Freshman Trent Noah has found ways to help spark UK when he gets into games. (Vicky Graff Photo)
Many Kentucky fans probably didn’t expect freshmen Travis Perry and Trent Noah to play significant minutes for the team in key games this season. Many probably hoped that might happen but didn’t believe it would until injuries decimated UK’s backcourt.
Perry finished his prep career at Lyon County as the state’s all-time leading scorer. Noah finished at Harlan County as the fifth all-time leading scorer.
“He’s been a guy that’s been consistent for us. Everybody on the team knew that whenever he got his shot, he was going to make the most of it. He has consistently done that,” Perry said about Noah. “Every time he comes in, he provides a spark in some way, whether it’s making a three, grabbing a couple of big boards.
“He’s been a guy that doesn’t really hang his head on whether he’s playing 20 minutes or playing zero minutes. He comes in consistently with the same effort, attitude, energy, passion for the game.”
The two guards played against each other in the 2024 state high school championship game when Lyon beat Harlan but are enjoying being teammates on coach Mark Pope’s team.
“It’s been awesome. Trent plays fearless, he plays free out there, and that’s all you can ask for from a guy,” Perry said.. He plays hard, harder than probably anybody on the floor at all times. He just plays a great game of basketball. It’s fun to watch. He’s fun to play with.
“For me, it’s really cool. I’ve kind of grown up in basketball with him — watching him, being good friends with him. To get to see him have those opportunities, it’s really awesome.”
5 Responses
Trent is what Kentucky basketball is all about. He has had his moments this season, but he has also disappeared more times than not. We will need double figures from Trent, Collin, and Ansley today. They are our X factors. I would have added Travis to that list, but he is just not ready to do that…or is he?
Trent maybe has had consistency of effort but certainly not on performance. I do think these freshman will be outstanding players for UK for the immediate future but also thought they would be further along at this point of the season bc of their ability and people they play with daily.
Ansley is a streaking shooter and when he is on, he is hard to handle. Between Trent, Travis, and Collin, I think Collin has the best chance to make a big impact in the tournaments. Even though he is considered a freshman, he has 2 more years of live experience. Age make a difference in how you process things and I think that will help him with not being as intimidated. He is also the most athletic of the 3 freshman and can put the ball on the floor to drive to the basket.
If we can get 12-15 points a game from Ansley, Collin, Trent and Travis combined with 3-4 rebounds and 3 turnovers or less, I think that will go a long way in helping this team.
Not bad for a kid that played against Lee County last year.
They surprised me with how far along they’ve come. Still have a long way to go. Chandler is by far the best athlete among the 3. If Noah and Perry can consistently shoot 40% or better from 3 point range they won’t be such a liability on defense especially Perry. I think they are playing great and will need another year before they are ready for starter minutes but Pope spreads the love so starting are not if they can improve even a little bit over the course of the tournament it will help our chances of making a run. I think Oweh, Carr, Brea, Butler, and Williams will play there best basketball from here on out. They are fifth year seniors and they know its win or go home. We are playing for each other and if can knock down our 3s we can beat anyone even when the 3s aren’t falling this team has figured out how to win. Draw fouls and get free points. What we see from here on out will be a good example of what our guys coming back will look like to start the season next year. It should be fun! Go Cats!