Casual Fan

Bingo! There was no "right time to leave," but the kid needs to get to his future. Disagree with you on one thing, though. "The last thing Scott County needs" is this long-standing embedded culture of the school and community actively enabling the importing of athletes. If they don't like fickle athletes moving out, maybe they shouldn't buy them the tickets in. Trust me, the last bus to Georgetown hasn't run yet.

So his decision to leave, for whatever reasons, was made before the tournament. When was he supposed to leave? In your opinion, would it have been better if he left before the tournament when the decision was made, deserting his teammates? Once he met his obligations to his teammates, what’s the issue? If your future looks better, why stay in the past? Get on the bus and go for it. Most, including me, suspect this is a purely basketball-driven decision. But the kid didn’t seem happy, and he might have hated Georgetown but extended his stay as much for his teammates as for himself, so I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt. At their regional tournament game with LexCath, much was made of Billy Hicks “surprise coaching move” to start a smaller kid in the middle. But after pregame warmups, the team went to the locker room, and when they returned both Hicks and Long were conspicuously absent until seconds before gametime. Not the first time I suspected friction between these two. So I wish him well and wave goodbye, glad that my kid got to play him. The bus runs both ways in Georgetown, I understand someone interesting will be getting off there soon.

Get the 11th region all set for 2015, then nail it down. Until 2017. Fayette Co BOE is building a new high school in the Hamburg / Winchester Rd. area for 2017 opening. Also, Scott Co. last I heard was still arguing about when, not if, to finally build another and relieve the state’s biggest school which is badly overcrowded. Both these locations are in the 42nd district, which already has 4 teams, and Lexington’s 43rd already has 5. Would they change that, or just let the 42nd be a 6 team district and the 11th be a 19 team region?

No apologies necessary, my friend, didn't take it that way and not a personal issue to me anyway. Like yours, my first thought was this is a shame for the LCA kids that have made the "Holy Wars" between the Christians and the Catholics into one of Lexington's biggest rivalries. Hope they land on their feet with a great hire and great chemistry.

The short article below by Mike Fields shows that Carter already has strong ties to the LexCath program. Doubt that there was any intent to undermine LCA's program when it's at a high point, just an extra added advantage to the change. There may be a back story at LexCath, where there are already two Athletic Directors and a new football coach, but that is not clear yet. PER MIKE FIELDS @ Kentucky.Com (Lexington Herald-Leader) Lexington Christian Academy boys' basketball coach Brad Carter is leaving the Eagles to become athletics director at Lexington Catholic, his alma mater.Carter has been at LCA for eight years. He was Tommy Huston's top assistant for six seasons before succeeding Huston as head coach.Carter, 38, said it was an "unbelievably tough decision" to give up coaching "because it's all I've ever done."This move is for my family, a better situation financially for my family. God presented this opportunity and I couldn't turn it down."Carter and his wife, Stacey, have two young daughters, Shelby and Lily, and they're expecting twin daughters.Carter played at Lexington Catholic under Danny Haney in the mid-1990s. He was an assistant to Haney at North Broward Prep in Florida, and to David Henley at Holmes before joining LCA's staff.Now he's headed back to Lexington Catholic."If not for Danny Haney, I wouldn't have gotten into coaching or athletics," Carter said. "So I'm humbled and honored to be able to call myself Lexington Catholic's athletic director."Carter, who had a 29-29 record in two years as LCA's coach, will leave his successor a well-stocked roster. The Eagles will return seven of their top eight players, including All-City first-teamer Matt Rose."I think we're on the brink of doing special things in the basketball program here," Carter said. "I've been coaching these guys since they were in the fifth grade, so it was very tough to break the news to them that I was leaving. But they're such good guys, they understand why it's happening." Read more here: LCA coach Carter leaving to become LexCath athletic director | High school basketball | Kentucky.com

Ordered tons of coffee and donuts, sure hope we get some coaches or I’ll be living on caffeine and sugar all week. Confirmed roster at this point: Daquice Allen, Bryan Station Troy Black, Dunbar Lance Blakley, Lafayette Austin Crisp, Fleming Co. Vince Davis, Dunbar Robert Dence, Lexington Catholic Xavier Piersawl, Montgomery Co. Marcellous Washington, Bryan Station All our kids weren't available, we’ve got one in the all-star game at Transy, one at a track event, one on an academic trip. But still have all the ones listed above, they all got their share of headlines this year. We'll fill in with a couple of our juniors and alumni and keep it active and competitive. Hope a couple of deserving coaches strike gold!

