dolamite

Beckham I meant, sorry for the type-o

:thumb: Cannot argue that. From everything I have seen and heard about East Ridges is that they may surprise some people next year. Pretty sure they have most of the core coming back, and if they can get used to the coaching change and respond to it, then they should compete. They have a couple speedy guards in Williams and Fields, however, they are both undersized (maybe not for the 15th). East Ridge also has some size down low with Jake McClanahan who is one of the biggest in the region, however, Jacob's work ethic is something that has been in question throughout his years there. Know from reliable people in and around the program that Jake had the chance to attend UK's elite camp for the past two years and declined, as well as declined a spot he was offered for one of Indiana Elite AAU teams. I'm not saying he would have been playing with Dominique Ferguson or anything, but they have like 5-10 different teams that travel, and he was offered to go with them to Vegas, Florida, etc. He's pretty quick for his size, but like I said so far his heads just not been into basketball. If that changes, then East Ridge could be one the of the few teams in the region who can match up with the size of Shelby Valley. So to sum it up, I believe they will be a better team next year than they were last. Raymond Justice has been there before and he has hung a couple of banners. He will get the most of his players, and that includes McClanahan. In the words of Randy McCoy, that is the best thing that has happened to Jake so far. If Jake will not get after it for Justice, then he won't for anyone. They lost a couple of guys, but in most part it was nothing they cannot replace. They lost a kid who seemed to throw up twenty shots a game to only hit one or two. They'll likely replace those shots for a better percentage. They did lose a hustle guy with some size, who scored nicely in the paint, and had some range, but again nothing they cannot replace. They will be better next year, but as someone alluded to, on paper SV should not get beat.

Jaylen Beckhad Elijah Justice Chad Jackson

Article I wrote on Harper http://www.makavellisports.blogspot.com

He has some game, and seems to have the attitude to go with it, so we should be seeing him in the bigs in the future. A lot of guys get hyped like this in high school and turn out career long minor leaguers, but Bryce seems to be the real deal. Has a 96 mph fastball, has hit a ball 520, and is a just a sophomore in high school. That's pretty good. Not too mention they're saying he has better bat speed then Mark McGwire in his prime. :eek:

That's what I have been hearing.

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One of my best friends and roommate in college fell victim to the burnout syndrome so yes it can happen. He was Region Player of the Year and All State first teamer. Could have went full ride to a few D-1 schools, but his decision was going to be either for EKU or Western. During that spring, and before signing anywhere he decided he just wanted to go be a normal college student, and do things outside of basketball. To this day I have never heard him say anything about any kind of regrets.

Lot of good point guards but Elijah Justice gets the nod for me. He creates so many things and rarely makes a mistake and thats the sign of a good true PG IMO. I mean he almost always plays mistake free. Furthermore he plays within himself and doesn't try to do too much, but when he has to take the game over he can and has done so numerous times this season. Can torch the nets from outside.

Nice. Pat Forde really seems to enjoy covering this Elliot County team. Just goes to show that if any sports fan gets this close to Kentucky basketball, then its hard to walk away from it.

Reminds me of the old "Cornfield Spread".

I made it to the game tonight at the Eastern Kentucky Expo center, and as impressed as I was from Glen Rice Jr. (with his court vision and picture perfect passes), I was that much more impressed with Shelby Valley. They are really for real and I went into tonight just thinking they were only tops in the 15th, but after tonight its clear they are to be taken seriously state wide. Elijah Justice is hands down one of the best point guards in the state and its clear why he gets invited to UK and Florida's Elite Camps. Word is Donovan is really high on him. This Valley team finally has something most typical mountain teams don't; Size and athleticism which normally cause the mountain teams to be a step behind at Rupp. They are a contender to hang the big banner without a doubt, and I see no team in the 15th even being able to touch them.

Tough to see Belfry and P'burg no longer playing.

