PHOTO GALLERY: Sheppard Family, Laurel County Champions Honored Saturday

The Laurel County community celebrated its rich basketball history in a special ceremony Saturday at the London-Laurel County Wellness Park as it honored the Sheppard family (Jeff, Stacey, Madison and Reed) as well as the teams and players from high school boys' and girls' championship teams. From 1927 through today, the county has produced a state champion and 48 Sweet 16 appearances from a total of seven high schools (London, Hazel Green, Bush, Lily, Laurel County, South Laurel and North Laurel). In addition, three-time Coach of the Year, Roy Bowling, was recognized.

The state championship and Sweet Sixteen teams were honored with plaques on a large wall at the wellness park.

The basketball courts were renamed in honor of the Sheppard family, whose son Reed was named 2023 Mr. Basketball in Kentucky while at North Laurel and was picked third overall in the recent NBA draft by the Houston Rockets. While at UK, the younger Sheppard was named national Freshman of the Year by several outlets, averaging 12.5 points, 4.5 assists, 4.1 rebounds and 2.5 steals per game, including five starts. A SEC Freshman of the Year, he was also named All-SEC second team by the media and coaches.

The impressive ceremony at the park also included a monument to the entire Sheppard family, and the basketball courts now has been resurfaced in the colors of the Kentucky Wildcats, South Laurel Cardinals and North Laurel Jaguars.

Photos by Jamie H. Vaught