Bailey Howell

One of the best to do it!

Good luck to Coach Groves.

Any update?

Most impactful player in girls basketball history

13 hours ago, DevilMayCare said:

Tough way to go out for the Devils. McCracken is a really good team, but Russell has to walk away from this with a bad taste in its mouth, knowing they're capable of much more. It sounded like they had plenty of good looks offensively, but couldn't find the bottom of the net. Shooting 2/19 from three won't get it done in the state tournament. 

I've drifted in and out of following Russell over the last few years. I was mostly "in" this season and enjoyed every minute of it. Russell girls basketball couldn't be in better hands than those of Mandy Layne. 

It's hard to believe today was the final chapter in Shaelyn Steele's career in the maroon and gold. Best girls player ever to come through there and arguably the best basketball player, period. She's cast a long shadow and created a legacy that hopefully inspires future Lady Devils to strive for the same greatness. 

When you shoot bad, everything else is magnified in a bad way. Great season though for the Lady Devils. Steele had a great career, nut Regina Carroll is the best player ever at Russell, boys or girls. She gets inducted into the KHSAA Hall of Fame this year.

Anyone have the rankings for the 16 teams going to Rupp?

Championship for Mandy Layne ties her for third on the all-time list with Claudia  Hicks (Rowan), Connie Green (Ashland), Bill Bradley (Ashland)

Darnell carries Russell early with Steele struggling. Russell played perfect final 3:00of game , taking care of basketball. Ashland had a great season. 

Yes, the last two meetings in the Regional both came down to the last :30, with the Kittens coming on top.

Have any stats?

On 3/1/2024 at 12:45 PM, 16thBBall Fan said:

Actually, we are both wrong in going back and looking at the game stat on the KHSAA Scoreboard it is 4 CAL, Anderson, Mont. Co., and Russell. She played vs. Cooper in the loss and scored 19 points and she played the next day in their 2 point win over Ryle where she scored 21.

Good get on your part.

19 hours ago, TribeTime said:

Semi Final Monday could be some high level basketball. Ashland vs. Rowan and Fleming/Morgan vs. Boyd. 

Could be a "don't miss" night in the semis if all of the favorites win first round.

On 3/2/2024 at 2:23 PM, The Double Deuce said:

So even without their PG, Pete's girls will make the final, right?  Will play the winner of Ashland and Russell?

Yes one of the three will be champs, once again:

2011 Boyd, 2012 Ashland, 2013 Ashland, 2014 Ashland, 2015 Ashland, 2016 Russell, 2017 Boyd, 2018 Boyd, 2019 Boyd, 2020 Russell, 2021 Russell, 2022 Boyd, 2023 Ashland. Plus, for all these years, except for a few, one of the three has been the runner-up.

On 3/2/2024 at 1:57 PM, 16thBBall Fan said:

The 16th had their draw this morning at Morehead. 

For the 3rd straight season Ashland and Russell two of the top teams in the region are on the same side of the bracket.

The tournament begins on Monday with Ashland taking on Rowan Co. at 6:00pm followed by Russell vs. Elliott Co. The bottom bracket plays on Tuesday night with Boyd Co. taking on Morgan Co. at 6:00pm followed by Fleming Co. vs. Raceland.

The semis for the girls is on Friday, March 8 and the Championship is on Saturday, March 9th.

Yes, Ashland has won the last two in very tight games.

11 hours ago, 16thBBall Fan said:

They lost 2 

I was wrong , it was actually 5, not 2. CAL, Anderson Co., Cooper, Montgomery Co., Russell. Just shows , again, how crucial a PG is. 

You lose your all-area PG, it's pretty much over. I think Ashland lost 3 or 4 games when Woods was out.

Byars is the 32nd ranked player in the country 

A fade away from the three by Dillinghamwith a guy in his face wasn't a good shot, but credit him for hitting it. But then he doesn't block his man out and he tips in the game winner. Fundamentals.

24 minutes ago, The Double Deuce said:

I would have loved to have seen Boyd at this point at full strength.  In their current state, as much as I LOVE Pete and how he runs his program, I don't think they are a factor.  Hope I'm wrong.

Russell has the best player, in my opinion, but Ashland has some real toughness (and a lot of emotion coming from that bench), and I think the Kittens will be a tough out in the 16th if everyone is playing.  

Spot on.

Looks like same three teams will vie for title. Been that way since 2011.

Champions 

2011 Boyd Co, 2012 Ashland, 2013 Ashland, 2014 Ashland, 2015 Ashland, 2016 Russell. 2017 Boyd Co, 2018 Boyd Co., 2019 Boyd Co., 2020 Russell, 2021 Russell, 2022 Boyd Co., 2023 Ashland

Anyone know the date of the draw?

Boyd's PG got hurt in third quarter and never went back in. Was like an 8 point game at the time.  Kittens rolled from that point on.

Great game. Michigan's O and D lines won the game.

Heard he resigned. Great coach. Hate to see him leave.

Who are top five teams in 16th Region softball this upcoming season?