is like, AB, congratulations, you know, MILLI, congratulations for breaking
(12:26):
AB's record. AB, congratulations for breaking And then it ended
in a tie, so it was it was really cute.
It was really fun moment. And you know, I don't
even think they were aware and when they found out
that it ended in a tie that they just both
were celebrating and hugging each other, which is really cool.
Speaker 3 (12:42):
And I think it's special. On Amelia Hasset's side, people
probably don't realize she's kind of a two way player
because she'll play the front line, but she also can
get out on those wings and shoot like we've seen her.
So she's very involved in the practices switching back and forth,
isn't she.
Speaker 13 (12:56):
Amelia does it all for us. You know, we wouldn't
be where we are without her this season, last season,
and she's a huge piece in you know, everything that
we do. Like you said, she knocks down the three.
She has a tough assignment on defense. You know, she
plays the she can play the five, the four, the three,
the two. So she just she does whatever it takes
to win and whatever we need from her. She steps
(13:18):
up and gets it done.
Speaker 3 (13:19):
Coach, See, we got about a minute or two left
in the segment. I wanted to go back to scouting
since you just had the last game. What all goes
in for this staff to scouting opponents. I know you
watch a ton of video, but scouting it and then
putting a report together ready for this team to get
them prepared.
Speaker 13 (13:35):
Yeah, you know, I think it's something that our staff
takes a lot of pride in. We're very detailed. We
want to be very thorough when we relay the message
to our team and make sure that they understand what
needs to be done to win. And we spend a
lot of time in the meeting room. We'll be in
the meeting room for quite a while tonight preparing for
(13:56):
Georgia tomorrow. But yeah, I would say it's something that
we take a lot of pride in and want to
make sure that we get it right and you know,
put a good game plan together to get these wins.
Speaker 3 (14:04):
Coach will join us on the show here in a minute.
We'll talk to him. But Georgia, you've played them once.
What is the biggest key when taking on this year's
Georgia's squad?
Speaker 13 (14:13):
Yeah, you know, I think we're excited. We played them
without Tianni, we played them early on, and I think
we're really excited.
Speaker 2 (14:20):
You know.
Speaker 13 (14:20):
I think we've grown a lot from that part of
conference play, and you know, we're gonna build off of
what we did today. I thought we played really well
overall today and we had great energy, and I think
that's gonna be the main thing tomorrow is, you know,
executing the game plan that we give them in less
than twenty four hours. But really the main thing is
go out, play, play with confident, have fun, and just
(14:42):
have great energy for forty minutes and I think that
that will take care of it itself.
Speaker 3 (14:46):
I know you've done plenty of radio in the past.
Thanks for being a guest appearance on the show.
Speaker 13 (14:50):
This week, Well, thank you, Darren.
Speaker 3 (14:52):
That's coach Sierra Gregory will be joined by head coach
Kenny Brooks when we come back. You are listening to
the Kenny Brooks Show, presented by Bluegrass Here in Clinic
on the uk A Sports Network.
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Welcome Back. Final segment of the Kenny Brooks Show presented
by Bluegrass Hearing Clinic, and we are joined at this
time by Coach Brooks, who's a very busy man right now.
He just helped his team to a ninety four to
sixty four win over Arkansas and now getting ready for
Georgia tomorrow in the second round of the SEC Tournament.
And coach first Chance, we've had to talk to you
since the game against the Razorbacks. Your thoughts on how
(19:57):
your team performed this morning.
Speaker 6 (19:59):
Very pleased, very please from the start to the finish.
I mean I say the start, you know, I'm talking
about even when I walked onto the bus. You know,
there there was a lot of energy and they were excited,
and that's something we talked about after the South Carolina loss.
Just felt like we didn't have the energy that we
needed to win games of that magnitude. And they came
out today and obviously we put ourselves in this predicament
(20:19):
where we have to play the first game. And but
you know, I was very pleased because I kept, I
keep telling you that, you know, at this juncture in
the season and where we are and what's going on
in our basketball lives, we just want to get better
every day, and you know, regardless of what the situation is,
because I really do believe our best basketball is ahead
of us, and I think it's going to be at
(20:41):
the right time. And so very pleased with the start
that we had today to the SEC tournament and uh,
you know, looking forward to continuing it.
Speaker 3 (20:48):
Speaking of improving in the journey, how about Amelia Hassett
and Asia Boon from the start of the season to
where they are now not just confident shooters but confident players.
Speaker 6 (20:57):
They're two of the better shooters that I've ever had,
and so so much so that I probably don't give
them enough credit because every time they shoot and miss,
I'm like, Okay, what is wrong with you? Because I
just expect them to make every shot and that's just
because how much.
