UNDERTHEBRIDGE

Doubt the school can handle enough student growth to be deemed 4A. They have added on some to the school building in the past ten years, but not enough for the school to grow to a 4A level and if you have ever seen the school area, there isn't any room for growth unless they want to tack on another floor. But yeah, they are about 855, my senior class graduated 200 students I believe and the classes have steadily grown since to 210 or 220.

You are quite right, I find though that the Western Kentucky whining about Lexington Catholic is pretty annoying. Money team? What are you implying? That we have the money to build great facilities for all our sports programs? If that was the case, sorry our alumni and parents care so much about the school because they are the ones who fund most of that stuff. If you are implying we pay the tuition of our athlets, or even that we pay our athletes, than once again where is the proof? ONE PLAYER GOT FOUND RECIEVING FINANCIAL AID THAT WASN'T SUPPOSED TO BE ALLOTTED TO HIM. He was a male athlete who played baseball and football. He already had attended the school a year on his normal financial aid that is given to him by a third party not affiliated w/ the school who takes into consideration all factors that need to be assessed when distributing aid. Things for his family got worse and the school right or wrong gave a little more to help. They got caught, admitted it, move on. But even in that case, where is it suggested that any of the girls playing this week for the Lady Knights were involved in recieving unneccessary financial aid? The only arguement anyone has is that three of the five starters aren't from Lexington and two played high school ball in eighth grade for another school. And still this annoys me because some people it seems want to take away from this team's accomplishments. These girls have been very devoted to the school and this girl's basketball team. Anaris Sickles and Nikki Davis have enjoyed two of the most successful careers of basketball ever enjoyed by a girl in this state. Natalie Novosel and Briana Green are now two for two on titles and have the talent w/ them the next two years to challenge again for a title. And that isn't even including the success of Rose Hill who enjoyed a great run in this tournament and really gave Lex Cath all they could handle. Rose Hill proved that they were one of the top teams this year and really deserve praise on their season. And yeah, I was being cute, I know you pay taxes as well as the rest of us.

I agree w/ the sentiment that Lex Cath winning this was unfair. Its a total unfair advantage to have a coed school that actually cares about its girl's programs.(Not a shot at rose hill, more of an annoyance at Henderson Co. fans). Lex Cath doesn't pay its players and all money put into facilities for athletics and academics is funded by parents out of thier own pocket. We are even nice enough to help pay for Public School funding. All this though shouldn't overshadow a great season for the Lady Knights. One loss all season and most likely a #4 finish nationally. Congrats to Nikki Davis and Anaris Sickles on great careers, two state championships, two runner ups. Also a big congrats to Rose Hill, I warned the Lex Cath fans that this game would be a fight and it sounds like Rose Hill really played hard. A big applause for them on a great season.

From the sound of things, Lex Cath coasted most of the 2nd half. It was almost a 30 point game at one point.

4th, they have been ranked I believe since the season started and have gotten maybe as high as second or third by the usatoday poll. Their only loss was to another nationally ranked team Chicago Fenwick in a 69-62 game.

Any word on Lex Catholic's game with LCC?

A bit suprised at the margin but these girls were playing great when I saw them at the region. Their diversity of youth and experience seems to be a solid factor that helps keep them active and tenacious on defense while still controlled and poised on offense. The two sophmores might be the best prospects on this team right now in my opinion. Anyone got stats by the way?

If Todd does what he typically does in state tournaments at this point in the game, Mercy is gonna have to pick up the pressure on the ball handlers and capitalize on offense cause Catholic will most likely try to slow this game to a crawl.

I wouldn't always put stock in early season games. That one was at Mercy and pretty early in the year. Still, I thought Mercy could give the Knights problems but it sounds like LC's D is really causing problems right now.

For Mercy to win, turnovers can't happen and they got to keep the Lady Knights within reach. Too big a lead and it might run away from them.

I figure lets generate some discussion on this tourny considering its starting tomorrow. Obviously Lex Cath comes in as the overwhelming favorite as seen just by the Sweet 16 contest. Still, I believe in the theory suprises happen, its why we gotta play the games. I think Mercy (LC's) first round opponent and Clay Co. offer the greatest challenge for the Lady Knights. Lex Catholic may be very difficult to beat but they are still beatable and if either team plays tough against them, the Lady Knights could struggle. Has anyone heard if Stevenson's season was over after the injury at Scott Co.? If so, Lex Cath is w/o a true replacement for Sickles. I wanna hear some banter here, what players do people think will come up big this week in all the games? What team might have a Cinderella run? What matchups look to yield the best game? Who is gonna be the star of this tourny? And even who will win?

