russellrooter

I haven't seen Rowan yet, but I know they were good last year with good players returning. I watched the EKC tournament and saw most of the other 16th Region teams and Russell was the strongest in this tournament (East Carter, Morgan, and Raceland looked good) Unless Rowan has a "killer" to match up with Russell's Gill, they'll have a hard time overcoming the points she'll get. She had 31 kills in her 3 games on Saturday againt Morgan, East, and Raceland. I'm looking forward to some good 16th region volleyball!!

Volleyball season is underway now and many of the teams in the 16th region competed in the recent EKC Tournament in Carter County. I saw several of the games and can say that Russell, Morgan Co, East Carter and Raceland looked very good (by 16th Region standards). Russell won the tournament and Gill looked like the Region's best killer but needs some more support when she's off the front line if they are to repeat. Morgan hardly made any mistakes and very rarely let a ball hit the floor. East Carter has a couple of really good players and good supporting cast. Should be a fun year.

Russell's Scott Gill was voted "Outstanding Boys Track Player" in Kentucky for 2007. He was chosen by the Kentucky High School Coaches Association (KHSCA) from among all size schools in Kentucky. Along with the other winners from other sports (Pettigrew basketball, Beaumont football, etc), he will be honored Friday Jun 15 at the Kentucky/Tennessee All Star Football game at halftime. I believe Scott was high point man for all classes at the Kentucky State Track Championships held in early June. I'm told this is the first such award for a Russell athlete and is yet another nice recognition for Russell High School.

You're right, ia dunk is only worth two points. That being said, when someone dunks over you, IMO it demoralizes the team "dunked on" and picks up the team "dunked with". Wouldn't you hate having someones crotch at eye level while their hanging on the rim and you standing by knowing you can't possible get up that high. Something "athletically" wrong with that picture. After missing several games, Gill's on a tear with 6 dunks in the last 2 games. If his rebounding and defense come alive the rest of the tournament, Russells back to Rupp.

Ashland Rowan Russell Elliott Ashland Russell Russell Scott Gill-Russell

Having just watched my Red Devils get by this scrappy Lewis team, I was impressed with their (Lewis) defense. They beat Russell for 3 of the 4 quarters played and went after loose balls and hustled as well as any team I've watched this year. If not for a "hungry" Gill and their best quarter of the year, Russell get's beat. I see an over-confident Ashland making this one way to close and if their perimeter shot is off they go down! If Ashland can hit a third of their 3's, they win in a nail biter.

Of the 5 from Russell you named ahead of Jon, how many were able to lead their team to Rupp?

Of the list you named, I've played with most and have seen most of the rest play. I would say Skaggs, Hall are clearly better. A couple of others would give him a run for his money (Cantrell, Thomas, Lee). But you lost a ton of credibility, IMO, when you suggest Lane, Sisler, or Mullins are in Jon's league. They were good players, but they weren't great Regional All Timers.

I've played at the pool & the Y with Skaggs for years and I've played at the Y with VanHoose many times as well. Skaggs is definitely a better all around player than VanHoose (now and back in High School) and is a Top 5 Regional player of all time. That being said, I would put VanHoose up against any of the 5 you named from Russell. And speaking of basketball IQ, the fact that you don't think VanHoose is one of Russell's 5 best all timers when he's the leading scorer in their history, tells me that you wouldn't make the all timer's list for posters on BGP.

How can VanHoose not be one of Russell's all time greats when he's their leading scorer in history. I'm an Ashland grad from mid 70's and follow HS basketball and the 16th Region pretty close and I can't think of 5 better (maybe a few as good) than him since then. Before then but still in the not to distant past, I'd give you Hall from Fairview and maybe Skaggs from Greenup Co but I can't think of many more.

Jon VanHoose was IMO one of the best players in 16th Region history yet without him, Russell still has a chance to repeat as champs. It's not because they can replace Jon's points, it's because their coach constantly preaches defense. While most teams celebrate during the game after good plays, Russell's coach will not allow one relaxing moment as he is constantly "in their face" to be in the proper stance, arms extended, and "move your feet". That's one reason through 30 games they've allowed just under 50 points per game and lead the Region in that category. Fortunately for Russell, they have a bunch of 6'3" ish athletes with long arms that get after people. A-Rob may be the best all around "steal guy" in the Region, Gill may be the best defender of the other team's go-to-guy with his size, hops, and speed, Blair is the strongest guard in the Region, Ferguson comes off the bench with a wingspan that bothers people and Turner loves to take a charge. If Russell plays defense like their capable, IMO, they repeat as champs.

I heard on the radio that you can call Ashland Sporting Goods (Dirk) after the Draw today (not sure what time) and they will tell you the pairings

You're right, Lewis Co had two on the All Tourney team. Ruggles and #10 (I believe).

Gritty win for Russell against a "never say die" Lewis County bunch. Blair played at about 50% and was having trouble moving and cutting but was still effective. Gill played his best offensive game of the season (20 or so?) with 3 monster dunks and couple of other alley oops. After missing almost 3 weeks, he's still a step or two off on defense and rebounding but if he plays like this in the Region and Blair gets healthy, Russell can definitely compete. Turner had an strong first half on the boards and him and Arob didn't miss a three in the first quarter. Russell fans were out in full force and made a difference in this game. All tournament team was T Wright-Greenup, Sparks-Raceland, Ruggels-Lewis, and Gill, Blair, Turner, Robinson, and VanHoose for Russell.

