ColonelMike

Defense is always important - and its value increases as you proceed into the post-season. Make no mistake, Spencer can win this - if Cox and Erhardt and company start lighting it up from the perimeter, as they are more than capable of doing, the Bears can punch their ticket to New Castle. And if Spencer was hosting.... But they're not. The game is at Woodford. I have to give this one to the team with the better defense. I think Collins wins this one thanks to that suffocating defense, which often leads to transition baskets. Two great teams. It's really a shame both can't advance. Region fans deserve to see both in New Castle, but it can't happen.

but as we all know, the best team doesn't always win! That's point 1 about good starts. Point 2 is we all have also seen teams get hot at the right time, get on a run and go further in tournament play than one would have predicted. If you eliminate teams that got off to bad starts, you're taking some of those off the table....... This is not a theory of how things always work, this is an observation only. I'm not proposing a theory that only teams that have hot starts can win the region; I'm merely noting that this is one of the interesting - and consistent - statistical characteristics of every team over the last decade, except for one. (and even that team - Collins - went 6-4 out of the gate). I'm not saying it guarantees or predicts anything - it's just a note that there hasn't been a team that had a losing record early that won the region in the last decade. And 9 of 10 got off to what I would classify as "hot starts". We always talk a lot about how it's a "long season" and coaches can "grow their team" (both true statements), but we just haven't seen it happen in the 8th in this century. In fact, the last team that could be argued that didn't have a "hot start" (keep in mind, this is all subjective....how many games do you have to review? how many do you have to win? "Hot start" is somewhat subjective here), and still won the 8th Region would have been the 1999-2000 Scott County Cardinals, who opened 3-3 - before ripping off 13 consecutive wins. Nobody else who has won the 8th Region since the 1998-9 season has had such a pedestrian record that far into the season (6 games). And honestly, I'm not sure I could say a team that went 16-3 didn't have a hot start, even if they did split their first six (again, subjectivity). From 2012 to 1999, the second "worst" start was the 2001 Oldham team that went 7-3 to start the year, but that Colonel team went 5-0 before their first loss.... It's just something intriguing to look at. Really, the same holds true for the free throw percentage - although I've always felt that FT % success gave a team a serious advantage come tournament time, due to the game scores contracting, etc. - it's still just an observation. Does Williamstown at 77% (#4 in KY!) have a better chance to win the region than North Oldham, who's ten points below them in FT %? I don't think anyone would say that. That's why I think this is a qualifier / eliminator type of statistic, not a predictor. You don't compare the numbers to each other - you compare them to a benchmark. Fail to meet the benchmark, and your odds of success plummet dramatically, or so the evidence would suggest. Like I said, I'm curious if it holds up again this year.....but these stats have been consistent over the last decade....

Just to chime in....of all the games involving Oldham schools, the boys games between Oldham County and South Oldham are ALWAYS the most heavily attended, and the crowd will start arriving early.... keep that in mind if you are coming and planning to watch the second game.

This is always one of the most charged atmospheres in HS basketball - when Oldham meets South in the post-season. Get to the North Oldham gym early if you want a good seat - or any seat. If you can't make it, the game will be broadcast on Pegasus Sports. Mike Montgomery and Todd Gilley have the call beginning right after the Oldham-North Oldham girls game. Approximately 7:30 - 7:45ish pm ET on www.pegasussportsky.com P.S. - If you miss the game and the live broadcast, the game is ARCHIVED on Pegasus - go to the broadcast page and scroll down to find the icon with the game you wish to watch.

Amburgey (Oldham), Feagan (Williamstown) both are notable omissions. Good arguments for some others. Seriously, though, tough year for the voters. There's a LOT of talent in this region this year. Adding one removes another.

Exactly. I introduced this in a thread last season.....and North Oldham kept the trend going. I'm making no claims about it - just interested in seeing how it continues to play out. Goodness knows I've often asserted that free throws matter come tournament time.... Over the last decade, that's been true.

Burnside is the injured South player, and he led the Dragons with an incredible game the last time they faced Oldham. No news yet on his status for Tuesday night. I think it will be very close. Both teams want fast tempo....playing on a neutral court, but in front of huge groups of fans from both sides. South is definitely on a roll, though. Steve Simpson definitely has his Dragons playing their best ball of the season.

