Really fun high school game. Kyky Tandy played his best game as a blazer and had 42 in a dominant and efficient performance.

 

Hopkinsville was without 2 starters in toliver and Johnson’s.

 

University heights did have Taquan hollowell despite an ankle sprain.

 

Uha controled the game for the most part leading by 14 with 30 seconds left.

 

Heights battled big time foul trouble with McGowan, Hollowell,

Dorsey and Lovan all having 3 in the first half and 4 mid way through the 3rd. All were sitting for very long stretches.

 

Some will say that Johnson and toliver would have made the difference but I don’t think anything was stopping tandy tonight.

 

Butler, Iowa State, Oklahoma,

Florida and wku all had coaches in attendance.

Tandy is fun to watch, congrats to him on a stellar performance.

He is a lot of fun to watch. I will be very surprised if anybody goes undefeated in district this year. It's going to be a lot of fun.

It was a great night of action. Kyky Tandy is an amazing talent to watch and I think college coaches will be filing in to watch him. With Tandy, Ware, Johnson, and hopefully Cager back, it is going to be a fun year to watch basketball in the 8th district.

 

UHA as a team leaves a lot to be desired from a team standpoint. That Hoptown team they played was not close in talent/experience and still hung with them for longer than most thought. Heights should have won by 20-30. The ball movement is non-existent, its 1 pass then shot every single time. Lazy passes along with just waiting for Tandy to do the work for them. Really impatient on defense as well. Reminds me of the team when Scotty Hopson was a junior, a lot of talent with no clear direction. These kids could be a top team in the state, but it seems they are not being taught good habits.

 

Hoptown was the more impressive team, considering they currently did not have 4 starter and another rotation player was out. It was basically James Nicolas with a bunch of role players and JV guys taking on Heights, and they still played at a level where they could win the game. Most of these kids are playing in their 3rd-4th Varsity games ever. I think getting the younger guys and role players some minutes now will help solidfy their bench/rotation guys once the star players return.

 

I know above you said Johnson and Toliver would not have made a difference, but Johnson is a D1 player averaging probably 20 ppg and Toliver is their only real post threat..I really don't know how that could not make a difference. Shorty Cager WILL be back for the Tigers soon, Govan will be back Friday I believe.

 

I think the Tigers will be back at full strength after Jan. 1st and they should be the clear favorites in the region. But if Cager is not eligible, I think its up for grabs.

UHA won by 7 or 8 points....to say Johnson wouldn't have made a difference might be a little short-sighted. With him and Cager I think they beat UHA. It's not about stopping Tandy, UHA doesn't play any defense.

Cager will be back at the end of February at the soonest. He still has some requirements to meet to get back BY THAT DATE. requirements he has continually not met. The "talk" that he will be back soon just isn't to be believed. I'll leave it at that.

 

In terms of the outcome of the game. Toliver has done next to nothing this year. I've heard the hype but haven't seen the results. Is he better than 23 who played so well last night?

 

A healthy jalen johnson definetly has an impact, but does he swing things that drastically? Especially considering that the UHA guys besides Tandy didn't do much?

 

For every "what if" for Hoptown, there was one for UHA too. Let's be real. As a neutral observer (love my colonels) the fouls called on mcgowan and holowell were absurd. if those two guys don't sit half the game with foul trouble it's likely a slaughter.

 

And as far as uha's defense. In the past, yes, they've struggled on defense. But if you look at their games to this point, they've played much better defense. Against Graves County they defended very well, holding them to their lowest output of the season. And last night, the "high" score was more about pace than defense. They forced hoptown into a ton of 3's and kept the athletes out of the lane. Hoptown stayed in it early making a few of those 3's. But when they went cold any chance of winning went away.

 

Again, I think hoptown will have a nice team IF they get Jalen and Shorty back. But I wouldn't be so sure that they will. And even with them I think the district is a toss up.

 

Not trying to be argumentative but I think those orange colored glasses are skewing some opinions and creating some excuses.

 

Really appreciate the 2nd region discussion.

Cager will be back at the end of February at the soonest. He still has some requirements to meet to get back BY THAT DATE. requirements he has continually not met. The "talk" that he will be back soon just isn't to be believed. I'll leave it at that.