Gill is playing after being out about 3 weeks with mono. He missed practice and games and he's definitely not at full strength. He played about half the game against Raceland and looked pretty good.

Blair turned his ankle in practice at Russell not at Lewis County.

From one "basketball dad" to another, the post I just read from father to son was one of the most touching tributes I've ever read anywhere. As many times as I've watched Jon play, I feel like I know him much better than I really do. He's provided me many thrills and much enjoyment in watching him play so well the game that I love so much. When I look back over my days as a "basketball dad", this fine young man and his class act family will always bring a smile. In a way, for those of who watched him perform his magic on the court, our High School career just ended as well. Good work Jon Vanhoose, Job Well Done!

I say Russell by 10 over a fiesty Lewis team in their homeplace. Gill feels good after his first outing and I'd go one step further and say he feels hungry. If the best athlete in the Region steps up, Russell marches on! With no one questioning the fact that Vanhoose is the 16th Region's very best player, I predict there's more than enough for Russell to win the Region. I would put Russell's 3 (Blair, Gill, and Robinson) up against any three in the Region (including Faulkner,Faulkner, Ferguson, and McDavid, Thomas, Wilcox). I would go on to say that the "rest" of Russell's players are every bit as good and maybe better than the "rest" of the players on these other teams. The question is, can they jell as a unit without VanHoose and I say YES.

I was at this game and it was a battle. Raceland is tough and their kids don't quit, Period! The game was 4-2 after the 1st period and Vanhoose went on to score 10 of Russell's first 12 before going down. Prayers for Jon. Boyles injury occured after hitting Gill who took the charge but Boyles landed wrong. Russell showed a lot of poise when Vanhoose went down. Robinson & Blair had 12 each and Vanhoose 10. Gill had 10 rebounds or so and an awesome dunk in traffic while playing about half the game, his first day back after about 3 weeks off. Ferguson had his 3 or 4th solid game in a row. Russell shot 70% from the foul line to ice this game. Vanhoose is the best player in the region and I don't even want to think about playing without him, but anyone who thinks this team can't win it without him or any one player, either doesn't know Russell or doesn't know basketball

I keep reading that this is the year that the Region is totally up for grabs. Popular opinion is that the top 3 spots are interchangeable with Russell, Elliott, and Ashland. While this may very well be true, it strikes me that this is the year that there has been one dominant team more so than the any of the last 5 years. Russell has completed dominated the Region from start to finish with a 16-1 Regional record (?). The beat Elliott at their place (up by 20 or so early on) as well as Ashland (up by 17 or so early on). In fact, they haven't had many close games in the Region as they have led most by double figures before they start to slow things down. IMO, Cubster's been right all year keeping Russell at the top and they've been dominant enough up to this point in the season to be a clear, undisputed #1.

The 2nd half of this game was one of Russell's best of the season. Vanhoose continues to hit clutch shots that break other team's back. Entire team was really moving well without the ball. I think I counted 9-10 assists on baskets in the 4th qtr, looked like Gill had 6 or 7 of those along with a nice slam dunk. Defensive effort in 2nd half also ranked up there with their best of the season. Harvey, Turner, & Blair shut down Selby and Gill shut down Blanton in 1st half and didn't let Branham get off a shot in 2nd. I still like the combination of Blanton, Selby and Branham & predict they'll be back strong.

I'm in the same "la la land" as Duck because I see Russell over Elliott by double digits. That being said, I think Elliott's the 2nd best team in the Region I just think Russell matches up against them very well. VanHoose and Robinson matchup well against the Faulkner's and Gill matches up well against Ferguson. Even if those were "even" matchups (and I think Russell has the edge), Russell's remaining players Blair, Turner, Frazier and Ferguson, are better than Elliotts. Added to that, Russell's overall defense is stronger than Elliotts IMO. I think Boyd Co poses the most matchup problems for Russell with their wide bodies especially when Branham is hitting the three!

VanHoose demonstrated why he's the #1 player in the Region, bar none. His 42 points were a thing of beauty to see partly because of Russell's 20 + assists. His points didn't come off forced shots but open looks coming from good passing. Turner played strong defensively against their big kid, Pettit and Gill chiped in 13 points. I believe 5 different players had 3 pointers tonight for Russell (VanHoose, Gill, Turner, Harvey, Robinson). Blair once again had solid floor game with 6 or 7 assists.

I would argue that Russell has the best defense in the 16th Region as measured by Points allowed per game as well and Steals/Blocks & Charges. Here are my Top 5 "defenders" in the Region: 1. Russell 2. Greenup 3. Rowan 4. Raceland 5. Ashland My all Region defense includes Robinson & Gill - Russell, Martin - Rowan, Phillips - Raceland, and Brown - Greenup. Who do you like?

One thing that seems to be a constant for Russell is their defense. Even when their offense is sputtering, they have been able to rely on their defense. I think they play the best defense of anyone in the Region and they are underrated in this area. They have a bunch of 6'3" long armed athletes that seem to cause most teams problems. Scrappy Robinson, shot blocking Gill, physicial Blair, and smart Vanhoose probably have held their opponents to fewest points of anyone. Anybody have that stat available?