Speaker 2 (21:10):
Confidence I have in them.
Speaker 6 (21:11):
But both of them have done tremendous I'm not exactly
sure where they sit right now as far as.
Speaker 2 (21:18):
The all time leading three point shooters. And they're tired.
They're tired as we speak right now.
Speaker 6 (21:24):
And you know what we talked about that at after
the game, just giving them a congradutory speeches and uh,
the fact that they both just high fived each other.
Speaker 2 (21:34):
And you know, they didn't care, you know, who who
was in the lead or that.
Speaker 6 (21:38):
Uh, they were just very proud that they they both
share it. And I don't even think that Asia Boone
knows it yet, but she assisted on Millie's last three
pointer that really caused this whole mess. But uh no,
but they they're terrific kids, terrific shooters, and we're gonna
need more of that as the season goes down to stretch.
Speaker 3 (21:55):
Coach, Let's talk about the fact that you were able
to get some players off your bench today because you
had such a big lead. Kate Kay got some critical
minutes in an SEC tournament. You also got Lexi and
Josie got in there too.
Speaker 6 (22:06):
I thought Josie was terrific. Uh and she the energy
she brought, you know, she was all over the place.
I think she was in her eleven minutes. She was
the stat sheet stuff for four points, four rebounds, three assists,
one steal, even through a turnover in there for good measure.
And she she was good, man, she was really And
Josie's been phenomenal all year long. You know, obviously, you
(22:30):
know the minutes that she's getting is not what we
had hoped or she had hoped. But you look down
on the bench all the time, and you know she's
down there with Gabby and they're coming up with new
little handshakes and dances and all that kind of stuff,
and providing energy.
Speaker 2 (22:42):
And you know the kid like.
Speaker 6 (22:43):
That, you know who's going to go out and give
it at all, and.
Speaker 2 (22:47):
Even in a certain.
Speaker 6 (22:48):
Circumstances like this, Uh, you know, they got have a
special place in your heart. You know, you see it
all over the country, you know where you know some
kids are just not happy. But she really, you know,
waited her moment and whenever it popped up, you know,
never as question anything about going in and whatnot.
Speaker 2 (23:02):
And she came in and she played, gave us valuable minutes.
Speaker 6 (23:04):
And I'll tell you what you know tomorrow, this is
not Those weren't just you know, throwaway minutes. Those were
minutes because we are we're trying to expand and go
another person deeper, and I thought she really took a
step and being that person for.
Speaker 3 (23:17):
Kayle and Carol. Two four rebounds and three assists. Would
love to have seen a couple of those three pointers
go down because she was wide open.
Speaker 6 (23:23):
She was she was open, but we talked about it,
you know, and the fact that she kept shooting it
shows how confidence she is. But she just a little flat,
a little flat on the shot today. I'm sure it's
kind of hard because you have to just rely on
muscle memory now because you don't get a chance to get.
Speaker 2 (23:37):
In the gym before the next game.
Speaker 6 (23:39):
So we talked about it and say, hey, just get
the ball up your little really flat. And she came
in the locker room and the coaches locker room after
the game and I said, kyk, and I said, you know,
make her dag going shot and.
Speaker 2 (23:51):
She was like, she said dude, right.
Speaker 6 (23:53):
So I'm like, I don't know what that means, but
it tells me that she's okay and we're gonna need
her tomorrow.
Speaker 3 (24:00):
One quick note on the crowd today is fantastic. A
lot of kids in the arena. Did you notice when
you scored sixty seven points how crazy the arena went.
Speaker 6 (24:07):
I'm no rookie, Darren. Yeah, I've seen I've seen that around.
I didn't know we were at sixty seven. But when
they erupted for just a normal shot, because Claria had
been making those shots all day long, and when they erupted,
I looked up and there was no doubt in my
mind that I was going to say sixty seven. And
it's kind of funny because I think somebody missed a
free throw earlier, or the possession earlier. That would have
(24:29):
made it sixty six. And then Clara hit that shot
would have made it sixty eight. But you know what,
you know, getting back to the crowd, that the crowd,
the crowd was unbelievable. You know, the kids, they provided
an energy. They were ready to go from the start.
They were singing songs as the thing was going on,
and it just it had a buzz to it, you know.
And I go back to, you know, games like this
(24:50):
when they bring this school kids out, someone there there's
a future SEC player in that stands And I remember
when you know, we were in the ACC at votech
and uh we had a tremendous story because we had
two players who were from Greensboro, which where the ACC
tournament used to be and uh and they used to
(25:11):
go to that game. They used to go to that
early game and they would sit and they would watch
and uh. And for both of them to be able
to play not a not only play in the a
SEC tournament, but to win an ACC championship, it was
really cool and it kind of you know, brought it
full circle, but it really just opened up your eyes
the importance of getting kids out there and uh seeing
the environment and uh, and I promise you there is
(25:32):
a future SEC player in that stands who watched it,
and then one day they'll be able to play in it.
