f77ie (jots' &ause
{February 2f, (9$7
Claiborne Signs 24 Future 'Cats
Although Kentucky didn't land three of the state's "Big Four," Jerry Claiborne and staff did sign 15 in-state prospects to go along nine out-of-state commitments. And as of presstime Kentucky's overall count was holding at 24 signees.
"I'm not worrying about the ones that are gone someplace else, Claiborne said in reference to Frank Jacobs (Notre Dame). Jeff Ellis (Ohio State) and Eddie Thomas (Indiana). "We can't do anything about that. We like the ones that bleed blue, and that's what these do."
Louisville Holy Cross' First-team all-State represenative Phil Logan signed with the Wildcats last week as the national signing date senior prospects kicked off on Feb 11. Logan, considered one of the commonwealth's top four prep prospects, is a crafty wide receiver. The 6-foot-2. 180-pound Logan started for three seasons at split end and safety. Logan's final two choices came down between Kentucky and Louisville before he decided that Lexington was the best place for him.
"We think we got some football players that can play and win in the Southeastern Conference," said UK's head coach. "Whether they are going to do it this year or next year. . .but we think they can commence to mature and be good players.
"We were trying to recruit 18 in-state players and we got 15 of them. We think they are going to be 15 good players. Maybe some of them will mature faster than others, but we think some of them have a chance to help us now while some of them will help us in the future.
"We're definitely glad to get all 15 of them."
Before the initial day of this season's gridiron period, Kentucky was considered in the hunt for Jacobs, and Ellis' services, while Thomas had announced earlier that he attend IU. Apparently, Kentucky was Thomas' second choice.
In regards to Division I talent, the prep scene in Kentucky was at a all-time high during last season. And while UK could only lure one of the "Big Four," potentially Claiborne may have signed his best recruiting crop during his previous seasons as a Wildcat coach.
Overall, UK's list breaks down like this: 14 in-state signees; former Lexington Henry Clay standout Jim Graves will join the Wildcats after a season at Tennessee Military Institute; two junior college transfers; six out-of-state commitments; and Greg Hunt of Richmond, Va., coming to the 'Cats from Fork Union Military Academy.
But Logan is not the only talented in-state signee for the 'Cats.
In fact, Kentucky's in-state signees-have some interesting prep careers. For instance, defensive end Jerry Bell is a two-time all-State performer. Is quick for a man of his stature6-3, 260 pounds. Bell has not passed, in accordance to Proposition 48, his ACT exam. However, Bell is awaiting his results from his Feb. 7 test. A very strong individual and could contribute as early as the '87 season. . .Joey Couch is a 6-2, 225-pound linebacker from Paintsville. He led his squad in tackles during three of his four seasons as a Tiger gridiron star. Considered Army, Louisville, Navy and Vandy before deciding on the Big Blue. Is also in his fourth season on the Tigers' hoop squad. Captain on both football and basketball teams. All-State honorable mention during all four seasons. . .Runningback William Dishman rushed for 1,568 yards on 165 carries last season. That's an average of almost 10 yards per attempt. Overall, he racked up almost 3,500 yards during his three years as a Defender. Selected First-team all-State last season. Derrick Thomas is another signee from
[Continued On Page 6]
Confidence is a must for any shooter. When he has that confidence, no shot looks too tough. When the confidence slips away, even a layup is a difficult task.
Kentucky's James Blackmon has never been more confident of his shot than he is now. And a confident James Blackmon is quite a player.
When I play intense and confident, I play my best," said Blackmon, who recently had a career-high 27 points against Auburn. "Right now I'm into the flow of things and my shots are falling. My defense has been good and so has my
Deja VuBlackmon Making Late Charge
Like Last Year, UK Guard Finishing Strong
	
	Larry Vaught Cats' Pause Columnist
	
passing.
'I've been playing well in practice and that helps. I've always had a great deal of confidence but I just have to keep working for things to go my way."
Things have not always gone Blackmon's way at UK. He came to Kentucky with great credentials after a brilliant career at Marion, Ind. He averaged 32 points per game as a senior and was runnerup to Steve Alford for Mr. Basketball honors.
Alford blossomed into an All-America performer at Indiana. Blackmon didn't do the same at UK. He averaged 3.8 and 5.4 points per game, respectively, his first two years under Coach Joe Hall. Often he thought of leaving.
