retropop

As it has been seemingly every year, the hand check/forearm shiver is supposed to be "a point of emphasis" again in 2009-10, but referees are still somehow missing the point. (Now chime in refs, we know you are out there and plugged in.) How in the world can a defender guide, shove, move, steer, etc, a dribbler to a designated spot on the floor, where a helpside defender has been drilled/trained to trap or give help, and this it not a foul? Clearly, the ball handler is at a tremendous disadvantage when this takes place, but ... it continues to happen and is increasing.

And make no mistake about it, defensive players ARE trained and drilled to do just this. The question begging to be asked is, "Why?" The answer to said question is this: in order to be able to remain competitive and/or gain a competitive advantage, coaches "do what they have to do" according to what the refs call. This happens because on the jumbo-sized screen, amongst the big-time games and teams at the college and pro levels, that's what players are allowed to do, hence keeps seeping down into high school - both girls and boys. Coaches watch this stuff on the tube, and so do the players and referees.

Some refs seem to call the hand stuff and ignore the forearm shiver. A very few of them are strong enough to apply the rule as it is written and intended, but these folks often get a reputation for calling too many "ticky-tack" fouls. And then some officals don't call any of it - and those games are rough and have the potential to possibly get out of hand. At any rate, the hand-check doesn't appear to be leaving the game any time soon. After all, despite being "a point of emphasis" for quite a few years now, it seems to be on the rise - kind of like our current H1N1 virus.

This is a tough one to predict. SK has an advantage in that all of there kids know their system, they have just one a big rival game, and they are playing at home. Oldham Co. is still adjusting to a new system. Oldham has more returning veterans than any other team in the region. It will be an up and down affair - lots of trips, lots of quick shots, many 3-pt, shots, many turnovers ... who knows? If OC has a hot shooting hand, they are in it for sure; if not SK wins big. Other key factors: the amount of physical play allowed - a banging-type game favors SK, and a strong inside game from Brown. Roll the dice!

If you want one of the best tickets around this season, keep up with the girls' b-ball in the 8th this year. Lots of ups and downs, the region has a young and developing talent base, unpredictable plot lines and outcomes - yes, this may be the year of the fan! It has already been an exciting time, and it appears that there will be much more of the same week in and week out. Many:dancingpa possible and/or potential champs are dreaming the Diddle Arena dream and making plans to make it happen for their school. Stay tuned for further developments.

Is there any word on the Highlands-South Oldham game - an early season intersting faceoff between tow top-tier teams from their respective regions?

Chalk this one up to tradition; SK has been there and done that, and WV has not. WV has the tools, they just haven't figured out the riddle yet. This contest was similar to a baseball game in which good pitching stifles good hitting. Until somebody steps up and takes down SK, they are still the defending champs and favorites to repeat. Not saying that it canot of will not be done, it just has not been done yet.

Carroll Co. is playing very well now, but is this the time when you want to be at full stride? It's a loooooooong campaign from now until March, and though the first laugh is nice, the last laugh is better. Neither Owen or Carroll should get to hung up - win or lose - about the outcome now.

In order to win the 8th region, other than Simon Kenton, somebody must be able to win against a tough and hard-nosed team on the road - no exceptions. Until SO proves that they can do so - get a quality win on the road - they cannot be considered a favorite.

(P.S. - And referreeing did NOT determine the outcome of Friday's game, so give the Lady Rockets and Coach C. full props for their emotional victory on a very special night.)

Parity, parity, parity. Walton-Verona is in the midst of an eye-popping start to 2009-10, and is yet another team that is legitimately in the hunt to cut down the region nets at Simon Kenton in March. With the bigger schools seemingly not able to dominate this year, who knows? But one thing is certain, it's going to be a fun year for spectators in the 8th! Good job W-V.

Nice win early for Coach Stewart and Co. Good job!

Don't be mislead, Owen Co. is the stud team of Class-A, and pretty doggone near the top of all of the 8th region teams - period.

Shelby Co. travels to Carroll Co., unveiling the new coaching edition of the Lady Rockets.