Which is better????? One State Champion? Or Six? I mean it is evident why Kentucky's Sweet 16 is perhaps one of the greatest prep championships in all the land. I mean who would tune into the BCS if all the winners were national champs? That's why the BCS National Championship is great (most cases one champion/I know college football was a poor example but work with me haha) and certainly why the Sweet 16 is even better. One state, one sport, one champion...... Long live the Sweet 16 in Kentucky !!!!!! All of this of course aside from the All-A. :thumb:

Congrats to PRP and a great season they are having. http://highschool.rivals.com/viewrankhs.asp?ra_key=367

East Ridge has had a different helmet design in practically every year of the school since it has been around starting in 02'. The first one in the 02' season was probably the sweetest. It was a Columbia or Carolina Blue helmet with a Navy/White accented authentic Florida State spear on both sides with either a white or navy facemask (not sure). It looked really good being it was basically the Florida State helmet with only a different color combination (carolina blue with navy/white spear), The Carolina replaced the gold of the FSU helmet while navy subsituted for the marron on the FSU spear, the white detail stayed the same. I'll try and find a pick. In the years following they have went from everything from a ER interlocking logo similar but not same as that of UK's interlocking logo, to even changing to a Navy helmet with the Alabama scheme (just numbers on the sides). I think one year they just went plain navy with white face mask. I would love to see a return to the Florida State though. For those who don't know the ER mascot is Warriors so the FSU theme fits nicely. If I am not mistaken I think Pulaski SW uses the FSU logo???? Am I right on this one?

Looks pretty good as a whole but like you mentioned geographically could be flawed in some areas. The highlighted would be the biggest. For example East Ridge in the highlighted area would be looking at two and a half to four hours worth of bus rides to every other team in that district.

Would be nice to see Ryle get something going in the bottom half of the second. Can't get in a hole early against Elder.

Should be a great game between two power programs. Would love to see the Kentucky team take it but Elder probably has the advantage and should take the win.

Didn't East Ridge beat JC by about ten in the two's only meeting this season? Just looking on KHSAA's site, I haven't got to see either team this year. Just makes me wonder being everyone is so confident in JC when they lost the only meeting earlier in the season. I know Paintsville is good, and from the sounds of it BMR is going out along with his cast of seniors who have been talked about for a while, but like Led Zeppelin the Song remains the same. SV has owned the 15th region this decade and I see no reason why it is going to be so easy to change.

Big upset for Pikeville, and you have to feel bad for those Panther fans. Ever since East Ridge came into the mix it has been a struggle for the Panthers to even make it in the Regional Tournament, but since making the most of last years trip they had some pretty high hopes for this season.

Not really the case at all. They really want to be super competitive in every sport, they just haven't got everything together yet. Softball has always been very good since the school's foundation, finally making it to the state tournament after several near misses. The first few baseball teams were also pretty solid winning 20+ games, with Volleyball also with some slight success. However, a lot of emphasis is placed on basketball up there being two of the feeding high schools didn't have a football team, and only had minimal success ever if any on the diamond. Adding to that was a quick trip to Rupp in the school's second year. Looks good to say they are just a basketball school and only want that, when really they would love more than anything to have top caliber clubs in every sport girls and boys. The reality is that the athletes are there, it is more of just a case of getting a lot of pieces in order.

There are so many people in the East Ridge community who would love to see things get on track there with the football program and from what I have seen they are patient enough to let things work out. IMO it will take at least three years out of the same coach to get things really headed in the right direction. Like said, the community, school, etc. will be behind the boys regardless if they win two games or eight, now the only thing to do is find someone who will be commited to growing a team rather than just trying to make a miracle turnaround in one season. There is plenty of young talent in that system, the facilities at East Ridge are nice, all they need is someone ready to get some tradition started and be able to do so for 3+ years without the fear of being pushed out.

My thoughts and prayers go out.

Two runs should have counted, and as All Tell aluded to, the opposing coach should have appealed immediately after the play and the call should have been made before the next pitch. I'm not an umpire, or am I for certain about all of this but I'm pretty sure that's how it should have been. Sounds like the KHSAA may be looking to have someone's job assuming this is brought to their attention. :ssh: Reminds me of an 11-12 year old all-star game I played in when I was younger. My team was down by three and a player on my team crushes a three run homerun to tie the ball game. Well all of a sudden the opposing team's coach gets a ball from their dugout, throws it to the pitcher, the pitcher then tosses it to first base. The umpire then calls the guy who hit the homer out saying he didn't touch first (when really he literally tripped over first base and nearly fell while circling the bases). This was a great case of getting the shaft, we eventually lost by that one run.