Lion Mania

Rose Hill probably will not contend next year, but will in years to come. They have an outstanding 8th grade class loaded with talent and regarded as one of the best classes in the state. Remember Elliott went 23-8 with Ferg and the Faulkner's as freshman and made it to the Region Final losing to Vanhoose and Russell. The big kid who is a freshman to be is regarded as one of the best in the class of 2012. Saying RH will be at the bottom of the region is way out of line. I wouldn't be surprised if they are not in the Top 5 or 6 teams by the end of the year. Them making the SF at Morehead is a strong possibility. It's like saying Lexington Catholic is losing Smart, Stewart, and Novosel and will be in the bottom of the 11th. We all know they just keep bringing up young talent and re-loading. Rose Hill is much the same way. If they are out of the mix it is for a very short time. I am an Elliott fan, but I think many of you are missing the boat on Rose Hill.

What is going on with Jackson?? Where will he be next year?? Seems like a lot of confusion and indecision at this point regarding CJ?? Is that where we are currently at the indecision point?? Looking for RH fan to give their take. Thanks.

With the State Championship on his resume--Miller Mr. Basketball

Congrats to the Royals and Mason County. As a Lion fan I too must echo that Elliott gave them the best game losing by 4. PT lost by 27, Shelby by 10, and Holmes by 9. Hopefully everyone realizes that Elliott being ranked from 5 to 15 all year was now not a fluke. Henderson one of the best athletes I have seen. Must have a 40" vertical leap. Can really sky for a guy only 6' or 6'1". Also very strong, fast, and quick. One of the best defenders I have seen. Could probably be all state in any sport he played. Great team and year by the Holmes Bulldogs who had one of the most athletic teams ever to play in the Sweet 16.

My one and only post from my hotel room in the Raddison and the Sweet 16 on a Friday afternoon. Elliott proved that as a bunch of juniors with one senior and one freshman that they can play with anybody in the state. Returning the entire starting five they will be a TOP 5 pre-season team next year. I believed in this team when they got beat by 7 at Rose Hill and by 29 at Mason. The naysayers were waiting for the blow-out in Rupp and that they don't belong in the TOP 20. Wasn't going to happen because these kids have to much talent, pride, discipline, character, sheer determination, and will to win. They had something to prove to the Rupp crowd and the state of Kentucky. That is---We belong with the best and we can play with the best!!! Can't wait until next year and my dozen or so 2.5 hour drives to Sandy Hook and I plan on seeing at least 20 Elliott games next year even if I have to drive 4 hours!! I love this team and the odds they overcome each and every year now for the last 3 years. These are some special young men and Elliott County should be prouder than anybody for what they have accomplished and what they will accomplish. THEY WILL BRING THE CHAMPIONSHIP TROPHY BACK TO SANDY HOOK IN MARCH 2009 AND THE MOVIE HOOSIERS 2 WILL FOLLOW A FEW YEARS LATER!!!! Thanks guys for the wonderful ride and I can't wait until this November and many more special moments!!! This is America Baby as Don King would say--and I believe in the impossible and miracles, and teams like the Lions that defy the odds. I will root them on to the State Championship next March and again the naysayers will be hushed by the boys from the Hook!!!

KNIGHTSDAD--You are right. Closely called game and foul trouble will spell big time trouble for the Lions. They only play about 7 players and only dress 10. Ten tried out and all 10 made the team (just kidding, but they don't have any depth which spells doom in a closely called game). Not worried about getting tired because they are in excellent physical condition, but you can't play if your sitting.

SIDELINE COACH--I agree and that is a very good East team that Elliott held to 12 first half points. Drew can play college ball somewhere as he is a nice player. East returns talent, size, and depth next year and that will present some more hard fought games between East and Elliott. I noticed during the all tournament presentation that the Elliott and East players were talking and laughing with one another. Kids have a healthy respect for each other and it was good to see. Coach Baker did a good job with that group winning 23 basketball games. Most of the people outside the 16th don't realize what an effort it took to hold East to 12 first half points. They probably see East as being ranked #150 in the state and don't realize what a good basketball team that is.

