McCreary Central 100 Whitley County 53

[Bubba Wilson]

Final from Stearns. Looks like Raider Rob took out some frustrations on the Colonels.

[rockcastleraiders]

WOW! I am glad Rockcastle got them before they got angry

[hector]

The Raiders had their A game tonight. They totally dominated this game.

[LOVETHOSERHOUNDS]

wow !!!

[SouthernSportsFan]

This game was never in doubt. The Raiders led 50-12 at halftime. Watts didn't have his usual shooting game, but he got the points in the paint. Adam Swiger had a big night, going 4-5 beyond the arc in the first half.

 

Now, I need to get this out of the way:

 

The Raiders led about 92-45 with about a minute and a half remaining. The fans and players for McCreary were so anxious to get to the 100 point mark that every score from 87+ was met with huge cheers. However, with 1:20 to go in the fourth and Whitley with the ball, they decided to hold the ball for the last 1:20 and not let McCreary score 100 on them. So with the fans booing because of their act, Rob Jones told McCreary to foul. McCreary did so and was able to get the ball back and score enough times to get to 100. However, I listened to the coach for Whitley talk about how disrespectful McCreary was in their attempt (and success) of getting 100 points, calling the Raiders' coaching staff "classless." This is the same coach that attempted to hold the ball over a minute so McCreary couldn't put points on the board in a game not in doubt and a coach that pressed McCreary on their inbounds after the foul because of his displeasure. Coach Jones wasn't running up the score to embarrass anyone. If McCreary would have had 75 points, the fans, coaches, and players would have had no problem with Whitley holding the ball, but everyone inside the gym, besides Whitley County and the refs, wanted McCreary to get to 100 points for the first time this season. McCreary didn't continue to keep the stars in the entire game - they actually played 9 guys in the first quarter.

 

I do have to applaud the Whitley players. They played hard especially in the second half. They could have been down after only putting up 12 and being down 38 at half, but the really put a good show on in the second half.

 

Wow, and Les picked the Colonels by 3.

[TheDuke]

I happen to ge to see the game tonight and I have to say; McCreary County has a great basketball team. It wouldn't surprise me in the least to see them in the sweet sixteen this year. Other than some presence in the post position, McCreary has an all around good basketball team. They guard play is tremendous. I have to say however that the above statement about running the score up is definately a farce. The McCreary county faithful decided to keep their main rotation in well into the fourth quarter, when the game was absolutely well out of reach for the undermanned Colonels. This happens sometimes. The disturbing factor to this game was the fact that coach Jones continued to Full Court press throughout the remainder of the game. Then, when the Raiders had a chance to reach the 100 point mark they fouled the Colonels as if it were a close game. Don't get me wrong, it is a great accomplishment to score a 100 points during a high school basketball game. This is a feat that is very rairly achieved in high school basketball. However, why would you want to run the score up on a team just to achieve this feat? Why would you bring in your best player (Watts) in with 1:30 left in the game in order to assure this goal. Its simple... Arrogance... McCreary county has the best team in possibly their schools history, and their team plays extremely hard. But pulling a move such as this only increases the chance of getting a key player injured, and only shows extreme disrespect to your opponent. Its sad when you let foolish pride and self indulgence take the place of sportsmanship and respect. To me this shows absolutely no class, and anyone involved in McCreary County sports should be embarassed by the actions taken during this game. You also comment on the fact that the only reason that Coach Jones continued to pummle the opposing team was becase of the fans. That shows some real self control right there. Where would high school athletics be if we let the fans and the parents make the decisions in the high school programs. As far as what Whitley coach said on the radio about this showing no class. I would definately have to agree. A coach should never subject an opposing team to this type of embarassment.

[AverageJoesGym]

I happen to ge to see the game tonight and I have to say; McCreary County has a great basketball team. It wouldn't surprise me in the least to see them in the sweet sixteen this year. Other than some presence in the post position, McCreary has an all around good basketball team. They guard play is tremendous. I have to say however that the above statement about running the score up is definately a farce. The McCreary county faithful decided to keep their main rotation in well into the fourth quarter, when the game was absolutely well out of reach for the undermanned Colonels. This happens sometimes. The disturbing factor to this game was the fact that coach Jones continued to Full Court press throughout the remainder of the game. Then, when the Raiders had a chance to reach the 100 point mark they fouled the Colonels as if it were a close game. Don't get me wrong, it is a great accomplishment to score a 100 points during a high school basketball game. This is a feat that is very rairly achieved in high school basketball. However, why would you want to run the score up on a team just to achieve this feat? Why would you bring in your best player (Watts) in with 1:30 left in the game in order to assure this goal. Its simple... Arrogance... McCreary county has the best team in possibly their schools history, and their team plays extremely hard. But pulling a move such as this only increases the chance of getting a key player injured, and only shows extreme disrespect to your opponent. Its sad when you let foolish pride and self indulgence take the place of sportsmanship and respect. To me this shows absolutely no class, and anyone involved in McCreary County sports should be embarassed by the actions taken during this game. You also comment on the fact that the only reason that Coach Jones continued to pummle the opposing team was becase of the fans. That shows some real self control right there. Where would high school athletics be if we let the fans and the parents make the decisions in the high school programs. As far as what Whitley coach said on the radio about this showing no class. I would definately have to agree. A coach should never subject an opposing team to this type of embarassment.

