UKFan8

If it were me, I'd rate Harlan County over Warren Central for the time being simply because they are undefeated and have played well and consistent all season. Having said that, if Harlan County wins at Bell County tonight, then obviously they deserve that #3 ranking. If they lose, obviously, they should drop. For my Top 6, I like: 1. Bowling Green 2. John Hardin 3. Harlan County 4. Warren Central 5. Christian County 6. Franklin County

With all do respect to the great programs at Warren Central, John Hardin, and Christian County, I believe that Bowling Green has the best chance of making it to the State Finals. Bowling Green just seems to me that everytime they have faced a worthy challenge like Warren Central, they have answered the call. On the other side, I wholeheartedly expect a Harlan Co./Franklin Co. Semi-State matchup with the Black Bears prevailing to make their first appearance in the State Finals. Tom Larkey has a potent running attack down in SE Kentucky and many think this is Harlan Co.'s year to challenge for the State Crown in Class 5A. I have no reason to disagree. Therefore, I predict the Bowling Green Purples and the Harlan County Black Bears in the Class 5A Finals. And as I've always heard, once you get there, anything is possible!!!!!!!

I was four-for-four in Round 1, therefore, I'm going to stick with my original picks. North Laurel over Corbin, Clay Co. over Middlesboro with North Laurel over Clay in the Championship.

I, too, predict North Laurel to win in the first round over Knox Central. Corbin can't be happy drawing Harlan Co. in the first round and facing one of the best pitchers in the 13th Region in Boggs. Clay Co. will roll over Barbourville in the most lop-sided first round game. Middlesboro over South Laurel. I like North Laurel and Clay Co, both because of really good draws and pitching to be in the finals with North Laurel edging Clay for the Regional Championship.

First of all, let me say I completely respect the job that referees/umpires do. To put themselves out for the criticism they receive is something very admirable. I tend to think most officials enjoy staying in the sport and working with the players/coaches rather than making judgment calls or calling technicals. Having said that, I enjoy golf most of all simply because there are no referees and if you do not play well, you have no one to blame but yourself. However, my only complaint about officials on both the high school and college levels is when they completely stop the game in order to lecture the players. My opinion is if the player commits a foul, call it. If a player deserves a technical foul, call it abruptly. The same goes for a coach. I think it is absolutely pointless to lecture kids while stopping the game. Commit yourself to calling the game as you see it, make quick decisions, and stick by your decision no matter who agrees/disagrees. It is a real pet peeve of mine to see an offical lecture a kid. They're not college professors and all they're doing is delaying the game. All I'm asking is just make a decision and stick by it. That's consistency.

No complaints here. He is definitely well-deserving for the way he carries himself on and off the court and, not to mention, his play has been phenomenal for the Redhounds. Isaac is a great kid and certainly means a lot to the Corbin program. Isaac may not have the physical tools as a Ben Madon, Madison Johnson, Matt St. John, or Cody Miller but his heart is immeasurable and his ballhandling, passing, and willingness to score when needed (just ask Bell Co.) is the reason why Coach Pietrowski and the Redhounds are going back to Rupp. Much success to Isaac in the future and what else can you say but "Great Career"?

GREAT game by the Harlan Co. Lady Bears. Down 32-26 in the 2nd half, Harlan Co. came back with great interior play from Heather Maggard who finished with 22 pts. as well as Kaylee Carroll with 10. Davenport hit a big three late and for the 2nd straight year, the Lady Bears are back in the Finals. Good Luck in the 13th Region Championship.

Campbell Field, I, too, can appreciate you taking the time out of your day to debate my posts. However, correct me if I'm wrong, but the first time you made a post concerning this topic, it started out "UKFan8", YOU ARE A JOKE!!!! Therefore, to me, that sounds pretty much like a personal attack rather than a reasonable response. I took great offense to the opening statement of that post, thus, prompting me to defend myself. However, as stated in the first post of this thread, I LIKE The Arena. I think it is a nice facility. As for me personally, though, I tend to appreciate the tournament officials, the communities, and most of all, THE PEOPLE I have met in doing Regional Tournaments at individual high school gymnasiums. With the basketball we saw there last night, THE KIDS should be celebrated and committed for putting on one of the greatest shows the 13th Region has seen in Game 1. I was simply making suggestions for improvement from the very first post, in which some of them HAVE been corrected. It is a testament to the Tournament Officials that those adjustments have been made. Hopefully, now, we can all ENJOY the tournament like I said in the last sentence of my first post about The Arena and celebrate the good brand of basketball the 13th Region is putting forward.

