Kenny Thompson
Springtime Memories of Bygone Hoosier State Tournaments
It’s that great time of the year in Indiana, when springtime is near and the boys basketball high school state tournament is under way. The Sagamore Conference enjoyed a competitive season, with four schools within one game of each other at the top of the league. Southmont and Lebanon shared the title at 6-1, holding…
Read MoreReflecting on Sportsmanship with Andy Griffith
One of my earliest examples of sportsmanship didn’t come from my Bronco League baseball team or my Murdock Elementary football and basketball teams. I like to watch reruns of the Andy Griffith Show whenever possible, preferably the black and white episodes. One that stands out to me was called “Medal for Opie,” which originally aired…
Read MoreBoilermaker Brianstorms: Blurbs From Kenny’s Digital Notebook
Let’s take a look at sports news and notes that are overflowing my digital notebook: Two years before the Indiana Pacers invited Ann Meyers to become the first female to try out for an NBA team, Lusia Harris made history of a different kind in professional basketball. Harris was the first female to be officially…
Read MoreMaking A Play In The Nick Of Time To Deliver A Victory
Purdue sophomore guard Jaden Ivey earned Big Ten Player of the Week honors in dramatic fashion this past Sunday. His 3-pointer just beat the buzzer, dealing No. 16 Ohio State an 81-78 loss in Mackey Arena. It’s the second time Ivey has stunned the Buckeyes in the final seconds but unlike last season’s game-winner in…
Read MorePainter catches “Piggy”: remembering Ward Lambert, some “little giant”
A milestone almost went unnoticed this past Sunday afternoon in Mackey Arena. Matt Painter earned his 371st victory at Purdue thanks to an 80-60 triumph against Northwestern. Victory No. 371 matched the total achieved by Ward “Piggy” Lambert over 29 seasons at the helm of the Boilermakers. Painter reached his 371st victory during his 17th…
Read MorePurdue U: the cradle of quarterbacks, pride of Indiana football
Even during the darkest times in Purdue football history (see: Hazell, Darrell. Also see: Akers, Fred), Boilermaker fans and administration could point with pride to the Cradle of Quarterbacks. There’s even a section on the school’s athletic website (purduesports.com) devoted to the Cradle. Three members have been inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame…
Read MoreInteresting thoughts while clearing out a holiday notebook
Here are some thoughts while clearing out my holiday notebook: COVID-19 has recorded its first significant impact of the 2021-22 Big Ten men’s basketball season. Michigan, probably the biggest disappointment in the league, called off games against arch rival Michigan State on Jan. 8 and preseason co-Big Ten favorite Purdue on Tuesday night because school…
Read MoreThe nine Boilermaker transfers impact on team’s victories
If there was any doubt how important the transfer portal will be to college football, look no further than Michigan State. The Spartans finished with 11 victories, nine more than the COVID-shortened 2020 season, and the foundation for that record-setting turnaround was 20 transfers. Kenneth Walker III led that transfer class and powered the Michigan…
Read MoreThe following is an example of the crazy times we are living in
An announcement that the third-ranked Purdue men’s basketball team – players, coaches and support staff – are completely vaccinated and have received their COVID-19 booster shots should have been reason for fans to celebrate. After all, not many Boilermaker teams in my lifetime have had a shot at a Final Four like this one. To…
Read MoreFrom Kenny . . .
Christmas has always been my favorite time of year, and thanks to the readers of The Paper and The Times, I’m celebrating my third holiday season writing a sports column for you. You have given me a gift that keeps on giving. Just a few months after leaving the Lafayette Journal & Courier, I was…
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