Travis Perry discusses role faith in God played in Lyon County's championship season

LEXINGTON, Ky. (KT) -- In the wake of winning the Kentucky state high school championship Saturday night, faith in God was paramount in a post-game press conference.

Travis Perry, the Sweet 16 MVP, Kentucky's Mr. Basketball, the state's all-time scoring king and Gatorade Player of the Year in Kentucky for the second straight year, talked about the role that faith played in the Lyons' 36-3 season that included a state tournament semifinal win over top-ranked Great Crossing and then a 67-58 triumph over Harlan County in the finals.

"Our strength coach Tom Rooyakkers was good about keeping us level-headed," said Perry, a 6-foot-2 guard who has committed to play basketball for the University of Kentucky. "There are a lot bigger things than basketball -- life is a lot bigger than basketball."

As the team was asked about two bricks that were center stage at the press conference, Lyon Coach Ryan Perry (Travis' father) motioned for his son to respond.

The young Perry referenced said the bricks -- one with the number 7, the other with the acronym G2G -- were meaningful to the team in its championship run. Lyon County High, which has only 277 students, is only the fifth school from the 2nd Region to win a state basketball crown.

Regarding the brick with the number seven, Perry said, "We do everything -- push-ups, our core workout every day -- in sets of seven, that's God's number. The G2G is 'Glory to God' -- that's something we always try to keep in perspective. We are very blessed as a team and individuals, even off the basketball court we are really blessed.

"I think it is important that we use our platform and also recognize every day we wouldn't be anywhere without God, without His favor. He (Rooyakkers) keeps that in our heads every day. We can get off a set of cores (exercises) if we can answer a hard question from the Bible. Stuff like that has been important to get us here. I feel we are really in tune with that. He (Rooyakkers) knows how important it is and I think we are starting to understand it as well."

Perry is a member of the Future Business Leaders of America and the BETA Club and has volunteered locally as a youth basketball coach and referee as well as donating his time to multiple community service initiatives through his church youth group.