Speaker 3 (25:37):
Coach, we've got just a couple of minutes left in
the show, and I was thinking about it as you
were talking about Josie and how she's just played and
been a great teammate and smiled all year. And you
had a wonderful conversation before the game Sunday about culture
and how important it is not just to recruit the
the athlete and the you know, the talent, but also
the person and get that and that's how you build culture.
Speaker 6 (25:59):
You do, and uh, it doesn't happen by accident. You're
not just gonna, you know, have a collection of people
and throw them together and things are gonna come out.
Speaker 2 (26:08):
Okay, it has to be intentional.
Speaker 6 (26:09):
And sometimes you might have to take a player that
maybe not you know, makes a whole lot of sense
or makes the most sense on the on the stat sheet,
but you feel like they're going to be able to
come in and because when things get tough, and everything
will get tough, you have to say, okay, we've got
great kids, and uh, and they're going to be able
to work their way through it, you know, and be
able to come together and listen through times of you
(26:32):
know turmoil or you know adversity and uh, and that's
where we were.
Speaker 2 (26:36):
We were very intentional.
Speaker 6 (26:37):
Just like as I mentioned, you know, Josie has not
played as much as she would have liked, as much
as I thought she was going to play, and uh,
and she's come out and she's had a great attitude
every day. You know, it doesn't matter. Maybe I even
put her in with two minutes to go in the
game or a minute to go in the game, and
there's never.
Speaker 2 (26:52):
A look like okay, there's of disgust.
Speaker 6 (26:55):
She's just like, Okay, I'm gonna do my part and
help when my time comes. And today we really needed
her to step out there and tomorrow she'll be rewarded
for tomorrow for her hard work and her attitude.
Speaker 2 (27:06):
And and that's what you need.
Speaker 6 (27:07):
You have to build culture in order to be one
of the better teams in the country.
Speaker 3 (27:11):
I also wanted to get your thoughts as I remember
last year with Senior Day and postseason, how special it
was for Georgia Amore's parents to come and watch her.
Amelia has said her parents have come all the way
over from Australia to watch her. How neat has that
been to have Millie's parents here, not just for Senior Day,
but they've come down here to Greenville too.
Speaker 2 (27:30):
You know what, It's awesome.
Speaker 6 (27:32):
I think last last year when when they came in
were we were going through a tough stretch, really good
basketball teams, and I don't think Milly played as well. Uh,
They've gotten a chance to come here and Millie's playing
exceptionally well and for them to be able to see it.
Your mom gave me a big hug and she just
thanked me profusely for taking care of Milly. And you know,
and I was trying to be, you know, more adamant
(27:53):
about thanking her for allowing me to do so, because
Millie has been a tremendous gift to us. She's been
a big part of the culture revolution that we're putting
on right now.
Speaker 2 (28:05):
But also she's been a big, just big.
Speaker 6 (28:06):
Part of our success. And she's a wonderful kid. And uh,
and I just love her to death. Every time I
see her, just want to give her a big hug.
But you know, especially now and she's playing great, I'm
just happy for her and uh and so I'm glad
for it and I look forward to many more games
for Millie playing well well.
Speaker 3 (28:23):
Coach. This is our last show as we finish up.
It has been a fun year. We've grown this show.
We've had some shows where we were live at Drake's
and we appreciate that we've been in the studio. It's
been a lot of fun doing the show with you
throughout the season. But I'm excited for what's next for
this team over the next month.
Speaker 6 (28:38):
I think it's only fitting that I end with congratulations
to Mitch Bornhardt.
Speaker 2 (28:43):
Mitch was the one that brought me here.
Speaker 6 (28:45):
Mitch is the reason that I came here, and you know,
and we'll have plenty more times to talk about this,
but Mitch has done so much, not only for the
University of Kentucky, but for college athletics in general. So Mitch,
happy retirement. You will be missed. We love you very deservingly.
And if anybody doesn't understand the importance of Mitch Barnhart,
(29:06):
just google them, google them and take some goggles off
and really look and see how important this man has
been not only to the university but college athletics in general.
Speaker 3 (29:16):
Well said coach. Thanks, we will see you tomorrow against Georgia.
Speaker 2 (29:20):
Thank you very much sir.
