JokersWild24

Wasn't aware that Jefferson was back on the team at Doss. That does change the analysis. Know Catholic is battle tested, but they also got some breaks, like any team would in winning the 11th usually does. What I mean by this: they got Dunbar after Dunbar hadn't been able to practice for awhile because of snow and they get Station when they are playing without Dishman. They did what they had to do and beat everyone in front of them though, and were the champs of their district. At the end of the day, I think they are beatable and have some holes that a Hopkinsville or Owensboro could expose. I'll be really interested in seeing how they defend Boyle County's trio, particularly Elkins. If you have size, I think you can hurt Catholic and that's going to wind up being their downfall. They aren't what I'd consider super athletic, but most of all, I wonder how well they can defend the post and control the boards the level they'll need to in order to win State.

How many times in the past 15 or so years has the 15th drawn the 7th? Seems like quiet a few times. Jeffersontown/Paintsville - 2008 or 2009 Ballard/Shelby Valley - 2003 Ballard/Johnson Central - 2013 Any other years I'm missing?

Might drop Doss some because they lost Jefferson and drop Lexington Catholic as well. I would bump up Owensboro and Hopkinsville. Also think you are selling your boys a little short at Boyle County. Very hard to rank the teams because there is so much parity and the 1 seed difference between each doesn't reflect some of the gaps/natural breaks where you'd put them in tiers. Pretty big logjam at 4 through 9 or 10, IMO. I like Ballard at #1 and Williamsburg/Elliott County at #15 /#16 in some order. Otherwise, I think pretty much all of the others are up for debate and there's no firm grip that any one or two has on a spot that someone couldn't argue that another team or two is just as deserving of it.

I get that, I just don't know who scores for them when they have to get into the half-court. I don't doubt that any of the freshmen are talented, but they're still only freshmen this year and I'd think they'll take some lumps next year, at least early. Only way that really changes for me is if they get some more kids in or if someone just explodes this summer past what you'd expect from them in terms of progression.

They went 3-1 in the Beach Ball Classic, played Covington Catholic, Lincoln County, Southwestern, and Clay County. Not the toughest schedule in the State, but not one full of cupcakes either, as they had some tough games. The Beach Ball Classic is the real deal. They also probably had some bigger late season games cancelled due to weather (as did most teams).

One of the few first round games that I'm really looking forward to. Boyle County can't overlook Jarod Griffin. Kid brought it in the region and I've underrated him all year. Baller. Can drop 13 against tough man from Station, even though Johnson only had 12 and the book on defending him is kind of getting out (look at some of his late scoring totals). I thought Griffin really carried Catholic through the 2nd and 3rd quarter of the regional final against Station, and he's had some big games. Focus too heavily on Johnson and you will risk him killing you. I know 13 doesn't sound like a ton, but given the percentage of the team's offense that came from him and what it came against, you'll take that number. Boyle will either need Bell, who'll have to stay out of foul trouble, or one hell of a defender to slow down Talbott and his penetration as well. Lexington Catholic has to find a way to stop Elkins inside. Between Bell's penetration and what he can do when he gets where he wants to go, as well as the fact that you have to play it straight up because of what they can do with Hagen Tyler, there'll be plenty of opportunities for Elkins against a Catholic D that is a bit vulnerable inside as is. If Elkins has a big game, then it's probably going to be a positive thing for Boyle County because it's one place that you just give them a clear advantage going in (unless maybe Whitman or Boothe just plays out of his mind and like a player that I haven't really seen). Will be interesting to see if and how Salsman gives any help to whoever has to go against Elkins because I'm not sure that Catholic has any one kid that you can just leave on an island one-on-one.

Don't disagree with any of the above. There are evils to the AAU game though and teams who don't play by the same rules as it sounds like you all are. Definitely two subsets of AAU: parents paying and teams providing. Those are two completely different classes of teams.

Based on the schools who are looking at him at the next level, I'm a little higher in Hall than I previously was. If they have a kid who negates him, then that kid is a player and he's put on a heck of a performance in Rupp against a guy whose been there a few times. Will be a matchup I'm watching now.

Just something I observed watching the game this year, but man, unless something changes, Catholic is going to be outright decimated by graduation at the end of this season. They lose a lot and there aren't really tons of kids behind them that you see as "ready" when we're talking about next season. Morris, Ogbogu, and Whitman will likely start, but unless there are some more kids coming in or some kids down in the JV ranks that are tearing it up, you might think they'll struggle some, at least early on. Will be interesting to see how Payne develops over the summer as well. While the three aforementioned have all played some this season, not really sure who they'll look to for all the scoring punch they'll lose.

