TheFrontRowFan

Its encouraging to see that the rest of the team could rally and score points when their top scorers are having an off night. I really think that Estill's myriad of scoring options and experience will be huge assests as they role to a district championship.

Nice win the Bobcats. Looks as if Coach Wright has quickly got this team back on the right track.

It would appear that Estill's rebounding really helped them pull this one out. When two guards are combining for nearly 20 rebounds - and your center is pulling down 11 of his own - the boards should be in your favor. The Engineers have one of the most balanced scoring attacks in the region and it is looking as if they may steam roll to a district championship and be a real hard out at regionals.

Wow, a triple double is always impressive but with the scoring end being near 30 points - that is truly an amazing performance by Cackling. Glad to see Estill present a presence in the middle, with Wiseman's double/double. I am still not confident that the inside will not prove to be a weakness against a lot of upper tier teams but, again, I am glad to see that Wiseman inserted himself, hit the open shots and came down with the rebounds. How did Estill's premier scorers, Christopher and Napier, do tonight?

Jackson County canceling something for the weather? Never!

OK? So what was the problem?

It ended up not being a blow out, because Estill took their foot off the gas, and Lee's throat, in the 4th quarter and let them scratch their way back into the game. They also put up stupid shots down the end instead of milking the clock.

It's Estill, Powell, and then everyone else. I cant wait to see those two teams sqaure off this spring.

With the Cardinal's win over Madison Central, the money has to be on Clark to take this one.

A Saturday night game. The Engineers (2-2, 2-0 in District) travel to Powell County to face The Pirates (3-1, 0-1 in District). Both teams look to be weak inside, and will realy heavily on guard play. This should be an advantage to Estill. The Engineers return veteran guard Blake Christopher who nearly averaged 20 points a game last season along with leading scorer and long ball specialist Josh Napier. They start two other guards who have had significant varisty playing time sense they were freshmen, in juniors Tristan Cackling and Chris Hoover. The experience and wide array of scoring threats the 'Neers have should be too much for the young, inexperienced Pirates. Estill takes this one 65-58. Your thoughts?

Not to mention, the Estill/Lee game was a blow out until late. He also left out Owsley county from the list.

Lee will be looking for revenge after their embarrasing exit in the district tournament last year by the Owls. Lee will need to find a way to plug up the middle. If Lee can control the boards and shoot well - they should knock off the Owls rather easily. I say Lee by 8 as well.

For anyone to say that JBS is not the heavy, heavy favorite to win the region is either kidding themself, or in outright denial. The 8 teams going to the regional tourament, IMO, will be Knott County Central, JBS, Hazard, PCC, Breathitt County, Jackson City, Estill County, and Powell County. JBS over Hazard in the regional final.

Great Win For Estill! The Engineers are now 2-0 in district play and are a half court buzzer beater and an overtime away from being 3-0 in regional play.

If Estill only hits a small handful of threes, they wont win - thats for sure. If Estill only hits a small number of threes that will most likely mean they are not hitting many field goals as a large number of shots they take from behind the line. You're right, McIntosh will be a handful for Estill inside as The Engineers are very weak in the middle. Estill's center Wiseman is not really a threat at all and McIntosh could have his way with him. I look for Estill to utilize some guard post up in this game as Christopher did on several plays in the Lee County game. The dynamics of this game should make it fun to watch and quite an interesting district matchup. I am still holding true that Estill pulls this one out.

Pearl is a die hard recruiter; a limb cut from the same tree as BCG. The Vols have taken one too many instate phenoms from us and made us pay for it - I truly hope BP doesnt get Hopson's services.

Every team is trying to get their footing right now, Lee will find theirs soon. Does Powell have any strengths or weaknesses worth mentioning? I know the loss of so much experience is a huge weakness - but beyond that, I don't know a great deal about their team.

I truly think its a toss up between The Bulldogs and The Wildcats. I haven't really heard any buzz about him going to Louisville.

24 points from behind the arc is your deciding factor? Wow. I see that Estill hitting 8 threes would be hard to argue that theyd come out with a loss - but 21 points off 7 threes...yeah, I would take that if it were offered.

Impressive win for the Bulldogs. Looks like Tuesday's game with Perry is going to be an epic.

Thanks for the info, Sportsfan. I hadn't heard that. This will be my first chance to see the Owls play.

Where will the 6'6 Hopson end up playing his college ball? He made the soft verbal to Mississippi St early on in the recruting process, but after taking the pass on signing during the fall signing period - he has the recruting junkies debating his ever move. BCG and Alex Legion attended his game a few weeks ago, which led many to decide BCG's interest in yet another guard was a factor in AL's hasty decision to leave the Cats. Hopson has still not ruled out coming to Kentucky, and thus his recruitment stays open with offers from some huge programs. Where do you think Scotty will end up playing his college ball? If anyone is involved with the University Heights program and has any info - that would be great. My gut tells me he will end up staying with Missippi St, but as a true blue blood I would love to see him joining Miller and Liggins in next year's recruiting class.

On Tuesday night, The Engineers of Estill County travel to Owsley for a game with the district rival Owls of Owsley county. This should be an exciting game as I think they could very well be the best two teams in the 56th. Each team returns 4 starters from last year's squads, so experience shouldn't be too big a factor. The new comer to Estill's starting 5, senior guard Josh Napier is currently leading the team in scoring. Owsley is off to a good start this season and are always tough at home. The Owls should realy heavily on their trio of forwards McIntosh, Mainous, and Congleton (as well as Reed off the bench) to be physical and take it to Estill, who will realy on the quickness and shooting of their myriad of guards including veteran senior guard Blake Christopher, Cackling, Hoover, and Napier. Estill is weak on the inside and Owsley has little in the area of guard play so in a lot of ways this game is evenly matched. I will take Estill by 6. These two teams are made up of mainly the same players that have played each other the last couple years, and the Engineers have owned the series sense joining the region. I look forward to making the trip to Booneville and catching some exciting 56th district action. Your thoughts?

I agree with your assessment of their losses, ARC but they are still losses. Powell is undefeated thus far. I know the Pirates lost a ton of players from last year's squad, but Lee lost a lot of experience as well. Lee looked bad in the Estill game until late. I haven't seen Powell's team yet this year, so I cant honestly say I know them to be better. It will be a very big game for both teams as The Bobcats need it to keep from slipping back to the tail of the district, while The Pirates will be getting their first shot at a district rival this year. I am still putting my money on the Pirates though nothing would surprise me in this game.

Based on Lee's start, that is a very optomistic spread for the Bobcats. I say Powell takes this one by 10.