Purple Nation

Harmon struggles from the field but still has ZERO turnovers. Guard that scores with minimal turnovers that has another mentally tough and very good HS player in Deangelo along with arguably best big in state in Terry Taylor. The stars in the sky may be aligning well for the Purples. Big game tomorrow that cant be overlooked.

I predict it will be Greenwoods best year they have ever had. Jackson Adams will go down (already is) as Gators best ever. I think they end season with only two losses. Both to BG

I think the hype of the game along with the early timeslot will make things sloppy and slow in first quarter. Things will get rolling in the second quarter and will be a toss up throughout rest of game. As expected, ill go with the Purples in a close one with the 8th grader Harmon making his signature game for the tourney. Purples by 4

Actually the name Purples was established by associating it with the Purple colored ribbon, which was the 1st place ribbon color. Most folks are unaware of that (pointless) fact. The Purple Spirit came several years later.

Zion Harmon is 15 years old

Zion Harmon: The 8th grader for BG is perhaps the best the state has seen in many years. Don't disregard these strong words until you hear me out. First, I unfortunately agree that he probably won't be a Purple for the following 4 seasons. I hope I am wrong but probably not. I will let Dragonfire and all the smart people figure out his numbers (% from 3...)but let me share what makes him on a playing field by himself. Ball handling: By far his number 1 trait. Almost every night, the opposing team will put a chaser on him. I assume the person they put to guard him is their best defender. Zion's most impressive stat is probably one that no one looks at. His turnovers (or the lack there of). His dribbling is as good as you will see. Rarely does his teammates even help him get out of a press because teams cant get him to stop his dribble. I'm talking dribbling behind back, legs and through opponents legs without turning the ball over. Shooting: I would venture to say his percentage of shooting from the field is as good or better than most guards across state. I know he is top 2 or 3 free throw shooter in state. I would also think that his % from 3 is near the top as well. Again, remember - best defenders guarding him (probably jrs and srs) and Zion is not even in High School yet. Defense - He holds his own. Never in foul trouble. Smart, Makes plays when needed. His guy he guards will hardly ever be the leading scorer of that game - if ever For you that have seen BG play you know that their other players are very good HS players. He may not win Mr Basketball but Terry Taylor is very good. Deangelo Wilson is a guard that any team would love to have. They have other support players/shooters that make them a dynamite team. NO one is saying it but Zion is states best right now. Yes, I know I am a Purple fan but think about it. Who else in the state is nationally rated very high in their class? Who else has as many D1 offers than the 8th grader right now? Who else has played against competition like Zion has played across the nation the past few years? You may or may not agree but you have to at least consider the fact that this kid is that good. He may lay an egg at Rupp (I don't think so) but if you consider all he has done on the floor this year, taking the fact that he is still a middle school player, I say again. I don't think the bluegrass has ever seen a kid like this. Alan Houston? Ranked #1 in his class - not sure. I know we cant jump to conclusions because he still has 4 more years to play (wherever that may be) but watch where he goes in 4 years and track his performance in college. I think in 6 years or so he will be in the league. I am probably too high on him but here is my thoughts: He is as good as a dribbler than Tyler Ulyss (Shoots better than Tyler right now). Huge complement!

Purples dominate from opening tip to final horn. 4th game in 6 days. Legs are gone. I think this may be the year for BG round ball. Terry Taylor dominated entire game.

Purples break 100 for first time under Coach DG's time at BGHS. 8th grader, Zion Harmon goes for 28. Not sure how Purples players legs are holding up (game 4 in 6 days is today vs Louisville Male).

No D'Angelo Wilson, no problem. Purples lead from tipoff to final horn. Kiran Jones for BG had good game. Several Purples in double figures. Hoping D'Angelo is OK.Purples win streak at 17

I'm pretty sure you guys are forgetting the Purples. D'Angelo Wilson, a tough nosed senior that can go to the hole on anyone and the #1 player in America as an 8th grader, Zion Harmon. Can shoot it from deep and has the best handles you will ever see for a kid his age. If they make it back to Rupp most of you will agree with me when you see them play.

