The Henry Clay game was as you mentioned, but I would say the most impressive game was that against Scott Co the next to last game in the season. There was a lot to play for in this game as it determined whether or not they would have to play the 4-5 game in the district or get a pass to the second round. The team showed a tremendous amount of determination and will, but at the end were defeated by three to the eventual state championship runner-ups.

 

 

Minor point, but the Scott County game didn't have anything to do with the district seeding because Scott County is not in Dunbar's district.

Minor point, but the Scott County game didn't have anything to do with the district seeding because Scott County is not in Dunbar's district.

 

I think they were in a district tie and needed one total win to have the better record or something like that...

 

Actually, I guess they got third seed anyways, but I just remember at the time it was important for them to be able to control their seeding.

Good catch, and thanks for the correction. Apologies to Mr. Hollingsworth as well. He's definitely more of a two (as had been mentioned here). I think it's possible I'd cut/pasted or just got mixed up when I consolidated some notes with Hollingsworth and one of the Lewis kids, because Hollingsworth is more of a 2 first and 1 second.

 

Last year, Donnie Lewis played a lot of point for Dunbar, but with his graduation, his younger brother Jordan (mentioned above), who I've been told might actually be a better overall athlete but less of a "pure point", will probably be asked to step up. I'd spoke with someone early this summer who said they thought Lewis was having a good summer so far. Both he and Corio will probably absorb the lion's share of minutes at the 1 next season.

The more I hear about Dunbar, the more I think that chemistry could end up being the thing that holds them back. Haven't heard anything negative about any one kid in particular or anything like that, but I think whether or not they'll play like a cohesive unit is something that's been questioned on more than one occasion.

The more I hear about Dunbar, the more I think that chemistry could end up being the thing that holds them back. Haven't heard anything negative about any one kid in particular or anything like that, but I think whether or not they'll play like a cohesive unit is something that's been questioned on more than one occasion.

 

I felt like there was something missing also. Last month they played both Ballard and Trinity and lost fairly handily (alot of teams will lose to those two). They have some nice players and would have to be considered among those to challenge for the 11th. I would put them just behind Henry Clay and LexCath. But to Jokers point there just seemed to be something missing, maybe chemistry i dunno

I felt like there was something missing also. Last month they played both Ballard and Trinity and lost fairly handily (alot of teams will lose to those two). They have some nice players and would have to be considered among those to challenge for the 11th. I would put them just behind Henry Clay and LexCath. But to Jokers point there just seemed to be something missing, maybe chemistry i dunno

 

I think late last year, they hit a huge wall with scheduling and such a young team.

 

For my money, and regardless of how many seniors were listed, the core of that team was Williams, Hollingsworth, Lewis, and then a huge shot in the arm that Brown gave them late. Those were the kids whose names you'd usually see the most from on a consistent basis once they really hit their peak, and only Lewis and Black were seniors. People also forget that Brown didn't really come on until late in the year.

 

Corio, Black, Ward, Penny and others had some nice games (some better than others), but the four names above are the ones who were more often than not consistently mentioned in the game reports I'd get.

 

Looking at the "core 4", you're relying on 40-60% of your scoring to come from a sophomore (Williams), a freshman to make huge contributions and get another 15-30% of your offense (Hollingsworth), another freshman who only started playing big minutes halfway through the year to be an energy guy on the inside (*Brown... more in next post), and then a senior (Lewis) to be steady. That's a lot to ask of a relatively inexperienced group when they're in a district with teams like Lexington Catholic and Lafayette.

"Dontell Brown is a kid that really intrigues me. As I mentioned above, he came on late and really only played half the season, but he was also a freshman.

 

I talked to someone who had charted a number of Dunbars' games who'd told me he'd taken something ridiculous like 6 charges over a 4 game span.

 

He's a kid who has such a high motor and gets after it so much by scrapping, clawing, and banging so relentlessly. That's kind of fight Dunbar needs and is the type of edge you want see from a freshman who needs to play big and not back down just so he's not eaten alive by some of the more experienced post players last season's 11th (i.e., Davis, Long, Dence, Martini, Fucci, etc.).

 

Now that he's gotten some experience, he could be the X-Factor for the Bulldogs.

 

If we're looking back at Darius Williams' record once he's graduated, seeing if Dontell was able to build on what he started in his freshman season (and how much Hollingsworth is able to improve) will likely be a huge part of explaining the Bulldogs' record.

I am looking forward to this winter and watching the progress of the Dunbar kids. I think it is an important year in the development of the program.

 

I'm excited for the future.

Who is Darius Williams playing AAU ball with in July? I believe he was with the Magic 16U team but they no longer exist.