 

 

If the above is true and Watts was indeed brought back into the game I'd have to agree with Whitley's coach.

[The Banker of the South]

I happen to ge to see the game tonight and I have to say; McCreary County has a great basketball team. It wouldn't surprise me in the least to see them in the sweet sixteen this year. Other than some presence in the post position, McCreary has an all around good basketball team. They guard play is tremendous. I have to say however that the above statement about running the score up is definately a farce. The McCreary county faithful decided to keep their main rotation in well into the fourth quarter, when the game was absolutely well out of reach for the undermanned Colonels. This happens sometimes. The disturbing factor to this game was the fact that coach Jones continued to Full Court press throughout the remainder of the game. Then, when the Raiders had a chance to reach the 100 point mark they fouled the Colonels as if it were a close game. Don't get me wrong, it is a great accomplishment to score a 100 points during a high school basketball game. This is a feat that is very rairly achieved in high school basketball. However, why would you want to run the score up on a team just to achieve this feat? Why would you bring in your best player (Watts) in with 1:30 left in the game in order to assure this goal. Its simple... Arrogance... McCreary county has the best team in possibly their schools history, and their team plays extremely hard. But pulling a move such as this only increases the chance of getting a key player injured, and only shows extreme disrespect to your opponent. Its sad when you let foolish pride and self indulgence take the place of sportsmanship and respect. To me this shows absolutely no class, and anyone involved in McCreary County sports should be embarassed by the actions taken during this game. You also comment on the fact that the only reason that Coach Jones continued to pummle the opposing team was becase of the fans. That shows some real self control right there. Where would high school athletics be if we let the fans and the parents make the decisions in the high school programs. As far as what Whitley coach said on the radio about this showing no class. I would definately have to agree. A coach should never subject an opposing team to this type of embarassment.

 

 

You left out a couple important parts, Whitley Co. brought 3 starters back to hold the ball against McCreary JV and freshman team. With Baker screaming 4 corners from 1:50 left and saying not to shoot because McCreary only needing 2 points for a 100. McCreary played 12 kids in the first half. The only starter to score in the 4th was Watts and he had 3. Watts left the game with 6:30 to go. He did return with 53 sec to go.... for one play.

 

 

The Radio and Coach Baker didn't tell the full story. Baker started the entire mess and McCreary just cleaned his mess up.

 

 

The score was 50 to 12 at the half. The final was 100 to 53 so Jones did let up, allowing you to score 41 points in the 2nd half.

[4chs]

It sounds to me that both teams could have handled the situation better. McCreary gets a big win and Whitley continues to struggle with their 6th straight loss.

[KYHOOP]

If you have a group of kids working hard all game, while not give them that chance to score 100 points.

[SouthernSportsFan]

I think it was also essential that McCreary get to 100 points, a feat they've wanted to accomplish for a while but Jones usually makes them hold the ball whenever they have a chance, because of their loss on Tuesday. I think the loss took some confidence out of the sails for the Raiders and blowing up and taking their frustration out on another team for an entire game, playing team ball and shooting well, will help them in the long run. I think the entire team was down after losing to Rock, and this might have brought them back up. Jones wasn't trying to embarrass anyone, and Baker knew that during the final few minutes. Baker knew the Raider bunch wanted to score 100 and did everything in his power to prevent that.

 

Rob Jones didn't just shoot for 100 because of the fans. The players wanted 100 too. If getting to 100 helps their confidence, I'm all for it. High school sports is about learning, but it's also about winning and winning increases interest and interest increases success. Now, if Baker would have let them play the game to the end, then we wouldn't be having this conversation, but he also wanted to save face for himself and tried to hold the ball for over a minute and a half.

[gchs_uk9]

I agree with an earlier poster that both teams could have handled the situation better. I understand the desire of McCreary to score 100 and the desire for Whitley to keep them from it. It might have been better if both teams had just put the JV's in and let the chips fall.

 

Either way, McCreary needed a big win for confidence sake. The Raiders have a solid ballclub but obviously had to be a little shaken by the home loss to Rockcastle County. I think McCreary is the clear #2 team in the 12th Region, just a slight notch below Lincoln County. McCreary Central is looking for their first regional title since 1983. We might be setting up an exciting finish to the regional tournament!

[The Banker of the South]

I agree with an earlier poster that both teams could have handled the situation better. I understand the desire of McCreary to score 100 and the desire for Whitley to keep them from it. It might have been better if both teams had just put the JV's in and let the chips fall.

 

Either way, McCreary needed a big win for confidence sake. The Raiders have a solid ballclub but obviously had to be a little shaken by the home loss to Rockcastle County. I think McCreary is the clear #2 team in the 12th Region, just a slight notch below Lincoln County. McCreary Central is looking for their first regional title since 1983. We might be setting up an exciting finish to the regional tournament!

 

 

McCreary had their JV and freshman team in the last 6 mins. Coach Baker brough 3 starters back in and thats when everything happen.

[gchs_uk9]

McCreary had their JV and freshman team in the last 6 mins. Coach Baker brough 3 starters back in and thats when everything happen.

 

Gotcha.

[SouthernSportsFan]

gchs, does the Herald-Leader have the stats for the game? I can't open the .pdf files.