CORBIN —
By Chris Parsons
Staff Writer
When you talk about turning things around, this year’s Lynn Camp Wildcats know a thing or two about the subject.
Head coach Clyde Dixon’s squad had the biggest turnaround in the 13th Region this season and quite possibly in the state.
After winning just three games last season, the Wildcats finished with a 16-15 mark and saw their season come to an end thanks to a 84-64 loss to Barbourville in the opening round of the 51st District Tournament.
Despite the short stay in the postseason, Dixon said he was pleased with what his team achieved and looks forward to next year as well.
“We set a goal of reaching 15 wins and considering we had only won three games the previous year, that was a lofty goal,” Dixon said. “At the end of the season as things wound down, we were actually pretty disappointed that we couldn’t do better than that.
“I feel like if we hadn’t had some injuries at the beginning of the season, we might have been able to win 20 or more games,” he added.
As the program continues to strive toward competing against district and region opponents on a continuous basis, Dixon said the fact his squad was able to reach the goal it had set for wins was a big deal in the grand scheme of things.
“Whether these kids came from another school or out of our middle school program, they really hadn’t experienced a whole lot of success on the basketball court,” Dixon said. “Being able to reach a goal that you set and getting that feeling of achievement really gives them the confidence that is necessary to be able to improve on a yearly basis.
“Considering the effort that these kids put in from the preseason workouts to the final game, it’s really important to see them succeed,” he added. “What the kids coming back can see is what it's like to have your efforts pay off in the win column, so hopefully they’ll feel the pressure to carry that progress over.”
The Wildcats will have a surplus of young talent returning next season in players like Justin Hammonds, Austin Maeir, Skylar McFarland and Aaron Mills. Considering the way the Wildcats played this season and what he expects next year, Dixon said he likes what he sees and admitted that the team was a fun one to be around. Given that, he also said he expects the same atmosphere next season.
“This group was just fun to be around and I think the young kids coming back will be the same way,” Dixon said. “These guys were there every time the gym doors opened whether it was to practice or if it was for open gym, so I know they’re willing to put the work in.
“Any time you have kids that are willing to put the effort in to get better, it’s really fun to be a part of it as a coach,” he added. “I think if we put the kind of work in next season that I expect, we’ll be able to improve on that win total for the second straight year.”
Local Sports
Turnaround
Wildcats improve win total from three to 16 in one season
- Local Sports
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Jumpers stun North
Both North Laurel and Somerset struggled at the plate for six innings, but that didn’t mean the two teams weren’t going to provide some fireworks during the game’s final inning of play Thursday.
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On the move
Mother Nature played a big role during the opening day of the Boys and Girls State Tennis Tournaments. She caused just enough havoc to put a major dent into Thursday’s first and second round schedules.
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Lady Colonels drop 12-9 decision at home to Clay County
The Whitley County Lady Colonels found themselves in a slugfest for most of the night against Clay County Thursday.
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Colonels win big
Hollywood couldn’t have scripted the way Whitley County senior Alex Rose’s final start of the season went down Thursday.
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Carson comes big against Bears
Senior Night turned out to be a great day for North Laurel’s lone senior Marcus Carson.
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Lady Redhounds fall on the road, 10-0
The Corbin Lady Redhounds went into Thursday’s game against Middlesboro riding a five-game win streak and winners of seven of the past nine. The streak didn’t last though, as the Lady Yellow Jackets outplayed Corbin to a tune of 10-0 in five innings.
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SPORTS HEADLINES - MAY 17, 2013
Jumpers stun North
On the move
Local players advance in boys & girls state tennis action
Lady Colonels drop 12-9 decision at home to Clay County
Colonels win big
Carson comes big against Bears
Lady Redhounds fall on the road, 10-0
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Corbin falls short
The Corbin Lady Redhounds’ quest for a state championship came to an end Wednesday at the University of Kentucky’s Boone Tennis Center after dropping a 3-0 decision to Sacred Heart in Final Four action.
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No slowing down
Those who know outgoing Corbin High School freshman Alex “Dub” Smith will tell you that, despite being born with a disability, he's your average run-of-the-mill American teenager.
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Fear 'Les' 13th Region Diamond Rankings
It’s been very difficult for me the past couple of weeks to decide on who is the top rated team in the 13th Region.
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