OldhamOldie

Simon Kenton is my dark horse in the 8th Region Tournament. They have the size to give any team a tough game. I think they take this one over Walton-Verona by a 61-51 score. I would not want to play Simon Kenton in the 1st round next week at henry County. I just get a feeling about them making a big run.

Travel was my point when comparing it to the 8th Region. For Simon Kenton's kids to have to ride on a bus to Crestwood in the middle of January for a in-region game with South Oldham is just insane when they could simply drive to either Scott or Dixie in their own county. Same applies to our Oldham County schools having to drive up to N.Ky. in the middle of January to meet Simon Kenton for a in-region game. You are correct there are other schools up there that are very close to Simon Kenton and Dixie and Scott, but that is the problems with the 9th Region, so many smaller schools, low enrollment, but they still count as much as a huge school as far as number of teams in a region or district. I do not know how to solve the problem.

Making the stakes even higher tonight. Neither would prefer to meet Owen County in the first round over at Henry County next week.

Regardless of our opinions, the official has not been disciplined as of today. I see no justification for calling a technical foul in that situation. You are not supposed to play a role in a game's outcome if you are a good official. Thankfully, his lack of judgment did not cost Walton a win.

Please keep us informed of Charles Hurt's condition. I am sure a number of UK basketball fans will also want to keep Charles in their prayers as well.

You are correct about their school board. But the Simon Kenton coaches have a different take on it with all the problems associated with traveling to the 8th Region schools when they could drive 5 minutes for in-region and in-district games vs Scott and Dixie in their own county. I agree the 9th Region has a lot of schools, but a number of them are VERY small like Cov Latin, Bellevue, Dayton, Ludlow, Beechwood, St. Henry, Newport, Heritage to name a few. I probably missed several as well since there are so many schools up in N.Ky. I do not think a new region is needed, but some realignment would be helpful around the state.

The 8th Region does not need any more schools from N.Ky. The travel has already caused several big problems with weather since Simon Kenton and Walton arrived. My solution would be to place both of them back in the 9th Region. Simon Kenton and Scott should both be in the same region as Dixie, they are in the same county and five minutes from each other. But those three are in three different regions! Highlands should be in the 10th Region with Campbell County and Brossart. Trade Highlands for Scott, 10th to 9th. That would work out great for both if Simon Kenton goes back to the 9th because you will have three Kenton County schools (Dixie, Scott, Simon Kenton) in the same district.

You are correct about the balanced scoring of South Oldham. Jacob Bray averages 12 points, Trenton Bouvet about 11 points, and Joe Griffin over 10 per game. I saw that Grant Williams and Devin Young both score over nine points per game, so South Oldham has a lot of options offensively. And they can shoot the three-pointer as well as any team in the state.

The revenge factor in this great rivalry will make the difference, I think. South beat them by double figures earlier, but Oldham is solid. This will be one of the best games in the state as far as intensity. Both teams compete very hard and are well coached. This is going to be a fun game to watch, the folks from Buckner and Crestwood will be packing the gym at Trimble County. Get there early!

Was Charles still on the Shelby County coaching staff? I thought he was last year.

The Litkenhous Ratings don't measure intangibles like the revenge factor. That is why I am picking Oldham County in a small upset. The Lit Ratings are useless. I have not seen this week's Lit Ratings, so I haven't gotten a good laugh.

Is this something with Charles that just happened recently? I had not read anything or heard from any of the other 8th Region people.

I hate to hear it about Charles. I will keep him in my prayers and hope everything turns out fine for him and his family. Charles Hurt is a legend at Shelby County and I believe he served in the military after playing at UK. If I recall, he played for Coach Creamer at Shelby.

I have to break out my blue and green sports jacket for this one, since I root for both schools, and wear one blue sock and one green sock. South Oldham won the regular season meeting, Oldham County is looking for some revenge in this one. The Trimble County gym is going to be packed to the rafters for this one Friday night. I see a small upset in this one: Oldham County 67, South Oldham 62.

A very good idea of a district in the 9th Region: Dixie, Scott, Simon Kenton, Walton-Verona, Lloyd, St. Henry. It is travel efficient and has great rivals together. It would also lessen some of the travel headaches for the 8th Region basketball teams and SK.

It will eventually. Three of those schools are within 5 minutes of each other in the same county but in three different regions? That is a ridiculous situation the KHSAA needs to remedy. As a 8th Region person, I know the travel for Simon Kenton and Walton is not ideal. Same for us going up to N.Ky. in the winter.

I would love to be in the room when Julian Tackett is showed the video. Julian used to be an official in college and high school. He will not be pleased.

I was thinking the same thing for their post season. Then there is no concerns about playing the bigger schools like Campbell County, Scott and so on.

A great point. I didn't even think about it, but you are right. Technically (no pun intended) the said official blew the call by not Teeing up the fans and the head coach. So it makes it even look worse even he is "going by the book."

The Walton fans have all kinds of phone videos of it. Anyone out there that can share a link to it?

Correct on all counts. That is why I am shocked the official in question is allowed to continue working this post season. I know there is a shortage of qualified officials, but at some point the assigners need to send a message.

I was actually making good-natured fun at the poster who made the wrongful accusations against the Highlands players in another thread and then admitted he was wrong. That's why I mentioned you here. No problems.

I agree with much of your statement, but the bolded is why I thought they might opt out of playing post season as they can not compete with the teams mentioned. Highlands, on the other hand, would be a great fit and allow the 36th District in the 9th Region to become a 4-teamer again. I totally understand why Calvary would like to play the smaller KHSAA schools, Cov. Latin, Heritage, etc. It makes sense. But it would seem like putting them into the 9th Region in a district with Silver Grove might be an option and place Simon Kenton back to the 9th Region. If Calvary and Silver Grove decide against playing in the district tournaments (which anyone could understand because of the margins involved), you are not increasing the tournament size. Simon Kenton should be in the same region as Dixie. They are down here in the 8th, and the travel for them and us is not idea, especially in the winter. Just an opinion.

This would be the new 37th in a perfect KHSAA world. 37th: Brossart, Campbell, Highlands, Scott All in the 10th Region. Move Silver Grove and Calvary back to the 9th Region. I continue to be amazed that Calvary competes in the KHSAA. And as I said, Silver Grove's enrollment will eventually cause it to close its doors, I would imagine. Remember the old Millersburg Military Institute down in Bourbon County? The enrollment dwindled to nothing and it shut down. I see the same happening up there in Silver Grove one day. That would open the door for Highlands to move into the 10th Region and the 37th district.

My mistake. I meant Wiggins, Chevington, and Hollins. Jack of All Trades would understand. lol.