devils58

There are a lot of unknowns for OHS, but what we do know is OHS has a ton of talent coming back. I agree with red and black and I think OHS will be a top 5 team. Bowling Green, Covington Catholic, and Highlands are going to be some monsters to get past, but I think OHS has the overall talent to run with any of those teams. A lot will depend on how the team meshes with the new staff and if what I'm hearing is true, the kids are really excited and embracing some of the changes. Can't wait to see how it shakes out. OHS will find out quickly as they'll go on the road the first game at Warren Central.

Catholic is going to have a very nice offense. I think the big question is the defense. When the Aces play upper echelon teams (ie OHS, Murray, Mayfield) that'll be the big question mark. OCath is extremely well coached, and the kids are almost always in positions to make plays. Beating OHS isn't important, but I think giving the Devils a good game is. Regardless of what happens, Murray and Mayfield are the beasts that'll be awaiting the Aces come playoff time. I see another stellar regular season for OCath. Hopefully they can pick up Evansville Mater Dei which will give them another quality opponent to prepare them for the post season. In order to make a run in the playoffs OCath must: 1- Stay healthy 2- Cut down the turnovers in playoff games 3- Force turnovers defensively 4- Make teams drive the length of the field to score 5- Get some touchdowns via special teams (ie Shamari Morton) I love OCaths potential and the staff, but I just don't think the Aces can get past the two roadblocks in Murray and Mayfield. Both of those teams posses the kryptonite that seems to do the Aces in every year. Power running and athleticism. And if Murray was bad enough, Mayfield is going to up the pot even more. 2A is pretty tough up top, but OCath is going to have another stellar year regardless.

Congrats to Moss! Is this a committable offer? Is it a walk on offer? 2015-16 is shaping up to be a big year on Tamarack Rd!

I have no idea why they moved the game away from the Owensboro Sportscenter. The game was well attended, well supported. It was there for two years in the early 2000s and I'll never forget Patrick Sparks putting on a show to lead Kentucky past Indiana. I also remember how talented Indiana was when they brought the Shawn May team down here. Bring the game back to Owensboro, watch the sponsors come aboard, and watch the seats fill up. I can promise that more than 800 people will show up to watch the game.

The 3rd region tournament is a great example of how regional tournaments should be ran if possible. They've done a great job a seeking sponsorships, and every school gets paid even if they didn't make the regional tournment. It's a win-win for everyone involved, and the kids get to play in a 5000 seat venue on a college sized floor. I hope the 3rd region tournament stays at the Sportscenter forever or until Owensboro builds a new arena one day.

Justin Miller from Owensboro High played for the Jets and Raiders. He made the Pro Bowl and won the NFL Fastest man competition in 2007. I believe Miller was a 2nd round draft pick. http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-videos/0ap2000000313202/2007-Pro-Bowl-Fastest-Man-competition

I understand why all these transfers happen. People move or parents feel that their kids can be better off at another school. I'm not against the idea of doing what's best for your kid. Heck, as a parent, I'm going to do everything I can to make sure my kid has the opportunity for success in academics and athletics. However......I do feel that the high number of transfers has taken some of the purity out of the high school game. Gone are the days when kids went to a certain school just because they live in the district. The rise of "super programs" around the state have complicated things. What we have now is an environment where the small schools and communities have the deck even more stacked against them. Some schools in Kentucky are basically prep schools and we can debate the "R" word, but kids are still transferring to high profile programs. I dont know the solution. I think the best thought I can come up with is this: If your school is going to field a team and you wish to be competitive, take it seriously. Hire the best coaches, give them the best resources possible, and let the chips fall where they may. Great coaching staffs draw good players. Start there.

Best. Article. Ever. I'm not sure OHS does well, but I got a good laugh.

RIP PurpleHaze. I had the pleasure of meeting Michael and his wife on a couple of occasions down in BG. While I've never liked the Purples, Mr. Drake made it awfully hard to hate the Purple and Gold. He and his wife were 1st class all the way, and I pray God's peace and comfort over the Drake family during this time of grieving.

Update: OHS has moved up to #23 in the nation in this weeks USA Today super 25!!

