I have to agree with Jim with the advice. Id like to see a mountain team win the Sweet 16. There are some good athletes in the mountains too, just not as many as the city schools. The Sweet 16 in my mind is better to watch than the NCAA tourney. Anything can happen and its always exciting.

I think all of the 4 reps from regions 13-16 have been "out of the sticks" this season. They'll be OK' date=' thanks for the concern though.[/quote']

 

Russell (16th) - participated in the "Defenders of the Station" tournament, getting a quality win vs. Fern Creek

 

Johnson Central (15th) - ventured out of the Mountains only once, losing 102-67 to an out-of-state team at LexCath's Hall of Fame Classic in January

 

Hazard (14th) - also played in the DOS tournament, going 1-3; lost at Lexington Catholic in January

 

The mountain teams don't get out of Eastern Kentucky too often. Then again, that's part of what makes getting to Rupp so special.

If what I said made them nervous, then they're already beat.

 

:thumb: You made some very valid points!

:thumb: You made some very valid points!

 

Thanks! I just hate to see these kids get beat on when I know they're capable of representing better.

:jump:

Much is made of the lack of success at the Sweet 16 by mountain region teams. Here's some advice that might help you get past the 25-point blowout that the rest of the state expects to be laid on your team:

 

A) Get over the fact that it's Rupp Arena. Who cares that Kentucky plays there? They aren't this week. You are, and you have to perform. You had to win to get there, so play like you did when winning your region. There's no excuses for sleepwalking for 32 minutes with stars in your eyes while getting drilled.

 

B) Don't be "just happy to be here." I can't tell you how many times I hear that tired old line. We know you're happy to be at Rupp. Who wouldn't be? That line of thinking is used as a cop-out, and the inevitable excuses for getting blown out usually are right behind.

 

C) When playing against a taller, more athletic team, don't be intimidated. I can't tell you how many times I've seen the more athletic teams run an alley-oop or some other dunk play in the first two minutes of the game designed to scare mountain teams into submission. And it almost always works. These teams from Lexington and Louisville may be more athletic than you, but more often than not, you guys shoot much better. Use that to your advantage.

 

D) Discipline, discipline, discipline. Run your offense, stick to your game plan, take care of the ball and control the tempo. A lot of teams get lazy and/or bored when they have to play defense for a long period of time.

 

E) Don't make excuses, and don't go into the game expecting to get beat. You can't change geography and demographics. What you can control is how you play and your mental toughness. You'd be surprised how far that can take you.

:jump:

 

You should have used some of those same suggestions back in the day when I would dominate you in "dunk ball"

which team in the 14 and 15 has a shot at competing on a state level

Everyone will be nervous. You cant use that as an example. Come on.

Mountain teams have a lack of talent. At one time you had dominant mountian teams such as the Carr Creek, Hazard, Wayland teams. The problem is that has been 40 years ago. When the coal boom left eastern Kentucky so left the great teams. Families had to leave the mountains in order to find employment to help in raising their families. When the families left so left the players. Sad But True.

 

 

What about the Paintsville teams in the 80s and 90s?

Jim,

 

Using that same analogy about the mountain regions, can you explain why it is that the power conferences just about always win the NCAA Championships, I mean they are all college kids aren't they?

Jim,

 

Using that same analogy about the mountain regions, can you explain why it is that the power conferences just about always win the NCAA Championships, I mean they are all college kids aren't they?

According to the Selection Committee the MVC is a power conference, equal with the ACC!

 

Good luck to all Mountain teams, and, as Jim Schue has been saying, I think Boyle County is the most overlooked and underrated team in this tournament.

Getting the mountain regions (14th and 15th) to draw each other would also guarantee them at least one win in the tournament and make things a little easier.

Getting the mountain regions (14th and 15th) to draw each other would also guarantee them at least one win in the tournament and make things a little easier.

When was the last time that happened? Anyone know?

When was the last time that happened? Anyone know?

1984. MC Napier (14th) beat Johnson Central (15th) in the first round and advanced to the semifinals, losing to Bourbon County by one point.

 

The 13th (Clay County) drew the 15th (South Floyd) in 2001.

 

The 13th (Knott County Central) last drew the 14th (Corbin) in 1991.

1984. MC Napier (14th) beat Johnson Central (15th) in the first round and advanced to the semifinals, losing to Bourbon County by one point.

 

The 13th (Clay County) drew the 15th (South Floyd) in 2001.

 

The 13th (Knott County Central) last drew the 14th (Corbin) in 1991.

Thanks.

Its cyclical and with regions having more smaller schools it doesnt seem out of line to consider that they cycle up less frequently. Additionally, the economy certainly hasn't done small towns & rural areas any favors in terms of supporting population stability, let alone growth potential

 

Clay had their run, as did Paintsville - who beat Ashland (16th Region) for their title.

 

P.S. the definition of "mountains" as well as "Eastern KY" always seems open to broad parameters:rolleyes:

 

Cheers, Woody Jr