scooterbob

I can't disagree with this analysis. It seems that Ashland's talent level- everything from "great" to nonexistent- depends on the theme of each post. A team that returns three highly rated senior starters is not without a firm foundation. All in all, they have neither overachieved nor underachieved. Of course, as Gatorlover said, next year could be different.

If you research my prior posts a little, you will find that I certainly expected Ashland to win the Rose Hill game. I also said the game would only produce a large financial windfall for Ashland, nothing but a loss for Rose Hill, and enhance the "strained relationship" between the two schools. If you review the events and the results, you will find that I was correct on all counts.

I think it will be determined by which school wins the region. If Russell wins, it will be Fortman. If Rose Hill wins, it will be, most likely, Queen. If Rowan County wins, it could be Barr. Of course, like last year, politics will enter the picture. Area POY, a more distinguished achievement, could follow the same pattern. Laura Terry got it last year.

As I recall, the preseason predictions placed Ashland at second or third in the region. At present, they are probably third. They have won most of the games they should have won and lost almost all of the games they should have lost. No real surprises at all. If accomplishing about what was expected makes you coach of the year, then I suppose Biggs is a good candidate. Player of the Year: No contest. VanHoose by a wide margin.

Excellent point from Lone Wolf. Laura has really suffered from congestion and problems in breathing for about two months. She is coming around and, when that occurs, she is a dominent player.

I think the ratio of foul shots by each team will decide the game. If it is heavy in Ashland's favor, Ashland will win. If not, Russell will win.

The 16th Region should trade with another region. Unfortunately, that will not be the case. Referees are human beings and, like the rest of us, have their own likes and dislikes as well as their own prejudices. That doesn't mean they "cheat". It means that, as human beings, they cannot always be unbiased. They are not computers. All referees have their favorites and their not so favorites. Whether it is admitted or not, these natural tendencies play a role in whistle blowing. Therefore, having referees for the tournaments from another region makes sense because the "politics", by commission or by omission and by design or by chance, are much less likely to influence the outcome of a game.

Impressive win on the road over one of the top teams in the 15th Region.

Russell.

Great to hear. We are very proud of the accomplishments of "Big A".

Final.

I understand that Bellevue has been rather "iffy" about the trip.

Three legitimate questions from Jay Bilas. Self-proclamations don't make you the best particularly when you must copy another. CovCath wins this one just as Russell will beat Elliott County on Tuesday.

Who else played on those outstanding Olive Hill teams?

I just hope that the game is played. Rose Hill appears to have already lost home games with Bellevue and Augusta. Backouts don't help a team prepare for the tournaments.

Regardless of the pursuit in life, the achievers are always subject to jealousy from the also rans. This is just an example.

Thank you, COMET75. Bert Greene was a fine basketball player for Jack Fultz's Olive Hill Comets. He was a lefthander with a deadly jump shot who, unfortunately, didn't have the advantage of the three point goal. At the time Greene played, Clark County, under the guidance of another legendary coach, Letcher Norton, still pretty much ruled the 16th Region and Olive Hill missed out on a couple of legitimate opportunities to go to the state tournament. If a list of basketball legends was ever assembled for the 16th Region, it would have to have Bert Greene and Jack Fultz in two very prominent places. Coach Fultz wrote a book. If anyone knows where I can purchase an autographed copy, I would certainly be grateful for the information. In my mind, being second to and mentioned in the same breath with Bert Greene is quite an honor. Emily has earned that honor.

Nor is Ashland likely to score 102.

As mentioned above, Lakin Griffith, a sophomore for Elliott County, scored her 1,000th point in this game. This is a fine accomplishment and everyone was pleased that the game was stopped and she was presented with the game ball. I'm sure she would have preferred to reach the mark at home but it was a nice recognition at Stewart Gymnasium. Elliott County has a promising future in this region. Emily Queen's accomplishment cannot be overstated. She was already, by a goodly margin, the all-time leading rebounder, girls or boys, in the history of the 16th Region. Now, she has become the all-time leading scorer, girls or boys, in the region. I have probably seen Emily play well over 100 games through the years. I can't recall a game in which she had a better all around performance. She has scored more and she has garnered more rebounds. But, overall, this has to be near the top. Very unselfish. All in all, a good overall performance by the team and much of the credit should go to Coach Euton and her assistants. Elliott County is no pushover when they are operating on all cylinders and they were doing so in this game.

This explanation of the "event" should settle any questions. Both Hans and Cash are class individuals. Whoever whined about the incident is not a class individual. Period.

Ridiculous. The coach did nothing wrong and "throwing" at another player is in the eyes of the beholder. Was the Lafayette player hit in the head? Did she have to leave the game? Was she injured? Shakespeare wrote about this type of overkill and it was called "Much Ado About Nothing". Neither the coach nor Kellie Cash should have had the "event" even mentioned to them. Ridiculous. By the way, why was Lafayette pressing. There are no 23 point shots available.

Don't overlook the venues of these two games. Both Memorial Coliseum and Veterans Memorial Fieldhouse were completed in 1950. Memorial Coliseum is the site where much of the great Kentucky tradition was built. The Baron ruled the area in and around the Avenue of Champions which included Memorial Coliseum. It is still a special place and is almost sacred to true UK fans. Rupp Arena, even with its special name, can't remotely touch the "House that Rupp built" or its predecessor, Alumni Gym, which is across the Avenue of Champions and down the street toward Limestone. However, no one should overlook the historical prominence of Veterans Memorial Fieldhouse, home for many years of the Marshall Thundering Herd. Legendary coach Cam Henderson "held court" there. Henderson was a true visionary and is credited with "inventing" the fast break. I am often accused of living in the past and it is a charge that I readily accept as true. The significance of these two historic venues should be realized by all basketball fans. I hope someone took time to tell all the kids who represented these two outstanding high schools of that history. There are few, if any, more significant facilities in college basketball.

Sorry I didn't see you there, Hoops Yoda. You are correct that there is no reason for these two teams to play in the next few years because HHS loses most all of its talent. As for the "storming" of the floor, I think it was motivated more by the revenge factor than by the respect factor. Scott County knocked HHS out of any chance of finishing #1 in the nation and that opportunity won't resurface for a long time- if ever- at HHS. That's not to say that HHS didn't respect Scott County but I don't think there is much chance that very many HHS people felt that SC was on their "level" as a team. HHS waltzed into Lexington expecting a decent game but, still, a win not too much unlike their win over LexCath. They left with their championship bubble permanently burst. Normally, such a shock makes most look for revenge which they got- even without their real primetimer. Neverless, the bubble is gone. The improved play of Patterson (which has been mentioned) and Taylor (which has been overlooked) made up for the absence of Mayo. Scott County is a fine team. However, HHS is better and I believe that, on a truly neutral floor and with Mayo, HHS, when they come out to play and not to just go through the motions, wins the large majority of the time.

There was a lot of discussion in the stands as to which group of coaches most resembled the Statesmen Quartet. However, after considerable debate, it was decided that Coach Pratt's contingent resembled the Sopranos, including Uncle Junior, whereas Coach Fraley and his group favored the Corleones with one in particular being a dead ringer for Luca Brasi.

This is a very impressive road win for Ashland.