You have got to know how to protect a lead and it was obvious last night that GRC did not know how to do this. I listened to the game last night and somewhere around the two minute mark with GRC holding a 3-5 point lead, the announcer was talking after a GRC rebound that now GRC can come down, run the offense and take some time off the clock and the other announcer chimes in that Zollo shoots a three and Mason gets the rebound. That is not protecting your lead.

I wondered about this during the GRC/Montgomery district championship. MCHS is behind trying to fight back and rather than making MCHS foul you while milking the clock, GRC comes down and fires up three staight 3 pointers. The difference between last night and the game last week was the shots went in last week. Last night they did not fall.

Several excellent posts from our BGP Clark County supporters after what had to be a heartbreaker. Another year is a long time to wait.

 

Many of us were pretty much stunned at Clark County's decision-making during the last minute or two. Here's what I heard during the final couple of minutes:

 

"I'd tell Stenzel to take it to the rim. Don't stop for anything."

"Joe Bane is having a heart attack. What are they doing?"

"Why is Zollo handling the ball?"

"They're playing right into our hands."

 

Maybe it was coaching and maybe not. As mentioned in the post above, those shots were made in the district finals.

"I'd tell Stenzel to take it to the rim. Don't stop for anything."

"Joe Bane is having a heart attack. What are they doing?"

"Why is Zollo handling the ball?"

"They're playing right into our hands."

 

1st Comment= Exactly what I thought

2nd Comment= :lol:

3rd Comment= :confused:

4th Comment= Same as 1st comment

I agree decision making was lacking in the final few minutes for vaious reasons. From my vantage point, it looked as if GRC grew tired during the latter stages of the game which might be the reason that their shots were not falling. Guard play is incredibly important in these games, and like I have always said about Clark County-they have unbelievable talent and size, but have lacked a true point guard on all of their teams since Knowles left. Gilbert and Lang made Stenzel and Daniels work on the dribble. Those two little guards controlled the game and are leaders on the floor. I agree with a poster that Zollo would be down on the block and if he came off of it, he would be sitting. Masons bench was huge and Neil Pawsat is the glue to this team. All of these kids are intelligent. I also agree Mason County has Chris Ohearn and he coaches his kids up and to 3 peat is phenomenal!

I drove down from Northern KY to watch the game and it was worth it. Great game and atmosphere. But that leads me to a question for the 10th Region faithful. Why move the game from the Bank of KY Center at NKU? We got to the game at 6:25 and got one of the last parking places in gravel. Sat up top, a good seat but a hard bleacher. It had to be 80 degrees in the place. Now I'm a huge basketball fan and still had fun, but the casual fan and maybe some Grandparents won't or can't go. I would also think that since MC has won 7 os the last 9 Regional titles that playing them at home would not be the best situation. I'm sure I'm not seeing it so please enlighten me.

ISTHATALLYOUGOT,it was PRICELESS!

I drove down from Northern KY to watch the game and it was worth it. Great game and atmosphere. But that leads me to a question for the 10th Region faithful. Why move the game from the Bank of KY Center at NKU? We got to the game at 6:25 and got one of the last parking places in gravel. Sat up top, a good seat but a hard bleacher. It had to be 80 degrees in the place. Now I'm a huge basketball fan and still had fun, but the casual fan and maybe some Grandparents won't or can't go. I would also think that since MC has won 7 os the last 9 Regional titles that playing them at home would not be the best situation. I'm sure I'm not seeing it so please enlighten me.

 

2 out of the last 3 have been away from the fieldhouse, that might help.

:ohbrother: Here we go again.

 

Yes and I'll always go there.

I drove down from Northern KY to watch the game and it was worth it. Great game and atmosphere. But that leads me to a question for the 10th Region faithful. Why move the game from the Bank of KY Center at NKU? We got to the game at 6:25 and got one of the last parking places in gravel. Sat up top, a good seat but a hard bleacher. It had to be 80 degrees in the place. Now I'm a huge basketball fan and still had fun, but the casual fan and maybe some Grandparents won't or can't go. I would also think that since MC has won 7 os the last 9 Regional titles that playing them at home would not be the best situation. I'm sure I'm not seeing it so please enlighten me.

 

There are many answers to your questions, most of which have probably been given in some forum at some point in time. But I'll offer a few that come to mind anyway:

 

* Those in Mason County & many of its nearest neighbors prefer the Fieldhouse because it's closer (same reasons the 40th district likes it in Mt. Sterling & the 37th likes it in Cold Spring).

