Armchair Coach

I thought it was Brewers in 1948.

Stephens is a Senior. QUOTE=RedBlood]I wouldnt think this would be true.... I will take a guess at their starting lineup: Mayhew - Junior Stephens - Junior Billy Blanton - Senior Branham - Senior Selby - Junior Only 2 Seniors on starting lineup. Not sure of the rest of the team.

Shouldn't be a problem or excuse.Ashland has played on back to back nights five times previously this year.

I agree with most of what you say.I'm sure that Rex would be the first to acknowledge the contributions of the coaching staff.I disagree with the part about"playing your cards early"-You have to coach to win the game that is next on your schedule.There is no guarantee that RH and Fairview will meet in the first round of the district.Besides if Fairview hadn't played RH that way someone else would have.The coaches in the 16th are too good not to at least attempt what the Eagles did. it.I also agree that Rh is very young but they are also very seasoned.

Great game plan by Coach Cooksey.He had the Eagles in position for the win.RH hit some key shots especially Bush and Malloy.Two big offensive droughts in the second half hurt Fairview.Right now the 64th is by far the most competitive district in the 16th region with Rose Hill,Ashland and Boyd at the top and a Fairview team that is very capable of an upset.

For those of us old enough to remember Sikma you hit the nail on the head.

What was the starting 5 for Raceland?

I disagree.I think the guy that does the play by play has improved tremendously.The color man does a very good job.He knows the Russell team very well and unlike many announcers has watched many of the opposition teams and players.Many times I have heard him describe tendencies of players and teams that are very accurate.He seems to be knowledgeable about teams not only in the 16th region but statewide as well.

Generally speaking I believe everyone pulls together in the 16th for the most part with two glaring exceptions-Ashland(jeolousy,envy,"the arrogance of Ashland"-take your pick) and Rose Hill( envy or "they cheat" -take your pick).Notice I said Generally speaking -That doesn't mean everyone feels that way.

Rowan plays Madison Central.

The two tournaments are at least 3 weeks apart and Fairview which won the 16th region all a last year played in the Raceland tournament.

Final! First round of the AIT.

If the refs let them play this will be very physical.I look for Boyd to play well. They are the surprise of the 16th.

First round of the AIT.At Ashland.Gotta go with Ashland.

Gatorlover you are new to Bluegrass as evidenced by the tone of your post.As far as caring about what I think you must -it is easily detectable in your post.As far as Russell winning tomorrow night I hope they do but I realize that most people rightfully favor Mason.In the span of a few minutes you went from wishing Russell Good Luck to disrespecting them.If a team can't get respect after a 10-0 start they are going to have a difficult time attaining the respect that should be accorded to them.

Did McCarty play?

Russell can play with Mason.However if they commit 27 turnovers as they did tonight it could get ugly.

Remember he is only a Junior.

I do think you are trying to take something away from Russell.Remember Central played RH after a very disappointing loss to Warren Central-I doubt very seriously if the had the proper respect for Rose Hill.Here they were playing an undefeated Russell(9-0) team in the first round of a major tournament.Give Russell the proper credit.

Gee how in the world did Fairview only get beat by five at Russell with all the talent that Russell has.

In no particular order based on games as of 12/26-Van Hoose,McDavid,Burge,Thomas,Barker,Euton,Jackson,Daniels,Wolfenbarker and Ferguson. Others deserving mention would include Wilcox,Blanton,Selby,Branham,Gill,Robinson,Blair,Boyles,Sparks,Hollingsworth,Johnson,Haney,Ev. Faulkner,Haney,Ellison,Howard,Metz,Martin and Pettit.

Gee did anyone tell Boyd?

Again many good points but Russell had to shoot on the same rims for four games as did every other team in the tournament including Boone.Transistion is a big part of the Russell game.Listen I am not a Russell supporter so don't think that my views are biased in that way.I just believe that Russell has a better team.Boone is a quality team that would play well in the 16th but I don't believe they would be a top 3 team in the region.

While I agree with most of what you say I must disagree with your first sentence.Russell was the reason Boone fell behind 9-0.It wasn't because Boone wasn't "up" for the game. Just because you are down 9-0 doesn't mean you are flat.Boone was 7-0 and they were going against a 7-0 Russell team that is the number one team in the region.They were ready they just had trouble adjusting to what Russell was doing. Let me ask you this-Who would you take in a rematch?

This being Christmas Eve has a great deal to do with it.Also it is my understanding that the paper now operates with a earlier deadline.The Boyd tournament ended very late the past few nights.Also I did not see any of the Boyd scores in the Lexington Herald for the past two games(Scott and Fleming).Someone from Boyd needs to get those scores called in.