Purples pull out the win. Crump for Greenwood had 38 I believe. Greenwood had chance to win at closing seconds. 4 free throw opportunities only hit 1 on a front end of a 1 and 1 and a tech. Terry Taylor for BG had 25 pts and 19 boards BG without the Jones brothers. Sloppy for Purples but a Win none the less

Purples dominate from tip off to final buzzer. Hoping Purples make it to Rupp again. Several good players. Wanting everyone to see Zion Harmon. Best I've seen in a long time. Not sure if he will continue to be a Purple the next 4 years but certainly hope so. Unreal talent

I knew before the season began that Jamale would be a finalist for the award with a real shot of winning it if he broke the BGHS records. I too think they got it right. This may not mean much to many but what sealed the deal for me was week 2 of the playoffs against Christian County. BG was really struggling. I mean REALLY struggling early in the game. I can't remember exactly how it went down but for a series or two it got pretty chippy. Caruthers was running the ball, got the first down and was going to run out of bounds. There was a late hit on him (near the BG bench) and a handful of players from BG on the sideline was running toward the pile (animated!) Caruthers quickly jumped up and motioned for the players to get back. Running back toward the huddle, he padded the player that hit him and they shook hands. It all happened in about 10 seconds. That is the kind of kid we are talking about. I know all the others that were candidates for the award were just as deserving.

Harmon just seemed out of the loop tonight. I hope im reading too much into it. Teams know about him and are putting their best defender chasing him all night. He will adjust. I think he just had a bad night. Although his shot was off, he still has the best handles you've ever seen for a kid his age.

Went to the game tonight. Purples EXTREMELY fortunate to get the Win. Agree with Dragon fire, if Franklin was going to beat them tonight was the night. Lovan was a man tonight. Usually is but BG played perhaps their worst game tonight and still won. I don't see BG playing that poorly again if given another chance for these two squads to meet. Zion Harmon was hampered tonight with something other than injury. Seemed out of sinc with his teammates. Hopefully, that gets corrected. D'Angelo struggled along with rest of Purples the ENTIRE 2nd and 3rd quarters. Getting a win like this is huge because they should have had an "L" No way Harmon, Wilson struggle that bad against Franklin again if given the chance. Good atmosphere tonight.

I say Jason Franks and 3 or 4 mods of bluegrass take over the decision making process for Mr Football in the Commonwealth. Very sad how this has been handled. Jason, I know you have bigger fish to fry. But you really should see if they will listen to you and set up boundaries and guidelines for next season and following. We the fans of the Bluegrass trust you and your judgment.

BG 8th grader, Zion Harmon with his best game, carries the Purples on his back for the comeback win. Purples down by 10 at the half. Christian County went nuts on 3s early in game but Purples fight back with Harmon's 28 points. The kid is very, very good! Could be the game that gives Purples the confidence needed that they can make a major comeback against great competition.

I know the announcement is coming any day now but this is crazy of how long they have waited. Can they not have a standing date every year?? How hard is it to have the announcement come on the first Monday in January every year? This would give three weeks or so to review and make the announcement. If not the first Monday in January, the second. Whatever the date, decide and communicate to the state when announcement will be made. You have great fans throughout the state, great players (all finalists are more than capable of winning the award every year) with a handful of guys that can vote for the award that apparently could care less. It just puts a huge damper on things.

Zion Harmon the 8th grader for BG had 18. D'Angelo Wilson for BG is as good as it gets for just playing tough. Hard nose kid that takes it to the rim as good as anyone.

Also, BGHS QB, Clark Payne, who is not a finalist threw for 3,840 yards/ 44 TDS with only 4 INTs Like Caruthers, didn't play much in the second half of most games. Compare his #s with QB finalist #s . Not much difference.

Remember, Jamale Caruthers did not play in hardly any 4th quarters in regular season and was done after 1st possession of 3rd quarter a handful of times. BG looked to the air first and Carruthers second. If he played entire game and was #1 option he would have nationally ranked numbers for this past season. Add to the fact he is a champ off the field gives him a real chance for this award

Bigger fish to fry in our great nation, but waiting this long to announce Mr Football is ridiculous.

Coach Wallace may or may not win the Coach of the Year in the Bluegrass each year but his records speak for themselves. So many intangibles that you don't see. The staff he has assembled, the play calling, his work in getting his players to the next level. The list could go on and on. His overall record is impressive and he is already in the rankings for most successful records in the state but soak on this stat for a moment: At BGHS he is 244 - 38 (nearly 9 out of 10 Friday nights he wins as Coach at BGHS). Those connected to the program know that the Purples are in the middle of another awesome run. Exciting times for Purples fans. Coach will probably never see this post or its replies but he sure has done a great job. Only 3 losses since 2011. The best college prospect he has ever had will only be a Sophomore come August. Hoping he sticks around for several more seasons. He is my Coach of the Year. Great work Coach!

This will never happen and most don't agree with me anyway but I say 4 classes and limit teams that make it in playoffs; then allow class A champ to play class AA champ and 3A champ to play 4A champ. Again, won't happen but that's my wish.

Down big vast majority of game. Purples make a run in 4th quarter and hang on to survive. Should not have won but good teams find a way. Good job Purples