| # | Name | Pos | Class | Ht. | Wt. | Hometown (School) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| - | Irvine Jeffries (L) | G | So. | 5-11 | 175 | Louisville, KY (Manual) | (Missed first part of season while not enrolled in school.); |
| - | Cecil Combs (L) | F | So. | 6-4 | - | Lexington, KY (High) | - |
| #6 | Paul McBrayer (L) | G | So. | 6-4 | 155 | Lawrenceburg, KY (Kavanaugh) | - |
| - | Hays Owens (L) | F | So. | 5-7 | 138 | Lexington, KY (Senior) | - |
| - | Paul Jenkins (L) | F | Sr. | 5-9 | - | Louisville, KY (Manual) | - |
| - | Stanley Milward (L) | C | So. | 6-5 | - | Lexington, KY (Senior) | - |
| - | Lawrence McGinnis (L) | G | So. | 6-0 | - | Lexington, KY (Senior) | - |
| - | Elmer Gilb | F | Jr. | 5-9 | - | Newport, KY (High) | - |
| - | Claire Dees (L) | G | Jr. | 5-11 | - | Oblong, IL (High) | - |
| - | June Lyons | C | So. | 6-0 | - | Ashland, KY (High) | - |
| - | Fred McLane | F | So. | 5-11 | - | Newport, KY (High) | - |
| - | Len Miller | G | So. | 5-11 | - | Lexington, KY (Senior) | - |
| Schedule | Player Statistics |
 |
1927-28 Squad |
Front Row (l to r): Hays Owens, Lawrence McGinnis, Cecil Combs, Paul McBrayer, Paul Jenkins, Elmer Gilb, Irvine Jeffries |
Season Review - Varsity Basketball (Kentuckian)
Basketball at Kentucky was given quite an impetus under the tutelage of Coach John Mauer, from the University of Illinois. The "Wildcats enjoyed a very good season, winning nine out of fourteen contests played in the course of the season. Nine of these tilts were with teams belonging to Southern Conference, and our record among these Southern teams was seven games won and two lost.
At the beginning of the season, Coach Mauer had quite a task facing him. He had to introduce a new system of play to his charges, and had only one regular from last year's squad. Captain Paul Jenkins, who was starting his second season as leader of the Wildcats, formed the nucleus around which Mauer built his powerful aggregation. Four sophomores from last year's sensational freshman squad completed the regular quintet. At mid-season, Irvine Jeffries, clever and sensational forward, returned to his studies, and added greatly to the varsity team. Kentucky did so well in her season's play that she was among the fifteen teams invited to participate in the Southern Tournament, held at Atlanta from February 24 to 28.
SOUTHERN TOURNAMENT
Going into the meet as the dark horse, Kentucky went to the semi-final round of the tournament before she was eliminated by "Ole Miss." In the first game, in which the South Carolina Gamecocks tried to furnish the Wildcats some opposition, the Blue and White triumphed In a loosely played game, 54-40. "Pisgah" Combs and Irvine Jeffries were the stars of this contest. Combs made twenty points, McBrayer made twelve, and Jeffries eleven tallies.
The second game, played the following night, found Kentucky opposed to the University of Georgia Bulldogs. Although not favored to win, Kentucky proved to he too good for the Bulldogs, and piled up a 33-16 score on her opponents. The Bulldogs presented a giant aggregation, but the man-to-man defense set up by Kentucky did not permit them to work the ball under the basket for many crip shots. Jeffries and McGinnis shone on the defensive; McBrayer and Jeffries were the scoring stars, with nine and eight points, respectively.
In the semi-final round, which saw our pride and joy eliminated, University of Mississippi scored a total of 41 points to our 28. "Ole Miss" was just a trifle too fast, and although the 'Cats fought with the greatest possible gameness, Mississippi seemed almost uncanny in her ability to put in seemingly impossible shots from all angles, and at the most opportune moments. Cary Phillips, star forward of the Mississippi team, Southern Champions, treated the fans to a wonderful exhibition of shooting, and was high point man. Jeffries, with fourteen points, was a single point behind Phillips. Although the Wildcats were defeated, they made a remarkable showing, and with an almost identical team this coming season, it seems as though Kentucky should be the premier team of the South.
