passtheball

Why doesn't he draw more interest? Is it because he is only 6-feet tall and plays more a 3 wing?

More importantly, Manual is getting closer to being that preseason top 5 team coaches believed them to be. Samsel and Jenkins are going to be a lethal combo and Nikolic is coming along a great pace. When you have one of the state's top two premiere player go down, chemistry will need to be re-developed. Jenkins showed flashes of how he played this summer and will provide that leadership to do some damage the rest of the season. Don't you agree McPapa?

Missing or late for an 8am Saturday practice. Manual should be back to top 5 shape as Jenkins continues to become healthy and the team develops the chemistry it would have if Jenkins weren't missed during the month of December.

Manual leads by 1 at half as 4 starters missed the 1st two periods. Spearheaded by Jenkins 18 second-half points, Manual surged to a 21-point lead until the final 15 point margin. Samsel added 12 points in the 2nd half along with 6 assists. Jenkins also added 6 assists as his foot is showing strong indications of getting back to form. Next up for Manual, Louisville Male.

I guess it's all relative to what games you were able to see, but the best game for me was the Manual v J'town game in the KOB semi-finals. Everyone thought Manual would get killed by J'town without Jenkins in the lineup and coupled with it being Cosby's first game back from sitting out the year because of transfering to J'town from Manual. Manual had a real chance to win this game, but lost in overtime in an exciting atmospere. Both teams played with extreme intensity making it fun to watch. :banana:

7. Central 5. Manual 3. Bethlehem 2. Gallatin 1. Tates Creek TB Manual

7. Adair County 5. Seneca 3. Marion County 2. Hart County 1. Shelby County TB Adair

I'm not contending that Holmes isn't a top team and I too believe they should be the #1 overall team. Being in foul trouble is a far cry from being on the injury list. Unfortnately, the best case psynario to show what Manual is capable of is a preseason game where Jenkins was healthy and led Manual to a blowout win over the 5th/3rd champions Lexington Cath. Jenkins will be closer to 100% next week and January will be a much better period for the Crimson.

Mr. 11th, I think your right. And I think there's some validation for why Manual should remain top 10. Again though, you can't get a loan on a ranking. It holds zero value. You've got to win games and stay healthy.

When you take the court, Manual does indeed have the ability to beat anyone in the state, especially with Jenkins 100% ready to play. I believe you know that. Manual would be the underdog against Holmes, but don't use December as a gauge when it comes to playing future games. What would Holmes be like without Pittman or Riley?

This validates how strong the state of Kentucky is. When you can send any number of teams from Kentucky and compete.

Point well taken, but when your missing a player like Manual has in Jenkins it does count. And the first third of the season is not nearly as important as the final third. You could rank them whereever you wish, but the fact will remain that they could defeat any team you put at #1.

Agreed, but do you really want play Manual when they are at full strength? It's coming.

Based on everything that has transpired so far this season, #1 this year is more fragile than most years in the past. Teams from several region should be excited and optimistic just from seeing the top 5 this year.

Rankings are irrelevant. They mean nothing. We don't field and seed 64 teams like the NCAA. College coaches don't survey the rankings as a recruiting tool. You don't get awarded points before a game starts because your in the top 5. The most important wins are your regualr season district games and winning your region. Everything else is just improving from game to game to hopefully peak in February and March. Every team in the top 5 is BEATABLE. Now back to your squabblings.

I concur ColonelMike. The actual number of turnovers was 30 as opposed to 24 by LCA. Still ain't pretty.

I don't think being ranked is Manual's objective right at this moment. Rankings are nice, but they don't guarantee wins nor do they earn you a regional title. Manual's concern is putting it all together and getting healthy. The fact is they could beat anyone in the top five and then again lose to an unranked team like yesterday.

He had 19 points and some 7 assists this game, but he didn't have the lift in his legs to attack the basket and be fully aggressive. I guess when you get a cast off after several weeks it takes some time to get your strength back.

From what I know, Jenkins return date was set for January 1st. With the holidays, he has had zero practices and hasn't been able to start physical therapy. Hopefully, he can get both done during the lull period since the next game is not until next week Tuesday.

Manual was clicking out of the gate and Jenkins was on fire to start. Then a mass substition of all 5 players when Manual had built a 12 or 14 point lead. The lead went to nothing in a matter of minutes and Lex Christian seized the lead early into the 2nd quarter. The flame was out and the lead changed back in forth until the last seconds when Lex Christian capitalized on Manual's turnovers. Another rough loss.

Of course their better at this point. Manual is playing on one leg. That's about to change.

The bulletin board material is already printed and posted.

Those flaws are about to exposed. Here's to a New Year and a healthy one at that.

Yes, it would be a lot different if Jenkins had started instead of sitting out the entire 1st period and into the 2nd period. Hazard established control of the game by that point and with Nikolic going out with an injury during the first 3 minutes of the game it spiraled. Still a lot of season left. I would rather have Jenkins miss December than to miss February. Manual will improve from here on out and I wish no one the adversity of injuries Manual has faced.

ColonelMike, even with the injuries Manual has been able to put up at least double digit points in every half. Manual has already won the 5th region and I'm sure they could compete for the 8th region even if not healthy. Manual lost to a very good Hazard team that played well. Once Jenkins gets healthy and has his first practice with the team in nearly a month Manual will be fine. It's a matter of time.