\ First of all, Campbell Field, you must still be feeling the effects of those "brews" you were having at your Neighborhood Grill at the bottom of the hill because it is "misspelling" and not "mispelling" the word that I was referring to so you too may need to sober up and try Webster's next time. Secondly, you must have gotten the "Hometown Discount" for wearing your Corbin shirt to the box office today or something because normal folk are paying $9.00 for reserved seats and $8.00 for general admission. Third, you obviously didn't read my previous post stating that our radio station WOULD HAVE made a substantial profit off the 13th Regional Tournament IF we would have known in advance the broadcast fees were going to be charged. Instead, what we agreed upon was thrown to the woodshed after all of those VIP/Reserved/Sponsor Seats were not sold. Therefore, for $500.00, I think we deserve a little something more than the thrill and experience of getting to sit courtside at The Arena in the presence of these well-known distinguished celebrities also known as the 14th Region Officials. Fourth, do you think maybe after the first round of the Girls Tournament that maybe, just maybe The Arena made some changes to the concession prices, hospitality rooms, and other things??? CHANGES???? NO WAY!!!!!! Plus, do you think maybe it had something to do with Senators Williams and Stivers being there that made them up the ante on the hospitality rooms??? Or could it possibly have been that CORBIN was playing??? No, couldn't have been. Fifth, it was announced Saturday at the 13th Region Girls Draw by North Laurel Principal Michael Black that the City of Corbin would be providing the "WORKING" hospitality room while North Laurel High School would be providing the Players/Cheerleaders Hospitality Room. So, Mr. "City of Corbin is not responsible for anything", in fact, they were. Get your facts straight or save us all from possibly being infected by your ignorance! Finally, Campbell Field, knowing that Corbin is in White and Red while Bell Co. is in Blue and White does not necessarily mean you could read the jerseys and uniform numbers. Also, I guess you could see perfect seeing as how you were in Section 106, which by the way, SPLITS Center Court!!!! Therefore, I give in Campbell Field, you are correct. The Arena is the greatest thing to happen to Eastern Kentucky since.....Campbell Field!!!!

First of all, 64 miles round trip would be 128 miles, so obviously mathematics and calculation is not your strong point. Secondly, the radio stations asked at the beginning of the year if there would be a cost for covering the regional tournament and it was said there would be a connection/hookup fee and that was agreed upon. Then, three days before the Girls Draw, everyone gets an e-mail stating there would be $100 broadcast fee per tournament, $100 banner fee per tournament (just to hang your banner up), and a connection fee for a grand total of $500.00. After all that, it would have been reasonable if the radio stations were given time to package the Regional Tournament separate from regular season coverage. But 3 days???? That's a day late and a dollar short. The REAL story is they didn't sell half as many VIP/Reserved/Sponsor Seats as they hoped so they in turn decided to hand over the cost and responsibility to the radio stations to make their money back. That is simply bad organization, especially when the cost information was asked for before the season ever started. So you can make excuses for the Arena, you can try to cover up the wounds, but the bottom line is all of the points from the start of this thread is legitimate, and you all know it is true. Once again I say, I'm not saying I hate the Arena, want to boycott the Arena, or anything like that. I'm just saying there are obvious falacies and ALL of us should be adult enough to agree that is the case and move on to a great Regional Tournament.

Since you think what the radio stations have to pay is fair, Baio, why don't you pay me $50.00 and I'll allow you to come to my house and mow my yard, I'll provide the lawn mower and gas, AND I'll have you some grapes, apples, and fountain drinks for you when you get done. Is that fair? That's the same deal as this since they are both public services. By the way, I've heard The Arena is going to start charging people $2.00 just for driving by and having it in their view on their way to the movies or Applebee's.

