GoHardITP

I think the dialogue in this thread is indicative of the really difficult task of figuring out teams in this region. If there is ever a year an unexpected team could make a run through regional play and make it to Rupp, this is the year. However, since the opening game of the season with Doss defeating PRP, they have been the team to beat. Their downfall is they seem to take teams lightly. I do feel that they will come into tournament play with the focus they need and will not be taking anyone lightly. Beyond Doss as the team with the best chance would come down to either DeSales or Bullitt East. After those Top 3, it would be PRP and Fern Creek. My surprise pick is Jeffersontown. I am not sure they can do it with a single player carrying the load, but Brandon Johnson is really special and if he gets hot they could make it through to the region where they could be the sleeper pick.

The top 4 teams in the 6th region all won their games this week and are overwhelming favorites to advance from their respective district as #1 seeds. However, Doss & DeSales will need to battle it out to emerge as the #1 seed from their district since they reside together. Entering the last week of the regular season Doss and PRP will wrap up with two games against 6th region opponents. They each play Fern Creek with PRP facing off against the Tigers on Tuesday, and Doss finishes the season off with Fern Creek on Friday. Bullitt East and DeSales each have two games with opponents outside the 6th region. Top 10 1.) Doss Doss is undefeated in 6th region play with a 11-0 record and 21-6 overall. However they did not win either game in a fashion that would convince you they are hitting on all the right cylinders. They beat Bardstown 58-57 which was the closest loss that Bardstown has had in losing to all 5 Jefferson County schools they have played this season. Doss finished the week beating Moore by 10, but Moore has struggled this season with only 6 wins all season. Fairdale and Fern Creek are the only teams remaining in the way of achieving a perfect record against 6th region foes. 2.) Bullitt East Bullitt East is a solid # 2 in the ranking this week. They came from pretty far down to get a 3 point win against Dixie Heights which shows they can never be counted out of a game. With Tyler Sharpe hitting timely shots they can make some noise in the 6th Region. They also easily won over rival North Bullitt and are now 18-9 and 5-3 in the region. 3.) DeSales Now 21-6, DeSales has a 10-2 record in the region, with three consecutive wins last week. Only a 51-48 win against Collins gave the Colts any trouble . I watched the Colts handle Fairdale pretty easily last week and they are very difficult to beat if they are getting open three point shots. They can also score in close with efficient play sets, but they really excel at circle backs after penetration and hitting their open guy at the three point line. If they get open shots they will hit most of them, so the key to stopping DeSales is playing very good defense. The Doss/DeSales match up in District could be a preview of a regional final as they are both capable of making a strong run in the post season. 4.) PRP After a single win in their last 4 games, PRP got two wins this past week over Iroquois by a large margin and then a 9 point win over Fairdale. They could very well be a strong contender in the region because that is what Dale Mabry and his staff prepare for. They lost key players from their last season run which ended at Rupp, but never count out the Panthers when tournament play begins. They are 16-7 overall and 9-1 in the 6th. 5.) Fern Creek After going 2-1 last week, the Tigers are now 16-10 and 8-3 in the region which puts them outside the likely candidates to win the region, but they are a dangerous team that nobody would choose to play in early rounds. Fern Creek beat Fairdale by 15 and also St. Xavier by 13 last week, but between those two games they lost badly to Central. Before district play begins Fern Creek will get a chance to prove how much of a threat they could be when they play both PRP and Doss in the final week of the regular season. 6.) Fairdale Fairdale stays in the 6th spot despite going 1-3 last week against 6th region opponents. They are not dropping because they lost to three teams in the spots of the rankings directly in front of them. Fairdale had a chance to rise in the rankings had they won more games last week, however, they took a step back from the five teams in front of them by losing to #3 DeSales by 18, #5 Fern Creek by 15, and #4 PRP by 9. They did beat Iroquois by 22 in their fourth and final game of the week. They exit the week with a 12-14 record, but they are still 9-4 within the region. 7.) North Bullitt North Bullitt is moving up to the 7th spot over Western and Whitefield who each lost to 6th region opponents last week as did North Bullitt. But North Bullitt lost to #2 Bullitt East while Western lost to Holy Cross and Whitefield lost to Valley. North Bullitt is 15-10 and 5-3 in the region. 8.) Western The loss to Holy Cross was a 35-34 loss, but they also had a win over Southern earlier in the week. Western is now 10-9 and 6-4 in 6th region play. They finish with 6th region foes, Moore & PRP. 9.) Holy Cross Holy Cross loss very badly to St. X, but rebounded to beat 6th region foe Western. They close out the season with Bethlehem and Male. They are now 13-14 and 5-7. 10.) Bullitt Central With 4 consecutive wins, including a win over 6th region, Valley, the last spot goes to Bullitt Central. They are 14-13 and 6-6 on the season Top Player Freshman Glenn Queen from Fairdale gets the nod as he is emerging as the best player on the Fairdale team in recent games. After several players exited the Bulldog team in late season dismissals, Queen became a starter and has not looked back. He is making an impact and has led his team in scoring since inserted into the starting role. His future looks bright and he will be a big cornerstone to the rebuilding job that is going on at Fairdale.

