Spin Doctor

It is ridiculous to hold the regional tournament at Powell County. According to the KHSAA by-laws, in order to host the regional tournament, a gym must fit 3 criteria. It has to seat 3500 people, have adequate parking for that number, and be centrally located in the region. According to these rules, the tournament should be rotated between Knott and Perry. The 14th Region is the only one in the state to rotate among 6 sites. My personal opinion is that Knott and Perry should be included. Breathitt is on the fringe. Letcher isn't big enough, Hazard does not have the parking, and Powell is definitely not centrally located.

In 2004, Perry Central beat the Hazard team that won the All-A Championship in the first round of the District Tournament at Leslie County. Perry Central also upset Hazard in 1997 at Perry Central. Hazard upset Dilce Combs again in 1994.

When University Heights had Lamont Barnes, Isiah Victor, Harold Swanagan, and Mauryio Buckner, Christian County beat them in the first game of the District. UHA was the favorite to win the State Tournament.

1st - Paducah Tilghman 2nd - Christian County 3rd - Muhlenberg North 4th - Warren Central 5th - Adair County 6th - P.R.P. 7th - Jeffersontown 8th - Anderson County 9th - Holmes 10th - George Rogers Clark 11th - Scott County 12th - Lincoln County 13th - Corbin 14th - Hazard 15th - Shelby Valley 16th - Elliott County Tiebreaker #1 - 7th Region Tiebreaker #2 - 16th Region

Michael Campbell is not playing for Hazard.

Final from Jackson.

Hazard defeated Buckhorn and Perry Co. Central to win the title at Leslie County on Saturday.

Final from the Charlie Hammonds Classic.

Final from Charlie Hammonds Classic. Knott Central 11-14 from behind the arc.

Final. Hazard lead 78-33 going into the 4th Quarter.

According to the Cantrell ratings, Hazard is the favorite.

Final. Hazard tried not to make it too ugly, but they couldn't.

Perry's JV played several juniors while Hazard played a lot of 7th and 8th graders. I think they started two 8th graders. It had to be a big blow to Perry to lose this game after leading by 12 early on.

Final score.

Final.

Final score.

Knott ran everything through Tate Cox. It looks like Stamper is going to be a complimentary player this year. It will be a tough adjustment for someone used to running everything through himself. Zack Mullins hit some big shots in the 4th quarter.

Whitaker had 44 points and 7 assists. He was 10-18 (2-2 3pt) from the field and 22-24 from the line. The 2nd miss was on a lane violation. Robert Warren added 18 points and 15 rebounds. Eric Stidham lead Buckhorn with 27 points. He scored 20 in the 4th (with 6 3's) to keep Buckhorn in the game.

Hazard will probably play 10 or 11 players night in night out.

Hazard did not have Michael Campbell (Starter), Cory Martin (Starter), Eric Back (Eligible in January), Josh Kidd, Allan Fugate, Jon Combs, B.J. Combs, Zach Blanton, and Todd Whitson. Their roster was made up of Whitaker, Warren, Jones, Jordan Olinger (8th), Austin Johnson (8th), Kyle Spencer (9th), Clint Clemons (11th), Justin Walker (10th), Ryan Whitaker (8th), and Jarrod Combs (8th).

Knott will be competitive, but without Brent Hall and losing "Buttermilk" Caudill to injury, they will be soft in the paint. Hatcher makes Perry a contender, but they don't look to have enough individual talent. Letcher is a darkhorse with 4 returning starters, but their guards are awefully small. Lee County has a proven scorer and post player but no guard play. Hazard is beatable, but the addition of Eric Back in January will fill a hole in their backcourt. My, far from expert, opinion would be: 1. Hazard 2. Knott Central 3. Perry Central 4. Letcher Central 5. Lee County

1. Hazard 2. Knott Central 3. Letcher Central 4. Perry Central 5. Lee County 6. Estill County 7. Powell County 8. Breathitt County 9. Cordia 10. June Buchanan 11. Buckhorn 12. Wolfe County 13. Leslie County 14. Owsley County 15. Jackson City 16. Jenkins 17. Riverside

I was just referring to this one game. I think he can be contained, but it would be difficult for anyone if he is making the outside shot like he was against Hazard.

I was more impressed with Guyn and Phares than Euton and Jackson in the championship game. Phares is quick and athletic around the goal and Guyn hit some big threes and was unstoppable going to the hoop. Jackson handled the ball well and is probably even quicker than he was last year.

Johnny Cox to Hazard from Fleming Neon. He lead Hazard to a State Championship in 1955 and U.K. to a National Title in 1958. Several players to University Heights over the last 20 years. Vondell Morton to Lexington Catholic in the early 1990s. Shannon Hoskins from M.C. Napier to Clay County in 1991. Mike Jones and Todd Cox (from Cawood) to Harlan in the mid-90s. Kenneal Jenkins to Madison Central from Hazard in 1997. Aaron Dunaway from Frankfort to Henry Clay in 2004.