I've known Jake forever and have always loved his effort. I'd argue there was more varsity experience coming into this year than you think.

 

I agree with Geisler and what he's done for an inexperienced team. Great all-around game and deserves the POY consideration.

 

I think you're underestimating Hatton's value to this team. If he was not not on the floor Dixie is a completely different team and is not in contention for the 9th.

 

While he's not in the POY discussion the 2nd most important player on Dixie's team is Trammell. Smooth player.

 

Not underestimating Hattons contributions but think that Dixie with Trammell, Pike, Stansberry and Hassell would still be a team in contention in a 9th Region where everybody is pretty equal. They might not be considered one of the favorites but still relevant in the discussion. I am not so sure you could say that about CovCath, NewCath or Scott.

 

I actually think Trammell is equally important to Dixies post season run. Having Matt allows Hatton to do what he does best and score the basketball. While Hatton is the best player on that team Trammell sets them up to succeed.

I didn't consider Smith since Scott isn't in the 9th region?

 

There is probably 3 POY awards in play for this area. There is a 9th Region POY (10th Region as well) who is actually introduced during the state tournament (not sure who votes on that and think it must be a senior), Cinti Enquirer N Ky POY picked by the paper with input from various sources and NKBBC (coaches association) POY with 3 different winners in D1, D2, D3 NKAC divisions.

Great atmosphere! Very good game! Chris Mack was there as well.

 

Coach Mack was able to see a couple of good ballplayers.

Not to threadjack this into a POY discussion but Jake Thelen does not get enough credit in this area. I don't think Thelen, Giesler and Smith get enough credit for what they have done to make their teams relevant. Not a knock on Hatton as I have said before he is one of the top 3-4 players in N Ky and will probably rack up multiple POY awards but Dixie without Hatton is still relevant and I don't know if you can say that about Scott, NewCath or CovCath.

 

Giesler has taken a NewCath team with very little varsity experience and they have to be considered as one of the top teams in the 9th Region. Thelen is the leader on a CovCath team with very little varsity experience and CovCath was borderline dysfunctional last season with how they interacted with teammates and coaches. Smith has taken a Scott team that is probably one of the least talented teams in Taylor Mill over the past couple of years to 14 wins and #1 seed in district.

 

Intangibles isn't a measureable or a stat but I think these seniors deserve a lot of additional credit for the things they do that do not show up in a boxscore.

 

Dixie struggled mightily when Hatton went to the bench at around the 6 min mark of the second quarter. Dixie had multiple consecutive turnovers that CCH turned into a lead. This was probably their best run of the night and it came with Hatton on the bench. Dixie is not the same team without Hatton. The last 5 minutes was also critical as he was calling for the ball to take control of the game. This kid wants the ball in crunch time and I love that about him. Possesses tremendous intangibles.

Very emotional moment at Dixie tonight. So proud of the standing ovation in support. God Speed.

 

It was a very nice moment. Good to reflect on what is really important in life. Coach Chevalier also offered words of encouragement to Coach Tieman in his Coaches versus Cancer pre-game address. The ceremony was very well done.

 

When Hatton hit the 3 with about 5 seconds gone in the game you could feel an uh-oh go through the crowd. (At least on our side of the gym.) Hatton and Thelen put on a great show. I hated to see them both go out in the 2nd quarter with foul trouble.

 

A question for our recruiting guru's. With reference to Coach Mack's attendance at the game, was that likely for purposes of evaluating B. Hatton, or more as a show of support in anticipation of recruiting him (i.e. Coach Mack's decision to go after him already made) in a couple of years?

A question for our recruiting guru's. With reference to Coach Mack's attendance at the game, was that likely for purposes of evaluating B. Hatton, or more as a show of support in anticipation of recruiting him (i.e. Coach Mack's decision to go after him already made) in a couple of years?

 

1. Hatton

2. Thelen

 

Hatton has already been for a visit and has been invited to come again.

1. Hatton

2. Thelen

 

Hatton has already been for a visit and has been invited to come again.

 

Did Coach Mack talk to anyone after the game?

I dont agree. Hatton IMHO is the most complete player in the region and probably in NKY. He is one of the smoothest basketball players I have seen in awhile in NKY. The kid can score in bunches, out rebound alot of people, and he plays some great defense. He has really picked up his defense in the past year and it is a asset to his success. IMO I think he is the only player that can take over a game whenever he wants to. There is no kid in the 9th region that can guard him one on one without him scoring somehow.

 

I do not disagree with him normally playing some defense, but Connor Cleves made him look sick on that one take to the hoop!