 

In terms of the outcome of the game. Toliver has done next to nothing this year. I've heard the hype but haven't seen the results. Is he better than 23 who played so well last night?

 

A healthy jalen johnson definetly has an impact, but does he swing things that drastically? Especially considering that the UHA guys besides Tandy didn't do much?

 

For every "what if" for Hoptown, there was one for UHA too. Let's be real. As a neutral observer (love my colonels) the fouls called on mcgowan and holowell were absurd. if those two guys don't sit half the game with foul trouble it's likely a slaughter.

 

And as far as uha's defense. In the past, yes, they've struggled on defense. But if you look at their games to this point, they've played much better defense. Against Graves County they defended very well, holding them to their lowest output of the season. And last night, the "high" score was more about pace than defense. They forced hoptown into a ton of 3's and kept the athletes out of the lane. Hoptown stayed in it early making a few of those 3's. But when they went cold any chance of winning went away.

 

Again, I think hoptown will have a nice team IF they get Jalen and Shorty back. But I wouldn't be so sure that they will. And even with them I think the district is a toss up.

 

Not trying to be argumentative but I think those orange colored glasses are skewing some opinions and creating some excuses.

 

Really appreciate the 2nd region discussion.

 

If you don't know how good Tyfrell Tolliver is than you haven't been watching basketball in this area. I seriously don't know how you can say "what has he done" when he has been saddled with injuries all year. At the Hoopfest against BG he was doing what he wanted, even took off and dunked on a player for BG. Foul trouble got to him and as soon as he went out it went from a 3-5 point game to a 20 point rout. Good 6'4-6'6 body solid with muscle. Actually has post moves. I'd say the only true big man in the region. UHA's weakest spot is their rim protection and interior play, I don't think they could have a player near his size in the post, maybe length but not overall size.

 

And if you haven't read the Ky New Era, Cager lawyer-ed up and I am 95% certain he should be back at the start of the 2nd semester from those I have spoken to in the know. I won't put out what I know on this board publicly, but you'll see him in January if I was betting.

 

Oh, and UHA graduate BTW. Yellow and Green glasses. I just follow the AAU scene fairly closely around here and have seen all these players grow through the years at all the schools.

If you don't know how good Tyfrell Tolliver is than you haven't been watching basketball in this area. I seriously don't know how you can say "what has he done" when he has been saddled with injuries all year. At the Hoopfest against BG he was doing what he wanted, even took off and dunked on a player for BG. Foul trouble got to him and as soon as he went out it went from a 3-5 point game to a 20 point rout. Good 6'4-6'6 body solid with muscle. Actually has post moves. I'd say the only true big man in the region. UHA's weakest spot is their rim protection and interior play, I don't think they could have a player near his size in the post, maybe length but not overall size.

 

And if you haven't read the Ky New Era, Cager lawyer-ed up and I am 95% certain he should be back at the start of the 2nd semester from those I have spoken to in the know. I won't put out what I know on this board publicly, but you'll see him in January if I was betting.

 

Oh, and UHA graduate BTW. Yellow and Green glasses. I just follow the AAU scene fairly closely around here and have seen all these players grow through the years at all the schools.

 

Like i've said many times on here. Believing anything that is said publicly about the cager situation is foolish. EVERY SINGLE bit of the "he's going to be back this week" news has been false EVERY TIME.

 

And even Hoptown only lists toliver at 6'4. If he's an inch over 6'2 then i'm the pope. I've known the kid for 10 years. He's not 6'4-6'6. Great kid. Lots of potential but hasn't lived up to it at all.

 

And don't take this as me hating on hoptown. I'm a county fan but you can't deny the success they've had. But the "house of cards" is starting to crumble just a bit over there. A guy like Haworth has a certain shelf life. I'm afraid that's coming to an end. Great run but things are pretty tough over there right now.

 

After this year it could be even tougher.

Soooo are you saying after UHA beats Hoptown by 7 without Johnson and Cager; that if they return you still don't think Hoptown can beat UHA? I thought that's what you were saying earlier.

