Here's a video on the Manual/Trinity game this summer at hoops.

 

In the clip they are Jenkins 24, Samsel 30, Bond 4, and 6' 10" Nikolic 21. Towards the end you'll see Samsel passing to Jenkins for a lay in from the outside of the key and Jenkins making a nice entry pass to Nikolic

 

http://gannett.a.mms.mavenapps.net/mms/rt/1/site/gannett-louisville-107-pub01-live/current/launch.html?maven_playerId=recruiting&maven_referralObject=774276633

I think its important to clarify what a true "clutch" player is. For one, a clutch player cannot perform at the highest level without his/her teammates. It takes all five to bring it together. And sometimes taking that last second shot can be switched to a game winning pass, rebound, taking a charge, or steal.

 

I also believe a clutch player doesn't care about the points beside his name in the scorer's book but rather his/her team's point showing on the scoreboard. It is when the game is on the line when the adrenaline flows with a sense of urgency and winning becomes the only thing that matters.

If your going all national, then the list would go...

 

Jon Hood

Jacob Jenkins

Greg Johnson

Evan Faulkner

Robbie Stenzil

 

I agree. I remember Robby, as a 8th grader hitting 2 free throws to win the game against Scott in the regional tourney. He has ice water in his veins...can handle the pressure, and proved it his 8th grade year. This will be his 3rd year starting for GRC and he is a Sophomore...love him in the clutch situtations.:thumb:

High School, not AAU. I'm asking what was their top clutch moment last season against a ranked/top team? When it counts.

 

Maybe leading his team to two regional championships in a row will qualify(which are the only two in school history). Maybe he didn't hit game winning shots, but performing on the biggest of stages to me qualifies as clutch. Not to mention being back-to-back MVP's of those tournaments(first player in history to do so). Since those 6 games winners this summer, aganist some of the best in the country I might add, doesn't qualify maybe this will. I'm speaking of Ethan Faulkner.

I have not seen the Faulkners play but a few times. They are really good players. I even have one of them on my list. Can I ask a question without getting jumped on here and I'm not taking anything away from them. What was their biggest win last year?

I have not seen the Faulkners play but a few times. They are really good players. I even have one of them on my list. Can I ask a question without getting jumped on here and I'm not taking anything away from them. What was their biggest win last year?

 

Christian County, Hunington High, Grace Academy, TN, East Carter(4 times)

Christian County, Hunington High, Grace Academy, TN, East Carter(4 times)

 

Again, not trying to take anything away here. Christian County had a losing record last year of 12 - 19. In fact, they were 2 - 4 in their own district. East Carter had a better record at 24 - 8, but they did not play but one top 20 team and that was of course Elliott County 4 times so their record against top 20 teams is 0 - 4. The other two are out-of-state teams. Elliott County did not beat any teams inside what looks like the top 30 or 40 teams in Kentucky.

 

Not taking anything away, but the path to Rupp in the 16th is not as tough as it is in several other regions. Its fantastic they accomplished something never done before in the 16th, but there are going to be some great teams in the 11th, 7th, 5th, and a few other regions not make the dance simply because its a tougher road. That's why I don't discredit talent in some regions for not for having reach the Sweet 16.

 

What if we were to put GRC in this region in place of Elliott County. Stenzil would be a legend. Reaching the Sweet 16 as an 8th grader, 9th, and a favorite for a 3-peat. North Hardin would be the same and some other teams. This is just an opinion and just another way to look at it.

 

I do think Elliott County will 3-peat. I do believe they have a great team this year. I just think some great teams in other region get overshadowed because they cannot get out of a tough region that they are in.

What about Yorell Shemwell of Owensboro? He's a dynamic small guard at 5-9 and makes plays in the crunch. He was the sidekick of Brock Moorman that led them to a regional title out of the 3rd region last year.

Again, not trying to take anything away here. Christian County had a losing record last year of 12 - 19. In fact, they were 2 - 4 in their own district. East Carter had a better record at 24 - 8, but they did not play but one top 20 team and that was of course Elliott County 4 times so their record against top 20 teams is 0 - 4. The other two are out-of-state teams. Elliott County did not beat any teams inside what looks like the top 30 or 40 teams in Kentucky.

 

Not taking anything away, but the path to Rupp in the 16th is not as tough as it is in several other regions. Its fantastic they accomplished something never done before in the 16th, but there are going to be some great teams in the 11th, 7th, 5th, and a few other regions not make the dance simply because its a tougher road. That's why I don't discredit talent in some regions for not for having reach the Sweet 16.

