Lion Mania

I'd have to agree with Shooter. I saw them play the same number of games this summer in AAU Ball. When do they get tired would be the question?? Maybe if they played over 8 games in 2 days?? The question that more concerns me regarding depth is not fatigue, but foul problems. But, they have pretty much kept away from it all year except a few occasions where T. Knipp has to sit after picking up 2 quick ones early. T. Knipp has to play smart and stay away from foul trouble. He is the X factor for Elliott. He cannot get in foul trouble and sit extensive minutes in Rupp.

My first State Tourney game was the Anderson-Male final in 1971 in Freedom Hall where I rooted for my hero Jimmy Dan Conner to win. They didn't and 38 years later I will have to root against Anderson. I'm sure many on here have attended the games at Memorial and the Louisville Armory. Personally I like Rupp alot better than Freedom Hall.

He must have put the 16 teams in a hopper and this is the way they came out. Elliott at #5 and Holmes at #7. No way both teams are not in the Top 4 (along with Eastern and Shelby Valley) IMO and probably the opinion of the majority.

Let me put the question another way. I drove 5 hours (round trip) to 30 games and watched my team ELLIOTT COUNTY play. How many teams have a fan that matches that?? Probably none........

I don't think so. Probably referring to the fact that he isn't 6'4". Doesn't matter just ask Nate Robinson if short matters. Justice is quick as a cat, a blur end to end with the ball, can shoot, and like Robinson has some tremendous hops. Also I have seen him hit all kinds of shots falling away, falling sideways, and falling every which way. Some would say the big guards would shut him down with their length. My response is you got to catch this cat before you can shut him down.

You are correct. I have been to every session about 10 years in a row and get the same tickets every year as do many in that section. It gets to be like a small community where you look forward to seeing many of them each year. They are mostly neutral fans who don't have a dog in the fight, but are looking for somebody to pick up on. Last year when Maynard hit that trey with 3:00 left that put Elliott up 6 against Mason you would have swore it was an Elliott section. Most of them are rooting for the small schools and want the large metro schools out quickly. The deeper and longer Elliott hangs around more and more of these neutral sections are going to turn into Elliott sections. They only have 6,000 in the county, but may have 10,000 standing and cheering for them before the thing is over. It may look more and more like their home court the longer they hang around.

I wish. My point is that unlike some I just get away from it all. Don't bring laptops into the room like many do (don't own a laptop for one). Getting on preps during the state tournament might ruin a good vacation.:clap::ylsuper::banana:

Wouldn't want to comment until Friday night about 10PM, because there are many bridges to cross for both teams before this becomes a reality. I actually feel Holmes's bridges has more traps in it than the ones Elliott has. Elliott has some traps in its bridges also. But, I will be in my comfy Lexington Hotel with no laptop and no computer (which is a good thing). Just a TV with ESPN sportscenter and NCAA games, plenty of soda and popcorn. Won't even know or care what you gents/ladies are saying until maybe Sunday afternoon sometime when I get back home. I'm sure if I wanted to I could read for hours on Sunday afternoon. Between now and then, GO FOR IT--KNOCK YOURSELF OUT!!!:deadhorse:

Jim, I agree we are the sentimental favorite with those on the other side of the tracks (those that are pulling for Elliott) which will be great numbers that will be witnessed at Rupp next week. Unlike many of the Elliott fans though, I tend to agree with the Holmes (and others) fans that the BGP Poll is the most accurate. In that poll we have never been any higher than maybe 4th and in the final poll sit at #7. There are four teams in the state tournament (Holmes, Shelby Valley, Eastern, and Lexington Catholic) ranked above us and probably for the right reasons. That puts us as underdogs by the closest to so called experts that one can get. Are we in a group of 6-8 teams that could win the tournament. Yes, but that doesn't remove the underdog label in my opinion. May be splitting fine lines here.

Two teams Elliott defeated are also having very successful seasons. Here are the updates on them. Southside (SC) won their second straight Class A State Championship and finished 30-2. Southside is ranked #92 nationally by Rivals. Their two losses were to #84 Arlington Country Day by 6 points and Elliott by 9 points in the Myrtle Beachball Tourney. They also beat Fayette Co. (GA) & Mullins (SC) in that tourney. They finished 29-0 in the state of South Carolina. South Charleston is ranked #1 in Class AAA in West Virginia and has a record of 24-1 with their only loss by 18 points to Elliott County. They head into the West Virginia State Tournament as the favorite. Unlike the Cedar Hill update I gave earlier this is not intended to turn into an gripe session on Elliott and the merits of their schedule. My intention is to inform the Elliott County fans & interested others that we have beaten some teams with success and share that with them. Personally I will have no other comments on this thread.