Speaker 3 (29:21):
This has been the Kenny Brooks Show presented by Bluegrass
here in Clinic. Coming up next it's BBN Radio presented
by Clark's Pumping Shop on the UK Sports Network
Dope from the UK Sports Network Brescio. This is the
Kenny Brooks Show presented by blue Grass Hearing Clinic. Send
your questions to Coach Brooks on the Clark's Puffin Shop
text line at eight five nine two zero three one
two three four. You can also post your questions on
(00:38):
x at UK Sports Network or on the UK Sports
Network Facebook page. The Kenny Brooks Show, presented by Bluegrass
Hearing Clinic is brought to you by Central Bank and
by Coca Cola.
Speaker 2 (00:54):
Yeah Yeah.
Speaker 1 (00:54):
Now alongside the coach, here's the voice of Kentucky Women's basketball,
Darren Hedrick.
Speaker 3 (01:08):
From Greenville, South Carolina at the SEC Tournament. We welcome
you into the kennybrook Show presented by Bluegrass Here in clinic.
It is our last show of the season, and boy
or the Wildcats busy right now. They just finished off
a ninety four to sixty four win over the Arkansas Razorbacks.
The Wildcats put six players in double figures. Amelia Hassett,
(01:29):
Asia Boone put on a show from deep. Hassett had
six threes in the triumph for the Wildcats. Amelia and
Asia are now tied for the single season three point
record eighty six trays apiece as they get ready to
take on Georgia Tomorrow. The Wildcats will rematch with the
Lady Dogs at eleven am our airtime ten forty five
(01:51):
on the UK Sports Network. Coming up, over the next
half hour, we will chat with assistant coach Sierra Gregory
about the win over the Razorbacks and we will also
sit with head coach Kenny Brooks and talk about the
team and their performance today as well. So stick around.
It is the final Kenny Brooks Show presented by Bluegrass
here in clinic for the year and we've got coach
(02:14):
coming up. But up next, it's assistant coach Sierra Gregory
here on the UK Sports Network.
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Speaker 3 (05:20):
Wow, welcome back into the Kenny Brooks Show, presented by Bluegrass.
Here in clinic. The Wildcat's just finished off of victory
over Arkansas earlier today ninety four to sixty four, getting
ready for the Georgia Lady Bulldogs tomorrow at eleven am.
(05:43):
We'll be on the air at ten forty five, and
it's time to chat with the assistant coach who had
the scout for this Arkansas game, Sierra Gregory. We spoke
to her right after the game as part of Wildcat
wrap up, and she'll be with us now for the
first segment of Coaches Show here tonight. And coach, see,
when you look at the box score, there's a lot
of impressive numbers. What did you like most about the
(06:03):
way the team went at it and got this win?
Speaker 13 (06:06):
Yeah, you know I think that you know, we from
the tip we had great energy. You know, we shot
the ball really well. Amelia Hasset six for eleven, ab
three for six. We had six players in double digit scoring,
which is huge for US. Ten for thirty from the
three we out rebounded them by about twenty five. You know,
(06:27):
we just had overall, really really great game, twenty two assists.
You know, we were hitting on all cylinders.
Speaker 3 (06:33):
Arkansas is really good with the dribble drive and they
can get you into space and some one on one situations.
How did you get this team ready to see it
a second time after seeing it and Faible.
Speaker 13 (06:42):
Yeah, you know, it's something that presents a lot of
challenges for sure, playing them early on in the season.
It was good to, you know, have it on film.
We watched a ton of film to prepare. You know,
we did some stuff in practice the last two days,
so we felt really prepared. I think our girls are
of visual learners, so it was really good for them
to see it on the film. But yeah, I thought
(07:05):
we went out and we really executed really well, almost
for a full forty minutes.
Speaker 3 (07:09):
Not saying it's easy, but this time of year, when
you're going into the conference tournament, you're seeing teams you've
already seen is it a little easier to help the
ladies prepare because.
Speaker 13 (07:18):
They've seen this, Yeah, I think so. I know, like
Arkansas was quite a few games ago, so they kind
of forgot about it, but when they saw it on field,
they're like, oh, yeah, I remember that, I remember this player,
I remember the dribble drive and things of that nature.
So it was really good for them to see it
on the film.
Speaker 3 (07:35):
You had a great rebounding margin against them the first
time around, and I know sometimes it could be tough
when a team shoots a lot of threes because you
never know where the ball's going. But rebounding again today,
what was the key for this team?
Speaker 13 (07:45):
Yeah, you know, we talked about not just winning the
rebounding battle, but like crushing them on the boards.
Speaker 5 (07:50):
You know.
Speaker 13 (07:50):
I think the last game we held them to four
zero boards. This game they had seven. But it was
about the same margin of the rebounding battle this game
from the first game. So we're really proud of them
for that effort.