 

What if we were to put GRC in this region in place of Elliott County. Stenzil would be a legend. Reaching the Sweet 16 as an 8th grader, 9th, and a favorite for a 3-peat. North Hardin would be the same and some other teams. This is just an opinion and just another way to look at it.

 

I do think Elliott County will 3-peat. I do believe they have a great team this year. I just think some great teams in other region get overshadowed because they cannot get out of a tough region that they are in.

 

I have to agree with you there. A good example would be Covcath who lost the 9th region championship by 12 to Holmes but beat Elliot by 14 during the regular season. Another would be Boone Co of the 9th who didn't even make it out of their region but beat South Laurel (13th region champs) in their own tournament AT South Laurel.

Maybe leading his team to two regional championships in a row will qualify(which are the only two in school history). Maybe he didn't hit game winning shots, but performing on the biggest of stages to me qualifies as clutch. Not to mention being back-to-back MVP's of those tournaments(first player in history to do so). Since those 6 games winners this summer, aganist some of the best in the country I might add, doesn't qualify maybe this will. I'm speaking of Ethan Faulkner.

 

Time will tell when they go to the Beach Ball Classic!:jump:

Time will tell when they go to the Beach Ball Classic!:jump:

I think time has already told the story on Ethan Faulkner, he is already proven to be clutch. He will play college ball just like his brother who has verbally committed to a D1 school.

Time will tell when they go to the Beach Ball Classic!:jump:

 

Yes it will. Regardless of how Elliott County fairs at the BBC, the challenges presented there is only going to better prepare them for a deep run come March, something that EC is obviously trying to make happen.

 

On a side note, for them to be invited to such an event, which is regarded by many as the best christmas tournament in the nation, speaks volumes for the type of reputation Coach Mays' and his team has est. for themselves. Simply being part of this event is an accomplishment in itself for a high school most people had never heard of until this group of seniors came through.

 

So to challenge any type of accomplishments or compliments brought about for this EC team or players, to me, is somewhat foolish(JMHO). You can say what you want about the region or teams they play, but the facts are those players have stepped up when it mattered most and delivered 2 straight 16th region championships(which happen to be the only two in school history).

 

So whether or not they fit your mold as "clutch" players or not, you can't aurge what they have done for that school and community. They have more than a handfull of kids that will recieve college scholarships over the next 2 years, something very few schools across the state can say. And at the end of the day, isn't that what it is all about anyway?

 

:thumb:

The Sporting News list the King of the Bluegrass and the Beach Ball Classic as must-see tournaments.

 

Listed in the top 20 tournaments in the country are:

 

King of the Blugrass

Beach Ball Classic

Lexington Bank Holiday Classic (aka 5th/3rd Bank)

I think its important to clarify what a true "clutch" player is. For one, a clutch player cannot perform at the highest level without his/her teammates. It takes all five to bring it together. And sometimes taking that last second shot can be switched to a game winning pass, rebound, taking a charge, or steal.

 

I also believe a clutch player doesn't care about the points beside his name in the scorer's book but rather his/her team's point showing on the scoreboard. It is when the game is on the line when the adrenaline flows with a sense of urgency and winning becomes the only thing that matters.

 

It's sad to say, but I dont think many players put their team before their own numbers anymore. From your original list I agree that Middleton and the Faulkner's always put their team first. Jenkins, absolutely not. I have nothing against the kid. He's definitely got game, and maybe if you change your definition of clutch he would fit in that category. When I have seen him play it seems he cares more about himself than his team. Just an observation.

I have to agree with you there. A good example would be Covcath who lost the 9th region championship by 12 to Holmes but beat Elliot by 14 during the regular season. Another would be Boone Co of the 9th who didn't even make it out of their region but beat South Laurel (13th region champs) in their own tournament AT South Laurel.

 

Eta Rho--You really in today's parity sports world can't use comparative scores anymore because it makes no sense. Using the Mason games in the state tourney last year then Elliott would beat Holmes by 5. Using your Cov Cath example Holmes would beat Elliott by 26.

 

Another good example from College Football: Texas beat Oklahoma by 10, Texas Tech beat Texas by 1, then Texas Tech should have beat Oklahoma by 11, but we all know that Oklahoma won by 44 points.

 

Bottom Line: You have to pair the teams up head to head and then you really know the margin of victory or loss. Anything else is a crystal ball prediction of win or loss or margin of win or loss.