Exhausted Holmes 82, Fresh Elliot County (with no Mountain Dew) 75

 

LOL. That's too much. Hilarious!

The season is over, congrats to Holmes, they were the best team Saturday morning. But to all of us Elliott fans, the Lions are our team. We have enjoyed this ride for several years and we've had a ball. These kids have brought together a little community like nothing I have ever seen. They have played together for years in the same school, we've watched them grow up with a fierce dedication, determination, and love of basketball. We are so proud of these kids and wish the seniors the very best in the future. We will surely miss them. We are also proud of our cheerleaders for winning the Sweet 16 competition. Congrats to ALL of the cheerleaders, this was a total group effort by all that cheered.

 

I am surprised this thread is still open, it has gone off topic several times. We can "what if" this dog to death and Elliott will continue to get bashed. No they didn't go all the way, but we are still happy and proud. This was a home-grown special team that may or may not ever happen again in this little town. Yes Elliott has shown they are a good team by beating several top teams in the state. Was it the press, ESPN, USA Today, major newspapers across the state and WV, TV stations in KY and WV, all showing respect for this team that has so many people's panties in a bunch?

Mark Maynard said it better this morning in the Ashland Daily Independent:

 

"What made Elliott County's run so special is that it was accomplished the old fashioned way, with hard work, homegrown talent and a team of players who had a passion for the game that's not seen much these days. There were no hired guns on the roster, no agendas for individual players who wanted to be a star. They played for Elliott County because that's where they lived, where they grew up, where they learned to play together. Since these players were in 7th grade, they banded together on AAU teams in the summer, working on skills and learning each other's every move while playing more than 1,000 games together. That's why Elliott County's basketball team was so fluid. Watching them play was like watching someone pour water out of a pitcher into a glass. There were no ripples, just pure flow.

 

Basketball is better in Kentucky because Elliott County passed through it the last three years. It showed once again that it's not always the size of the school or community, but the size of the heart."

 

Maybe somebody could post a link, this is a great article that sums it all up.

I'll take Elliott. It was very impressive what Central did this weekend, but the triangle and 2 they ran that confused Holmes most of the game wouldn't have worked against the 5 shooters of Elliott.

I would have to take Elliott over Central.

 

With regard to the bold, and I know this is off thread, but if that defense is that good, what does it say about the play of Polson from West Jess? He was West's only ball handler and they came within a play or two of being in the championship game. I never saw the quickness of Central bother him one time in that game, and as a matter of fact Polson had central on their heals all game, going one on three many times and scoring.

I would have to take Elliott over Central.

 

With regard to the bold, and I know this is off thread, but if that defense is that good, what does it say about the play of Polson from West Jess? He was West's only ball handler and they came within a play or two of being in the championship game. I never saw the quickness of Central bother him one time in that game, and as a matter of fact Polson had central on their heals all game, going one on three many times and scoring.

 

 

Central had a very good defensive game plan for Holmes. Not taking anything away from Polson, very nice player, but I don't recall Central playing that same zone against WJ.

Excellent post. Elliott had their chances on the big stage in both the All A and Sweet 16 and could only must Final Four appearances. As for the question on who is the better team between Central and Elliott, that's easy.

 

Who took Holmes to double overtime in the title game? Central.

 

Who has a runner-up state tourney trophy? Central.

 

Who won their semifinal game? Central.

 

Ummm, is there any doubt who was better? No.

 

 

We have been told over and over for four years by their partisans that these Elliott County boys don't get tired. After all, so we were told, they have played AAU together since the fourth grade and, as we all know, AAU teams often play two and sometimes three games a day in some of these tournaments. Therefore, I would be interested in knowing just what caused the tiring of Elliott County in this tournament since, as was said, they don't get tired. And, in reality, the teams that EC beat in the first two rounds were no better than the two that Holmes beat. So, no excuse there.

 

I don't believe they would have had any chance to beat Holmes unless the game were played at Sandy Hook. I also would say the same about a game against Central, Eastern, or Scott County.

