11.30.25

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome to the reading of the Lexington Herald Leader. Today
is Sunday, November thirtieth, twenty twenty five, and your reader
is Roger Hamperion. As a reminder, RADIOI is a reading
service intended for people who are blind or have other
disabilities that make it difficult to read printed material. We'll

(00:21):
start with the seven day forecast, brought to you by
ACI Weather. In the weather, Sunday we'll see a little
morning rain with a high of forty five degrees and
a low of twenty six. Monday will be cloudy and cold,
with a high of thirty nine and low of thirty one.
Tuesday will have morning snow one to three inches, with

(00:45):
a high of thirty six and a love of twenty seven.
Wednesday will be partly sunny and cold, with a high
of thirty nine and a love of twenty nine. Thursday
will be cold with a high of thirty seven and
a low of twenty five. Friday will have occasional afternoon
rain with a high of forty and low of thirty.

(01:08):
Saturday will be cold with snow in the morning one
to three inches, with a high of thirty six and
a low of thirty one. In the weather Almanac. The
high temperature is thirty nine degrees and the low twenty
four normal high fifty one, normal low thirty three, last

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year's high fifty one, last year's low thirty seven, record
high with seventy six degrees in nineteen ninety record low
three and nineteen thirty. Precipitation Thursday was zero month to
date two point three eight normal month to date two

(01:48):
point nine nine. Year to date fifty six point eight
normal year to date forty five point two six last
year to date forty five point three record for the
date two point four five in nineteen seventy three. Snowfall
Thursday zero month to date point three inches normal month

(02:12):
to date point three inches season to date point three
normal season to date point three last season to date
point five. Sunrise today will be at seven thirty five am.
Moon rise today, one fifty pm. Moon set today one

(02:33):
eleven am. Moon phases. Full moon will be December fourth,
last quarter December eleventh, New moon December nineteenth, first quarter
December twenty seventh. Now we'll read the front page headline
from today's edition. Forty second to none. Kentucky High School

(02:54):
Basketball's forty second district is home to some of the
Commonwealth's top teams, best players, and most fervent fans support,
and this season promises to be as exciting as ever.
The first article from today's edition is titled sold Out
Gym's epic Games, Top Players. Lexington's forty second District has

(03:16):
it all by Jared Peck In Kentucky, love for high
school basketball spans beyond its mountains and farms. Folks might
expect capacity crowds and rural school gymnasiums like a scene
from a movie. But around Lexington, especially in recent years,
basketball devotion has run deeper than a three pointer from

(03:39):
the logo here. There are places where makeshift signs have
told fans the gym is full for a regular season
rivalry game. They come to watch some of the best
teams and players the Commonwealth has to offer, Believe it
or not. Brian Station, Frederick Douglas, and Henry Clay, along
with Sayer and Scott County have packed those houses and

(04:01):
set those scenes. They are the forty second District and
their passion for high school hoops ranked second to none.
Sensational players at the heart Brian Station's Amari Owens, Frederick
Douglas's de Marcus Surat, Henry Clay's jackson Stephen, haven't just

(04:21):
ridden this recent wave of enthusiasm about high school basketball
in Lexington, They've helped build it to its present frenzy.
While Henry Clay begins this season unranked, the Harold Leader
preseason boys basketball Top twenty five has Douglas as the
number two team in the state and a favorite to
win the eleventh Region. Brian Station is number seven in

(04:45):
the Harold Leaders preseason player rankings, Owen is number three,
Sarat is number four, and Stephen is number twenty three,
putting them each in the Early Conversation for the Commonwealth's
highest individual honor for a mister basketball. Owens, a six
foot point guard who signed with Eastern Kentucky, has electrified

(05:08):
audiences with his fearless drives into the lane and ability
to make seemingly impossible shots. His oney eight hundred and
thirty eight points in three seasons leave him just shy
of the Herald Leader's top ten list of Lexington's most
prolific scorers. I've never coached against a young man college
or high school that is such a dynamic, downhill score

(05:30):
like Amari Douglas, coach Murray Garvin said, it's almost impossible
to keep him from getting to the rim. You just
have to do the best you can to make him
score tough buckets. Sarat, a six foot three wing signed
with Eastern Kentucky, can shoot the three or drive the
lane for a dunk. He led the Broncos with fifteen

(05:52):
point nine points per game last season for a team
that came within a missed buzzer beater of ending eventual
state champion Great Cross season Early. He's really good on
the defensive end, and he can score in so many
different ways, Henry Clay coach Daniel Brown said of Surat,
He's got unbelievable athletic ability. Yeah, you can stay in

(06:13):
front of him at times zone and make him shoot it,
but he finds other ways to do whatever helps his
team win. Stephan, a six foot five small forward committed
to Air Force, has led the Blue Devils in scoring
each of the past two seasons, and poured in twenty
six points in an eighty three to seventy two upset

(06:34):
of then number three Douglas in February. Henry Clay nearly
upset then number four Brian Station three nights later, fifty
five to fifty four. Henry Clay is always going to
be in the mix. They're always a tough out, Brian
Station coach Champ Ligan said, and Jackson Stephan is a
classic Henry Clay player, very hard nosed, but at the

(06:58):
same time a very good kid. He can shoot the
lights out, he can rebound. He's just a tremendous player
all around. Epic showdowns and packed houses. Douglas and Brian
Station played each other four times last season. Douglas won
Lexington Catholics Holiday Tournament championship over the Defenders and both

(07:18):
regular season matchups. In their February meeting at Brian's Station,
each was ranked in the media poll Top five. Douglas
trailed by as many as twelve points in the second half.
The Broncos took the lead on a Tate Robinson three
pointer with thirty point three seconds left and held on
for a forty nine forty eight win. A year earlier,