Speaker 3 (08:04):
Six and double figures for the wildcatch. You mentioned the
great job by Hassett and Boone. Tell me about working
with especially Asia Boone and how you've seen her grow
as a shooter. In the SEC after coming from Liberty.
Speaker 13 (08:17):
Yeah, it's been a pleasure to work with Asia this
year and just her becoming really really consistent with her
mechanics and her shot. You know, when she first came in,
we made a few like minor, minor tweaks. Obviously, she
was a great shooter at Liberty and that's why we
brought her here, but we just needed her to be
really consistent in the way that she shoots the ball,
and I think over the last couple of weeks we've
(08:39):
been really seeing that payoff. She's been lethal from behind
the arc and it's been a huge, huge thing for
us going down the stretch.
Speaker 3 (08:48):
Yeah, she shot the ball so well in February and
now into March. Was there a moment an SEC play
where you kind of saw the light bulb or the
confidence really click for her.
Speaker 13 (08:57):
Yeah, I mean, I don't know, she's just like really
got really consistent. She started shooting it the same way
and practice in our individuals, and then it was really
translating to the game. And she's she's a rhythm shooter,
so once she sees one going then it feels like
she's just thrown it in the ocean. And I think
that's really huge for her to see an early one
go in and then and that's where she gets her
(09:20):
confidence from.
Speaker 3 (09:21):
Chatting with coach Sierra Gregory here on The Kenny brook
Show presented by Bluegrass here in Clinic uh Asia. In
terms of her defense, we've seen that grow as well.
Where as some of the areas, you feel like she's
gotten stronger on the defensive side.
Speaker 13 (09:33):
Yeah, you know, Asia is actually a pretty strong little
guard and I think a lot of people don't recognize
that about her. She's one of our better on ball defenders.
And you know, even if she makes a mistakes, she
makes up for it. She fights to get back in front,
she fights her way back into the play, and you know,
she's been really good. There's been times where she's had
(09:54):
a tough assignment guarding the other team's best player. And
there's a lot of great players in the SEC, and
I think she's done a really good job at you know,
being a great on ball defender for us.
Speaker 2 (10:05):
This team.
Speaker 3 (10:05):
I feel like because of the style and the system
that Coach Brooks runs, communication is vital. Switching you have
to stay connected. Has this team gotten better and stronger
defensively as this season is gone.
Speaker 13 (10:17):
Yeah, I would say so. You know, I feel like
we're a really good defensive team where you know, we're
topping a lot of different categories in the SEC, and
it's something that we pride ourselves on. But I think
a lot of people, you know, they think about our
length when it comes to defense, and our ability to
be able to switch things and our communication and things
of that nature. I think it has grown throughout the season.
(10:39):
It still has room for improvement, but I definitely think
that we're getting better.
Speaker 3 (10:44):
Let's go back to these guards real quick, because early
on it felt like the game plan or the looks
you were getting were Hassett and Boom, You're able to
get it out on the wings because Arkansas was crashing
the paint so hard. Is that something you look for
early in games because teams are so focused on Clara?
Speaker 13 (10:59):
Yeah, I think Clara draws a ton of attention, as
they should. Right She's the focal point of a lot
of game plans against us, and we know that they're
going to crowd her, they're gonna double her, they're gonna
triple team her, they're gonna do whatever they can to
stop her, and so we just tell, you know, the
perimeter players, even Jordanobi Tiani. You gotta stay moving, right,
(11:20):
We have to have constant movement. We have to die,
we have to shape up shooters. You guys have to
be ready. You can't hit your hand and you're not
ready to shoot. And so I thought, you know, we
had moments tonight or this morning rather when we did
that really well in some moments when we didn't. But
it's definitely something that we improved on from earlier in
(11:40):
the sec. You know, Clara was getting doubled and we
were just kind of standing and looking at her, and
that's a helpless situation for Claia to be in. But
I think we definitely have improved.
Speaker 2 (11:50):
In that in that area.
Speaker 3 (11:51):
Take me to the bench in the second half of
the Arkansas game when Amelia and Asia are hitting three,
basically trading the three point single season record back and forth.
How much fun was the banch having with that?
Speaker 13 (12:03):
Yeah, that was awesome. I mean that that's incredible. I
don't think that is a normal thing for two players
to break the single season record for threes made. And
then there's you know, it's going back and forth, back
and forth, and it was a really cute moment. When
we celebrated in the locker room post game, Coach Brooks
is like, AB, congratulations, you know, MILLI, congratulations for breaking
(12:26):
AB's record. AB, congratulations for breaking And then it ended
in a tie, so it was it was really cute.
It was really fun moment. And you know, I don't
even think they were aware and when they found out
that it ended in a tie that they just both
were celebrating and hugging each other, which is really cool.
