Published: December 03, 2008 11:46 pm      

MARK MAYNARD: Cole to take center stage

Ashland’s tradition of honoring a distinguished Tomcat during the Ashland Invitational Tournament continues this December.

This year the honoree will be former coach Harold Cole, who led Ashland Tomcat basketball team from 1965-72 and won four 16th Region championships.

Cole was 4-4 in Sweet 16 games and took the Tomcats to the state semifinals in 1969 before dropping a heartbreaking 82-80 decision to Ohio County.

Cole, who followed Bob Wright as Ashland’s coach in the 1964-65 season, had a 171-46 record in seven seasons, winning 79 percent of his games. That ranks third behind Wright (85 percent in six seasons) and Paul Jenkins (90 percent in three seasons).

His last Tomcat team in 1972 was ranked No. 1 in the state but lost to Russell 80-75 in the regional championship game in Morehead.

The AIT will be Dec. 27-29 at James A. Anderson Gymnasium.

Cole will be recognized on the opening night of the tournament.

The AIT will have a decided northern Kentucky vs. northeastern Kentucky flavor to it with seven of the eight teams in the field from these areas.

Local teams include East Carter, Fairview, Greenup County and Ashland. Northern Kentucky’s Campbell County, Simon Kenton and Beechwood will also be competing. The other participant is North Laurel.

Four games are scheduled for Dec. 27: Campbell County vs. East Carter, 2:30 p.m.; Simon Kenton vs. Fairview, 4 p.m.; Ashland vs. Beechwood, 7 p.m.; Greenup County vs. North Laurel, 8:30 p.m.

Four games are scheduled for Dec. 28 starting with the consolation round in the afternoon at 2:30 and 4 p.m. Semifinals are that night at 7 and 8:30.

The championship game is Dec. 29 at 8:30 p.m. Consolation games are at 2:30 p.m., 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.

EKC Showcase

The Eastern Kentucky Conference Showcase, sponsored by Big Sandy Superstore and Vanceburg McDonald’s, will be Saturday at Lewis County Middle School gymnasium.

This week will be the girls’ turn and next Saturday the boys. Tickets are $5 for the entire day. Hands will be stamped so patrons can come and go throughout the day.

The schedule, listed below, is the same for girls and boys:

Morgan County vs. Raceland, 1 p.m.; Russell vs. Bath County, 2:45 p.m.; Fleming County vs. West Carter, 4:30 p.m.; Rowan County vs. East Carter, 6:15 p.m.; Lewis County vs. Elliott County, 8 p.m.

Elliott ranked No. 4

Elliott County was ranked No. 4 in the Bluegrasspreps.com’s preseason basketball poll. Coming in ahead of the Lions were Scott County, Covington Holmes and Jeffersontown.

Elliott County won 32 games a year ago and returns its top seven players. The Lions open the season at home on Friday against Morgan County and then play at Greenup County on Saturday.

Here are some other dates when Elliott County will be in the immediate area: Dec. 16 (at Boyd County); Jan. 6 (at West Carter); Jan. 13 (at East Carter) and Feb. 17 (at Russell).

Some of the bigger games in Sandy Hook will be Dec. 23 (vs. East Carter), Feb. 3 (vs. Ashland) and Feb. 10 (vs. Mason County).

Webb at ASG

Arizona Diamondback pitcher Brandon Webb will be signing autographs at Ashland Sporting Goods from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 20.

Also, on sale at ASG, is a book about Kentucky legend Adolph Rupp by Richard Sikes. The book is called “Laughing with Uncle Adolph: Humorous Tales of a Coaching Legend.” It’s a good, easy read and the third in a series of books by Sikes that pay homage to great coaches.

The book costs $14.95.

MARK MAYNARD can be reached at mmaynard@

dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2648.