(07:41):
Brian Station swept its regular season showdowns with Douglas, only
to lose the district championship. In the Defender's sixty seven
sixty four win January twenty sixth, twenty twenty four, they
faced a ten point deficit with three forty two to play.
If you're playing a really good team, man, there's never
a big enough lead, Liggan said, You've got to just

(08:03):
keep playing. If you let up, you're going to get hurt.
The credit goes to the kids and their heart and
their willingness to keep playing no matter what the score is.
Brian's Station showed its heart in the forty second district
championship a month later by erasing a fourteen point second
half deficit to exact its revenge. The fifty nine to

(08:24):
fifty six victory over the Broncos earned the defenders the
school's first district crown since two thousand and eight. We
have a tough district and the final didn't go how
we wanted it to. Surat said, there was a lot
to learn. Hopefully we can come back this year and
get it right. Henry Clay has been in its share
of thrillers as well. The Blue Devil started the twenty

(08:47):
three to twenty four seasons sixteen to zero, climbing from
unranked to number twenty two in the state. The first
loss came at number fifteen Bryan Station, where there was
already a considerable buzz about owensers then sophomore guard. A
month later, Henry Clay earned payback by toppling a still
ranked number fifteen Bryan Station sixty three to fifty eight.

(09:10):
That same week, unranked Sayer toppled then number fourteen Frederick
Douglas sixty two to sixty in overtime. Douglas blew a
seventeen point lead in that game. In Sayer's gym, which
has less than half the seating capacity of its district rifles,
each of those games carried one common denominator seats filled

(09:31):
to the rafters. It's always good to play these guys,
Owen said in a recent joint interview with Sarat and Stephen.
The competition is great and having a great environment like
we're having is always good. It definitely gives you something
to look forward to, something to work for. Stephan said,
it's always fun to play in front of a big crowd.

(09:53):
No games off in the forty second district Sair, a
small private school, has a fraction of the of its
forty second district rivals with a considerably smaller gym to match,
but the Spartans can't be taken lightly, especially in the
friendly confines of their CV Whitney Gymnasium, where it only
takes about one thousand fans to put the wit on tilt.

(10:17):
My goal when we got here was to compete at
a high level, and being in this district forces your
hand to do that, said Sarah coach Rob Goodman, whose
teams have won the past two All A Classic Region
titles and claimed four wins in the district each of
the past three years. This district right now is just unbelievable,

(10:37):
and the games have been so much fun and so intense.
That's what you want. No story about the forty second
District can leave out Scott County's dominant run during the
late Billy Hicks coaching era. When the Cardinals moved from
the eighth Region to the eleventh region's forty second District
in two thousand and five, they immediately took over the

(10:58):
role of bullies on the block by winning nine district
titles and eight region crowns through twenty twenty, the year
after Hicks retired as the state's winningest boys' high school
basketball coach. But in the years since that twenty twenty
region win, the Cardinals have recorded five consecutive losing records.
Sean Woods the University of Kentucky. Unforgettable and former college

(11:21):
coach was hired earlier this year to get Scott County
back on track. They welcomed me with open arms and
they want to get it back. Woods said. Everybody's all
in with two hands and two feet, and that's what
you want in a program. These kids are working probably
harder than anybody in the state, and now it's getting
them to believe they're worthy. Woods got introduced to the

(11:44):
forty second District as on air analyst for glycod dot com,
a high school sports streaming company that showcases games around
Lexington and Louisville. He covered the forty second often and
was impressed. Each team had a marque player and the
coaches are very, very good and very underrated. Woods said,

(12:05):
it's the most competitive region and probably the most competitive
district in the state. It's true that aside from Scott
County's two thousand seven boys Sweet sixteen title, forty second
District's teams haven't matched the recent state tournament success enjoyed
by the forty first District's great crossing last year. The
forty third District's Paul Lawrence Dunbar in twenty sixteen or

(12:29):
forty fourth districts Madison Central in twenty thirteen. But forty
second district teams have reached the region finals more in
the past two decades than any of their rivals, with
nineteen appearances and ten region championships. The eleventh Region finals
have featured forty second district teams head to head three
times in that span, a stat matched by none of

(12:51):
the others. An appreciation from one era to another. UK
Sports Network radio analyst Jack Goose Givens played high school
basketball at Brian's station in the early nineteen seventies, a
drastically different era than today in many ways, and one
in which following high school basketball in Lexington and around

(13:11):
the state was a matter of course. I take great
pride in my high school career. There's no question about that.
That laid the foundation for everything that's happened since, said Gibbons,
who helped win a national championship at Kentucky before an
NBA career that led him into sports commentating. Most of
our games just about everywhere had crowds that were maxed out,

(13:34):
and they turned many fans away. The interest is what
I'm most proud of that people wanted to see US
play anytime two of the Lexington schools got together, and
teams from out of town would bring a lot of
fans with them too. Givens played with and against some
of the states basketball legends, like James Lee of Henry Clay,

(13:55):
who would become a UK teammate. Givens noted interest in
high school basketball was far more intense in his day,
but he's glad to see the excitement returning to Lexington's
gyms at his alma mater and others. I wouldn't be
upset if it matched out over what our interest was
because I think it's good for the athletes, Given said,

(14:15):
I also think it's good for our community to attend
the games and be a big part of what basketball
in the city of Lexington is and should be. The
next article from today's edition is titled Who are Kentucky's
Top twenty five girls high school basketball teams for twenty
twenty five twenty six by Jared Peck. Acred Heart coach

(14:35):
Don Moir laughed when asked in jest whether her Valkyries
were done ruining Kentucky girls high school basketball for everyone else.
The private school on Losville's East side won its record
ninth Girls Sweet sixteen championship and fifth straight last season
with a come from behind sixty five sixty victory against
George Rogers Clark. Though the Valkyries lost a generational player

