Armchair Coach

I love the 16th region and always root for the region when we play someone out of the region.Having said that I think we would have a very difficult time matching up most regions in the state.I make this observation after watching an extensive amount of basketball(Both regular season and AAU) the past 5-6 years.I will say that I believe we have an exceptional group of 9/10th graders in the region this year.

Scooter - I agree with the above statement completely.But I hope you aren't disparaging the Georgetown Tiger basketball program.There are several members of that team that IMO would make solid contributions at high profile D-1 schools

Too much D from Russell for Ashland to have a chance.Look for Clark to go for 120 plus yards and a couple of tds. Russell 27 Ashland 14

Blair may prove to be an excellent point and Gill may do the same at center.However based on past accomplishments I wouldn't place them their yet.Besides I don't see Blair playing a "true point" VanHoose will do a great deal of the ballhandling and Russell usually has at least 4 that share the ball equally.

Barker(PG) Fairview 5'9"-excellent Floor general. VanHoose(Shooting Guard) Russell 6'4"-best range in the region.#1 College prospect. Ferguson(Small Forward) 6'2"(Elliott)/McDavid(Small Forward) 6'3" (Ashland)-Can't go wrong with either one.Both have their strengths/weaknesses. Euton 6'6"(Rose Hill) (Power Forward)-Great range has improved inside game tremendously. Haney(Center) 6'4"(Morgan Co)- will be the 5 man after playing the 4 last year.An absolute bull -very strong. Now you may ask "Where is Daniels(6'4" Rowan Co.)?Good Question.But remember the question was for a starting 5 not the best 5.If we took the best 5 Daniels would have to be #2 or 3.

VanHoose will be a fine collegiate player.He made giant strides this summer against top notch competition.He is what is referred to as "long"(6'4"),has excellent range,makes good court decisions and has improved his ball handling and strength over the summer.Having said that I doubt that he will avg. as much as he did last year.Russell will have a healthy Austin Blair,an improved Scott Gill and transfer Austin Robinson that all will avg. close to double figures if not more.

Look for Mandy Sterling Layne to be the head Coach at Fairview next year.

RAO9-You seem to know a lot about these teams.Could you tell us about any players that play for the Eddie Ford teams(Other than the ones previously mentioned).

Has South Laurel played in any tournaments yet?If so when and where?How did they do?

Can anyone list the rosters for the Eddie Ford all star 16u and 17u teams?It is my understanding that each age group has two teams.

Was it played this past Saturday?if so can someone fill me in on what happened?If not when will the game be played?

I completely disagree with you but that subject probably needs its own thread.For right now we should perhaps agree to disagree and congratulate Catholic on a job well done.

While Catholic is an excellent team I hope that last statement was in jest.

1975.

That was a very nice compliment Rickyp and one I'm sure Alex will appreciate.I do know that he still has good feelings about his time at RH.That was a heck of a middle school team(Barker,Taylor,Blair,VanHoose,Williams and Thomas) they had (winning the state middle school tournament over a very good South Laurel team in 2003). Just think if the current group of 8th graders(Euton,Jackson,Bair) would have played a middle school schedule what might have been accomplished.

Kinglion don't count the Eagles out for the future.They have a very solid 8th grade class.Next year might be a little early for them but my the time they are sophomores/juniors they should be tough.I also think you are severely underestimating your Lions.With Moore,Blanton,Branham and Selby back they should be strong.Look for Blanton to have a big year.

These teams could easily meet again a week from tonight in Morehead. Masterful job of coaching by Rex Cooksey.His players know their roles better than anyone in the region.They(the players) for the most part play within themselves and don't try to do thing they aren't capable of doing. Black-Great touch,tough rebounder and very gritty.(had to be MVP for the 64th tournament). Bayless-A real banger,compliments Black well.Surprisingly good interior passer. Hutchinson-Hard nosed ,good shooter can and will take people off the dribble. Holbrook-Very good spot up shooter,scored 6 straight late against Boyd that were huge. Barker-consummate point guard.Runs the team,good passer and capable scorer. Stewart-Has played huge this year.Good shooter.Remember he was MVP of the ALL A. McCormick-Last couple of weeks has been significant in his ability to "spell" Bayless/Black.

Elliott and Rose Hill will also be two of the favorites.

Actually Fairview had previously played in the 64th from 1957-1973.You are correct in stating that it was their first district title in 27 years.It is also their first ever 64th title. Who now owns the longest streak for not winning a district in the 16th region?

VanHoose played at Verity went to Rose Hill and then to Russell.The important thing is that he has been at Russell since the 9th grade.Many teams( especially in the 64th )have players who played for different feeder programs than the team(s) they are currently playing for.I really look for Russell to make a strong showing at Morehead-They will be a tough draw for someone.

Jealousy and envy aren't good traits to possess.

They also have Moore and Branham.Should have a nice team.

Some statistical questions:1)Is this the lowest winning score ever for a 63rd district championship game? 2)Is this the lowest losing score ever? 3)Are the 60 combined points the lowest ever. 4)Are the 8 points Russell scored in the second half the lowest ever for a half? 5)The two teams combined for 27 points in the second half-is that the lowest ever? 6)The two teams combined for 16 total baskets-is this the lowest ever?

If this happened it is an absolute shame.Anyone who knows Coach Pratt realizes he is a class act.He is always humble in victory and complementary in defeat.

Great game to watch even if it wasn't played particularly well.Both teams played extremely hard.Owens looked spectacular at times-but 34 shots.I felt Moore played extremely well.The Lions missed Selby.Next year Look for Blanton to have a big year.He was the forgotten man this year.For Fairview Black played tough and Hutchinson/Holbrook hit some big shots.Barker did a good job running the team,Stewart was steady off the bench and Bayless played physical.Perhaps the biggest shot of the game was the 3 pointer Holbrook hit to put Fairview up 51-48.Should be a good game Friday night.