Must be. There was not a 23 point turn around in those games.

 

Thats some crazy logic you have then.

Mason County got the lead in the first half by shooting threes (6 of 10) which they do very well. Catholic meanwhile went inside mostly. When the threes quit falling as much in the second half and Darius began getting in foul trouble, they had little left. I hate to see a team I'm rooting for have success at the three point line at the outset for this reason. Meanwhile Stewart and especially Sanford began warming up and the rest is history. Next time Mason needs to work the ball inside more. You live by the three, Etc.

 

I'm so glad Mason let us win by hitting pressure shots down the stretch. They really gave it to us and we have no chance of ever beating them again according to some of the posts on here. Get a grip, Mason is one of the better teams in the state but they aren't last years Scott County or even the equal of the Lofton teams yet. I doubt they will reach that level this year but will contend for state for sure.

 

I do want to thank the Mason fans and team for the class they always seem to show. You are number one in the state in my book in this regard despite some of the posts I've seen tonight which I can understand considering the high hopes and expectations you had after the Hawaii experience. I hope Mason wins the rematch, the worst thing that can happen to LexCath is to win twice and then have to beat Mason again in the state if we get that far. Time for bed and thanks again for another great basketball experience.

Thats some crazy logic you have then.

 

No logic needed, the proof is there. So I guess Lex. Cath is as good as the teams they played in Hawaii.

Read my next quote Plato, it was sarcasm at its finest. Im a Lex Cath grad.

 

I never have understood you people.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(that's sarcasm at it's finest too):laugh:

Im in agreement with most people that Mason Co. blew this one in terms of just listening to it on the radio. However, I do find it slightly annoying that some people aren't giving Catholic the credit they deserve for hanging around in this one. I don't know what the halftime foul was like or if it was deserved (though from knowing Salsman I can assume the technical afterwards was deserved) but halftime very much could have only been a 7 point game meaning the Knights had wittled a 13 point 1st quarter deficit to 7 without their best overall court player even in the game during the 2nd quarter. The Knights consistently stayed in this game and were oportunistic in taking advantage of Mason Co.'s failure to close them out.

 

As for travelling difficulties and legs. A spade is a spade and an excuse, while having some factual backing, is still an excuse. Lex Cath might not have played as many games in the same span but they didn't have it much easier. Complain about brackets all you want, yes June Buchanan proved much better then the tennessee team Lex Cath played and thanks to Paintsville's point guard being out, the semifinal game for Mason was more difficult but you still play the games and have to beat who ever you are presented with.

 

As for the rematch, Lex Cath can't get comfortable with this win tonight, they got some late game breaks compliments of Mason Co. I don't expect the rematch to be easier. In fact, with the revenge factor I'd say Mason Co. is gonna come out firing on all cylinders looking to really prove a point. Mason still is the favorite and one heck of a team as they proved tonight by showing that Miller is not all that they have, but by the same token, Catholic proved they have heart and a lot of options as well.

 

I really wanna make the rematch so I can hopefully catch another good game. And on a side note, Mason Co. fans, I liked the radio crew you all had working tonight. They did a pretty good job all game.

I never have understood you people.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(that's sarcasm at it's finest too):laugh:

 

Ha, no worries, I figured later after I had posted it that I'd probably get one person to misinterpret me. Remember Bluegrasspreps' golden rule (no not the one that everything bad that happens to UK basketball is Tubby Smith's fault, the other one) 'read the whole thread'.

Novasel doesn't get enough touches in the paint!!!!

Novasel doesn't get enough touches in the paint!!!!

 

Sanford and Stewart are talented players who can get hot and score at will, problem is, that means they don't pass as much as they probably should. Novosel is a good player but he has to improve at getting a few 10-15ft jumpers to go or he will be stuck as an inside guy at the mercy of his ball handlers to get him the ball in areas where he can get a defender on his hip and show off his footwork in the paint.

Novosol needs the ball more for LexCath.

Sanford and Stewart are talented players who can get hot and score at will, problem is, that means they don't pass as much as they probably should. Novosel is a good player but he has to improve at getting a few 10-15ft jumpers to go or he will be stuck as an inside guy at the mercy of his ball handlers to get him the ball in areas where he can get a defender on his hip and show off his footwork in the paint.

 

I think he is playing the position the way he is told to play it. He was open in the post numerous times and was overlooked. There were many opportunities in the 1st half, had LC made the pass for him, to take it right at Miller, and perhaps get Miller in foul trouble earlier. As it turned out, it didn't matter as Sanford who was at best 0-4 from outside during the game hit three 3's in a row + free throws at the end and in OT to take over the game.

Novosel needs more touches for sure. LexCath's best outside shooters, after Smart, are Sanford and Stewart who also are the best penetrators. The latter two were non factors until the second half, hence the discrepancy in scoring. Catholic had just reduced the margin to seven when Novosel was called for a foul that probably shouldn't have been called. Salsman protested and got the technical. Five made free throws later the game looked settled until Botkin got some "mo" back for Catholic with the shot at the buzzer, thus making up for T.

 

The point is that Catholic didn't play it's best in the first half and Mason benefited. The half time stats had Mason shooting ten of twelve free throws to LexCath's none. The law of averages came into play in the second half and things tightened up. A good three point shooting team usually makes around 40% at best. Mason had 60% in the first half and weren't as hot in the second half as one would expect. Some on here are blaming the loss on Mason being tired. Maybe so, but other factors also can explain the gradual turnaround of this game.

 

LexCath players knew they hadn't played well and yet the game was still in their reach. Mason players knew they had given their best shot in the first half and yet they were still in a competitive game.

Mason Co still should be #1 in the State.

I disagree with this. They legitimately got beat last night. I think Lex Cath is very good and will only get better this season. Remember that Sanford has only been playing with this group for a short time. As his teamates get used to playing with and trust him (and Sanford trust his new team) they will only improve. Last night was a big step in that direction.

 

IMO best athletes on the floor last night in order were

 

1) Miller- Mason Co.

2) Sanford -Lex Cath

3) Stewart- Lex Cath

 

Last night's result was no fluke.

Who else made the All Tourney Team?

 

Jordan Smart, Taylor Stewart, Vee Sanford and Nathan Novosel of LexCath; Darius Miller, Trevor Setty, Russ Middleton and Ehtan King of Mason County; Jonathan Ferguson, Ethan Faulkner and Evan Faulkner of Elliott County; Landon Slone of Paintsville; Clark Stepp of June Buchanan; Michael Grimes and Mitch Shover of Covington Catholic; Ryan Young of Lincoln County.

 

Smart and Stewart were named co-MVP's.

The outcome of the rematch will not be the same. Mason has something to prove.

Jordan Smart, Taylor Stewart, Vee Sanford and Nathan Novosel of LexCath; Darius Miller, Trevor Setty, Russ Middleton and Ehtan King of Mason County; Jonathan Ferguson, Ethan Faulkner and Evan Faulkner of Elliott County; Landon Slone of Paintsville; Clark Stepp of June Buchanan; Michael Grimes and Mitch Shover of Covington Catholic; Ryan Young of Lincoln County.

 

Smart and Stewart were named co-MVP's.

 

IMO Barrett Meyer from Franklin Co should have also been included on the all Tourney team. (I'm sure there are a few others Tate Cox JBS, #24 for Barren Co etc. as well.) Saw alot of quality players during the Tourney, it will be fun to follow these teams and kids through the rest of the year.