UKCATSFAN

I don't think that's an "glasses on" accessment. Jonathan will definately be missed and with him I don't think anyone could touch Russell. But without him it brings Russell back to the rest of the pack. And while most people don't consider them the odds-on favorite now, the can still win it. It brings them down to everyone level now. I'm not saying that they couldn't have been beat with Vanhoose because I know they could have. (Ashland has a very good team with Wilcox, Thomas, and McDavid and they can beat anybody on any night). Russell has the seniors and the athletes to get it done this year and most of all, they play great defense and that goes a long way in the regional. I'm not saying they're going to win it but it would be very foolish to think that they CAN NOT win it without Vanhoose because I know they can. That is not a bias opinion and I'm not looking through "Maroon Glasses", it's the truth. You may not think they WILL but to think that they CAN'T is foolish.

Who wins this opener for both teams ?

Let's hear it!! Who wins this opener for both teams in the regional tourney?

What? Are you serious. Vanhoose is probably the best player to come out of Russell. Some may say Chris Jones in the late 80's but I saw Jones play and I'd go with Jonathan. I think he's one of the best ever to come out of the region. I never said THE best but he's one of the best. I'd say he's in the top 15 players in region history. Vanhoose and Owens are un-comparable. Owens was at Boyd for 1 year so most people wouldn't even consider him as a Boyd product. You don't even know what the draw is and you're saying Russell will be lucky to win 2 games. That's a little immature thinking if you ask me. Russell still has a many offensive options and any of them are very capable of leading the team in scoring. I don't guess you were at Russell's game last night, right? I didn't think so. The fact that they do play great defense gets overlooked sometimes with Russell but it's something the team takes pride in doing. So, go ahead and count Russell out. You may be the only one who does because anyone who knows this Russell team knows they are very capable.

Thanks Alot !!! I look forward to meeting the Racer family. Be sure to let us know who you are when we meet. Blue Blazer and I love to tailgate so we're looking forward to next year. (Except the drive!!) LOL!!! But, it will be worth every mile to see him play D1 football and the fact they want him on offense to run the ball is icing on the cake. That's what he wants to do. He's really excited to get things in motion. He was actually talking about his excitement this morning and how he "Just Can't Wait" to get down there this summer.

I think he's referring to a team control foul in which the player pushes off of the defender to gain space. The correct term would be team control foul.

Sounds like another great 64th District Championship game between Ashland and Boyd. Congrats to Ashland and especially Robby Wilcox, Drew McDavid, and Matt Thomas for bringing the title home their senior year.(I know Matt's not a senior). They truely deserve it. It must really feel good for Robby to cut the nets down after the incredible adversity he has overcome during his career with the injuries and illness. It's great to see a kid who works as much as he does rewarded for his ethics. He definately deserves it more than anyone in the region. For Drew McDavid to capture another district championship during his wonderful career is just icing on the cake. Both of them are just terrific kids and are role models for the student athlete in high school. Congrats to them and the rest of the Tomcats and good luck next week at Morehead.

At this point, Murray says they want him to run the ball.

He has to be admitted before anything can happen.

Admissions.

Ballard

Agreed!! Most kids would have waited until the shot to foul and possibly given up the ole' fashion 3 pt play. It was a very smart play on Barker's part. I've watched him play since he was 8 and he has never ceased to amaze me. I wish him all the best in his future endevours.

Why don't you go out there and do it yourself if you think the 16th region officials are lacking. Kouns does a fine job and while he is on the backside of his career, he still does a great job and has more quality years ahead of him if he chooses. One thing about Mr. Kouns is the fact that he steps up in the big game and he'll make the big call without hesitation. If you feel the region officials need improvement, I will gladly point you in the right direction to register. If you think you can do a better job, come give it a shot. I will guarentee you will have a different perspective on things.

Thanks Rambler.

Do I have to? OH OK, I'll admit it. JK!! :laugh: I guess the temptation of the darkside, or should I say :devil:side, was just too strong for this padewon Jedi. LOL!!! But blood IS thicker than water. :D ONETOYA caught me on a bad day the other day and I lashed out at him when I shouldn't have and I apologize. He is loyal to his school and to the kids and that's admirable qualities. Although we may not always agree on things, he's very knowledgable and he stands on two feet. You better come prepared if you step to him. I admire that. He's a passionate person who cares for his school and does his best to make sure that all his school kids are a success in life.