Speaker 3 (12:42):
And I think it's special. On Amelia Hasset's side, people
probably don't realize she's kind of a two way player
because she'll play the front line, but she also can
get out on those wings and shoot like we've seen her.
So she's very involved in the practices switching back and forth,
isn't she.
Speaker 13 (12:56):
Amelia does it all for us. You know, we wouldn't
be where we are without her this season, last season,
and she's a huge piece in you know, everything that
we do. Like you said, she knocks down the three.
She has a tough assignment on defense. You know, she
plays the she can play the five, the four, the three,
the two. So she just she does whatever it takes
to win and whatever we need from her. She steps
(13:18):
up and gets it done.
Speaker 3 (13:19):
Coach, See, we got about a minute or two left
in the segment. I wanted to go back to scouting
since you just had the last game. What all goes
in for this staff to scouting opponents. I know you
watch a ton of video, but scouting it and then
putting a report together ready for this team to get
them prepared.
Speaker 13 (13:35):
Yeah, you know, I think it's something that our staff
takes a lot of pride in. We're very detailed. We
want to be very thorough when we relay the message
to our team and make sure that they understand what
needs to be done to win. And we spend a
lot of time in the meeting room. We'll be in
the meeting room for quite a while tonight preparing for
(13:56):
Georgia tomorrow. But yeah, I would say it's something that
we take a lot of pride in and want to
make sure that we get it right and you know,
put a good game plan together to get these wins.
Speaker 3 (14:04):
Coach will join us on the show here in a minute.
We'll talk to him. But Georgia, you've played them once.
What is the biggest key when taking on this year's
Georgia's squad?
Speaker 13 (14:13):
Yeah, you know, I think we're excited. We played them
without Tianni, we played them early on, and I think
we're really excited.
Speaker 2 (14:20):
You know.
Speaker 13 (14:20):
I think we've grown a lot from that part of
conference play, and you know, we're gonna build off of
what we did today. I thought we played really well
overall today and we had great energy, and I think
that's gonna be the main thing tomorrow is, you know,
executing the game plan that we give them in less
than twenty four hours. But really the main thing is
go out, play, play with confident, have fun, and just
(14:42):
have great energy for forty minutes and I think that
that will take care of it itself.
Speaker 3 (14:46):
I know you've done plenty of radio in the past.
Thanks for being a guest appearance on the show.
Speaker 13 (14:50):
This week, Well, thank you, Darren.
Speaker 3 (14:52):
That's coach Sierra Gregory will be joined by head coach
Kenny Brooks when we come back. You are listening to
the Kenny Brooks Show, presented by Bluegrass Here in Clinic
on the uk A Sports Network.
Speaker 14 (15:04):
What does being part of this community mean to Coach
Kenny Brooks?
Speaker 6 (15:08):
For me, being a part of a community means a
shared philosophy of positive growth, lifting up those around you,
trying to change whatever you can for the better. Central
Bank's been doing that since the day they were founded.
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Central Bank is proud to be part of this community
and proud to be the official bank of UK Athletics.
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Our success on the court starts with their support of
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Welcome Back. Final segment of the Kenny Brooks Show presented
by Bluegrass Hearing Clinic, and we are joined at this
time by Coach Brooks, who's a very busy man right now.
He just helped his team to a ninety four to
sixty four win over Arkansas and now getting ready for
Georgia tomorrow in the second round of the SEC Tournament.
And coach first Chance, we've had to talk to you
since the game against the Razorbacks. Your thoughts on how
(19:57):
your team performed this morning.
Speaker 6 (19:59):
Very pleased, very please from the start to the finish.
I mean I say the start, you know, I'm talking
about even when I walked onto the bus. You know,
there there was a lot of energy and they were excited,
and that's something we talked about after the South Carolina loss.
Just felt like we didn't have the energy that we
needed to win games of that magnitude. And they came
out today and obviously we put ourselves in this predicament
(20:19):
where we have to play the first game. And but
you know, I was very pleased because I kept, I
keep telling you that, you know, at this juncture in
the season and where we are and what's going on
in our basketball lives, we just want to get better
every day, and you know, regardless of what the situation is,
because I really do believe our best basketball is ahead
of us, and I think it's going to be at
(20:41):
the right time. And so very pleased with the start
that we had today to the SEC tournament and uh,
you know, looking forward to continuing it.
Speaker 3 (20:48):
Speaking of improving in the journey, how about Amelia Hassett
and Asia Boon from the start of the season to
where they are now not just confident shooters but confident players.
Speaker 6 (20:57):
They're two of the better shooters that I've ever had,
and so so much so that I probably don't give
them enough credit because every time they shoot and miss,
I'm like, Okay, what is wrong with you? Because I
just expect them to make every shot and that's just
because how much.
