I was surprised that Mason County just hit, I think, one 3-pointer this game, and didn't attempt many. Mason usually lives and dies by the 3-pointer, which is why they struggled this morning, because they weren't hitting from downtown. Tonight I believe they only made one, and that was by Russ Middleton in the first quarter. Not that they needed 3's, when they have Darius Miller...but I was still surprised. Mason tends to struggle when they're not hitting from deep.

I was surprised that Mason County just hit, I think, one 3-pointer this game, and didn't attempt many. Mason usually lives and dies by the 3-pointer, which is why they struggled this morning, because they weren't hitting from downtown. Tonight I believe they only made one, and that was by Russ Middleton in the first quarter. Not that they needed 3's, when they have Darius Miller...but I was still surprised. Mason tends to struggle when they're not hitting from deep.

 

I agree they didn't shoot well from behind the arc. So, I guess you can say they live and survive from behind the arc, but not die...

 

Congrats Royals on the tourny title. Enjoy it!

 

I just want to tell the Dawgs and their fans they have a great team. They fought and fought. Pittman is going to be a nice player as he matures.

Congrats to Mason County on your 2007-08 Kentucky State Championship!! :thumb::thumb::thumb::thumb::thumb:

Congrats Mason Co. and Holmes. Great game, all a basketball fan can ask for.

Congrats to Coach O'Hearn and the Royals.

If my Bulldogs couldn't win it, then hoped Mason County would.

 

A tip of the cap to the Bulldogs. They made it through the tougher of the two brackets and gave great effort.

They had everyone in the Hyatt and Radisson talking about their tough play and the great poise they showed.

I think the Dogs were a little worn out tonight and could not quite get that big shot to go down, and get it to a one possession game.

MC on the other hand could just get it to Miller in the post.

 

Many will forget but Holmes had to survive and bloodbath versus Paintsville Friday afternoon which was draining and then return and prepare for the #1 team in Lex Cath with less than 24 hours and then get the #2 team in Mason with less than 6 hours prep.

A tough tough gauntlet...

 

In regards to a few earlier posts, Elliott had a full week to prepare for Mason County, plus had already played them once.

 

Hate to see the Bulldog senior class go, because they have laid a great foundation for the future.

Arrez Henderson was fantastic...pound for pound he gets more out of his ability/size than anyone in the state.

Avery, Nelson, Clark and company will be missed.

They had a great run.

Coach Henley and his staff need a great applause for what they achieved and the players they molded this year.

 

The future is bright, and I would not be surprised to see Ricardo Johnson and Elijah Pittman with invites to Billy Gillispie's Elite Camp this summer. BCG really liked what he saw from those two this week as well as Henderson.

Congrats to Coach O'Hearn and the Royals.

If my Bulldogs couldn't win it, then hoped Mason County would.

 

A tip of the cap to the Bulldogs. They made it through the tougher of the two brackets and gave great effort.

They had everyone in the Hyatt and Radisson talking about their tough play and the great poise they showed.

I think the Dogs were a little worn out tonight and could not quite get that big shot to go down, and get it to a one possession game.

MC on the other hand could just get it to Miller in the post.

 

Many will forget but Holmes had to survive and bloodbath versus Paintsville Friday afternoon which was draining and then return and prepare for the #1 team in Lex Cath with less than 24 hours and then get the #2 team in Mason with less than 6 hours prep.

A tough tough gauntlet...

 

In regards to a few earlier posts, Elliott had a full week to prepare for Mason County, plus had already played them once.

 

Hate to see the Bulldog senior class go, because they have laid a great foundation for the future.

Arrez Henderson was fantastic...pound for pound he gets more out of his ability/size than anyone in the state.

Avery, Nelson, Clark and company will be missed.

They had a great run.

Coach Henley and his staff need a great applause for what they achieved and the players they molded this year.

 

The future is bright, and I would not be surprised to see Ricardo Johnson and Elijah Pittman with invites to Billy Gillispie's Elite Camp this summer. BCG really liked what he saw from those two this week as well as Henderson.

 

Could not have said this better. We came one step closer this year than last. Way to go Bulldogs! Keep your head's held high. We are very proud of each of you.

 

Congrats to Breaon Avery for receiving the tournaments "Best Sportmanship" Award.

As the pregame video said:

 

120 Counties

268 Schools

One Champion

 

And that one championship banner will sure look nice next to the '03 banner hanging in The Fieldhouse.

 

First, congratulations to Holmes. A very athletic squad and a class act on the floor. No shame at all in getting out of that upper bracket and giving the Royals a very good game.

 

On to the Royals. It still amazes me how many times I sit in the stands and hear MASON COUNTY FANS running down this year's MR. BASKETBALL. Mason County has a lot of nice players, a great system and a fine team, but make no mistake; Darius Miller is the main reason that the 2008 trophy will be sitting in the showcase at The Fieldhouse. Miller put the team on his back in the second half.

 

#33 has also taken some garbage on this board and elsewhere, but he was A WARRIOR tonight; often taking the widely acknowledged defensive player of the year (who is a delight to watch, by the way; he never stops working) to school several times tonight. Nice game and tournament, Russ.