Last season, though, he averaged 9.4 points and four rebounds for UK's 32-4 squad. His shooting and defense improved as he finally began to fulfill earlier expectations.
"Last year you just didn't notice James as much because we had Kenny Walker and Winston Bennett," said UK guard
Blackmon Now Playing With Confidence
Ed Davender. "Now James is our senior leader and he's playing the way a senior is supposed to at the end.
"James can do the job. He can do more than shoot, too. He has learned how to shut his man down defensively and he has a great attitude about the game now."
UK Coach Eddie Sutton never doubted Blackmon. His senior had only 14 points in UK's first three games. Sutton didn't consider taking him out of the lineup.
Blackmon didn't score a point against Boston Univ. Again, Sutton stayed behind him. The same thing happened when Blackmon had just two points and two rebounds in a loss to Mississippi. He came back with 18 points against Mississippi State and 27 against Auburn.
"Coach Sutton never lost confidence in James," said UK assistant coach Dwane Casey. "It would have been easy not to stick with a senior when he was struggling. But Coach Sutton kept giving him the green light instead of putting him on the end of the bench.
"Now James has regained his confidence. Shooting is
automatic for him again. When you shoot well, your whole game picks up. It's like taking a sugar pill. You don't know why it helps but it does. It's the same for a shooter when a few shots drop."
Sutton talked privately to every player before the Auburn game. He told Blackmon to drive to the basket more and to keep shooting, especially when he had the hot hand.
"I have been forcing things," said Blackmon. "Now I am letting the ball come to me. Everything is coming naturally."
The Wildcats know Blackmon can play. They see his dazzling moves daily in summer games and practices when the season starts. His quickness and leaping ability often amaze even his own teammates.
"James was just unstoppable when we played during the summer." said UK freshman Rex Chapman. "Other players say he has been like that in the summer since he got here. We see him make great moves all all the time. He's a great player."
Now Blackmon needs to sustain a high level of play over a period of games.
Sutton said, "James can play this way. When he does, it really helps us."
Davender knows consistent scoring from Blackmon will give UK more wins. But he also wants to see Blackmon finish his career in a blaze of glory for another reason.
"James has had some rough times here," said Davender. "Me and him are real tight. He's like a brother and I know what he's been through. I'm going to do all I can to help him because I would really like for people to see him do the things I have seen for three years in practice."
'Cats Face Two Games In Two Days
TIPOFF FOR the UK-Mississippi game Feb. 28 has been changed from 7:30 p.m. to 12:05 p.m.
The change was made because UK will host Oklahoma on CBS-TV the next day at 12:05 p.m. Kentucky had asked Mississippi to change the game to Feb. 27 but the Rebels refused.
"I thought we had a gentleman's agreement in the SEC to move a game to help another league team," said Sutton. "We did that to accommodate Auburn but Mississippi re jected us.
"It's going to be hard on our players to play Mississippi Saturday and then play one of the nation's best teams the next day. I understand why Ole Miss wanted the extra day to prepare but I think conference coaches should try and give relief in a situation like this."
Of course, UK knew it had a game Feb. 28 when it agreed to play Oklahoma. However, the national TV lights and $300,000 were too tempting to turn down. But the bottom line is that UK made the decision that forces the Wildcats to play games on consecutive days.
Sutton said, "It is not easy to balance what is best for the players versus what is best for the overall program. A na tional TV game helps recruiting and gives our fans in Los Angeles, New York, Detroit and other places a chance to see us play. It also puts a lot of money in the bank to help non revenue producing sports here. But it is unfair to our players to play back-to-back days."
Sharpless Hated To Lose lacobs
NO ONE was more disappointed when Kentucky lost 6-5, 232-pound tight end Frank Jacobs of Newport Central Catholic than UK assistant coach Rod Sharpless.
Sharpless watched Jacobs play 20 games the last two seasons but was always impressed by his athletic ability.
"He is just a superior athlete," said Sharpless. "He's one of those rare great players that you get a chance to watch play. He's mentally tough and aggressive, too. You don't find that in every great athlete."
UK made it clear from the start that it wanted Jacobs as a tight end, the position he prefers.
"Our number one priority this year was tight end and when we talked about positions I always assured him that we were recuiting him strictly as a tight end," said Sharpless "We were weak at tight end last year because of injuries That limited how often we could throw to our tight ends.
"But when we had Oliver White here a few years ago he was one of the best tight ends in the Southeastern Conference
[Continued On Page 22]