That 6'6" to 6'8" size is the tweener size in college. The higher the D1 program the more likely you need to get closer to 6'8" or taller to play the post and 6'6" or smaller is a wing. As you slide down to Mid-Major and Lower D1 then it does seem like a sliding scale in size to play the post. You cannot do much about changing your height, but by adding both post and wing skills it can only help in making you more attractable wherever you might land which is what Ben appears to have done. Hats off to him for being versatile and becoming a very good high school player that has both an inside and outside game to his credit.

I like what you said about polished with his back to the basket or facing up. At 6'6" Ben has done something many taller kids his size or even a bit bigger have failed to do....learn to play with his back to the basket in the post. So many kids his size are obsessed with playing the wing, but fail to develop any type post game. Ben is able to do both and it makes him so much more valuable to his coaches. I see way to many 6'6" or taller high school players that refuse to work on a post up game. With that size it is a bonus to play out on the floor, but still retain a post up game.

I have always heard but never knew for sure that Chance was a very special football player as well. Is that the case?

Trey Moses is a great young man who does many wonderful things that many would not know. He is very dedicated to working with challenged and special needs kids simply by just being their friend. I really appreciate young basketball players that are as good off the court as on. I know his father well and he should be very proud of this young man. I could not be happier for him to experience a win in his senior year in this fashion.

What a difference one night makes. Fern Creek loses to Central last night by 17 and then beats St. X by 13 tonight. The same St. X that had beat Central, but that was the first game of the season when they beat Central by 5. Fern Creek had 0 points in the 1st Q last night and 20 in the 1st Q tonight. Go figure? Four players in double figures for Fern Creek- Price with 14, Washington with 13, Wales 11, and Big 6'8" Senior Center Desi Agonva with 11 as well. St. X was led by sharpshooter senior guard Ashanti Burgess who had 20. Burgess was unstoppable at times hitting deep pull up threes.

Yes, and the other big thing is the only way to make the other team's big man get tired is to make them play defense. You also can get the other team's big guy(s) in foul trouble and out of the game if you make an effort to get the ball into the post. If you never make the other team defend the post, the opposing team big man is given a free hall pass.

This one started out 13-0 after the 1st quarter. Fern Creek came out so tight and then lost some confidence after the goose egg in the first quarter. Score at half was 28-9. End of third quarter was 37-22. Fern Creek made an attempt to get under 10, but never did and the benches for both teams cleared with about 2 minutes to go. Never in doubt who controlled the game from the tip to the final. I have seen Central now several times and they will not wow you or overly leave you the impression they are a dominating team. However, you must give Coach Bibby credit because they are always ready to play and they fear nobody. The best way to describe them is they play hard, they play smart, and they are fearless. Coach Bibby has them on a string. Whatever he calls, they simply react and execute. Of course they have been scored upon, but they usually defend in almost a pack like line of defense with an extended defense on the key shooters. The key is to have enough outside shooters to make them pay with their sagging and if you do get penetration be able to hit pull up jumpers. Also credit the kids, they play hard and are a team.

I would agree conventional wisdom would seem to indicate that could very well happen. Central as odd as it sounds is probably a bit underrated if that could even be for a team who has beat Trinity and battled Ballard to a close game. The coaches have as friendly a relationship as opposing coaches normally have. If it gets to be a game that Central has their way will Bibby take his foot off the gas, or will he make a statement? I would not call it an upset of epic times, but it would be a game that would surprise most if Fern Creek could go into Central's gym and leave with a win. Fern Creek almost did that early in the season at Hopkinsville, but Central is a much better defensive team and more disciplined from what I have seen of both teams.

Forgot to add it is a 6th versus 7th region match-up. Each team is just outside the top 2-3 teams in their region so it makes for a good comparison of the 6th and 7th just beyond the top tier teams. I think the 7th is stronger at the top and Central is closer to being in the top of the 7th with a win over Trinity than Fern Creek at the top of the 6th, so Central is the likely favorite in this one from what I would project.

Two friendly coaches with contrasting teams and styles. The rookie (2nd year) coach in Schooler with a younger team lacking much experience versus the veteran coach in Bibby with an experienced team who has played with each other in his system. Central and Fern Creek each have 15 wins on the season, but Central has played a tougher schedule gaining those 15 wins. It should be a fun gamer and the lone marquee match-up played in Metro Louisville tonight. Game is at 7:30 @ Central so it will be interesting to see how the crowd comes out on a Thursday night.

Here in Metro Louisville the best game played in the city on a Thursday night that should draw a nice crowd is Fern Creek at Central. 15-9 Fern Creek coached by James Schooler visiting 15-7 Central coached by Doug Bibby. These two coaches have mutual respect for each other and would be considered as highly respected coaches by most. Schooler is a young coach with a young team and Bibby is an experienced coach with an experienced team. Central has played the tougher schedule and has beaten better teams. It will be a interesting game if Fern Creek can keep Central from getting many transition opportunities.

