About the Guests:
Mason Blair is a former high school basketball star from Johnson Central, Kentucky. He set a state record with 168 three-pointers in a single season in 2017. His high school career was marked by a keen interest in three-point shooting.
Jerrod Gibbons and Steven Sexton are both former basketball players from Wayne County High School; they are renowned for their prolific three-point shooting. Graduating in 2004 and 2005, respectively, their careers overlapped, yet they are still marked as two of the most notable three-point shooters in Kentucky high school basketball history.
Episode Summary:
This episode of Kentucky Sports Memories takes listeners on a journey through the evolution of the three-pointer in Kentucky high school basketball, exploring its transformative impact and the players who have excelled at mastering this game-changing play.
The story begins by highlighting the history and significance of the three-point shot, often celebrated as one of the most exciting plays in basketball. Introduced to Kentucky high schools during the 1987-1988 season—just a year after its debut in college basketball—the three-pointer quickly became a defining element of the game, reshaping strategies over the last 40 years. Among the early pioneers was Richie Farmer, a standout player whose skill during Kentucky's 1988 Sweet 16 helped cement the three-pointer's place in basketball history.
The episode also examines what defines true greatness in three-point shooting, spotlighting Mason Blair, who set a state record in 2017 with 168 three-pointers in a single season, and Travis Perry, who later broke that record. Fogle concludes by showcasing how the three-point shot has shaped the careers of prolific players like Steven Sexton and Jerrod Gibbons from Wayne County High School, a dynamic sharpshooting duo whose overlapping careers made them a force to be reckoned with on the court.
Through these compelling narratives, this episode vividly illustrates how the three-point shot has influenced player tactics, reshaped mindsets, and left an indelible mark on Kentucky high school basketball.
Key Takeaways:
Behind The Arc: The three-point shot was introduced to Kentucky high school basketball during the 1987-88 season, following its debut in college basketball the year before, significantly altering the game’s strategies.
Record-Breaking Thrills: Richie Farmer holds the record for the most points scored in a Sweet 16 championship game, fueled by an impressive nine three-pointers. Mason Blair and Travis Perry are also celebrated for their remarkable three-point shooting achievements during their high school careers, with Perry surpassing Blair's record in recent years.
Dynamic Duo: Wayne County High School's Steven Sexton and Jerrod Gibbons were one of the most iconic sharpshooting duos in Kentucky high school basketball history, showcasing their teamwork and long-range accuracy.
Notable Quotes:
"Yeah, for the most part I was always pretty obsessed with scoring three points rather than two." — Mason Blair
"At that point, I could see it in his face. He wasn’t a happy camper because he was thinking, ‘Hey, there’s only one of me, but there are two of these guys who can fill it up.’"— Jerrod Gibbons
"When we talk about high school ball... [it] never really was about the stats and all that. It was more so just the fun we had and all the camaraderie... that was definitely the best times of ball that I've ever played." — Steven Sexton
Join Gary Fogle as he continues to explore the stories behind the events and figures that have left a lasting mark on the world of sports in Kentucky. Listen to the full episode to uncover more about the magic of the three-point shot in Kentucky high school basketball!