Crunch-time

Do you watch these teams play much?

I understand. It sounds like you are doing it the right way. Do not become one of those AAU coaches/scouts that won't leave a kid alone and show-up at all of their HS games. I recognize most of them and eventually parents have to turn and run the other way.

Colby...just curious, have you been following/scouting NKY girl's Bball very long? It sounds as if you are scouting for summer teams and the majority of the programs have already secured their rosters. What organization/s do you represent? (if I may ask)

You didn't watch close enough. Coach Fookes went on the floor to tell the ref that #10 was supposed to shoot. She absolutely wanted Sparrow shooting. She told the ref to go ask the other ref and they "both" agreed #34 should be on the line. The call hurt BC because Sparrow would probably have knocked them down. Never know. Bleacher - I couldn't believe the announcer was telling everyone who was shooting at half-time for prizes...while Boone was bringing it up the floor. That is just one of the several instances. Oh well.

The announcer did that to both teams several times throughout the game. I was pretty shocked the ref's didn't stop him, but oh well. Conner was 20-4 on their home floor, #2 in the region - BC #4, and beat Boone a month ago on the same floor...this would have to be an upset. There are some very good match-ups coming next week. The 9th region champ's will have certainly earned it. This thing is up in the air big-time. 4-5 teams are playing their best basketball right now. You can throw out the fact the HHS beat Conner twice...you can throw out the fact that HHS beat Boone at home...you can throw out the fact the Boone beat NDA by 17pts at home. The tourney is being played on a neutral floor for every team...ya can't write a better script.

Relax IBALL...I think Bleacher is referring to the Boy's. The Conner girl's have this all but wrapped up.

DoubleDuece is the "unbiased" person we needed in this discussion.

The NKY HS game report was broadcasting 5-10 feet away and apparently heard it all. There is not one single rival fan thinks coach Fookes has class. Only the people that are closest to her know what she's about. Your team had a great season. It was a tough loss. Let it go!

The two fans were from the opposing team and directing their language towards the opposing team from directly behind their bench. When rival teams play it is unfortunate that fans are so close to the opposing teams bench...especially when they can't control themselves.

The opening post from the "unbiased" NKY HS game report reads "A couple of Ryle fans were ejected for language. One of those was actually proud of that fact. We’ll talk about that on the show this week". Ryle fans behind the BC bench using foul language directed towards the bench. It pretty sounds as if they were provoking the coaches. She may throw a couple of bombs occasionally, but I tend to lean toward the "unbiased" folks that were there. If the fan language was directed towards her players then it didn't get as ugly as it probably could have.

You are right, you win.

Anyone who attended the first game between these two is aware BC was down two players and two other "key" players were limited to only a few minutes due to the flu. The game was still tied with less than 2 minutes to go. I imagine both teams will be healthy and at full strength. If Ryle wins this game they will have definitely earned it.

Hey paNDA: why do you think NDA is ranked so high? Their schedule is brutal if you count out-of-state games, but the ranking's supposedly do not count wins/losses from outside of KY. Oh well, another poll to question

My point is NCC is playing as good as HHS right now IMO. I believe in my post it reads "HHS will win at home in a close one", but I also believe it's due to the home court advantage. As several previous posts have said "HHS sits back in a 2-3 zone and baits teams into launching 3's, but if a team is hitting from the outside HHS is very beatable" (hence ten 3's by WC).

On a neutral floor NCC wins, but HHS will win this game in a close one on their home floor. HHS slipped past a 10-17 Woodford county last night by 3pts. NCC beat WC by 26pts just last week. HHS appears to be limping into the districts and probably fortunate the tourney is on their floor.

I agree with what you say, but the state doesn't even recognize assists. It is why teams that are bad OR play cupcake schedules have great stats. Also, most teams have parents that keep the official stats. It's usually a must...BUT!

Hands down SK (no contest's).

Assists are subjective to the book keeper which is why the state does not track them. Every book keeper "can" literally see it differently.

GPFAN - If you have been to every HHS game then you are obviously a big fan. You are bias and wouldn't think some teams get homered. Coach Richey is a good coach and therefore certainly works the ref's. It's what good coaches do. I think the biggest turnaround for HHS was the addition of Mr. Coach Richey. BTW...I'm sure if you ask the HC fans they will think the game was called fairly.

It is a little funny to hear HHS complaining about getting homered. Coach Richey tends to get an edge in the LadyBird house as well.

HC by 10. They will be too physical for NCC.

LCA pretty much seems to just try to outscore you rather than playing on the defensive end.

Not much is expected out of these 8th graders and freshmen at this stage so there is a lot less pressure because mistakes are expected, allowed, and it's a lot more "fun". When they become the "focus", and winning-n-losing means everything, their mentality will be put to the test and some will walk away. Just within the past year in NKY, look how many reputable programs/players are hit with unfortunate events that were "completely" unexpected. I'm sure there are many more, but below are just a few that come to mind that impacted their respective programs Big-Time and changed their teams entire outlook. Many stood out as 8th graders and freshmen. NCC - lost Senior starter. Cundiff has dealt with an injury almost all season. SK - Two key starters out with knee injuries. ND - Two key starters impacted by knee injuries. HC - one key starter (transfer). BC - Three key starters (1 transfer, 1 for VB) and another out with an injury. Highlands - lost a key senior last season with a knee injury. Ryle - one starter, perhaps two, out for the season. Conner - two starters (1 transfer & 1 left the team). Newport - Tamara Sneed, #1 player in the region last year, decided not to play. I remember the 3 player's BC lost this season were key impact freshmen when they won the 9th region 2yrs ago. The expectations this season were huge with those 3 player's, plus Bradley & Behrens. Boone went from heads above to the middle of the pack overnight. I'm sure I'm missing a bunch of player's, but these immediately came to mind. Things will surely change...guaranteed!...but it is interesting to discuss.

Some teams will have strong guards, but no post play. Some will have strong inside play, but no guards to get it down the floor conststently. This makes for good conversation; however, the success of a freshmen team is no way indicative of future success at the varsity level. Tansfers in, transfers out, and kids that decide to focus on other things/sports will always impact programs almost each and every year. Not to mention, many kids will not put the time and effort into the off-season to continue to develop their game.

Pretty accurate. The top 3 could have gone any way and received little argument (from most people).