Jim Schue first off I am not trying to pick at your comments because I have heard these same statements from several fans over here in Somerset. But I have 2 questions. 1) How does Somerset place an emphasis on the All A? They are in a tournament and they strive to win each and every game in the tournament. If they were not in the the tournament and playing regular season games wouldn't they strive to win those games just as well? With the same effort? And question #2 If you had a choice to win the All A state championship or the 12th region title, Which would you choose? just curious

 

12th Region title in a landslide (and I come from a "All-A" school as well). And I think you have misread my other statements a bit. From my observations, the community gets extra hyped-up for the All-A (a lot of that has to do with past SHS success there), which filters down to the players, and the excitement wanes a bit after the All-A is overwith. It seems as though the SHS community invests itself more in the All-A than getting prepared for a big postseason run, as they should've had this season. The build-up to the All-A is so big that once it is over, Thacker has a hard time refocusing the players at what should be the ultimate goal.

This is a tough break for all of us who picked Somerset to Rupp in the Sweet 16 Contest.

12th Region title in a landslide (and I come from a "All-A" school as well). And I think you have misread my other statements a bit. From my observations, the community gets extra hyped-up for the All-A (a lot of that has to do with past SHS success there), which filters down to the players, and the excitement wanes a bit after the All-A is overwith. It seems as though the SHS community invests itself more in the All-A than getting prepared for a big postseason run, as they should've had this season. The build-up to the All-A is so big that once it is over, Thacker has a hard time refocusing the players at what should be the ultimate goal.

 

 

I think expectations at SHS were way to great this season.they had 2 starters that had varsity experience, and very little outside shooting. I think people see somerset make a run in the All A, and then not do very well in the district, and blame it on the All A. However remember that somerset played in a district with South Laurel, North Laurel, Pulaski, And Southwestern in years past. Last year they were in the bracket with South Laurel and they were not going to region and it had nothing to do with their All A Showing.

 

To get to the All A Somerset has had to win one competitive game. This year it was Danville. If Danville won the All A region, do I think Somerset would have beaten Rockcastle last night? I say no, Rock still would have won.

 

Now in two years when I think Somerset is a legitimate 12th region contender, If they go the All A, and then lay an egg in the district or first round in the region, I will switch sides and agree that the All A hype is detrimental to a post season run.

I think expectations at SHS were way to great this season.they had 2 starters that had varsity experience, and very little outside shooting. I think people see somerset make a run in the All A, and then not do very well in the district, and blame it on the All A. However remember that somerset played in a district with South Laurel, North Laurel, Pulaski, And Southwestern in years past. Last year they were in the bracket with South Laurel and they were not going to region and it had nothing to do with their All A Showing.

 

To get to the All A Somerset has had to win one competitive game. This year it was Danville. If Danville won the All A region, do I think Somerset would have beaten Rockcastle last night? I say no, Rock still would have won.

 

Now in two years when I think Somerset is a legitimate 12th region contender, If they go the All A, and then lay an egg in the district or first round in the region, I will switch sides and agree that the All A hype is detrimental to a post season run.

 

 

Bottom line: With SL and NL gone, the 12th Region was dreadfully weak. Somerset, even with Cole out, had probably its best real chance at the 12th in a while. I think that Thacker felt his team was the fave, or at least in the top three contenders. Guess the burden of expectation was too much. Somerset is 15 points better than Rockcastle on any given night. How they lost this one is beyond me, and that's not to swipe at Rock, I just felt SHS was much better.

Being from Rockcastle County I don't take that as a swipe. All season long I felt as if Somerset was a much quicker team than Rockcastle County and if they could get the Rockets into a running game then the Rockets woul be hurting. Of course I wasn't at the game to see what went on but Rockcastle County's inside players probably played a tremendous game and controlled the boards. One last thing that I will say is that when Colby Brown is hitting from the outside then the rest of the team seems to play much better as well and with him having 24 points it seems like they did just that.

 

Jim Schue, I also agree with you on the fact that some schools ten to put more emphasis on the All A tournament than the big dance. Up here in NKy, I feel that there are a few schools that do this too. Bishop Brossart and Covington Holy Cross are a few of those that come to mind.

I thought this would be a good first round matchup, who's the favorite now, PSW??

It's because the SHS community builds their whole season up for the All-A Classic and can never recapture that energy again the rest of the season. It happens to other teams as well (see Bardstown).

 

I know the All-A is great, and it's a big deal to those schools who make it to EKU, but teams that have designs on more important trophies (the 12th Region title, for example) should not place such an emphasis on the All-A.

I've been saying this for years; I think Somerset would be better off to skip the All A...

I've been saying this for years; I think Somerset would be better off to skip the All A...

 

It's hard to peak twice in a season. :thumb:

I thought this would be a good first round matchup, who's the favorite now, PSW??

 

Southwestern is in the 48th District. I know that might sound weird but that's what the KHSAA decided to do.

 

The team that's going to be joining Rockcastle County in the championship game will be the Pulaski County Maroons. PC is the #3 seed and Rockcastle County is the #4 seed. Both teams split this season and finished with the same district record. I'm not sure how they decided who got what seed but I'd guess a coin flip did the trick.

Southwestern has been one of the favorites all year long along with Boyle Co. and Lincoln Co.

do not count out west jessamine.

Bottom line: With SL and NL gone, the 12th Region was dreadfully weak. Somerset, even with Cole out, had probably its best real chance at the 12th in a while. I think that Thacker felt his team was the fave, or at least in the top three contenders. Guess the burden of expectation was too much. Somerset is 15 points better than Rockcastle on any given night. How they lost this one is beyond me, and that's not to swipe at Rock, I just felt SHS was much better.

 

I think dreadfully weak is a little strong. (Unless you are comparing it to the 11th region) But If you are comparing it to the 13th region I dont believe it is dreadfully weak if you look at the top 10 teams in each region. I know of one team in the 12th can beat South on a given night. And there ARE 6 OR 7 teams in the 12th region that could beat North on a given night.

I think dreadfully weak is a little strong. (Unless you are comparing it to the 11th region) But If you are comparing it to the 13th region I dont believe it is dreadfully weak if you look at the top 10 teams in each region. I know of one team in the 12th can beat South on a given night. And there ARE 6 OR 7 teams in the 12th region that could beat North on a given night.

I agree. It is weak compared to the 11th. But so would most of the other regions in the state. It is probably a little stronger overall than the 13th. :thumb:

It's hard to peak twice in a season. :thumb:

 

I've heard a lot of people say the all A is detrimental to somersets post season run. I have always thought one doesnt affect the other. But this statement has got me to reconsider my thoughts on this subject. I have never looked at it from this angle. You are right it is hard to peak twice in a season.

Good Job Rock!