Haha, I understand what you mean about that. I know that both men who work w/ the girls and guys programs have good ties to the school and love working w/ the teams. It is definately a benefit the school has, to be able to have them come in and help. I know in football there, we didn't use that and occassionally it meant making the coaches have to work pretty hard to have to also focus on strength and conditioning w/ us. I gotta say though, just as a compliment to you, that its great hearing about people who work hard to really help girls sports, ecspecially for a county school, they sometimes don't get nearly the attention they deserve in this state.

Sorry if I was wrong, I will admit I personally haven't gotten a great look at the Franklin Co. program in awhile and was going off what some other people have said (which you are right, are from lexington, and many LCHS). I know Lex Cath does benefit from Good Shepard occassionally and the talent that comes out of that school. They compete against many of the parochials in Lexington in the parochial school bball league and have been solid the past few years. I believe a bigger hurt for Franklin can also just be its proximity to Lexington and the fact that some of that talent from there sees Lex Cath as perhaps a better way of really allowing them to showcase their talent and perhaps continue on to the next level of basketball. Whether that is accurate or not, it still is a perception many will see considering the comparison of Franklin's bball programs and their success, versus Catholic's. You're right, if Franklin wants to really change this trickle of talent to Lexington, they need to work to change this perception.\ I also apologize for saying sad shape, in hindsight, I probably mean more just the relative comparison between each program and the success difference. I had heard a rumor of unhappiness w/ the coach there I thought it was, which really affected the decision of where to go by Cash and one of the starters, I thought Davis but maybe Sickles. Course, rumors are rumors, and it was Catholic parents close to the program who said it. I also think im referring to Frankfort when speaking of that deal, not Franklin Co. High.

Ladiesbballcoach, I had a question for you? Do you know how some of the public schools handle offseason basketball? The reason I ask is because I'd hedge a guess that for most the offseason isn't nearly as strenuous as say Lex Cath's or Sacred Heart's offseasons. I'd also guess it ranges from rural to urban areas and also the overall schools level of committment to the program. While I know there can be lots of arguements about out of city players and what not for Lexington Catholic. A lot of people forget how well this program is run in the offseason. The school has really worked hard to provide their sports teams compitent Strength and Conditioning coaches to help their players get in the best shape. They also compete hard in AAU ball throughout the summer and the coaches are constantly working with the players during the times of the year they can practice to improve upon their skills. Lex Cath's middle school program also does help players. Briana Green competed in it all but 8th grade and really improved her skills as well as Natalie Novosel. Shannon Novosel who graduated last year may be the greatest example of that middle school program really improving a player. She played with my sister in 6th and 7th grade and all she had was height. By 8th grade and her freshman year she had really developed around the basket though. Obviously this would suggest certain schools can devote more time to their programs than others. Sadly, in most areas of this state, girls basketball is going to get forgotten behind boys football, baseball, or basketball. A truth about Lexington Catholic is that it has benefitted from the sad shape of girls basketball in Franklin Co. and Frankfort. If you can attend Lex Cath versus either of these programs, why wouldn't you? It has a lot to offer in the way of coaching, exposure, great competition, and ability to prepare you for college. To be honest I don't know how programs like Sacred Heart, Assumption, Notre Dame, Mercy or others are run but I'd say I'm safe in assuming the schools devote more time than many public schools do to their sports obviously because boys sports don't play a role.

No, these awards were for the regular season all region teams, mvp, and coach of the year.

Typically I might be inclined to agree, but I'd say frustrations existed here even more so than typically. This was by far the second best team in the state this year and they weren't far from being the best. To lose this game, this way, definately had to hurt. Lymon actually did go out to collect her MVP award which I felt was right but I definately got to feel for the girls, it was a tough loss. The team and coach for Scott Co. did fine in my opinon and shook hands with the Lady Knights congratulating them on a big win.

