Unwired Appalachia

From Pikeville High School to the JUCO World Series and now NCAA Division I baseball, Dylan Thompson's journey continues. This week on Unwired Appalachia, Randy sits down with former Pikeville standout Dylan Thompson to look back on his career since graduation. Dylan reflects on his time at Wabash Valley College, what it was like competing in the JUCO World Series, and why Murray State was the rig...

This special episode of Unwired Appalachia is dedicated to recognizing the best softball players from across the mountains. Randy unveils the 2026 All Mountain Softball Teams, along with the Player of the Year and Coach of the Year honors. He also takes listeners behind the scenes, explaining what goes into selecting the teams and breaking down some of the statistics and performances that helped s...

This week, Randy makes the trip to Morehead State University to sit down with Kelly Wells, the new Director of Athletics at Morehead State University and former UPIKE men's basketball coach. The two catch up on Wells' transition from UPIKE to Morehead State, discussing what led him to make the move and how his new role differs from coaching. They also dive into the differences between NAIA and NCA...

This week on Unwired Appalachia, Randy catches up with Kentucky sports broadcasting legend Brian Milam to talk about his journey since leaving Eastern Kentucky. Brian reflects on getting his start at WYMT-TV, his move to WKYT-TV, and the career path that eventually led him to his current role as Director of Communications and Media Relations for the Kentucky High School Athletic Association. The t...

This week, Randy is joined by Belfry Head Softball Coach and Assistant Football Coach Ryan Chapman, better known around the mountains as "Rooster," along with his son, Knox Chapman, for a fun and wide-ranging conversation. The group discusses the continued success of the Belfry softball program, the culture being built within the Lady Pirates program, and what it takes to compete at a high level....

This week, Randy is joined by newly appointed Belfry Lady Pirates head basketball coach Bobby Varney. Coach Varney discusses his journey to becoming the leader of the Belfry girls' basketball program, his coaching philosophy, and what excites him most about taking over the Lady Pirates. As a Belfry native with deep roots in the community, Varney also shares what it means to have the opportunity to...

This week, Randy sits down with Pikeville Assistant Athletic Director and Head Baseball Coach Shane Simpkins to discuss the exciting things happening throughout Pikeville athletics. The conversation highlights the upcoming Pikeville Athletics Gala on June 19 at 7 p.m., which will be emceed by Brian Milam, and what the event means for Panther athletics moving forward. Simpkins also shares insight i...

This week, Randy is joined by Brent Perry, head coach of the Belfry Pirates boys' basketball team, to discuss his journey to Belfry and the path that led him to the head coaching position. The conversation takes a look back at Perry's first two seasons leading the Pirates, the progress the program has made, and the lessons learned along the way. They also discuss what lies ahead this summer, inclu...

Randy makes the short trip over to the UPIKE Bears Hoops Family Athletic Facility to sit down with Corey Fipps, UPIKE Athletic Director and Head Football Coach, to talk about the university’s brand-new weight room and what the upgraded facility means for student-athletes across campus. The two also discuss the overall success of UPIKE athletics over the past year, the growth of Bear programs, and...

This week, Randy is joined by UPIKE Sports Information Director Rick Bentley to talk about everything happening on the hill at UPIKE. From spring sports action to offseason developments and summer outlooks, the two cover a wide range of topics surrounding UPIKE Athletics. They break down team performances, upcoming storylines, and what fans should keep an eye on as the athletic calendar shifts tow...

This week on Unwired Appalachia, Randy is joined by UPIKE basketball standout Keian Worrix along with UPIKE Sports Information Director Rick Bentley. Worrix reflects on wrapping up his career as a Bear, what it meant to play at UPIKE, and looks back on his basketball journey through Pike County. The conversation highlights the moments, challenges, and growth that defined his career on and off the...

This week, Randy is joined once again by Jacob Bryant to break down the latest buzz around the Cincinnati Bengals. The two react to the Bengals’ pre-draft trade, what it means for the roster, and how it could shape their overall draft strategy. They also look ahead at how the draft may fall, key positions to watch, and what the Bengals could do with the rest of their picks. A full breakdown for Be...

