retropop

You can check this link for internet play-by-play broadcasts by the Pegasus Sports team. They are quite good. The Pegasus Sports Network - PSN

14 kids scored??? Wow, that's a lot. Pretty rare.

Heroic effort, Frank! Thank you. If the BGP had an award for service to the greater good of the audience, I would certainly nominate you for it. What I guy!

Thanks, Frank - that took a bit of time and effort. As has been discussed previously, the formula ratings systems are not quite the perfect science, but are overall good and interesting. I bet, however, that the Litkenhous ratings would be a bit different. Neither one is really more accurate than the other, in my opinion. The 8th has possibly never been tougher than it now is, though - it's about the same as last year, as far as being difficult to win.

This is not intended to derail the train, but the score of the W-V vs. Willimstown game is nowhere to be found. Any word on this, please?

Looks like the mid-season addition is fitting in nicely at SK. Must be nice.

QUOTE=TripleSevens;4283289]C'mon retropop...you said something about going out on a limb. All the favorites winning their district? If you had to pick one of those four to be an upset, which one would it be? By what you wrote, I would assume you would pick SK over Walton. How about Collins over Anderson? I'm going out on a limb and picking WV to win the region. They have proved themselves to come up big in big situations and find a way to win in close and overtime games. I am going with the experience of a heavy senior and junior team. The truth is, as we all know, it is going to be a dog fight, with some close games, and for sure, a tough one to call. Guilty as charged - I guess I did wimp-out and not make any tough calls. You are right to call me out on it, too! It's anybody's to take - pretty much like last year. Whoever gets hot, stays or gets healthy, and has a few favorable bounces will bop on into Diddle. For me, it's just too close to call - but hats off to you for walking the plank to make the prediction.

Where are all the regular commentators from the 8th region? It's been uncharacteristically quiet in regards to region rankings, predictions, etc. as we head into tourney time. So here is the question: What's up in the 8th? From upsets, sure-fire locks, who's going to walk the plank, go out on the limb ... to make the predictions? Here goes the first foolish attempt: South Oldham (champ) / Trimble Co. (runner-up) -- Trimble Co. vs. Oldham Co. will be a dog-fight in 1st round; it's a coin-flip Anderson Co. (champ) / Collins (runner-up) -- Collins will have a slight scare vs. Shelby Co. Owen Co. (champ) / Gallatin Co. (runner-up) -- Owen is more experienced, and it will pay off as the game unfolds Walton-Verona (champ) / Simon Kenton (runner-up) -- surprisingly to many, this will be a close one

One of the more interesting things that listings/rankings do is to imply that each ranking is an equal distance away from the next slot. But the reality is that there are some siginficant gaps (i.e. Manual, Marion Co. and the others), clusters, etc. amongst the teams shown. But soon these rankings will become moot as the post season, with its upsets, allows for some lower teams to advance and continue their seasons, while a few higher teams end their seasons earlier than they intended. The uncertainly and the opportunities to "rise above" are what make this time of season so wonderful. Yep, it's practically tourney time again!!!

Congrats to both Sydney and Makenze!

It all looks pretty reasonable to me, but no doubt there will be a few who take issue.

Congrats to you Mary!

It looks as though Trimble Co. may be playing some of its best ball of the year as we head into tournament time.

You make a good point, Triple, and it's well taken. However with a huge win over NCC, which just last week made a major statement after losing the title game of the All-A tourney to W-V, it appears that the "getting acquainted period" for SK may have come and gone. Although I haven't been there or seen the re-vamped Lady Pioneers, I've been told that her mid-season addition makes them a much different team, as she is gives them a legitimate inside presence.

"... transferred ... over Christmas ..."??? Interesting, very much so. To observers on the outside, there certainly seem to be frequent transfers/acquisitions of key players to schools in the 32nd district, doesn't it? Do the other 8th region teams have to not only contend with themselves, but also an influx from the 9th, too? At any rate, this should amp up the meeting with W-V in the district tourney.

Who is this young lady, a new face on the team?

The 8th region has had more than it's normal share of teams receiving recognition in the state-wide rankings and polls this season. But we're nearing the real time of the year when the rubber meets the road - post-season play & tournament time! So let's have it - the prognositications from the pseudo experts from around the region and beyond. Who's going do what in the district and region tourneys, in your opinons? Let her rip!!!

The #2 vs. #3 game is up for grabs, as Trimble Co. has a definite opportunity to advance this year. It should be a great game.

Doesn't Shelby Co. have a significantly improved record this year? The margin is a bit of a surprise, but when Gallatin has an "on night" shooting, look out.

Yes, best of luck to W-V as they represent the 8th!

Manual is the real deal. Every team has opportunites to stub its toe and have an off night or two, but with the schedule the Lady Crimsons play, they have a very small margin of error. There about two other teams in their league, but on a given night, a few others may be able to put a scare into them. Realistically, though, they are the top dog and deserve all props.

They did? And you are certainly correct with your previous post, Madman. On any given night, anything is possible. A regular season win for anybody visiting Anderson is unusual and temporarily nice, but winning in March is what matters. I'm in agreement with you, and hopefully we're again on the same page.

Don't lose "cred" with unchecked facts about victories over ranked teams, Mad. The most key factor to consider is what was the team's ranking at the time the game was played. Most teams move up and down. If Walton beats South, Anderson, Owen or whoever else in the region then the proof will be in the pudding. If they have another off night or if those other teams do likewise - bye, bye.

Every team has few off nights. After all, we're talking high school athletes, and that is just the reality of it. But it does bring up a point, Madman, that is worth considering. You routinely bemoan the ranking of W-V as not being as high as you think it should be. However, some of the teams that you want them to be ranked above have played schedules that don't allow them off nights and still win. A large number of the more highly ranked teams are duking it out night-in-and-night-out with no "breathers." Those teams are not afforded the opportunity to "gear up" for a big game, because more of their games are big-time games. This is not to take pot-shots at the Lady Bearcats, as this has nothing to do with head-to-head match-ups, only the formulas for the rankings or polls. Tournament time is the only true test, and even then the cursed off night rears its head. Note: W-V has taken steps to toughen up its schedule, and it's paying off for them.

This entire post testifies to the good, bad, and ugly about sports. An excellent game between two fine teams, both with pasionate people playing, coaching, and spectating. However it happens, though, many times reasonably sane people do some of the most stupid, regretable, and embarrassing things in the heat of the game, acts they would probably never commit under normal circumstances. Go figure. It can't be excused, but it happens - unfortunately.