First of all, Baio, the members of the media "paid" for a nice hospitality room. Do you know how much the media has to PAY to cover the boys and girls tournament? Have you heard of someone PAYING to provide a public service to the community and school? Well, I'll have you know $500.00 should be enough from each radio station to cover the grapes, apples, bananas, and popcorn they had Monday Night. Guess you didn't know that did you? No, no, didn't think so. So, actually, the media paid and paid very well for a "decent" hospitality room that they couldn't provide. Secondly, we'll see if the Regional Tournament is back at THE ARENA next year, yet alone when it gets to Harlan Co. in a few years. By the way, if you think the printing company made the mistake, then you obviously think Scott Baio is still a hit tv show. Also, if you think US 25E and the Corbin Bypass are state of the art roads, then you should think US 119 coming to Harlan is an interstate. Finally, I thought your work on Charles in Charge and Happy Days was about as good as the City of Corbin's work on the "Working" Hospitality Room!

First of all, if you think there were one thousand people there Monday Night, you must have been watching Big Monday on ESPN instead of the Pineville vs. North Laurel or Harlan Co. vs. Whitley Co. games at The Arena. So, yes all of those kids got the "experience" of a lifetime playing in front of 8,000 empty seats. I'm sure the kids from Pineville and Whitley Co. will NEVER forget it. It was life changing I'm sure. I got the same feeling I did in 1996 when i walked into the Meadowlands in East Rutherford, NJ for Kentucky and UMASS in the Final Four. Chill bumps came up all over me and I could feel the screaming fans from all corners. I'm sure the kids from Pineville and Whitley Co. felt it too, just ask them. Also, for your information, there's nothing wrong with my eyes, maybe my binoculars that I was looking through trying to find my family in Row Z. Secondly, as far as ticket prices, there HAVE NEVER been split sessions for first round girls games at the high school venues. I have been covering Regional Tournaments probably since you (Scott Baio) wa a big hit on "Charles in Charge" so I think I'd trust my judgment over yours. Therefore, Monday through Thursday, people would be paying four or five dollars at the high schools compared to nine, ten, or a hundred (if you bought concessions) at the Arena. Not to mention, if your wife and kids were with you (if you have any), you were out a minimum of $32.00 like I said in the previous post (and that's in the corners of the Arena where you probably have to bring a portable telescope to see the score let alone the game. Third, about the hospitality, the only thing I was "reaching" for is something to carry all the grapes, bananas, and apples I could possibly carry out of there from the City of Corbin. I wanted to make sure if I was going to have to eat Corbin's "freshly grown fruit", I was going to wipe them out so maybe they could afford some peanuts and possbily pretzels for the next night (even though I know that's stretching it a bit, Rold Gold pretzels are getting pricy these days). I think people who leave work and then drive to cover a double header should at least be given finger sandwiches and not just "the finger" by making them eat grapes, apples, and oh yeah let's not forget "wrapped grapefruit". Come on, people working for "their kids and their communities" should be treated a little better than that Baio. I think we should put "Charles in Charge" of the media hospitality room next year. On a side note, since you said I was really "reaching hear", maybe you should learn that it's "here" and not "hear" because obviously, there's something wrong with your grammar, or maybe even your "HEAR-ing"? Who knows? Fourth, kids are going to remember the success or failure they had at the Regional Tournament, not where it was held. I mean, what kid from Pineville is going to go to a "Carrie Underwood" concert at the Arena in a couple of months and talk to their friends about what an exhilerating experience it was to play on that floor and get beat 73-46 by North Laurel in front of a packed house that was going nuts Monday Night at the Arena? Finally, you're telling me that the Printing Company thought it was the Harlan Co. Green Dragons. OK, well maybe when the Tournament is back at the high schools in a few years, that the same printing company will think Scott baio is still popular and put him on the cover as a marketing strategy. Do you think that will work? Come on, you know the printing company printed the info they were given, it was NL's fault. They turned in the wrong info, probably because they wanted to anger Harlan Co. for wanting to have it in their "State of the Art" facility that's recently been committed. I guess that's a crime too isn't it? So Baio, I leave you with the parting words of the 1980's, since that's probably the era you remember best like these kids will remember playing in The Arena, "THANK GOD Charles is NOT in Charge of ME!!!!!" God Bless

