Kentucky Premier takes FILA Summer Derby Classic title

Kyvin Goodin-Rogers and Makayla Epps had ten points each in the "title game" for the 17U division bracket. Kentucky Premium won easily 50-24.

It may have not been the opponent they wanted...but the Kentucky Premier 17U squad won the 17U National Division Champonship Bracket title by a 2-0 forfeit and then preceded to demolish originally 3rd place Surry Storm 50-24 Thursday afternoon in Cardinal Arena.

Kentucky Premier was scheduled to play the Lady Rams from Jacksonville and Surry was to face Northside Indy Magic...but both opponents chose to forego the final day of hoops action.

So, the Storm and Premier faced off in a contest that was strictly one sided from the opening tip. Premier downgraded the Storm into a tropical depression and roared out to a 16-0 lead in the first six minutes of the game. Premium took a 30-11 lead into halftime and steadily increased the margin in the second half to eventually win by 26.

Surry, from Mt. Airy, NC., had no answers for the Premier transition game and couldn't penetrate the swarming Premier defense. They had gone 4-0, like Kentucky Premier, in earlier tournament action...but were outmatched and outplayed by Epps, Rogers and company.

CARDINAL COUPLE caught up with Makayla Epps after the contest for her comments:

(On playing with Marion County high School teammates Bre Elder and Kyvin Goodin- Rogers on the Premier team)

"Yeah, I love them. we've got that connection, that strong connection. They know where I'm at...I know where they're at and we get each other the ball."

(On not getting to face the Lady Rams in the final game.)

"I was very disappointed...because a couple of tournaments ago they kinda hammered us and we all wanted to redeem ourselves. We've got a couple of new players, we felt we could take them and we were down about it when they went home."

(On any influence from her father...former UK star Anthony Epps to go play college ball for Kentucky)

"Not at all. He doesn't mind where I go. He'd be happy if I go here (Louisville) even though he went to Kentucky."

(On other college contacts)

(Chuckling) "No calls from Geno (Auriemna...) I got a letter of interest from UConn but nothing major."

(Next up for Kentucky Premier)

"We're going down to Murfreesboro for a Tennessee tournament down there. A lot of the same teams that were here will be there...really good teams. It's going to be a battle"

(On Marion County's chances of success next year in the state tournament)

"Oh, yeah...I've already said it. We're getting back next year and we're gonna win it!"

A great job by Coach Tapley and the Premier in the FILA Summer Derby Classic and hopefully continued good fortunes for this hard playing AAU squad down the road.

(Tomorrow we'll feature a CARDINAL COUPLE exclusive interview with UofL Lady Card sophomore forward Asia Taylor.)

Kentucky Premier wins two to advance to championship game

Kentucky Premier 17U won both their games today in the FILA Summer Derby Classic at UofL to advance to the championship game Thursday afternoon. They'll play the Lady Rams out of Jacksonville, Florida at 4:10 p.m. in Cardinal Arena.

In the first game, Premier overcame an early 6-0 deficit to Cincinnati Heat to take a 19-18 halftime lead with a buzzer beating three by Sarah Hammond. Premier built the lead to 8 early in the second half, but allowed Cincy to rally and regain the lead 35-31 with 6:40 to go. Makayla Epps and Bre Elder picked up the scoring slack and both had clutch threes to lead Premier to a hard fought 48-44 win. Hammonds and Epps led the way with 13 points each and Danay Fothergill knocked down two second half threes for Kentucky. Epps sank a free throw with 10 seconds remaining to secure the final margin.

In the nightcap, Premier rallied to beat Memphis 52-51 to advance to the finals. CARDINAL COUPLE had to miss this game but it looked to be an exciting one...Kentucky Premier trailed by one with 16 seconds remaining and came back to win. We've got a message out to Kentucky coach David Tapley for details and will add it to this post if and when he responds.

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CARDINAL COUPLE got to speak with Hammond directly after the Cincinnati game.

(On Cincinnati holding her to four second half points)

"Yeah, they just came out really strong on me defensively because they knew I was going to keep contributing offensively and keep heading to the rim if they didn't. I just tried to pick up my game in other areas, like defense and rebounding."