Thank you JokersWild24 for posting this. We’ve never done this before and hope if it works we can make it a regular event to tie in with the Sweet 16 semis. Hope a few interested coaches make it over! We have at least 4 kids with multiple offers, so it should be worth the time. Should know our final roster by tomorrow and will try to put it up here if there’s interest. We’re disappointed our Fleming Co boys lost last night to Scott Co. (great game guys!) but hopeful that now they can join us Saturday. Darion Burns, Austin Crisp, and Troy Steward from Fleming are part of our team. Also Shawn Johnson from Mason Co and Will Henderson from West Jessamine. Plus all those you mentioned above. Someone did call the Dunbar Center today so your post generated some interest, thanks. They really don’t have any details over there. Anyone with a question should call coach Reese at 859-552-6752 or message me and I’ll get it to the right person for you.

Talked about this Saturday at AAU practice and neither the kids nor the parents had anything to report. Both the kids and the parents like and support Jaron for the job. It will come down to some administrators' opinions, which has been the undoing at Bryan Station for some time. Surely a lot of coaches would jump at the chance to move their family to Lexington and compete in the 11th region. When Lafayette hired Mendenhall 3 years ago they got a coach with no head coaching experience, but he had many years as an assistant at LexCath and had been teaching at Lafayette for a long time. So we'll see how the wind blows. Some have commented on here that a coach needs leeway, but a line can be crossed. Without giving specifics, I've spoken with several of the parents there who spent lots of time in locker rooms in their days and wanted this change. Wherever you set the line, it was crossed.

Going to the Frankfort Convention Center to cheer for the underdogs.

A classy remark, sir, and an apt one. The classes of 2013 and 2014 played through a lot of tough times with 3 coaches in 5 years and an eligibility scandal. They've brought the program back to prominence, and it should be there a while.

Hard-nosed point guard Will Henderson of West Jess and Charlotte Court AAU with his 1000th high school career point. Congratulations Will! Good luck in region.

2/25/2014 Lexington Catholic 59 Paul Dunbar 52 Paul Dunbar 6 13 18 15 52 Lexington Catholic 14 15 12 18 59 43rd District at Paul Dunbar Paul Dunbar (12-17) -- Lewis 4, Black 7, Hollingsworth 12, Williams 18, Corrio 8, Brown 3. Lexington Catholic (18-11) -- Dence 20, Ryan 1, Talbott 14, Griffin 14, Johnson 10. Read more here: Latest high school boys' basketball scores | High school basketball | Kentucky.com

Although he doesn’t fit your criteria for breakout players because he’s a junior, I think Drew Trimble at LCA has to be considered a huge breakout example. LCA ran into several injuries as they left for their Arizona tournament. They had to let Drew off the bench, and he’s made it clear he’s not sitting down again. He’s been their #1 or #2 scorer almost every game since then. He first showed off in Lexington when he had 18 in their big upset at LexCath, and as recently as last night was their leading scorer in their district tournament win over Tates Creek. Drew’s always been a skinny guard, then shot up to 6’7” last year. Not many kids that big with his ballhandling skills. My son’s played with and against this kid since 5th grade, and its great to see Drew be an “overnight success” after 8 years of hard work. Great kid from a great family.

Sorry no tacos. From the Herald-Leader: Peyton Woods scored 26 points, including six three-pointers, and Corey Stearns had 17 points and 14 rebounds to lead Wayne County, seventh in Dave Cantrall’s Rating the State, to a 63-56 victory at home over Lexington Catholic. The Cardinals, who finished the regular season 27-1, also got nine points and nine assists from Trey Blevins. Tanner Johnson scored 20 and Robert Dence had 15 points and 11 rebounds for the Knights. 2/21/2014 Wayne Co. 63 Lexington Catholic 56 Lexington Catholic 8 8 14 26 56 Wayne Co. 17 17 12 17 63 Lexington Catholic (17-11) -- Dence 15, Ryan 10, Talbott 8, Johnson 20, Morris 2, Boothe 1. Wayne Co. (27-1) -- Stearns 17, Gillispie 2, Perkins 4, Woods 26, Blevins 9, Gardner 5. Read more here: Search high school boy's basketball games back to 2009 | testing | Kentucky.com

Scott County is Gilbert, Ware, and Martini, not necessarily in that order. Long's rebounds and blocks are mostly a function of space occupied rather than going to get them. But he is running the floor better than when I saw him in December. He flushed a lob tonight, and finished a break with a big dunk, whereas in December he stood on the block. In watching for the 8 years my son has played, I've noticed that any kid who makes it to 6'9" has a long line of hangers-on lurking to train them and find them opportunities. I think this kid will have a fine future because people will invest the time and money moreso than for a more athletic kid without the height. I noticed him pounding his chest and signaling "we're #1" coming out of the national anthem, so I think he's tuned in and wants to make the effort.

