Bards in the News!

Damian Edelen making a free throw shot during the tournament in Rupp Arena

LEXINGTON — Rain and cold temperatures didn’t keep a multitude of Bardstown High School fans, friends and family from attending the Sweet 16 Tournament Wednesday night at Rupp Arena.

Anticipation of what was ahead put fans and parents on the edge of their seats. "Oh my God," was all Lisa Edelen could say when asked how it felt for her son, Logan Edelen, senior forward, to be in Rupp Arena.

"Watching other teams play at Rupp is one thing but when it’s your own child out there, it’s way different," Willie Edelen, Logan’s dad, said.

"I was doing OK until I came into the arena and I realized there so many people here to see us. It was overwhelming."

This was Bardstown High School’s first trip to the tournament since 1971. Bardstown fans were disappointed in the final with the 64-44 loss to Covington-Holmes.

However, before the game parents and fans were highly optimistic. Many of the parents were more nervous than their kids. Missy Burton, mother of RaShaun Phillips, junior forward, was so anxious she said hadn’t slept or eaten all day.

"I feel like it’s me going out there. I know they can do it and they will have fun. At this point it is all mental, because all the teams are good or they wouldn’t be here," Burton said.

Most of the boys on this team were members of the eighth grade basketball team that went 44-0 in 2005, and they grew up and played together since the fourth grade.

Ralph Mason, former AAU coach for some of the group attests a lot of their success to them is that they wanted to play and worked hard for it.

"I put them through rigorous workouts and worked on the basic fundamentals and had them compete with some of the top talent around the area, and that is whey they are a good pressing team," Mason said. "They are a very disciplined group and I give credit to Coach (Gary) Goode for that as well."

Standouts and fan favorites have been Corey Hall, senior guard, and Damian Edelen, junior forward.

Damian Edelen, a sleeper on the team, made a big impression on fans this year. He came into his own and stepped up to the plate following an ankle injury to starting forward Logan Edelen.

"We are really proud of Damian," Lisa Edelen said. "When Logan was hurt Damian stepped up when we all needed him. In a sense something positive came from Logan being hurt. We may never have known what Damian had to offer."

"Damian has become focused on his role to help make the team better,"

Ricky Logan, Damian’s father, said. "We talked about this all year and he is excited. He has reached a goal and now he is ready to compete. I told him this is where the big boys play. He just needs to play smart, and play the game not watch the game," Logan said.

Corey Hall along with Damian Edelen have earned much deserved accolades this year. Not just with fans but with parents too.

"I’m proud of Corey and Keaton (Corey’s brother). They have put in a lot of work. Corey has played basketball since he was young. Whatever he sets his mind to, he can do it," Brian Hall said. "Prior to the game he didn’t seem to be as nervous as I am. He usually keeps a cool head. When he was younger his coaches would call him the ‘Ice Man,’ because they could never tell if he was nervous."

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Before the game Corey told his brother, Keaton — sophomore guard — he was handing the ball over to him after the Sweet 16.

Corey Hall told his parents that if he had one wish to make his basketball career more successful, he would be six inches taller.

Monique and Tony Bybee, parents of junior forward DeMarco Phillips were "hyped," according to Monique Bybee. "I’m feeling wonderful, overwhelmed and excited for DeMarco," she said. She said DeMarco was pretty laid back prior to the game and he just simply said "I’m here."

"It’s not about who gets the most points or rebounds but what they do as a team. Win or lose, we made it," Bybee said. "Just like my shirt displays ‘I believe.’ I believe you can achieve, when you think all things are possible," she said.

Carrie Pride, Bardstown, attended the Sweet 16 tournament in Lexington March 19. She covered a fan story prior to the game and featured cousin, Damian Edelen, son of Ricky Logan, who was starting forward for the Bardstown High School Tigers. Carrie's story (above) made the front page of Friday's paper.

Bardstown freshman Ciera Allen twists away just in time to corral a loose ball as Bethlehem’s Jessica Greenwell (50) and Kaelin Cecil close in. Bardstown had a 46-28 win over Bethlehem in the first round of the All A Classic 5th Region tournament. Ciera is the daughter of Yohonda and Robert Allen of Bardstown. She is a freshman at Bardstown High School.

Keep up the hustle Ciera!

Our Award Winning Writer

Carrie A. Pride, Bardstown, community news coordinator, for The Kentucky Standard won second place for Best Feature Story at the Kentucky Press Association Excellence in Kentucky Newspapers Convention on Jan. 25, 2007, at Marriott Griffin Gate Hotel in Lexington.

Judges awarded Carrie for her feature story on a former Bardstown High School cheerleader making the cheerleading squad for NFL team --The Oakland Raiders.

Judges say "Carrie wrote an inspiring story about a dream fulfilled and it was nicely written."

The entire staff took home 19 awards along with the General Excellence award, which means it garnered more winning entries than any other publication in its class.

The competition The Standard faced was other publications throughout the state that print two to three issues a week. This was the second year in a row The Standard took the General Excellence award.

This was Carrie's second individual win at KPA. She won second place in 2004 for Best Lifestyle Page.

Congratulations Carrie Ann!

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