KENTUCKY, 33; CLEMSON, 17
Coach Mauer's proteges did not function very well in their first game under his tutelage. However, this situation may well be summed up in the light that it was the Wildcats' first game under the Illinois system of coaching, and with a team composed of sophomores, raw material, it is a wonder that the Blue showed as well as it did. Kentucky led the Tigers at the half by a 20-9 score. The crowd stood for one minute in silence at the opening of the second half in memory of Edwin C. "Toots" Knadler, deceased Wildcat basketball star. Paul Jenkins, who had just come out after a strenuous football season, played only the last four minutes.
KENTUCKY, 31; MIAMI, 36
On December 20, the Mauermen made their second bow before the local fans, and after a hot siege were repulsed by the Ohio quintet. The teams alternated in the lead throughout the game. The score was tied three times in each half. Kentucky was a greatly improved quintet in comparison to the one that had faced Clemson only a week previous, and the Illinois system of play seemed to have been grasped by the 'Cats. Milward and Combs were forced out via the foul route in the second half. With the score tied at 31 all, Taylor, visiting forward, scored two goals in rapid order. One of his mates shot a foul, and for the remaining ten seconds the Ohio five froze the ball carefully. Combs was high point man for Kentucky with nine points.
KENTUCKY, 36; CENTRE, 23
The Wildcats played beautiful ball in the first half of their game with the Praying Colonels, and led at the half, 20-9. They appeared stale in the second half, perhaps because this was the first game after the holidays. Centre displayed some real punch, but they were always held at a safe distance. Combs, who scored fifteen points, and Owens were the stars.
KENTUCKY, 43; VANDERBILT, 23
The first game with Vanderbilt, last year's Southern champions, at Kentucky, resulted in a general rout for the Commodores. The Wildcat passing combination completely puzzled Vandy. At the half Kentucky led, 23-9. Vanderbilt's attack was slow in comparison to Kentucky's lightning fast breaking offensive. Coach Mauer let his subs play a great part of the second half. Combs with 19 points, and Owens with 13, were Kentucky's big guns. For the Commodores, Bridges with a total of 8 points, was outstanding.
KENTUCKY, 31; VIRGINIA, 28
In an exciting and spectacular game, the Wildcats defeated Virginia's Cavaliers at Charlottesville, Virginia. This loss was the first sustained by the Cavaliers, and they had amassed three Southern conference victories previously. McGinnis was put out of the game in the first half on fouls. This seriously handicapped the 'Cats. The second half was nip and tuck, and with only three minutes remaining, the Virginia team had a three-point lead. Jenkins made two free tosses good, and Hayes Owens got a spectacular field goal from the sidelines. Jenkins wriggled through the entire Cavalier defense to register a crip shot. Combs hit the basket, just for good measure, and the Wildcats had a three-point margin at the gun. Kentucky made 13 out of 20 free shots good, While Virginia only made 9 out of 21, thus virtually defeating themselves. Combs was high point man, with twelve points.
KENTUCKY, 26; NAVY, 32
In this game, played at Annapolis, Kentucky exhibited much speed in handling the ball, and their dribbling and blocking kept the Navy baffled until late in the second half. Navy started her shock troops, but they stayed in only four minutes. After eleven minutes of play, and with Navy's regulars in the fray, Kentucky led, 10-0. At the half it was 16-0 in our favor. In the second half, the Wildcats suffered the loss of Captain Jenkins, by fouls, and this probably cost the game. Captain Howard of the Navy scored five field goals and four foul tosses in the second half, and almost caused the 'Cats' downfall single-handed.
KENTUCKY, 7; MARYLAND, 37
This catastrophe took place at College Park, Maryland, in the last game of the "Wildcats" Eastern trip. This was the third exceptionally hard game in four days, and the Blue seemed dead on their feet. Bewildered and unable to penetrate Maryland's five-man defense, in their small gym, Kentucky was behind at the half by 16-1. Elmer Gilb scored the only field goal of the game for the Blue. Radice, with a total of ten points, contributed largely to our downfall, although each of his teammates averaged five points apiece.
KENTUCKY, 48; TENNESSEE, 18
After the disastrous Maryland reverse, Kentucky returned home, and on January 28 delivered a severe drubbing to Tennessee's Volunteers. Irving Jeffries made his debut in a Blue and White uniform, and was high point man, scoring 22 points. McBrayer also played exceptional basketball. Butcher, Tennessee's All-Southern center, could only connect with long shots from mid-floor. The first half was slow and uninteresting, and ended, 15-4, in favor of the ultimate victor. Jeffries exhibited some very fancy shooting in the second period, drawing plenty of applause. McBrayer held his own with Butcher. McGinnis, Kentucky guard, and Johnson, visiting guard, were put out of the game on four personal fouls. Combs had an injured wrist and played only a short period.