Not to mention the bowling championship they just won last week. Easy to hate Scott Co for their success and arrogance, but the truth is they give their kids great facilities, great coaching, and teach them to succeed. Congrats Cardinals on a statement win tonight. It was a beatdown to be sure. Gilbert shot the lights out. This is a solid team. Stats at cypersportsusa.com have a lot of unattributed team rebounds, and I'm not too sure about the 12-4 assist totals either, but looks like Scott shot 49.1% with 9/14 from 3. Catholic 33.3% with 4/17 from 3. Scott 18/21 FT (!) and Catholic 14/22. Scott with 18 second-chance points, LexCath 6, with rebounds favoring Scott 45-36. Both centers had double-doubles, with the questionable stats it just says 10-10 for each, by my count that may be low on rebounds for Dence, who also blocked 7-footer Long's shot once cleanly and again with a foul called.

2/15/2014 Scott Co. 81 Lexington Catholic 60 Lexington Catholic 9 15 19 17 60 Scott Co. 28 21 20 12 81 Lexington Catholic -- Dence 10, Ryan 10, Talbott 6, Griffin 6, Johnson 15, Boothe 3, Letton 3, Ogbugu 7. Scott Co. -- Martini 8, Long 10, Gilbert 24, Ware 13, Murray 4, Jones 3, Kindred 9, Crank 8, Portwood 2. Read more here: Latest high school boys' basketball scores | High school basketball | Kentucky.com

2/15/2014 Bryan Station 56 Paul Dunbar 45 Bryan Station 5 24 15 12 56 Paul Dunbar 8 6 16 15 45 Bryan Station -- Henry 10, Allen 15, Davis 12, Washington 13, Owsley 6. Paul Dunbar -- D.Lewis 7, Corio 12, Black 4, Hollingsworth 12, Williams 7, Baker 3. Read more here: Latest high school boys' basketball scores | High school basketball | Kentucky.com

LexCath - Scott Co. IS ON !

This is just what I thought until looking it up last night. Per the KHSAA website, under district tournament info, each district picks its own method. The 43rd district form, signed by all schools, calls for a 3-way tie to be settled by first, head-to-head results, and secondly, a draw from 2 hats, one containing school names and the other containing seeding positions. I'd never heard of that before, it must have to do with the odds-making if they just drew seeds in order or something.

I thought the same thing about the coin flip, but my son showed me that the district formula calls for comparing head-on-head records first, not just total district won-lost. So if LCA won, it was automatic they’d be 2-seed, Dunbar the 3, and LexCath fall to the 4-seed and the play-in game with Tates Creek. Saw the pep rally on the news last night. They had Doron Lamb and Jeff Shepherd as guest speakers. Musta worked ok, they had most of their student body there last night. Small gym, 1 level, maybe seats 700 and was near capacity. Loudest/noisiest gym in the area. Great atmosphere – couldn’t hear the PA for the noise, players couldn’t hear their coaches in timeouts, terrific all-boy accapella group doing national anthem, etc. LCA knows how to throw a party.

2/13/2014 Lexington Catholic 59 Lexington Christian 56 Lexington Catholic 20 12 10 17 59 Lexington Christian 14 13 8 21 56 Lexington Catholic--Dence 17, Talbott 15, Griffin 7, Johnson 12, More 7, Boothe 1. Lexington Christian--Stein 5, Schacht 1, Hill 10, Rose 20, Trimble 18, Young 2. Read more here: Latest high school boys' basketball scores | High school basketball | Kentucky.com

Final from the loudest gym in Lexington. Two Christian schools, so all I can say is: Paybacks are heck. Congrats both ways, great game.

Congratulations, Shawn, from your friends at Charlotte Court AAU. Will spread the word tomorrow, watch for texts.

Loved seeing Station's Daquice Allen hittin' the 3 on the 10 o'clock news. Quice, you take a mean picture, man! Don't see the names Washington, Walker, or Claitt on Station's line. Did they play?