(14:59):
with the great situation of twenty twenty five Miss Basketball
Zakiah Johnson, they bring plenty of talent back, including Marshall
commit Brianna Wilkins and junior point guard Emira Tuty Jordan,
two of their top three leading scorers a season ago.
But there were enough doubters among War's peers to put
this year's Harold Leader Girls basketball preseason number one ranking

(15:23):
in dow. Sacred Heart claimed the most number one votes
among the state girls varsity coaches, with forty two to
Clark's twenty five, for a fifth straight preseason number one
ranking to match its current title run, but the overall
points difference between the two in the final itally was
just seven hundred sixty six to seven hundred and fifty eight,

(15:45):
a margin of less than a single ten point ballot.
When told of those results, Warre noted state championships aren't
won via referendum. I think people are going to see
that it's harder to do than just on paper, She
said to when the state tournament is hard, it's going
to be interesting, but I like our chances. Number two

(16:06):
George Rogers Clark brings back experience talent too, including Cincinnati
commit Kennedy Stamper and Robert Morris signee e Yeast, and
Sacred Heart's toughest competition might come from within the seventh region.
Number three Assumption received eighteen number one votes and has
the Herald Leader preseason Player of the Year Ashland James,

(16:28):
a senior Indiana commit. Our experience is going to be
a big factor, Moore said. To get out of the
seventh region is an accomplishment in itself. We expect the competition,
we embrace it. Obviously, Assumption is up there, and Manuel
has a really nice team too. It won't take long
for more to figure out whether her team has what

(16:50):
it takes to keep Sacred Heart's dynasty rolling. The Valkyrie's
schedule includes a who's who of top teams from December
first's tip off until the final game of the regular
season on February twentieth. A lot of things go into it.
The best team doesn't always win, Moore said, that's what
I think is amazing about what we've been able to

(17:11):
do the first year we wanted. We probably weren't the
best team, but at the end we were and it
was a lot of fun. Here's a look at this
year's Herald Leader high school girls basketball preseason top twenty five,
as voted on by the state's coaches, with a brief
summary on what we know about the top ten teams

(17:32):
and note about each of the next fifteen. Our online
version includes a link to each team's schedule. Play begins
December first. The top ten number one votes, followed by
last season's record number one Sacred Heart forty two, thirty
five and three. The graduation of Zakiah Johnson, a four

(17:53):
year starter and the best player in program history, will
be an adjustment, but this is Sacred Heart. This summer,
the Valkyries went undefeated and played almost all of the
top competition in the state, coach Dono Moir said, so
the expectation is to return to Rupperina. Returning starters Brianna
Wilkins eleven point seven points, a five to ten senior,

(18:16):
and Amira Jordan thirteen, a five to five junior point guard,
will be joined by sophomores Riley Gilvin and Tahari Ralston,
who carry on the legacies of older sisters Josie Galvin
and Trinity Ralston, respectively in the program and already have
Division one college offers. Emma Zutterman, a five to ten senior,

(18:37):
rounds out the first five on the floor. Number two
George Rogers Clark twenty five, twenty eight, and eight. The
Cardinals feature junior point guard Kennedy Stamper twelve points a
Cincinnati commit and starters since seventh grade, who has been
a key part of Clark's four straight tenth Region titles.

(18:57):
Three sports standout t Yeast ten point one points, a
five to nine senior, has signed with Robert Morris for hoops.
Expect bigger contributions from senior Anayah Chestnutt, who lost most
of last season due to injury, and eighth grader Elijah Strode.
Number three Assumption eighteen, twenty three and six. The Rockets

(19:21):
came within a bucket of upending Sacred Heart's historic run
in last season's seventh Region semifinals, and return Indiana commit
Ashland James twelve point two points a five to nine
senior and contender for twenty twenty six is miss Basketball
EVA Moore seven point eight points a five to ten senior,
as college offers including Bellerman. We have depth and will

(19:45):
be fast, coach Karen Kovach said, We'll need to maintain
playing at a high level the entire season to achieve
our team goals. Number four Cooper two, twenty six and six.
Longtime college assistan and Boone County alum Christina Prohaska takes
over as head coach as the Jaguars aimed for an

(20:06):
unprecedented fifth straight ninth Region title. Three of last season's
top four scores return, led by Hailey Noell sixteen point
four points a five to eleven junior whose multiple college
offers include Missouri and Arkansas. Number five Frederick Douglas twenty
seven to eight. The Broncos team that reached the girls

(20:27):
Sweet sixteen semifinals without its lone senior due to injury,
returns intact led by six foot junior jay Lee Knowles
seventeen point six points and nine point six rebounds. Last
season's Lexington Player of the Year to Mea Wade eleven
point nine points a five to eight freshman already has
a college offer from Northern Kentucky. Number six Simon Kenton

(20:52):
two twenty six to five. The Pioneers snapped Sacred Hearts
ninety two game win streak against in state competition last
season and returned most of the roster, led by top
scorer Brinley Purnell, a fourteen point seven points, a five
to sixth junior and one of only two under classmen
to earn Harold Leader First Team All State honors last season.

(21:16):
Number seven Henderson County twenty eight and six mers of
twenty one of the last twenty four Second Region titles,
including the last seven in a row. The Colonel's return
five to seven senior Kentucky State commit Attilia Green twelve
point eight points and five to five senior Addie Gish
six point three a three year starter at point guard.

