About the Guest(s):
Randy Napier: Randy Napier is known as the winningest girls’ coach in Kentucky high school basketball history. He has over 800 wins and 30 years of coaching under his belt. He led the MC Napier team to victory in the 1994 Sweet 16 before moving to Perry County Central High School, where he won 9 regional championships.
Misty McAlarnis: After Randy Napier stepped down as Perry Central’s head coach, McAlarnis stepped in as his replacement. She was a member of MC Napier’s Sweet 16 championship team as well as a talented player.
Kristie Combs: Kristie Combs is a former high school basketball player who led MC Napier High School to victory in the girls' Sweet 16 in 1994. She was a two-time all-stater and averaged about 25 points per game throughout her high school career. Combs began playing varsity basketball as a 7th grader and showed early on that she was a star player. After high school, Combs remained involved in sports as a coach, athletic director, and official. She has officiated championships in state high school softball, basketball, and football games. Combs made history as the first female official in a high school football championship game in Kentucky.
Episode Summary:
In this episode of Kentucky Sports Memories, host Gary Fogle discusses the 30th anniversary of MC Napier High School's girls' basketball team winning the state championship in 1994. MC Napier High School, located in Perry County, Kentucky, closed shortly after winning the championship due to consolidation. Fogle interviews Randy Napier, the head coach of the 1994 MC Napier team, player Misty McAlarnis and Kristie Combs, the leader of the team. They discuss the pressure to win the championship, the memories that have stayed with them over the years, and Combs' continued involvement in sports as a coach and official.
Key Takeaways:
Girls' high school basketball in Kentucky was disbanded as a sanctioned sport from 1932 to 1974 due to concerns about its physical rigor on girls' bodies.
MC Napier High School won the girls' Sweet 16 championship in 1994, but the school closed shortly after due to consolidation to create what is now known as Perry County Central High School.
Kristie Combs, the leader of the 1994 MC Napier team, was a standout player who began playing varsity basketball as a 7th grader.
Combs has remained involved in sports as a coach, athletic director, and official, making history as the first female official in a high school football championship game in Kentucky.
Resources:
Thank you for listening to this episode of Kentucky Sports Memories. Stay tuned for more captivating stories and interviews from the world of Kentucky sports.
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