phil33

Looks to me that the 8th is Oldham County's to lose. I think they can take Spencer in the finals. Kerry Smith is going to have a monster game somewhere in this tourney.

I was not completely suprised by the outcome of this game. Collins has been on a rollercoaster all year. One coach, who has watched the Titans closely all season, made the assesment that this team never could find an identity. They never could settle in on a style of play. I fell the opposite is true of Henry. They are completely comfortable in their "own skin". Coach Springate does a great job matching the talents of his players to their strengths as a team. Not having any height, he surrenders the rebound battle, not having his players fight for free throw rebounds. Packs in a zone and dares the other team to beat them from the perimeter. Having smaller guards attack, attack, attack the lane on the offensive end. He takes full advantage of the inside out offense. Col. Mike nailed it when he used the term discipline. This team does not try to do more than what it can. They stay within themselves and play to their strengths. I think Coach Springate is building something special up at HCHS. He's beefed up his schedule and looks to be making it even tougher next year. Won the district for the first time in 40 years. He's got young size and even though they lose Baldwin and Schroader, he still as some quickness and decent perimiter shooting coming back. Collins will be even better next year. They've got some quality basketball players coming up. They may not be the flashy "athletes" that normally come out of Shelby Co. but they know the game and have very solid fundamentals. I think they will match up better to Turley's style of play and hopefully will form an identity that can win games.

The funny thing about the unique circumstances surrounding the South/Collins game. While South was stranded out on the interstate, Coach Conder and his staff had a great walk thru and shoot around for his girls (at least an hour). South is getting stiff sitting on a bus while the Lady Titans are lose, warm and getting extra prep time. All the more reason to give kudos to Coach Wright and the Lady Dragons.

Only one senior moves on from these two teams combined. Both teams look strong for next season.

Collins played with South toe to toe. Wells only scores 4 points and the Lady Titans go 11-23 from the line. Lady Dragons go 11-14 in the second half. Closed the deal at the line. Collins held South to 40 points or less twice this season. Lowest point totals for South. Congrats to Coach Wright for surviving and advancing. That's what great teams do in the post season. Congrats also to Collins for taking a very tough team to the wire.

For Collins, I believe their success hinges on the play of Cardwell. If she can get going offensively they can advance, even though it will be a tall order against South. South chewed Collins up earlier in the year. This year, when Cardwell can penetrate the lane, good thngs always happen. Wells is a great player. Although, I believe she is not even close to reaching her full potential...yet. This is Cardwell's team for now. If she can get in the lane to shoot or dish, Collins is tough to beat. If South can shut her out early, she folds her tent and the team follows. It hinges on her. Anderson is a great team. Very business like in their approach. They have so many weopons on the outside...4 or the top 6 players can rain down the three's. Brown has great hands and knows how to move the ball in and through the lane. McKee just gets better and better. The more she can touch the ball the better AC is as a team. Col. Mike is right; this team is still young, but they are experienced. They just keep adding to their resume. I think they continue to climb to a state championship. I think they win the region...again. This time they will advance into the next round at Diddle and poise themselves for a run at the state title next year...when their average grade is 9th grade!! Finals should feature South and AC. AC wins.

I do.

I thought Shelby played good defense when it mattered. Held McGuffin to just 7 points. Wells, the freshmen, along with the 16 points pulled down 21 rebounds and had two blocked shots. SCHS's free throws were awful. The game would not have been close if SCHS knocks down their normal 62%. I think they went 5-19. Wells missed a free throw at the end of the district championship against ACHS. Looks like she focused better last night. That's her main issue...focus. When she is dialed in she is scary good. Whoever made the comment about her emotion...you saw it all tonight. She's the same whether SCHS is in a nail biter or a 30 point margin. She just loves to play. She's improved a lot from the beginning of the year. Found her confidence. She's as strong as any girl in the state.

The Shelby Girls played their best game of the year. Wells is a diamond in the rough. If they can get their top 7 all on the same page at the same time they could do some damage in the 8th. That, however, is a big "if".