Final from The Arena at Corbin. Clay County survives an awful first half, foul trouble, and a physical Corbin squad led by Andrew Taylor's 17 and the Tiger-tamer Zach Maguet's 12. This sounded more like a regional semi or final than a first rounder. Hate to see either side lose.

Clay County's scoring:

 

House - 22

Farmer - 19

Wolfe - 7

Sexton - 5

Smith - 4

Hats off to Ryan House for refusing to lose, Wes Wolfe for carrying stretches of the first half to keep CC close, to Farmer's clutch free throw shooting down the stretch, Sexton's hustle, and Smith's still finding a way to get CC inspired and going despite having one of the toughest nights of his career. Probably leaving some people out, but trying to type quick so I apologize. Clay County trailed by 11 at halftime and only had 13 total points.

 

The double-technical on Smith & Browning where they were going for the loose ball and Browning shoved Smith afterwards really seemed to fire Clay County up. Looking back, I think that was the real turning point.

Tons of fouls, very physical game. Makes you feel for the officials that called it because it's always one where both sides are out for blood and nobody wants to back down. I know the Bluegrass officials who were calling it were some of the best in the State and I don't think tonight was any exception to that.

Spoke with someone who was at the game who I've watched tons of basketball with. They weren't aware of just how physical the refs were going to let them play, but the BBA is kind of known for letting them play, and it's okay when they do because they can do so without letting things get out of control. Hats off to Corbin for using that to their advantage early on, and just having a good game plan in general. Person I spoke with agreed that the double technical was a huge turning point that really seemed to spur Clay County.

 

Looking ahead, they said that tomorrow's game with Knox Central should be a great one as well. They liked what they saw from Knox Central's balance and scoring, thought they shot the ball well, and that Marsee had some "wow" moments (but did say that they thought he might have some lingering effects of an injury). Tomorrow's game should be another war.

Semi Finals tomorrow?

Semi Finals tomorrow?

 

Yea'buddy.

Clay County was just too strong and physical for Corbin and kind of wore them down as the game went along. Corbin didn't help themselves from the line, missing some key FT's in the 4th quarter, and got outscored by 11 from the line. Clay Co.'s experience showed as they never panicked when they fell behind and they were able to come back and get the win.

 

Corbin needs to get into the weight room and get a little stronger, but they are very young and another year of maturity will help in that area.

Clay County fans are probably going to have nightmares about Maguet and Taylor for awhile. Just a really talented young backcourt.

Clay County was just too strong and physical for Corbin and kind of wore them down as the game went along. Corbin didn't help themselves from the line, missing some key FT's in the 4th quarter, and got outscored by 11 from the line. Clay Co.'s experience showed as they never panicked when they fell behind and they were able to come back and get the win.

 

Corbin needs to get into the weight room and get a little stronger, but they are very young and another year of maturity will help in that area.

 

 

Honestly, I felt like you couldn't have made a tougher draw for Clay County. Corbin and Knox Central in back to back nights with the possibility of a fresh Williamsburg playing close to home and not taking on nearly as much travel as CC waiting in the finals.

 

The rivalry is fun, though it's had moments where it's just been completely out of hand too (I'm looking at you 70's and 80's), but the rivalry has been healthier lately and not marred by fights and the like.

 

I really respect Coach P's ability, what he's been able to survive in the program and do with it when there was a time early on that some of their own fans were talking about him being over his head and wanting him gone, and where he's been able to take their program.

 

Knew tonight would be a war coming in and really thought that tonight was just one of those nights where it was going to go down as a great Clay County team that just had their worst game of the year at the worst possible time.

 

I listened to a Clay County call of the game, and their announcers were pretty complimentary of Corbin's kids most of the night. They talked about their game plan, their hustle, their technique blocking out and more.

 

If Corbin were in the upper bracket, this game could have been a regional final (if Clay could/will get by Knox Central tomorrow, which will be another war).

 

As a Tiger fan, there's a sense of relief. Championship teams usually have that one game where they don't really play well enough to win, but they find a way to do it. If you'd have told me at the beginning of the night that Smith would be held to 4 points, and that Taylor and Maguet would have their moments, then I'd have been really worried about our chances to win.

 

I think Blake comes out tomorrow and has a great game. Nothing to do but shake this one off and don't dwell on it. Nothing was dropping but your team survived and advanced just the same as if he'd have scored 50 in a win.

 

The 11th/BBA official's MO is usually to let a lot go, but one thing they are pretty tight on is hand-checking, at least in terms of putting a hand or two up on a ball-handler. That's an auto whistle. I'm sort of worried about what that means for Clay County, a smaller team that lost 6'7 Jake Allen from last year when they're going up against Marsee tomorrow and have to contend with Knox Central's shooters. I think KC probably looks at themselves as being fortunate to have won tonight as well, so it's like they've taken the same "survive and advance" path that Clay County did.