WOW, what a game. Spencer did not go down without a fight, actually leading for almost the whole game. Camden Cox missed 3-pointer at the buzzer with a chance to win the game. 

Collins survived with a very rare off night for Kenyon Goodin. 
Tough break for Spencer County, getting the 1-seed and playing a top-20 team in the state. 

Collins will play the winner of Anderson County/Woodford County in the championship.

Another disappointing loss for Spencer after another great regular season only to fall short in the district tournament. In the last 7 seasons the Bears have went 137-53 in the regular season for a .721 winning percentage. In those 7 years they have only made the regional tournament one time in the 2018-19 season where they lost the district championship went on and won the first game in the regional but lost in the semis. Also 4 of those 7 years they won 20 or more games in the regular season but lost in the opening game of the district tournament.

10 minutes ago, 16thBBall Fan said:

Another disappointing loss for Spencer after another great regular season only to fall short in the district tournament. In the last 7 seasons the Bears have went 137-53 in the regular season for a .721 winning percentage. In those 7 years they have only made the regional tournament one time in the 2018-19 season where they lost the district championship went on and won the first game in the regional but lost in the semis. Also 4 of those 7 years they won 20 or more games in the regular season but lost in the opening game of the district tournament.

Wow, this just speaks on how tough the 30th District is. I don't think these stats put any shame on Spencer County. 

12 hours ago, 16thBBall Fan said:

Another disappointing loss for Spencer after another great regular season only to fall short in the district tournament. In the last 7 seasons the Bears have went 137-53 in the regular season for a .721 winning percentage. In those 7 years they have only made the regional tournament one time in the 2018-19 season where they lost the district championship went on and won the first game in the regional but lost in the semis. Also 4 of those 7 years they won 20 or more games in the regular season but lost in the opening game of the district tournament.

Brutal

16 minutes ago, ElitePG said:

Brutal

It may be but it is what it is the numbers don't lie and at 3 of those first round district games they were pretty heavily favored. They had a 5 year stretch well they had a lot of talent to only make one regional appearance.

why were they playing in the first round?

Just now, ElitePG said:

why were they playing in the first round?

Collins grabbed the 4-seed in the district after losing to both Woodford County and Anderson, and Spencer had the 1-seed. 

Collins defeated Shelby County in a play-in game, and then went on to play Spencer County. 

16 minutes ago, ElitePG said:

why were they playing in the first round?

All I that meant was they were losing in the opening game of their district tournament. Most of those were before Woodford was moved into the 30th to make a 5 team district.

1 hour ago, 16thBBall Fan said:

It may be but it is what it is the numbers don't lie and at 3 of those first round district games they were pretty heavily favored. They had a 5 year stretch well they had a lot of talent to only make one regional appearance.

Any guesses or observations as to why they have that history of coming up short in the post-season?

It is very simple, you are in a district with Collins, Anderson, and Woodford. So no matter what your first round game is going to be tough. Also, most if not every year Collins and Woodford are going to be more talented. Just the luck of the draw, if they were in almost any other district they would have more region tournament appearances to show. Just my opinion.  

Spencer had an eight point lead at one point in the fourth — I think — but couldn’t hold on.

1 hour ago, 5er said:

It is very simple, you are in a district with Collins, Anderson, and Woodford. So no matter what your first round game is going to be tough. Also, most if not every year Collins and Woodford are going to be more talented. Just the luck of the draw, if they were in almost any other district they would have more region tournament appearances to show. Just my opinion.  

True, but didn’t their struggle start before Woodford came into the district?

1 hour ago, 5er said:

It is very simple, you are in a district with Collins, Anderson, and Woodford. So no matter what your first round game is going to be tough. Also, most if not every year Collins and Woodford are going to be more talented. Just the luck of the draw, if they were in almost any other district they would have more region tournament appearances to show. Just my opinion.  

The 29th might have something to say about that…

I'll agree that Spencer did have a stretch that they had very winnable games from 2016-2020.  Although, at the time two of those loses came to Anderson County when they still had a Hall of Fame Coach in Coach Drury and one of the best players in the region in Cobe Penny.  Then they won in 18-19.  The loss in 19-20 was a bad loss.  I'll give you that.  The next year wasn't great either.  But let's not get too crazy here and act like a traditional power is somehow not living up to historical expectations.  All I see since Coach Burns took over the program is a trend in the right direction.   Here are their results since Coach Burn took over.

2013-14 - 8-20

2014-15 - 11-16

2015-16 - 11-18

2016-17 - 20-9  Finished as the 2 seed.  Lost to Anderson County in the first round led by Coach Drury and Cobe Penny.  Anderson went on to lose in the Regional Final to Collins.

2017-18 - 20-8  Finished as the 2 seed and once again lost to A.C.  Anderson went on to lose to South Oldham in the Region Semis.

2018-19 - 21-12  Beat Anderson and then lost to Collins in the District Final.  Won their first round game in the Regions.

2019-20 - 21-8  Finished as the 2 seed.  Lost to Woodford in the first round.

2020-21 - 17-7  Finished as the 2 seed.  Lost to Collins in the first round.  Collins went on to lose in the Region Semis.

2021-22 - 19-10  Finished as the 3 seed.  Lost to Eventual Region Runner Up Woodford Co. in the first round.

2022-23 - 21-8  Finished as the 1 seed.  Lost by 2 to #17 ranked Collins in the first round. ('m guessing they may make nice run in next weeks Regional tournament).

All this to say that I'm sure that they would have liked to have won a couple more of those games, and probably should have.  And yes, they may have been favored in several of them, but heavily?  I don't see it.  What I see is a program trending towards the right direction that is in a strong district with a history of really good coaches and players.  

I will agree that they need to take the next step, but let's not act like it's an easy task and there aren't other really good teams and coaches in the district.  There other plenty of other teams in this state every year that have successful years and don't get out of their district.

Over the last several years, Spencer strikes me as a program that usually has 2 or 3 really good players but lacks the depth, size, etc. to really compete with the region powerhouses on a consistent basis.  Spencer has improved its schedule recently (including a few trips to the King of the Bluegrass), but doesn't challenge itself against tougher competition as much as some 8th region teams.  I would think Woodford, Collins, Oldham and North Oldham all have stronger schedules.