Oldham County/South Oldham Predictions (1-2)

[retropop]

If you're looking for an "anybody can win" type of game, this one definitely seems to be just that. Each team has been consistently inconsistent so far, and it is hard to say which contestant will bring its Jekyll or Hyde side to this Saturday's bash. Anyone out there have any opinions on the outcome of this one?

[1734]

SO by 14

[Lunatic1]

South Oldham by 10.

[Preachit]

South is playing very poorly at the moment. Oldham County by 8.

[ColonelMike]

Pegasus Sports will broadcast both the boys and girls games, beginning with a pregame show at 5:30 pm.

 

Go to http://www.pegasussportsky.com. Click on either the OC or SO logos, and then click on the game you wish to hear!

 

And no, I'm not dumb enough to pick this contest - especially as the broadcast voice of BOTH teams!

 

Fun Facts:

 

* South Oldham holds a slight 13-12 edge over Oldham County in the two teams' last 25 meetings.

* Since Frank Wright took over at South, the Lady Dragons are 6-5 vs. Oldham County, but they are 3-1 vs. the Lady Colonels in District Tournament play.

* Frank Wright's record at South Oldham is an impressive 96-61 (.611) over 5+ seasons. The Lady Dragons have won three district titles under his tutelage, and been district runner-up once. They finished as region runner-up in 2007.

* Oldham first year head coach Stephen Mullins is 7-6 in his initial season in Buckner. Mullins was previously an assistant at Manual, where he coached under Stacy Pendleton - who was South Oldham head coach from 2002-3 through 2003-4.

* The two teams have met in the district tournament finals 8 of the last 12 seasons, with South winning 7 of those meetings.

* South has won 8 of the past 12 district titles; Oldham is second with three titles during that period.

* Oldham County is the winningest girls' program in the 8th region, with 12 titles. They won 1 state championship (1986), had 1 state runner-up finish (1988), and 1 final four finish (1980). They won their first region 8 title in 1977 and their last in 19994, meaning they won 12 of 18 region titles during that time, a run of region dominance unmatched in KY girls' HS basketball history. But the girls on today's Oldham County team weren't all born yet when that last title was won.

* South Oldham's lone trip to the Sweet 16 came in 1998. Former UK great Thad Jaracz' daughter, Jennifer Jaracz (6'0" guard) led that team to the Sweet 16 second round...

* Oldham is averaging a region-best 62.5 ppg and is on pace to be one of the highest-scoring teams in region 8 history. If Oldham keeps its current pace, it will be the highest-scoring 8th region team since Scott County averaged 79.1 ppg in the 2004-5 season. BUT...

* Oldham is also allowing a region-worst 59.8 ppg.

* Against Frank Wright's defensive-minded South teams, Oldham has scored just 50 or more points twice in 11 matchups. (most recently, 58 in a double-OT win in last year's regular season.)

 

In the district, Oldham is 1-0 after a win over Trimble County; South will be playing their first district seeding game. Lurking in the shadows is a resurgent North Oldham squad that is 8-2, it's best-ever showing in December.

 

Should be a great game!! If you can't come to the game, tune in on Pegasus Sports! (game will also be archived on PSN for 6 months if you miss the live broadcast)

[magicfan217]

whats going on with South Oldham?? Are they missing players or are they just struggling right now?

[ColonelMike]

whats going on with South Oldham?? Are they missing players or are they just struggling right now?

 

I think it's the infamous sophomore jinx. No, I'm not the superstitious type, but I believe there is a great deal of truth to the "sophomore slump". Players who played a lot as freshmen gain confidence - usually too much for their own level of maturity as a player. Yes, they are more mature as players than the typical sophomore, but they are still emotionally, mentally, and physically sophomores. Can't be rushed.

 

They begin to believe their press clippings - not because they're egotistical or anything, just because they read all these wonderful things about them and it's hard to keep from becoming a tad TOO confident. They see their past level of success as an absolute predictor of things to come.

 

In their youthful exuberance and optimism, they forget the "hungry" effort they put forth as freshmen that allowed them to perform at levels far above the typical freshmen. They were great freshmen because they were thrown to the wolves and either sank or swam as a result of their own efforts and initiative. In the case of South, last year's freshmen (5 of the 11 on last year's roster) surpassed all expectations of so youthful a team, and they were one of the hottest teams heading into the 8th region tourney (winners of 12 of their last 14, I believe, including a win over Anderson's eventual region 8 runner-ups...)

 

So teams like South often struggle a bit in the early going. But it's far too early to write South off. Records in December aren't harbingers of March success/failure. South has played well against good teams (hung with CAL, beat Highlands) and has been upset by squads that don't appear to be their equal (Shelby County, Webster County), so consistency is definitely not there yet. But it doesn't change the talent this squad is blessed with, so I wouldn't want to bet against them come tournament time.

 

Of course, much remains to be seen. I've also seen teams similar to South struggle with the expectations and maturity all season, and blossom in year 3... we'll see.

 

They are a bit like Owen County right now, which has also been very up-and-down early.

 

It's such an interesting girls' 8th region this year. May be the most fun season we've all had in years, because of the uncertainty. Owen, SK, Anderson, South, and Walton-Verona look to be the head of the class, but Gallatin has impressed early, North Oldham is having their best season ever at 8-2, and Oldham County is scoring like no 8th region team has in years despite their leading returning scorer only now starting to play signficant minutes. It is going to be a REALLY wild season... :popcorn:

[Mr. Athletics]

I would be shocked if Oldham can keep it under 10 points.

[ColonelMike]

I would be shocked if Oldham can keep it under 10 points.

 

You may be right... Funny how these rivalry games go, though. Last three games in this series were decided by 3 points or less and one went to double OT and was decided on a disputed last-second shot...