BrooksvilleBear

Here's the thing though, they're Mason County. Historically one of the best programs in the state of Kentucky. They have the tradition and history to have high standards as to where Bracken County doesn't. Comparing Mason and Bracken is like comparing apples to oranges. Even in the down years you cannot compare the two schools. End of discussion.

Bracken County definitely has the tradition and history just on a smaller scale. Us Bracken Countians can't get enough of basketball, Augusta included. Just because we aren't a 4A school that wins a lot doesn't mean we can't have history and tradition.

Rome wasn't built in a day, it's gonna take time. Go for districts 1st, it's been quite sometime since the Polar Bears have been districts champs. It's okay to have high goals, but make them reasonable that way the players and BCHS supporters don't get disappointed if the goals aren't met. Just because you get a HOF coach doesn't automatically make you 10th Region Contenders.

I think we would be happy with winning district, what I'm saying is let's not just win district and quit. Let's go and compete with some of the 10th region powerhouses. Our fans aren't like Mason and say state or bust. It's been 16 years.

I picked them to win the Region as soon as Coach Hinson arrived. Anything less would be unacceptable.

I think you're exactly right. Winning the district shouldn't be the goal every year. Most teams at Bracken seem to be happy with that. We need to raise the standards, let's make a run in region, and win it. Why not us? Stop settling for district.

They've still played basketball, just not on the team. I've played against them in the church league in Maysville. Believe it or not it's a really competitive league. Tyler Black, Justin Lang, Troy Gibbs,and other former highschool players. So lacking skills definitely won't be an issue for them.

Are these players for Augusta or Mason?

Thought I'd stir this thread back up since there was more talk on the Mason County thread about Bracken than there was Mason. Any extra thoughts on the Polar Bears?

This could be the end to their 16 year championship drought. Last district in 98-99, last All A region 97-98. Haven't made it too the regional finals since 1955.

Being young and inexperienced/coaching can no longer be an excuse. The Junior class that many have been talking about since 8th grade is no longer young. And they arguably the best coach in the region. If Hinson stays with this program for a couple decades his name will beside people like Jarvis Parlsley in Bracken County sports history. It's a great time to be a Polar Bear!

What players are you referring to? If they haven't played since middle school won't they be significantly behind skill-wise? Will they even make a difference?

I heard he was ruled eligible, anyone else hear anything?

Heard here very recently, the judge ruled in Pugh's favor, but the commissioner still has to give the final OK.

Why did he leave Pendleton? With Antrobus at Rowan he would've gotten a lot of playing time.

I think he made the decision before Antrobus moved. Coach Belcher didn't play him due to attitude issues. Also, does anyone know the full story of what happened when Pendleton and Augusta played at Augusta?

What was the reasoning to be ruled ineligible?

He has to prove that he did not move for athletic purposes, if I read the rule correctly, which is going to be hard to do. Also I don't think Pendleton County released him. Bylaw 6-2 says: "(1) these rules prevent and deter transfers due to recruiting or athletic reasons;" Full Bylaw: http://khsaa.org/handbook/bylaws/20152016/bylaw6.pdf

He was ruled ineligible on October 8th and hasn't practiced since then. I believe he is supposed to have a hearing sometime this week to see if he can play.

Bradshaw won't be turning water into wine down there ...

I know he really focuses on having fundementals and defense. Can compete with a lot teams having that.

Most important thing about making a power house program is focusing on the youth. Focus on fundamentals then so they have those problems in HS! Best of luck to Coach Scheid!

One things for sure it will be a good tournament. I am with you on the seeding, but unfortunately that won't happen anytime soon I am afraid. Last I checked Bracken and St. Pat voted for seeding while Mason and Augusta voted for the dreaded draw.

 

Reason for that is in Augusta's case they will take their chances and hope to stay away from Mason County in the first round. For Mason County they don't want to have to dedicate 6 games for seeding. Not to mention they don't want to have to travel to Augusta or St. Pat to play a game. They feel those games would be better served against bigger opposition than for district play.

 

I guess they could forfeit their district games and take the 4 seed. So they wouldn't have to schedule district games. Personally I think all district should seed and I believe all but 3 in the state do with two of the three that don't being in the 10th region.