(21:39):
Brooklyn Gibson thirteen point four points, a five to eight
senior Asbery commit led the team in scoring last season,
but will be slowly working her way into the lineup
as she recovers from a June knee injury. Number eight
Taylor County twenty five and nine. Longtime Elizabethtown coach Donny
Swiney stepped out of retirement to serve as intim head

(22:02):
coach just days after the abrupt resignation of Matthew Turner
less than a month before the season, Swiney inherits the
defending fifth Region champs and Kennedy Deaner nineteen points, a
five to eight freshman who emerged last season as one
of the top players in the state. Number nine North
Laurel thirty two and three, the three time defending thirteenth

(22:25):
Region champions, returned two regular starters, Maryella Claybrook ten points
and eight point three rebounds, A six to two junior,
will be the focal point for the Jags and their opponents,
as senior point guard Hailey Combe's five point five points
directs the team on the floor. Number ten Notre Dame
twenty two to eight George Stole, a former Newport Central

(22:48):
Catholic coach who led the Thoroughbreds to a region title
in twenty fourteen, takes over a pandace squad that returns
two of last season's top three scores in five eleven
senior Bellerman commit Emma Holtzopple eleven point nine points and
five eight junior guard Emilia Stollard seven point nine. The

(23:08):
next fifteen Number eleven Ashland Blazer twenty one and eleven
Gabby carl eleven point one points a five point eight
senior Malone commit takes over at the point for the Kittens,
who also returned starters Arianna Gully nine points a five
to eleven senior and Brooklyn Duckweler ten points a five

(23:29):
eight junior Number twelve Callaway County twenty five and eight.
The Lakers appear primed for a first region run with
six foot North Alabama signee Sailor Lowe nineteen point six
points and five eight Southern Indiana commit Jaden Coke sixteen
points Number thirteen Mercy nineteen and fifteen. Abby Rietzel fifteen

(23:52):
point four points a five to seven senior Indiana Tech
commit is one of five key players back for the
sixth region champs Number fourteen Manuel twenty one and eleven.
Three of the Crimson's top five scores return, including five
six sophomore point guard to Kenzie Young eight point six
points Number fifteen South Laurel twenty five and six. The

(24:15):
thirteen threegient runner up lost just one senior and will
be led by five eleven juniors Macey Messer fourteen point
three points and Peyton Maybe nine point three points Number
sixteen Franklin County twenty six and six. Mckeah Wheeler six
point three points as five six junior with offers including

(24:36):
Bellerman is the lone returning starter for first year head
coach Madison Webb Sandford number seventeen, Bethlehem nineteen and eight.
Longtime Whitefield coach Glen Wafthen takes over a young Banshee
squad includes juniors Kaylee McElroy nine point one points and
Lauren Macy nine point two points Number eighteen, Butler one

(24:59):
twenty two and seven. Senior Kezia Rene sixteen point eight
points made three pointers at a fifty three point five
percent rate last season, the best in the state. Sophomore
Faith Moseley ten point four points made forty four point
six percent Number nineteen Ryle nine to twenty three. A

(25:19):
more MATURER Raiders team will be led by five to
ten senior Western Illinois commit Jalen Jones eighteen point two
points and sixty sixth freshman Phenomenon Jaden McLain ten point
two points, Number twenty West Jefsman twenty four and eight.
The Colts won the programme's first forty six district title

(25:39):
despite injuries to Key players. Claire Marshall fifteen point two
points twelve point one rebounds, a six foot junior, is
a big reason why Number twenty one Bullet East sixteen
to twelve leading scorers Molly Johnston fifteen point six points
and Anna Tinelli fourteen point two points. Both seniors have

(26:01):
each top one thousand career points. Number twenty two Franklin
Simpson twenty eight and three Chloe Smith nine point two points,
a six foot senior North Alabama softball commit, steps into
a lead basketball role for the defending fourth region champs.
Number twenty three Johnson Central twenty seven and four. The

(26:23):
defending fifteenth Region champs retool with a very young team
around leading scorer Carlea Stanley eleven point six points, a
five to eight sophomore. Number twenty four Davies County twenty
one and thirteen. The Panthers won the programme's first third
region title and have their top scorer back in Kennedy
Lane eighteen point six points, a five to seven senior

(26:46):
who made seventy two threes. Number twenty five McCracken County
eighteen and fourteen. Mustang's coach Scott Sivells believes five to seven.
Sophomore Ava Hughes fifteen point one points and five eleven
Senior Reagan Hill seven point nine are set to have
huge seasons. Others receiving votes. Teams mentioned on at least

(27:08):
two ballots in points order, Highlands Elizabethtown, Holy Cross, Covington,
Breckinridge County, Owensborough Catholic, Marshall County, Barron County, Campbell County,
North Hardin South Oldham, Danville, Christian, Christian County, Boyd County,
Central Pikeville, Bishop Brossert, rock Castle County. Methodology. Our annual

(27:32):
survey was emailed to all two hundred seventy one girls
basketball head coaches using their email registered with the Kentucky
High School Athletic Association. Multiple attempts were made to encourage
every school to participate. Coaches were asked to select their
top ten teams, and points were assigned based on a
team's position on the ballot. Ten points for number one,

(27:53):
nine points for number two, et cetera. Some schools participated
in the survey but declined to vote. Of ninety two coaches,
thirty three point nine percent voted in our top ten
teams poll. Of the one hundred and fifty nine coaches
fifty eight point seven percent who responded to the survey
and supplied information about their teams. Thanks to all, and

(28:15):
now after a short pause, I hope you'll rejoin us
for a continuation of the reading of the Lexington Herald
Leader for today. Thank you for listening, and now please
stay tuned for more news right here on RADIOI. Now
we will continue reading from the Lexington Herald Leader for Sunday,
November thirtieth, twenty twenty five. Your reader is Roger Hamperion.

