White Tops Blue; Cats Raise over $160,000 for Eastern Kentucky

PIKEVILLE, Ky. – Prior to just about each common season, the Kentucky males’s basketball workforce performs a Blue-White scrimmage. This sport serves as a scrimmage, a warm-up of types, earlier than the Wildcats tackle different opponents.

On Saturday evening at Appalachian Wi-fi Area, the 2022-23 Cats performed their Blue-White Recreation. And, whereas it served the identical objective that it often does, it served a much bigger objective as properly.

The Cats determined to maneuver the sport to Kentucky’s eastern-most county and, within the spirit of servant management taught by head coach John Calipari, determined that the proceeds from the sport ought to profit flood aid victims in Japanese Kentucky.

Mission completed. The Cats not solely performed in entrance of a packed enviornment of greater than 7,000 blue-clad followers on Saturday evening, in addition they raised a further $162,450 for victims of this summer time’s flooding. The Cats and Calipari additionally raised greater than $2 million for Japanese Kentucky flood aid with an open follow and telethon at Rupp Area in August.

The day was all concerning the Cats giving again to the individuals of Japanese Kentucky. The Cats started their day at Jenny Wiley State Park in Floyd County the place they distributed hoodies, sweatshirts and different winter garments to needy households in that space.

Senior Antonio Reeves talked concerning the objective of the Floyd County occasion.

“We tried to maintain them on the market staying heat,” Reeves stated. “We gave them jackets, sweaters, coats, and issues like that to ensure they keep heat kind the winter. You already know, it has been an excellent factor for the group and good for the workforce as properly.”

Then, it was on to Pikeville the place the Cats would add to their fundraising for the area with the Blue-White sport.

Calipari addressed the group previous to the sport, letting them know that the Cats would proceed to assist their wants.

“We’ll always remember about you,” Calipari stated. “This program will all the time be right here to elevate the Commonwealth. That is your program.”

Kentucky governor Andy Beshear was in attendance, and he let the followers in attendance understand how a lot these Cats care concerning the residents of the Commonwealth.

“We’re right here tonight to ensure you know that you’re not alone,” Beshear stated. “In Kentucky, we love our Wildcats. And tonight, these Cats confirmed that they love you, too.”

There was a basketball sport on this evening, though the Cats had been a bit shorthanded. UK was with out defending Nationwide Participant of the Yr Oscar Tshiebwe, who continues to be nursing a knee damage. The Cats had been additionally with out start line guard Sahvir Wheeler and massive man Lance Ware, who’re additionally injured.

The remaining Cats got here onto the ground in warm-up shirts that stated “Appalachia” Males’s Basketball on the entrance and 606 on the again, in honor of the area they had been there to assist.

The scrimmage itself turned out to be very aggressive. The White workforce, which appeared to have a lot of the beginning 5, led by double digits early, however noticed the Blue workforce rally to guide by 4, 67-63, with 1:58 left within the sport. Nonetheless, the White workforce would get a layup from Chris Livingston with 1:10 to go to chop the lead in half.

Then, with simply 33 seconds to go, Jacob Toppin drained a 3 from the highest of the important thing to present the White workforce a 68-67 lead. Livingston would end off the sport with a dunk to present the White workforce a three-point win.

Reeves, the Illinois State switch who was taking part in for the Blue workforce, led all scorers with 27 factors, together with 5 made three-point baskets. Adou Thiero added 21 factors, 12 rebounds and 6 assists. Ugonna Onyenso had 14 factors, 5 rebounds and 4 blocks for the Blue workforce.

The White workforce performed simply 5 gamers, and all 5 scored in double figures. CJ Fredrick led the White with 18 factors, whereas Cason Wallace and Livingston every had 15. Toppin had 12 and Daimion Collins added 10.

Kentucky returns to motion subsequent Sunday, Oct. 30, towards Missouri Western State in exhibition motion at Rupp Area. The sport is about for a 7 p.m. tipoff and will be seen on the SEC Community.