State Tourney Was Buzzing About Tubby

In the middle of the most exciting game of the National City/KHSAA Sweet 16-Clark County vs. Christian County-the news of Tubby Smith's move from Kentucky to Minnesota was sweeping through Rupp Arena. One fan told another and then another. People were using their cellphones to spread the news. Those who got bits and pieces of the story where holloring across the sections of the crowd to get more information. It was really difficult to concentrate on the game from where I was sitting. It reminded me a little of the championship game of the 1992 state tournament when the fans were more concerned with the Kentucky-Duke game in the NCAA Tournament. Clark County beat Christian County 77-71 in overtime. Preston Knowles led the Cardinals in scoring with 24 points. Tristan Jones had 20 points and 15 rebounds. Clark County will play Ballard in the quarterfinals tomorrow night. Ballard defeated Owensboro 80-60. Owensboro had 36 turnovers. In tonight's games, Elliott County beat Shelby Valley 68-55 and Warren Central was a 71-53 winner over June Buchanan.

• Despite suffering a broken hip last September, longtime Maysville scorekeeper Arthur "Punk" Griffin, has been at the state tournament the first two days. Griffin turned 80 on September 9, and broke his hip on September 15. He's a patient at Veteran's Hospital. Philip Hay interviewed Griffin today. Griffin has vivid memories of Maysville's win over Brewers in the championship game of the 1947 state tournament. He said the Bulldogs confused Brewers by switching up their players between the guard and forward positions in the title game. Griffin said this was the first season he did not attend a game before the Sweet 16, but he was able to keep his state tournament streak going.