 

They lost. They were the pretournament favorite (certainly no Cinderella) according to many including Litkenhous. But, as with all the others except Holmes, they lost. They are not the champions. They will not be the champions. That is just reality and no amount of "woulda, coulda, shoulda" will change it. I'll also bet that Central, Eastern, Scott County, and maybe a few others are also playing the "woulda, coulda, shoulda" game. When you lose, that tends to be the case.

Excellent post. Elliott had their chances on the big stage in both the All A and Sweet 16 and could only must Final Four appearances. As for the question on who is the better team between Central and Elliott, that's easy.

 

Who took Holmes to double overtime in the title game? Central.

 

Who has a runner-up state tourney trophy? Central.

 

Who won their semifinal game? Central.

 

Ummm, is there any doubt who was better? No.

 

Elliott Co didn't win the All "A" this year? I didn't hear who won this year, but I was just assuming they did since heard so much about them this year. Did they win the All "A" at all in the last three years?

IMO between these two teams would be a toss up. Central has the athletic ability to guard Elliott but Elliott knock down shot after shot after shot with tight defense on them. Holmes imo was the best defense team in the tournament and mostly played man. Elliott shoots the three as much and as well as any team I have seen in a while. In one game Ill take Elliott but in a series of 5, I'd take Central due to their size. #15 Patterson for Central I hear is a great football player and as I have watched he is a nice basketball player.

Elliott Co didn't win the All "A" this year? I didn't hear who won this year, but I was just assuming they did since heard so much about them this year. Did they win the All "A" at all in the last three years?

Shelby Valley won the All A Classic, beating Elliott County in the semifinals and Bardstown in the finals.

 

Elliott made the All A Classic in 2007, losing to Paintsville in the first round with Ferguson playing on a bad ankle. In 2008, they were beaten in the regional by the Rose Hill team with Chad Jackson and Dakotah Euton. Rose Hill made the semifinals at the state tournament.

Cantrall probably still has Scott County on top :ohbrother:

 

Too bad Phares went down...I'd have loved to see Scott County in that bottom bracket with the rest of the chalk. I was really looking forward to seeing Scott County and Holmes.

Shelby Valley won the All A Classic, beating Elliott County in the semifinals and Bardstown in the finals.

 

Elliott made the All A Classic in 2007, losing to Paintsville in the first round with Ferguson playing on a bad ankle. In 2008, they were beaten in the regional by the Rose Hill team with Chad Jackson and Dakotah Euton. Rose Hill made the semifinals at the state tournament.

 

Wow I figured since many people kept claiming them to be #1 in the whole state, that they definitely won the All "A" championship at least.

Wow I figured since many people kept claiming them to be #1 in the whole state, that they definitely won the All "A" championship at least.

 

No strangely enough, they never hung an All-A state banner. I would have almost guaranteed that.

Central ... way more athletic than Elliott County.

 

Plus .. the one thing that people haven't really mentioned with Central (outside of having a few solid football players) is that Wilson/Patterson have state championship experience (in football). I think that it was very telling at the end of the first OT again Holmes--as to who ended up with the ball (whether it was on purpose or not).

 

If Central/Elliott came down to a close game ... Central would pull it out due to the fact that they have guys who don't get frustrated down the stretch when things aren't going well.

 

What is going on at Central right now is truly exceptional ... all of their sports have taken a huge up. And a lot of it has to do with 6 classes in football (which helped those kids experience success--which eventually breeds more success when you have the right type of leadership in place).

Central had a very good defensive game plan for Holmes. Not taking anything away from Polson, very nice player, but I don't recall Central playing that same zone against WJ.

It looked like Central had all 5 guys with an eye on Polson, basically he was going 1 against 5 and doing pretty well. Didn't he go up against the same players Holmes did? IMO he was the best ball handler in the tournament and definately the most illusive. He made teams play at his tempo.

Too bad Phares went down...I'd have loved to see Scott County in that bottom bracket with the rest of the chalk. I was really looking forward to seeing Scott County and Holmes.

 

I am with you on this one. I have watched at least 25 Holmes games this year, and this weekend, especially Friday night, they played some of there best ball.