Matlock

Barnhill will be tough in the 16th. The key will be the development of Caleb Adams and Conner Robinson at the guard positions. They showed marked improvement as they got more playing time last year.

Apparently, the done deal mentioned by everyone's sources wasn't quite done and still isn't.

Good win for Elliott. Defense kept them in it because the ball handling was the weakest I've watched them with this year, Several uncharacteristic unforced turnovers and a few more from just plain weak play. They better handle it better in the semi-final. Holmes looked strong except for a brief second half meltdown. Ethan came through with some clutch free throw shooting and the Knipps' offensive performance saved a poor shooting night. Timmy and Ferguson hit some very key shots in the third quarter. The intentional foul call was completely ridiculous and could have been a game changer but Elliott did a great job regaining composure and taking control of the game. That will be one fine semi-final matchup at 11:30.

Are you serious? A great game to watch between two excellent teams. :ohbrother:

I haven't even seen Christian County play this year, but I know they couldn't be "long and athletic" enough to ever play with Holmes.

Bath County happened to have a few good players when he got the job. If he sticks around, and I do not think he will, we will see what kind of coach he is next year. With the exception of Maze there isn't much talent returnuing.

Homes is just so "long and athletic" that I don't see how a slow, non-athletic, poor ball-handling team like Elliott County could ever give them a good game. :popcorn::isurrender::popcorn::isurrender:

Because I am an Elliott County fan, I won't name those from Elliott, although they clearly belong in the discussion. The two I saw from other teams this year that really stood out are Penny and Justice. They score at will. Penny is a physical specimen that scores and rebounds with the best and Justice is flat out quick, creates his own shot and sets up his teammates. This tournament will be fun to watch.

He wouldn't last ten minutes as Elliott's coach.

I thought Elliott County was 30-2.:popcorn: I don't recall all of those teams trying to run and gun. In fact, I saw some of those teams try to slow it down, but could not do so because of Elliott's pressure on the guards. And for what it is worth, Justice had a lot more to do with beating Elliott than pounding the ball inside in the Shelby Valley game. Ballard had a very good inside game. Their guards just gave out at the end. I look forward to a very competitve state tournament. Any one of those top 8 teams could win it...and any of them could lose in the first round.

Wow. And to think some posters were upset win Holmes won scoring in the 40's. Must have been some great defense and ball handling. Congrats to Holmes. They survive and advance to Rupp and that's the only thing that matters this time of year.

Elliott takes care of business as usual. Ethan Faulkner wins defensive award and MVP for third straight year. Evan, Ferguson and Chris Knipp make all torney team as well. Thompson, Riley and Lewis point guard, Metz, Maze,Webb and Collins also all-tourney. Ferguson and Ethan with double doubles. Thompson from Lewis with 28 and around 17 rebounds. The game never in doubt. Elliott up 20 at half and 30 two minutes into third quarter. Lewis County did not quit and their run through the tournaments was excellent. A very improved team from early in the year. Congrats to both teams.

Ethan Faulkner 20 pts, 11 rebounds 10 assists and 6 steals. Pretty nice stat line. If Tyndall was there tonight, he saw some OVC-worthy players.

Great win for Lewis County. They outplayed and outcoached Bath. That last timeout could have been used to set up a shot better than a running turn around 10 footer that hit the side of the backboard, taken by your third offensive option, at best. Using your last one to ice the opponent was not a good move.

Ferguson with 28, including 5-9 from three point line, I believe. Evan with 23 and Ethan with 20. Good offensive game, triggered by solid pressure defense.