No. Too many problems with seeding and while a draw might not be perfect, at least it is fair.

To recap what's going on: I'm reviewing the game now since I didn't have a chance to earlier. At this point, it's early in the 4th and the writing is on the wall for Station as Josh Owsley just picked up his fourth foul and the Defenders are down 11 and Catholic has possession. Jarrod Griffin has played exceptionally well for Lexington Catholic as they've really caused some stagnation with Station's offense with their zone. Each team's pressure hasn't really bothered either team. Station has been carried by Claitt with Walker getting some buckets when they are needed as well.

33 of Catholic's 41 in the first three came from Johnson, Griffin, and Talbott.

Tim Dunn of Station with a huge 3 to cut it down to 7, but credit Catholic's Donovan Morris for answering back. Cleat with a man rebound to cut it down to 9, then a Talbott layin to push it to 11 as the 3rd ends. Really good quarter for Catholic, as they adjusted and kept Station's offense stagnant.

Tequan Claitt has had one heck of a game so far. Thought Walker has played very well also. Davis hasn't had his normal game scoring thus far, but you can definitely see the talent there.

Big sequence with about 4:00 left where Catholic tries to run, Station gets a TO and breaks but can't get it down, then Talbott runs out and goes up with Claitt trailing and makes a 2. That one put Catholic up 10 and with a team who makes so few mistakes and hits their free throws, that's a huge 10.

3rd Q and Catholic goes ahead on a spectacular play by Jarod Griffin. Man, did that kid come to play. Also huge that Owsley of Station picked up his 2nd and 3rd in such quick succession.

Tiebreaker gets invoked, and the winner, by a single point on the total points in the semi-final, is Knights. Congrats to Sparksfor3, who was second place and only narrowly lost by 1 point on the tiebreaker. #Knights @Knights

Just got to the point around the 2:00 mark in Q2 where there were back-to-back tough baskets by Jarod Griffin and CJ Walker. Big time plays by both of them. For Station, Walker's answer was huge. Station has switched Walker onto Tanner Johnson, who is having a pretty quiet quarter and has been more than held in-check during it so far.

Catholic's zone look in the 2nd is pretty effective. Can definitely tell a turning point in the game where they've slowed down Station's scoring if you were to graph things and look at pace of play, all that. Was a bit surprised to see Station able to skip against it like they were at times though. Can't say how much I like Reese Ryan's toughness. Again, not a scorer, just a kid who is a good athlete and doesn't back down. Not the biggest kid, but he'll get some tough rebounds. Not the quickest kid or the best leaper but he'll run a break and get an and-one. You'll never draw up plays to him or whatever, but you cannot have enough kids like him.

Love Reese Ryan's toughness and would take him on my team any day. Not the most talented basketball player, but that's alright because he's got a ride to WKU as a QB on the gridiron, but a blue-collar kid that helps you win and you can't really have enough of. He's not a scorer, but he'll do plenty else.

Early observation on this one: you always hear that teams who press don't like to be pressed. Mid-way through the 2nd quarter and I don't think Catholic's pressure, which usually gives people fits, has really been a factor against Station. By and large, they've retreated against it and didn't look to trap aggressively or any of that; largest part of that is probably Station's quickness and ability to break though.

Kudos to Lexington Catholic on the black unis. I really liked the fresh, neat script "Lexington Catholic" in blue across the chest and bottom. I really dug the design. Nice for a program that is so traditionally strong and usually has a look that reflects that step out and be a little bolder with an alternate.

Let's bring this back to the game itself. As I said I would, I'm watching the 2nd Quarter right now. This is kind of piece-meal and not how I'd normally watch, but it's the best I can do now. So far, I'd said: "Watched the first quarter so far. Jarod Griffin, you were doing work and I didn't give you the credit you deserved this season. Same goes to you Mr. Josh Owsley of Bryan Station. You were a senior glue guy who did a good job on Johnson early and were always a steadying influence." [video=youtube;_S-nBDTaCL0]

Oumar Keita - Cordia Ross Jenkins - Lafayette DeAndre Dishman - Bryan Station Tre King - LCA (potential)

Good TO by Renner. Ballard looked like they were ready to do something that the staff probably didn't have in mind.