Speaker 2 (21:10):
Confidence I have in them.
Speaker 6 (21:11):
But both of them have done tremendous I'm not exactly
sure where they sit right now as far as.
Speaker 2 (21:18):
The all time leading three point shooters. And they're tired.
They're tired as we speak right now.
Speaker 6 (21:24):
And you know what we talked about that at after
the game, just giving them a congradutory speeches and uh,
the fact that they both just high fived each other.
Speaker 2 (21:34):
And you know, they didn't care, you know, who who
was in the lead or that.
Speaker 6 (21:38):
Uh, they were just very proud that they they both
share it. And I don't even think that Asia Boone
knows it yet, but she assisted on Millie's last three
pointer that really caused this whole mess. But uh no,
but they they're terrific kids, terrific shooters, and we're gonna
need more of that as the season goes down to stretch.
Speaker 3 (21:55):
Coach, Let's talk about the fact that you were able
to get some players off your bench today because you
had such a big lead. Kate Kay got some critical
minutes in an SEC tournament. You also got Lexi and
Josie got in there too.
Speaker 6 (22:06):
I thought Josie was terrific. Uh and she the energy
she brought, you know, she was all over the place.
I think she was in her eleven minutes. She was
the stat sheet stuff for four points, four rebounds, three assists,
one steal, even through a turnover in there for good measure.
And she she was good, man, she was really And
Josie's been phenomenal all year long. You know, obviously, you
(22:30):
know the minutes that she's getting is not what we
had hoped or she had hoped. But you look down
on the bench all the time, and you know she's
down there with Gabby and they're coming up with new
little handshakes and dances and all that kind of stuff,
and providing energy.
Speaker 2 (22:42):
And you know the kid like.
Speaker 6 (22:43):
That, you know who's going to go out and give
it at all, and.
Speaker 2 (22:47):
Even in a certain.
Speaker 6 (22:48):
Circumstances like this, Uh, you know, they got have a
special place in your heart. You know, you see it
all over the country, you know where you know some
kids are just not happy. But she really, you know,
waited her moment and whenever it popped up, you know,
never as question anything about going in and whatnot.
Speaker 2 (23:02):
And she came in and she played, gave us valuable minutes.
Speaker 6 (23:04):
And I'll tell you what you know tomorrow, this is
not Those weren't just you know, throwaway minutes. Those were
minutes because we are we're trying to expand and go
another person deeper, and I thought she really took a
step and being that person for.
Speaker 3 (23:17):
Kayle and Carol. Two four rebounds and three assists. Would
love to have seen a couple of those three pointers
go down because she was wide open.
Speaker 6 (23:23):
She was she was open, but we talked about it,
you know, and the fact that she kept shooting it
shows how confidence she is. But she just a little flat,
a little flat on the shot today. I'm sure it's
kind of hard because you have to just rely on
muscle memory now because you don't get a chance to get.
Speaker 2 (23:37):
In the gym before the next game.
Speaker 6 (23:39):
So we talked about it and say, hey, just get
the ball up your little really flat. And she came
in the locker room and the coaches locker room after
the game and I said, kyk, and I said, you know,
make her dag going shot and.
Speaker 2 (23:51):
She was like, she said dude, right.
Speaker 6 (23:53):
So I'm like, I don't know what that means, but
it tells me that she's okay and we're gonna need
her tomorrow.
Speaker 3 (24:00):
One quick note on the crowd today is fantastic. A
lot of kids in the arena. Did you notice when
you scored sixty seven points how crazy the arena went.
Speaker 6 (24:07):
I'm no rookie, Darren. Yeah, I've seen I've seen that around.
I didn't know we were at sixty seven. But when
they erupted for just a normal shot, because Claria had
been making those shots all day long, and when they erupted,
I looked up and there was no doubt in my
mind that I was going to say sixty seven. And
it's kind of funny because I think somebody missed a
free throw earlier, or the possession earlier. That would have
(24:29):
made it sixty six. And then Clara hit that shot
would have made it sixty eight. But you know what,
you know, getting back to the crowd, that the crowd,
the crowd was unbelievable. You know, the kids, they provided
an energy. They were ready to go from the start.
They were singing songs as the thing was going on,
and it just it had a buzz to it, you know.
And I go back to, you know, games like this
(24:50):
when they bring this school kids out, someone there there's
a future SEC player in that stands And I remember
when you know, we were in the ACC at votech
and uh we had a tremendous story because we had
two players who were from Greensboro, which where the ACC
tournament used to be and uh and they used to
(25:11):
go to that game. They used to go to that
early game and they would sit and they would watch
and uh. And for both of them to be able
to play not a not only play in the a
SEC tournament, but to win an ACC championship, it was
really cool and it kind of you know, brought it
full circle, but it really just opened up your eyes
the importance of getting kids out there and uh seeing
the environment and uh, and I promise you there is
(25:32):
a future SEC player in that stands who watched it,
and then one day they'll be able to play in it.
