Lion Mania

If they get to Rupp and with each game they win the boat loads of neutral fans will jump on their ship big time. If they were to get to the final game it will appear that Elliott County has a population much greater than 6,500 or that every single person in the county is now in Rupp Arena.

I will heed your advice in here. I'm sure Frenchburg has no motels and I don't want to spend the night in that other place even though the price is right.

Has nothing to do with what they are ranked or if they are 5th best or 10th best. Has to do with how they play the game and people in South Carolina and around the state are falling (already fell many of them) in love with their relentless full court up and down style despite being a short team that starts four 6'1" guards. Just call up and ask Joe B. He is nuts about this team and has become a big time fan. The buzz in the smoking section out front of the Myrtle Beach Convention Center was about Elliott. Those neutral South Carolina fans were asking hundreds of questions about them and making positive comments about how fun they were to watch and how hard they play on both ends of the court. They may not be the best or win the state (only time will answer that one) but I have seen all the top teams and no one is more fun to watch and gets the adrenaline rush going like they do. (IMO)

That is a shame. When you have facilities in the region that will hold the crowds then it is an injustice to turn people away. I will drive about 90 miles and get there very early. If they turn me away upset won't suffice as the word of choice.

Well if your right about Elliott #6 and Mason #7 then we should have a barn burner in Sandy Hook on Feb. 10th:ylsuper:

Can't wait to see what has been called a "cracker box" that holds about 800 With the hype, ranking, and press the Elliott crowds are growing and growing. The games at East and West Carter were full to the max and those gyms I'm told hold around 2,000. Some were turned away. Many are probably going to be turned away and mad in the tourney at Frenchburg. They play the Region in Johnson Arena in Morehead, why not the All A Regional?? Are these second class teams with second class citizens?? Johnson Arena holds about 5,000 and no one would be turned away. I thought the idea was to sell as many tickets as possible which creates more $$$?? You can't get 75 lbs. of sand in a 25 lb. bag!!! Somebody should have had the foresight to look in the crystal ball and see that a gym that seats 800will not work with the Elliott growing crowds!!! I will attend and it will be like Sardine city. Just hope everyone baths and puts on deodrant.

I agree. #5 is SUPER. That is higher than I can recall them being ranked the last 40 years (about 1969). Before that someone would have to help me out. In fact, before they made the finals of the region three years ago I had only heard about Sandy Hook because singer Keith Whitley was from there. Certainly didn't think basketball team when someone said Sandy Hook or Elliott County before that time. That is some accomplishment for those kids to get that little school with absolutely no winning tradition to the #5 ranking in the state.

Didn't want to start another thread, so this one is a good place to put this. Demling' Blog on the Courier-Journal had a nice article yesterday entitled "Ferguson is a Scorer". He is that, but the last few games his touches, # of shots, and looks has been way down. Ferg is shooting a high percentage like 7-12 against East, but only 6 trey attempts. Got to get him back to his average of 20-22 shots and 10-12 trey attempts much like the South Charleston game. When Jodie Meeks gets shots he scores bundles of points (witness UT the other night) and what happens?? UK wins big. Ferg got plenty of shots and looks against South Charleston with 8-12 on trey shooting and what happens? They win by 24 points with 107 points scored on a quality team. This could (by mistake) be seen as me being critical of other players or coaches. I am not in any way. Repeat not being critical of anyone just stating facts. There are plenty of shots to go around, just saying Ferg needs to score and get more shots for EC to be competitive against top 20 teams. i.e. look at the difference between the shots and scores of South Charleston vs. West Carter/Anderson and one can see the difference. If we want exciting overtime games that can go anyway then my advice would be to limit Ferg to 10 shots or less. If we want games that are not close in the end then I would try to get Ferg his average of 20-22 shots per game.

#5 is just great. I like #5 because it is halfway between 0 and 10. What does that have to do with anything?? Nothing, but I had to come up with a reason why I like the #5 and this is about as good as anything!!:dancingpa

Shelby Valley dropped in the polls. Why--Justice was out and then playing hurt for a few games. This score should prove that with a healthy Justice they are a Top 10 State Team IMO. A potential Shelby Valley-Elliott game in the All A SF would be an all out war and matchup of two of the better teams in the state. When Justice has been healthy they have beat some good teams by sizeable margins. Look to me like a very dangerous team. And they have a big front line.

Collins is one of the better players in the 16th region. I will hold my vote on who is best when Fairview has a healthy Collins in the lineup. Losing by 6 without your best player is not bad. What if he played and was at 100%?? We don't know--that's why I will defer my vote to later. Not so sure......

Good win in a packed gym at East Carter. More back to form than the West and Anderson games. Pressure defense created problems and that led to many run-outs and easy baskets. Seemed to be back to the tempo that the boy's from Elliott like. Elliott built the lead to 26 in the 2d half and then cruised to the win. Some dwell on Elliott shooting well for success. They also are much better when there is chaos created from the pressure defense, a fanatic pace, and they are pushing the ball and speeding the tempo up. This sets them up to shoot well. Looked much closer to the Elliott games we are all used to tonight. I think they will get back there in the next few games and back to full throttle warp speed that we are all used to.

Teams like Ballard, Mason Co., Lexington Catholic, and Male are top programs year in and year out. They graduate a talented group and then just re-load. After these kids are gone for Elliott they don't just re-load. Are they excited about this team? Yes Can the rhetoric be a little overboard? Maybe The highlight for Elliott County year in and year out (before this group came along) was to just make the regional tournament. Most Elliott fans are in uncharted water. They also realize they have this one shining moment and may never get it back again. This is our one time shot to make a run. We won't get the chance again so let's enjoy it while we have it. Teams like this don't come around every few years for them. Probably only once in a lifetime. My encouragement--Be patient and understanding and let them enjoy their one shining moment.

