Final from Dunbar tonight

 

Stats:

 

James Bolden: 21 pts, 5 rbs, 4 ast (8-19 FG, 3-7 3FG)

Ray Spalding: 16 pts, 7 rbs (8-12 FG)

Jaqualis Matlock: 15 pts, 6 rbs (6-13 FG, 0-3 3FG. 3-6 FT)

Jeremiah Tisdale; 14 pts, 3 rbs (5-9 FG)

Matt Rose: 12 pts (4-7 FG, 1-4 3FG, 3-3 FT)

Aric Holman: 8 pts, 12 rbs (3-9 FG)

David Simmons: 6 pts, 7 rbs (2-9 FG)

Hunter Noffsinger: 5 pts (2-2 FG, 1-1 3FG)

Elijay Cowherd: 4 pts, 3 rbs (2-7 FG)

 

Team:

FG: 40/87 46%

3FG: 7/25 28%

FT: 14/19 74%

 

Indiana Stats:

FG: 38-87

3FG: 9-28

FT: 28-34

 

Turnovers:

Kentucky 23

Indiana 20

A few thoughts:

 

Ray Spalding: Dominated inside against Dillard before getting in foul trouble. He came out with Kentucky leading and having momentum and Indiana took over from there. He was much more aggressive at both ends tonight and looked the part of the best player in the state for 2015.

 

James Bolden: 9 turnovers tonight but didn't get much help from his teammates when Indiana would hedge on the high ball screen. Rather than coming to get the ball, they would force him to make an off balance pass causing turnovers. Did a solid job scoring though and handled the ball well against the full court pressure of Indiana. The Indiana guards were VERY physical and let a lot go both ways that probably gets called in a high school game. Overall, the best scoring guard on the floor. Still needs to get stronger. Held his own offensively against top 100 pg Hyron Edwards but struggled at times defensively. Did do well against KJ Walton and Davon Dillard the few times they were matched up though. He was too quick for both.

 

Jaqualis Matlock- Just an all around solid guard that plays with strength and intensity. Really like his game but he did miss a key lay up that would have given KY a lead. After the missed lay up, Indiana would go from tied to up 15.

 

Jeremiah Tisdale- This kid can play and it's easy to see why some consider him a top 10 player in the state. Really like his length and athleticism and ability to get to the rim off the dribble using the crossover or simply blowing by his man. Only played 17 minutes tonight but was one of the best players on the floor for Kentucky.

 

Aric Holman- After getting dunked on last night (hard) by Dillard, he got a little revenge tonight by blocking a baseline dunk attempt by Dillard where he simply went up and met Dillard in the air and stopped his momentum...which says a lot considering how strong Dillard is. Holman looked much better when he was on the floor as the only big with Spalding on the bench. It allowed him to show his length and athleticism on the glass. The one thing that bothered me with both him and Spalding, however, was the fact that they left their feet any time a guard drove in to the lane which led to easy lay ups for Indiana, allowing them to turn a close game in to a blow out. Still, this kid has a lot of potential and will be a force next year.

 

Matt Rose: Played very well at both ends off the bench tonight. Versatile and can play both inside and out and has nice size. Also had a couple nice blocks in the paint defensively. It's easy to see why he has had success on the EYBL circuit and why he is in the discussion for top player in the 11th next year. Big time athlete as well. He was putting on a show in warm ups.

 

Play of the night was by far the block by Simmons on a Dillard dunk attempt.

 

Overall a solid showing by the Kentucky boys but their transition defense simply wasn't good enough to stop Indiana's guards. Penetration killed them all night.

Thanks for all the info on these two games Walter!

Thanks for all the info on these two games Walter!

 

I'll have video from both up either tomorrow or Monday night.

A few thoughts:

 

Jeremiah Tisdale- This kid can play and it's easy to see why some consider him a top 10 player in the state. Really like his length and athleticism and ability to get to the rim off the dribble using the crossover or simply blowing by his man. Only played 17 minutes tonight but was one of the best players on the floor for Kentucky.

