What does McCreary Central. need to do to improve in 2008/2009? What do they need to keep doing to be successful? Remember, please be constructive.

McCreary is probably the team to beat in 2009. Solid at the gaurd position with Watts. They were a favorite to win the 12th region in 2008, but they were eliminated early in the first round of district last season. Watch for them to avenge that loss in 2009 and go deep in the region tournament if not getting to Rupp.

They will be talented but young on the frontline. Those young players will have to be able to produce to help Watts. They will also need Wright to play solid at PG. The Raiders will be solid and should go deep into the postseason.

We've been hearing that McCreary was a favorite for the past two years but still they haven't played in the region tournament. The question was what do the Raiders need to do? I say they need to make it out of the district and quit worrying about if they are a favorite or not.

Things they need to do:

 

Make better schedule:

Toughest game last season? Lincoln County. McCreary won.

The past two seasons McCreary has beat Lincoln County, but Lincoln County wins the region championship. This season, McCreary toughens up their schedule by adding to Lincoln County: Montgomery County and Anderson County, along with the South Laurel Shoot Out.

 

Put the ball in the hands of the best player:

Aaron Watts, the best player on the team, should have the ball in his hands much more this season and will be surrounded by a great, but young, supporting cast. Look for Ben Wright (PG), Zack Roark (SG/SF), Aaron Watts (SG/SF), and Jacob Dixon (SF/PF) to be the big four for the Raiders. However, expect good things from a confident front line that all have the ability to step out and hit the three.

 

Region12hoops:

They're still the favorites. I think they'll prove it this time.

We've been hearing that McCreary was a favorite for the past two years but still they haven't played in the region tournament. The question was what do the Raiders need to do? I say they need to make it out of the district and quit worrying about if they are a favorite or not.

 

They're not the favorites. They can't even get out of the district. When that happens then the talk of being a favorite can take place.:thumb:

They're not the favorites. They can't even get out of the district. When that happens then the talk of being a favorite can take place.:thumb:

 

 

 

Picture this:

North Carolina returns a loaded basketball team. Before they play one game this season, they're the favorites to win the title, even though ole Roy knows how to choke.

 

Now, picture this:

McCreary Central returns two starters, and four that played significant minutes, including one of the best players in his class in Aaron Watts. They had a year to remember last season (remember Carolina?).

 

That looks awfully similar. McCreary is the preseason favorite, like they have been the last two seasons.

Now that's funny stuff.

Carolina didn't lose in the first round of the ACC Tournament to a team that had only two or three wins.

Carolina has actually won a post-season game during the past couple of years.

There's one thing being a homer and there's another thing like actually knowing what your talking about.

Now that's some funny stuff right there.

The biggest problem with McCreary that I can see is that they need a coach. He freezes up in the big games. Sure he looks good when they beat teams like Monticello, but in the games that count he just is lost. I have heard all summer on the AAU route that if he does not get it done this year he is going to be looking for a job come this time next year.

I think a team is better with Rob Jones on the bench then they are without him. I dont remember McCreary being a powerhouse in the past. Rob has added stability to that job. Try getting an outsider as coach and see how they do. Watts might have already transferred if not for his respect for the coach.

Raider Robert Jones is a keeper for McCreary. He does a great job. I dont care if you have talent or not winning 20 games is tough to do in KY!

 

Now favorites this year maybe- but last year I would have given the preseason nod to Lincoln. Plus even if they do get to region and they should, it will be a new experience for all of them! McCreary has been alot like Mercer the last two years- good ball clubs but have gotten snake bitten in districts also.

 

Favorites: Wayne, McCreary, Boyle, East and West with about 5 more capable putting on a region run to a crown. Balanced 12th this year. Some teams have experience and some just plain expect to win- should be a fun year.

The biggest problem with McCreary that I can see is that they need a coach. He freezes up in the big games. Sure he looks good when they beat teams like Monticello, but in the games that count he just is lost. I have heard all summer on the AAU route that if he does not get it done this year he is going to be looking for a job come this time next year.

 

Jones doesn't freeze up in big games. The region champions the last two seasons has been Lincoln County. Last year, the Patriots jogged down to McCreary and were beat by Jones and the Raiders. Two seasons ago, the Raiders headed north and beat the Patriots on their home floor.

 

I think this is the year they finally break through. A few seasons ago, the busted through and lost the district championship game, but it was the closest any team had been to Southwestern in the district. Then, they upset West Jessamine before falling to eventual champion Boyle County by five.

 

Jones and the Raiders can win. It reminds me a lot of Kansas. They were upset a couple of years in a row before finally busting through, even with their elite talent. Southwestern beat McCreary this past season with a slow, deliberate offense and McCreary failed to make their free throws. Southwestern will be improved enough that they won't be reliant on luck, and a slow offense, to win games and I expect McCreary to finally prevail.

 

And besides, unless something goes extremely crazy behind the scenes or McCreary loses every game for two straight years, Jones will decide when he wants to leave.

Now that's funny stuff.

Carolina didn't lose in the first round of the ACC Tournament to a team that had only two or three wins.

Carolina has actually won a post-season game during the past couple of years.

There's one thing being a homer and there's another thing like actually knowing what your talking about.

Now that's some funny stuff right there.

 

But Carolina didn't have to win a game in the ACC tournament to get in the big dance.. McCreary did.

But Carolina didn't have to win a game in the ACC tournament to get in the big dance.. McCreary did.

 

 

Les is a expert in all regions.

But Carolina didn't have to win a game in the ACC tournament to get in the big dance.. McCreary did.

 

Like I said it's one thing being a homer and another actually knowing what you're talking about.