This wasn't a great back and forth slug fest of big baskets really. Lex Cath's defense played tough all day but their offense really struggled at times which was a good reason for why they trailed most the game. Nikki Davis and Anaris Sickles did not play well in my opinion. Lex Cath really rode the backs of their two sophmore stars, Briana Green and Natalie Novosel. Snowden also was a huge help in the first half w/ ten points. Stevenson going down didn't help the Knights any by stealing away some height and also taking away Sickles' main replacement. The Knights fought hard near the end today and the game winning play was pretty awesome. However, it did bring back memories of UK-Duke and not guarding the person throwing it inbounds. For Scott Co. they really played well in the first and tried to slow the game down as much as possible in the second. Gray started off hot in the first but was held in check a lot of the second half. Lymon really played hard all game and had some nice drives to the basket throughout. Still, Scott Co. needs more ballhandlers than just her, Lex Cath really exploited Scott Co's lack of great ballhandlers late causing many tie ups or steals. Lymon was called on a lot to try and take on half the Lady Knights team. Scott did have some good additions though by 34 and 10 throughout the game. Both of these teams aren't lacking on talent. Scott Co. played a great game today, and had a great season all year, it almost doesn't seem fair that either of these teams would have to end their season without even making it to the Sweet 16 just because they are in the same region.

Scott Co. versus Lex Cath Madison Central versus Woodford Co. I believe these are the four district champs as well. I'm hoping to be in Frankfort friday to see two really high intensity games. These teams all seem to be hitting on all cylinders right now.

I like Scott Co's chances at this point. I'd say if Lex Cath had Reid Brown still than Scott Co. would be in trouble mainly because of how well Brown ran the middle against them earlier this year. Now though Lex Cath will just have to hope they can hit their shots, cause some turnovers, and hope its just not Scott Co.'s night. Bryan Station and Madison Central on the other side will be a great matchup as well. It sounds like Madison Central has really hit their stride as the season has come on and are playing real well now. Still Station is always tough on D. Hopefully I can make it back and catch some of the games next week.

I agree from a preseason ranking standpoint, however Henry Clay having to play Scott Co. while Lafayette having to play Dunbar I'd think Scott Co. was favored by a bit where as Lafayette was a heavier favorite over Dunbar. Still, this region has lost two pretty good teams now for the region tournament and yet there are still four or so quality teams to compete with. This region is just a very level and difficult one to get through.

The question, is it more shocking to have Henry Clay done before the region even begins, or Lafayette? Good win for Scott Co.

Not to dawg Henry Clay, but one title in the past 50 years is the same as Lex Cath has had. Still I don't think either team can brag of dominance. Lex Cath has been of higher regard over the past 15 or so years though. Also, more a question than anything, does anyone know how David Graves and Shawn Fields came to Catholic from middle school ranks cause I'd say those were the best two players that school has seen in awhile. Also I agree that 2000 team is one of the great marvels of Lex Cath basketball, they weren't loaded w/ talent, they just got things done. Too bad Antwain Barbour was a stud that week. Oh well good win for the Knights, onto the next game.

That quote you're referring to can be somewhat loaded. 6 of the 7 girls might not have attended Lexington Private Schools, but it doesn't mean all 6 of those girls aren't Catholic(im not sure exactly how many are but I believe a few are), that a few of those girls already planned on attending Lex Cath for high school but due to travel stayed home for middle school, and so forth. The point it does highlight is that Lex Cath does have many people come in from outside of Lexington, athletes and non athletes included. Catholic isn't getting girls from two-three hours away yet, but is getting girls in general from as far out as say Franklin Co. Does that make the playing field unlevel enough to warrant split playoffs is the biggest question?

I don't think Lex Cath is looking to make the jump any time soon. The school is maxed out almost on class sizes and is still a good ways from being the size of most 4A schools. I do agree though that this thing has run its course and publics are beginning to realize that boycotting Lex Cath probably isn't the answer. Im glad to see this end hopefully, I remember the mid 90's when 11th region basketball regular season games were just awesome w/ Lex Cath taking on Bryan Station usually.

Not sure how the Knights will respond to this matchup. They have been riding a hot streak lately but w/ Reid Brown out, how vulnerable might they be inside right now against the top dogs? This Scott Co. matchup coming up will be a good one for the Knights to try and see where they are right now.