Keep this one short and sweet. It is a simple game about putting the round orange ball through the round orange hoop. In Elliott's case even simplier. If they shoot above 40% every game they win the tournament. If they shoot in the 30s then they are in danger of losing (though not assured). They are 2-2 when shooting under 40%. Beat Southside and Anderson, lost to Shelby Valley and Cedar Hill. Will they shoot above 40% in every game?? If I knew the answer I would be a fortune teller.

Well I won't explode or anything. To be honest haven't seen the kid play. Didn't even hear about him until about halfway through the season. On the other hand I had heard of Ethan Faulkner's game since his freshman year and although an Elliott fan the last year and a half I didn't see him actually play until his sophomore year in the state tournament. Kid puts up 51 points in the upset of Lexington Catholic which isn't shabby. Doesn't appear likely the two will match-up. Although West is in what I think is the weakest quad bracket and might (operative word) get to the SF on Saturday. 12th doesn't have a very good track record in the 1st round lately. Don't think they can beat Corbin or Eastern, though.

I don't believe the over abundance of anti-sentiment folks have to have a reason. Probably because their name is Elliott County. One could ponder and come up with a few good ones: 1) There fans are go overboard with their remarks 2) They haven't played anybody (although hard now to argue since they beat Ballard and Mason late in the season) and when they do they get beat. 3) They are too short and not athletic enough to compete with the Holmes and Shelby Valley's who are giants, long, and athletic. 4) When they play somebody really tall, long, and athletic they can't score over 52/53 points (although 52 points against Holmes in the 9th region final would have been a 20 pt. win) 5) They are flat out JEALOUS of them and the press they have been getting. I'm sure there are many more, but these are just covers. The real reason is they just flat out don't like them, period. I thank them all as it makes their story even more interesting and puts them against the odds as the underdog. They are the underdog. According to the final BGP Poll they are the 5th best team in the Sweet Sixteen. I love it!!!!:banana:

Good interview Wireman. Ferg is easy going and doesn't get caught in all the hype & what is written as some of us fans do. He just goes out and does his job and plays hard each night out. He is right. All five Elliott County starters and Jared Flannery are tremendous long range shooters. All of them can shoot a step or so behind the line, but Ferg's range is in the riduculous category as he can go many steps behind the line and drill them. The one against West Carter (I believe) at home where he drilled it from the star in the KY symbol always sticks in my mind. Also, the eight bombs he drilled against South Charleston were off the charts and stick in my mind. Ferg has set all kinds of scoring records, but his demeanor doesn't change. He is still just Ferg and treats everyone with respect and dignity and handles himself in a very professional manner. I've gotten to know him over the last year and every father hopes they have a son just like Ferg!!! I know Dale is proud of him off and on the court as he well should be!!!

Congrads to the Hounds. Have not seen the Hounds this year, but sure look forward to the Eastern game. I always root for the mountain teams and I wish Corbin the best against Eastern. At 29-3, some quality wins, and this rout over South Laurel this obviously is a team to be reckoned with. Corbin and Elliott would be a great final IMO. Les would probably be tickled to death. Look forward to seeing Crawford, Wilson, Johnson, and Smith in action on Wednesday evening.:thumb:

I like Mason's tradition and big game experience. If not for that, I would predict a 12 point Shelby Valley win. Shelby Valley has speed and quickness in the backcourt and big, physical front line players. Justice is a speed demon and can hit shots falling sideways and all kinds of ways. Not only is he quick and fast with the ball, can shoot, but he has tremendous hops. Guy is about 5'11" and can two handed dunk easily. Lethal combination. Much like the Holmes/Christian game this will be one of the better first round games and decided inside the final minute. I'll take Shelby Valley by 3 points.

I picked Holmes to win, but I think this game goes down to the wire. If I had to pick an upset in the 1st round it would be this one. Saw Wilford in the summer several times and he can really shoot the long range ball and is quick and athletic. Christian probably won't get their 80 or 90 points in this one, but Holmes better score twice as much as they scored their last game out or they will go home early.