KENTUCKY, 34; WASHINGTON AND LEE, 28
The Wildcats gained their fifty victory in the Southern Conference at the expense of the Generals, while Governor Flem D. Sampson looked on and approved thoroughly the tenacity of the Wildcats. Washington and Lee took a 19-7 lead in the first fifteen minutes of play. The 'Cats displayed real courage in the last half. Jenkins and Milward led the rejuvenated Blue to victory in a magnificent comeback. Spotts, visiting center, got 14 points in the first half, but "Spooks" held him to a lone goal in the second setto. Jenkins passed the ball perfectly, started all the plays, and due to his perfect defensive tactics, held the Generals safe in the latter part of the game. Combs was high point man for Kentucky, with 12 points, while Jeffries got 9 and Jenkins 7. Spotts garnered 16 for the visitors.
KENTUCKY, 29; INDIANA, 48
Kentucky took an 8-1 lead over the Crimsons, at Bloomington, before the Hoosiers knew what was happening:. The Wildcats were fast in the first half, but their previous hard games slowed them down somewhat in the second half. I.U. used a bounce pass and a four-man defense with good effect. At the half the score was 18-14 in favor of Indiana. Jeffries' floor work was sensational. Strickland, high point scorer in the Big Ten, led the scoring with 19 points Jeffries led the Blue in the tallying column with 13 points.
KENTUCKY, 54; VANDERBILT, 29
Kentucky defeated Vanderbilt's Commodores for the second time on February 8, at Vanderbilt. The brilliant play of Captain Jenkins and Jeffries crushed Vandy. Jeffries and Milward scored 15 points apiece, while Jenkins scintillated in thwarting the Commodore passing attack. Brooks scored the most points for his team, 10 in all.
KENTUCKY, 43; TENNESSEE, 16
On the following night, at Tennessee, the Vols were handed a dose of the same medicine. Jeffries, Combs and Milward led the attack. Jenkins and McGinnis fed the ball to the forwards, and the latter put it through the hoops. Jeffries' floor work and Jenkins' close guarding were the outstanding features. The Wildcat passing attack completely swept the Vols off their feet, and the Blue was able to score numerous crip shots. Butcher played well for the Volunteers, while Sharpe scored every field goal made by Tennessee.
KENTUCKY, 31; GEORGIA TECH, 35
After defeating Tennessee by only four points, Tech, on dope, seemed easy for Kentucky. However, there was something radically wrong with Coach Mauer's charges that night. They played listlessly the whole game, and with the exception of a final last minute spurt, led by Jenkins, the Wildcats were hardly the shadow of their real selves. Heeke and Golding, Tech's six-footers, broke up every Wildcat attack, and the 'Cats failed to follow their shots. This was Kentucky's third game in four days. Tech used a fast-breaking offense and it worked splendidly. Heeke was Tech's outstanding star, and he scored 7 points. Player got 12 points, and George hit the hoops for a total of 8. Jenkins led the Blue with 9 tallies, and Combs followed closely with S points.
KENTUCKY, 30; CENTRE, 20
The Wildcats closed their regular season, and Captain Jenkins played his last game at home in a Kentucky uniform, on February 18. Our traditional enemy, Centre, was the victim in this final encounter. The game was slow throughout and, all in all, a very poor exhibition of basketball was put out. Combs played a very good game, scoring 19 points. Maggard and Deaton were best for Centre.
Coach Major's big Green Kitten basketeers enjoyed a very good season, winning six out of seven games played during the year. The material was very good, and the Kittens were initiated into the Illinois system of play, in order that they might not be so green as varsity candidates next year. The stars of the Kitten team were Spicer, Bronston, Gormley, McGinnis, Trott, Hayn and Sparks. The results of the season follow:
Kittens 25; Kavanaugh High 18
Kittens 24; Kavanaugh High 9
Kittens 33; DeMolay 16
Kittens 52; Lee Institute 6
Kittens 33; Hazard High 19
Kittens 18;DuPont Manual . . 21
Kittens 16; DuPont Manual 14