I see what you're saying. Seeding is only important when you have Augusta, Bracken and Mason about as close as they'll ever be. No one wants to see Mason vs. St Pat :idunno:

I hate to say it but I don't think Cummins is the best overall player in the region but is definitely a great scorer, needs better defense and more physical which is hard because of her size. Would love to see O'Mara and Cummins head to head on December 9th. Mason is still the heavy favorite to win district and region. The Lady Bears will be down from last year losing Collins, Jefferson, Jones, and Coach Kelsch. Not saying Bradshaw is a bad coach, but haven't seen him coach before and Patrick Kelsch was great. Bracken Players to watch: Freshman Kennedy Carl, Sophomore Kinley Ruf, Senior Bailey Cummins.

Let's get back on topic.. Mason County still in my opinion are still the district favorites followed by Bracken then Augusta. The Royals travel to the Igloo December 15th. The district needs to be seeded to make these games mean more. This will be a great District Tournament at the Igloo! Also, does anyone know if when Pig Williams will be 100%?

I was looking at some stats recently from district tournaments. From the Old 38th District Tournament of Augusta, Deming (now Robertson) Bracken, and Pendleton. How would this current district be in today's game?

It would be very competitive on paper: Keaton Belcher into his second year at Pendleton with a competitive group of kids who surprised a lot last year, Jason Hinson returning home to Bracken County with a group of talented kids who had a disastrous season last year and high hopes this year, and Brian Kirk returning to Augusta with a team who won All A last year.

All three coaches are at their alma mater, all three great coaches.

It seems like with the going of the old district and the old Bracken County gym the rivalries went away too. I remember before the PC vs. BC game at the Igloo last year where Bracken won by a last second shot. Before the game I was asking a fellow Polar Bear if they were ready for the big rivalry game tonight and the responded by saying, "How are us and Pendleton rivals?."

My parents graduates of Bracken(83) and Augusta(82) would tell me stories of basketball and baseball games between these schools and how much animosity one had for the other. Where did all the fun rivalries go? Also to the guys at PCRO who realized the same thing I did at trying to start up the rivalry again.

Did the KHSAA really do a favor by separating us? Do any other old districts in the 10th region feel the alignment would be different in their old district? Does anyone care to weigh in on this this? Remember, please be constructive:

Mason County is returning 8 starters this season. They easily have the best pitcher in the region with Darren Williams up to 87 MPH. This fall they destroyed Bishop Brossart, beat Bourbon 5-1, and beat Northern Kentuckys top travel ball teams. Mason Co only lost to Harrison Co last year 2-1 and Harrison's best player graduated. Mason Co was young and inexperienced last year, so place your bets on Mason Co. Bracken doesn't have a dominant pitching staff, and 0 above average hitters. They're a scrappy team. That's it plain and simple.

If anyone was young and inexperienced last year it was Bracken County, only having 2 upperclassmen starting every game. They had 0 seniors, mostly made up of sophomores, one freshman, and an 8th grader starting. Their schedule this year is a lot tougher, playing: Harrison, Brossart, Rowan, Belfry, Pikeville, Lewis, Boone, Paintsville, Fairview, Russell, Logan WV, and of course, Mason.

Bracken County lost 0 seniors and have this year 4 seniors, 6 juniors, 1 sophomore, and freshman Tad Fisher who led the region in hits. I think Bracken was also playing some fall ball which by the way means nothing. I think Bracken and Mason are even as of right now. I think Bracken won last year because of their defensive and playing small ball that Mason could not defend. District tournament will be hosted at Bracken County this year also.

Wow, definetly thought it would be much closer! Just way to many penalties! I think if the touchdown would not have got called back it would have got the ball rolling for the Polar Bears and we would have seen a much closer score.

Bracken has some speed as well. Defense is fairly solid as well. Big up front and can create turnovers.

I'm with you PB98. Forced 2 Paris turnovers almost 4. Very surprised the way Bracken played against Paris.

You know I will always show bias to the Polar Bears. But I really think Bracken can hand Brossart their first lost of the season. This will be Bracken's last game of the season, also Senior Night. This game could go either way, I'm predicting a score of 23-17 Bracken County.

I have looked before for this trophy, only to find the 1944 Region Trophy that seemed to appear out of nowhere. I may have found it but there is no plaque.

All Kentucky grown, the Coach Miles era is over. And nobody really knows all the rules about transfers and eligibility. There's probably a loophole somewhere in the system.

I have been hearing about some off-season acquisitions.. I've heard of 3

We need to get the Augusta people to teach us how to act: they have George Clooney, basketball players flopping..