After watching the entire first round of the Girls 13th Region Tournament at the all new Arena in Corbin, below are a few of my reflections about the whole Arena experience: 1. Atmosphere. With the Girls 1st Round of the 13th Region Tournament in the books, I sat there on press row both nights thinking about how far the fans actually are from the floor. There were times where I couldn't really tell what school everyone was from because they were so spread out throughout the entire Arena. To me, this takes away from the whole atmosphere of the Regional Tournament and how electric the gymanasiums around the 13th Region can be with the student sections close to the floor, right on top of the action creating a very neat environment for all of the participants. At The Arena, the fans are so far from the floor that you can even pick out individual people from different schools from press row. To me, this completely diminishes the whole atmosphere of the Regional Tournament. Also, it takes away from the sense of community. Reason being, everyone from one school/one community can't sit together because there's reserved seats already bought/taken and people are just so spread out that you really can't point to a particular section and designate that as North Laurel fans or Corbin fans, etc. 2. Expense. The biggest complaint I have about the Arena is the expense. Let's say perhaps you have two teams (boys and girls) in the Regional Tournament like Clay Co., both of which have a chance to win the whole thing. If you have a family of four, to go watch your beloved Tigers in both the Boys and Girls Tournament, it's going to cost you A) a minimum of $32.00 a night for admission, and that's to sit in places that you can't see a thing in, B) cost of gas to get there each night up to 5 nights and C) not to mention the OUTRAGEOUS cost of concessions. You'd have to consider taking a mortgage out on your home to attend the Regional Tournament ALL nights and buy concessions. That takes away from what a Regional Tournament is all about and it's about celebrating the accomplishments of the KIDS!!! Grandmothers and Grandfathers around Eastern KY can't afford to watch their grandchildren play because of cost with a down economy!!!! Are you kidding me??? The expense of simply going to support your child/grandchild/niece/nephew is just a crime because the Regional Tournament should be a celebration of making it that far, not raping people of their hard earned dollars. 3. Hospitality. As a media member, I couldn't help but take a stroll into the Media, or should I say "WORKING" hospitality room at The Arena. Let me say, unless you're a Richard Simmons fan and consistently diet on grapes, bananas, and apples (or please do not let me leave out individually wrapped grapefruit), I wouldn't advise wasting your time. I walk into the Hospitality room to see a bowl of popcorn, potato chips, and fruit along with a fountain for drinks. My first thought was "Whoa, let's pig out". I mean, come on guys!!! I'll never forget the last time the All 'A' Regional Tournament was at Williamsburg. That was the best hospitality room I've EVER been to. The ladies working were so sweet and had prepared such a delicious meal for the folks of media, etc. that I can't help but give them props. They had homemade everything and I almost felt guilty for the expense they endured plus the hard work to put together such a good set up. At The Arena, however, get out your Dexatrim because nobody from the media will dare gain a pound the week of the Regional Tournament, that is unless they choose to splurge out their earnings and buy the $4.00 hot dog ONLY if it's plain, mustard will cost you an extra $.50. I almost feel like I'm single handedly decreasing the Kentucky State budget deficit by just entering into The Arena. 4. Setting. Sure, I'll give them credit. The Arena does make you feel like you're walking into Rupp or somewhere of the equivalent. Only problem is there's NO John Wall, there's NO Coach Cal, and most importantly, there's NOT 24,000 others screaming for the SAME TEAM!!!! I'd much rather see the Regional Tournament in a high school gym to celebrate that particular community. What does The Arena celebrate??? Hard earned tax dollars for concerts, tractor pulls, Disney on Ice, and most of all, monster trucks which by the way are significantly overpriced themselves. In my years of covering Regional Tournaments, I can tell you individual people I've met working in places like the hospitality room, the pass gate, the Regional tournament draw, etc. and could identify them with that particular school and community. Now, it just feels like I'm going to Lexington to watch a Knox County middle school tournament. It just doesn't make any sense and it just takes away from the feel of a Regional Tournament. 5. Programs. Time and time again at Regional tournaments, the one thing I always collect is the Tournament Programs. They always have sections and sponsors in there for individual towns that have teams in the Regional Tournament. Always, the programs are something I look forward to. However, as I was scanning through my program in Game 2 Monday Night, I noticed one thing was wrong. Harlan Co. was called the Green Dragons, the nickname of their cross town RIVALS!!!!! That's like going to an SEC Tournament in Nashville and finding the Tournament program lists Kentucky as the Cardinals of red and black coached by "that other Italian northeasterner". How humiliating was that??? That alone shows me that the program obviously had ZERO thought put into it and it was just thrown together like the ill-tasting hot dogs as just another thing to make another $20.00 off of. The program is supposed to highlight the players, the coaches, the cheerleaders, and most of all, THE SCHOOL!!!! No matter if it was a mistake or not, that was completely inexcusable and should have infuriated the Harlan Co. faithful. However, God forbid we list North Laurel as the Cardinals or Bell Co. as the Yellow Jackets. There would have been a REVOLT!!! Look, I'm not saying I hate The Arena, want to boycott The Arena, or never want to set foot in there again, but folks let's celebrate our kids of Eastern KY and our communities. A lot of our towns are dying as they are and they, too, need our help. We should not put a price tag on EVERYTHING and get back to the days where small gyms were packed and you couldn't hear yourself think for a Regional Tournament Semi-Final or Final game. That's what people enjoy is fun, the environment, the atmosphere, not selling their car just to watch their kid compete. Perhaps we have all gotten "a little above our raising".