(28:40):
We will start with the obituaries. We read only the name,
age and location. If you would like further information on
any of the obituaries, please see their website or call
us during the weekdays at eight five nine four two
two six thirty nine zero and we will be glad
to read the entire obituary for you will repeat that

(29:00):
number at the end of the listings. Today's obituaries are
as follows Ronald Burris Senior sixty six of Lexington and
Howard Day Buzzy Kinney ninety two of Lexington. If you
would like any further information about any of the listings today,
please visit the following website Www dot legacy dot com

(29:24):
slash obituaries slash Kentucky. Again, that site is Legacy dot
com slash obituaries slash Kentucky. You can also call us
at our RADIOI studios at A five nine four two
two six three nine zero and we will try to
read them to you over the phone. There is no
Paul Prather column today, so we'll continue by reading the

(29:47):
next article from today's edition of The Herald Leader titled
who are Kentucky's Top twenty five boys high school Basketball
Teams for twenty twenty five twenty six by Jared Peck.
Last season, Louisville's Saint Xavier ranked number two in our
Herald Leader preseason boys high school basketball Top twenty five.

(30:09):
A few weeks later, the Tigers knocked the shine off
Great Crossings. Number one. Saint x Is convincing seventy two
to fifty eight home win over the Warhawks on December
fifteenth put a charge into a thirty one to three
season in which it lost to only one team in Kentucky. Unfortunately,
that loss came in the first round of the UK

(30:30):
Healthcare Boys Sweet sixteen to Jeffersontown. Three and a half
months later, Great Crossing went on to win the state
championship this year. Saint Xavier is the overwhelming Herald Leader
preseason number one based on ballots turned in by one
hundred eleven of the state's boys varsity coaches. After a
drought of twenty years between Sweet sixteen appearances, the four

(30:54):
time state champion Tigers want to go back to back
as seventh Region champs and see what happens if they
return to Rapperino. St. X coach Kevin Klein has a
squad of talented players who remember that winning and losing feeling.
When you have success and you get to some places
that you've never been before, you kind of get addicted

(31:15):
to that feeling and you really like it and you
want to come back, Klein said. Ar mantra for our
team this year is our future is going to be
greater than our past, and are we working and building
this team to the standards to try to make that happen.
Challengers abound, including number two Frederick Douglas and number seven

(31:35):
Bryan Station, two eleventh region programs who gave malachim Renos
Warhawks the closest games they faced all postseason. There will
be doubters and setbacks for every team on the road
to the state tournament. But consider the last two Herald
Leader preseason number ones, Lyon County and Great Crossing, dropped

(31:56):
that ranking early and still claimed the banner and Golden
Tree at the end. It won't be easy. Bowling Green
in twenty seventeen is the only other herold Leader preseason
number one to accomplish the feat in the last ten years.
Three number one since twenty eighteen, Scott County twice and
George Rogers Clark have fallen in the state finals. Two others,

(32:20):
Mail and Ballard lost in overtime games in the seventh
Region tournament, saying postseason gauntlet, Saint Xmas navigate. Here's a
look at this year's Harold Leader High School boys basketball
preseason Top twenty five, as voted on by the state's coaches,
with a brief summary of what we know about the
top ten teams and some notes about each of the

(32:42):
next fifteen. Our online version includes a link to each
team's schedule. Play begins December first the top ten number
one votes, then last season's record number one, Saint Xavier
seventy thirty one to three. The seventh Tigers appear loaded
for another run to the boys Sweet sixteen, led by

(33:04):
six foot four Southern Illinois commit Jeremiah Jackson fourteen point
five points per game and Josh Lindsay seven point four points,
a six foot four star sophomore. Offers include Auburn Saint
X also adds size and rebounding with Jordan Jackson twelve
point one points ten point three rebounds, a six to

(33:25):
seven sophomore transfer from Louisville Holy Cross Number two Frederick
Douglas eleven, twenty five and five. The Broncos came within
a long distance three pointer off the rim from upsetting
Great Crossing state title run and returned the bulk of
that roster, including Bellarman signee DeMarcus Serrat fifteen point nine points,

(33:47):
a six to three senior guard. Expect a bigger role
for six to three senior Tate Robinson eight point nine points,
who delivered some dramatic three pointers in his first year
on the farm. Woodford County transfer Thurman Wade ten point
one points, a six to three junior, adds depth and scoring.
Number three Coventon Catholic thirteen, twenty four and nine. The

(34:11):
Colonels add Brayden Myrick nineteen point one points, a six
y four junior Mason County transferred to an already talented
back court that includes a pair of five eleven seniors
and Athens McGillis twenty point six points and Cash Harney
fifteen point eight points. All three can score from all
three levels, make plays for others, and bring a high

(34:34):
basketball IQ. Coach Jake Thielen said. Donovan Bradshaw twelve point
four points, a six to sixth senior anchors a formidable
front court as well. Number four George Rogers Clark four
twenty seven and six. Three starters return, including five nine
senior point guard Malachi Ashford fourteen point six points, who

(34:57):
coach Josh Cook believes is one of the best on
ball defenders in the state. The cards will be bolstered
by the addition of sixty three sophomore Corbin transfer Ryder
Aikens eighteen point six points. Montes Gay twelve point six points,
a six to sixth junior forward has offers including Ohio,
Akron and Eastern Kentucky. Number five Madison Central one twenty

(35:22):
and twelve. The Indians returned four starters, including six seven
senior Belmont signee Jake Feldhouse twenty two points, eleven point
three rebounds, who ranked second in our Herald Leader preseason
player rankings and is the nephew of coach Allen Feldhouse
junior and son of Kentucky unforgettable Darren Feldhouse and Luke

(35:42):
Asher fifteen point four points a six' fourth. Senior they
also add a potential high impact transfer From Knox central
With Grayson burton twenty one point one points a sixty
four Sophomore number Six North laurel twenty three and. Eleven
The jags Feature Harold leader Preseason player of The Year

