HSBallFan78

Definitely a bad call. Too bad they don't have replay at least in the regional tournaments. That being said, I am sure there were several other blown calls throughout the game, that would have rendered the last shot meaningless. But I do feel bad for everyone involved. Of course you never know what can happen, but neither Henry Clay or Franklin County are getting by Layfayette.

Heard it was a controversial finish. Anyone have a replay?

Guyn's stats seem down this year over last. Has his development leveled out, or is it that SC has more talent around him?

I think Ryan had 19 points. Tates Creek could win the 11th. Lafayette and SC strong too.

What about changes in Lexington, other than Bryan Station? Champ has done a good job, so I don't know what the issue is. Didn't they try to fire him a couple of years ago? Dunbar seems to be on a downward spiral? Also heard rumors about Henry Clay getting a new coach. Thoughts?

HC could be a sleeper team in the strong 11th this year. Fairly young team, and not much height from what I saw over the summer. But they came together strong end of last season and gave Catholic all they wanted. Wilder and the Keesling kids are the keys to that team. I saw Madison Southern last summer and they have a pretty nice team. I expect they will give Madison Central a good run this year.

Scott County by 6-8

Here's my Top 5 1. SC 2. LC 3. Tates Creek 4. Henry Clay 5. LCA Bryan Station and Madison Central will be down this year I believe. Station has a couple of big players but will be interesting to see guard play absent Morones and Ashford. Tates Creek could easily be the 11th region surprise winner in March Henry Clay has a very nice team. The are fast and athletic but no big guys. LCA may also be a surprise team in the strong 11th this year. Of course Scott County will be #1 in the state and hard to beat. Catholic has some nice players in Martin and Beckam.

TC - Fucci TC - Barksdale SC - Guyn SC - Manning SC - Euton LC - Beckham LC - Martin LC - Schuette HC - Keisling HC - Wilder and others - strong region agaion this year

Yes, I agree with LMB. Fayette County really doesn't support or strongly encourage their sports programs. The monetary support they get is frankly embarrassing. Middle School BB only plays 10-11 games per year. No wonder there aren't many great players coming out of the public system in Fayette anymore. That is why they end up at SC and LC.

Lexington ICE have won state AAU 2 of last 3 years (13u, 15u). Fucci - Tates Creeek Wilder - Henry Clay Keisling - Henry Clay Barnett - LCA Helton - LCA Haggin - Sayre Shotwell - SC Purvis - GRC

Congrats to the state champs. It was a fun game to watch. Homes will be tough again next year.

The smart money would say Holmes, but they haven't played well in the regional or state tournament so far. But then again, they should be due for a breakout game. Might just happen against LC. Interesting Saturday morning semi-final if Holmes makes it vs either SV or EC.

Great kid and one of the better post men to come through here in a few years. Terrible tearing up your knee in the tournament like that. I feel so much for him. I think he will do well at U of L. I expect him to be on a full scholly within a year.

Congrats to both teams. Glad to see some new teams going deeper. The SV/LC/Holmes side of the bracket is a killer. Elliot may join them later. You'd think whoever wins this side of the bracket, should win it all on Saturday nite. But the winner may be plum tuckered out. This is what makes KY HS basketball so great. SV is a very very good team. Justice is a fantastic ballplayer. He can crossover almost like no one I have seen locally in a long time. Good luck to all the remaining teams.

I thought SV played tentative early. But they came out hotter in the 2nd half. Probably just tourney jitters.

33-31 SV end of third

I think you are right about Jayeln Beckham and his brother. I know Jayeln played Middle School at Bryan Station. This is what makes KY HS basketball one of the best in the nation. Never know what is going to happen. For us adults, it's easy to get caught up in this, and take it too seriously at times. Remember, these are young teenage kids, most of whom will never play college ball or make a penny in the sport. They should be learning about hard work, discipline, life while playing ball. Those things will stay with them all their lives when basketball is over. I think a lot of the "trouble kids" on a team, are really that way because of the pressure their parents put on them to perform. I have told my kids to work hard, prepare, do your best, and enjoy the journey. If your esteem is based on what 16 and 17 year olds do or don't do, you have got a problem. Let the kids have fun. And us adults need to lead them by example.

Herald Leader photo clearly shows Gelawn fouling Martin by undercutting him on the shot. Gelawn has to shoulder part of the loss on this one. Bad shot decision up 1 late, and then foul on last shot by Martin. If SC fans are complaining about calls, they need to stop. Hicks works the refs better than just about anyone in KY (maybe Allan Feldhaus at MC). If it is true they left their trophy by the refs lockeroom, that is pretty classless. I know SC fans are disappointed. When you clearly have the most talent in KY on one team, it hurts even more to not even make it to the Sweet 16. But KY is loaded with good teams, and only 1 team ends on a win. LC played better team ball. SC is a group of talented players on the floor at the same time. Maybe they will come together as a team by next year. To me, they all seem to be worried about their individual stats. It could just be the pressure of being on a highly talented team. You know as a player that you have got to produce big time, or there are 4 other guys sitting on the bench ready to take your minutes.

I think Billy offered Euton too early. He was thinking Euton would grow to 6'10" or so. Euton was much more dominating a couple of years ago, against kids his own age. Some peak at 16 and some at 36. Thats the hard part of coaching. Euton seems like a great kid, and I understand he is a hard worker. Self motivated and works on his game constantly. Hope he ends up at a place he can contribute. Just don't see that being UK.

I saw Euton and Jackson several times last year at Rose Hill and 5-6 times this season at SC. I kind of agree, that I am not overly impressed by either player. Jackson definitely made more progress than Euton over the course of the season. Euton seems to have peaked about a year ago. Worries me about Euton's prospects at UK. He is basically a spot up (when open) shooter. If we can't get Meeks an open look, I don't see how Euton is getting those open looks in the SEC.

Off topic, is the Boys State Tournament bracket up anywhere yet with all the teams?

Still surprised at Warren Central getting out early. I was impressed by them earlier in the season. They have some D1 stars on the team.

I watched SC all season. IMO, they never really meshed as a team. With all the transfers, it was difficult to come together as "one". SC has a lot of superstars, but not sure they played well together. They just had enough depth and firepower to overwhelm most in the state. If one star was off, there were 2 others to get 25 each. Most teams don't have that luxury. And this shows just how important Richie Phares was for the team. He was their leader. Will be interesting to see if SC develops a true floor leader next year. Maybe Jackson or Manning or Ivey? I just don't see Gelawn being the floor leader. He seems to be more interested in his own stats. Great game. Congrats to both.

SC should have won, even without Phares. I still can't understand shooting a bad shot with 30 seconds to go. Vee is just a winner in crunch time. Beckham will be a great player for Catholic. If he can get an outside jumper and work on free throws, watch out. So much talent in the 11th, especially fresh/soph. Next year, SC will still be the favorite to win the 11th and probably the state. But without Phares, they are a different team. LC will be very tough again, but loosing Vee and Botkin will hurt. But Martin, Beckham, and Schutte will be key players. Henry Clay was playing well at the end, and took Catholic to the wire without their best player (Prince Stewart). Wilder, Keisling, and Kimbell will be their young stars. Also in the 11th, Tates Creek should be tough with Barksdale and Fucci. 2 great sophs. Lafayette made a nice run late and will be better next year. And the list goes on and on. It's a shame only 1 team from the 11th gets to the state.