Colin Porter talked with Stacey Reed Sheppard, mother of UK sophomore Reed Sheppard, before a game against North Laurel earlier this season. (Larry Vaught Photo)
He’s never going to be the most imposing-looking player on the court but never doubt that Ashland point guard Colin Porter will make a big impact. He did again Friday against Boyle County in an 80-44 quarterfinal win at the state tournament that puts the Tomcats into today’s semifinals against Highlands, a winner over McCracken County Friday night.
He scored his team’s final 11 points in the second quarter — the only points he scored — to break the game open. He was 5-for-9 from the field and also had six assists, five rebounds, four steals and even one blocked shot in 22 minutes.
Porter took a hard fall in the game but told me Friday night he was feeling “pretty good” after getting out of the ice tub.
Ashland coach Jason Mays, a former college coach, says Porter, a sophomore, is “special” for many reasons and has the “IT” factor — and Mays emphasized IT with capital letters.
“Look at one game and he is the facilitator, ” Mays said. “He had some silly turnovers the first half. The next game he may score 35 and hit five 3’s.”
Here comes the best part from Mays.
“He is blossoming into one of the best point guards the state has seen in a long time,” Mays said.
The Ashland coach says Porter reminds him of former Kentucky prep standout Travis Ford, who finished his collegiate career at UK and helped Rick Pitino’s team get to a Final Four.
Mays cited Porter’s instincts with and without the ball along with his leadership as big assets.
“With his size, you better hit 3’s. He’s almost a 40 percent shooter, which is rare for a sophomore,” Mays said. “He has toughness. He has a banged-up hip but he never stops. I am so excited to see what he can develop into it. I think he will be a Power-5 player.”
Porter certainly helped control the game from the start with his play on both ends.
“He is crafty with the ball. He does a nice job getting to the rim and finishing,” Boyle County coach Dennie Webb said. “He is an all-around player and has a nice game. He is a disruptor on defense. He played well in all levels of the game.”
Teammate Ethan Sellers knows what Porter means to the Tomcats.
“Porter is a great passer but if he is getting to the rim it is hard to help off because he makes such great passes,” Ethan Sellars, who had 20 points, said.
