Final.

I'm not taking any credit away from Russell, they're playing good ball at the moment. But Ashland looks tired and this is a bad time of the season for that. Hopefully it's just due to the nearly two week layoff and then playing 3 games in 4 days. They gotta get it together though or they may not make it out of the region.

I'm not taking any credit away from Russell, they're playing good ball at the moment. But Ashland looks tired and this is a bad time of the season for that. Hopefully it's just due to the nearly two week layoff and then playing 3 games in 4 days. They gotta get it together though or they may not make it out of the region.

 

I’ve noticed that too, JD. I watched the game on My Town TV. They’ve looked tired the last month to me. They’re not a big team and when you’re usually smaller than most opponents then you have to play double the energy and effort to rebound, defend and compete. Over an entire season that eventually wears on a team. I hope they can get their ‘second wind’ for the post season tournaments. And get healthy. I think Bradley still has a gimpy ankle although he’s been playing the last couple games.

My town tv didn't do the game last night but Greenup beacon facebook did. While the quality isn't as good as my town, it's free all the time. They do all Russell home games, football, basketball and sometimes other sports.

My town tv didn't do the game last night but Greenup beacon facebook did. While the quality isn't as good as my town, it's free all the time. They do all Russell home games, football, basketball and sometimes other sports.

 

I guess I was confused. I was actually at another ball game and was also watching the Ashland-Russell game on my phone and just assumed it was My Town TV. My brother had a “Watch Party” connection on his Facebook site and I clicked on it.

Region 5 winner, (John Hardin or Elizabethtown), will be the toughest team Ashland Blazer has faced this year, if they make it out of regions.

Region 5 winner, (John Hardin or Elizabethtown), will be the toughest team Ashland Blazer has faced this year, if they make it out of regions.

Yes it will. But they’ve played a good schedule. They’ve played Warren Central, Butler, Trinity, Mason Co, Madison Central, Clark Co, and several good West Virginia teams. But there’s no doubt the 5th region winner would be their stiffest competition of the year, assuming the Tomcats make it to state. They’ve got to get out of the 16th first and there’s several teams that have the ability to bring their year to a screeching halt.

I’ve noticed that too, JD. I watched the game on My Town TV. They’ve looked tired the last month to me. They’re not a big team and when you’re usually smaller than most opponents then you have to play double the energy and effort to rebound, defend and compete. Over an entire season that eventually wears on a team. I hope they can get their ‘second wind’ for the post season tournaments. And get healthy. I think Bradley still has a gimpy ankle although he’s been playing the last couple games.

 

Yeah, there was a lot of standing around on offense late in the game that is uncharacteristic of this Ashland team. Coach Mays was visibly frustrated due to the lack of movement.

 

It could be a combination of things honestly, the two weeks off, injuries, kids battling illness etc. But honestly this is not all that uncommon for top tier 16th region teams at this point in the season. The region is never strong top to bottom so most teams schedule tough out of region teams early in the season then seemingly lose focus after weeks of running clocks and 20-40 point victories against the weaker regional opponents.

 

Coach Mays seems like a coach that can get them to regroup and light the fire back under them though. Close games like this or even an unexpected loss at this point in the season can be used to reiterate to the kids that if you play lazy basketball in a lose and go home type tournament setting, you're gonna go home without bringing any hardware back with ya. Hopefully these kids figure it out.

Region 5 winner, (John Hardin or Elizabethtown), will be the toughest team Ashland Blazer has faced this year, if they make it out of regions.

 

You're right. Ashland did scrimmage JH prior to the season so they know what they're up against with them. Etown would likely be a better matchup for Ashland due to being more similar in size and length.

You're right. Ashland did scrimmage JH prior to the season so they know what they're up against with them. Etown would likely be a better matchup for Ashland due to being more similar in size and length.

 

I was at the E'town/Bardstown game Friday, don't think I would want either of them or J. Hardin either.

I was at the E'town/Bardstown game Friday, don't think I would want either of them or J. Hardin either.

 

It's a tough draw for both regions to be honest. If those teams look at film when Ashland has played it's best I imagine they're rooting for anyone else to win the 16th as well. JH has already seen them prior to the season and won by a point.

You're right. Ashland did scrimmage JH prior to the season so they know what they're up against with them. Etown would likely be a better matchup for Ashland due to being more similar in size and length.

Ashland and John Hardin scrimmaged last summer and JH won by 1 point. But that’s summertime scrimmages and not exactly the same as this time of season as a barometer to go by.

Ashland and John Hardin scrimmaged last summer and JH won by 1 point. But that’s summertime scrimmages and not exactly the same as this time of season as a barometer to go by.

 

I know, I was more less saying both of those two have seen each other in person so they both have an idea of how the other plays.

I know, I was more less saying both of those two have seen each other in person so they both have an idea of how the other plays.

Agreed. They’ve already seen one another and should have a good feel for what’s to expect if they’re able to make it to Rupp.