 

 

Matt Rose: Played very well at both ends off the bench tonight. Versatile and can play both inside and out and has nice size. Also had a couple nice blocks in the paint defensively. It's easy to see why he has had success on the EYBL circuit and why he is in the discussion for top player in the 11th next year. Big time athlete as well. He was putting on a show in warm ups.

 

 

Glad to hear the 11th Region guys showed out tonight. I've been hyping Jeremiah Tisdale up and don't think that many people realize how good this kid really is, but would if they saw him play. In the preseason surveys I took going into the 2013/2014 season, lots of really good basketball coaches in the 11th had him rated highly, and that had me on notice that he was the real deal. From what I saw of him through this season, especially late, he didn't disappoint.

 

Glad to hear that Rose played well too. He might be hurt by all the hype he got last year more than anything else, but is definitely going to be one of the top 5 players in the 11th next season.

 

When most publications come out, I'll be a bit surprised if we don't see an 11th Region Top 5-7 that includes Jeremiah Tisdale of Henry Clay, Darius Williams of Paul Laurence Dunbar, Matt Rose of Lexington Christian Academy, Jordan Fucci of Tates Creek, and Tanner Johnson of Lexington Catholic.

A few thoughts:

 

Ray Spalding: Dominated inside against Dillard before getting in foul trouble. He came out with Kentucky leading and having momentum and Indiana took over from there. He was much more aggressive at both ends tonight and looked the part of the best player in the state for 2015.

 

James Bolden: 9 turnovers tonight but didn't get much help from his teammates when Indiana would hedge on the high ball screen. Rather than coming to get the ball, they would force him to make an off balance pass causing turnovers. Did a solid job scoring though and handled the ball well against the full court pressure of Indiana. The Indiana guards were VERY physical and let a lot go both ways that probably gets called in a high school game. Overall, the best scoring guard on the floor. Still needs to get stronger. Held his own offensively against top 100 pg Hyron Edwards but struggled at times defensively. Did do well against KJ Walton and Davon Dillard the few times they were matched up though. He was too quick for both.

 

Jaqualis Matlock- Just an all around solid guard that plays with strength and intensity. Really like his game but he did miss a key lay up that would have given KY a lead. After the missed lay up, Indiana would go from tied to up 15.

 

Jeremiah Tisdale- This kid can play and it's easy to see why some consider him a top 10 player in the state. Really like his length and athleticism and ability to get to the rim off the dribble using the crossover or simply blowing by his man. Only played 17 minutes tonight but was one of the best players on the floor for Kentucky.

 

Aric Holman- After getting dunked on last night (hard) by Dillard, he got a little revenge tonight by blocking a baseline dunk attempt by Dillard where he simply went up and met Dillard in the air and stopped his momentum...which says a lot considering how strong Dillard is. Holman looked much better when he was on the floor as the only big with Spalding on the bench. It allowed him to show his length and athleticism on the glass. The one thing that bothered me with both him and Spalding, however, was the fact that they left their feet any time a guard drove in to the lane which led to easy lay ups for Indiana, allowing them to turn a close game in to a blow out. Still, this kid has a lot of potential and will be a force next year.

 

Matt Rose: Played very well at both ends off the bench tonight. Versatile and can play both inside and out and has nice size. Also had a couple nice blocks in the paint defensively. It's easy to see why he has had success on the EYBL circuit and why he is in the discussion for top player in the 11th next year. Big time athlete as well. He was putting on a show in warm ups.

 

Play of the night was by far the block by Simmons on a Dillard dunk attempt.

 

Overall a solid showing by the Kentucky boys but their transition defense simply wasn't good enough to stop Indiana's guards. Penetration killed them all night.

 

That's all we want him to do, is be aggressive. He's too passive sometimes; but when's he's aggressive :scared:.

Glad to hear that Rose played well too. He might be hurt by all the hype he got last year more than anything else, but is definitely going to be one of the top 5 players in the 11th next season.

