^

 

There were no real surprises. It seemed like every game was actually seeded and the higher seeds all won. No close barnburners or anything. That should change today.

 

Agree. Expect the Rowan /Southwestern game to be a real good one.

1. Weakest field overall in a loooong time

 

2. Who ever says the 14/15th/16th regions are the weakest in the state, need their head checked.

 

3. Boone Co. might be the worst team from 9th I have EVER witnessed. They are lucky Knott didn't beat them by 30.

1. Weakest field overall in a loooong time

 

2. Who ever says the 14/15th/16th regions are the weakest in the state, need their head checked.

 

3. Boone Co. might be the worst team from 9th I have EVER witnessed. They are lucky Knott didn't beat them by 30.

 

From Boone's showing I guess that I can see why you have come to this conclusion, but honestly they can bring it a whole lot better than they did. At times they can really execute brilliantly and they typically give a full game competitive effort that typically keeps them in every game. Even in their loss to Knott I think that they still never laid down, but it was seriously just an awful day where the shots just weren't falling. On numerous occasions I was pretty disappointed with how they couldn't finish close to the basket, where Knott did so beautifully. This was the first time I've seen Knott play and they had without a doubt a banner day where they couldn't miss. I haven't seen the stats from the entire first round but I'll take a wild guess and say that their shooting percentage was the best of any first round game. I was stunned at how good they were especially being as young as they are. I've heard their name in the conversation all year in the 14th but had no idea that they were that good. Good enough to get by a team like Scott County might be a stretch, but no doubt we have not heard the last of these guys for the next few years.

I think that we Extreme Northern Kentuckians need to face the reality that 9th and 10th Region basketball wasn't very strong this year, and with the exception of Clark County, who was thumped by Trinity today, no team really stood out.

 

With that being said in our own small pond it sure was fun with everybody beating everybody else on a nightly basis.

 

Boone County kind of bobbed to the top and volunteered to represent the 9th after Dixie, Holmes, Holy Cross, the so-called front-runners bowed out. I'm sure the Rebels aren't apologizing to anyone, and their 9th Region Champs trophy will look good in their lobby.

 

It reminds me of a horse trainer friend of mine who only wishes someday he can win the slowest Kentucky Derby ever run.

Boone County the worst team ever from the 9th? Definitely not. They were a very good defensive team, a very good ball handling team, a very good free throw shooting team and they were excellent at executing half court offense. All those fundamental things you want in a very good team. So perhaps that bolsters Sandman's comments above about lack of fundamentals being taught. Boone County was almost surely the most fundamentally sound team in the region and that got them a regional title. If you want to say perhaps the least talented 9th region champion, you may have something we need to consider.

 

As to what is wrong with offense in high school basketball, one thing I think should be considered is the lost art of shooting the mid range jump shot. The three point line has bred players that either shoot the three or take it to the rim. There aren't many players that shoot that short pull up jumper. So players shoot a 32% shot (a 3) or a contested shot at the rim.

 

I also do believe that defense in basketball is much better than it ever has been. Teams are so good at defending the basic pick and roll play and offense has not found a good answer.

I enjoy the state tournament each year. I would agree the games in the opening round were not as good. I know there is unreal pressure if you have never played in front of a large crowd. Im from the second region and Hopkinsville looked really bad. But I also know they have played much better during the regular season. I would say they are the early favorite to return next year and even they year after that. And if they do, I would expect them to play better each time back.

Have you watched some of the first round NCAA games?

 

Missed shots, silly turnovers, dumb fouls, etc.,.

 

All things are relative.

 

If you had watched the semi finals in all 16 regions would you also feel that the games were poorly played?

 

When high school kids come to Rupp Arena for the first time and play in front of 13,000 folks in a win or go home format..... come on, give them a a break.

 

Enjoy the Sweet 16.... don't criticize it. Other states envy it!!!

 

I don't think he was criticizing the tournament, he was only making an observation. I too think that B-Ball is down all over the state this year. Oldham beat Knot-Central 36-34, what kind of score is that. You can make excuses about Rupp Arena, but there are too many low scores this year for that excuse to hold up.

Coach Holland's style of play is very deliberate. His teams spread the floor and slow down the game. I do not enjoy his style, but I must admit his teams are very successful. Is the coaches job to entertain the fans or give his team a chance to win? I would rather my team win than entertain.