The Jake

[AllenR]

Saw on twitter that he's a hilltopper.

PER WBKO channel 13

[KentuckyJoe]

Saw same thing Jake will be at Western!!

[Qryche11]

Congrats to Jake for the commitment to WKU.

[camelman]

It does seem absurd, because he has been this good for the last two years. When you think about it, though, these kids at traditionally good but not great programs fly under the radar because the school and team is not one most pay attention to in the 9th, now 10th, like Holmes and CovCath in the 9th or Mason Co. and GRC in the 10th through the years. They played in a very good Lexington Catholic Holiday Tournament, but many of the high rated schools were playing or just had played in the KOB.

 

The people in NKY knew about him, but remember NKY is not Louisville or Lexington where the press is paid attention to on a statewide level. NKY, although those that work it are competent and try, just don't seem to have the resources to follow as much anymore and the rest of the state doesn't pay attention to we Northerners. Just the way it is. Not sure it will change. Although the play of NKY teams over the last ten years is getting noticed a lot more.

 

I think most people don't realize in the state there are more high schools and people in NKY's 3 counties (app 350K) than in Lexington (Fayette) (app. 320K). NKY is in a much larger metro area, but most of those are in Ohio (the river might as well be the Atlantic Ocean to most NKYer's) which is part of the stigma attached to NKY, right or wrong, like it or not, it is that way. Fayette's metro is all Kentucky.

 

Once they got to the big stage and he played at the high level he did, then it happens. It has happened before and will happen again.

 

I think a lot of people had heard the name, but had no idea until they saw him in the flesh and under the bright lights.

 

There are more in the state, similar maybe not quite as good, who didn't make it to Rupp that will go unnoticed by all but the locals and have nice small college careers.

 

This is more a product of the previous things I mentioned in this lengthy post than anything personal at all against "the Jake" over the last few years.

 

Nice Summary. YOU sir know absolutely what you are talking about here, IMO.

[Yellow Card]

It does seem absurd, because he has been this good for the last two years. When you think about it, though, these kids at traditionally good but not great programs fly under the radar because the school and team is not one most pay attention to in the 9th, now 10th, like Holmes and CovCath in the 9th or Mason Co. and GRC in the 10th through the years. They played in a very good Lexington Catholic Holiday Tournament, but many of the high rated schools were playing or just had played in the KOB.

 

The people in NKY knew about him, but remember NKY is not Louisville or Lexington where the press is paid attention to on a statewide level. NKY, although those that work it are competent and try, just don't seem to have the resources to follow as much anymore and the rest of the state doesn't pay attention to we Northerners. Just the way it is. Not sure it will change. Although the play of NKY teams over the last ten years is getting noticed a lot more.

 

I think most people don't realize in the state there are more high schools and people in NKY's 3 counties (app 350K) than in Lexington (Fayette) (app. 320K). NKY is in a much larger metro area, but most of those are in Ohio (the river might as well be the Atlantic Ocean to most NKYer's) which is part of the stigma attached to NKY, right or wrong, like it or not, it is that way. Fayette's metro is all Kentucky.

 

Once they got to the big stage and he played at the high level he did, then it happens. It has happened before and will happen again.

 

I think a lot of people had heard the name, but had no idea until they saw him in the flesh and under the bright lights.

 

There are more in the state, similar maybe not quite as good, who didn't make it to Rupp that will go unnoticed by all but the locals and have nice small college careers.

 

This is more a product of the previous things I mentioned in this lengthy post than anything personal at all against "the Jake" over the last few years.

 

Couldn't agree more. I also feel this is not limited to High School basketball, I have seen similar instances play out in other sports.

[B-Ball-fan]

If "the Jake" hits that shot against BG do they win it all?

 

Very good question.

 

Obviously their first meeting on Feb 17th with Cooper winning by 14 really wouldn't have meant squat if they had met again considering Scott was showing that they were really taking things to the next level.

 

I was starving for it to happen, and while I originally was rooting for Cooper to win it all, I began to savor the idea of The Jake's heroics shocking the world with unforeseen legendary results. It would've felt weird rooting against the Jags, but I'm a sucker for story lines like the one we were possibly one shot away from seeing.

[Bengal Maniac]

Very good question.

 

Obviously their first meeting on Feb 17th with Cooper winning by 14 really wouldn't have meant squat if they had met again considering Scott was showing that they were really taking things to the next level.

 

I was starving for it to happen, and while I originally was rooting for Cooper to win it all, I began to savor the idea of The Jake's heroics shocking the world with unforeseen legendary results. It would've felt weird rooting against the Jags, but I'm a sucker for story lines like the one we were possibly one shot away from seeing.

They played the Purples better than the Jags, not a knock on the Jags, they were awesome. But matchups are different. Scott had no one nearly as talented in the paint as Taylor for BG. Cooper knew Jake , had played Jakes a few times over the last three years. There would have been no unknowns for either team.

 

That being said, Scott was playing at an extremely high level the last two weeks. It would have been a great game, I think. However, the team won it that should have.

 

I still cannot believe after seeing BG, that Scott was within 15, but that is why you play the games. Jake is probably a guy you need to play several times to understand how good he is. BG had no idea, but learned quickly. Cooper already knew.

[Yellow Card]

If "the Jake" hits that shot against BG do they win it all?

 

I was really hoping for an all NKY Final.

 

I have been running some numbers, and different scenario's, since you posted this and no matter which way I look at it, I keep coming up with the same answer.....

 

 

We will never know.

[Tiger1]

As I said on another thread, he is the best player in NKY and it's not even debatable, and this week also proved he is one of the very best in the state.

[Mustang]

Unfortunately I had a commitment in Northern Kentucky Saturday night and Sunday afternoon.

Spent Saturday afternoon at the Red Mile playing the ponies that were running at Gulfstream Park, Tampa Bay and Mahoning Valley and after paying for my trip, I journeyed north. En-route I was listening to Mount Sterling radio and Dan Manley's partner predicted a running clock as the Eagles fell behind 17-4 early on in the game.

 

While no one would have been shocked IF that had happened, I bet he wanted to eat those words when the Eagles took the lead with two minutes to play in the game.

[I gotta go to work]

An update on The Jake at Western through 10 games. 6th man averaging 24.3 minutes.

10.4 PPG

45% FG

41% 3FG

81% FT

1.7 RPG

1.5 APG

1.0 SPG

 

His career high is 15 in a win over #18 Purdue, also hit the game winner vs SMU. Had 12 in a one point loss @ Wisconsin Wednesday night.

[TAC]

Love to see it! One of 6 guys averaging double digits.

Are they getting fresh bodies the first of the year? Any of the other players been cleared? Looks like they are only suiting up 8.

[Sportsaholic Mamaw]

An update on The Jake at Western through 10 games. 6th man averaging 24.3 minutes.

10.4 PPG

45% FG

41% 3FG

81% FT

1.7 RPG

1.5 APG

1.0 SPG

 

His career high is 15 in a win over #18 Purdue, also hit the game winner vs SMU. Had 12 in a one point loss @ Wisconsin Wednesday night.

 

Speaking of the Wisconsin-Western Kentucky game, was anyone else watching that game? The finish was unbelievable for a Division 1 game.

[Just Hangin Around]

Don't you guys think you should take this to the college hoops forum?