What a shocker! Shelby overcomes a 6-8 point deficit to start the 4th and force overtime, where they score 5 points to South Oldhams 2. Rasior and Whitfield both fouled out in regulation.

 

 

Very well played game by the Rockets. I thought they executed their game plan as well as could be expected. They kept south out of the lane and forced them to make jumpshots, which they didn't do enough of to win the game. A lot of questions coming into the year about how South would handle a good zone, and if tonight is any indication they still have a ways to go.

 

South never seemed to get into much of a rythem. They had several key players in foul trouble and had a lot of different lineups out there at times. The South press was effective, but while south would often force Shelby into turnovers they weren't scoring off of those turnovers.

 

Wells was the best player on the floor tonight. She had 16 points and 12 rebounds and played a key role in breaking the South press. Also very impressed with Whitfield. She led south in scoring I believe.

 

Hard not to rout for Shelby tonight. It was a bittersweet night for them as the honored a fallen teammate before the game. They were obviously inspired from the start.

 

What does this say about the region? It's even MORE wide open then we thought. Just a few nights ago, Carroll defeats Shelby and then Shelby turns around and beats South Oldham. I still like South Oldham but it would be hard at this point not to have Simon Kenton as the current favorite. Current favorite may be a very fluid position this year, however.

If this game was played at Shelby County I would like to hear what South Oldham thought of the refs. Tough place to win.

If fan reaction was any indication, they were not too pleased with the officials.

 

 

As an unbiased spectator, I thought Shelby got the benifit of a few more questionable calls but I wouldn't say that it was the reason Shelby won the game.

Magicfan 217 wrote: "I still like South Oldham but it would be hard at this point not to have Simon Kenton as the current favorite"

 

Both of these teams aren't as good as they will be later in the season, but I would have to throw Anderson County into this mix.

 

Congrats to Shelby Co. Nice win after a tough week!

Wide open region. Pre-season and early-season predictions are fun - I also picked South to win it - but probably largely useless this year due to the extreme youth in the region. Lack of maturity means these teams will all be playing up to and down to the level of their competition frequently, resulting in a lot of close games and several "surprises". There isn't a single team in the 8th that doesn't have major question marks, including South and SK.

In order to win the 8th region, other than Simon Kenton, somebody must be able to win against a tough and hard-nosed team on the road - no exceptions. Until SO proves that they can do so - get a quality win on the road - they cannot be considered a favorite.

 

(P.S. - And referreeing did NOT determine the outcome of Friday's game, so give the Lady Rockets and Coach C. full props for their emotional victory on a very special night.)

If this game was played at Shelby County I would like to hear what South Oldham thought of the refs. Tough place to win.

 

There were several questionable calls but one in particular was HUGE that I believe did impact the game. Wells literally "RAN" over Dye at mid court mid 4 qtr - looked like a blocker pushing her way to the endzone IMO- had arms crossed- moved them up as she hit her square in the chest. Dye was set. Official(at half court) who had the best view was directly in front of the play and saw it perfectly- he was calling the charge on wells. Ref from behind who could not have had the best view, over ruled him and made the call- crazy - totally crazy. I think that could have been 4th,maybe 5th, on Wells but not totally sure. SO held her to just two points in the second half though- sluggish first have really cost them the game.

 

Foul trouble was common for most SO players all night(especially the starters)- some of them were typcial, young inexperienced type fouls.

 

I do agree with a later post that you have to find a way to win on the road no matter what the officials call. You have to be smart enough to adjust to what the refs are calling.

 

IMO SO lost because of very poor shooting percentage - lots of wide open looks - way too many three's, to's, and missed free throws. You have to take advantage of your scoring opportunitites- they did not.

 

Nice win for Shelby on a tough night- a real tragedy for the Rocket family.

There were several questionable calls but one in particular was HUGE that I believe did impact the game. Wells literally "RAN" over Dye at mid court mid 4 qtr - looked like a blocker pushing her way to the endzone IMO- had arms crossed- moved them up as she hit her square in the chest. Dye was set. Official(at half court) who had the best view was directly in front of the play and saw it perfectly- he was calling the charge on wells. Ref from behind who could not have had the best view, over ruled him and made the call- crazy - totally crazy.

 

I didn't see the game, but I heard about that call from someone from another school that was scouting. Their sense was that this was a particularly horrible call.

 

But you're right when you say that - to win on the road - you must be prepared to overcome a hostile atmosphere, including potential home-court calls... No excuses; just play the game.

 

But something that is interesting is this...in going around the region, I've never heard so many people eager to say how they don't feel South should be the favorite. Everyone has a reason why South can't pull it off. Frankly, I can list a half-dozen reasons why the top 6 or 7 teams in the region "can't" win the region - or half-dozen reasons why each team "can". But Frank Wright's team is being dismissed with such regularity, he's got to be starting a bulletin board of motivational sayings... Given Wright's history of developing teams over the course of the season and finishing strong, I'd say such dismissals are dangerously premature...

 

You don't win the region - or lose it - in December. This region race is a long way from over - and maybe even a long way from having a real strong favorite.

I didn't see the game, but I heard about that call from someone from another school that was scouting. Their sense was that this was a particularly horrible call.

 

But you're right when you say that - to win on the road - you must be prepared to overcome a hostile atmosphere, including potential home-court calls... No excuses; just play the game.

 

But something that is interesting is this...in going around the region, I've never heard so many people eager to say how they don't feel South should be the favorite. Everyone has a reason why South can't pull it off. Frankly, I can list a half-dozen reasons why the top 6 or 7 teams in the region "can't" win the region - or half-dozen reasons why each team "can". But Frank Wright's team is being dismissed with such regularity, he's got to be starting a bulletin board of motivational sayings... Given Wright's history of developing teams over the course of the season and finishing strong, I'd say such dismissals are dangerously premature...

 

You don't win the region - or lose it - in December. This region race is a long way from over - and maybe even a long way from having a real strong favorite.

 

South will be a solid team come tourney time, they shouldn't have any trouble winning their district which should give them a first round game against one of the smaller schools. Once you get past the first round anything can happen.

 

I still think Anderson will be the team to beat.

I don't know who is dismissing South as the favorite, other than the fact that Simon is the defending champion. I think South will be THE team to beat come March. Wright does a fantastic job developing talent.

In watching the game I felt like South was on the brink of a 10-12 point spurt at any minute. It just didn't happen. I still think South will eventually emerge from the pack as the team to beat....maybe. haha.