(36:02):
Rhys davidson twenty one point six, points nine point four,
rebounds a six seven Senior liberty commit who made a
splash and Rupp arena with seventy seven points in two
games during The Boys sweet sixteen last. Season North laurel
returns all but one of the key players on that
state quarterfinals, team including six to four Senior Jordan rawlings

(36:25):
nine point eight. Points Coach Nate valentine expects six' Eight
Sophomore corey cunnigan to step up his game after. Solid
offseason Number Seven bryan station two twenty five And Seven
amari owens twenty two point, five points a six Foot
Senior eastern, kentucky signee does things with the basketball that

(36:47):
just make you shake. Your Head Coach champ, ligan said
that's a. Good thing ligan praised the offseason development of
Fellow Senior tayshawn adams thirteen point, three points a six
to six forward who is a expected to take more
Pressure off owens in the half court. This year Number
eight mail one seventeen. And twelve though Veteran Starter cole eatland,

(37:10):
transferred away first to prep school and Then, to Ballard
Coach tim hayworth likes the potential of this year's team
and its wealth of young talent that includes six to
Four Sophomore jordan mitchell fifteen point two points and six' Ten,
freshman trey hilleric who already has a three Star. Rating
from rivals senior leadership includes six To Four wingman james

(37:33):
clark eight. Point five Points number, nine ballard five. Twenty
And eleven the bruins got an injection of offense And
Experience when Western Kentucky, sinee cole edlin a six to
two Senior, formerly at mail announced he Was Leaving his
north carolina Prep school for Ballard. In early november they

(37:53):
also added Four Star sophomore boogie clark ten, point one
points a six to seven Transfer From, christian aadamy louisville
and Six Ten, freshman mason grivna who has already generated
buzz as. A top Player Number ten davies county twenty.
FIVE and seven a veteran group returns for another run

(38:13):
at the, third Region title Including Chattanooga commit jonathan moss nineteen,
point nine points a six foot senior guard And McKendree
commit diaron watkins sixteen, point two points ten, point five
rebounds a six. Foot eight forward three transfers, bolster The
Lineup including michael acton nineteen, point three points a six

(38:34):
to three junior Guard. Last at owensborough the next fifteen
with last year's record and a brief Note, number eleven caverna,
seventeen And thirteen the colonels add Sixty Five senior Gavin
lightning from ohio and six Eight Senior forward jason graves nine,
point three points nine point One rebounds from danville to

(38:56):
a lineup that already had Six Foot senior jalen crane nineteen,
Point seven Points Number twelve north oldham one Twenty Two
eight austin sears sixteen, point two points a six foot
one sophomore do, it All Scorer and tommy gregg nine
point two points a six to Seven junior Return Number

(39:18):
thirteen warren central twenty Three And seven caleb prince eighteen
points a Six Foot senior warren east transfer ads experienced
to go with six Foot Eight junior armani byrd eight
Point nine, Points number fourteen jeffersontown twenty Seven And seven
davon harrison sixteen. POINT eight points a five ten point

(39:42):
guard returns For the Six region Champs Number fifteen montgomery
county twenty. Four and Eleven the tenth region champs returned
sixty Five junior tys jarvis seventeen point six points and
Sixty Eight sophomore andrew terry nine Point nine points Number
Six sixteen trinity louisville. Seventeen And fifteen the shamrocks rebuild

(40:05):
around six foot Three Sophomore guard garrison gilvin ten point
five points through the graduation of five key players and
the prep School Departure Of jaden Johnson number seventeen eastern two,
Thirteen And fifteen the eagles adds six Foot eleven Senior Northeastern,
signee damian jung A, Transfer, from houston texas to go

(40:28):
along with Top Returning scorer josh brock ten point eight
points a six to two senior Guard Number eighteen bowling
green thirty. One and seven the defending fourth region champs
and state runner up graduated its top six scores and
will look to its younger players. To step Up number
nineteen butler twenty. Six And five the bruins have a

(40:51):
ton back from their sixth region finalist, team last season
led By Sixty four Kentucky State commit adrian wilder fourteen
point seven points and Sixty Three senior henry bargelow eleven.
Point one Points Number twenty boyd county twenty. Three and
twelve lions look Primed To end ashland blazer's seven year

(41:11):
Run as sixteenth region champs and will be led by
their school's all Time Leading scorer jacob spurlock twenty four
points a Sixty Four senior youngstown state signee, Number Twenty
one lexington catholic twenty. Three and Ten Senior forwards max
mayer twelve point Nine points and hank woodall eleven points

(41:33):
check in at sixty six, and, sixty four respectively for
a team that lost only one major contributor. From last
season Number Twenty two green county twenty. Four And four
the dragons return six Foot Senior guard eric james junior sixteen,
point four points sixt' Eight Senior forward mody kuyat seven.
Point four points Number Twenty three marshall county twenty. Nine

(41:57):
To three the marshals reached the first region finals with
a veteran team last season and will rebuild around standout
six to Seven Junior forward matthew langey twenty, Point three
points number Twenty Four tie adare county. Thirty And six
the indians get a Significant Boost from University Heights transfer

(42:17):
thailand george thirty one point three points a sixty five
junior point guard number Twenty Four tie great crossing thirty.
Five And four brady orum four point four points a
six to seven sophomore breakout performances in last season state
semifinals and finals for The defending Eleventh Region and boys.

