retropop

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.

Key stat and game-turning event: foul #4 on Waldroup. This transformed an Owen Co. lead into a W-V lead in short order. No editoral inferrence here as to a good or bad call, still, it was a game-changer. I'm sure there has been some opining about the call, and there may yet be.

Dittos! To keep moving forward as they have without a player of her stature says a lot about the players and coaches and how they have pulled together.

Trimble must be on the rise.

Until this season, I don't believe there have been four 8th region teams in the top rankings in recent years. Still, it's hard to envision that there are that many prominent schools in the 8th. Who knows?

W-V is the favorite, yet Owen is the only region team to defeat them, and that was an upset. This game will be at a neutral site, which may make a slight difference. Although it will not be easy, I'm picking Owen in another upset, and will go against the trend.

Definitely a suspect schedule. There have been a few quality programs that have disappeared from their schedule the past few years, and to top it off, Grant is no tiny school.

Congrats to Rianna, and continued good luck! This is quite an accomplishment, indeed.

You make an excellent point about which team should be rated higher - no argument here. No other 8th region team is playing better at this time than W-V. However, it is a bit early to be playing at peak performance, with the region tourney approximately two months away. Still, W-V has defintely earned more respect than they have been receiving. On another note, I can't recall a instance in recent years when four teams from the 8th region have been ranked in the top 20. Can anybody else please confirm or correct this comment? Thanks.

Congratulations to Sydney on a great milestone. Amazingly, she has registered that many points despite the fact that, at least in my eyes, she is very unselfish and very willing to feed teammates when they are for open shots. Plus she rises and elevates her game at crunch time to compete to win. Good luck the rest of the way this year and beyond.

Anyone have details on the Ashland vs. Owen Co. game?

Bingo, Lt. Dan! Perfect insight, perfectly stated. As it stands right now, these six teams that have been discussed figure into the picture. But there will be some twists and turns along the road from now until late February that none of us can fully anticipate. For some unexplainable reason, I believe that fate, luck, whatever will seemingly play larger role in this year's 8th region outcome than it has in recent years - at least that's my New Year's prediction. We'll just have to wait and see as it all unfolds.

Maybe is it just me, but doesn't it sort of seems strange that two teams have to raise a bunch of money, load up all their stuff, travel several hours and hundreds of miles away to have a heated, backyard-brawl type of game with their neighbor from only a few miles down the road? Now it sounds like it was an absolutely great game, but still ... all the way to Gattlinburg, Tennessee, for a game between district opponents? No big deal -it's just a random thought.

What is the outlook for after-Christmas tournaments? There are several very strong events in the Bluegrass, plus a number of tough ones outside our borders in which Kentucky schools are competing. Let's get some pre-tourney news AND updates along the way on this post, please.

Ho, ho, ho - Merry Christmas everybody! Yes, the 8th region IS wide open with four teams, and another team may be mentioned as a contender - Collins. They are very capable of knocking off any team in in the 8th region on a given night, and maybe more than one team in a week. The week preceding the Sweet-16 will feature some great games in Lawrenceburg - mark in down on the March calendars.

SO has played quality competition early, so whatever she has done has been against capable defenses, plus she has several teammates with whom she shares the ball generously. No doubt there are other fine players in the region, but none any more proven than - nor as consistently well tested - as Jasmine Whitfield. And with the passing of the early signing date, apparently the recruiters have agreed, as well.

Summer ball is "just" summer ball. The regular, or more accurately "REAL" season, is simply not the same.

This is like a gift of matches and gasoline for Christmas!

Yes, it's a terrible misfortune. She's a fine player and young lady who will be greatly missed on the floor by her team.

Your point is well taken, LD. Still, if a pattern ever develops that seems to circumvent the spirit or intent of the KHSAA by-laws that only go far enough to pertain to grades 9-12, it doesn't take a Philadelphia lawyer to speculate what may be occuring. This not a unique thing but one that most likely happens across our state - and other states with similar rules - at various times. No matter what you say or how you paint it, milk from another farmer's cow is still milk other than your own, so the farmer who only drinks from his own cow is "udderly" at a disadvantage.

W-V is the team to beat in the 8th, at the present time. To win a road game at SO in less than 24 hours after playing a tough opponent like Boone Co. the night before speaks volumes about the moxie of the Lady Bearcats. At this juncture, they appear to be the only 8th region team on a mission. But is still really early in the season, way too early to throw any team under the bus or give any other team a championship crown.

Wow! GC must have been really clicking - a lopsided score./COLOR]

Might this young team become a dark horse in the 8th region race? Defeating Highlands is an impressive feat.