LONDON — The third annual Lisa Collins Classic will tip-off Saturday at South Laurel High School, honoring Collins, a star basketball player for Laurel County High School’s girls’ basketball team, and the University of Kentucky’s women’s basketball team, who passed away two years ago.
South Laurel, Boyle County, Owsley County, Pulaski County, Pikeville, Martin County, Casey County, Pineville, Wayne County and Henry Clay will be participating in the event.
Collins led Laurel County to three consecutive girls’ Sweet Sixteen titles from 1977-to 1979, and was among the final 18 inductees into the Kentucky High School Basketball Hall of Fame centennial class in 2017.
While at Laurel County, Collins helped lead the Lady Cardinals to three straight state titles and a 124-9 record. Her final team lost to Pulaski County in the region finals in 1980.
As a freshman, her two free throws in the final seconds of the 1977 Kentucky High School State Tournament gave Laurel County its first state title. She was named to the All-American First Team by Parade Magazine in 1980. She finished with 1,840 career points, 385 assists, and 401 rebounds.
After high school, she played for the University of Kentucky where she graduated in 1984. She was inducted into the first class of the Laurel County Sports Hall of Fame in 1994.
Third Annual Lisa Collins Classic Schedule
At South Laurel High School
Saturday, December 14
Boyle County vs. Owlsey County, 11 a.m.
Pulaski County vs. Pikeville, 1 p.m.
Martin County vs. Casey County, 3 p.m.
Pineville vs. Wayne County, 5 p.m.
South Laurel vs. Henry Clay, 7 p.m.
