Lexington Catholic coach Brandon Salsman cannot wait to watch Reed Sheppard and Travis Perry play each other

Travis Perry is on pace to become the all-time leading high school scorer in Kentucky. (Les Nicholson Photo)

A lot of events wanted to match North Laurel and Kentucky signee Reed Sheppard against Lyon County and junior Travis Perry, who is on course to become the state’s all-time leading career scorer, in a game this season.

However, the only one to pull that off was Lexington Catholic coach Brandon Salsman. The two teams are scheduled to play Jan. 7 at Catholic in the Second Chance Shootout and might even meet in the White, Greer & Maggard Holiday Classic  Dec. 27-30 at Lexington Catholic  depending on game results in the 16-team event.

“We run a lot of events at Lexington Catholic and we know how to do things the right way and treat people the right way,” said Salsman about the North Laurel-Lyon pairing. “Then sometimes it is just blind luck and the schedule works out right and things come together.

“Being in a city with UK just a couple of miles down the road is part of it. Reed signed with Kentucky and Travis is getting recruited by Kentucky. The players and teams can come in and be around Kentucky. So sometimes things just work out.”

Salsman knows a lot of people want to see the game Jan. 7. The two teams/players are on opposite sides of the bracket in the tourney next week but even if it worked out that they planned then, Salsman knows the game Jan. 7 is going to draw a huge crowd because that game is already set.

“I think you might have two different groups of fans at the games if they do match up in our tournament first,” Salsman said. “We’ve had some people come to our tournament for years and  year and then there will be people just looking for the one game Jan. 7.

“But if it happens and they play twice, I will be the guy in the front row eating popcorn both times because I want to watch them play.”

Salsman doesn’t think anyone who gets to see either player play in any game will be disappointed.

“Those two two just put on a show every time they are on the floor. No one has seen them on the same floor yet playing against each other and it is going to be fun,” the Lexington Catholic coach said. “Diehard BBN fans could maybe see their future backcourt playing.

“Both guys are just flat-out studs. They are once in a generation type kids coming through the state at the same time. We are very fortunate to see players at this level play.”