Elliott's half court help swarming defense was as good as its been all year in the Rose Hill and East Carter games. East Carter had won 23 games and Elliott held them to 12 first half points and 32 for the game. The scores in Rupp and the State Tournament tend to be lower. With those two factors and the fact that the Royals won't shoot 62% against a much improved defense I see this as Elliott's opportunity for keeping the game within striking distance. Plus Elliott must knock down 10-12 treys and shoot in the mid 40s from the field. Sounds like a lot of factors, but Elliott is capable of meeting them. And I agree. Miller is the difference maker. Maybe we could give him an Elliott jersey and talk him into switching sides for one game (not likely but a nice dream). The way our guys pass and get up and down they could probably get him 45 points. But we probably don't have one to fit him so can that thought.

I noticed in the poll above that 7 teams got a vote or more, but zero votes for UHA. Where are the UHA fans?? If Hopson and Edmonson put up the big numbers they are capable of they could win the whole thing. Seems UHA at 30-4 isn't getting any attention. They are both legitimate D-1 players with worlds of talent.

I also have not seen Hazard play. Only know that the sophomore guard Josh Whitaker gets rave reviews. Who are the bigs you refer to and how tall are they?? Doesn't SL have a big man inside in Matt St. John who is 6'7" or 6'8"?? I still remember the post in the earlier Corbin game where SL 5"10" sophomore guard Matt Watkins dunked over somebody from Corbin. He must also be a very talented player who many said was one of the best shooters in the 13th region. Hazard and SL fans they us a little about these teams!!

Sorry I was using chinese arithmetic. 11 others not 12.

1. Co-favorites Lexington Catholic and Mason 2. Holmes 3. UHA 4. J-Town 5. 12 other teams That's fair. I am an Elliott County fan, but put them in the twelve others. Not a resident, but long distance fan from Garrard County which is home of another Lion team that has never made the Sweet Sixteen or probably never made the region semi-finals that I ever remember over my 40 years of watching KY HS BALL.

No one has quit. Therefore I rank Elliott at #17. I don't know why they are wasting the gas and busting the school year budget.

How many upsets and even huge upsets have there been in the history of basketball over the last 80 years. More than a few. Nothing is a done deal except death and taxes. It may be a done deal but it will be sometime after 8:00PM on Thursday night. There is an old saying, "Don't count your chickens until they are hatched."

INTHESUITE--I think you are exactly right. Those predicting Lex Cath will win by double figures are forgetting that UHA has two big time players in Hopson and Edmonson. I expect a very close game to the end with both teams having a chance to win, but Lex Cath winning by a few points. Should be a great opening game for the tourney.......

Yeh guess I was preaching to the wrong crowd in that thread. The dog has gone out of under. I am at the point now where I don't have the energy to say much more. Let's just play ball Thursday night and see what happens. I think most Elliott fans know we are a huge underdog, but just want our kids to make a respectable showing and hang tough on Thursday with a chance to win in the end.

OK--Point taken and I agree. Let's lace them up and see what happens on Thursday night. If you guys win by 30 again then great!!!

MS LIBERTY---Tyler hit one three from the parking lot. Did you have your glasses on because he was way out there (ha ha)!!! Talked with Tyler after the game and congratulated him on some great shooting. Good kid!!!!

They weren't there last year as I have been 10 years in a row and haven't missed a game. Yes they were there year before last as I remember a nice sophomore by the name of Miller.

Here are my keys/observations for the game: 1) Mason hit what seemed like everything they shot in the first game (62%) and outside of Ferguson the rest of Elliott couldn't throw it in the ocean. Just like the first Rose Hill game where RH shot 53% and Elliott 28% those percentages will even more out in the second game. 2) Elliott will need to hit 12-14 treys which they have done on many occasions. 3) The longer they keep it within striking distance the more the nuetral fans (several thousands) will pick up and start to cheer for the underdog which could provide energy to Elliott and turn into a Rupp Arena home court advantage for the Lions. 4) Rupp Arena is not Mason Fieldhouse and Elliott played 2 games there last year and Mason has played zero games there the past few years. 5) Kentucky lost to Vanderbilt by 41 yet won the other game in OT. Things have a way of evening out especially when you have a team with the quality, pride, and character of Elliott County. They remember the worst defeat they have ever had just like they remembered the first Rose Hill game. 6) Mason may win by 10-12 points, but Elliott will give a great effort and be in the game late into the 4th quarter. I hope Mason is overconfident and cocky. That will also fuel the boys from Sandy Hook's determination and will to win.

