Final.

In his post-game interview, Coach Hicks just stated that Matt Murray did get two technical fouls.

For the Cards, junior forward Jamel Banks started over Raekwon Long. Coach Hicks is praising his defense on Dence early right now.

Hicks praising the play of Lexington Catholic's Talbott tonight as well.

For the Cards, junior forward Jamel Banks started over Raekwon Long. Coach Hicks is praising his defense on Dence early right now.

 

There is about a 6 inch difference between Dence and Banks, so to do a good job on him means that much more

There is about a 6 inch difference between Dence and Banks, so to do a good job on him means that much more

 

Agree. I think Hicks might have been sandbagging some with Banks though. You don't just make one of your first career starts in the Lexington Catholic-Scott County regional game.

 

I was at work for a significant portion of the first half, so I missed a good chunk of the game. However, from what I saw, I thought that Reese Ryan and Robert Dence played well.

 

The Matt Murray situation will be interesting to say the least. Watching it again, I don't think that there was a punch thrown, just some shoving. Nonetheless, I would think that the two technicals could be bad news for him. Watching it in real time versus watching it in the replay a few times, you kind of see that Tanner Johnson might have had a little bit more of a role in it than initially thought (it seemed to me that the commentators were somewhat surprised by his T and didn't call it out right away).

Gilbert put on a show early. He was hitting all kinds of tough shots.

My two favorites were:

1 up and under step through as the Catholic defender flew by from 3 point land.

2. Catholic comes to double team him. He crosses over and one of the catholic kids falls down so he uses that kid on the ground as a screen to get away from the second kid in the double team and drains a deep three.

 

He is also money from the free throw line.

I didn't see what led up to the incident but Murray and Johnson got techs and then Murray wouldn't let it go. His teammates got him away (like 15' away on the other side of the court) but he walked back again to get the second tech. Very dumb.

He will be missed these next two games and could cost the Cards a trip to Rupp because of this dumb decision.

 

However... He was hurt part of the year and the Cards did just fine during that time.

It forces Gilbert to handle the ball a lot more and expend more energy when they have to break a press.

I thought Coach Hicks looked like a mastermind starting Banks. It was like he knew Catholic was going to try to play very slow and methodical and take advantage of Long not being able to pressure the ball. Banks was able to give pressure and it really seemed like Catholic wasn't ready for that and it shook them as Scott Co got out to a big lead early.

Dude, Plato, you are on point right now as far as I'm concerned. Hicks looked like a genius because he and Salsman are basketball genius. The 11th has no shortage of top coaches.

 

I think that Banks could be the kid that I was talking about awhile back who just steps up during one of Scott County's big runs. Didn't get to see much of the early portion of the game, but thought Banks gave them something that Murray, Crank, and Jones just physically can't when I did see him in there. Going to go back to watch the start of the game that I missed right now.

 

Here's what I wrote a few weeks back:

"In all of the Cardinals big tournament runs, Billy Hicks has always seemed to have an unsung hero who comes off the bench and provides a spark that carries the Cards through a rough game like a Cameron Hundley (‘07) or gets hot at the right time during the tournament Casey Alsop (‘98). How well one of the players mentioned above steps up and seizes the moment by fulfilling their role might determine just how far the Cards go."

 

http://bluegrasspreps.com/ky-boys-basketball/inside-11th-region-272171.html

 

 

Could Banks be that kid?

With Murray out the next two games they are going to need someone to step up. Hines Jones would be my guess but with March Madness you never know.

With Murray out the next two games they are going to need someone to step up. Hines Jones would be my guess but with March Madness you never know.

 

It will certainly be interesting. I'm excited to hear the details of Henry Clay-Lafayette tonight. Wish that game was streaming as well.

Dude, Plato, you are on point right now as far as I'm concerned. Hicks looked like a genius because he and Salsman are basketball genius. The 11th has no shortage of top coaches.

 

I think that Banks could be the kid that I was talking about awhile back who just steps up during one of Scott County's big runs. Didn't get to see much of the early portion of the game, but thought Banks gave them something that Murray, Crank, and Jones just physically can't when I did see him in there. Going to go back to watch the start of the game that I missed right now.

 

Here's what I wrote a few weeks back:

"In all of the Cardinals big tournament runs, Billy Hicks has always seemed to have an unsung hero who comes off the bench and provides a spark that carries the Cards through a rough game like a Cameron Hundley (‘07) or gets hot at the right time during the tournament Casey Alsop (‘98). How well one of the players mentioned above steps up and seizes the moment by fulfilling their role might determine just how far the Cards go."

 

http://bluegrasspreps.com/ky-boys-basketball/inside-11th-region-272171.html

 

 

Could Banks be that kid?

 

Lexington Catholic's Coach Brandon Salsman a basketball genius?

Banks pushed Dence off the block...which is easy to do when you don't fight for position. Why did it take Catholic a whole quarter to start double teaming Gilbert? Game was over after the first quarter.

Early on Dence was not trying to get to the block and was playing more on the perimeter. When they started to try and post up Banks, Banks work him hard down there. Also they brought in Rae and he helped neutralize Dence. I still think Tony Martini is the unsung hero of this team. Just a work horse. Rebounds and blocks all night, only had 5 points last night but were big points in a run which helped them calm a small storm by Lex Cath. I also like the fact that Billy went to the post when they tried to double Trent and the big shot was a kick out by Martini to Ware for three. They had Catholic guessing all night. The defense on Tanner was big by the Cards as well. If one of these guys you mentioned can step up for the run then you could see the third state championship of the year come to Georgetown.