Like i've said many times on here. Believing anything that is said publicly about the cager situation is foolish. EVERY SINGLE bit of the "he's going to be back this week" news has been false EVERY TIME.

 

And even Hoptown only lists toliver at 6'4. If he's an inch over 6'2 then i'm the pope. I've known the kid for 10 years. He's not 6'4-6'6. Great kid. Lots of potential but hasn't lived up to it at all.

 

And don't take this as me hating on hoptown. I'm a county fan but you can't deny the success they've had. But the "house of cards" is starting to crumble just a bit over there. A guy like Haworth has a certain shelf life. I'm afraid that's coming to an end. Great run but things are pretty tough over there right now.

 

After this year it could be even tougher.

Like I said, if you don't know how good Toliver is...you have not been watching enough. Maybe he did not put up the numbers last year as a Sophomore because he did not earn his starting spot until mid year and had 4 really dominant scorers in the lineup..but he is a great player and when you see I will find you on here later.

 

So he is revealed, one of those "I hate Haworth guys" haha. He is only good because of his talent lol. All 3 schools have talent, it just all comes down to coaching. Let me guess you think he cheats and is full of crap, the usual talking points to discredit his success. People said the same stuff about Coach Jackson at UHA when I was in school. Tim's players, the HHS students and staff, and the community like Tim and I think he is doing a fine job representing our area to the state.

 

And its not going to be that hard for him, they may not be a top 10 team next year but they will still have Toliver and Nicolas next year along with several of those freshman and sophomores you saw playing last night. They'll still be a solid squad next year. UHA should be the clear favorites next year based on talent returning.

Soooo are you saying after UHA beats Hoptown by 7 without Johnson and Cager; that if they return you still don't think Hoptown can beat UHA? I thought that's what you were saying earlier.

 

Would hoptown have won? NO, i don't think so. Would they have had a better chance, for sure. Will they win at hoptown if they have those guys back. Probably. If you're going to play the what if game, you have to look at it from UHA's perspective.

 

What if Hollowell isn't battling a bad ankle the entire night? What if McGowan, Hollowell, Lovan and the other big guy don't all have 4 fouls half way through the 3rd quarter?

 

Again, I'm not trying to hate. But playing the "what if" game goes both ways.

Like I said, if you don't know how good Toliver is...you have not been watching enough. Maybe he did not put up the numbers last year as a Sophomore because he did not earn his starting spot until mid year and had 4 really dominant scorers in the lineup..but he is a great player and when you see I will find you on here later.

 

So he is revealed, one of those "I hate Haworth guys" haha. He is only good because of his talent lol. All 3 schools have talent, it just all comes down to coaching. Let me guess you think he cheats and is full of crap, the usual talking points to discredit his success. People said the same stuff about Coach Jackson at UHA when I was in school. Tim's players, the HHS students and staff, and the community like Tim and I think he is doing a fine job representing our area to the state.

 

And its not going to be that hard for him, they may not be a top 10 team next year but they will still have Toliver and Nicolas next year along with several of those freshman and sophomores you saw playing last night. They'll still be a solid squad next year. UHA should be the clear favorites next year based on talent returning.

 

Not a hater at all. Just a neutral observer. I always root for whoever comes out of district 8 in the region and state.

Would hoptown have won? NO, i don't think so. Would they have had a better chance, for sure. Will they win at hoptown if they have those guys back. Probably. If you're going to play the what if game, you have to look at it from UHA's perspective.

 

What if Hollowell isn't battling a bad ankle the entire night? What if McGowan, Hollowell, Lovan and the other big guy don't all have 4 fouls half way through the 3rd quarter?

 

Again, I'm not trying to hate. But playing the "what if" game goes both ways.

 

I've seen UHA, and they are not impressive at all. Tandy and a couple of good pieces. Johnson and Cager are elite as well; with a better supporting cast than Tandy in my opinion. My point was if Hoptown stayed within 8 points of UHA without Cager and Johnson....logically one could conclude that with Cager and Johnson, Hoptown could make up that difference and then some. Cager and Johnson are battle tested players and probably within the top 20 players within the state. To marginalize and minimize their presence I think is a little bias or short sighted.