Athletics

Coach Kays served as an assistant coach for the Cardinals for the past two seasons. He will begin working with the Cardinal student-athletes in his new role immediately as the basketball program prepares for summer competition and the upcoming school year and season.

Kays is a 2010 graduate of Nelson County High School and began his coaching career as an assistant coach at Thomas Nelson in 2014 serving for 5 years before taking the Head Coaching role from 2020-2022. In his two seasons as Head Coach, he posted a 32-19 record and had one District Runner-Up team. He joined former Cardinal Head Coach Montrelle Irvin’s staff as an assistant in 2022-23 and was a part of Taylor County Basketball’s back-to-back District Title runs the past two seasons. He has also been an active coach on the AAU circuits coaching three years on the Adidas Circuit and currently coaching on the Made Hoops Circuit.

Kays was announced as the new Head Coach at an introductory press conference attended by current and future Cardinal players, as well as parents, alumni, administrators, and fans. Principal Neil Sanders and High School Athletic Director Greg Oliver described the process and efforts that went into selecting the right person to continue to guide the Taylor County program which has a long and celebrated history. They stressed that the emphasis was not just Xs and Os but making sure that the final decision would be the one that had the most benefits for the student-athletes.

Coach Kays brings to the table a wealth of knowledge, passion, and proven leadership skills, as well as a strong commitment to player development. He looks forward to continuing to build positive relationships with his players, colleagues, and the Cardinal Basketball family and community. He has clear goals and expectations for the team and the program that align with the vision and values of Taylor County Schools and Cardinal Athletics. Coach Kays is excited to begin the journey in this new role and is ready to get himself and his team to work. In his introductory conference, he stated “The Honeymoon Phase ends, and the work starts after we leave here tonight.” He wants his teams to play fast and with unmatched energy on both ends of the court and says that offseason and preseason conditioning will be fundamental to his success.

Coach Kays was very grateful to the administration at the district, high school, and athletic department levels. He stated that he was “very humbled by this opportunity and wants to continue the great tradition that is Taylor County Basketball.” He stated, “I know how strenuous this process was for everyone involved and will never take lightly the responsibility that the Superintendent Mr. Higdon, the Principal Mr. Sanders, the Athletic Directors Coach Goodin and Coach Oliver, and everyone else has entrusted me with.”

Kays will be the 13th individual to lead the Taylor County Boys Basketball program, which is heading into its 84th season.

Expect greatness from Taylor County Athletics!

In the semifinal, the Cards jumped on the board early with a 2 run homer by Hayden Jones in the bottom of the first.  Taylor would hold Marion County scoreless through 5 innings thanks to effective pitching by starter Luke Hayes who notched 10 strikeouts and gave up only 2 hits and 2 walks through the first 5 frames.  The Cards added another run to their column in the bottom of the 4th when pinch hitter Caeden Patterson found a hole between third and short with the bases loaded to score Hayes who had led the inning off with a single.  In the top of the 6th, the Knights started to answer back after a leadoff walk, followed by a single, and a Cardinal error that allowed the first Knight run to score.  Marion then executed a sac bunt to put runners at second and third and scored the tying run on a subsequent single.  The Cardinals then made a pitching change bringing in Ryan Grubbs who threw three straight strikes to get the second out and then one more pitch for a ground ball that left the score tied 3 all.  The Cards were unable to break the stalemate in the bottom of the 6th or bottom of the 7th, but closer Cole McLean, who ultimately got the pitching win, destroyed all Marion Co hopes as he recorded all 6 outs in the top of the 7th and top of the 8th on strikeouts and Taylor Co scored the winning run on a walkoff line drive single by Bryson Turpin that scored Luke Hayes from second base.  The Cards remain perfect in district play, 3-0, as they seek the number 1 seed in the postseason tournament.

In the nightcap, the Cards sought their revenge against the LaRue Co Hawks, who knocked off Taylor in the 5th Region Semis last season and ultimately won the Region Crown.  The Hawks defeated Adair County in their 2A Semifinal 10-2 to earn their spot in the Championship.  LaRue scored a run in the top of the first to take the early lead and added their second run in the top of the 3rd to lead 2-0.  But the Cardinals answered back in the bottom of the 3rd, starting off with a Caeden Patterson single, followed by Hunter Vaughn and Hayden Jones walks to load the bases with 1 out for Luke Hayes who hit a 2 RBI single to left field to tie the game up.  After a three up, three down top of the 4th for LaRue, Taylor took the lead on a JT Johns hit by pitch followed by Austin Garrett’s first career home run that put the Cards on top 4-2.  An insurance run was added in the bottom of the 5th as pinch hitter Gabe Cole hit a double off the right field wall that scored Jones from second base.  Starting pitcher Ryan Grubbs got the win going 6 innings allowing 4 hits, 2 runs only 1 of which was earned, striking out 7 and walking 2.  The Cardinal defense turned a 5-4-3 double play in the top of the 6th and committed no errors in the game.  Patterson came in and earned the save pitching the final inning and recording 2 strikeouts.  The win marks Taylor County’s 3rd Sectional Title in the four year history of the 2A State Baseball Tournaments.  They will advance to the State Tournament in Owensboro starting this Friday night against Boyle County.  Before that they will play region opponent Washington Co on the road tonight and have a pair of district games Tuesday at home and Thursday on the road both against Adair County.  Congrats TC and Good Luck!!! #TCPride #Champions #GoCards #2A

Hannah Gupton had the hottest hand at the plate going 7 for 8 with 9 RBI and 6 Runs Scored in the two game set, to lead the team in hits, RBI, runs, and average.  Myleah Read came second in hits with 5 and tied Lylah Curry for second most RBI with 5 each.  Curry, Adelyn Bradstreet, and Neveah Kays all posted 3 hits each for the Lady Cards, while Riley Sprowles, Briley Edwards, and Shelby Clayton all had 4 base hits on the day.  Sprowles also had the second most runs scored crossing the plate 5 times.  Gupton had a 1 homer each game and also doubled once against the Lady Storm to lead the team in extra base hits.  Read had two doubles, and Sprowles and Curry each notched one.

In the circle, Briley Edwards got the win against Grayson Co going the full 6 allowing 5 earned runs on 11 hits while striking out 4 and walking only 2.  Against Hopkins Co Central, Aubree Bardin got the starting nod and claimed the win after pitching 3.2 innings, allowing 2 earned runs on 5 hits and 3 walks while striking out 6.  Jayda Smith and Maddie Hunt came in relief with Smith going 1.1 innings allowing 2 hits, 3 earned runs, 1 walk, and 1 strikeout and Hunt shutting the door, throwing the final inning and notching 2 strikeouts and allowing no runs and no hits.

The Lady Cards are back in action tonight with a district matchup at home against crosstown foe Campbellsville at 6:00.  Good Luck Lady Cards!  #TCPride