(42:38):
Sweet sixteen champs the rest of the roster is almost all.
New to varsity others receiving votes kings mentioned on at
least two ballots In Points, Order, Lyon County Danville, Christian South,
oldham Ashland, Blazer, McCracken, County, Hazard Manuel, Newport North, hardin

(42:59):
Grayson County. And. Pulaski county methodology our annual survey was
emailed to all two hundred seventy seven varsity boys basketball
head coaches using their email Registered With The Kentucky High.
School athletic association multiple attempts were made to encourage every.
School to participate coaches were asked to select their, top

(43:20):
ten teams and points were assigned based on a team's position.
On the ballot ten points, for number one nine points,
for number. Two et cetera some schools participated in the
survey but. DECLINED to vote a total of one hundred
eleven coaches forty percent voted in our top. Ten teams
poll of the one hundred seventy eight coaches sixty four

(43:42):
percent who responded to the survey and supplied information. About
their teams every region was represented Thanks to all the
Next Article From today's herald Leader is titled europe pushes
back after being Cut out. Of Ukraine, Talks Gina smileik
Christopher Shoots and Lara Jakes From The New york. Times
News Service When chancellor Friedrich mertz of germany first Learned

(44:07):
of the trump administration's Peace plan For, ukraine last thursday
he was stunned by both the content and the way.
He found out instead of HEARING it, From us officials
mertz learned about the plan from. A news headline his
team had to reach out several times to set Up
a call Friday Night With president donald trump. For an
explanation according to officials with knowledge, of the events the

(44:31):
content was Alarming from. A european perspective the leaked twenty
eight point plan Would ensure that russia paid little Price
for invading ukraine in. Twenty twenty two it would hand
it more Territory than the russian army has captured, on
the battlefield and IT would force nato to formerly Refuse
to admit Ukraine countermanding a european Desire for the ukrainians to.

(44:53):
Join The alliance senior european officials Had known the trump
administration was working on some, kind of plan but Nothing
that favored russia. To this extent, when its surfaced They
realized that europe had been cut Out Of the trump
administration's efforts to end the continent's biggest Land War SINCE.
World war ii this Account of How trump sidelined europe

(45:14):
in discussions about, its own backyard based on interviews with
sixteen officials with knowledge of, the diplomatic wrangling haints a
picture of a continent squeezed. Between competing powers most of
the officials spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss.
Sensitive political matters in the days since the, Plan was
leaked european leaders have worked frantically to. Reverse the slide

(45:38):
several envoys took the first Possible, flight from johannesburg where
they were meeting Counterparts from The group, of Twenty summit
to geneva to TRY to persuade us officials. To change
course that huge diplomatic effort Meant that, By sunday evening
europe's leaders had managed to forestall some of what they
saw as the worst Excesses of the Trump. Plan for

(45:59):
Ukraine sidelined by, Trump last week europe's coalition of the
willing had become a coalition of. The Waiting Enders, faux
grass MUSSEN a, former nato chief said In an, interview
november twentieth shock and Disbelief many of europe's foreign ministers
first Heard of the Trump plan Last, thursday in brussels

(46:20):
as they were heading to a long Planned meeting about
sudan As. Well as ukraine, the leaked proposal reported in
Outlets such As Axios And, the financial. Times floored them
IT suggested that nato would be prevented from stationing troops In.
Post war ukraine it included a plan to unfreeze billions
Of dollars, of russian funds Which many in europe hoped To.

(46:42):
Loan to ukraine when, everyone had arrived Having Read, the
financial times there. Were Some, questions Rslaki Rasmussen The, danish,
foreign minister said with dry understatement. In an, interview seeking
clarity the ministers swiftly Began pressing The Ukrainian Foreign, minister
andrea sabia who had joined the. Meeting Via teleconference did

(47:04):
sabia know anything more? About this plan? Was it real,
Like his counterparts sabia, Had limited details according to two
officials present. At The, Meeting by friday trump and his
administration had begun to Talk to, their european counterparts and
it became increasingly clear that the. Plan WAS. Real, daniel

(47:24):
P DRISCOLL The u s army secretary said At a
Meeting friday In ukraine that european countries were left out
of negotiations to avoid having. Too many cooks. Officials present
Said driscoll said european officials had grown Too close to
ukrainian counterparts to objectively. Assess the war, those presents said now,

(47:44):
came The dilemma Should europe and ukraine reject a proposal,
out of hand or should they risk giving it momentum
by trying to. Correct its course ukraine may soon face an,
Extremely Difficult Choice president Vladimir zelensky of ukraine said an
Address to The, ukrainian public friday echoing in a view
felled across the continent either the loss of dignity or

(48:07):
the risk of losing. A, key partner saturday trying to
engage over the next, twenty four hours diplomats and Other
officials across europe burned up phone lines and text messaging
apps to map. Out a strategy By the time european
prime ministers And presidents gathered SATURDAY at the g Twenty Summit,
in south africa they were collectively, reaching a pragmatic. If

(48:31):
Unpalatable conclusion if europe's leaders wanted to regain a seat.
At the table according to four officials familiar, with their
discussions they needed to engage and to speak. With one
voice the leaders began to coalesce around a. Set of
principles According to a european official familiar, with the discussions
borders should not be, changed by force there could not

(48:54):
be Major limitations on, ukraine's armed forces and Decisions that
AFFECTED europe and nameo should be made, with their involvement
all ideas that ran Counter to. The trump plan to,
Make their case europe's top diplomats would need to Head,
quickly to GENEVA where The u S Secretary Of state
marco rubio was set to hold a Hastily organized Summit sunday.

