The Hook 2009

Players from the 12 thru 16 Regions were invited Ethan Faulkner had 48 pts and I was told he had close to 20 rebounds and 10 assists. Evan Faulkner 29 points Timmy Knipp won the dunk contest

Coach Cal will get the best players possible. It would be nice to have Kentucky high school players, but if they are not good enough that won't be coming to UK anymore. The Hood's and Miller's will still get to play at UK, but it will only be top 100 recruits in my opinion.

Zollo, D. Ferguson, Hood and Orton are still coming as far as I know. But every other player has decommited. I know there is an article on Vilarino where Calipari called him. He told him that he liked bigger guards and pretty much said he wouldn't get to play much if he came here. I know that Vilarino really wanted to come to UK. But you can not expect Calipari to keep players he doesn't feel he can win with, when his job is on the line. So I don't blame him.

I nominate Les. :laugh:

It looks like Dakatoh Euton will not be attending UK or at least reopening his search. http://ukbasketball.bloginky.com/2009/04/02/euton-parting-ways-with-uk/

They had a great run all year long, not only in the Final Four. They proved all year long that they were a top 5 team. This Elliott County team beat Christian County last year I believe, maybe the year before. They returned about the same players from both teams. No team was going to give Elliott County much problems with the press, if Ethan Faulkner was in the game. You will see that next year at NKU, too. Congratulations, Les this is one of your few posts that wasn't a "good post to someone else" by you. :dancingpa

Then you haven't watched much high school basketball this year. Shelby Valley was a great team and they will challenge Holmes and Scott County for he state title next year. Elliott found a way to win with a much large Shelby Valley team. Dunks don't mean everything in the state tournament. The last I check 3 pointers were worth more than dunks anyways.

Wasn't your team sent home?

Both are top 5 teams and I really like the Justice kid. But way that game was bigger than this one, this is the state tournament. Keep believing what you want to believe but your season is over.

Well Batman, I guess Elliott was the better team on the big stage. Sorry sidekick Les.

There were 20,000 fans tonight saw that Shelby Valley got the better of the calls tonight and Elliott still prevailed. Elliott is the better team, like I said many times before. Shelby Valley is a good team and will have to be one of the favorites next year with Holmes. But Elliott was the better team this year as they proved on the big stage. :ylsuper:

Well Justice told one of his coaches that Faulkner did nothing to deserve the intentional foul. I would that the kid that got hit on the play would know. So it was not the right call.

:thumb::lol::lol:

You are a great side kick. Jim says: to the bat mobile Les.

It is apparent that the only Elliott game you have watched is the Shelby Valley game. I hope that both teams are lucky enough to get a rematch. Justice is great point guard, but Elliott has a great one of their own. I wouldn't trade Ethan Faulkner for any other point guard in the state.

Another great post by Les, good job.

We don't need you to keep us honest and grounded! Take a nap.

Who of the Elliott fans have ever acted as though the Shelby Valley game did not exist? I would guarantee that I have saw far more Elliott games than you in the last 4 years. Most Elliott fans say Shelby Valley is deserving of their high ranking, but Elliott played as poorly as they have played all year in that game. Believe me there were many open shots missed by Elliott in that game. Not to discredit Shelby Valley's defense, but Elliott did not play up to their potential during that game. I can see where some Elliott fans believe that Elliott should be ranked higher in these polls, because Elliott still has only lost one in-state game against Shelby Valley. Shelby Valley has lost one in-state game against a non-ranked opponent. Plus Elliott has had the harder schedule of the two teams. What was that everyone was saying earlier in the year, well you have to play somebody in-state to deserve your ranking. I guess that doesn't count towards Shelby Valley, since they have only played one top team. I am not saying Elliott should be ranked ahead of Shelby Valley, but I can see the argument from both sides. As far as Mason County, they have lost 6 in-state games and lost to Elliott by double figures, yet they are ranked ahead of Elliott County. I can't possibly see any reason why Mason is ahead of Elliott in the polls. But oh well I guess the only game this guy saw was the Shelby Valley game too. Don't worry no Elliott fans are ever going to lose any sleep over what you or Les have to say, either. So everyone should be well-rested for the state tournament.

Elliott is 30-2, like the Pitino teams this team lives by forcing turnovers. This team is good defensively in their own style. Elliott gets a shot off ever 10 seconds or so, because Holmes holds the ball for 30 seconds or more that makes them a better defensive team. The reason that Elliott gives up alot more points is because the other team has a lot more possesions. Why don't you check the amount of shots both teams shoot during a game and you will find your answer?

I think the teams aren't that similar other than being small schools from the same area. Paintsville had a far better presence in the paint with Vanhoose and the offense ran through him. But Shelby Valley has a far better point guard with Justice. Shelby Valley is more of a run and gun team and Paintsville was set it up and give it to the big man with Tackett as their next option. Vanhoose was one the better big men to ever play in the state of Kentucky. I can't wait to see both of these point guards play again, Justice and Ethan Faulkner of Elliott County. They are both great floor generals and players. For anyone that hasn't got to see both of these guys play you are in for a treat at Rupp.

Well said. Everyone keeps saying that Anderson County should have won the first meeting. I am sure Elliott players and fans thought they should have played better the first half and this would not have even been a game. In my opinion Elliott showed that they were the dominant team by quickly erasing the 12 point lead at the half. I believe Anderson had a 19 point lead in this game as well. I like Elliott's chances in this game, but I think Anderson is a very solid top 10 team in the state. If Elliott does not shoot well under 40%, I think they will be in trouble. But if they shoot over 40% and keep the rebounding relatively close Elliott should win this one. :ylsuper:

I believe the Top 4 teams are Eastern, Elliott County, Shelby Valley, and Holmes. These would be my four favorites to win it. It will be whoever brings their A game every night. I will be suprised if one of these teams isn't holding the trophy Saturday night. But who knows stranger things have happened (Morehead State playing in the NCAA tourney and UK likely going to the NIT).

I agree with this. A lot of people were saying that Elliott could not play with Mason or Ballard, because of their athleticism. Elliott won both games at home handily. However, Holmes may be the most athletic team that they will play. That being said it would be an interesting matchup. But if I were Holmes fans I would be worried more about getting by Lexington Catholic or Christian County. Like I am with getting by Anderson County, then Shelby Valley or Mason County. They just have to take it one game at a time, rankings mean nothing anymore. If Elliott County were to win this they will have a tough road ahead and definitely would deserve to be crowned state champions. They will get to play a top 10-15 team in every round, most likely throughout the tournament barring an upset. Then there should be no more doubters of how good this team really is. Good luck Elliott.

Great job Elliott. We are all proud of you. Now let's cut down the nets in Rupp. Congratulations, to Lewis County on a great season. Your team and fans were a class act tonight.

Final. Elliott County will play Lewis County in the finals tomorrow night.