 

I think Matt Rose will be the best player in the 11th Region this year. I believe he was fifth in voting last year behind Davis, Gilbert, Green and Boggess (all Seniors). Very efficient scorer who never seems to take a bad shot. About 53% from field, 40% from 3PT and 80% from the line last year. He has had to battle injuries this spring during the EYBL season, but seems to be well now. I saw a tweet where he scored 45 against Bourbon County last week (shooting 7 for 9 from 3PT). Here's a link to the video:

 

My opinion after watching the whole game:

 

Bolden is not a PG. He had 9 turnovers and while a few were because of not getting help on hedged screens, most were him trying to go too fast and bad decision making. He would be better off playing 2 guard with a pure PG along side him.

 

Tisdale should have played more. He was one of a few who could get past Indiana defenders with ease.

 

The lack of defensive rebounding killed our team. Many 2nd chance points were given up, especially late.

 

Playing with 9 kids against 12 didn't help. Indiana went 5 in, 5 out quite a bit and had fresh legs on the floor most of the time while the pace wore our kids down, especially when foul trouble hit.

 

In the future I think kids should be liable if they skip the games after they make the team. I wouldn't want to put Hall or Justice on the Senior team next year for fear they wouldn't show up.

 

Just my opinion, but 53 kids tried out which means there are plenty of kids who would gladly have been there the last 2 nights representing Kentucky.

My opinion after watching the whole game:

 

Bolden is not a PG. He had 9 turnovers and while a few were because of not getting help on hedged screens, most were him trying to go too fast and bad decision making. He would be better off playing 2 guard with a pure PG along side him.

 

Tisdale should have played more. He was one of a few who could get past Indiana defenders with ease.

 

The lack of defensive rebounding killed our team. Many 2nd chance points were given up, especially late.

 

Playing with 9 kids against 12 didn't help. Indiana went 5 in, 5 out quite a bit and had fresh legs on the floor most of the time while the pace wore our kids down, especially when foul trouble hit.

 

In the future I think kids should be liable if they skip the games after they make the team. I wouldn't want to put Hall or Justice on the Senior team next year for fear they wouldn't show up.

 

Just my opinion, but 53 kids tried out which means there are plenty of kids who would gladly have been there the last 2 nights representing Kentucky.

 

Who skipped besides Hall and Justice?

Who skipped besides Hall and Justice?

 

Why did they skip?

Why did they skip?

 

Would also like to know why any young man would tryout, win the honor of representing our state, and then no-show! Lots of people let down by this. Have always heard that these are two fine young men, but would suggest that it would be a rare instance that would justify being a no-show (IMO). Would this impact one's vote for Mr. Ky. Basketball 2015?

Would also like to know why any young man would tryout, win the honor of representing our state, and then no-show! Lots of people let down by this. Have always heard that these are two fine young men, but would suggest that it would be a rare instance that would justify being a no-show (IMO). Would this impact one's vote for Mr. Ky. Basketball 2015?

 

Good question. It would not impact my vote if I had one and I am very disappointed they didn't play. I do wonder if it will impact any voter's votes though.

Why would a player try out then not even show up? I could see a family emergency being a reason but how often does that happen to 16% of a roster?

It's a shame and disrespectful to the game of basketball and to all the other kids who would have killed to play in this game. If it was up to me Justice and Hall wouldn't even be invited to tryout for the senior team next season . They should be held accountable.

It's amazes me to see how people are saying, "Shame on you players that didn't show up." "The players that didn't show should not be invited back next year." But not one person mentioned the Itinerary list for these boys; especially those from Jefferson County in PUBLIC SCHOOLS!!!!!!!

 

Unlike the private schools and county schools JCPS was still in full swing...In fact it was finals week. So why did the Kentucky selection committee choose to have practices and meet and greets for the players during school hours the week that JCPS where doing finals? People should know their facts!

 

This generation of athletes have a closer bond than years past. They post messages via social media. So hell yeah. If I had a son, and he didn't make the team and I got wind that spots could possibly be open. I would push for my son to "Just show up too!"

 

To be all the way real, If in fact there is no politics involved and FAIR is FAIR...Sure boys did work their butt off trying to earn a spot they were also working for the "R. Spalding spot too. Word is he got hurt and didn't even finish tryouts. Yes, it was unfortunate but is it fair. Should those boys from JCPS who didn's show be held liable because they chose education first? Speak on it! I'd like to see the weigh in on that.