strongopenyon

How about 3 classes and a 4th class as the voluntary superclass.

Basketball talent is way down this year in Kentucky, and I think the diminishing Division I signees in the state continues. Football in the state is waking up!

In fact, Henry Clay lost seven three-year starters. Four of those have received Division I scholarships. It will be difficult to replace the likes of Simpson, Gardner, Hawkins, Johnson, Birch, Breen, and Allin.

My point exactly. NCH wins with or without O.J. in my opinion.

The sudden death format of regional and Sweet 16 tournaments make it uncomparable. I personally did not think this year's Sweet 16 was a well played tournament, but I am sure the folks from Jeffersontown would disagree. Something about the "one loss and done" format in March.

No doubt about far and away the greatest high school performance for me. Richie Farmer of Clay County "backed" Alan Houston of Ballard in for 50+ points in the state tournament at Rupp Arena. It was around the time the move "Hoosiers" came out and the performance sent chills down my spine!

This kid shows great leadership and maturity beyond his 18 years of age.

I really think Scott County might have a 1-2-3-4-5 punch. Matt Walls, Rodney Haddix, Bud Mackey, Jordan Lee, and a host of others filling in the 5 spot. This is a dynamite nucleus for next year in a tough 11th Region.

Well done summary. I really like the potential of Tyler Brown. He has an excellent shot and jumps very well. He is a very poor ballhandler at this point of his career, but that is one of the easiest things to work on. Big upside for this sophomore.

I don't at all think Darius Miller is overrated. As a matter of fact, I feel he was far and away the best future prospect in this year's Sweet Sixteen. He seems to be a passive player who needs to work on being consistently aggressive throughout the game. And then, the sky is the limit. P.S. Maybe Chris Loften can help Darius mentally get to the top. Chris certainly would be a fine mentor for Darius.

It seems to me that Louisville is only claimed by much of the rest of the state on the first Saturday in May. Sad but, I think, true.

I was not at all impressed with this year's tournament. Not that teams must score 100 points to entertain, but this was the lowest scoring output in a Sweet Sixteen tournament since 1949. And no, it is not superior defense. To make a general, blanket statement, these kids cannot shoot the basketball. There is no mid-range game at all. To the rim or a bomb from 3-point land! I have been going to the tournament since 1978 and I just did not enjoy the caliber of play in this year's tournament.

I think Mason County will win convincingly.

I'll give you Madison Central. They have nice balance and are playing well. Apollo will not handle pressure well. They will have a short life as a result.

Both Mason County and Madison Central looked great in their first round wins. The fact of the matter is, both teams played well enough to get to Rupp Arena, and both teams played well in their first round victories. I also think both teams have excellent chances of playing on Saturday. I say "ukbellco14" predictions are looking pretty good right now!

Mason County is my darkhorse. Maybe not quite an Edmonson County, but I think Dave Cantrell had them as the 11th ranked team in the tournament. For what it is worth, he had Covington Catholic #1. Wrong! It is not hard to root for this young Mason County team. I like what I see.

I hope South Laurel jumps out to an early lead. If not, it might become "stall ball" at Rupp Arena this afternoon.

After not being impressed with any team in today's Sweet 16 play, I feel this will be the year a long, long shot wins the State Tournament in Rupp Arena. Who will that darkhorse team be?

When you add the amazing stat of 29 offensive rebounds to the fact that two of the players doing the most damage on the offensive glass for Christian County were both well under 6 feet tall, that might be one of the most unique things I have seen in high school basketball. I was not impressed with any team today at the Sweet 16. I think this might be the year that a long, long shot wins the tournament.

Started his junior year until he hurt his shoulder and never played at UK again. Finished his schooling at Western Kentucky. Mike was a tremendous all-around athlete in his day! UK didn't work out for him. I hope Whitley County basketball does!

I am happy to see Covington Catholic in this year's Sweet 16. I hope all of their student body shows up in their cheering section. I have found them to be as entertaining as their basketball team!

Nice response and makes good sense.

You make a good point. He'll have a bulls-eye on his striped shirt the rest of his career, if he has one. Sounds like bullheadedness and poor legal advice.

Does anyone have an explanation of how Bud Mackey does not make the all-tournament team? It looks like two players were the most taken from each team and the fact that Scott County didn't win it and would get three, may be the reason. Walls and Haddix were also deserving. He has been arguably the best player on the floor each time I have seen Scott County this year.

Henry Clay lost a host of talented seniors, but still have some outstanding talent, especially in the skilled positions. I think the key to their season is to find replacements at quarterback and all five starting positions in the offensive line. That will be a monumental task for Coach Simpson to have a first year quarterback playing behind a totally inexperienced offensive line. They have talent in these positions, but it must be developed.