Congrads to the Lions on back to back 16th Region Championships and their third final in three years!!! With all 5 starters back a 3 peat is not out of the question. This junior class is something special!!! Great defense holding East to only 12 points in the first half. Great D by Ethan on Johnson and Timmy and Evan did a super job on Barnhill who is a talented 6'6" soph. Elliott shot fairly decent and in the end you wonder how did they only score 53 points, but a win is a win. But then again, I wondered how they held East to only 32 points. Some strange reason seemed like it should have been a 75 to 56 game or something. Anybody know what I mean or am I just zoned out from too much basketball in a short amount of time?? Good luck in the sweet sixteen and don't listen to those that say Mason will blow you out again. Odds are Mason doesn't shoot 62% and if they do then they certainly deserve to win. Something tells me Elliott will fight and scratch and make it worth the price of admission. I hope so because the fans around KY need to see these guys in high octane and at their best. Good luck guys!!!

If Mason wins tonight I would call them both co-favorites. Head to head they split games in down to the wire action with Mason winning the last one in Memorial. Yes Catholic faired better against BS and Scott County, but I still think you have to look at the two head to head match-ups and say if they played 10 times you would see the same down to the wire games. Lexington Catholic does seem to be playing the best at the end of the year, but I still defer to the two head to head match-ups.

One other thing. The naysayers outside the 16th would probably say that Elliott still hasn't beat a Top 25 team. In fairness, they are correct. If you look at Cantrall and LIT ratings RH probably was around #40 or so or maybe even lower?? and was not rated in any of the five polls (BGP, Cantall, LIT, AP, or Maxpreps). The two top 25 teams they played Cov Cath and Mason they lost too. As an Elliott County fan I'm just being objective and saying they are right. RH though improved tremendously after Christmas and if they played those early tournaments the way they played toward the end of the year they would probably only have 4 - 6 losses and be rated in the Top 25. But again, that is pure speculation and what ifs. That is why Coach Mays needs to load the schedule next year. One to improve the team and another to remove all doubt of how good or average they may be in 2008/2009. Two games against Top 25 teams is a poor statistical analysis, but 6 or 7 games against Top 25 teams reallly shows how good or average you really are and leaves little doubt where you stack up against the top teams. Not that it is important, but it also gives the naysayers the needed ammunition they need to say hey look they are 1-5 against TOP 25 teams or the reverse. We can say they are 5-1 against Top 25 teams. Just some rambling thoughts on a Wednesday morning. Other ramblings are appreciated!!!

Go RADIO--The Lions I think get respect within the 16th Region, but the rest of the state thinks everytime they play a Scott County, Mason County, or J-Town, or for that matter even a Henry Clay or Manual they will get beat by 40points and don't have a prayer. Even I must admit that if you pull Tim Knipp out and watch them in warm-ups they don't look very frightning and don't have the big kids that the East, RH, & many other top teams in the state have. The other teams (before the officials come out) have several players putting on a dunking display and Elliott only has Timmy that can dunk with any authority. Elliott really starts 4 guards and a forward, but yet when the lights come on and the ball goes up they hold their own against much taller & athletic teams that play above the rim. By the way, you guys are consistent and fair, and do a great job with the games!!!

I am amazed at the grit, determination, and sheer will to win that they displayed last night against a much bigger RH team. Evan Faulkner giving up seven inches to Euton and Ethan Faulkner giving up three inches to Jackson. It will be much the same tonight with East having two 6'6" players and a 6'4" player. Somebody forgot to tell the Faulkner twins and Ferguson that they are not that tall and can't get those shots off inside against much taller opponents and can't guard those big athletic guys. As a central KY resident who just fell in love with the way these boys play the game I am excited about the next few games this year and the possiblities of next year. I believe in the Hoosier's Miracle story and still think the BIG TROPHY will land in Sandy Hook before the Faulkner's and Ferg's careers end. Sandy Hook will be known for more than the home of the late great singer Keith Whitley!!! Some of you are laughing, but one must believe in dreams and the impossible. If anybody can overcome the odds then this bunch of juniors with a little help from a 6'7" freshman can. They make all the little guys and underdogs of the world proud!!! GO LIONS!!! Was this a quality win that the naysayers were looking for or do we need to beat Mason in the State?? I believe they can play with anybody in the state or I wouldn't drive 2 hours to see them play about 10 times this year. Again, I hear the laughing!!! But I enjoy laughing more many reasons. BE HAPPY!!!