Truth be told, it wasn't a bad look on the lob; Ballard ran a nice play, the shot just fell short.

 

Microcosm of their whole night: Ballard had a nice game plan and ran it well; it just didn't work. If you'd have told me before the game that Ray Spalding would only have two points, I'd have said Trinity got beat... decisively. The rest of the Shamrocks came up big.

 

Can't say enough about how the Shamrocks came out of the gate. Played tight, tough defense while Daniel Ramser hit three triples in the first three minutes as Trinity ran out to an 11-2 lead.

 

Despite some head-scratching decisions at times, Trey Ivory made some big shots at crucial moments.

 

Outstanding team effort.

Hoptown would of wore Ballard out.

 

Ballard is fast and insanely athletic. I have no idea how this idea that anyone can "wear Ballard out" got started. Makes no sense.

Truth be told, it wasn't a bad look on the lob; Ballard ran a nice play, the shot just fell short.

 

Microcosm of their whole night: Ballard had a nice game plan and ran it well; it just didn't work. If you'd have told me before the game that Ray Spalding would only have two points, I'd have said Trinity got beat... decisively. The rest of the Shamrocks came up big.

 

Can't say enough about how the Shamrocks came out of the gate. Played tight, tough defense while Daniel Ramser hit three triples in the first three minutes as Trinity ran out to an 11-2 lead.

 

Despite some head-scratching decisions at times, Trey Ivory made some big shots at crucial moments.

 

Outstanding team effort.

 

You are being very kind with your comments regarding Ivory. Like you said if someone told you Raymond Spalding had two points and Ivory was that bad I would have bet the farm that Ballard rolls. But as I have mentioned before on here you better not sleep on the Ramser kid. He was dynamite tonight.

 

Getslow,,,,,the scary thing is that with Jay Murphy at point next year Trinity will be even better.

Edited March 12, 201412 yr by spindoc

A really fun game to watch. Game was largely decided by players other than the big names. Trinity deserved the win.

I don't know how anyone can "wear Ballard out" as well. I still believe they are the best team in the state, but the best team doesn't always win. They played a tremendous schedule this season playing nationally ranked teams and holding their own. I feel bad for Snider and Martin because they just missed out on the state championship last year, and then don't even get the chance to go to Rupp now. Congrats Trinity.

I can say that those of you who haven't had the opportunity to see Hoptown play, they are every bit as good as Ballard and play the same style with a very strong full court press. From what I have seen this season, if your team doesn't have good guard play, you will get worn out by the Tigers. That is why they seems to always pull away in the late 3rd and into the 4th quarters.

 

As far as the Tiger/Trinity matchup, they both must get past their 1st round games. The way this season has gone...anything can happen. If they meet, Hoptown is gonna half to figure out how to play consistently in the half court when they can't run and gun.

 

I really, really wanted to see a Ballard/Hoptown game. It would have a been a great shoot out with both teams scoring in the 80s or 90s.

You are being very kind with your comments regarding Ivory. Like you said if someone told you Raymond Spalding had two points and Ivory was that bad I would have bet the farm that Ballard rolls.

 

Yeah I'm not inclined to be too hard on him. I know I wasn't prepared for all the things that we're let go and I doubt Ivory was either. Quentin Snider was allowed to run the "Luke Hancock" defense for much of the game and very little contact was called. Snider was ALL OVER Ivory. Clearly that style bugged one guard more than the other.

Edited March 12, 201412 yr by spindoc

I disagree. I thought Ivory played a good game. He made some excellent driving and pull-up shots. I didn't think his floor game was nearly as bad as some have made out. How many minutes did he play? A lot, I bet. Ask Coach Szabo if Trinity could have won without him. Remember, he was playing against the probable Mr. Basketball. He, as did the entire Trinity team, competed all night at a high level.

College coaches I spotted in attendance:

 

UofL head coach Rick Pitino

UofL assistant Kevin Keatts

UK assistant Orlando Antigua

IU assistant Kenny Johnson

Bellarmine assistant Reece Gaines

Sounded like the best 2 teams in Louisville lived up to the billing.

In the state

I thought Ivory had a very gutty performance against one of (if not the best) players in the state. If everyone else plays exactly the same way and Ivory doesn't play the way he did tonight Ballard wins. That simple.

In the state

 

One of the officials that worked the game commented on the "high level" of play.

Feel inclined to come to Tre Ivory's defense...I saw the game and whether he played his best game or not can be debated, but Trinity doesn't win without his toughness, defense and aggressiveness. Period. Shot selection (at times) can be debated as with any player, but there were times when Trinity needed his ability to get to the rim. And when he got fouled tonight, he made them pay for doing it. Great high school game & environment.

One of the officials that worked the game commented on the "high level" of play.

 

I thought the officials did a good job.

This is the first time that I can remember that our basketball team is better than our football team! Unreal.....Here's to hoping we bring home state. Forgive me if I feel the 7th region has taken too much out of us.

 

#catiouslyoptomistic

Congrats to T!... Assuming there will be no school next Wed? (You can bet Owensboro will be taking the day off!).

Also great job to those updating the thread late in the game.