Think free throw percentage is an over-rated stat? Perhaps, but then again, maybe it isn't over-rated.... I started tracking this information a year ago, and updated it last season... Of the last 10 Eighth Region Champions, NINE have shot better than average (defined here as 66.7%) at the line. (The only exception: The 2019 Walton-Verona Bearcats, who shot just 60.8% from the line, and failed to hit 66.7% in four of their five district/region tournament games). In addition, "fast starts" typified the season for the ultimate Region champs; the worst start to a season for a region titleist came in 2015, when Collins won just 6 of their first 10. While we all know a strong finish is very, very important, it appears that the elite teams rarely stumble out of the gate. The last 10 champs: Year Region 8 Champ Season Free Throw % Start to season 2022 North Oldham 67.9% 7-1 2021 Oldham County 75.5% 9-2 2020 Collins 73.1% 8-0 2019 Walton-Verona 60.8% 8-0 2018 Oldham County 66.8% 12-0 2017 Collins 68.0% 11-2 2016 South Oldham 77.5% 15-1 2015 Collins 71.6% 6-4 2014 South Oldham 68.6% 15-2 2013 South Oldham 70.8% 12-3 Based on the above criteria – for what it’s worth – only seven teams “qualify” to win the region title this year. I view this as sort of the HS Basketball version of the Beyer Speed Index….the BSF is not a predictor of who will win the KY Derby, but rather a “disqualifier” of those who cannot win the Derby. Well over 90% of all Derby winners have had a Beyer Speed Index of over 100 in a race prior to the Derby. Those who have failed to achieve such an achievement, are not expected to win the Derby. So – while a team’s inclusion in the list below is not intended to ‘predict’ that they will win the region, a team’s exclusion from the list is more the point of the exercise. We’ll see. I find it to be a fascinating exercise, for what it’s worth….it’s held up 9 times out of the last 10 years….we’ll see if it holds again this year. The seven teams that meet both criteria (simply ranked in order of FT%): Team Season Free Throw % Start to season Williamstown 77.7% (#4 in KY) 5-2 Owen County 74.5% (#15 in KY) 14-4 Collins 73.8% (#17 in KY) 9-0 Grant County 72.6% (#26 in KY) 9-0 Spencer County 71.8% (#37 in KY) 11-4 Walton-Verona 71.6% (#39 in KY) 8-2 North Oldham 67.1% 11-4 The following teams qualify under the free throw percentage, but failed to get off to a fast start: Team Season Free Throw % Season start Oldham County 76.5% (#5 in KY) 3-6 South Oldham 70.2% 2-5 Shelby County 67.4% 5-5 Gallatin County 69.5% 1-6 The remaining teams failed to qualify under the initial criteria (free throw percentage over 66.7%): Team Season Free Throw % Simon Kenton 65.8% Woodford County 64.8% Henry County 61.3% Trimble County 63.3% Eminence 60.5% Anderson County 58.3% Carroll County 57.7%

South Oldham (16-11) vs. Oldham County (15-14) in the semi-finals of the 29th District Tournament. Tuesday 2/21/23 Approximately 7:30 pm ET at North Oldham HS FREE live hi-def video coverage on Pegasus Sports www.pegasussportsky.com Previous meeting: 1/13/23 Oldham County 78, South Oldham 76 Oldham County won on their home court despite allowing South to shoot 55.6% from the field, including an amazing 13 of 24 (54.2%) from beyond the arc. Oldham actually did South won better, connecting on an incredible 57.8% of their shots, and going 8 for 16 (50%) beyond the arc. The Colonels had a huge advantage at the line. The fifth-best free throw shooting team in the state (76.5%) hit 18 of 22 freebies for 81.8%, while the Dragons - not collecting so many fouls on the perimeter - hit 75%, but made just 3 of 4 shots at the stripe. Oldham was dominant that night on the glass, pounding South, 34-17. Max Green (29 points / 11 rebounds) and Luke Amburgey (25 points / 9 rebounds) led Oldham; South was led by William Burnside's 23 points and Christian Veirs' 16. Oldham has won 6 straight in the series between the two teams, and 9 of the last 10. South's last victory over Oldham came on 2/22/19 in the championship game of the 2019 29th District Tournament, when the Dragons prevailed, 60-55. Most matchups have been close; 7 of the last 8 games have been decided by 8 points or less.

