cahall

Polarbear 98, you seem to know more about Bracken County than anyone else on this board. Tell me how it came about that Bracken decided to come to Knott to play on Dec. 5. After reading and watching Austin play I am looking forward to your trip to the mountains. In a car I believe you are about 45 minutes from Mount Sterling and then it's about 2 hours to Hindman. Add at least 30 minutes on a school bus so you are talking about 3 and 1/2 hours from Bracken. That's a tough trip. Do you have any idea why Bracken scheduled this game? Connections? Relationships?

I like Wayne.

JC has had some really nice players but I was always frustrated when I watched them play. Some criticized Hall for disappearing but I felt like it was more about them needing to recognize him and making a point of going through him and letting his athletic abilities make other players even better. I never could understand them allowing Shane to play in Lexington year before last with such a bad ankle. I got a look at that thing and it was nasty. He had guts to be walking around, let along playing.

No, the only time they have played in the last four years was this past June at the Expo Center.

I don't see why they would be. They sat out the whole year, from what I understand.

Can someone tell me about the Williamsburg-Knox Central game last year in the first game of the regionals? They won that game, and after taking a look at this year's roster I see they only had 2 seniors and had 5 eighth graders. Some perspective on this team, please.

I am so excited about Trinity coming to Knott in late November for their jamboree. There will be some intensity you won't see again until tournament time. I can tell you that Cam, Evan, Simon, Jax, and Raymond are really close but they will all be ready to bring it. I'm publicizing this game to anyone that really likes outstanding basketball.

There's always a surprise in the 14th? Could even be one tomorrow!

Knott won by about 30. I will say that it was JC's second game that day. Knott had to play again after that against Betsy Layne and beat them about 25. I agree with you on summer ball. One never knows who isn't playing or how the mix comes together. I can tell you that Knox Central shot the lights out, led Knott all throughout the game and were still down about 9 with eight minutes to go. At that point Cam hit 3 after 3 and Evan took over inside to win the game by about 6. I was very impressed with the Knox kids.

Do you know what happened in the game when Knott played JC at the Expo Center in June? If you had seen that game, without all three Cornetts you might not have come to your conclusion. The second best team in the mountains I've watched is Knox Central, even though Clay County is right there.

I would first like to have a question answered but even without the answer I am going to move forward with my statement; I feel that strongly about it. How many minutes per game did Austin Combs average per game last season at Cordia? Now it's time for my prediction on one Austin Combs. By the time we reach the middle of January Austin is going to be recognized as one of the top players in the 14th Region. I am telling you that this kid is going to be something special. I forsee him playing in the neighborhood of 25 minutes per game and averaging in double figures. He is going to fit perfectly into the Knott system. They will turn him loose and let him use his athletic ability to get the ball up the court and into a scoring position before the other team can set up. Austin Combs is going to turn heads, and he is going to be one happy camper. I'm done...

Knott had just enough to beat Cordia. You probably would have danced around the block if Cordia had managed to beat them, even once. It didn't happen. Knott was very lucky to make it to the ST last year. Without the injury to Thompson and unbelievable shooting by Shrum they don't make it. The Knott team was simply worn out by the end of the season. And you are right about trying to do too much. That too much has saved Knott many times so I can't say much negative about someone having a bad game. Add the fact that Evan didn't get to play 10 minutes in the game, and you have a formula for a loss. One last item, that game was picked going in as the closest match of the opening round. The bottom line is that Knott was outplayed.

Two of the three at Hazard will be just fine. Off guard has a pretty good looking game and the small forward has some serious hops.

Just giving the group on here a heads up on one of the first big games you might want to get out to see. I have been told that Trinity will come to Hindman for Knott County's jamboree in November. Should be interesting to see Evan and the boys take on his teammates from TheVille.

1. Knott 2. Perry Central 3. Knox Central 4. Clay County 5. Johnson Central 6. Hazard 7. Buckhorn 8. Paul Blazer 9. Rowan County 10. Shelby Valley

I believe Hazard started out being Clintwood, Virginia in the opening game of the season. Hazard won the single A championship in Kentucky and Clintwood recovered to win the Single A Championship in Virginia. Clintwood's coach, who I use to work with, still talks about the overall team speed of Hazard.

If Hines couldn't qualify at Cordia how will he ever qualify at UMass. 1, 2, 3 are correct but Hudson moved on. Furthermore, Hines was highly touted before coming to Cordia. So were Christen and Emmanuel. All three would have been well recognized basketball players regardless of where they played.

No answer, AW.

Did Knott and Johnson Central play this June? Details, if anyone has them.

The thing that is most amazing to me about KCC is that these kids have been together now for four years and I don't know of a single time where they have fueded with one another or seemed to be in turmoil. I have enjoyed being around them and their parents; I will have a void in my life after this season. I look forward to them finally having some bench help. Combs and Cornett didn't get to play much last year but I certainly believe they will help the starters get some rest this season. In particular, I am looking forward to the jamboree in Hindman against Trinity, against Covington Catholic at Rowan County, against Hopkinsville in the Joe B. Hall Classic, against Muhlenburg County, and playing in the Beach Ball Classic at Myrtle Beach. And let's not forget Hazard and Perry Central, as well as Buckhorn and Sheldon Clark.

1. Knott 2. June Buchanon 3. Letcher Central 4. Jenkins 5. Cordia, Not Playing

Much improved ball team. I believe they may be the second best in the District.

The big issue with KCC is not so much parking as the way that incoming traffic is allowed to enter the area after a game. There is a public road that goes up by the football field and I suppose that it is impossible to restrict traffic into that area. However, I have seen parent after parent try to squeeze down into the parking lot after a game to pick up someone and it completely plugs up everything. If the police would position themselves at the top of the hill and refuse to let anyone down the hill I believe there could be two lanes of traffic flowing pretty well out of there.

I wonder how much vote swapping and promises went on to get that vote at 13-4. I agree that Hazard is not a suitable facility to play the regional tournament. Nothing personal against them but parking, facilities and such are just not enough.

I would expect Cordia to want to find out specific details relating to the charges, proof. I don't know whether the KHSAA has to provide them with the proof but I would assume that if the specifics are given, then Cordia can make a more informed decision on what they need to do, going forward.