Published: May 28, 2009 05:07 am      

MARK MAYNARD: Persistent Tyndall gets Cal's UK debut

Nobody can accuse Donnie Tyndall of resting on his laurels.

Morehead State’s energetic basketball coach, who led the Eagles to their first NCAA Tournament appearance in 25 years back in March, aggressively went after a date with the University of Kentucky and new coach John Calipari.

He not only wanted to play the Wildcats, but wanted to be first on the list when the Coach Cal era starts.

Tyndall got his wish. Morehead State will play Kentucky in Rupp Arena on Nov. 13 — and it’s a Friday the 13th.

Unlike his predecessor, Calipari doesn’t want to play just anybody. He wants UK opponents to have a 140 on the RPI.

Morehead State returns all but one starter from that team. Tyndall expects the Eagles to be a top contender for the Ohio Valley Conference championship again.

Because of Tyndall’s aggressive approach to land the game with UK in the opener, Morehead State will enjoy a big payday and even bigger exposure as the Calipari era opens.

Also, the Herald-Leader reported on Wednesday that Paintsville freshman Landon Slone, a UK walk-on, wouldn’t be returning and that he was considering a transfer to Morehead State.

New Cougar coach

Brian Turner is the new high school football coach at Morgan County.

Turner has been guiding the middle school program the past several years. Last year the Cougars went 16-1 in middle school and reached the semifinals of the statewide tournament.

Morgan County defeated Verity in the second round of the playoffs.

Turner has previous head coaching experience at Morgan County. He went 3-7 in 2003.

Also, Morgan County has agreed to play Ashland in Putnam Stadium in 2011 and 2012, according to Cougar athletic director Chris Trusty.

Riley selected

Lewis County forward Koty Riley was selected to play on the Kentucky Jr. National Team that will be competing in late July on the campus of the University of Illinois.

Riley was a key player during Lewis County’s run to the 16th Region championship game in March.

Greenup County’s Michael Hampton is also on the Kentucky Jr. National team.

Mountain battles

Johnson Central’s 2009 football schedule should prove who’s king of the mountains.

The Golden Eagles are playing Bell County, Belfry, Middlesboro, Breathitt County and Sheldon Clark. Boyle County and Horn, Miss., are also on the schedule along with district foes Ashland, Montgomery County and Woodford County.

“Our schedule is way over our head but we didn’t have any choice,” said coach Jim Matney of scheduling several out-of-area teams. “We had a little success and can’t get the area teams to play. That’s unfortunate in a way. We took our beating up here for years.”

Johnson Central went 10-2 last year, reaching the Class 5A quarterfinals before losing to eventual champion Fort Thomas Highlands.

MARK MAYNARD can be reached at mmaynard@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2648.