The Messenger-Inquirer has been great to OHS this year. They've provided exceptional coverage of the state football runner ups and the state championship basketball teams. Jim Pickens is a local writing legend.mark Mathis is good too. Can't complain about the MI at all

Well this is an interesting thread. I'll say that I've seen some good teams this year. Doss, Henderson County, Bowling Green, Hopkinsville, Cov Cath, and Trinity stand out right off the top of my head as really good teams that OHS has played. When clicking, Apollo's starting 5 was about as nasty as they came as well. Many teams across the Commonwealth have had great seasons. I've watched great OHS teams lose at the State tournament and therefore they weren't the best teams those particular years. It'd been 35 years and I was wondering if OHS would ever get it done again, but Rod Drake never wavered. Hell, I still think OHS' football team was better than Highlands but the Birds have the 2014 4A trophy and that's all that matters. We can debate on who would win a 7 game series and we'd all never truly agree on who that team would be. I know this: OHS presents some pretty bad matchups for most team due to their size. I think Trinity gave OHS fits cause they matched up inside and was able to force OHS' guards into turnovers. However, OHS' guards came along and those turnovers went away vs teams like Hoptown, Cov Cath, and BG. In a one game scenario anything is possible. But what we do know is that OHS is the 2015 KHSAA State Basketball Champs and the rest is speculation!

USA Today screams that they're #24 , and that's all I need to know. Keep in mind, many of those other schools are prep schools so it's a little unfair to compare OHS to them. Even some that aren't labeled as prep schools, operate in the same manner. If OHS gets good guard play, they can match up with almost anyone outside of Oak Hill. It's the depth that would get OHS in trouble.

Here's another factoid for you my fellow Red Devil. OHS has 2 former players that sit in the 1000 point club at UK. Bobby Watson and Cliff Hagan. When the clock hit 0.0 Sunday and the OHS kids got the trophy, I looked up in the rafters and saw Cliff Hagan's jersey hanging there. I can't describe it man. It was awesome. All the guys who came before us and laid the foundation in OHS athletics. So many. We'd literally have to create a whole new thread, lol. :taz:

The team that saved class basketball in Kentucky! Go Edmonson. We have a running joke on "The Homers" where we call them the Edmonson County Sharpshooters. We're huge wrestling fans and since the Hart family (Brett Hart, Owen Hart) were from Edmonton Alberta Canada, we've changed their name. Every time we say Edmonson County, we cue the Brett Hart theme. It's always fun to see those guys at the Sportscenter come regional tournament time!

I think OHS was overlooked most of the year in Kentucky. Granted OHS didn't help their cause when they laid another egg against Trinity, but that game helped serve as a much needed wakeup call for OHS, especially the guards. OHS led Doss most of the game at the KOB, and lost when starting PG Jacoby Harris went out in the 4th quarter with and injury. Harris did not play the next game as OHS lost a 17 point lead to Wayne County as they hit something like 15 3's to beat OHS. I'm not going to pretend that I know about all these teams nationally. However, I do think it's awesome for OHS to be the in same poll as teams like Oak Hill and Montverde. Keep in mind guys, if a couple of players (Eli Wright and Marshall Griffith) stayed in the city school system, OHS couldve been a top 10 nationally ranked team this year. I'll take this result any day of the week and it brings a smile to my face knowing what these kids accomplished for themselves, OHS, the city of Owensboro, and now the state of Kentucky. FWIW...Evansville Reitz checks in at #23 . That would've been a great regular season matchup! Reitz is killing people this year.

Great article PurplePride!!! Thanks for all the work you've put in on BGP. You're right. WKY athletics is on the upswing, and it's a pleasure to see.

Gotta share this video that my guy, Brandon Ward, at The Homers made:

