I am not sure if in general the basketball community realizes what a gem we have in this event. If you love High School Basketball and what is good about the game, then this event delivers big time. The list can go on and on, but the feeling it delivers to the young men who get to play in this tournament is evident with how hard they play. Great basketball and the individuals at Fairdale, in particular Lloyd, have made this a first class event that the entire state can be proud of.

 

One of my takeaways is that high level basketball was played and the young men who represent their programs have carried the torch well. Basketball in our state is special and all the teams were very solid.

1. Ballard might be the quickest team I have ever seen. Their defensive pressure/intensity/quickness is unbelievable. They were remarkably fun to watch.

 

2. Adam Kunkel and Jay Scrubb have worked their way into the Mr Basketball Conversation. I know Mr Basketball isn't determined by the KOB, but the two days I watched these two were at the highest level. Faulkner is still probably at the top of the list, but those two are in contention.

 

3. The top 5 finishers in this tournament will all have a chance at a bigger title in March. I'll be surprised if the state champion isn't either Scott Co or one of those 5 teams.

 

4. Trinity is really good, and might be even better next year.

 

5. David Johnson is really good and will be even better next year.

 

6. There are some guys who can really throw it down. Rogers from Fern Creek had a viscous putback dunk. Faulkner had a big one. CovCath had several guys who can throw it down. I'm sure there were several others, but those all come to mind.

1. Ballard might be the quickest team I have ever seen. Their defensive pressure/intensity/quickness is unbelievable. They were remarkably fun to watch.

 

2. Adam Kunkel and Jay Scrubb have worked their way into the Mr Basketball Conversation. I know Mr Basketball isn't determined by the KOB, but the two days I watched these two were at the highest level. Faulkner is still probably at the top of the list, but those two are in contention.

 

3. The top 5 finishers in this tournament will all have a chance at a bigger title in March. I'll be surprised if the state champion isn't either Scott Co or one of those 5 teams.

 

4. Trinity is really good, and might be even better next year.

 

5. David Johnson is really good and will be even better next year.

 

6. There are some guys who can really throw it down. Rogers from Fern Creek had a viscous putback dunk. Faulkner had a big one. CovCath had several guys who can throw it down. I'm sure there were several others, but those all come to mind.

Not sure I could agree with one post anymore than I do with this one.

Don’t play Ballard and Fern Creek back to back.

I am confident the State Champs played in the KOB last week. Just not sure which one of them it will be.

I am confident the State Champs played in the KOB last week. Just not sure which one of them it will be.

 

I tabbed Fern Creek to win it all in the Preaeason. Nothing has swayed me from that.

Paradox moment at the KOB........As mentioned above and agreed by all the Ballard Bruins had a smothering, intense, defensive pressure that never let up. The kids played quick and hard leading the event in creating turnovers by a large margin. Yet somehow Fairdale puts up 93 points on the Bruins. I sense Fairdale is a very good team and had something to do with that. I did not see that game so I am not sure exactly how Fairdale scored that many points against that intensity, but Ballard plays a high risk/high reward defense. If a team can minimize turnovers and make Ballard pay, there is reward awaiting. They really do not have a shot blocker who sits at the rim capable of protecting should their pressure get beat. It is not an easy task to beat that pressure, but if you do there could be easy buckets to be had.

I tabbed Fern Creek to win it all in the Preaeason. Nothing has swayed me from that.

 

What helps Fern Creek in a tournament setting like the KOB and the Sweet Sixteen in March is that they can win in many different ways. They do not need a certain type game in order to get the W. The only game they really struggled was the Oregon team and they shot 10% from the 3 point line in that one. They were outscored by 24 as the Oregon team shot over 50% from the 3 point line. In this one the Tigers turned around after playing the last game of the 1st round on Wednesday which might have ended close to 10:30 PM, but turned around playing the first game of the 2nd round at 4:30 the next day. For a team to be able to bounce back indicates a toughness or resiliency needed in multi games in back to back days. They then had to beat the #2 & #1 teams in the state in consecutive games also indicating a trait that come tourney time is valuable. They respect their opponents, but are not in awe of any team which come March is required to win it all. I sense it is just the senior leadership and togetherness the team has that makes them one of the favorites. Trinity, CCH, Cooper, and Ballard all could make cases for being favorites as well. Scott County still remains a favorite also. But Fern Creek made a statement that they deserve the same mention as what Trinity and CCH had been getting leading up to this event after winning the KOB in the fashion they did.

Fern Creek paid the price for this title run years ago. Some didn't buy into it the philosophy of the team; and they left the program. The seniors on this team speak the same language and Coach has done a good job of keeping them all hungry. For instance; you rarely hear Tony Rogers' name outside of FC circles, but he might be the most underrated player on the team. I think they are built for the title run. It's a testament to the unselfish nature around the team.

I am confident the State Champs played in the KOB last week. Just not sure which one of them it will be.

 

Don't count out Scott Co. They have just a good a chance to win it as any of these teams. Still, 5 out of 6 is pretty good odds.

We invite Scott County every year and they refuse to come.

Edited December 26, 20178 yr by King of the Bluegrass

I am so proud of Kentucky High School basketball. When Portland West Linn call about coming to the KOB his first question was "is the competition any good". I assured him that it was. He ask this questions more than once. When I researched his team I found out that they had won five of the last six 6A State Championships in Oregan. Yes, they came to the KOB for ONE reason...great taems, with great players, with great competition. Yes, they were 1 -2 last week...BUT I respect thier coach because he wanted to make his team better by playing in a big time tournament. Before he took his team back to the west coast he requested that his team would like to return and would recommend our tournament to other teams in his area. Thanks coach, and thanks to our Bluegrass teams that showed we can play with the best.

We invite Scott County every year and they refuse to come.

 

At least this year there should not have been any scheduling conflict as the played a couple of home games in the days preceding the KOB start. A field of teams and environment like this event can only help prepare you for March and a run for Rupp. I would not go so far as to say that Scott County will not be prepared as they opened with Ballard on the road, play in the ultra competitive 11th region, and they head to the Beach Ball Classic in SC after the KOB. But I still would jump at the chance to provide my kids the experience of what is had at the KOB. If invited, I can't imagine why I would turn it down if there is not any scheduling conflict as was the case this year.

I do agree Scott County is a serious contender for winning the tournament, but sure had hoped they would have been there along with the other Top 5-6 teams.

I am so proud of Kentucky High School basketball. When Portland West Linn call about coming to the KOB his first question was "is the competition any good". I assured him that it was. He ask this questions more than once. When I researched his team I found out that they had won five of the last six 6A State Championships in Oregan. Yes, they came to the KOB for ONE reason...great taems, with great players, with great competition. Yes, they were 1 -2 last week...BUT I respect thier coach because he wanted to make his team better by playing in a big time tournament. Before he took his team back to the west coast he requested that his team would like to return and would recommend our tournament to other teams in his area. Thanks coach, and thanks to our Bluegrass teams that showed we can play with the best.

 

That's a great story KOB, thanks for sharing.

 

On that topic, I thought West Linn had an incredible team and I look forward to seeing them next year.

My main takeaway is Kentucky High School Basketball is loaded at the top this year!