Spectator52

Guess you can't reason with everyone. I'm truly sorry that I didn't donate some tissues to be left at the exit door of the Igloo. Sounds like you and several others could use a box or two. "The lion never loses sleep to the opinions of sheep." Enjoy that second place trophy!

Amen! I can guarantee there wouldn't be any ref smearing or excuses made on Augusta's part if they had lost.

I love how when every time Mason gets beat they come out of the woodwork to whine, pout and make excuses. You got beat, end of story. And sorry to say you don't have too many "haters." People do hate Mason's attitude, disrespect and everything else negative I have mentioned. Very few Mason Countians have it in them to show an ounce of respect for other athletic programs accomplishments. You reap what you sow and respect isn't given, it's earned and Mason does a poor job of it. Success is all a matter of perception I suppose. Mason has failed several of the youth in our area by allowing such poor sportmanship and lack of integrity in the game of life on and off the court. Gauge succes however you like but I'll take Augusta's success any day of the week and twice on Sunday.

Nah, I took my chances! Lol I'll have to give it to Bracken, they did a fantastic job at managing last nights crowd compared to years past. Everything went fine.

And let's continue the conversation about fouls for a moment. There most certainly is a pattern associated with the fouls or lack thereof from Augusta.......they don't play a rough game. It doesn't matter who they play they try very hard to keep fouls down. Mason on the other hand has always had a rough playing style. Unfortunately for them everyone knows it. I would about guarantee the fouls called on both teams last night are close in line to every game they've played this year when you get to looking at stats. So to the people who are bitter and choose to talk out of their behind lets leave it at this - Augusta played a harder, smarter game last night. Period.

Bj What else are you Mason county people going to whine about! No wonder everyone in the state cheers against you! You really think the refs kept mason from gaining a 20 point lead? Give me a break! Maybe if their program would focus more on athletics rather than smoking dope and thieving they might get somewhere!! I must also add another point. Mason's fan section, players as well as coaching staff are very unsportsmanlike. It's a little pathetic when you have an assistant coach saying derogatory things to opposing players!! Augusta is a class act, hard working bunch of boys who have worked their tails off to get where they are. People still downplay Augusta's success. Well let me tell you, 3 out of 4 year District Champions isn't a fluke. Doesn't matter where they play, who they play or who is coaching them they don't know how to quit. They will push and claw back for as long as they can.

Say what you will but crazier things happen everyday. Edit: of course by your username I can only assume that you have no problem with the seating because you want the games to be held at Bracken. Only Bracken people can find a way to justify holding Districts there. There are a few who fuss that playing every year at The Fieldhouse gives Mason a home court advantage. Well that philosophy didn't work too well for Bracken last night now did it? Apparently logistics and a little common sense are lost in these threads sometimes.

I totally agree. Myself and many included can obviously put up with some of the headaches associated with attending a packed game at Bracken. But you know, it's all fun and games until you have a section of bleachers collapse. I think it gets to a point where it's kind of irresponsible to have that many people in such a small gym. I'm sure many remember the Augusta/Mason game at Bracken a couple years back. May have been an Augusta/Bracken game, I can't recall for sure. Anyhow, there were people piled on top of one another in the walking isles of the bleachers. That's a little much in my opinion. I expect something similar Thursday night.

Thursday's game attendance will be wild to say the least. It will take some strategic planning for those who choose to attend.

Always thought it was ridiculous to have Districts at Bracken. The Fieldhouse is the only way to go. You have to get to the igloo before the doors open to even get a seat. I hate to tell people this but us who work usually don't get off till 5 or 6. As someone else mentioned it puts families in a rush and lowers attendance I think. And believe me if you have a game worth watching it doesn't matter if it's at Bracken or Mason. The atmosphere will be fantastic regardless. With all that said they do well with what they have.

My thoughts exactly. You may have said it more eloquently than I did ;-)

As they say, everyone has an opinion. What happens next year is just that, next year. There is no excuse for bracken not to have a better season because there is stiff competition graduating in 2016. No question Crawford can be tough but it has been proven time and time again that one player can't carry the team. It seems that all too often some coaches get a free pass. When a team defeats a tough opponent during a close game, coach is praised. When the same team is defeated the players are blamed. It's just comical to me, no matter if you're missing a key player or not. Missing a starter can be detrimental to a teams performance but the coaching staff must make adjustments.

Great game to watch and well executed win by the Panthers! The Refs were really liking Crawford. They made him look like a superstar tonight and Bracken still couldn't come home with a W. I'd also like some help with directions. Where is this "Hinson Magic" many have talked about on here for years? I just can't seem to find it. Can someone kindly point me in the right direction?

It isn't just basketball.......Mason County School system is out of control all together; from top to bottom. As pertaining to sports, many players have left and many good players and families looking to move have refused to go there and settled elsewhere. I'm not sure why any parent would want their child to attend Mason County. It truly is sad but when you allow rough individuals to call the shots with no disciplinary actions you reap what you sow.

No problem. Unfortunately you are correct with that statement.

I'd have to disagree with that statement. Biggest loss for Augusta this year was in the All "A". That was their tournament to win. Camels played very well tonight and they rarely missed the basket. The outcome would have been the same but this game was poorly officiated. Almost a joke at times. But again, would not have changed the outcome.

I don't know who you think I am. I have never sent text messages or e-mails to anyone in the Augusta Program so if I were you I would be very careful about who I accuse of stating my opinions on this forum. I would hate for a spectator or fan in your crowd to be accused of posting criticisms to this forum in which they did not. I do find it ironic that another individual has spoken with the same feelings. Your posting here validates my claims seeing that I'm not the only one. AGAIN, I did not bash Austin Crawford and frankly did not bash Connor Maddox. What I have said about his performance are honestly things his coaches should have said to him. Maybe that opinion is wrong but this is a forum where people share their thoughts. Have a good evening yourself.

