It's the big one. Can't believe I have to be at a Christmas party during this game.

 

If I had to guess right now, this is going to be the first of three meetings these teams are going to have against each other this season and they're all going to come with silverware on the line.

Owens puts in a layup in the middle of some traffic. Then after a PRP miss, Schmitt gets another 3 for the Shamroxks.

Trinity's lead stretched to 43-27 with 30 seconds left in the third.

Then Schmitt gets a steal and finds Spalding streaking to the basket for a two-handed slam.

PRP then misses a chance to tighten it; miss a three at the buzzer.

45-27 at the end of three quarters.

 

Just to be clear on the stats, it was not Schmitt with the steal it was the Ramser kid. Schmitt was the kid that had FIVE turnovers and really should not have been on the floor. If Szabo plays the Schmitt kid in the finals he will be eatin alive.

Trinity is aiming toward its second King of the Bluegrass title (2009).

 

Ballard is looking to get its fourth title (2006, 2000, 1986).

 

Should Ballard get the win, their four KOB titles would match Louisville's Male's four for the most of any team in tournament history.

Anyone rolling out to Fairdale tonight that could give updates? I'm unfortunately locked up at a Christmas party but would very much like to hide in a corner with a glass of bourbon and follow the game.

I think in large measure for a team to beat Ballard, Ballard really has to beat themselves. For instance, maybe they will be inattentive on defense at times, take bad shots, get in foul trouble, or get in too big a hurry. After seeing both B and Trinity last night, I think T will have serious match-up problems on defense in man. T played the 2-3 zone well last night, but B might be able to shoot T out of it. T will have to try to impose its style on B and play deliberately. T cannot get caught up in B's tempo. Ivory and T's other ball handlers must not wilt before B's full court pressure. (In the half court, I thought PRP actually put more pressure on the ball than Ballard did.) As long as Spalding plays near the basket, I think B will have trouble finishing at the rim. He looks to be a very good shot blocker and rebounder. I don't think B is deeper than T (I bet Szabo played at least 9 last night in meaningful minutes) but B's players in most cases are better athletes. Ballard should win but you never know. Maybe Spalding will knock them off their axis. I was impressed with his knowledge of how to play the game---but he is still learning the offensive game.

^ In both games last year, Trinity dictated the pace of the game. Both were played in the 50s. Absolutely must, and I think will, do so again. The Shamrocks' defense and ability to be deliberate on offense have that effect.

 

If I remember correctly, all it took was one little stretch in the second half of the 7th Region title game for Ballard to break open a tight game. Back-to-back threes by Quentin Snider if I remember right. Trinity allowed no such run in the LIT Championship and it's how Shamrocks hung on and secured the one-point victory.

 

Tough to hold Ballard down. Spalding can be formidable in the post if he manages to stay home, but Kelan Martin's range has a tendency to pull defenders out of the lane, which is when Snider and Dow start making moves to the basket.

 

Should be a great game.

Anyone rolling out to Fairdale tonight that could give updates? I'm unfortunately locked up at a Christmas party but would very much like to hide in a corner with a glass of bourbon and follow the game.

 

 

I'll be there. I got you.

I'll be there. I got you.

 

It's about time you picked up the slack. :lol2: Just make sure your phone battery is completely charged.

 

Will you be there for the NewCath/PRP game? This could be your "warm-up" for the Finals.

Sounding like a broken record from the last ten years, T will have to slow down the game and take care of the ball keeping the turnovers less than 15 IMO.

 

That being said, they have only been able to get past Ballard (when it counted for something) three times in the last ten years that I can recall including last year in the LIT and with a state championship team in 2012 in the regional and the 2010 team which was ranked #1 most of the season in the LIT so I have to think Ballard is the clear favorite in this one.

Edited December 23, 201312 yr by loubballfan
missed information

It's about time you picked up the slack. :lol2: Just make sure your phone battery is completely charged.

 

Will you be there for the NewCath/PRP game? This could be your "warm-up" for the Finals.

 

If I lived in Louisville like Getslow did I'd be right next to him. I mean who has a Christmas Party on a Monday?

 

Probably around halftime or so. I don't get off work until 5 and Louisville is about an hour-hour and a half drive for me. If the other games are running late that will help me a ton.

 

My phone will be at 100% whenever I walk into the gym. Hopefully it will last the whole time I am there.

Fairdale is on my way home... I may have to stop in and catch this one.

Fairdale is on my way home... I may have to stop in and catch this one.

 

Let me know. I'll be there.

If I lived in Louisville like Getslow did I'd be right next to him. I mean who has a Christmas Party on a Monday?

 

Probably around halftime or so. I don't get off work until 5 and Louisville is about an hour-hour and a half drive for me. If the other games are running late that will help me a ton.

 

My phone will be at 100% whenever I walk into the gym. Hopefully it will last the whole time I am there.

 

According to Getslow, the french fries are a "lock" and they serve a "mean" Snickers bar. :lol2:

According to Getslow, the french fries are a "lock" and they serve a "mean" Snickers bar. :lol2:

 

Definitely gonna have to check out the fries. I don't like Snickers though.

I'll be there. I got you.

 

Wish I could join you. Keep the updates fresh kind sir.