Kudos to Lexington Catholic on the black unis. I really liked the fresh, neat script "Lexington Catholic" in blue across the chest and bottom. I really dug the design. Nice for a program that is so traditionally strong and usually has a look that reflects that step out and be a little bolder with an alternate.

Early observation on this one: you always hear that teams who press don't like to be pressed. Mid-way through the 2nd quarter and I don't think Catholic's pressure, which usually gives people fits, has really been a factor against Station. By and large, they've retreated against it and didn't look to trap aggressively or any of that; largest part of that is probably Station's quickness and ability to break though.

Love Reese Ryan's toughness and would take him on my team any day. Not the most talented basketball player, but that's alright because he's got a ride to WKU as a QB on the gridiron, but a blue-collar kid that helps you win and you can't really have enough of. He's not a scorer, but he'll do plenty else.

Catholic's zone look in the 2nd is pretty effective. Can definitely tell a turning point in the game where they've slowed down Station's scoring if you were to graph things and look at pace of play, all that. Was a bit surprised to see Station able to skip against it like they were at times though.

 

Can't say how much I like Reese Ryan's toughness. Again, not a scorer, just a kid who is a good athlete and doesn't back down. Not the biggest kid, but he'll get some tough rebounds. Not the quickest kid or the best leaper but he'll run a break and get an and-one. You'll never draw up plays to him or whatever, but you cannot have enough kids like him.

Just got to the point around the 2:00 mark in Q2 where there were back-to-back tough baskets by Jarod Griffin and CJ Walker. Big time plays by both of them. For Station, Walker's answer was huge.

 

Station has switched Walker onto Tanner Johnson, who is having a pretty quiet quarter and has been more than held in-check during it so far.

3rd Q and Catholic goes ahead on a spectacular play by Jarod Griffin. Man, did that kid come to play.

 

Also huge that Owsley of Station picked up his 2nd and 3rd in such quick succession.

Big sequence with about 4:00 left where Catholic tries to run, Station gets a TO and breaks but can't get it down, then Talbott runs out and goes up with Claitt trailing and makes a 2. That one put Catholic up 10 and with a team who makes so few mistakes and hits their free throws, that's a huge 10.

Tequan Claitt has had one heck of a game so far. Thought Walker has played very well also. Davis hasn't had his normal game scoring thus far, but you can definitely see the talent there.

Tim Dunn of Station with a huge 3 to cut it down to 7, but credit Catholic's Donovan Morris for answering back.

 

Cleat with a man rebound to cut it down to 9, then a Talbott layin to push it to 11 as the 3rd ends.

 

Really good quarter for Catholic, as they adjusted and kept Station's offense stagnant.

33 of Catholic's 41 in the first three came from Johnson, Griffin, and Talbott.

To recap what's going on: I'm reviewing the game now since I didn't have a chance to earlier. At this point, it's early in the 4th and the writing is on the wall for Station as Josh Owsley just picked up his fourth foul and the Defenders are down 11 and Catholic has possession. Jarrod Griffin has played exceptionally well for Lexington Catholic as they've really caused some stagnation with Station's offense with their zone. Each team's pressure hasn't really bothered either team. Station has been carried by Claitt with Walker getting some buckets when they are needed as well.

Just something I observed watching the game this year, but man, unless something changes, Catholic is going to be outright decimated by graduation at the end of this season. They lose a lot and there aren't really tons of kids behind them that you see as "ready" when we're talking about next season. Morris, Ogbogu, and Whitman will likely start, but unless there are some more kids coming in or some kids down in the JV ranks that are tearing it up, you might think they'll struggle some, at least early on. Will be interesting to see how Payne develops over the summer as well. While the three aforementioned have all played some this season, not really sure who they'll look to for all the scoring punch they'll lose.

Though no one likes the words 'Rebuilding year' your observations are probably on mark.

 

Sam Letton would have been a senior next season and helped a lot. He moved to Georgiia.

Though no one likes the words 'Rebuilding year' your observations are probably on mark.

 

Sam Letton would have been a senior next season and helped a lot. He moved to Georgiia.

 

Just remember the name Zan Payne. Kid is gonna be a star.

I can honestly say that some of these "specialized" programs as they were called are not as CAKE as some perceive. There are some that are easier than others, but there are also some that are not in our forum "athletically beneficial" to be in if you know what I mean.