Adrian Woj Burner

THIS!!!! Personally, I grew up as a huge Lebron fan (yeah, I'm a young gun get over it) and I was watching every game that I possibly could of him on TV. The year after they won their first ring in Miami, I was given tickets to go watch them play in Indianapolis. This was really before "load management" was really a thing, but I could not imagine how sad I would have been had he not played in that game. Since then, I have been to many NBA games, and if you haven't I highly recommend you go (whether you like it or not, it is unreal to watch in person). Luckily, I have had the opportunity to watch many of today's stars in person, and I have yet to been plagued with the "load management" bug while attending a game. Charles Barkley did an interview a few days ago on former NBA shooting guard JJ Redick's podcast The Old Man & the Three, and he covered this perfectly. He has the exact same complaints that us casuals do, and also made one phenomenal point in it. Barkley said, "Steel mill workers don't just take a day off if they're scheduled to work because they are tired... they get up and go do it and push right through the pain. And those steel mill workers make nothing compared to what these guys are making today in the NBA." Growing up around many people that have worked in these factories, it really hit close to home. He also went on to talk about the NBA pay, and said that after their next media deal which is coming up in the next couple years I believe, that guys will be making close to $50 million a year. It is unreal how far the game has come in terms of their market. Redick's podcast also does a great job at getting the "casual viewer" to really understand the game. Today you will hear many middle-age people claim that "it is soft, there isn't as much physicality", and he really breaks down the game and shows ways around this. He also interviews many active players, and shows some great behind the scenes of the game. I listen to every episode he releases, and high recommend anyone checking it out if you never have!

When: Wednesday, March 1, 8:00 pm Where: Henry County High School There is no doubt that the first night of the region is the better of the 2 quarterfinal nights. Along with the game before, this is another good one. This game is by far going to have the most talent on the floor in the tournament. With John McCrear back, there will be 3 D1 basketball players on the court with McCrear, Jasper Johnson, and Teagan Moore. This will be the 3rd time ever that the 2 schools have met each other, and the 1st time since 2017. They have split the 2 games. Woodford County has found their groove as of late, and thanks with the return of McCrear they defeated Collins to win the 30th District Tournament. The Yellow Jackets are led by Jasper Johnson, averaging 21.7 ppg and shooting over 40% from 3. Owen County is led by region POTY Teagan Moore. He has had one of the best high school careers in regional history. This year he is averaging 31.7 ppg, 11.1 rpg, and is shooting 63.1% from the field, 41.1% from 3, and 83.5% from the line. I see Owen County struggling against all of Woodford’s athleticism in this game. Give me the Yellow Jackets by 10 or so. Another big key in this game is the usage of Woodford County forward John McCrear. If he is fully healthy and playing majority of the game, I don't see Owen County being able to keep up in the scoring column. If he is limited, it might allow Owen to go on some runs and keep it a tight contest. Interested to see how this one pans out, also intrigued to watch all of this top-notch talent collide!

When: Wednesday, March 1, 6:30 pm Where: Henry County High School What a great game to kick off the regional tournament. 2 of the best teams in the region all year, and both currently being ranked top-20 in the state. The 2 schools have only met 4 times ever, with North Oldham winning 3 out of 4. The 2 teams met late this season at Grant County, with North Oldham winning the tight contest 53-47. North Oldham in my opinion has 3 of the best 4 players in the game. Dallas Roberts, Ian Higdon, and Luke Anderson all were selected to the all-region team, and it is well deserved. All 3 players make a huge impact on every game and show up almost every night. Grant County is led by one of the best players in the region, senior forward Dylan Hammonds. The never-ending motor in Hammonds has him averaging 26 ppg while grabbing 13.3 rpg. One issue with Hammonds game and Grant County is that they struggle against teams with good height. North Oldham has plenty of height and use it very well. Unless Grant County shoots better than they have for much of the season, I see North Oldham winning this one by 10-15. Although my prediction states what it does, I wouldn't count Grant County out. They play stifling defense, something that comes up big in March basketball. Not to mention that they have one of the best players in the region that has proven he is capable of going off for a 40 and 20 kind of night. This game will come down to teh big men of North Oldham, and the performance of Grant's surrounding cast outside of Hammonds.

They are fine facilities and locations, but the capacities would really worry me. Like you and I both have mentioned already in this thread, there just isn't that gym that sticks out and is a great spot to host. If Henry County was not built forever ago, the 8th would be in the same spot. Moving it away from NKU would be great for the atmosphere of the tournament, but until a new gymnasium is built with the capabilities of holding over 4,000 fans I don't foresee it happening.

Now that I am thinking about it, I am not sure that there is a gym within the 9th Region to host the tournament. In the 8th, Henry County holds 5,000+ and on semifinal night it is hard to find a seat most years! I looked it up and Holmes only holds around 3,000. That could be a recipe for disaster.

In my opinion, any region not on a high school gymnasium just is not the same. Those places are built for bigger crowds than high school basketball can bring (majority of the time), making the environment just meh. The atmosphere in the regional tournament in a high school gym is like no other. With the same amount of people, it is just wayyy louder with the gym being smaller. Thank goodness there is no alternative arena within the 8th Region to change the host of it!

Here would be my schedule (granite I have no ruling, and that is with fair reasoning) Girls quarterfinals (all 4 games): Feb 26 Girls semifinals (both games): Feb 27 Girls finals: March 1 Boys quarterfinals: March 3rd and 4th Boys semifinals: March 5 Boys finals March 7

I wondered the same thing. The best idea would to get the girls bracket out of the way since they play the state tournament first, and then do the boys next.

I think I might have to get some ice on them tonight before hitting the bed.

The fingers were feeling good there at the end lol!

Lloyd's coach after the game: "It means a lot, they counted us out early... even in this game and we just kept fighting... (Conner) is a great team with a great coach"

Kramer's half-court shot bounces off the rim at the buzzer to tie the game. Lloyd wins.

Makes the second.

Makes the first

4.1 seconds to go, Israel at the line for Lloyd with a one point lead

Smart move by Conner. Gets the delay of game warning to stop the clock.

5.7 to go, Lloyd will inbound the ball under Conner's basket.

Kramer with the follow up on the missed 3-pointer. 53-51 Lloyd

Hits the second, 3 point game with 20 to go

Hits the first

Sebastian for Lloyd at the line for the double bonus. Has a chance to spread their lead to 3 points.

Timeout, not sure on the exact time but it should be around 35 seconds. WHAT A GAME!

3-pointer by Conner, 52-51 Lloyd ball.

Hits them both, 52-48 Lloyd with 40 seconds to go

50-48 Lloyd with around 1 minute to go. Lloyd at the line for the double bonus.