 

To #22, congratulations on being selected to the all-tournament team. Great job, Ethan.

 

Trevor, wear that championship ring proudly. If it hadn't been for you late in the first-round game, the Royals go home early.

 

And what about 10 points from defensive specialist Keith Downing. Huge point production tonight.

 

Finally, to #42; you know how papa's family feels about you. What's a synonym for champion? JACKSON.:thumb:

 

Funny game, basketball. Mason County is 7 points down with three and a half minutes to play in Round 1; finds a way to win and 48 hours later are state champs. Holmes relies on threes against the Royals to stay in the game; Mason hits maybe one three-ball all game and relies on Middleton driving to the rim and Miller down low and getting almost every point in the paint or at the free-throw line. Seemed like the game was turned inside out.

 

Great job Royals. Two championships and a runner-up in six years is pretty daggone nice!

Let me say one more thing before calling it a (very long) day.

 

I've told folks loud and often that Mason County's defense has been overlooked all year. Gave up 62, in an off game, to the highest scoring team in the Commonwealth; absolutely throttled a decent Tilghman team, gave up 50 to Shelby County, and 48 to Holmes.

 

The defense rests.

Left the house at 8am, got down to Rupp to watch semifinal games, went and saw a movie, came back to Rupp and watched the finale.

 

Everything has been covered, I can't give the coaching staff, players enough congratulations for the job they did this year. After Scott County's off the court issues, the Royals target on their back only got larger. They carried that burden all year and throughout all the ups and downs, they finish on top.

 

I really don't think this will sink in with me for a long, long time. I just expected them to win with the talent they had, but we have all seen teams with talent not get the job done at the end of the day.

 

Special thanks to Holmes for taking out LC in the semifinals. AND special thanks to Clark Co on that 10th region loss last year. I can only imagine how much that loss fueled these players this year, whatever the case, they are state champs and I can't wait to see that banner hanging next to 2003.

 

The video quality is awful, but what can you do.

 

Congrats to Mason! A few thoughts IMO If these two teams play ten times I bet Holmes wins 7 or 8 they couldn't get anything to fall from the field or the line. I'll be cheering for Miller next year but come on everytime the kid touches the ball he doesn NOT get fouled. The blocking call on Holmes in the first half is on my top 5 all time worst calls ever. The shot went up hit the backboard bounced off the rim then was rebounded before the ref called the block waiting to see if it would go in, I think so. AWFUL! Nobody likes the 9th or NKY at all but NKY.

 

I couldn't agree more.

 

Great year fo the Dawgs, Class program and fun to watch.

Congrats to Mason Co. another class program.

 

Great tournament and 2 well coached teams.

Congrats to Mason! A few thoughts IMO If these two teams play ten times I bet Holmes wins 7 or 8 they couldn't get anything to fall from the field or the line. I'll be cheering for Miller next year but come on everytime the kid touches the ball he doesn NOT get fouled. The blocking call on Holmes in the first half is on my top 5 all time worst calls ever. The shot went up hit the backboard bounced off the rim then was rebounded before the ref called the block waiting to see if it would go in, I think so. AWFUL! Nobody likes the 9th or NKY at all but NKY.

 

I agree and I don't think it effected the outcome, but the refs sure protcted the UK recruit.

"... in an off game.." There are those who refuse to acknowledge when they have been in the presence of good basketball played against their own. To them I say, "it doesn't matter" because 75% of those attending that first round game saw it, recognized it as such and became Lion fans as they watched a truly inspiring performance and realizing that they almost witnessed the biggest upset in years at the sweet sixteen. To those 75%, I say thank you and to the rest I simply say wait until next year.

I just have to wonder about Holmes sometimes, particularly the coaching. Why were they not really coming at them with full court pressure early in the game? They were very stagnant on offense tonight. I dont know if they were tired, but they didnt look the same. What happened to being 10 or 11 deep? I dont get some of the substitution patterns of the coach.

 

 

Easy to be an armchair coach here. Anyone can do that.

 

I've seen Holmes play several times this year and it looked to me like they stuck to their game. Arrez showed me that he is a class kid and a great leader. He was always the one for Holmes that kept his cool. He made sure that others were involved first. To me he is the epitome of what team play is all about.

 

Holmes can be proud of what they accomplished this year, I really appreciated the way thay played the game.

 

Mason started the year #1, and ended the year #1. Congratulations!!!!

 

They are a class program. Miller stepped up big in the finals. Billy G looked to really enjoy what he saw out of Miller last night.

Sorry President Clinton and Mr. Clooney. I think you're playing second fiddle this week!!

 

:thumb:

I just have to wonder about Holmes sometimes, particularly the coaching. Why were they not really coming at them with full court pressure early in the game? They were very stagnant on offense tonight. I dont know if they were tired, but they didnt look the same. What happened to being 10 or 11 deep? I dont get some of the substitution patterns of the coach.

 

Mason played well and was the best team tonight and deserved to win. Congrats to them.

 

I didn't like the fact he changed the starting lineup. Unless something was wrong with 41. But I really don't think it mattered. Mason was the better team last night. Congrats to them.