Final from Brooksville.

 

Hard fought, very physical game. Bracken struggled to put the ball in the basket from the 2nd quarter on. Lady Bears took a 14-13 lead early in the 2nd quarter & then Campbell scored 17 unanswered for the remaining of the 2nd & early portion of the 3rd. Lady Bears did make a dent in that lead, cutting it to 32-28 halfway through the 4th quarter. Campbell answered with a "3" & pulled away at the end.

 

Campbell is very impressive on the defensive end (forced 27 BC turnovers). Very aggressive from tip-off to final horn. They're also very good in transition offense. Big girls know to get the outlet pass out & get the break going. Where they struggle is shooting, particularly from the charity stripe (13-32 tonight).

 

Interesting side note: Bracken County's Sara Sticklen, who undergoes ACL surgery tomorrow, actually hit 2 FT's in this game. Cassidy Jefferson grabbed a rebound but was fouled in the process. She was briefly injured & had to go to the bench. Coach Kelsch inserted Sticklen to shoot the FT's in her place. The senior hit both & was immediately taken out. Nice gesture by PK!

 

Bracken has a month or so to find itself, playing without Sticklen. There is talent there to do some damage & make a nice post-season run. The question is about leadership & who will step up for the team. I'm looking forward to seeing how it plays out for the Lady Bears.

What was the score when this "injury" came about that resulted in the young lady coming off the bench to shoot the FTs?

32-23 Campbell. Early portion of the 4th quarter.

 

FWIW, when Jefferson went down, I turned to my Dad & said, "Kelsch should put Sara in to shoot these." I remembered Pitino doing that w/ Derek Anderson in the Final Four of 1997. Of course, D.A. was shooting technicals, which was somewhat different. In this situation, there was a very real possibility that she misses them & the game goes on with her on the floor still. I'm told that Kelsch instructed Sticklen to stay put if she did miss. And he asked her mother's permission too.

Robinson led Campbell w/ 15 points. Nice player.

 

Campbell seems very well coached.

Also important to note...Jefferson, the girl who was injured, is the team's leading FT shooter @ just over 76%.

32-23 Campbell. Early portion of the 4th quarter.

 

FWIW, when Jefferson went down, I turned to my Dad & said, "Kelsch should put Sara in to shoot these." I remembered Pitino doing that w/ Derek Anderson in the Final Four of 1997. Of course, D.A. was shooting technicals, which was somewhat different. In this situation, there was a very real possibility that she misses them & the game goes on with her on the floor still. I'm told that Kelsch instructed Sticklen to stay put if she did miss. And he asked her mother's permission too.

 

So in your mind would the girl that went down have gone to the bench had the star player not been available to shoot?

Here's what I suggest in order to let this girl shoot FTs.

 

In a game that has no impact on seeding have the coaches agree ahead of time that the girl can come in to shoot FTs if her sub gets fouled. Let the officials know as well so that there can be a reason to stop play so the official can check on a problem at the scorer's table. That way can come in for her.

 

Saw it last year and it was a nice gesture by all involved.

So in your mind would the girl that went down have gone to the bench had the star player not been available to shoot?

 

Most definitely, yes. I'm not sure exactly what was hurting on Cassidy but she was in pain for a few minutes. She was able to come back in a bit later.

 

Sticklen's FT's cut the lead to 32-25. Bracken got it to 32-28 with about 4 1/2 minutes left in the game. Then the Campbell guard (Gray) hit a 3 and extended the lead back out.

Here's what I suggest in order to let this girl shoot FTs.

 

In a game that has no impact on seeding have the coaches agree ahead of time that the girl can come in to shoot FTs if her sub gets fouled. Let the officials know as well so that there can be a reason to stop play so the official can check on a problem at the scorer's table. That way can come in for her.

 

Saw it last year and it was a nice gesture by all involved.

 

Interesting take.

 

I've seen (as most of us have) situations on senior nights when injured seniors are given two points, and then the team that gave up the points is permitted to score two free on the other end. Then the injured player is subbed out.

 

But I've never seen anything like you mentioned. But I like the idea.

Here's what I suggest in order to let this girl shoot FTs.

 

In a game that has no impact on seeding have the coaches agree ahead of time that the girl can come in to shoot FTs if her sub gets fouled. Let the officials know as well so that there can be a reason to stop play so the official can check on a problem at the scorer's table. That way can come in for her.

 

Saw it last year and it was a nice gesture by all involved.

 

Were you officiating this game?

Interesting take.

 

I've seen (as most of us have) situations on senior nights when injured seniors are given two points, and then the team that gave up the points is permitted to score two free on the other end. Then the injured player is subbed out.

 

But I've never seen anything like you mentioned. But I like the idea.

 

Saw it at Dixie vs Boone last year. Much better than the other scenario. To be fair sub for a really good FT shooter to show your true intent. I can't imagine an opposing coach saying no.

Were you officiating this game?

 

No.

Saw it at Dixie vs Boone last year. Much better than the other scenario. To be fair sub for a really good FT shooter to show your true intent. I can't imagine an opposing coach saying no.

 

In this instance, Sticklen is the best player (not just on the team, but in the region). But as far as FT%, Jefferson (the injured player) is the team leader.

In this instance, Sticklen is the best player (not just on the team, but in the region). But as far as FT%, Jefferson (the injured player) is the team leader.

 

Then she's the one. Why would a coach say no to that?

No.

 

That's a shame. Games need Clizzies. :lol: