First

Great idea. May be a good idea for some parents as well!

Herald Leader score has Pulaski winning. Can you confirm?

I figured that would be a close one. Wouldn't have been surprised if Pulaski came out on top.

And Casey continues to play much better.

Is Bezold back?

WOW! Someone who was there please give us the scoop. What happened?

Is it because they're not eligible for post-season play?

Rez - I understood your point. I was just adding that, if included, they should be top 20 based on their recent run.

I agree. Going into Saturday, they were 9-0 in 2016 with recent wins over Newport Catholic and Murray (by a large margin). They are a top 15 team IMO, at least top 20.

After watching both PCC and Cordia at Pulaski, Cordia looks like a much better team.. Maybe it was just that game, but PCC didn't impress me. I realize Cordia has some losses, but weren't most of those with a limited roster? Going into Saturday, they had not lost in 2016, having won 9 straight with recent wins over Newport Catholic and Murray (by a large margin).

I watched them at Pukaski on Saturday. I really don't see it.

In West Jess and Madison Central, you are facing two teams that are exceptionally well coached. They will always get better as the year plays out. No one is going to want West in region.

The team had won 9 in a row and only had 3 games remaining. They were playing the highest ranked team on their schedule this year. If they can't get up for that, then they do have a problem. Sitting behind the bench, I didn't sense that at all. They were very into it - until about the start of the 4th.

I sat a few rows behind the Cordia bench - close enough to hear most of Coach Rhodes' comments, including during timeouts. He wanted the W and was very much into winning this game. He was very energetic up until the point where folks said he gave up. That was bout the time their second starter fouled out. He was frustrated and it was obvious. He's a competitor and wanted that win. So, to answer your original question, he was not satisfied with his players and the result.

Yes it was. And that was when Mercer called a timeout. What youre failing to point out is that the "reserves" came in and hit 2 straight threes. 16 point lead, 2 threes by the Cordia and a 2 by Mercer. If you do the math, that equates to a 12 point lead.

But I'm still worried what will happen when Mercer plays an athletic team.... Seriously, that played into their hands very well today. Initially, they were in a 2-3 zone, but their (athletic) guards gradually started pressuring the Mercer guards. They also had an athletic, 6'10" rim protector camped in the lane. I've said it before and I will say it again. Athletic teams generally play a style that ultimately benefits Mercer. Those aren't the type of teams that concern me the most.

Cordia led 12-10 after 1; Mercer led 30-25 at the half; and Mercer led 34-24 after 3. Early in the 4th, Mercer extended the lead to around 16, then Keita and one of their guards fouled out. That's about the time that Rhodes "threw in the towel" and took out his remaining three starters. Point being the final margin wasnt too far off what the spread was when he removed the remaining starters. I thought Mercer played well. They missed several great looks early but were playing well nonetheless. Eventually, those shots started falling and they took off.

That is correct.

Sure.

Agreed.

He is one of the best, for sure.

I thought Dunbar would win but I'm not shocked. I think that if either one of those teams can make it out of the 11th, they have as good of a shot at winning state as anyone.

If you had seen Larry Bird's physical build when he was in the NBA, you would laugh if anyone told you he would be a Hall of Famer!

Very true. And Mercer beat both of those teams also. So, since Mercer hasn't beaten any GOOD teams, I'm struggling to find their good wins. Facts trump fiction every time.

Help me determine Lafayette's wins against top teams. Can't include Mercer on that list, obviously. Looks to me that their highest quality wins are over Wayne and Madison Central. Maybe the Lex Cath win by 3. Maybe Lincoln by 14? They've played some great teams, including Henry Clay, Southwest and Dunbar, but we are talking WINS - so you can't count those.