Sports are back in high gear in Martin County. With fall just around the corner, sweater weather is knocking on our door.

It also means Kentucky basketball begins its official practice next month.

I feel like I am supposed to talk about Mark Stoops and football right now. But honestly, I have not had a chance to watch.

Mark Pope is looking into his second season as the Wildcats head coach.

One thing for certain that he brings to the table is nostalgia.

Pope’s first season was a rush and exceeded a lot of naysayers’ expectations.

A stacked roster gives hope of another Sweet Sixteen come March.

Otega Oweh returns and the Wildcats are brewing to hang No. 9.

Reports say Jayden Quaintance grew almost 2 inches and added 40 pounds since transferring to UK.

Coming off a knee injury, he was bound to put on some muscle. But 40 pounds in four months is astronomical.

I am not sure we will see him at full speed before the Christmas break. An ACL surgery is something you do not mess with too soon.

I just hope we do not get the runaround like we did with Cal when it came to injuries.

Kentucky is also in talks for a new practice facility. The same facility that Calipari pushed for, leading to his “Kentucky is a basketball school” comment that sparked a low-key feud between him and Stoops.

It seems though that Pope is making things happen.

Let’s hope that the powers that be do not turn on him on rainy days.

But with a new facility, will this cause ticket prices to soar even higher?

It has become almost impossible to secure tickets at a reasonable price for the average Joe.

I would also like to see the Wildcats return to the Expo in Pikeville for their Blue-White game in front of the true-blue fans.

I am going to send Mark an email on the matter.

Go Cats.

Brittni McCoy is the sports editor at the Mountain Citizen.