If you carry this out based on votes Russell County is the #15 team in the state?? Know they have only lost one game, but who have they played?? They don't show up anywhere else in any other poll?? Shelby Valley only gets 2 votes and isn't in the Top 20 teams in KY?? With one exception (Elliott County at #5) they obviously don't like Regions 14-16.

Don't know much about teams in that area like Pineville, Bell County, and Middlesboro. But, it looks like the Yellow Jackets have to be the favorite to win the All A 13th Regional. I believe your neighbors up the road won it last year, but it appears that Middlesboro is playing much better than Pineville. Could be a possible Middlesboro-Elliott County quarter-final on Friday night 30 January in the All A in Richmond?? Bishop Brossart IMO will win the 10th and the 10th-13th should be a close game. Brossart brings the clamp down defense each night out.

Thanks for the offer and look forward to meeting you. HS basketball junkies all have something in common. I would set in those good seats but some of my Elliott buddies would probably ex-communicate me from what I fondly call the high five rowdy section. Then they would give me 20 lashes with a cat of nine tails after the game. I can handle the popcorn, but not the beating. My blood pressure is holding steady, so the popcorn will go down nicely with that Pepsi. :ylsuper:

Guess he was on fire with 10 big treys!!! Got 64% of the teams points with only Barker giving some help with 16. Raceland played Bath really tough at Owingsville and could get another shot if they beat Rose Hill in Frenchburg next Saturday. But, Rose Hill with Terry & Gregg is playing well of late. RAM--Have heard rave reviews about Raceland having the best gym in the 16th region. Will make my first visit on Feb. 6th against Elliott and see the gym for myself. Can I get a chair back cushioned seat reserved?? How is the popcorn??

Is that correct?? Boyles had 46 points?? He must have been on fire!!!!

Timmy will not be in college next year. He is just a sophomore and has 2 more years of HS Basketball left. I know what your asking, but that is the only possible answer you can get from anyone including the Knipps.

March is close, but still a lot of basketball and things changing between now and then. I will concentrate on the 25 meter target vs. the 100 meter target and say Elliott will make the final four--THE ALL A STATE FINAL FOUR. After two teams (West and Anderson) challenging them to the wire they better just concentrate on the next game--@ E. Carter Tues. night. and take them one at a time. All the hype has created a huge bullseye on their chest and as I said before teams are pumped and bringing their A+ game now. Are they going to go undefeated in KY before post season play. I may get hammered for this, but I doubt it. Somebody somewhere is probably going to have one of those games where the basket seems as big as the ocean and Elliott struggles. If and when they lose is it the end of their chances?? Just ask all those previous state champs who have won titles and you can find the answer.

Zak Metz put up 38 against Montgomery County in Bath's 21 point win. He is averaging over 20ppg. Would have to get a mention. Is Caleb Collins hurt for Fairview?? If so, when is he expected to return to action?? Brent Jackson also had 35 pts. in Fairview's one point loss to Ashland. Have not seen the Fairview players play so can't comment any further. Will see them next Saturday in Frenchburg.

Anderson shot lights out in the 1st half and EC found themselves about 17 down. Little run late in the 1st half cut it to 12. Elliott pushed the tempo up and actually took a 5 point lead halfway through the 3d quarter. Then the 5-6 minute break to clean up the blood from Humphries injury seemed to be just what AC needed to get the tempo back where they wanted it. From that point on it was a dogfight. Penny is a beast with 31 big points and 15 rebounds. Russell is a big physical kid who had 14 rebounds and hit two big treys down the stretch to keep AC right there. Russell is an athlete who can probably play football, baseball, or basketball in college each at different levels. Humphries is a big rugged 6'5" or 6'6" kid that is also tough/physical on the inside. Many said Mike Field's Top #10 having AC at #9 was a joke. After the way AC played Mike's poll doesn't look so silly after all. Great atmosphere and great HS game with tense end to end action. Nice words from Joe B. about the Elliott team after the game. Joe B. really likes the way the Lions play. West Carter and now Anderson. Teams are bringing their A game which is good for the Elliott players to have these tough games. Too many cakewalks is not a good thing. These games should humble them and bring them back to reality. Anybody can beat you on a given night. Being challenged and playing in pressure situations will be a good thing in the long run. Congrats to both teams on a great HS Basketball game.

Departing in 5 minutes for Mt. Sterling. Should be a great evening of HS Basketball with some really good teams in one building and a great facility. GO LIONS!!!

Correct--I am certainly not knocking him. The young man is an outstanding talent and his growth and continued improvement is the key to EC's post season play. I am one of Timmy Knipp's biggest fans. Nice young man with a ton of talent. I just want him to continue to grow/improve and get every ounce out of his God given ability. I believe he will in the coming weeks, months, and years ............................................young man has a very bright future.

Hope your right. I really like the young man. But sometimes he makes a bad play or bad foul and gets down on himself and drops his head and then disappears for only Timmy knows how long. He can't do that against a Top 5 opponent. Like I said, Timmy is a nice young man with a tremendous upside, but he has to mentally focus and stay in the game for 32 minutes and play smart basketball. The seniors are good mentors for him with their experience and 110% all out effort and focus. He still is maturing as a young player.