retropop

We now have had several opportunities to witness the new "mercy rule" in girls' (and boys') basketball games. What opinions have you? My take is that the game really zooms by quickly once the stop switch is turned off, which well serves the rule's intended purpose. The misery factor is reduced for the losing team; it appears that one trade-off is that the reserve players may get a reduced opportunity to play for the winning team.

Freshmen results??? Really??? Please!!!!

Girls' basketball in the Bluegrass has suffered a major loss, and his passing creates a huge hole. A truly gentle and kind man has left us, and he will be greatly missed.

Can anyone who attended comment on the play of Trimble Co.? One would think that a closer than anticipated game must have featured some positives from the Lady Raiders.

To be honest, it really wasn't originally intended to be a dig. But now that I have read it a couple hours later in the day, you're right - it sure reads that way. Sorry about that.

It's not always a good idea to have it all together at this point. Assumption will be just fine this season - better than fine, actually. What really matters is at the very end. Anderson is supposed to be the team to beat in the 8th region, and have been for the past few years. This was a much acclaimed "middle school state AAU champ" bunch, if memory serves me correctly. Maybe this will be their year, but they have been struggling with the pressure of having "the the team to beat" label.

[FONT=Comic Sans MS] It looks as though South Oldham has moved up the food chain in the minds of the experts. Might this be the year for the Crestwood group to make a trip to Lexington?[/font]

No chance of the eastern fringe Jefferson County schools moving into the 8th, or moving Trimble County out of the 29th district to be with Carroll and Henry?

There is a new coaching regime at Bellarmine this year, and it seems that the staff has a think big mind-set from the get-go. No criticisms of the past coach and staff are intended. This is a tough D-II conference, and successes for the Lady Knights will always be hard-earned, especially with the academic demans of the school. The Lady Knights do NOT recruit just anybody; to be there is an achievement in and of itself. Around these parts, not enough respect is paid the the D-II, NAIA and D-III level programs. There is certainly no glam here, but a definitely good brand of b-ball is played by the better programs there. Kids and parents alike shoulfd check their egos at the door and give a good look at small college ball after high school. PS - I believe there are a couple of fine former 8th region standouts in the program.

This is not any kind of comparison or prediction, just something I am wondering in print. I wonder how the role of a former power school in the 8th region might change in the upcoming season. Who? The answer is Oldham County. With a regime change last season just before tourney play and an interim coach for the tourney, plus a new hire from out of state over the summer, might the Lady Colonels be on track to bounce back and become more competitive in 2012-13? I will speculate that at the very minimum there will be renewed enthusiasm in Buckner and throughout the program, but how that is manifested on the court remains to be seen. Still, look for them to be more competitive than the past few years.

Yep, longtime veteran and excellent head coach Randy Mefford will be sorely missed on the sidelines, however I wish the best of luck to new CCHS head coach Paul Stone. The transition occurs with the Lady Panthers a tad bit bit down this year. Best of luck to the new and former coaches, and especially the girls on the floor. This is just one of the 8th region schools with a new person at the helm after its long-term coach departed.

That's great news for her - and news not yet heard. Any others? That makes it one and counting. If there are more in the mix, getting word out helps to promote the region in a better way. The college recruiting process (and is not to be at all confused with the type of recruiting that takes place in the years preceding college) is a unique thing. Basically, college coaches create a "suspects list," and then cull it down to a "prospects list." Simply put : letters and calls is level one; level two is receiving offers; signing day is level three.

That's great news for her - and news not yet heard. Any others? That makes it one and counting. If there are more in the mix, getting word out helps to promote the region in a better way. The college recruiting process (and is not to be at all confused with the type of recruiting that takes place in the years preceding college) is a unique thing. Basically, college coaches create a "suspects list," and then cull it down to a "prospects list." Simply put : letters and calls is level one; level two is receiving offers; signing day is level three.

I cannot provide any insights on the team, but this is an interesting topic, as this middle school program is very solid and regularly produces solid players for the metro-Louisville schools - both private and public. However it seems as though Jefferson county programs/teams rarely get much play here on the BGP. Not sure why, but it is what it is.

1-Anderson Co. (based on returning roster; but to be honest, simply being one year older may not benefit this bunch) 2-W-V & Simon Kenton (SK will win the district this year, but it might not matter come region tourney) 4-Gallatin Co. (it's nearly a dead-heat between Gallatin and Owen this year) 5-Owen Co. 6-South Oldham 7-Collins 8-Oldham Co. 9-Grant Co. 10-Shelby Co. (may have an improved record, but their super-weak schedule the past few years will catch up with them) A nice crop of top players, but not the level at the tip-top of last year - some fine D-II, D-III and NAIA potential, but no bonafide Div.-I names on this list. This will be an interesting and slightly unpredictable in the 8th, with new faces on the floor and on the sidelines creating a bit of a shift in the balance of power from the past few campaigns.

The Lady Centurians will be led by returning starter and potential Miss Basketball China Dow. The defending 28th district champs should be favored to repeat again, but may receive strong challenges from Ballard and Eastern.

Your information is 100% correct, Sportslady.

What about their depth?

good school and program + a fine player = a good fit Hope she does well! Congrats!

Ouch!!

Thanks, I take that as a positive -- too bad I misspelled "euphoric," though. I get in a hurry and make too many doggone typos! Spell check is my best friend.

I recall when this Lady Bearcats group was state summer AAU champs, or some type of summer-ball accolade a few years ago - maybe when they were 8th graders or something. At any rate, this reply only goes proves one point: "SUMMER WINS AND MIDDLE SCHOOL/JUNIOR HIGH WINS DON'T AMOUNT TO SQUAT WHEN IT COMES TO REGULAR-SEASON VARSITY GIRLS' BASKETBALL!" Anyone/everyone who gets caught up the the euphroic gasses from summertime wins is making a huge mistake. Just saying ... Maybe/hopefully the group will live up to the promis shown early on, but the label placed on them has only served to be an albatross around their neck thus far.

Is the tall, lanky center returning? I believe she was an 8th grader last year - McCune, maybe? She definitely had some raw potential, and was in the neighborhood of 6-4, if I remember correctly.

There will be another a new coach for the Lady Colonels again this year - not sure of his name but is from Tennessee, I think. Will probably be the #2 team in the district behind South Oldham. OC will have renewed enthusiam this year.

I have no official or unofficial knowledge of any inside information or even juicy rumors, but just wonder this question. If this realignment did actually come about, do you think there could also be some significant shuffling of teams from within a good number of the districts? For instance dealing some southern/western schools, like the Oldham schools going to Louisville and some other teams being included in the 8th from NKY area or possibly from Franklin county or Scott county? Nothing like some summertime speculation to spark up some interest.