I'm not from either school, though I like to see Wilcox, McDavid, and Thomas do well. They are great kids whom I have watch grow into men from an early age, as well as Alex Barker. So, I am just calling it as I saw it. I wasn't saying that they got every one of those calls right but I do think they got most of them right.

I know Kouns quite well. We officiate on the same football crew. I was talking about the Wagner reference.

How old do you need to be? I'm not that young of a pup.

Who is Porter Wagner? Nobody by that name was in stripes tonight? I disagree about the traveling calls. I thought the officials did a good job.

Ashland survives!! And that's what it's all about right now. They won, doesn't matter how. It shows that Ashland can overcome adversity. Their seniors have seen it all and done it all. This is when veteran leadership is so important and Ashland showed they have plenty of that. With Wilcox, McDavid, and Thomas at the helm they aren't lacking in that department. I thought all three showed poise in the second half and especially in the 4th quarter and overtime. That says alot about this team. Fairview had no answers for McDavid and Bonner and I think Wilcox's presence on the outside kept them from collapsing everything in the paint. They had to respect his abilities and with good reason. He can knock it down time and time again. Good tough fought win. Fairview was ready to play. They gave everything they had and should be commended. Not many teams would have come at Ashland like they did. Alex Barker... It's been soooo fun watching you play throughout your career. From the AAU trips across the East until tonight's final buzzer, it's been fun. Rarely do you see a kid who gives everything for the benefit of the team and that's the way this kid is. He would go scoreless the entire season if it would give his team a win. He is the definition of Selfless Player. The very definition. I wish you all the best in your future endevours. Back to Ashland. Congrats on the win!!! You deserve it. Good luck against Boyd on Friday and I hope you bring home the 64th District championship.

Watching Jonathan play these 4 years has been an absolute honor and an enjoyable experience. Watching him go down last night was one of the worst feelings in the world and I asked myself " How could this happen to such a great kid". I guess the Lord works in mysterious ways and sometime we may not know what he has in store but I'm sure he has his reasons. That is something that only the future can answer. Jonathan Vanhoose is one of the best leaders I have ever seen in sports. The way he guides his team is inspiring. Whether it was scoring a bucket when needed or whether it was giving a pep talk, it didn't matter because you knew he was going to come through with both. As a Russell faithful, anytime Jonathan had the ball in his hands everything was alright, you didn't have to worry because nothing bad could happen when he had the ball. You felt comfortable and at ease when Jonathan had the ball. Now if you were a fan of the opposing team, it was the complete opposite feeling when Jonathan had the ball in his hands, I'm sure they felt very vulnerable. A feeling of doom came over them and they just prayed he would pass the ball. That is saying alot about a player who can do that. A player who can absolutely mesmerize the crowd EVERYTIME he touched the ball. To reach that status is amazing and every player shrives to be that player and Jonathan reached that stage. He's one of the best this region as seen and I hope he has an even better career at Evansville. It's been an honor Jonathan.

Russell actually shot well from the free-throw line for a change. I believe thet were something like 24 of 34 or 26 of 36. Everyone shot them well except for Blair who was somewhere around 6 of 14, I think. Not bad for a Russell team not known for hitting their free-throws.

I disagree. I think they would trade the dream of JUST getting there to a dream of WINNING a championship whether it be A, AA, AAA, AAAA. Do you know what it feels like to be part of a state championship winning team? It's undescribable. I've been a part of both(not as a player but as a part of the program), a state championship winning football team and a regional winning and I know what feels better. Don't get me wrong, going to Rupp is a big deal and it was a great experience to be part of but winning the championship is on another level.

That's ridiculous. Maybe that would be the case if every school in KY had the exact amount of kids in their school. But they don't, so you have classes to make a fair playing field for all. It's unfair to the kids in the current system. It almost seems as though the Sweet 16 is solely for the entertainment of the people and that's all the KHSAA cares about, the almighty dollar. Who cares what people like or dislike, you have to take the kids and fairness into account.

But it would be fair!! That's what matters the most. The kids.