Red Shift

I think Russell may like playing away from home and without the expectancy of winning. They certainly seemed to play well last night and have played well away from the Furnace. It will be tough for the Devils to take Fairview inside. It was good to see Russell play well underneath last game, though they will be going up against better players on Friday. I think it will be tough to keep VanHoose quiet for all of the tournament, but if he's quiet again this game, it's much more likely that he won't get another chance. I don't look for the spread in this game to be any more than it was at Fairview last time these two met, and in fact, it should be closer. I still maintain that Russell has the chance to win this tournament - its hard to imagine this much talent going without at least a shot at going to the Sweet 16 - but they are the underdog. Fairview is probably the best team remaining, and even so they don't have the best athletes on a team in the region. If the Russell team shows up it will be an exciting game, if the Red Devil athletes show up, we will see some entertaining basketball, however Fairview should run away with it.

Gol. has a point by a point. Ashland lost to Fairview by 9 - their biggest margin of defeat to any team remaining. I have to agree with Rickyp at this point. Fairview is the favorite by a smidge, but my dark horse is Greenup Co. They have wins over Russell, Fairview, West Carter, and Rowan, and a very close loss to Ashland. Their loss to Elliot Co. came early in the season when they were still searching for their style. They are on a roll right now - but not a huge one - and nobody is really picking them. Again, however, the region is still anyone's for the taking.

There's already another thread. If the mods could merge the two, that would be great.

Russell has the chance to unravel on Tuesday or gain some confidence. I believe their toughest game (if both should win on Tuesday) would be against Fairview on Friday. If you will recall Fairview beat the Devils earlier this year. But if the Devils can shoot some free-throws - and they can shoot free-throws in the post season, see last year - they still have a chance to win. Everybody's jumping off the bandwagon, but this is still a very capable team that beat some good teams this year. Everyone also forgets that they played Ashland to the horn, and that they played Ironton very well, both without Kasey. This team is still very dangerous. The favorite has to be Fairview, however. They come into the tourny having beaten every team in it. The one time I have seen them play, they looked excellent on offense and more than acceptable on defense. If Rowan does beat the Red Devils, however, they probably have the best chance to beat Fairview with the game being there in Morehead and because of Rowan's recent success against the Eagles. It's hard to count any team out of this tournament, though. West Carter has proven to be a world beater, Ashland has been on a tear winning 7 of 8, I believe, and Greenup is a true threat to win, and is probably still under the RADAR, even though they are likely the 2nd or 3rd best team in the 16th Region Tournament. The only team I have trouble giving a vote of confidence to is Menifee County, but one never knows... It should prove to be an exciting week in Morehead. Good luck and safe travel to all!

Agreed, agreed, agreed, and agreed, Frances. (I think I put in one to many, so I'll just leave the last one in their as a complement to you.)

I wouldn't say Ashland was pushing the ball up the floor either, Frances. And Statmaster, the only time Russell really seemed to want to hold the ball was with just over 2 minutes left in the ball- game. Russell got the ball out of bounds with just over a minute and then Coach Dodd wanted to hold the ball. The Devil's then took a quick shot and missed, got the rebound, when they had an opportunity to hold it again, and missed. Ashland then came up the floor and made two free-throws, giving them what I believe was their first lead of the game at 38-36. That's when Russell came back and hit the three, and of course the buzzer-beater ensued. Ashland's defense really intensified in the fourth quarter, but it sure isn't to say that Russell should have won the ballgame. On the positive side for Russell, Sizemore had a big night- I believe he scored 12; and of course VanHoose was VanHoose. Certainly not the way you want to end the regular season, especially on Senior Night, but the Devils are definantly capable of ending the season with a 16th Region Championship. They now know what they must do.

Don't speak too soon... I've seen sicker dogs than this get better.

Why aren't they hitting all their free-throws? Why are they turning the ball over? Why are they letting Elliot score? Simple answer: I'm not there tonight!

VanHoose has 29 Blair 21

You're a busy man tonight onetoya.

Russell up 55-42 after 3.

Blair with the run-out 42-34 VanHoose then with the threee It's Good! 45-34

Devils are in lots foul trouble. Sizemore w/ 4 VanHoose w/3 Lavender w/3 Devils lead 40-34

Pat Clark had a big game for the Devils tonight as he scored 12 pts. VanHoose led the Devils with 18, I believe, though he went down late in the game with a slight ankle sprain. His status is, at this point, undetermined for the game against Greenup. Russell seemed to play very good defense (from what I could tell from the radio) and kept Bath County in check all evening.

I did the best I could for the Russell radio coverage. It would be great if you could correct me.

I wouldn't say that Russell won easily RR, but Russell did seem to be the better team, especially after the first quarter.

I don't have rebounding stats, but I would guess Russell cleaned up from the second quarter on. Russell was awakened after a 15-5 deficit stared them in the face at the end of the 1st.

Gill disappeared during the 3rd quarter, but came on strong at Crunch-time.

I caught Russell's scorers, but I may have messed up a couple from Scott. Russell: VanHoose 27 Gill 16 Clark 9 Simpson 4 Lavender 4 Blair 2 Scott: Howard 19 Miller 14 Sharper 9 Whitehead 6 Phelps 4 McCourt 3

A big weekend for the Devils after beating Ashland last night and Scott this afternoon. Stats to come.

Blair is playing. Russell gets a steal and VanHoose will go to the line. Converts the first, misses the second, Scott gets the rebound but Russell gets the ballgame 62-55.

21 seconds remain. Russell to inbound and Jared Simpson will be fouled and go to the line for 2. First is good, second is good. 61-55 Russell leads.

59-55 as Scott hits the three and calls a TO.

Russell comes up with 2 straight steals. They convert a bucket on the first and are fouled on the second. Russell leads 56-52 with two free-throws coming. Scott takes a TO. Russell's Simpson hits both. 58-52. Gill for Russell is fouled after a missed three-ball by Scott. I believe there are 30 seconds to go. Gill misses the first and hits the second.

Foul on Gill in the act of shooting. Makes the first with 1:04 remaining and does the same with the second. 52 all. Scott Gill gets the outlet, puts it up and in and is fouled.