Rigdon leaving St. Patrick for an assistant coaching position at Pike County Central

Aaron Rigdon has stepped down as boys' basketball coach at St. Patrick to accept an assistant coaching position at Pike County Central in Pikeville.

"It was a tough decision, but an opportunity I can't pass up," Rigdon said in a text message.

He will teach Special Education at Pike Country Central while earning his master's degree. 

Rigdon is a 1995 graduate of St. Patrick, is fourth on the Saints' all-time leading scoring list with 1,518 career points and is a member of the school's Athletic Hall of Fame. He has been the Saints' head coach the past three seasons.

St. Patrick is not only losing it's head coach, but also it's leading scorer. Rigdon's son, Jaylan, averaged 17.5 points a game as an eighth grader last season.

St. Patrick basketball coaches Andy Arn and Aaron Rigdon on SportsTalk

St. Patrick basketball coaches Andy Arn and Aaron Rigdon were my guests on SportsTalk this morning.

Here is a link to the podcast.

St. Patrick coach Aaron Rigdon and players Pat McKay and Jack Gallenstein at 10th Region Media Day

Baylen Bauer signs with Lindsey Wilson College

St. Patrick senior Baylen Bauer signed today to play basketball at Lindsey Wilson College.

Bauer said he likes that Lindsey Wilson College has a lot of big men and international players and security with the coaching staff.

"Their coaches have been there 16 years, and I've been through four basketball coaches in my whole high school career, so that really drew me there and just the system they play and run," Bauer said.

Bauer made a school-record 10 three-pointers in a win over Silver Grove on February 8th. He held the previous school-record with nine treys in a game his junior season. 

"He's a small guy, but he's got the heart of an elephant, works hard," St. Patrick Coach Aaron Rigdon said. 

Rigdon said he challenged Bauer this season and he had to adjust to some role changes.

"He did that well and I think it peaked right at the district tournament."

Bauer averaged 10.4 points and 3.2 rebounds a game last season. 

He also played soccer and is a member of the Saints' baseball and tennis teams.

Bauer said he is going into nursing and plans to get his master's degree and become a nurse practitioner.

Brevin Jones signs with Cincinnati Christian University

It's been a long journey for St. Patrick senior Brevin Jones. He's lived in Louisville. He transferred from Mason County after his sophomore season and suffered a season-ending knee injury in the opening game of his junior season. He bounced back to lead the Saints in scoring (16.6 ppg) and was 10th in the state with three three-pointers per game his senior season.

Today, Jones signed to play basketball at Cincinnati Christian University. He plans to major in education and wants to be a social studies teacher and basketball coach.

"He's the hardest worker I've ever been around, I mean he's an inspiration to me," St. Patrick coach Aaron Rigdon said. "I had to keep him out of the gym. I mean he was always asking for the key to get in. He came here, he worked hard, he led the other players."

"I'm still in shock because nobody expected me to be here right now," Jones said. "So, just to say that I'm here and have all these people behind me, supporting me and know that I'll have them behind me my whole college career, it's even going to make me go ten times harder, I can't wait."

Jones said he liked the big city atmosphere at Cincinnati Christian University. 

Ben Swolsky signs with Mount St. Joseph

St. Patrick senior Ben Swolsky signed today to play basketball at Mount St. Joseph University, an  NCAA Division III school in Cincinnati.

Mount St. Joseph started recruiting Swolsky after he suffered a major knee injury last summer. He did not return to action until January 17th.

"The coaches were supportive," Swolsky said. "I went up there for visit, my future teammates were supportive, and that was just something that really hit home."

Swolsky returned to the court sooner than expected.

"They told me originally about, you know, eight to 12 months to recover, but I was really determined to play my senior year," Swolsky said. "I went four days a week to therapy from July to December and, you know, cut it down to five months, so I was really happy for that and it's just felt good to get back for my senior year."

Swolsky played in 13 games and averaged 12.5 points a game this past season. He is 16th on the Saints' all-time scoring list with 1,220 career points.

Swolsky said he thinks he's going to major in Biomedical Sciences and hopefully go to medical school.

"First and foremost, he's a great ballplayer, but he's a better person," St. Patrick coach Aaron Rigdon said. "He came in here, he was a leader off the court when he was injured. He was encouraging people, helping some of the younger guys. He worked his butt off, and I mean, the kid would run through a wall for me if I asked him to. It's been a privilege to coach him." 

Aaron Rigdon on SportsTalk

St. Patrick boys basketball coach Aaron Rigdon was my guest on SportsTalk Friday.

Here is a link to the podcast.

Aaron Rigdon named boys basketball coach at St. Patrick

St. Patrick assistant boys basketball coach Aaron Rigdon has been promoted to head coach.

He succeeds John Kirkpatrick who resigned last month after one season.

Rigdon, a 1995 graduate of St. Patrick, is fourth on the Saints' all-time scoring list with 1,518 career points.

He is a member of the St. Patrick Athletics Hall of Fame and the 10th Region Boys Basketball Hall of Fame.

Rigdon and Douglas Hall of Fame Induction on Green and White Night this Friday Night

Former St. Patrick basketball standouts Aaron Rigdon and Chelsea Douglas will be inducted into the St. Patrick Hall of Fame during Green and White Night this Friday night. 

Rigdon is fourth on the Saints' all-time scoring list with 1,518 points. Douglas is sixth on the Lady Saints' all-time scoring list with 1,385 points.

The concession stand will open at 5:30 p.m. Friday. Green and White Night begins at 6 p.m. in the St. Patrick Gym. In addition to the Hall of Fame inductions, the festivities include:

• Jeff Stahl Memorial Scholarship recipient
• Varsity team picture auctions
• Split the Pot
• Fan participation games
• Recognition of all students who participate in basketball at St. Patrick
• St. Patrick Pep Band
• Varsity girls and boys Green and White scrimmages