Wow! Now this is very, very interesting, and I'm surprised that this has not received more of a response.

What are the results - any word?:confused:

Since the 8th region had five schools (Shelby Co., Carroll Co., Simon Kenton, South Oldham and Owen Co.) participating in this one, are there any overall observations as to how they performed? It's so very early, but a concise report would be nice to read, if anyone can make one. I understand that this is a very nicely conducted event that Scott Co. hosts.

What is the pre-season scrimmage schedule for the Lady Rebels?

The silence is deafening. Isn't there anything going on in the 8th?

The W-V girls did an impressive job last season in advancing to the 8th region tourney, and if one or two offensive possessions had different outcomes against South Oldham, they may have advanced to the 8th region semifinals. As they settle into the second year of their coach's system, it likely that they will make steady and good progress throughout the season. Look for good things to come out of W-V in 2009-10.

If you can read this, Louis, please know that your friends and fans here in the 8th region are hoping and praying for your healing and recovery.

Big Slick, you have struck the magic cord, my friend! Officials with strong aspirations of advancing upward and onward to Diddle will not get to work the big dance if they inflate their whistles too often. This is often the case in region play, not only at the state tournament. My observations are that it is commonplace for tourney-time games to feature significantly fewer trips to the charity line than regular season and district tourney games.

In the case of girls high school basketball in Kentucky, according to the way things now are, it's like this: Yes, "the meek shall inherit the earth" ... but I'm afraid they will not survive to win the big game when tournament time rolls around in March.

It's possible that those meek girls and teams may indeed get to Diddle Arena -- but they will be in the stands with popcorn and a soda pop in hand, watching the not-so-meek girls and teams go at it like gladiators down on the WKU hardwood. I'm not saying that this is right or the best way, but it seems to be just the way it is.

In the 8th region, it has been quite a while since a defending champion was not the favored team to repeat. And this year the task will be made even more difficult to unseat the defending champ by virtue of Simon Kenton hosting the tourney. Don't anyone be fooled, SK is very capable of making it a three-peat.

If - and this is a very BIG IF - anyone can beat Simon Kenton at Simon Kenton in the 8th region tourney, it surely will not be a fluke. Having said that, word has it that there are several teams that believe they can pull it off, and are lining up to give it a try.

What about the article that appeared in Wednesday's Courier-Journal regarding the possible realignment of the 6th and 7th regions? What may be the ramifications of this proposed realignment - should it be improved - on the balance of power in these two regions, and, more importantly, the upon the girls' Sweet-16? If this proposal does indeed come to fruition, will this be of little significance, or will it end up being a big deal? :confused:

Since Simon has the most experience in the big games, I will give the nod to them as #1 for now. I do think the team that plays the best man defense will win it all and that is an area where Owen may have a disadvantage with their lack of size.

1. Simon Kenton

2. South Oldham

3. Anderson

4. Owen/Oldham

5. Walton Verona

Crazy 8s, it appears that you have nailed the pecking order pretty well.

If the past few years are any indication of the future, the defending champs have pretty much remained the champs -- that is until somebody dethroned them on their home court in the regional. At least that's the way it happened in 2008, when South Oldham beat Shelby Co. at Shelby, and then Simon Kenton beat Anderson Co. for its first of two titles. With this year's tourney being played at Simon, will this scenario play out again, or will Coach Stowers and the Lady Pioneers break the pattern? Hmmmm.

The 2009-10 season may be ripe for an "All-A" team to snatch the 8th region title in March, but prior to that, let's have a good discussion about winning the All-A classic one month earlier.

Will it be: Walton-Verona? Owen Co.? Carroll Co.? Gallatin Co.? Other?

Are these four the only legitimate contenders, or will someone else climb in to picture in 2009-10? Based on returning players and the way each team finished last season, it seems as though WV and Owen Co. are the prohibitive pre-season favorites to square off in the final game. Any other thoughts??? Let's hear 'em!

Hope you are correct, Colonel Mike, as this former elite program has too proud of a heritage to not sustain itself.