I wasn't surprised by the outcome of this game.

What makes wayne so tough is that you can't just try and take away one player. If u focus on woods then Blevins will kill you. Focus on Blevins then Stearns will go for 20 plus. And u know woods is gonna get 20 plus about every night .

Actually, I think they are very, very good - but Montgomry is pretty tough. And I'm becoming more "sold" on them with each passing week. Although Pulaski isn't great this year, that margin is impressive when playing at Pulaski.

 

As I said in a post recently, I think we will learn a lot about them as they are (or were) slated to play at Montgomery and play Knott Central at a neutral site. Also at Boyle, at West Jessamine and against Lex Catholic (although that's at Wayne) will all be tough tests.

 

I think they are 15 points better at home and just haven't been tested,yet, like a Lincoln has. That's not to say they won't pass those tests with flying colors...

 

As one who saw them play against the likes of Mater Academy (Miami FL, 67-63) and Carter (Knoxville TN, 115-103) on a neutral court, Shelby Valley (71-55) at WC, @East Jessamine (94-80) and Bryan Station on a neutral court (89-60) I think they've already played both "defensive-minded" and "offensive-minded" opponents and come out on the winning side. And I have seen them put "a running clock" on opponents at home, on neutral courts and on the opponent's courts.

 

Using KHSAA/Riherd's Scoreboard for last season and this (and going by memory on individual totals from last night), Wayne County's top three offensive threats have seen their PPG average go up 39% from last season (Woods: 16.9 to 25.6; Stearns: 15.7 to 19.1; and Blevins 12.1 to 17.5). The team as a whole has raised its offensive average from 71.6 to 82.5 and their opponents' average has risen from 57.5 to 61.7.

 

The fact is that this team that unexpectedly won the region last year with 1 SR, 1 JR, 1 SO and 2 FR (and the sophomore & 2 frosh were the highest scoring players) has improved substantially. When you mention "defensive-minded" opponents, I would suppose such teams would also be efficient offensively because there is a limit on how well anybody can guard a team that has three players who are averaging over 62 PPG between them (with the balance of the squad kicking in another 20 PPG).

 

Are there teams remaining on WC's schedule that will beat them? Well, I'd be shocked if they didn't lose some games by the end of the regular season, but then they have played some excellent teams and will be playing some of the very best teams in the state, teams that were in the State Tournament last year and some or all of which will be in it this year.

 

You consider that their three best players are a junior and two sophomores and that all are improving their game as the season progresses and I think it is no stretch to consider Wayne County a top ten contender - and that they'll hold their own against the balance of their schedule.

BC23 is correct. There are probably 6 or so other teams that have one high level top player. Then there are maybe 4 teams that have a really strong second player. However, I can't think of another whose #3 player is as strong as Blevins, and therein lies their strength - not to mention having good coaching and tradition on their side.

 

I've referenced Lincoln as that other team that I think is their primary threat. Lincoln's 3rd best player, Conley, is as good of a pure (3 point) shooter as I have seen. When he's able to get looks, they are at another level. I watched them dismantle then #8 Doss. Had them down by 24 points late in the third and I believe Conley had over 20 that game. They've had some off shooting nights but when they are on, and they are more often than not, they can be lethal.

 

I know not all are fans of the power ranking systems but no one can argue their objectivity. I didn't see this week's - but Lincoln was just above and just below in the 2 major rankings the previous week. And those rankings are based on strength of schedule and results. I think that's an accurate representation. It is by no means a given that Wayne is better than Lincoln IMO.

If I had not witnessed the 79-68 Wayne win over Lincoln on Dec 10 I might agree with you. This game could have easily been worse more than it could have been closer. These games are about match-ups and Wayne is a bad match up for Lincoln. I know some posted that Wayne had a big home court advantage there, but the fouls were fouls. Lincoln got frustrated toward the end and really did some stupid stuff.( 2 Technical fouls and Taylor getting tossed which he should have)( the call on Pittman was a not as flagrant foul as Taylors was but Lincoln had been playing Woods physical all night and you had to know sooner or later this would happen if you were watching).

 

For the record I wish they played tonight at Lincoln.

As do I! Lincoln is a different team than they were early in the season. Heck, they lost their first game of the year to Russell County - at home. They were like 2/28 on threes I think. Their momentum started with a win on the road at West Jessamine and they haven't looked back since. And I'm not a Lincoln fan, just think they are that good.

BC23 is correct. There are probably 6 or so other teams that have one high level top player. Then there are maybe 4 teams that have a really strong second player. However, I can't think of another whose #3 player is as strong as Blevins, and therein lies their strength - not to mention having good coaching and tradition on their side.

 

I've referenced Lincoln as that other team that I think is their primary threat. Lincoln's 3rd best player, Conley, is as good of a pure (3 point) shooter as I have seen. When he's able to get looks, they are at another level. I watched them dismantle then #8 Doss. Had them down by 24 points late in the third and I believe Conley had over 20 that game. They've had some off shooting nights but when they are on, and they are more often than not, they can be lethal.

