KSR Today: Snow, Georgia, Shaedon Sharpe and the transfer portal

Kentucky saw its first major snowfall of the year on Thursday, one that resulted in hazardous road conditions, school dismissals and cancellations, and accidents and traffic delays throughout the state.

Official totals list anywhere from one to nine inches of snow pouring down throughout Kentucky, with Lexington picking up eight inches and Louisville receiving two to four inches. Nicholasville saw the biggest snowfall in the state, picking up nine inches, with Elizabethtown, Richmond, Tompkinsville and Pikeville all receiving eight inches, as well.

The cold temperatures remain, but it appears the snow is done for a few days, at least.

Kentucky WBB pulls off the big win

Due to hazardous road conditions in Lexington, only essential personnel was allowed inside for Kentucky women’s basketball’s exciting win over No. 15 Georgia on Thursday.

Despite not playing in 18 days leading up to the conference matchup, the No. 21 Wildcats still managed to put together a strong performance, securing their first win over a ranked opponent this season, taking down the Bulldogs by a final score of 84-76.

UK was led by its superstar, Rhyne Howard, who dropped 30 points and five rebounds on 12-20 shooting. Dre’Una Edwards added 17 points, six rebounds and five assists, followed by Jada Walker with 15 points.

Kentucky moves to 8-3 on the season while Georgia falls to 12-3. The Wildcats will head down to face No. 1 South Carolina on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET on ESPN.

Looking for more on Kentucky’s win over Georgia? Check out KSR’s complete game recap from Grant Grubbs here.

John Calipari will speak to the media

The Kentucky men’s basketball team will also take on Georgia this weekend, with the Wildcats set to face the Bulldogs at Rupp Arena on Saturday at 6 p.m. ET.

To preview the matchup, UK head coach John Calipari and select players will speak to the media this morning at 11 a.m., where injury and Shaedon Sharpe updates will certainly be provided.

KSR will have all the coverage you need on the site throughout the day.

Shaedon Sharpe makes his Kentucky practice debut

Speaking of Shaedon Sharpe, the nation’s No. 1 overall prospect is on campus and working out with the team, with UK unofficially introducing the newest Wildcat on Thursday.

RT to welcome @ShaedonSharpe to Lexington 💙 pic.twitter.com/IsvysELFvb

— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) January 6, 2022

Sharpe also introduced himself to BBN, live from the Joe Craft Center.

“What’s up, BBN? It’s Shaedon Sharpe here in Lexington,” he said. “Super pumped to get it started. Let’s go Cats.”

Let’s get started 😼

📲 @ShaedonSharpe pic.twitter.com/WrQKVqBcim

— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) January 6, 2022

How’s he doing? Will he play? We’ll find out from Calipari shortly.

Skyy Clark returns to high school basketball

Kentucky guard signee Skyy Clark has returned to game action, making his senior debut just six months after undergoing surgery to repair a torn ACL.

The five-star prospect made his season debut Thursday afternoon, recording three points (0-6 FG, 0-4 3PT, 3-4 FT), seven assists, four rebounds and three turnovers in No. 1 Montverde’s loss vs. No. 2 Sunrise Christian. Coming in on a minutes restriction — 16-20 minutes was the goal — Clark played 22 minutes in his return.

He couldn’t get his shot to fall, but the Kentucky signee had a solid debut for a player just six months removed from major knee surgery. Clark picked up where he left off as a distributor, showing off elite court vision and high basketball IQ as a lead guard.

The five-star prospect will take the floor again this afternoon vs. Bishop Walsh (MD) at 5 p.m. ET on ESPN+.

A busy day in the transfer portal

It was a busy Thursday in the transfer portal for the Kentucky football program, with several players leaving the program and new potential additions becoming available, as well.

Starting cornerback Cedrick Dort and punter Collin Goodfellow both entered the portal, while Isaiah Epps announced his transfer to Tulsa.

Dort racked up 19 total tackles (12 solo) in 2021 to give him 51 total tackles (38 solo), seven pass deflections and one forced fumble across four years in Lexington.

Goodfellow became a full-time starter for Kentucky in 2021, attempting 35 punts for an average of 45.9 yards per punt with a season-long of 70 yards (Georgia and Mississippi State) Sophomore Wilson Berry and incoming freshman Jackson Smith remain as potential options in 2022.

As for Epps, the senior wide receiver caught 11 balls for 171 yards and his only collegiate touchdown in 2021. For his career, the former three-star recruit has 31 receptions for 365 yards in four seasons with the Wildcats.

Elsewhere, Tennessee standout pass-rusher Tyler Baron put his name in the portal, with Kentucky widely seen as a major option to land his commitment.

The former top-125 recruit played 21 games in two seasons for the Volunteers, picking up 51 total tackles and five sacks. His father, Patrick Abernathy, served as a Director of Player Development in Knoxville, but is no longer with the program, paving a path for Baron’s imminent departure.

Things could get serious with the former four-star recruit rather quickly.