I don't see where everyone is saying I have dogged Austin Crawford. As for the rest of your statements about me, say what you will that's your opinion. I may be the only Augusta fan to publicly voice the opinions I have but believe me in the fact that I'm not the only one who feels this way. That applies to Hinson as well as the way this team didn't seem to play together for most of the previous season. It was like they were in a battle amongst themselves to see who could score the most points. I have no problem standing alone in a public forum with these thoughts.

I can agree to disagree and I'm good with that. I didn't come here for an argument or anything of the sort. I'm offering a different perspective and opinion. If some people don't agree or refuse to have an open mind that's OK. You won't hurt my feelings. At the end of the day, the sky isn't falling in Augusta and I see continued success and a bright season ahead; even if I believe some fine tuning is in order. Sorry for the double post, just something I wanted to say in my previous post.

I don't even know where to begin with this reply but I'll start with Hinson: Yes I still believe he's an overrated coach Austin Crawford: Yes he is a one man team. If he wasn't, why would he be "possibly" looking at changing schools? He needs a team to compliment his talents. Maddox: Look, I'm not trying to tear this kid apart by any means. If it looks that way, I apologize. If you like one person handling the ball the entire game even when they shouldn't, good for you. When all of your players on the court are talented, MOVE the ball. That's the way I see it and that's much more beneficial. It is ludicrous to me to watch a player go down the court, sometimes fighting multiple opponents while he has competent players open and then give the ball away. And as for me having a little Johnny on the team, NO. I guess when someone speaks up with the truth others must find a way to attack that person. You are wasting your breath gentlemen and or ladies. (That wasn't sarcasm, some of you may be) I keep forgetting that around here, highest scorer = best player. Whatever people. When I look at players I look at their individual efforts PLUS their involvement with other players on the team. I think you would be hard pressed to find a college scout who would pick him up. That's the big picture. I would want a Team oriented player, not an "I" or "Me" player. This isn't golf. A team is "Us" And in the words of Forrest Gump, "That's all I have to say about that!"

You can look at individual stats all you want. So by that figure he missed 57% of his shots, correct? I will tell you that with at least 30% of those missed shots there was another player wide open in scoring position. And I don't mean any player in particular I just mean there was someone open. Being at the game is much different than looking at stats.

I would also like to add how does constructive criticism turn into having an axe to grind? Trust me I have absolutely nothing to gain by posting my thoughts on this forum. Also, I'm not belittling or making personal attacks against anyone here or these players. But I guess if you're a person who "goes against the grain" you're attacked. If you have a criticism your thoughts are disregarded because they don't follow the group think of this forum. Were you at every Augusta game last year? Or the year before? I was. Also you must have completely ignored all the positives I had to say. Augusta is a good team but I know they can be better.

You're kidding right? Another post bashing a player? Sorry I wasn't aware I bashed one before this. Anyhow, just stating the facts. Maddox had an awful season last year and Hinson did nothing to help him. He threw up these wild shots every game. After a while a coach needs to take control of the situation because he was doing more harm than good. He was way off. Sure, Freshman and Sophmore years were great but living in the past is just that, the past. A different sport, but it's kind of like all this celebration going on about the 25th Anniversary of the Reds World Series win. Like really? Instead of focusing on that win why don't we focus on why they haven't brought a championship home in 25 years?

Thank you! I also look forward to your posts and many others. I have lingered around this site for many years and figured what the heck I'll join. I don't want to take anything away from Jason Hinson. Regardless of what I feel or the things I know about his coaching he has good intentions and definitely isn't a bad person. As for the players, I'm sure they aren't thrilled about having a new coach come on board for their last year. At the same time though I think some things would surprise you. The success during the Hinson years was great but over the past season he was tolerated, especially by the school staff. The constant thought of him "jumping ship" so to speak I believe was aggravating for them. So even with all that going on the players went out and played hard. That's a real testament to how good the three junior's attitudes are. They really are good kids. I believe Hinson leaving will give them valuable experience from another coach and promote more growth. The only team they worried about for the upcoming season was Mason, now they'll have to work hard to overcome Hinson's knowledge of their game since he'll be an opponent. This will be interesting. There is no denying that I love watching Augusta play. The athleticism Snapp displays is impressive; that kid is strong. He is also a huge asset under the basket. Hopefully he makes a full recovery. Also, Hinson leaving will probably be a good thing for Crawford. I feel like he is underrated because Hinson didn't promote him like he did Snapp and Maddox. That kid is very athletic, has superb ball handling skills, footwork and his defense is almost perfect. He isn't greedy and can really move the ball and is really basketball smart; he knows the game. Now he doesn't shoot a lot but that's because Hinson told him not to. Hopefully he'll open up this season with a new coach. Now Maddox, I don't know what will become of him. Lets be honest, if he isn't knocking down 3's he is kind of useless. His ball handling is so-so and he caused many turn overs last season and missed tons of shots. Hinson couldn't break him of that. Hopefully someone else will and force him to work on his defense too. This season will be interesting for both Bracken and August. I'm pumped.

Let's get something clear here, If you are directing your comment at me I am not bitter nor do I have any reason to be. I don't have a dog in this fight, just sharing my knowledge and the way I have seen things unfold. One of my first posts here included a congrats to him landing the Bracken job. Problem is you people act like he's Rick Pitino or something. Those kids at a Augusta play hard because they have enormous passion for the game and get a thrill out of being "underdogs."