North Laurel has a very nice ball club. They're fundamental, very well-coached, and Crawford is sensational. However, they simply do not have the size to compete with Harlan Co.'s frontcourt duo of Carroll and Maggard. And, let's not forget, this is the same Harlan Co. team that reached the regional finals last season in their first year of existence. Experience and size win out as Harlan Co. defeats a very good North Laurel club in the semi-finals. However, North has had an excellent season that they should certainly be commended for.

DADDY CAT, In watching Lynn Camp the past couple of years, I've been very impressed with what Coach Pennington has done with the program. If nothing else, they're very exciting and fun to watch. They play with a lot of energy, shoot the deep ball well, and have defeated some teams that have superior talent to them over the past few years. However, as bad as I hate to say it, Lynn Camp is just very undisciplined. They don't play very good defense, they shoot wild, unnecessary shots and are very prone to reaching fouls. It's a credit to them and their program for beating the likes of Knox Central and other 13th Region powers of recent years, but the truth is when you play the undisciplined style that Lynn Camp has committed to play, you're going to win some games you shouldn't win but you're also vulnerable to lose games you should win. And they certainly have lost several of those the past few years including this year's 13th Region All 'A' Classic where they clearly should have made the trip to McBrayer as a good, quality 13th Region Representative.

Good Assessment Les. I think Clay Co. and Corbin will win their first round games but watch out for a well-coached, scrappy Bell Co. team. With the addition of Bryan Robbins, Bell Co. will give Corbin fits. And how about Madon vs. Johnson, two premier players in the 13th Region going toe to toe on the 13th Region's biggest stage. Clay Co. has a distinct advantage over Barbourville, but don't count out Dinky Phipps who has a couple of nice players in Marsee and Hildebrand. Also, don't forget the "Spurlock Curse" at Clay Co., but if there's ever a year to break the streak of 1st rd. losses, this is the year. On the bottom, Knox Central and South Laurel is a very intriguing matchup with Cody Miller and Matt St. John, two of the best players in the region battling it out for a spot in the semi-finals. I like South Laurel in this one, even though both teams have been extremely inconsistent all year. However, watch out for Broughton, Canady, and Barger. If they shoot well combined with the injuries of South Laurel, Knox Central could easily prevail. Harlan Co. and North Laurel, if this game is anything like the football game between these two, it will be the best first round game of the tournament. Harlan Co. has the experience with four senior starters in Fields, Hogue, Simmons, and Green, but North Laurel has a nice combo themselves with Shears and Wardrup who are two excellent athletes. Both are very well coached ball clubs with Coach Jones at Harlan Co. and Coach Conway at North Laurel and I think this one will come down to the wire with the Black Bears avenging the loss to North Laurel earlier in the year with a victory and a spot in the semis vs. South Laurel on Saturday afternoon. Great matchups all around and it should be an excellent 13th Region Tournament!!!

Yeah, that's correct. Monday, March 1 Pineville vs. North Laurel 6:30pm Harlan Co. vs. Whitley Co. 8pm Tuesday, March 2 Clay Co. vs. Lynn Camp South Laurel vs. Bell Co. Semis Friday, March 5 6:30pm & 8pm Finals Saturday, March 6 7:30pm