(On the victory)

" I think our rebounding at the end was what won this for us this afternoon and Coach (David Tapley) always tells us to work hard and try to play the perfect game...so we're always trying to get a little better each time. We've played some really good teams."

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36 games on tap today in the final round of action. Where has our "One Great Newspaper" here in Louisville been during the tournament? Covering matters such as where LeBron James is going to play in the NBA and that there is another Zeller playing basketball in Indiana. Jody Demling in Indy watching a boys AAU Tournament.

Not surprising, really. If the tournament had been held in Lexington, though...I expect it would have received wall to wall coverage. Way to represent the local events, guys.

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It was good to see James "Boo" Brewer yesterday taking in the action and coaching. The former Louisville standout coaches the Kentucky Premier 15U team. "Boo" still looks like he could lead the fastbreak and break someone's ankles with a crossover...

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Coaches and media get the same wrist band to gain entrance to the events. This led to a couple of interesting conversations for Paul yesterday with some of the college womens' coaching staff....including an invite to apply for a coaching job from a unnamed school. He was also asked which university he represented and told the questioner without batting an eye:

" The Lemmings of Southeastern Kentucky Polytech and Agriculture. Just call us SEKPA for short..."

Allegedly, a certain SEC coach inquired if "Paul's team" might be interested in filling a pre-conference game slot. I guess I'm going to have to teach the Yorkies the 2-3 zone and dig out my Converse again....and we're going to have to pass on a home and away since Paul took down the basketball goal on the side of the garage.

Epps shines in FILA Summer Derby Classic

Makayla Epps drove the lane to score the go ahead basket with 2 seconds left in the Kentucky Premier 17U 53-51 win over the Dayton Hoopstars.

It is the situation that every high school basketballer dreams of. Score tied, a minute to go and the ball is in your hands. You patiently wait until the coach tells you to go, you take your defender inside, weave your way thru the rest of the defense and take the short inside bank shot that kisses off the backboard and falls thru the hoop. Her basket topped off a furious comeback by the Kentucky squad...who trailed 39-28 with 11:00 to go in the second half and managed to tie the contest at 44-44 with 6:12 on the clock.

Makayka Epps' shot helped the Kentucky Premier advance to the 2nd round of the Summer Derby Classic...being held at the University of Louisville campus. Several venues are being used for the event, including the Student Activities Center, Cardinal Arena and The Basketball Academy.

The Kentucky Select 17U squad, composed of high school girls' standouts from the state, rolled in the next game over the Georgia Jaguars 90-32 and will face Cincinnati Premier Wednesday at 1:50. Several UofL recruits on the Kentucky Premier team...including Epps, Sarah Hammond from Rockcastle County and Epps teammates Kyvin Goodin-Rogers. Bre Elder, from Marion County, is also on the team, along with Kayla Bies (Upperman, Clarksville, TN.), Danay Fothergill (Southwestern, Somerset, KY), Kayla Bowlin (Wayne County, KY), Megan Pittman (Casey County, KY) and Jessica Hardin (Wayne County).

Kentucky Select is one of 72 teams participating in the FILA Summer Derby Classic, an AAU event sponsored by All Star Girls Report and Michael T. White, INC. Four divisions are set up for the teams in a guaranteed five game tournament...with 14,15,16 and 17 year old and under brackets. Kentucky is represented well in the event, with 10 teams participating. Teams from as far as New Jersey, California and South Dakota are represented and a total of 19 states are taking part.

AAU ball is a little different than high school hoops. There is no shot clock and the games consist of (2) 16 minutes halves. Each player is allowed six fouls before disqualification and overtime periods are sudden death..with the first team scoring two or more points winning. The clock runs continuously if a team leads by more than 15 in the final 5 minutes of the game. There is no one and one from the foul line after seven fouls in a half but teams do receive the 2 shot bonus after ten fouls.

A large groups of college coaches are in town to watch the action and a good representation of UofL folks on hand as well. It was good to see Laura Terry up and around working the T-Shirt booth. She reports her knee is doing better each day. We'll miss her on the court for the Lady Cards this year.

Tickets are $10 a day and this includes all sessions at all locations...if you want to check out the action and can be purchased at Cardinal Arena. Games begin at 8 AM. A listing of scheduled games and results can be found at:

www.asgr.info/tournaments/sdcs