First, I want to say congrats to Bowling Green for a fine season. As a matter of fact, a fine two seasons! As much of a rival as the Purples are, there is a TON of mutual respect between OHS and BG and a ton of heartbreaking wins and losses on both sides. I'll step out on a limb and say there will be many more to come in multiple sports. BG has elevated its athletics in all sports and in some ways, it's forced OHS to do the same. Congrats BG! It's a day removed and I'm still not sure that it's completely sunk in yet. As a lifelong Red Devil (born, raised, played, and watched) yesterday was amazing. I honestly can't come up with the proper words or superlatives to describe this team and how I felt when the clock hit 0.0 at Rupp. First and foremost, I'm so proud of Rod Drake. When Rod took over his first year, OHS was upset by Muhlenberg North on a banked 3 from the corner, and when this group was sophomores, Ohio County upset them in the regional. People talked, but Rod stood steadfast on his beliefs and his experience of what it takes to get to the mountain top. Yesterday, OHS reached that mountain top and boy was it sweet. Rod Drake is OHS, OHS is tradition and as we like to say in the boro......"We are Owensboro!" This group of seniors was a great group to watch develop. Each guy knew his role and they perfected their roles over their high school careers. Even when Justin Miller joined the group his sophomore year, he'd already been playing with these guys in AAU ball since 7th grade. The chemistry was already there and more importantly, they were family. Not twitter "fam" but legitimate brothers. I know that these kids will be successful. Aric Holman is going to do huge things and may be making a ton of money one day if he works hard enough. Justin Miller received his 1st D1 offer from Coppin State. Airius Phillips, Dylan Sanford, and Darrion Morrow have great attitudes, work ethic, and a drive to succeed both in the classroom and on the court. 35 years is a very long time between state titles. I've seen OHS teams very capable of winning it all, come up short at the state tournament. It's a testament to how hard it is to actually win the state championship in Kentucky. OHS now has done it 5 times (I don't care what the KHSAA says, 1917 counts). I told my son last night at Rupp Arena that this championship was won not from these kids putting on the OHS jersey and stepping on the floor, but by the amount of work they put in when nobody was watching. Greatness happens in big time settings, but greatness can't be achieved without the grind. There is no shortcut, and I can't be any more proud of these kids, Rod Drake, and to be an OHS alum. Owensboro High School 2015 KHSAA State Basketball Champs #FILD

WKY!!! The western part of the state doesn't get much press but diehard high school fans know the potential on this side of the state. OHS has a tradition that's second to none and the Hoptown area has produced a ton of great teams. Warren central has had some powerhouses and bg is coming around. Henderson had a fine season as well. Yes, high school athletics exist west of i65. It's time for WKY schools to step up and be a force year in and year out.

Hoptown looked really good today. Taylor County likes to play up tempo basketball, but that played right into Hoptown's hands. Taylor County will be back next year and the beat rolls on for Hoptown, who's been to 4 straight sweet 16s. Owensboro will have to play much better against Hoptown than they did today or Hoptown will cruise into the final 4. Can't wait till Friday!

Nice win for OHS. I thought Collins was well coached, and they just flat missed some open looks. I'm not trying to rag on Collins but they'd be the 4th best team in the 9th district. I guess some folks were excited to see them make it, but it was a bad matchup for the Titans all the way. While Collins didnt shoot the ball well, OHS didnt set the world on fire from 3 either. Justin Miller for OHS showed his steady leadership and Aric Holman finally came around in the second half to help OHS pull away. I'm very pleased with Darrion Morrow. He wasn't hitting the 3 ball so he drove to the basket and either scored or got foul shots. All in all, it wasn't the best performance for OHS but moving on is all that matter at this point. OHS will need to play WAY BETTER in order to beat Taylor Co. or Hoptown. Can't wait till Friday mornin'! Go Devils! #FILD

I've heard that OHS has sold their allotment of tickets. I doubt I'll be able to make it though, but I'll still be rooting hard for the Devils!

Lol. Is this guy serious? :ohbrother: Tradition. Name the sport. OHS has it.

Rod Drake is pretty laid back. However, oncet the regional tourney started, he's been up off the bench and vey enthusiastic. I think drakes approach for the season has been to not get over emotional and to let the kids work through different situations that came up. The last 3 games Drake is coaching with the fire of pitino or calipari. I think this is the final 100 meters of a mile race and he's kicking in with all he's got. Keep in mind in OHS' 2 losses at KOB they led Doss until starting PG Jacoby Harris was injured in the 4th and played against Wayne County without Harris. OHS still let a 15 point lead slip away in that game. It's nice to see so much talk about the OHS-Collins game. We've even gotten to the point of comparing schedules, which I love! No matter what we say, we're about to find out Wednesday morning what's gonna happen. Both teams have had great seasons. It's always nice to get to Rupp but OHS is looking to win this thing and I know the coaches, players, and Red Devil Nation will be extremely disappointed if OHS isn't playing on Saturday. Can't wait!!! #FILD