Was there a good crowd tonight?

Gym was packed on both sides and Orlando Tubby Smith at the table.

Box score anyone???

One of the most exciting high school games of the year. Russell led in 1st half 24 -23 on last second three. Gill had 10 in 1st half and VanHoose again played like a D-1 stud. Russell led the entire 2nd half except for last minute. Good defense on both sides of the ball. Gill guarded Miller the entire 2nd half and held him to a couple of field goals. Russell had a chance to win it at the buzzer with a good look at the three (ARob) that rimmed out. I like the way this Russell team played with emotion. Thanks to both teams for a great high school basketball memory!

Russell played a great game, but fatigue became a factor late in the game and ot. mason's coach substituted wisely, had legs at the end of the game. Russell made too many turnovers late, fatigue and mason pressure were the factors. Both schools have very good teams. HC & Mason will be a interesting match up. Hoose had a great game. the point guard from mason keep them in the game from treyville. Good luck to both in tomorrows match ups.

First off Congrats to the Royals on the W,This was there 2nd game this year that was close till the end and they have manage to find a way to win both.Second a big congrats to Russell there a very good 10-1 team that will beat some quality opponents this year.I have to say they are tops in the 16th this year and hopefully well meet again in Lexington if you know what i mean;) .Vanhoose is a stud does very well at getting his open threes regardless whom is guarding him,He just has to get better at the line which shocks me with how sweet his 3 point stroke is.I'm not sure the numbers but both teams was bad at the free throw line tonight got to get better there.Great crowd on hand for this one also.Good luck to both teams from here on out and Royals theres another set of Devils waiting tomm.

 

Go Royals

 

From the games I have watched Vanhoose play (which is several) he is normally about an 80 percent foul shooter.

Royals deserved to lose this game and they would have if it weren't for senior leadership from Tyreese Scott (great game Tyreese!). Story of this game and reason Russell stayed with a much deeper and more talented Royals team is that Dodd flat out out-coached O'Hearn. No enthusiasm from the coaching staff resulted in no enthusiasm on the floor. It was apparent from the tip.

And it didn't take head cashier at Wal-Mart to figure out that Mason's length would cause turnovers in a full court press. Mason stayed in a half court man-to-man the whole entire game and allowed Russell to set the pace.

I know Miller is going to be a two or three man in college but when you need a basket desperately and your best player is 6'7", any coach in the region knows you should put him in the paint. You can't get in an offensive flow going one on five and shooting mid-range leaners.

This team could be a state contender. I've said this before and I'm new to Mason County basketball. But, Browning and King are all-region players and mid-major recruits at any other school. Why they continue to sit on the pine when they could be effective at both ends of the floor is beyond me and I'm not the only person who is often confused by the substitution processes that O'Hearn abides by.

Bottom line: Mason is 30 points better than any team they have played and among the most talented and deepest teams in the state. Any other coach would be drooling at the chance to coach this team, full of potential.

Some thoughts from last night's game:

 

Great game plan by Russell; everyone knows that one of Mason County's strengths is its press; so if you limit Mason's baskets by playing deliberately on offense you negate opportunities to press. Russell frustrated Mason often with its motion offense and back door cuts, mixing in high screens for VanHoose.

 

Great crowd, Mason prides itself on traveling well.

 

Little-used Keith Downing redeemed himself for the missed layup at the end of the first half with a couple of key steals very late in the game. Coach O'Hearn's subbing late - Downing on defense and Setty on offense - helped pull this one out.

 

My guess is that King played so sparingly because his defense is suspect. I've seen him get beat repeatedly this year. Tony tends to play a little out of control, but did hit one big three.

 

Mason showed a lot of character by coming back twice. Darius needs to be a little more selfish at those end-of-game situations. The comeback in OT after being down 50-55 with just over 2 minutes to play was nice - keyed by great defense, Scott's hustle was key.

 

Finally, it was kind of fun to sit next to VanHoose's mom duriing the game. A very nice lady, a good fan who cheered just as much for everyone else on Russell's team as for her own son. All fans could learn a lesson!

Some thoughts from last night's game: ...

 

Finally, it was kind of fun to sit next to VanHoose's mom duriing the game. A very nice lady, a good fan who cheered just as much for everyone else on Russell's team as for her own son. All fans could learn a lesson!

 

Yes, she is a very classy lady. Congratulations to Mason Co. Good luck to Russell next game.

I posted yesterday that I thought Mason would win by single digits and would be interested in seeing if Russell had the lead late if they could maintain. So, how did the regulation end? Did Russell squander a substantial lead like in overtime? That's what the posts are sounding like, just curious! And another question out of curiousity, what happened to Miller? Was Gill's defense that good?

Russell had the lead late in regulation and late in overtime. They couldn't sustain mainly because of turnovers against a very aggressive defense and missed free throws.

One of the reasons I think Gill's defense was effective in the 2nd half against Miller is Miller didn't post up one time (that I can recall). He tried to take Gill off the dribble time after time and either ran into a quick Gill or good help defense. It didn't hurt that the refs allowed these kids to play very aggressive defense without the touch fouls the 16th Region refs call!

Good showing for Russell and the 16th, continue to do well.

I guess there is a little more seperation between Scott co. and Mason co. than some would have thought.

Royals deserved to lose this game and they would have if it weren't for senior leadership from Tyreese Scott (great game Tyreese!). Story of this game and reason Russell stayed with a much deeper and more talented Royals team is that Dodd flat out out-coached O'Hearn. No enthusiasm from the coaching staff resulted in no enthusiasm on the floor. It was apparent from the tip.

And it didn't take head cashier at Wal-Mart to figure out that Mason's length would cause turnovers in a full court press. Mason stayed in a half court man-to-man the whole entire game and allowed Russell to set the pace.

I know Miller is going to be a two or three man in college but when you need a basket desperately and your best player is 6'7", any coach in the region knows you should put him in the paint. You can't get in an offensive flow going one on five and shooting mid-range leaners.

This team could be a state contender. I've said this before and I'm new to Mason County basketball. But, Browning and King are all-region players and mid-major recruits at any other school. Why they continue to sit on the pine when they could be effective at both ends of the floor is beyond me and I'm not the only person who is often confused by the substitution processes that O'Hearn abides by.

Bottom line: Mason is 30 points better than any team they have played and among the most talented and deepest teams in the state. Any other coach would be drooling at the chance to coach this team, full of potential.

 

Is Mason County really 30 points better than any team they have played? I have not seen them play yet, but they must be something else.

Russell had the lead late in regulation and late in overtime. They couldn't sustain mainly because of turnovers against a very aggressive defense and missed free throws.

One of the reasons I think Gill's defense was effective in the 2nd half against Miller is Miller didn't post up one time (that I can recall). He tried to take Gill off the dribble time after time and either ran into a quick Gill or good help defense. It didn't hurt that the refs allowed these kids to play very aggressive defense without the touch fouls the 16th Region refs call!

 

Very accurate post.

I really enjoyed this game. Russell was able to do well because they controlled the tempo and made Mason play half court. Gill really seems to be quick and an outstanding leaper for Russell. I thought he shut down Miller in the second half. Van Hoose could use a little more arc on his otherwise flawless shot. Number 3 for Mason was the reason they won. His interception of a possible layup by Van Hoose was the play of the game. There was contact but the officials did a good job by not calling it since both were going to the ball. Every possession was a battle which is what this tournament has been about when played by the top teams. Congrats to both.