Some things to consider about the 1st matchup. Elliott was down at halftime by 12 points after shooting 30% while AC shot around 60%. AC outrebounded Elliott 46-27 in the 1st game. Will AC outrebound Elliott in game 2. Yes, but not by 19 rebounds, probably 5 or 6 rebounds. Having seen 30 Elliott games this year the first half ranks up there with the 1st 3 quarters against Cedar Hill and the 1st quarter against Shelby Valley as their worst perfomances. For the game, AC shot 50% and Elliott 36%. For the game to be close AC has to hope for these same numbers. I don't see anything near these numbers happening in game #2. Especially after the way Elliott played in February with double digit wins over Ballard and Mason. Therefore Elliott will win 85-69. In the loss, CJ Penny will finish his outstanding career with 30 points.

I agree. Ballard put on a pre-game dunking exhibition before a packed gym that was worth the price of admission. Some in Sandy Hook had never seen the rims rattle like that before. They clearly won the pre-game activities, but lost the game 89-75.

Way back in December Cedar Hill TX handed Elliott County one of its two losses on the season. Here is the news on that team. Cedar Hill, TX moved to 34-3 yesterday with a 60-59 regional title win over Duncanville on a last second shot by Taylor Jacobs. That gave Cedar Hill two wins over Duncanville by 1 point each. Cedar Hill rallied from a 16 pt. third quarter deficit for the exciting win. Cedar Hill is now two wins away from the Texas 5A State Title. They have only lost one game in the state of Texas this year (Duncanville @ Duncanville) Same team that Elliott trailed by 2 pts. with 1:40 left in the game despite shooting 31% from the field (their worst shooting performance of the year) and 13% (4-30 treys) from three point land. Proves my point. You might beat Elliott, but they will have to stink it up pretty bad with worse than sub-par shooting and even then you are in for a dog fight to the end. I know the arguments about athleticism and length causing the degradation of shooting. We have been around that mulberry bush a thousand times so no need to beat that dead horse again. Thoughts on what is obviously an elite Cedar Hill, TX team??

Maybe just me, but Russell seemed to be baiting Elliott to shoot the three. Not a good team to pick to play HORSE with. Although Russell shot the three pretty well you won't beat Elliott that way. It was almost like you are too far out to shoot so we won't guard you. Elliott rained down a barrage of threes from deep and beyond the line. Chris Knipp, Ferg, and T. Knipp was all nailing some deep treys. Chris had 15 the first quarter and finished with 25 and was on fire at the start of the game. Ferg had 24 and finished around the basket really well on the break. Timmy had two dunks and one was very nasty on the half court when he drove around his man and finished over the top at the rim. Saw Coach Biggs leaving in the third quarter after an Elliott run that put them up by about 30. Guess he had seen enough for one night, but is going to have to watch again on Monday!!!

Congrads to the Lady Lions who move to 22-8 and the region championship. Rowan won in Morehead on Jan. 5th by 19, but they won't see that same team tonight. Gutsy performance by Shae who had 30 points on a bad leg after getting hurt. Big inside game by Lakin with 17 points, 22 rebounds, and 7 blocks. Elliott up one time by 27 points, but Boyd got back into it with offensive rebounds and physical play allowed by the zebras. Elliott made too many turnovers and will have to cut those way down tonight. Also a untypical poor shooting game from beyond the arc for Elliott with only two treys on the night. GOOD LUCK IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME TONIGHT!!!

I think Timmy has more the skills of Elton Scott who was on the 1993 Marion County State Championship team and then was Mr. Basketball in 1994. I think Timmy's career path & long term success after High School will turn out much brighter than Mr. Scott's did. They were exactly the same size and built about the same way and their games were similar.

Elliott Girl's didn't bring their A game in this one. Just sort of coasted to the win. Hopefully saving the A game for some future dates. But, a W is a W and this team has now won 12 in a row with the last loss against Green County in Richmond back in Jan. Congrads to the Lady Lions on their first regional victory and to Lakin for going over the 2,000 point mark. Boy's and Girl's combined should go over 50 wins combined by the time the regional concludes. Great season for Elliott County Basketball!!! Girl's record moves to an excellent 21-8 mark. Lakin had 19 points and Shae 18 points to lead the way.:ylsuper: