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

The recruiting situation is in a complete state of flux. I hope Coach Cal keeps a Kentucky presence on the Kentucky team.

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.

And Zollo? The list of decommits is Euton, Avery, Vilarino, Ross-Miller, and Tucker.

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.

HDE and Westsider.

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/

 

And as for your comment spindoc, there is no obsession about Elliott County. They were a good team from the mountains that had a good Final Four run in both the state and All A.

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

I was not impressed with Elliott County, if the same Holmes team that played the first half plays the whole game tomorrow, it wont be close. Holmes by 15.

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.

Maybe, just maybe, Shelby Valley had something to do with that.

Have you ever been complimentary of the officiating?

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.

I am going to preface this by saying that I cheered for Elliott in this one; so that the state could see the best matchup of the season in the second game of Session 7 tomorrow-Holmes vs. Elliott County. This isn't meant to make anyone mad or take away from what either team did, it is how I saw it, and it was an entertaining game until the very end.

 

1. Elisha Justice was the best player on the floor, plain and simple. He may have had an off night shooting, but he is the reason that they were in the game at all. He was a 1-man press breaker, made several amazing passes, all of the key rebounds, and broke his man down off the dribble almost every single time down the floor. I thought that nothing would beat Sanford's late-game heroics from yesterday, but Justice's performance to keep Valley in the game surpasses Sanford's.

 

2. Elliott wasn't going to lose that game, if the officials had any thing to do about it. And they did. I don't complain about referees or their officiating ever, but a lot of the calls were questionable at best. Valley was in the bonus FOUR MINUTES INTO THE SECOND HALF. At that point, I believe Elliott had 2 team fouls. There were some very ticky-tack calls, such as Justice's foul on Christopher Knipp, Knipp had already passed the ball away and was virtually out of the play. It appeared that Justice had hand checked him and was called for the foul. At this point, I believe Valley was up 3, I don't think that Knipp hit both free-throws, but even so, I don't believe in a game of this magnitude the call should have been made. There were also several instances in which Elliott County would have a shot blocked and a whistle blown. But then at the other end, the exact same thing would happen and play would go on. Also, when Ethan Faulkner took the charge in the fourth quarter, his feet were not set and a blocking foul should have been made in my opinion.

 

3. I can not wait until tomorrow morning when the two best teams in the State meet up. With all due respect to Central and West Jessamine, I believe your State Champion from 2009 will be the winner of Game Two of Session 7.

 

With all of this being said, congratulations to Elliott County. Your dreams live on for another day, all of your hard work is beginning to pay off and your goal is just two games, albeit tough games, away. And to Shelby Valley, congratulations on a great season, although it isn't ultimately what you wanted, you are All-A Champions, and I look for you all to be back in the State Tournament next year.

 

And to Elisha Justice, your performance from this state tournament has put you into the discussion as the favorite for next year's Mr. Basketball Award.

 

Good luck to West Jessamine, Louisville Central, Elliott County and Covington Holmes for getting this far. Congratulations on getting here, and realize that your goals are a little less than 24 hours away.

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:

That was probably one of the best calls all day. It happened right in front of the official and he made the correct call. Faulkner went right after the Shelby Valley player and caught him with a forearm/elbow. Everyone in the building who was watching the game without having a dog in the fight, knew it was the correct call. Great call.

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:

I root for all the teams — I just enjoy seeing good basketball.

 

 

 

I would disagree (except on the part about me needing a nap).

 

 

 

:lol:

I don't need to post. Jim is doing a great job of that. But thanks for the compliment.

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

Not a chance. SV will beat Elliott again. Justice is the 1 kid in the state that the Faulkners can't frustrate.

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 Jim.

Another great post by Les, good job.

You're taking it personally again.

 

Here's the facts:

 

Shelby Valley beat Elliott Co. head-to-head. Would have done so by a lot more than the final margin if SV hit their FTs because, as one poster already noted, SV completely dominated the game.

 

On this board, almost to a man/woman, Elliott Co. fans gloss over the SV loss and consistently rate their team above SV — pretty much to the point that they can't even entertain the idea that SV would do it again. When folks like myself point out that EC fans aren't giving SV enough respect for their thorough beating of your team, EC fans get excessively defensive (much like what you're doing in this thread) and call them "haters." Or, they just ignore it and hope that loss will just go away.

 

What you call "rubbing it in" is what I would call "keeping Elliott fans honest and grounded." I have no animosity toward Elliott County, so how am I rubbing anything in? It just feels that way to you because you're taking it personally.

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

Awesome post Jim.

You hit the nail on the head.

In the grand scheme of things, high school basketball is not important enough for me to "hate" any team. You and other Elliott Co. fans should stop taking it personally when someone doesn't feel like jumping on the Elliott County Love-fest Bandwagon that has swept across the state.

 

I wouldn't have to remind Elliott Co. fans about the SV loss if Elliott fans weren't trying so hard to act as though it never happened. Just because I point that out doesn't mean I think EC is somehow not an outstanding team, or that I don't enjoy watching them play.

 

And I feel pretty strong about my knowledge of basketball, so I'm pretty secure. But if you want to accuse me of not knowing anything about the game just because you don't like what I have to say, so be it. I'll still sleep well tonight. :thumb:

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.

Just a question, but if their defense is so good why are they giving up 60 ppg? If they're constantly forcing a lot of turnovers like you say, teams shouldn't be scoring in the 60's like they are. From what I've seen this year Elliott attacks the ball but thats it. They rely on trapping and forcing bad passes which leads to a lot of easy points for the opposition. Very rarely do they just sit down and play tough m-2-m defense. A team that can handle the pressure gives them a lot of problems because of EC's inability to match up size wise.

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?

How does Shelby Valley compare to the Paintsville teams in the '90's?

 

Those Paintsville teams had solid PG play with an explosive 2 Guard (Todd Tackett), an athletic big man (Ratliff, 6-8) and a dominant presence in the paint (J.R. Vanhoose, 6-9).

 

Are there any similarities?

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.

Some things to consider about the 1st matchup. Elliott was down at halftime by 12 points after shooting 30% while AC shot around 60%. AC outrebounded Elliott 46-27 in the 1st game. Will AC outrebound Elliott in game 2. Yes, but not by 19 rebounds, probably 5 or 6 rebounds. Having seen 30 Elliott games this year the first half ranks up there with the 1st 3 quarters against Cedar Hill and the 1st quarter against Shelby Valley as their worst perfomances.

 

For the game, AC shot 50% and Elliott 36%. For the game to be close AC has to hope for these same numbers. I don't see anything near these numbers happening in game #2. Especially after the way Elliott played in February with double digit wins over Ballard and Mason. Therefore Elliott will win 85-69. In the loss, CJ Penny will finish his outstanding career with 30 points.

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 thought Elliott County had proven they were able to participate with athletic teams when they beath Ballard rather handily, but I'm still hearing alot of the same things. I think Elliott County should be the favorite to win the whole tournament. The only thing that makes it a little tough for them is the draw. I think the team that had the best chance to beat Elliott due to matchup problems lost in the region tourney. I also don't think they'll be playing the opponents that everyone is predicting in the tournament. I expect them to play Anderson, Shelby Valley and Lexington Catholic.

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.