Twotoplace

Holmes led 54-42 after three quarters. MC 3-point attempt with 1 second left missed the mark. Bolden, saddled by foul trouble, only played about 3 minutes of the 4th quarter before fouling out with 2 minutes to go, whch partially explains the Indians' strong comeback.

Boone has won 7 of its last 8. I'll take the Rebels in this one, 62-57.

If this indeed is what's taking place, then the ADs at the two schools should just say so instead of tap-dancing. When a game between the No. 1 and No. 2 teams in the most recent 9th Region coaches poll gets cancelled for secretive reasons, that's no good for the schools or the region or the sport.

Thanks. What got me thinking along this line was last year's NewCath-CovCath game that was called at halftime and never finished.

Is Holy Cross in danger of exceeding its season game limit with a deep run in the All-A tourney? Is that what this is about? From the KHSAA bylaws: 4. No member school shall play more than twenty-three (23) basketball games during the regular season. A maximum of two (2) tournaments may be included in any manner other than counting each game played against the limit of twenty-three (23) games. Any two tournaments played during the regular season may be counted as one game per tournament, against the limit of twenty three (23) provided that neither tournament necessitates the team playing more than four (4) games. Any game played over the limit of four in any one tournament shall be counted against the limit of twenty-three (23) games.

I expect this will be a repeat of last year's barn-burner, in which a last-second shot won it for MC. Not predicting a MC win-- just think this one's going to be decided in the last minute. Another factor is that Holmes hasn't played all that great at home this season. Should be a highly entertaining contest, which is why I'm going to try to make it -- if I can get my car to start.

Wait a minute. Isn't Rick Berry No. 2 all-time in NBA free-throw percentage? (He shot free-throws under-handed.)

If the cancellation is malady-related (flu for instance), then that's a legitimate reason not to play. If the reason is something else (discipline issues, etc.), then that raises questions involving KHSAA regulations, sportsmanship, etc. So is the issue illness ... or something else? Lest we forget, Gene Hackman and Hickory High won the Indiana state championship in '54 with just seven players.

A simple question: Is the cancellation solely because of physical issues with the HC players ... or, without speculating, does it go beyond that?

Noticed on the khsaa scoreboard that Graves County KY in same tournament thumped team from Naples, Fla., 58-19. Sounds like the problem may lie on the Florida side of the equation.

Each team played superb D that night. Which was what made it a great game. Using a baseball analogy, sometimes a 1-0 game is more exciting than a 7-6 game.

You're absolutely correct. The missed layup came with 10 seconds left in game and Holmes up 30-29. Boone beat Holmes in regular season. Boone certainly was a top 10 team in state that year -- probably top 5.

9th Region final in '09 (the year Holmes won it all) ranks No. 1 on my list. Holmes 32, Boone 29. Never have seen a more intense game from start to finish.

I was impressed tonight with how well Bulldogs played with Bolden on the bench.

Bolden fouled out with 6:35 to go in game. Holmes down by approx 20 points in 2nd quarter.

Holmes led 41-31 early in third quarter. Henry Clay called timeout, got chewed out real good by the coach, then hit consecutive treys, outscoring Holmes 36-14 from that point until 4 minutes left in the game. HC shot layups in its 36-14 run in second half. Holmes shot and missed a lot of contested 8-footers. Bolden was double-teamed for much of the game as soon as he crossed halfcourt. HC defensed him about as well as I've seen. Young Tisdale (00) is a heck of a player.

Scott clearly the better team. Bulldogs missed a ton of tackles. Andrew Arnold had a nice game for Holmes. Impressive opener for the Eagles.

3-0 NCC late in 3rd quarter.

Bulldogs played more up-tempo under Mike Flynn in late '80s till when he quit in '96. I remember one barn-burner at Holmes in mid '90s vs. Scott County -- something like 88-85. Contrast that with the 32-29 9th Region final vs. Boone the year Holmes won it all.

I don't think there would be much change in style of play if Coach L took the reins. Really, Bulldogs haven't been run-and-gun for the past 17 years or so. Henley took over in '97-'98 and emphasized defense, and Booher emphasized a control game.

Wondering whether the new superintendent (from Hardin County) would have input on next coach? Or is this hire mostly up to AD? And what about site-based council? I just have a feeling that the new coach will come from outside the district, despite the late date. Also, shouldn't Bob Huggins have a say, since Beetle is headed his way in a year? (Just kidding.)

Don't Mack and Booher both live in Ft. Mitchell?

I saw him put up 29 a couple months ago. I thought he might have been more involved offensively tonight because of the way Bolden struggled to find his shot.

McClendon wasn't a factor offensively in any of the three regional games. I doubt he took 10 shots combined in all three games.

Both Holmes and NCC had trouble shooting FTs at same basket in second half of today's games. Even Bolden. Has me wondering whether it's a physical thing ... different sight line, glare, etc.