Former 2-sport Tomcat star Jim McKenzie remembered

Jim McKenzie, who had a memorable run in the Sweet 16 on Ashland’s 1962 state runnerup basketball team, died Wednesday night.

McKenzie played two seasons for the Tomcats after transferring from Russell. As a junior, he was in the backcourt with Kenn Johnson. Larry Conley was a senior that season and almost led Ashland to back-to-back state championships.

While Conley was the star, McKenzie played a huge role for coach Bob Wright’s 32-6 team. He averaged 11.8 points per game – second behind Conley – and scored 438 points in that junior season.

McKenzie shined under the bright lights of Freedom Hall in the state tournament. He scored 17 points in the opening 61-57 win over Newport and had 24 against Caneyville in a 73-49 triumph in the state semifinals. During the 62-58 loss to St. Xavier in the championship game, he had 16 points and Conley scored 17 as Ashland fell just short of a second consecutive title.

As a senior, classmates McKenzie, Johnson and David Turpin each averaged double figures. McKenzie led the way with 12.8 ppg. scoring average on 385 points. Ashland fell to Olive Hill in the 16^th Region finals, 59-57, with McKenzie scoring 18 points.

He scored 823 points during his two years at Ashland.

The Tomcats would not return to the championship game of the Sweet 16 until 1996 when they fell to Paintsville. The 1961 championship season is the last time Ashland, or any team from the 16^th Region, has won the crown.

Jim McKenzie was an outstanding high school basketball referee in the 1970s and 1980s.

McKenzie was also the catcher on the 1962 Tomcat baseball team that reached the state tournament. He had an older brother, Larry, who played basketball and Russell and coached for several seasons.