 

I know not all are fans of the power ranking systems but no one can argue their objectivity. I didn't see this week's - but Lincoln was just above and just below in the 2 major rankings the previous week. And those rankings are based on strength of schedule and results. I think that's an accurate representation. It is by no means a given that Wayne is better than Lincoln IMO.

 

I agree that "power rankings" are objective, however they don't take into account games against out of state teams and Wayne has played at least two (at Gatlinburg) that would be highly ranked in Kentucky. I'm curious what are the numbers for Lincoln's "big three"? Hard to judge how effective each of them is without knowing what they're actually putting up on average. Also, curious as to why Lincoln's coach doesn't post his team's numbers on the KHSAA/Riherd's Scoreboard.

 

It will ultimately play itself out in the Region assuming both make it there and neither gets upset if they do.

No argument with your out of state comment. And I don't know why he doesn't report those stats either!

 

Regarding comparing stats, a couple of issues there. First, Wayne's style dictates that they put up a lot of points. That's the style they play and it bests fits their personnel. Lincoln doesn't put up nearly as many points as Wayne, nor do they need to, to win. I'd say their leading scorer is averaging around 5 less PPG than Woods. And about the same RPG as Stearns. Then there's the PG for Lincoln. Averaging around 10 PPG and over 8 APG. APG is a number not reported on the scoreboard. That means he's responsible for at least 26 PPG, but that would t be reflected anywhere. Not would the fact that he controls every game I've seen him play against every type of opponent - by pushing and continually breaking down defenses. Conley is the "shooter" for Lincoln and is the wild card. It would take him getting upper teens, IMO, for the to beat Wayne. And he is very capable of doing that, though he probably averages closer to 12.

 

Again, by no means would I bet on Lincoln beating Wayne, but I think most folks aren't giving them enough credit. And it's not just my opinion; both (unbiased) power rankings agree with what I am saying.

 

And one thing that hasn't mentioned yet. Lincoln's starting 5 are all juniors, so this debate won't end any time soon!

I agree that "power rankings" are objective, however they don't take into account games against out of state teams and Wayne has played at least two (at Gatlinburg) that would be highly ranked in Kentucky. I'm curious what are the numbers for Lincoln's "big three"? Hard to judge how effective each of them is without knowing what they're actually putting up on average. Also, curious as to why Lincoln's coach doesn't post his team's numbers on the KHSAA/Riherd's Scoreboard.

 

It will ultimately play itself out in the Region assuming both make it there and neither gets upset if they do.

 

The bolded is speculation.

The bolded is speculation.

 

spec-u-la-tion (noun) - the forming of a theory or conjecture without firm evidence.

 

I plead guilty. However, the facts are . . . well, there are no facts that will confirm this debate nor most others on this message board. Actually it appears that all parties agree we can't possibly know until post-season play determines what parts of our "speculation" are right and what are wrong. And we may not know then because it is possible that both Wayne County & Lincoln County could fail to win their region and even that they could both be eliminated at the same stage of play or either could win, go to the State Tournament and be eliminated in the first round thus putting in question the validity of either team being a "top ten" team.

 

The results (of either) which would forever leave our discussion in permanent limbo as pure "speculation".

I think it would be a surprise if one of those two don't win it, but perhaps not as big of a surprise as Sourhwest losing last year. Their talent differential was greater relative to the competition, but they didn't have the chemistry that either of these 2 teams seem to enjoy. There are a few teams that, if peaking at the right time and if the night is right, could knock these teams off. Think Boyle, West Jessamine, Mercer and East Jessamine. Perhaps others. Time will tell...

If Wayne's game with Knott is on a neutral court they could get a good test with the Patroits. But it appears by reading all these posts that Wayne may be a little more balanced and deeper than Knott, who tends to rely quite a bit on two players---Justice and Hall.

Perhaps, but they have NO answer for the big kid. If Knott tries to "out score" them then that's a problem. If they keep the game in the low 60's - that'll be the key for them. Looking at Wayne's schedule, when they play Knott, that will be their toughest challenge yet. On the surface, Wayne's 11 point victory at home over Lincoln looks to be their best win. But, Lincoln didn't start playing well until mid-December. IMO their signature win at this point is an 8 point victory at Clay County, which is a tough place to pick up a W. Then perhaps their win at East Jessamine by 14.

 

Looking at the remainder of their schedule, they play Knott on a neutral floor; at Southwest; @ West Jessamine; @ Boyle; and Lex Catholic at Wayne. Outside of the competition they played in TN over the holidays, which I can't comment on, I think their toughest games are yet to come. I'm not saying they won't win them all, but they will be tested more than they have season to date. One that folks may be overlooking is the game at Boyle. I can guarantee you they won't score 100 on Boyle. Talk about contrasting styles. They'll have to demonstrate the ability to win by grinding it out and when facing a very defensive minded team.

The bolded is speculation.

 

I dont think its speculation. See link below.

 

Florida Hoops | CLASS 6A

I dont think its speculation. See link below.

 

Florida Hoops | CLASS 6A

 

 

It is speculation. The words I bolded were...."and Wayne has played at least two (at Gatlinburg) that would be highly ranked in Kentucky."

 

How are we supposed to be able to prove where they would be ranked in Kentucky?