I feel they both are teams that are capable of beating each other on any given night making this really a toss-up. Each have very good wins and each have some losses that should not have happened. I like LCA based on what I saw from them at the All "A" Classic against NCC. NCC is a very tough team and recently I just like what LCA has been able to string together with contributions from many different people. I also think Matt Rose is that one player that can be counted upon night in and night out much like Tanner for LC. I just think if they equal each other, then LCA has more sources for other scoring to take them over the top.

yes

KCD beat CAL this season and unless I am mistaken they will play Eastern and CAL plays Ballard. Watch for an upset by KCD, it could happen if Eastern is off.

You have essentially summarized what this year is, an odd season at best. Some may call it parity, while others call it a down year. Fairdale did lose their core and several prolific scorers, and for the most part are rebuilding. Doss does struggle with the fallout and they likely are bored right now until the districts start. Doss is still the favorite to advance to Rupp in my opinion. DeSales and Bullitt East are the best shooting teams and could challenge if they shoot the ball exceptionally well at tournament time. DeSales has not achieved that marquee win to your point. PRP is not as good in years past, but you can not underestimate the staff come tournament time. Iroquois, J'Town, and Butler all need to rebuild and will need to rely on development of their younger players. Valley did beat Butler and both of those teams are lacking upperclassmen. It is a very odd season and the funny part is that next season could be even more odd.

Fern Creek @ Central St. Xavier @ PRP @ Doss

This game was a battle of two teams just outside the Top 4 teams in the 6th region (Doss, Bullitt East, DeSales, & PRP). Fairdale unfortunately had to play DeSales the previous night where they suffered a 65-47 loss and tonight they tired at the end. Fairdale battled late into the 2nd half, but could not get back to even despite several runs they made. Key free throw shooting by Fern Creek helped stretch the win into double digits. Fern Creek pulled ahead with a strong 4th quarter. Fern Creek was led in points by Anthony Wales with 16, Ahmad Price with 14, and Tony Washington with 13. Fairdale was led by their own freshman star, Glenn Queen, who led all scorers with 19. At one time late in the 4th quarter with the game still in the balance, Fern Creek had all freshmen on the court. With Queen leading Fairdale the entire game, it was a high school varsity game with the very best freshmen from Jefferson county sharing the stage. Queen is going to be a really good one for Fairdale in the years to come.

Final from Fairdale

I saw that you said "current", but you are missing my point because when you use the term current it is not "complete or likely accurate" information. You cannot possibly know what the "current" roster is because that is not something you or anyone else not affiliated would know. By mentioning they could add (2) 7' footers, what if they already exist? So if there are others on the roster playing in the post does it render your assertion as meaningless? I have no idea who they have lined up to play the post, but why provide speculation about another program if I lack the information to give an informed opinion. That is my simple point, but you could prove to be a great guesser. If so, Ben could still play the 3 or the stretch 4 and he will be a special player with his skill set to do so many things for his team.

Coastal Carolina is a nice school that has had some recent history of making the NCAA March Madness. Boston University is a great place to get an education and what a city to spend your college age within. I saw Ben at the All "A" Classic and really believe he could play at either of these schools. I like his ability to play inside and outside. In the right system at the D1 level he will thrive. I look forward to seeing him develop over the summer and compete against the best basketball prospects in the country.

Respectfully I might add that many AAU programs will not post a "roster" until closer to the season starts. Some kids are known to be with a team, but others not. Lot's of jockeying for final roster spots taking place now and in the next month with elite travel teams. It is always likely that programs have some commits that simply do not get known to "outsiders" no matter how hard people try to find that information. I am not speaking specifically of the Travelers roster, just in general that unless you are associated with a program it is likely that making statements about another team's roster is not going to be complete or entirely accurate. I am not disagreeing with your comment, just pointing it out that it is an assumption based on speculation.

I've got my beard working like Pitino, but that is about it. I have coached a little bit, but too old for the high school game. I admire those that work in high school coaching. It is a young man's game because to keep up with the things kids get into these days is exhausting. I really have a ton of respect for an older coaches like Mabry and his staff at PRP. The kids that a school like PRP draws from are from are going to have some disadvantages that you must be prepared to help them through. He and his staff remain consistent and in control, yet the kids know they care. Like at other schools, many of us would be surprised at some of the things that go on with the young men who walk through those locker room doors. Not only does he teach them the game of basketball, but he is very good at trying to do more for their development beyond the game itself. He is one of my favorites and he is humble while doing so.

Not sure if anyone expected the score to be an 18 point game, but DeSales played well and simply executed so much better than Fairdale. I had heard Fairdale had let go of some Senior players (2), and it did appear that was the case as it showed some out there tonight. I think both of the departed players started, one for sure did when I last watched them play. I have no idea of the infraction or if they just decided to quit this late in the season. Whatever the circumstances, I get the feeling Fairdale is really focusing on the future and next season when they should be pretty good. They have a few nice junior players such as Tre' Richardson and an exceptionally strong freshman PG, Glenn Queen, who will only get better by playing major minutes now that he is starting at the end of this season. He probably had close to 20 tonight.