 

* 10th region die-hards prefer the Fieldhouse for traditional reasons. Long-time 10th region fans remember Feldhaus, the Jerry Fogle shot (which was also Maysville's last game), Mason County's three-peat from 92-94, the Billy Ray game in 95, Chris Lofton's dominance, Pendleton County's incredible fan turnout (whatever year it was they went), Knowles beating Miller, & then last night was just another chapter to add in the 10th Region tournament/Fieldhouse lore.

 

* 10th region die-hards don't equate Northern Kentucky with the 10th region. I'm not sure how many people have actually publicly verbalized their opinions on this (by publicly verbalized I mean here on BGP), but ever since the arrival of Campbell County, Brossart, & a little later Scott, the old-school 10th region people (of which I am a part) haven't taken to the idea of the region moving further north. And it will be a while (if ever?) before they/we do. I am the first to admit this may be unfair or even wrong, but I do believe it to be reality. I still know people (because I am one) who miss the old 38th district of Bracken, Pendleton, Deming, & Augusta. Same could be said for the district that once contained Mason, St. Pat, Tollesboro, & Fleming. Many don't adapt all that well to change, and holding the tourney @ BOK is just another change they don't want.

 

Those are just my observations.

 

Says here that the 10th is going to keep moving further north in the near future, and us traditionalists are just going to have to live with the fact that half the time the tourney will be @ BOK & the other half at the Fieldhouse.

I was not the most optomistic Mason Co. fan coming into this game. In the first few minutes of the game Clark Co. established the low post game with Rogers. When the officials were letting him lower his shoulder and drive towards the basket, I thought that Mason Co. was in for a long night. Not sure why Clark Co went away from this stratagy. If their goal was to get Setty out of the game early, I guess their stratagy worked. But when Setty went out it seemed like they turned more to the perimiter game. Jordan Gilbert kept Mason Co. in the game in the first half. Clark Co's game management and shot selection in the last 3 minutes was nothing short of shocking. I am not real sure coach Humphrey's wanted the intentional foul with under a minute to go, I think he wanted pressure on the ball and the player misunderstood the situation. Mason Co took advantage and the rest we shall say is history. Great win for the Royals. And to think I thought about not going to the State Tournament this year.

anyone think that Mason's injuries actually ended up helping them last night?

Rhuben Bluford's play was instrumental and had it not been for the injuries he may have not developed into the player he now is. The depth of Mason was also important in this game. That depth was created because of the injuries.

anyone think that Mason's injuries actually ended up helping them last night?

Rhuben Bluford's play was instrumental and had it not been for the injuries he may have not developed into the player he now is. The depth of Mason was also important in this game. That depth was created because of the injuries.

 

Could be true. Good point, I don't agree with you alot, but on this I do.

ISTHATALLYOUGOT,it was PRICELESS!

 

Hats off to Mason Coach and players, they did exactly what it took to pull off the upset of the Cardinals.:thumb: Game was well called for the most part, and GRC had a chance to put it away many times but failed to hit the three's that have fallen all year.

I hope the BGP'ers realize I love to stir it up when I can, and just like the Mason faithful love the Royals, I love my Cards! As far as the location of the game, it is not nor will it ever be fair to give one team an advantage no matter how slight in a game that has so much importance. Moving the tournament to a nuetral site gives all involved an equal starting point and will give you a better result as to who the best team is.

Lastly, Panda has shown some breaks GRC may have gotten during the game, but I know there are a few that went the other way also! I would hope to see those as well!

Good luck at Rupp Royals. You definitely earned the right to represent the tenth region!:notworthy:

anyone think that Mason's injuries actually ended up helping them last night?

Rhuben Bluford's play was instrumental and had it not been for the injuries he may have not developed into the player he now is. The depth of Mason was also important in this game. That depth was created because of the injuries.

 

Very well could be,They worked thru there injuries and made themselevs better instead of making excuses like I've seen on here before...

It seems like there are a few schools who are consistently at the top of their region, but just don't have a lot of Sweet 16 appearances to show for it. Clark County, for whatever reason, seems to be one of those teams.

 

I believe they were better than Mason County this season. But, Mason County is headed to Rupp.

 

Congratulations to Mason County for another regional championship, and to Clark County for a good season. There's nothing like Regional Tournament basketball, IMO.