High school basketball: Kentucky signee Travis Perry becomes 10th player in history to reach 5,000 career points

By Jordan Divens Jan 29, 2024, 11:00am

Top 100 guard is averaging 29.4 points per contest while leading Lyon County to a record of 20-2.

The all-time leading scorer in Kentucky high school basketball history continues to etch his name in the record books. Travis Perry of Lyon County (Eddyville) became the 10th player to reach 5,000 career points on Saturday.

Despite Lyon County suffering its second loss of the season 50-48 against Newport, Perry finished with a game-high 22 points to put him at exactly 5,000 points for his career with eight games remaining in regular season play.

If Perry maintains his 29.4 points per game average through the final eight games, it would put him at approximately 5,236 points for his career entering postseason play. That total would be good for the seventh-highest total ever according to the MaxPreps National High School Basketball Record Book.

Perry has played varsity at Lyon County since seventh grade and has led the team in scoring each season. He averaged 20.6 points in seventh grade, 26.6 points in eighth grade, 27.3 points as a freshman, 27.5 points as a sophomore and 32.2 points as a junior last season.
Travis Perry surpassed Kelly Coleman for the all-time scoring record in Bluegrass State in the first round of Sweet 16 state tournament last season. (Photo: Eugene Alonzo)
Travis Perry surpassed Kelly Coleman for the all-time scoring record in Bluegrass State in the first round of Sweet 16 state tournament last season. (Photo: Eugene Alonzo)
The future Kentucky Wildcat has his eyes set on team goals over personal accolades this season.



"The main goal for us, for the whole team is to just win a state championship," Perry said. "We did something our high school hadn't done in 71 years and won the regional championship two years in a row, so getting back to Rupp (Arena) is the goal and hopefully winning the whole thing."

Perry has guided the Lyons to a win percentage of 78.9 percent over the course of his high school career with a record of 146-39.

Last season, Perry broke the career scoring record in the Bluegrass State that stood for nearly 70 years. He surpassed the previous record held by "King" Kelly Coleman of Wayland, who amassed 4,337 points from 1952-1956.

Perry credited the people around him for his success. 

"It's a huge blessing, obviously not everyone gets to have that honor," Perry said. "Just to be able to have teammates, coaches, fans and everyone that supports us so much. I mean its not a one-man job, it takes a lot of people to get that done. It's really just a huge blessing and I'm very honored."

Perry also shattered the state record for most 3-pointers made in a career as he has connected on 617 shots from beyond the arc. The previous record was 463.



Regarded as the No. 71 prospect in the Class of 2024 by 247Sports, the 6-foot-2 point guard signed with Kentucky in November. Perry owned over 20 additional offers.

Lyon County ascended all the way to No. 47 in the national rankings last week and are among the favorites to capture the Sweet 16 state title after advancing to the quarterfinals last season.

In addition to their 20-2 record this season, the Lyons captured the City of Palms Classic Signature Series title with a 93-62 victory over Buckhorn (New Market, Ala.) last month paced by 40 points, 10 rebounds, four steals and four assists from Perry.
In action here at the City of Palms Classic, Perry averaged 35.0 points, 9.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 3.0 steals per contest at the Florida event. (Photo: Eugene Alonzo)
In action here at the City of Palms Classic, Perry averaged 35.0 points, 9.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 3.0 steals per contest at the Florida event. (Photo: Eugene Alonzo)