I'm a fan of Caoch Jones and the Wildcats at Gallatin Co. Coach Jones does a fantastic job on and off the court with those boys. Even though I'm not related to anyone on the team the Wildcats have had a place in my heart for several years!!!! Great year Wildcats enjoy and be proud of your success!:thumb:

:cry: I'm still in shock. I'll have the game stuff up later this afternoon with video of how it all went down.

 

You have to feel for these kids. In watching them since middle school (since my son was a couple years ahead of them), you knew that these kids were something special. 5 Seniors and the rest of the Wildcats played the game of their life last night. Just that much short.

 

David, Taylor, Scott, Aaron, Josh (Henry) you will not be forgotten. We have watched you grow up and we're proud of you all. The cupboard is not bare, but you will be missed next year.

 

On the other side of this, you have to give credit to Shelby County. In watching Coach Clark and hearing him on the sidelines, they knew they were in a dogfight and I will tell you they were a bit nervous. I kept hearing him say "we have to watch Maddox". Minnis makes that shot and gets fouled with 4.6 seconds to go. Unbelievable. Best of luck to the Rockets at Rupp.

Congratulations to Coach Jones and the Gallatin County Wildcats on an excellent season! :thumb:

Congrats on a great season. Anyone who watched this team play could learn about team play and unselfishness. Great job by Coach Jones and his staff.

 

Good luck Shelby against Lincoln.

 

:thumb: Keep your heads up guys, you all had a great season.

I sat behind one of the GC players at the Sweet 16 a couple years ago, not sure who it was, maybe Maddox. He watched the game intently and you could tell he had the dream in his head while watching. Everytime I follow GC on this site I think of that kid and to know they missed an opportunity by 1pt is just really sad. Its been a great run and wish them the best.

Hats off to EVERY KID and coach that was a part of this basketball game.

 

To Gallatin: This team may not look like world beaters but they are disciplined, unselfish and passionate. They played with a heart and determination that you don't often find at the smaller schools and proved that they are just as formidable an opponent as anyone in the 8th region. My heart goes out to the Wildcat players, coaches and fans. The manner in which they lost this ball game was absolutely heartbreaking. They played a nearly flawless game, especially in the 2nd half, and it has to feel like they were cheated (no reference to the officials) from a chance at Rupp.

 

To Shelby: Amazing character in what was the grip of sure defeat. There could not have been anyone in that gym that would have said the Rockets has a shot when they were trailing by 5 with 30 seconds to go. Incredible effort to defy the odds and pull out a victory.

 

To the Fans: I would have to say you were treated to a game between two of the classiest and most hard working programs in the 8th region. The championship game pitted the two best TEAMS in the region and the effort displayed by both teams showed why.

 

Great season for Coach Jones and the Wildcats.

Great season for Coach Clark and the Rockets. Good luck at Rupp Arena.

So sick after last night's game, couldn't bear to sit down and think about it any more, but here it goes...

 

Congrats to Shelby County for a good game played and for sticking with it in the closing minute when it looked like it was all over.

 

Really, really feel for the Gallatin County players. Hate to see a loss go down like this, in a game of this magnatude. I'm still in a case of disbelief.

 

I know it may mean nothing right now, but congrats to Coach Jones and all of the Wildcats for their efforts this year. It will be a team that won't soon be forgotten. You played with poise, class and as a team throughout the year. That means a lot.

 

Thanks for a great season. Good luck next year.

It is almost 24 hours later and I am still numb. I am not sure if this will be my last post on here till next season or not I just don't know at this moment if I have the heart for it. I would like to say that I have had fun verbally sparring with you guys and ladies this year it has been fun. In saying this I could not be more proud to be a Gallatin County Wildcat fan than I am right now. The way those boys laid it on the line and played their hearts and guts out for their community, their school, their coaches, and especially for each other has been amazing! Thank you Wildcats for making the long winter bearable with some excellant basketball. Congratulations to Coach Jones, his staff, and an amazing bunch of kids on a great seson! Good luck Shelby represent the 8th region well at Rupp.

I think there is one very important issue that this game also brought to light about the state of affairs in the 8th region. To many times you hear about the larger schools "bullying" or "disrespecting" the smaller schools in the region. I was just thinking about this today and it hit me. I think Shelby County showed that they have a great deal of class after the game was over. I saw several of Shelby's top players avoid the rush to the middle of the floor and head directly to Gallatin's bench and not only shake hands but take the time to console and encourage the Wildcat players. I think I even saw on of Shelby's coaches seek out each Gallatin kid that played and hug each one and offer words of encouragment. But I think the most telling thing that many people may have not noticed was the actions of Shelby's #15 as the teams were being given trophies. Of course you had your customary clapping from Shelby however, when Gallatin was announced he made his way toward the Gallatin fans and encouraged the Gallatin fans to get to their feet and applaud their team. This was subtle enough that many would have ignored it but I watched as this kid continued to raise his arms in the air and clap for the opposing team. I only point this out becuase not only did these two teams battle tooth and nail but they did so with a level of class that is not often seen at the high school level.