Speaker 3 (25:37):
Coach, we've got just a couple of minutes left in
the show, and I was thinking about it as you
were talking about Josie and how she's just played and
been a great teammate and smiled all year. And you
had a wonderful conversation before the game Sunday about culture
and how important it is not just to recruit the
the athlete and the you know, the talent, but also
the person and get that and that's how you build culture.
Speaker 6 (25:59):
You do, and uh, it doesn't happen by accident. You're
not just gonna, you know, have a collection of people
and throw them together and things are gonna come out.
Speaker 2 (26:08):
Okay, it has to be intentional.
Speaker 6 (26:09):
And sometimes you might have to take a player that
maybe not you know, makes a whole lot of sense
or makes the most sense on the on the stat sheet,
but you feel like they're going to be able to
come in and because when things get tough, and everything
will get tough, you have to say, okay, we've got
great kids, and uh, and they're going to be able
to work their way through it, you know, and be
able to come together and listen through times of you
(26:32):
know turmoil or you know adversity and uh, and that's
where we were.
Speaker 2 (26:36):
We were very intentional.
Speaker 6 (26:37):
Just like as I mentioned, you know, Josie has not
played as much as she would have liked, as much
as I thought she was going to play, and uh,
and she's come out and she's had a great attitude
every day. You know, it doesn't matter. Maybe I even
put her in with two minutes to go in the
game or a minute to go in the game, and
there's never.
Speaker 2 (26:52):
A look like okay, there's of disgust.
Speaker 6 (26:55):
She's just like, Okay, I'm gonna do my part and
help when my time comes. And today we really needed
her to step out there and tomorrow she'll be rewarded
for tomorrow for her hard work and her attitude.
Speaker 2 (27:06):
And and that's what you need.
Speaker 6 (27:07):
You have to build culture in order to be one
of the better teams in the country.
Speaker 3 (27:11):
I also wanted to get your thoughts as I remember
last year with Senior Day and postseason, how special it
was for Georgia Amore's parents to come and watch her.
Amelia has said her parents have come all the way
over from Australia to watch her. How neat has that
been to have Millie's parents here, not just for Senior Day,
but they've come down here to Greenville too.
Speaker 2 (27:30):
You know what, It's awesome.
Speaker 6 (27:32):
I think last last year when when they came in
were we were going through a tough stretch, really good
basketball teams, and I don't think Milly played as well. Uh,
They've gotten a chance to come here and Millie's playing
exceptionally well and for them to be able to see it.
Your mom gave me a big hug and she just
thanked me profusely for taking care of Milly. And you know,
and I was trying to be, you know, more adamant
(27:53):
about thanking her for allowing me to do so, because
Millie has been a tremendous gift to us. She's been
a big part of the culture revolution that we're putting
on right now.
Speaker 2 (28:05):
But also she's been a big, just big.
Speaker 6 (28:06):
Part of our success. And she's a wonderful kid. And uh,
and I just love her to death. Every time I
see her, just want to give her a big hug.
But you know, especially now and she's playing great, I'm
just happy for her and uh and so I'm glad
for it and I look forward to many more games
for Millie playing well well.
Speaker 3 (28:23):
Coach. This is our last show as we finish up.
It has been a fun year. We've grown this show.
We've had some shows where we were live at Drake's
and we appreciate that we've been in the studio. It's
been a lot of fun doing the show with you
throughout the season. But I'm excited for what's next for
this team over the next month.
Speaker 6 (28:38):
I think it's only fitting that I end with congratulations
to Mitch Bornhardt.
Speaker 2 (28:43):
Mitch was the one that brought me here.
Speaker 6 (28:45):
Mitch is the reason that I came here, and you know,
and we'll have plenty more times to talk about this,
but Mitch has done so much, not only for the
University of Kentucky, but for college athletics in general. So Mitch,
happy retirement. You will be missed. We love you very deservingly.
And if anybody doesn't understand the importance of Mitch Barnhart,
(29:06):
just google them, google them and take some goggles off
and really look and see how important this man has
been not only to the university but college athletics in general.
Speaker 3 (29:16):
Well said coach. Thanks, we will see you tomorrow against Georgia.
Speaker 2 (29:20):
Thank you very much sir.
Speaker 3 (29:21):
This has been the Kenny Brooks Show presented by Bluegrass
here in Clinic. Coming up next it's BBN Radio presented
by Clark's Pumping Shop on the UK Sports Network
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