North Oldham a bit too much for a gritty St. X team tonight in Goshen, KY on senior night. Six seniors played their final regular season game on the North hardwood tonight (the 29th District will be played at North next week). Dallas Roberts volunteered to give up his starting lineup spot so both of the senior subs could start, (Miles Gay and Aaron Judd) along with usual senior starts Ian Higdon, Luke Anderson, and Jack Scales, who returned tonight to action after an 11-game layoff due to a shoulder injury. (Scales played limited minutes, but was 2 of 4 from the floor, including 2 of 3 beyond the arc, for 6 points) North finishes undefeated at home in the regular season and improves to 23-5. The Mustangs have now won 12 straight, and 16 of their last 17. They have held 6 of their last 10 opponents under 50 points. Ian Higdon led the winners with 16 points. Chance Dillingham and Graham Krezmien had 11 apiece to lead X.

Grant continues to make the 8th Region proud.

6th vs 8th will be very interesting.

It's always a tough decision, and sometimes a coin flip.... Understand I wasn't being critical of Gaither....he's not only one of the proven, premier coaches in the 8th, I consider him a good friend. Frankly, I think he's one of the elite coaches in the entire state. I certainly don't think he "forgot" Harbin was on the bench or anything silly like that. It's a judgment call - like when to pull a pitcher off the mound. I was just noting that Harbin seemed out of sorts - "cold" - when he finally re-entered, and Collins could have really used his sharpshooting skills there late when North's defense was absolutely denying them anything inside.

Looking forward to seeing the Tigers on Friday. Pegasus Sports will cover the North Oldham vs. St. X game on www.pegasussportsky.com. Come say "hi", Tigerpride!

Neither Scales (North) or Simmons (COL) played, so I'd say that both teams were definitely short-handed, playing without one of their leading scorers. I'd consider the injury situation to be a "wash." North has now played ten games without Scales and the Mustangs are 10-0 since he was lost with a shoulder injury. I felt going into the game that the defense that made the most plays at key times might be the deciding factor - and that was the way it turned out. Leading just 38-35 heading to the fourth period, North outscored Collins, 13-4, in the final frame to pull away. Both teams managed to accomplish some things....both teams' defenses refused to let the other team dictate the tempo .... North clearly better on the glass, thanks in large part to their twin towers (although senior guard Jack Fischer was the co-leader in terms of rebounding for North). For the most part, Collins wasn't really able to turn North over often, which took away one of their best weapons, which is getting into transition off live-ball takeaways. North has really improved their free throw shooting. Collins has been superb at the line all season, but North had been average. For the fourth straight game, North hit over 71% at the stripe.... Kenyon Goodin again showed why he is one of the most versatile offensive players in the 8th Region. Cole Harbin's foul trouble was huge, I think, tonight. It really took away one of Collins' best outside threats. That said, a little surprised at how long he sat in the second half. By the time he got back in the game, he was "cold", and didn't really contribute the rest of the evening. Grant Neal was huge tonight for North. Showed one of the reasons why North has to be the favorite in the 8th....too many offesive weapons. Collins seemed to be trying to focus, defensively, on Roberts and Higdon (as many teams would)...only to see Neal light it up on 6 of 8 shooting (including 2 threes) and a team-high 17 points. North has now won 15 of its last 16 games (including 11 straight) and five different players (now including Neal) have led the Mustangs in scoring in at least one of those games. Fifth time this year North's defense has held an opponent under 40 points. North improves to 5-2 against ranked teams, with their only losses by 14 to #1 Warren Central and by 8 to #2 LexCath. Collins falls to 0-3 against ranked teams. This would be a tremendous final if the two were to meet in the 8th Region championship.

Thanks for staying with us! Had a bit of a connectivity issue in the first half, but it appears all fixed. Good connection now. HALF: North Oldham 23 Collins 20 North dominant on the glass, but the Mustangs went just 2 of 9 in the second and Collins crept back into the game. Very competitive; looking forward to the second half.

Could very well be the 8th Region championship preview....(though I imagine Woodford County, Simon Kenton, Owen County, Grant County, Spencer County, Oldham County, and others will have a say in that.... ? )

I think you mean "Dallas" Roberts ...LOL... ??

