Each Wednesday here at Cat Scratches, we’re going to take a look back at the latest week’s news in UK Athletics from around the web.Best on the ‘netBaseball: Freshman infielder Dellan Reber taking a 2-year mission (James Pennington, CatsPause.com)
He leaves Wednesday for a two-year church mission to Santiago, Chile.Reber, a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, said the decision to go on the mission was not easy. He lost sleep over it, and lost even more sleep after initially deciding not to go.“It’s going to be tough — it’s already tough — but I wouldn’t be doing this if it weren’t the best thing for me,” he said.
Softball: Brittany Cervantes chronicles her ESPN internship (ESPN.com)
Although I did not know what was in store, I was eager and ready to learn. After the first few days of training with the Commercial Operations department, I came to understand that there was a lot more involved with ESPN than production and what is seen on television.I then began to realize that I was learning about the behind the scenes jobs many people did not know existed.After arriving on the ESPN campus for Rookie Camp, I completely fell in love with the culture of the company.
Men’s Golf: Joseph Barr wins Men’s City Golf Championship (Cole Claybourn, Lexington Herald-Leader)
The University of Kentucky rising junior shot a 72 Sunday to finish 2 under par and win the Men’s City Golf Championship at Kearney Hill Links, joining his older brother, 2008 winner Cale Barr, in the record books.”I just hope I can win it next year so maybe I can have one up on him,” Joseph Barr joked. “But seriously, my brother has been very supportive. He always roots for me harder than anybody. It’s an honor to be up there with him and have our family name up there.”
Football: La’Rod King leading young receiving corps (Jennifer Smith, Herald-Leader)
“I’m texting them constantly,” he said of the young receiving corps. “We want everybody on the same page. … If you’re not on them, they don’t know what to do.”The 6-foot-4 receiver from North Hardin knows that with the departures of Randall Cobb and Chris Matthews, it could be his year as the top receiver.His five touchdowns are the most for any returning player on UK’s roster. Last season, he caught 36 passes for 478 yards.
Football: Lindy’s 2011 Team Preview (Chip Cosby, Lindy’s Sports)
Kentucky’s young defense took its share of lumps last season, but the top 11 tacklers return, including All-SEC linebacker Danny Trevathan, who led the league in stops with 144. The Wildcats also will have a new look defensively, as co-defensive coordinator Rick Minter used the spring to implement a multiple scheme that will replace theprevious 4-3 alignment. The Cats were still trying to catch on to the new system in the spring, but Phillips believes his squad should be improved defensively once the players pick it up. “Rick (Minter) threw a lot at them this spring,” Phillips said. “But we believe that the changes will put certain guys in position to make big plays for us defensively, and that’s the one thing we’ve been lacking.
Former Wildcats making headlinesCatching up with Patrick Patterson (Keith Morehouse, WSAZ)
As the season progressed in Houston, Patrick’s liftoff became more apparent. His work ethic turned into playing time.“Whenever the coach sees you’re the first one in and the last one out — that’ll leave a lasting impression,” Patterson said. “So that’s what I try to do. Work hard every single day and provide the most energy. Just do whatever I could to prove to the coaches I’m here to stay and I want to play.”He finished the season averaging almost seven points per game and even started some for the Rockets. At this level of basketball, you work to get better, or you sit and watch.
Jodie Meeks to return to school (Alex Kennedy, Hoops World)
Meeks is majoring in Marketing at the University of Kentucky, and has just 12 hours remaining until he can graduate.“I’ve taken classes the past few summers,” Meeks said. “I just want to finish up. Even without the lockout, I still would have been taking classes. When I was making my decision to leave school after my junior year, I had a talk with my parents and they told me that they wanted me to go back and finish. They had a lot of influence, but I wanted to do it as well. I’m so close, I figured why not? I’ve been in all of this hard work over three years, I might as well finish up.”
DeMarcus Cousins to host basketball camp in Lexington (Alan Cutler, WLEX)
Cousins made the NBA All Rookie First team this past season with Sacramento.“I love Kentucky and most importantly the people of Kentucky,” Cousins said.“I’ve wanted to do a basketball camp in Kentucky this summer and teaming up with the Stallions made sense. I look forward to reuniting with all the Kentucky fans and having a lot of fun with the kids that will attending my skills camp.”
Packers get “F-150” in Randall Cobb (Tyler Dunne, Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel)
We know he’s a versatile receiver, a Wildcatter, a guy that should wake up a return game that’s been dormant for a decade. But how quickly can Cobb gel with Aaron Rodgers, a timing-based quarterback?Kentucky wide receiver coach Tee Martin is confident Cobb’s learning curve will be short.“He’ll mold into the type of receiver they already have,” Martin said. “Green Bay has a core of hard-working, tough guys that make plays and are exotic in what they do. I think he’ll fit right in.”
Josh Harrellson plays tennis, talks lockout (Cole Claybourn, Herald-Leader)
On Big Blue Night at the tennis tournament, Harrellson was the main attraction in the celebrity doubles match, which also featured UK women’s basketball coach Matt Mitchell and men’s basketball assistant coach Orlando Antigua.Harrellson showed up and immediately garnered attention for his outfit, which included a Knicks hat worn backwards, a Knicks T-shirt, knee-high black socks and his signature jean shorts.”I suck at tennis, so I at least have to look goofy,” he said.
News from UKathletics.comFootball: Trevathan on Butkus Award watch listWomen’s volleyball: UK-Tennessee to be covered by ESPNUSwimming and diving: Lisa Faulkner second on platformSwimming and diving: Greg Ferrucci wins one-meter diveMen’s basketball: What Jon Hood’s injury means to him and Kentucky
Tweets of the weekAfter news broke Tuesday night of Jon Hood’s torn ACL, UK players, coaches and fans took to Twitter to offer support to the junior guard in the face of his injury. Here are some of the more notable tweets from Tuesday evening.”This is a tough blow 4 both Jon & our team. Veteran leadership on a young team is irreplaceable but Jon will use this 2 come back stronger.” – @UKCoachCalipari“@hoodyhood4 get well bro and Stay positive” – @jimmywa11 (John Wall)”Everybody say a prayer for my boy J Hood @hoodyhood4 an ask for a quick return an for him to stay positive during it all.” – @uknum1 (Darius Miller)”Hope my boy @hoodyhood4 gets better soon…keep your head up and I’m here for you. BBN pray for him because he coming back 10x stronger!!!” – @AntDavis23 (Anthony Davis)”I feel bad for J.Hood. But this is just more motivation for him & our team.” – @mikegillie14 (Michael Kidd-Gilchrist)”Prayers up to my bro (Jon Hood) get well quick and soon bro” – @boogiecousins (DeMarcus Cousins)”Just got off the phone with my boy @hoodyhood4 everybody pray for him to have a speedy and full recovery” – @danielorton21“Thanks everyone for the thoughts and prayers, This is an obstacle that I will overcome. We have the best trainer and doctors in the nation. I love my team and can not wait to get back out there with them! Thanks again for everything #bbn #recoverystartsnow” @hoodyhood4 (Jon Hood)
Video of the weekThis is a video that former Wildcat star Rex Chapman posted on his Twitter on Sunday. It’s an old clip from the Eddie Sutton show and it features Chapman along with his teammate and former UK assistant coach Reggie Hanson. It’s funny for a number of reasons, but I particularly enjoyed seeing a younger Dave Baker and Rob Bromley on the broadcast.I’m having a little trouble embedding the video, so go check it out here.