(49:17):
With ukrainian counterparts THE top two eu diplomats assigned To attend,
The Geneva talks Bjorn Siebert, and pedro lorti rushed to
the airport within half an hour of. THE Statement's publication
a european official said they caught the first Flight available From. Johannesburg,
to switzerland there they joined envoys from The, Governments, Of

(49:39):
britain France germany and italy in attempting To alter The,
trump Plan. Sunday Persuading rubio as Sunday, Donned in switzerland
europe remained on the edge and. On The outside several
european officials Gathered at, the german mission where they Waited to.
Meet rubio's team They talked. With ukrainian. Counterparts they strategized

(50:03):
it paid off late in The day the americans finally.
Met with them Five officials said Rubio told the europeans
privately that issues That directly affected european nations would no
longer be included in. The current discussions, an official said
By the time Rubio briefed, reporters sunday evening there had
been a clear. Change in tone rubio made good on

(50:25):
the promise he. Made in private this, is a, living breathing,
document he Said indicating that europe would have a say
in the parts of It that concerned european nations and
that those discussions would proceed along. A, separate Track yet
as european leaders continued to gather over, the following days
their united. Front was tested divisions persisted over How. To

(50:48):
fund ukraine in, twenty twenty six major questions lingered OVER
whether the Us would keep, europe looped in and despite
the momentum for, a cease fire it remained unclear if
a deal. Would be reached there is little reason for
any kind, Of Cheerful Optimism Prime minister Donald tusk of Poland.
Till journalists monday the next article from today's Edition Is

(51:10):
titled national guard soldier dies us to re, examine Green
Cards By, Hahmed Ali, Aziz CAMPBELL. Robertson, Julian E, barnes
Jack Healy and qassim Nauman From The New York. Times
news service One Of two national guard members shot just
Blocks From the White. House died thursday as authorities scrambled

(51:31):
to understand the motives, of The suspect an afghan man
who once served In an anti taliban force SUPPORTED. By
the Cia Army, specialist, sarah beckstrom twenty succumbed. To Her
Wounds president donald trump told service members by video she.
Was savagely attacked he. Said She's dead the president Has spoken,

(51:52):
with Beckstrom's Family a white. House official said authority has,
Said the Suspect, ramano lau loachanwall had driven across The
Country from washington state to carry. Out the Attack the
other guard member That Was shot Air Force Staff sergeant andrew,
woolf twenty four remained In critical condition thursday. After undergoing

(52:12):
surgery officials said both were Members Of The West, virginia
national guard ordered to The capitol by trump as part
of what he described as a. CRACKDOWN on crime fbi
agents have searched an Apartment, Complex, in bellingham washington where
the suspect and his family lived after Coming To the
united States under a biden era Immigration program for Afghans

(52:35):
fleeing the taliban takeover in. Twenty Twenty one the trump
administration has vowed to conduct a sweeping re examination of
every green card held by immigrants From, not only afghanistan
but eighteen other Countries on which trump imposed a Travel.
Ban in june trump officials Have criticized the biden Administration

(52:56):
for allowing lachenwaal. Into, The country however lackenwall was Granted
asylum In april after trump's, Return to office according to
three people with knowledge, of the case who spoke on
the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized, To
speak publicly trump described the suspect as nuts and said
there was no Vetting by. The biden administration asked whether

(53:18):
his administration had granted. The asylum, request trump deflected when it,
comes to asylum when, they're flown in it's very hard to,
get them, Out he said no matter how you want,
to do it it's very hard to. Get them out
but we're going to be getting them. All out now
the next article from today's Edition Is titled elton john

(53:39):
says there is hope after VISION Loss. From Us weekly
elton john is staying optimistic about regaining his sight after
losing vision in his right. Eye last year i've had the,
most incredible life and. There Is hope the grammy winner
Seventy eight told variety in a Cover story published. November
twenty fifth i've just got to be patient that someday

(54:01):
science will help me. With this one once they help me,
With this one. I'll be fine it's Exactly like. The
aide situation you mustn't. Give up hope you, must be
stoic you, must be strong and you must always try
and bat out of the door down to try. And
improve things while the your song artist is keeping, a
positive outlook he admitted that his vision loss hasn't. Made

(54:23):
things easy, it's been, devastating HE explained because i lost
my right eye and my left eye is. Not so
good the last fifteen months have been challenging FOR me
because i haven't been able, to see, anything watch. Anything
read anything, despite, those challenges however he's still able. To play,
music last month he Performed At The Formula on Grand,

(54:45):
prix in singapore and he's Set to Headline rock and.
Rio next year John revealed in september twenty twenty four
that he was recovering from a severe eye infection that
he contracted While. Vacationing in france the next article from
today's edition is titled fourth person indicted in business scheme
that stole four Million dollars From lexington. BY tailor six

(55:09):
a fourth person involved in a broad scheme To defraud
The city of lexington of nearly four million dollars after
posing as a nonprofit has been indicted. In Federal Court
kadi asatu Jallo was indicted Wednesday In The Eastern district
federal court on a charge of conspiracy to. Commit money
laundering jalo was allegedly a co conspirator alongside four others

(55:32):
who helped steal millions from the city government while acting as.
A Local nonprofit in august, twenty twenty two co conspirators
emailed the city pretending to Be From The, community action
council convincing an official to wire money owed to the
nonprofit organization into An Account at truest bank that belonged.
To the conspirators according, To Court documents Truest bank and

(55:56):
lexington were able to recover all the city's MONEY To
the Us. Department of justice jallo was hired as part
of a network of individuals to operate bank accounts under
stolen identities in shell company names that either directly received
money from victims received funds. From their accounts according to,
the latest indictment people involved in the scam posed as

(56:19):
non profit organizations or vendors, and, contacted cities businesses and
individuals and trick them. Into sending payments according, to court
records the tactic is known as a business. Email compromise
scheme due, to time constraints will need to end this article.
At this time this concludes the Reading Of The lexington herald, Leader,

(56:41):
For today, sunday november thirtieth. Twenty twenty five your Reader Has.
Been roger hemperion thank you for listening and please stay
tuned for, sports news, HERE on radio i