There's no two teams in the 8th that are hotter than these ... North (21-5) has won 10 in a row and 14 of their last 15, with the sole loss during that time to #2 LexCath by 8. During that stretch, North has beaten #6 Lyon County by 34 points, #11 North Laurel by 14, and #12 Mason County by 14. The Mustangs have won 9 straight since #3 scorer Jack Scales (12.3 ppg, 42% beyond the arc) was lost due to a shoulder injury. As a team, North is shooting over 51% from the floor - and nearly 40% from beyond the arc. Dallas Roberts (19 ppg) is a 5-year starter at point guard, and Ian Higdon (10.8 ppg / 8.4 rebounds) is a four-year starter. The top 7 players from last year's 8th Region championship team lead this team in its quest for a second-straight title. 6'8" center Luke Anderson has posted two double-doubles in his last four games, and just missed (16 points/9 rebounds) in one of the other two.... Collins (22-4) has the region's best record, and the Titans have won 13 of their last 16. They have no "bad" losses - Collins lost by 8 to #10 Ballard, by 5 to 18-win (and District rival) Anderson County, by 6 to former top 20 (and another district rival) Woodford County, and - in their last game - by a mere two points to #13 Trinity. Collins - the youngest school in the 8th Region, opening in the 2010-11 season - has NEVER missed the 8th Region tournament, competing in it twelve consecutive times, and winning it three times. (Interestingly, North Oldham is the second-youngest team in the region, opening in the 2003-4 season.) Like North, Collins is full of veterans, led by Quinton Simmons (11.4 ppg) and Kenyon Goodin (19.4 ppg / 6.8 reb), both of whom are three-year starters. Not surprisingly, both David Levitch (NO) and Chris Gaithers (COL) are being discussed as being among the top candidates for 8th Region Coach of the Year. Both teams can be very exciting on the offensive end, but the defenses may decide this one. Collins' ferocious, ball-hawking defense leads to transition baskets. The Titans have held opponents below 50 points 12 times this season - including the last four straight, including St. X (43 points) and #13 Trinity (4 7 points). North Oldham can be very intimidating on the inside, with 6'7" Ian Higdon and 6'8" Luke Anderson averaging multiple blocked shots per game - and affecting any others in their vicinity. North has held 7 teams below 50 points - including four teams that didn't crack 40. One of those four was South Oldham, which averages 70 ppg - but scored just 38 against North on the Dragons' home court. IF YOU CAN, YOU WANT TO GO TO THIS GAME! If you can't, tune in at 5:30 pm for the pregame show (6 pm tip) on www.pegasussportsky.com The broadcast is free (it is also archived on our site) and we broadcast in hi-def video. ?

Clearly, the 8th Region game of the week - maybe the year - and maybe the top game in the state this week is TUESDAY NIGHT (Valentine's Day). At North Oldham.... #4 ranked North Oldham vs. #14 Collins It's a boy/girl doubleheader, but the boys' game is FIRST. Tipoff is at 6 pm ET. (pregame show at 5:30 pm - free live hi-def video coverage on www.pegasussportsky.com)

South (16-8) wins with dominant 2-3 zone defense that totally befuddled Owen. Star forward Grace Ferguson (OC) had just 4 points at the half and finished with 4 after missing her only two shot attempts in the second half. Owen falls to 18-8. South hit 50'% from the floor, and knocked down 6 of 13 threes. Ella Morrison (SO) led all scorers with 23 points and 8 rebounds, and had four made three pointers. Freshman Maddie Young (SO) had 13 points / 8 rebounds. South dominated on the glass, unofficially outdoing Owen, 24-10. South led by as many as 13, but Owen - capitalizing on a sloppy third quarter by South that included 8 third quarter turnovers - closed to within 4 at 42-38 with 4:18 to play in the game, but Owen County would not score again and South closed it out at the line with a game-ending 7-0 run.

Note that the BOYS game is the first game. Pregame at 5:30 pm ET; tip at 6 pm. Girls game follows at about 7:45 pm ET.

CONFIRMED: BOYS ARE AT 6 pm (pregame show starts at 5:30 pm on www.pegasussportsky.com) and the GIRLS tip afterward (or about 7:45ish). Thanks for the catch 4 Quarters!

Checking on that. I see that Riherds is showing boys at 6 pm......

FINAL South Oldham 49 Owen County 38 South's defense controls and the Lady Dragons get win number 16 against 8 losses. Owen falls to 18-8. Grace Ferguson of Owen held to just two shots in the entire second half and finishes with 4 points. Ella Morrison leads all scorers with 23 for South. Lady Dragons hit 50% from the floor and 6 of 13 beyond the arc. South unofficially wins the rebounding battle, 24-10. CM