GO CATS GAME TONIGHT PREVIEW
Kentucky Goes Through Intense Practice
Spake breaks down how Kentucky looked in its most recent practice as the Wildcats prepare for the NCAA tournament.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) -- Hampton's upset of Manhattan put an end to any thoughts Jaspers coach and former Kentucky player Steve Masiello had of facing the top-ranked Wildcats.
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Young Cancer patient shares special bond with UK star
Posted: Mar 18, 2015 11:38 PM EST Updated: Mar 18, 2015 11:38 PM EST
By Connie Leonard
LOUISVILLE, KY (WAVE) - Big Blue Nation came out in force for the University of Kentucky's first open practice at the KFC Yum! Center Wednesday, with about 10,000 fans filling the lower arena. Many of the fans who showed up said they do not have tickets to Thursday's game and this was the only chance they had to see their Wildcats.
Kentucky fans will do anything to see their Cats. Libby Wurts worked all night then drove her daughter Katie three hours from Ashland, Kentucky to be at the event.
"We are just crazy excited," she said of their first open practice session.
Paoli resident Caleb Andry agreed. "I'm so excited," he said, "I've never been this close to Kentucky basketball in my life."
Maybe the most thrilled to see Coach Cal and company up close were Kentucky's youngest fans. For the kids, open practice is hard to beat with high 5's and autographs from the players. And where else can you watch Karl-Anthony Towns hit a half court shot?
Many young fans couldn't wait to see UK big man Willie Cauley-Stein, but no one more so than 9-year-old Blake Hundley, of Shelbyville, who was sporting #15s jersey.
Blake's father, Adam Hundley, said his son bleeds Blue.
"His room is nothing but Kentucky," he said.
His little sister Olivia loves him too.
"Go Willie," she yelled.
The family is a big fan of the player for good reason. Earlier this month, a family friend brought Willie to meet Blake.
"Blake's going through out-patient chemo right now and he's had brain cancer since he was six," Adam Hundley said.
The two became fast friends and the UK star posted their picture on his Twitter account saying Blake was his inspiration.
"He gave this to me," Blake said pointing to his neck.
The gift? Willie Cauley-Stein's dog tags.
Adam read from them, "It says #15, #BBN, #Brothers."
"It just means a lot that he took time out of his busy schedule to come see us and we greatly appreciated that," said Adam Hundley.
Adam Hundley said it really says something about the kind of young man Willie Cauley-Stein is. "He's a fantastic guy," he said.
Blake is doing well right now, according to his dad. A likely reason? He's happy to be cheering on his hero and his Cats.
Blake said, "I think they're going to do good."
He said he believes the team will go all the way in the NCAA Tournament.
Blake gave the player a gift too; it's a bracelet that says "Team Blake." Willie Cauley-Stein says he wears it in his sock during the games.
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http://www.wave3.com/story/28558150/young-cancer-patient-shares-special-bond-with-uk-star