My heart goes out to all of you Gallatin Co fans...

 

Honestly, all of us "A" school fans were pulling for you all. It feels like a loss for us, too. We know how much you all wanted this, and how much you all deserved it...and that it was so close that you could taste it. I can't imagine how that feels. I truly respect Coach Jones and the program that he and his staff have developed. I know that your five seniors are very special kids.

 

I can't even conclude this because nothing I say is going to come close to being good enough to show how much we feel for you guys.

Finally, photos and the soon to be infamous video at this link:

 

http://nokysportsreport.blogspot.com/2008/03/game-spotlight-8th-region-finals.html

 

1st Quarter: Shelby County started out in a zone to force the ball outside. Gallatin County was patient on offense and defense as they were able to cause a few turnovers in the first couple of minutes of the game. Gallatin County went up 8-2 with 3:38 to go in the first before Shelby County called timeout. Shelby County switched to man defense with 1:35 to go in the quarter. Tim Sanford hit a three pointer with 3 seconds to go to tie the game at 8.

 

2nd Quarter: Donovan Johnson would give Shelby the first lead of the night at the 7:10 mark with a made free throw. Gallatin would tie the game at 12 with a Trent Maddox floater at the 4 minute mark. Very low scoring game. Only 5 field goals would be shot between both teams in the second quarter with the edge going to Shelby as they took a 3 point lead into the locker room, 17-14.

 

3rd Quarter: Gallatin would tie the game then Shelby would pull ahead. There would be three ties with 2:44 to go. The wildcats would take the lead at the 2:26 mark on a pull up jumper from Trent Maddox. It would be no time on the clock, Gallatin up four and Shelby misses both free throws. Gallatin up 33-29.

 

4th Quarter: Gallatin would slow things down a bit more in the 4th quarter. Trent Maddox would have to come out with a tight calf muscle. Gallatin would take a 5 point lead halfway through the quarter. Bodies start fling all over the floor on the next possession as Coty Minnis makes it a 2 point game with a conventional three point play. 40-38 with 3:45 to go. Gallatin has yet to make a field goal. All points coming from the foul line. Zac Jones hit an uncontested layup to score the first field goal in the quarter for the Wildcats. Alex Matthews would come back and get a loose ball and shot off to keep the lead at 3, 43-40 with 1:40 to go. It would be a 4 point game with 33.7 to go, 45-41. Jared Carlton was fouled with the ball and will shoot 2 free throws. No bigger shots to be take. He makes 1 of 2. Coty Minnis ties the game and is fouled with 6.1 seconds to go. He will have 1 shot. He made it. 49-48. Gallatin County would get a shot off but not to fall. It gets no closer than that. That's your final.

 

Scoring by Quarter:

 

Gallatin County - 8 6 19 15 - 48

Shelby County - 8 9 12 20 - 49

 

Individual Scoring - Gallatin County

 

Trent Maddox - 15

Taylor Jones - 13

Zac Jones - 7

Scott Brown - 5

David Henson - 5

Jared Carlton - 3

 

Individual Scoring - Shelby County

 

Coty Minnis - 15

Tim Sanford - 12

Donovan Johnson - 9

Norris Beckley - 6

Alex Matthews - 4

Cache Tomlinson - 3

 

All Tournament Team:

 

Walton-Verona - Michael Martin

Simon Kenton - Brandon Meagley

Owen County - Collin Gamble

Anderson County - C.J. Penny

North Oldham - Nate Goodson, Ryan Gallas

South Oldham - Aaron Carrithers, Drew Kramer

Shelby County - Tim Sanford, Alex Matthews, Coty Minnis

Gallatin County - Zac Jones, Trent Maddox, Taylor Jones

Wraps up an odd year in the 8th. Congrats to Shelby.

Was pulling for GC to win, but congrats to Shelby!

Wraps up an odd year in the 8th. Congrats to Shelby.

 

What was odd about this year in the 8th?

What was odd about this year in the 8th?

 

I guess more accurately an odd end of the year as I didn't expect Gallatin or Shelby to be in the finals.