:confused:

 

I would guess Les is talking about posts #95 and #96 on what would happen if he became overly rich!!!:eek:

If you've taken that much time out, I sure ain't arguing with you. You've made some good points.

I respect your opinion, but there is no way, and no how, Clay County will be ranked No. 1 after the loss of Hooker.:ohbrother: Heck, like I've stated a million times before, the Tigers haven't even won a region tourney game during the past three years and they're going to be the team to beat? :confused:

So they lose Hooker, and South has St. John, Watkins, Gilbert and a cast of others - including two new players that ARE solid and you add who Corbin, THE DEFENDING REGION CHAMPS, have returning along with picking up Hunter Sizemore and there is now way Clay is the best team. Heck, I'm not sure if they are better than Knox Central.

 

 

I respect your opinion Les. While it is factual, and I do agree with you for questioning where Clay County should be ranked based on the loss of Hooker, I do think that they belong somewhere in a closely knit top 3, and that these three teams simply have fewer question marks than Knox Central at this point. I think it is somewhat erroneous to overlook the nature of the regional losses that you have constantly brought up (2007-2009). I think Clay County belongs in the discussion for potential 2010 champions just as much as South or Corbin; the probability of each actually winning is just a matter of opinion, but I think its unfair to discount them to the extent that you are.

 

The losses you point to as so telling weren't exactly games in which CC came in as a favorite and choked, the losses were to tough opponents who seemed to have many of the same ingredients as this years CC team. Consider:

 

 

2007:

Clay County was in rebuilding mode, and there had been a coaching turnover in the past two seasons with Jones’ last campaign being (05-06) and Glenn Gray coaching for one year (06-07). Essentially, the only experienced players on the team were playing for their third coach in as many years, and were combined with inexperienced sophomores adjusting to a new system or even more inexperienced freshmen.

 

Nonetheless, the outcome of the regional games (played at Corbin) of importance to this topic were as follows:

 

Cumberland: 52, Clay Co: 48*

South Laurel: 56, Cumberland 50

South Laurel: 66, Corbin 64

 

*Cumberland had future KY All-Star Desmond Johnson, plus a solid cast around him. I think the close scores in all of these games speak for themselves.

 

 

2008:

 

Clay Co. begins coming into their own and adapting to Spurlock’s system. Many of the players who will be seeing significant minutes this year begin playing larger roles, i.e. Wilson, Reed, Mitchell, & Roberts (whose role really expanded in their home OT loss to Corbin in mid-Feb.) During this season, they beef up their schedule, playing in the 5/3rd, WYMT, and Toyota Classic. On Feb. 8th, Clay loses @South Laurel 51-58, then on Feb. 15th loses a home game to Corbin in overtime 71-69.

 

The worst of their three regional losses (played at Knox Central) comes to Corbin when Madison Johnson gets hot and torches them in the first quarter and CC never recovers. Corbin probably plays their best game of the tournament on this night and it plays out:

 

Corbin: 80, Clay County: 62

Corbin: 84, Knox Central: 73

South Laurel: 59, Corbin: 49

 

 

2009:

 

Clay County goes 19-13, playing a tough schedule that includes: Corbin, Central (one day after the state football finals, but a 60-41 win), Bryan Station (twice), Perry Central, Hazard, Madison Central, South Laurel, Trinity, and Tates Creek.

 

In the postseason, Clay takes South to the wire before losing; Corbin gets a wake-up call from a better-than-most-thought North Laurel squad that Clay had narrowly beaten themselves. The next night, a motivated Corbin squad is led by a tough, hungry group of seniors who take their revenge in thrashing South Laurel. None of those seniors (including Crawford, who, in Sweet 16 play as an 8th grader, had games of 20 points, 8 rebounds in ~30 minutes and followed it up the very next day with 13 points, 11 rebounds in 26 minutes) will be playing for the DEFENDING regional champions.

 

The scores from all the relative district & regional games this year:

 

49th District Championship @ OBI

Clay County: 54, North Laurel: 51

 

51st District Championship @ Williamsburg

Corbin: 66, South Laurel: 58

 

13th Regional @ Bell County:

 

1st Round:

South Laurel: 59, Clay Co. 41

Corbin: 65, Harlan Co. 41

 

Semis:

South Laurel: 81, Middlesboro 68

Corbin: 56, North Laurel 51,

 

Finals:

Corbin: 71, South Laurel 35

 

 

 

In 2007, South’s core was Proffitt, Hammonds, and Smith; In this particular Sweet 16, St. John had a total of 4 points and 5 rebounds.

 

In 2008, South’s core was Bortnem and St. John; Watkins, Dean, and Smith were mainly complementary players.

 

In 2009, Corbin’s core was Crawford and Johnson; Smith was very underrated, Manns played incredibly hard, and Wilson was a steady floor general.

 

 

My point for agruing that Clay be included is that all of the past regional winners have been led by a cast of juniors and seniors who have experience playing together in these close, tough regional games. This year, I see just as much of that in Clay County as I do in the other teams, yet I still see similar, legitimiate points being brought up as to why any of the aformentioned teams would not be considered a clear-cut #1.

 

Even without Hooker, they still have a solid Senior duo who can get their points on any given night in Reed & Wilson, and are complemented with Mitchell (whose had some big games, including a monster as an 8th grader against Scott Co. in 2008), Roberts (a good spot-up shooter whose range can open things up for teammates), and Gay (who probably has the size and bulk to slow/contain St. John and/or Manns). All five played significant minutes together last season.

 

With the drought of regional titles in Clay County being compounded by the excitement that accompanies the expectations and potential of this group, I still see a chance that they rally around Hooker’s injury and have a special season, but this isn't to say the season should be considered a complete disappointment if they fall short of a trip to Rupp.

 

Whomever wins, it should be fun seeing another season unfold.

:popcorn:

LOL... Thanks. Could you delete the first one? I was having trouble putting the quote in.

 

Nonetheless, I do think that Clay is probably a slight #3 at this point, at least until they get some games in without Hooker.

I don't have the power to delete posts ... wish I did ... LOL. But I'm sure a moderator will come in and do it for ya.

LOL... Thanks. Could you delete the first one? I was having trouble putting the quote in.

 

Nonetheless, I do think that Clay is probably a slight #3 at this point, at least until they get some games in without Hooker.

 

Got it for you.:thumb: