UNDERTHEBRIDGE

This has been a huge issue I've had with the 11th region of late. No offense to anyone who is a ref as I am certain there are some good ones out there who do great jobs, even in the 11th. I get the job is tough and not one many people want, however, the athletic talent and skill that has come to the 11th region teams has far exceeded the ability of the 11th region refs to follow these games. Many games are called fairly, however when it comes to my opinion at least of how well they are called, I feel that many have been poorly called.

Many people in the predictions thread thought that Mack's greatness would overshadow three good players on Lex Cath, but tonight Smart, Novosel, and Stewart played their most complete games in awhile. I'm not sure but I think all three went for 20+. Mack had a tough time all game with Catholic running many players at him and preventing him from getting inside or getting off an uncontested shot. Marones for Bryan Station was unconscious at points in this game but didn't get much support from the rest of the team. Overall Lex Cath jumped out early like they did against Scott Co. and this time they were able to maintain the lead and not make too many key mistakes. Smart was definately the MVP of the 11th region tournament with two huge games against Scott Co. and Bryan Station. I really think while Stewart is the best overall player on this team and Novosel might be the toughest its Smart who makes this team run. When he is hitting the three point shot like he is capable of doing, this team is near unstoppable.

Fine, it was pathetic basketball that produced an interesting and exciting game. You are right that it was sloppy but I was entertained. (And yes, I'm actually serious there) Catholic got in trouble with Sanford being their solid pressure ball handler but also horrible when it came to making silly fouls. After that they went to Tribble and he just didn't get the concept of slowing the game down some and didn't handle the disguised trap very well. Scott Co. never looked in rhythm necessarily unless Phares had the ball. They might have been better served to work the game in the half court set. Of course, both teams ran heavy pressure presses and never let each other find a rhythm.

Agreed, I missed the game tonight because of work, however my dad felt that Green had a poor game tonight and she is the one girl that this team needs to have performing at her peak always. Lex Cath sadly finally ran into a game where they couldn't simply just get by with a ho-hum effort and Natalie Novosel. This team on its best nights could have been the best in the state but on its down nights they play too sloppy and without emotion to compete for the title. Bummed I'll miss out on Bowling Green, but I hope Henry Clay the best once again, they proved on the court that you have to play every game your hardest or you can become very vulnerable this time of year.

Its been since 2002 I believe since another 11th region team made it to Bowling Green. Of course, LCA only has one year in that string, aka last year. Woodford County I think was the last team to make it to the Sweet 16. Congrats to Henry Clay. The season has been up and down for this team but they have hit their peak at the right time and pulled off back to back upsets to head into the Sweet 16. Congrats to Natalie Novosel on a great season. I believe my dad said she dropped 23 or 24 points tonight but sadly got little help from her supporting cast.

I agree with most people's sentiment that Lex Cath is going to have to take care of the ball and get Bryan Station out of their game plan to win. Sanford and Tribble for Lex Cath make too many unforced errors in judgement. The flip side is that I think Bryan Station must also take care of the ball because besides Mack I wasn't too impressed with their ball handlers today. Catholic can bring pressure defense when they need to. All in all I think Jordan Smart could be the key to a Catholic win, while for Station its just a matter of who can be Robin to Mack's Batman. If he gets support from his teammates I think Station will be hard to beat. Can't wait for tuesday, its gonna be a good one.

It has to do a lot with the Fayette Co. boycott I'd guess. Until recently Lex Cath couldn't even get schools like Dunbar or Lafayette to play them until the regionals. Now that they are district foes that isn't the case but if some people had their druthers, Lex Cath would never play a public city team.

Scores don't tell the story. Gotta see the game to get an idea of what is happening. Dunbar-Station was close and finally had Station pulling it out. Lex Cath-Scott Co. was close for most of the 3rd and early 4th before Hick's technical foul. Either way it was good basketball being played today.

The Hicks and Salsman technicals were both weird. Salsman got his in the first half for god knows what considering Hicks was screaming at the refs the whole game and than Salsman got T'd up without even showing much emotion. The only techs that probably made some sense were the player ones late where it looked like the player mouthed after a call. Personally I don't think the game was ever called very well however it was pretty equally bad at least. I guess I'll be a little skeptical of any ref I remember once working my middle school games.

On a side note, How about Taylor Stewart's dunk on Phares in the 4th quarter? For a Lex Cath fan it was pretty sweet.

The Hicks Technical was pretty big for the game. 4 point game, Lex Cath ball, dribbling down the court and BAM T'ed up. Not sure what he did or said but believe it or not, it was the quietest he had been all night so I have no clue where the T came from. After that, the Lex Cath onslaught was on and two player techs for extra words didn't help Scott Co.

Didn't Madison Central win the 11th region just two years ago??? Beat Scott Co. if I remember correctly.

Per the KHSAA.org website both teams won in what appears to be easy 1st round games. Bryan Station 74-Western Hills 45 and Lex Cath 81-Model 50. Now depending on the outcomes of tomorrow's games we should have a pretty good semifinals round coming up in the 11th.

Scott Co., Lex Cath, Lafayette have won state in the same period as 11th region teams. Catholic was the only one to be in the Championship game and not win. The stat I find interesting, 5 teams have represented the two districts in that same time. I believe its been multiple times even that each of the 5 11th region teams have been there. 11th leads 3-1 in head to head in the state tourny. The two regions have a lot of similarities between them and some good programs at the top.

I think claiming every game of the Sweet 16 is a good one is a bit much. I've seen or read about a couple thumpings in my day. However, im still in agreement I'd take the sweet 16 over a regional tournament any day. However, the potential of seeing 2 good games in the semifinals and one in the finals, along with one pretty good matchup in the opening round (Dunbar/Madison Central) isn't a bad ticket. As for the sweet 16, while all teams are region champs, I don't think even you can disagree with me that some region's champs aren't as strong as other region's runner-ups or even third/fourth place teams.

I know, it was more a comment on the fact that I felt Bryan Station earned the right to have what Knightsdad considered an easy road to the finals (albeit still not automatic with either potential semifinals opponent).

I loved Lex Cath's 1998 team. It was the year before my freshman year and the team ended their season on a loss to Danville and Jeremy Britt in the regional semifinals. The team had two major college linemen in Jason Weathers and Kevin Bailey. Had a long snapper for Michigan I believe in Ross Mann. Ryan Neff was just beginning to bust out as the first big QB in Sphire's west coast offense. The wide recieving core was loaded with athletic guys. Had an exciting linebacker/fullback in Matt Haney. The team was undefeated for the first time in the regular season for this program. And by Bob Sphire's own words, was probably the best team he ever had play for him. I saw a lot of games but sadly few stand out for me anymore, but I remember that team beating Boyle Co. in the 2nd round of the playoffs for the last loss the Rebels would experience for a good amount of years.

Agreed, they are faster and will eat Lex Cath up in a run and gun game. Slow the game down, grind it out, and Lex Cath has a chance. Sanford is the guy I'd look at as a key player in this one for controlling the ball.

I'd say Bryan Station not having to play Scott Co. unless they meet in the finals is fair considering they had to beat them in the district just to get this type draw. Otherwise, the regionals of this tournament are gonna be sick. I think Station is the favorite unless Lex Cath can keep their tempo up with them.

Easily? Im not sure about that, but if there is such a thing as a good loss, I guess this could be it. Lex Cath not having Green for the entire second half and still winning I think is the bigger storyline here. Novosel really stepped up. I think if these two teams meet up again the Lady Knights have to continue playing hard on Dunbar's big girls inside and preventing the penetration by the guards. Dunbar just has to find a way to stop Novosel, but to do that they'll need constant double teams and that can leave Lex Cath's other players open and while they aren't as deep in years past they can all still finish.

Yes, the coaches decided to rest her for the region. Novosel really has looked good these past two games. She is hitting her jumpers and driving to the hole. Her team D is also good and she is getting the rebounds. If this momentum carries the Lady Knights to the state tournament I think she will be tough to beat as Miss Basketball.

Sanford's second foul was a huge tempo killer for the Knights this game. Dunbar played really well and with a lot of toughness but when Sanford came back in the second half the Knights looked a lot better. Still, both teams are tough and the 11th region will still be pretty exciting.

Was a hard fought win for the Lady Knights. Novosel really stepped up in the second half and led the team to victory. Briana Green played sparingly in the first before sitting out the entire second half. This win can give the Lady Knights some confidence as they head to region now. Dunbar still played a good game.

In the past couple games I've seen from Lex Cath they have been sharp. This doesn't surprise me much.

Considering he was once the X and O's guy for Lex Cath long long ago I'd say you could be right. Last time the two played LCA slowed the game down a ton and were in the game for awhile.