This week on Unwired Appalachia, Randy is joined via Zoom by former Shelby Valley standout and Wildcat Construction owner Jacob Bryant. The two take a focused look at the Cincinnati Bengals and how they can address key needs in the upcoming NFL Draft. They break down roster gaps, potential draft targets, and how the Bengals could build through the draft to stay competitive moving forward. A detail...

This week on Unwired Appalachia, Randy reveals the official All Mountain Boys’ Basketball Teams. He breaks down the selections and gives insight into how this year’s list came together, highlighting the players who made the biggest impact throughout the season. From dominant performances to consistent play night in and night out, this episode shines a light on the top talent across the region. Tun...

This week on Unwired Appalachia, Randy reveals the official All Mountain Girls’ Basketball Teams. He runs through the selections and gives insight into how this year’s list was put together, highlighting the performances, consistency, and impact that set these players apart. From standout seasons to game-changing moments, this episode breaks down the talent across the region and recognizes the ath...

In this special episode of Unwired Appalachia, Randy is joined by Paintsville sports writer Adam Mahan for a full breakdown of the 15th Region Super Region Tournament. From the play-in games to the teams that battled their way into No. 1 seed spots, the two analyze the matchups, key performances, and what it all means moving forward. A complete look at how the bracket shaped up and which programs...

This week, Randy connects over Zoom with newly appointed Hazard High School head football coach Jordan Amis. A Perry County native and former University of Pikeville player, Amis talks about his roots in mountain football and the experiences that shaped his coaching path. They also look ahead to the upcoming season, discussing expectations, preparation, and what fans can expect as he begins his te...

This week on the Unwired Appalachia Podcast, Randy is joined by Corey Fipps, UPIKE Athletic Director and Head Football Coach, for a wide-ranging conversation about UPIKE Athletics. Coach Fipps talks about the vision behind Bear Mountain, the growth of the athletic department, and what it takes to compete and recruit in today’s rapidly changing college athletics landscape. From NIL and the transfer...

This week, Randy is joined by former co-host Josh Kesler to talk all things Appalachian Wireless Arena. The two break down the arena’s role in hosting some of the region’s biggest events, including the 15th Region All A Classic, the 15th Region Basketball Tournament, and UPIKE men’s and women’s basketball. Josh also shares insight into what it takes to operate a premier venue in the mountains and...

Randy breaks down the official All Mountain Football Team selections, highlighting the players who stood out across the region this season. He also reveals and discusses the All Mountain Player of the Year and Coach of the Year, honoring the individuals who defined mountain football this year. A full look at the talent, leadership, and performances that made this season special. Watch here on Yout...

The Weekly Walkthrough is back with a full breakdown of the basketball games happening across the region from January 8 through January 14. Randy runs through the schedule, highlights key matchups, and looks ahead to two major events on the calendar — the 15th Region All A Classic and the Kentucky 2A Section 8 Tournament. A complete guide to the week ahead as postseason tournaments begin to take s...

The 2025 All Mountain Volleyball Team and All Mountain Girls’ and Boys’ Soccer Teams are officially announced in this episode of Unwired Appalachia. This episode recognizes the standout athletes from across the region who made their mark throughout the season with strong performances, consistency, and leadership. From dominant play on the volleyball court to standout seasons on the soccer pitch, t...

This week on Unwired Appalachia, Randy is joined by Matt Varney, the Unwired Appalachia All Mountain Coach of the Year and first-year head coach at Belfry. Varney discusses the responsibility of stepping up in a tradition-rich program, carrying those standards forward, and leading the Pirates to a state semifinal run in his first season at the helm.

Randy is back with another full preview of the week ahead on the hardwood as Appalachian Newspapers and Unwired Appalachia break down every matchup from Thursday through Wednesday. Week 2 brings rivalry energy, early-season statement games, and a clearer look at who’s settling in as contenders across Pike, Floyd, Johnson, and Perry counties. Catch the full rundown of boys’ and girls’ basketball, k...

Pikeville head coach Elisha Justice sits down to give a full breakdown of the Panthers’ upcoming season. He shares insight on the roster, offseason work, key matchups, and what drives this year’s team as they prepare for another competitive run. A detailed look inside one of the region’s most disciplined programs and what fans can expect this season.