Two earn second team; one honorable
Published 12:00 am Tuesday, March 14, 2000
Scott Hundley and Casey Alsop, who led Scott County to its third straight Sweet Sixteen, head the list of Kentucky prep basketball players named to the 2000 Associated Press all-state boys basketball teams. Hundley and Alsop are joined on the first team by Mac Wilkinson of Ballard, William Boo Fields of Harlan and Patrick Sparks of Muhlenberg North. Jimmy Just, who led Iroquois to a 29-2 record and its first ever Sweet Sixteen appearance, was the choice as coach of the year by the states sports writers and sportscasters. Scott County coach Billy Hicks said he was surprised that two of his players received first-team recognition. I know how tough it is just to get one player on a five-man team, said Hicks, who had 1999 Mr. Basketball Rick Jones on the first team last year. To have Rick and then two more this year really says a lot about the program and these young men. Hundley, who will follow Jones to Vanderbilt in the fall, was an honorable mention all-state selection last year after helping to lead the Cardinals into the state finals, where they lost to Ballard. This season, the 6-foot-5 senior guard averaged 23.7 points, 11.3 rebounds and 4.9 assists. Alsop, a 5-10 senior guard who was selected the Region 8 player of the year, averaged 23.3 points, 2.7 assists and two rebounds while making 40 percent (100-of-251) of his attempts from behind the 3-point line. Casey is just a great shooter and scorer, Hicks said. Its tough for any one person to shut him down. Alsop hasnt decided on a college, but is considering William and Mary and Tennessee State, Hicks said. Sparks, a 6-1 point guard and honorable mention all-state pick last year, averaged 24 points, 6.5 assists, five rebounds and three steals a game for Region 3 champion Muhlenberg North. The only junior among the five first-team selections, Sparks is being recruited by Kentucky, Vanderbilt, Alabama and Wisconsin. Hes a true point guard, said Muhlenberg North coach Steve Sparks, Patricks father. Hes worked hard to be an overall player..Ballard coach Chris Renner acknowledged that Wilkinson might not have gaudy statistics like the other members of the first team. This season he averaged 13.9 points and six rebounds a game. The all-state second team was: Josh Carrier of Bowling Green; Ronny Dawn of Newport Central Catholic; Marlis Scott of Marion County; Tony Key of Russellville; and Michael Haney of Madisonville. Third team selections were: J.D. Dixon of Lafayette; Larry OBannon of Male; Anthony Johnson of Iroquois; Duane Lightfoot of Jeffersontown; and Ish Taylor of Burgin. Honorable Mention were:Travis McIntosh, Owsley County; Brett Jones, Paducah Tilghman; Ben Rushing, Hickman County; Ervin Miller, Henderson County; Tom Fredricks, Greenwood; Steve Purdon, Covington Catholic; Ryan Wilson, Lloyd; Jason White, Gallatin County; Chris Thompson, Scott; Adam Chiles, Ballard; Blake Downing, PRP; Cedric Knight, Ballard; Brandon Bender, Ballard; Jordan Stowers, Simon Kenton; Bert Capel, Heritage Academy; Reid Markham, Trinity; Tyler Zornes, Boyd County; Gerad Parker, Lawrence County; Daniel Griffith, Greenup County; Casey Lowe, West Carter; Tommy Johnson, Frankfort; Kip Kirschbaum, Madison Central; Chase Gibson, Pikeville; Ben Bowling, Perry Central; Jordan Owens, St. Patrick; Matt Heissenbuttle, Lexington Catholic; Josh Brock, Corbin; Josh Anderson, Pulaski County; Derek Barton, Corbin; Gabe Watson, Calvary Christian.