Ranger

I believe their district tourney was there as well.

Fair statement but I doubt many expected that they would be in the finals. I would love to know how many games that they did play on the floor. It was more than 5, it had to have been some help to their basketball team.

The topic of radio broadcasts has been run through every possible angle in BGP and in the media. Those issues have been addressed and now that the tournaments are upon us, the questions about crowds and atmosphere now surface in threads from the games last night. Funny how we complained about the venues utilized for regional final games in Northern Kentucky in year's past. We lobbied and possibly even elected state legislators who would put forth funding for an arena for the area that could be used for regional basketball tournaments, graduation ceremonies and other events. Now that we finally got it, some feel the arena is too big and lacks atmosphere? I was unable to make it there last night because of a late night at work but I will take in several games over the course of the next week at the BOK Arena, which is probably the nicest basketball arena in our state. I will enjoy going into an arena where I know I will have a seat and not have to worry about getting to the game an hour early so I can find a reasonable place to park my car. I will enjoy the comfort of a seat and not the bleacher plastic of Conner, Ryle or Holmes. Sitting above the mezzanine level and looking through the bars at these places never got it for me. I agree with what the Panda guy said in another thread that playing in the arena environment will help the Northern Kentucky kids once they get to Diddle or Rupp- or maybe even back to BOK in a few years. Franklin Simpson came out of nowhere last year and nearly won the state title at Diddle. One advantage they had was the game experience on the Diddle floor-something like 6+ games over the course of their season. (Districts, Regionals and even a couple of other games if I am not mistaken.) I doubt many will be complaining on the boy’s side of things next week when they pack several thousand into the arena. I hope that the girls can garner big crowds as well. Get out and go watch a game in your new arena.

Crowd looks dismal. Lots of Panda's pictures don't even have anyone in the background. Too bad.

30-27? Did somebody play stall ball? That has to be one of the lowest scoring games I have seen all year.

How are things at Henry County in regards to the construction? Somebody told me the other day it was still going on. Should we bring 4 wheel Drives, wear our hunting boots to track through the mud and our GPS's to find the front door? Kidding aside, the only downer last year was a little effect on the parking and finding the entrance. It really wasn't bad and the administration did a nice job of minimizing the effect on hoop fans.

BOK arena is the nicest basketball facility in the state. Seats about 9,400 with seats all the way up-bleachers only in the one end. Hopefully they will get a shot at hosting because I think it would draw better from Lexington, Louisville and Northern KY.

Interesting that SK and Anderson have each only played 9 games, including the 2 District Tourney games, in their region. Some of the teams left have played up to 22. They have both played solid schedules and it will be interesting to see how they really can match up with the other schools in the region. SK is probably the team with the target on their back but they should have enough senior leadership to accept the challenge. SK is a machine when they get rolling and I look for them to get it going this week and cut down the nets in the finals.

Don't forget, I believe this was one of Jackson's first games back following her hand injury; may have been first? I have seen each team 3-4 times and just believe that NDA has more in terms of personnel in the first 5. As far as depth goes, the Highlands bench may be a little deeper which may be benefit for the bigger floor but I will stick with the prediction. It will be a good one for sure.

My thoughts: NDA by at least 7. Too much senior leadership and players who have been there with a lot of experience beyond the high school level. Jackson, Delph, Ludwig, Walker and Albanese will be too much for Birds. Highlands seems to be searching for the level that they reached in mid-season. NDA was struggling a couple of weeks ago but appears that they are where they want to be again. I have thought all year that NDA gets back to Diddle. I am sticking to it. With that said, it is definitely the most even field in recent memory and I am looking forward to taking in the games.

Tourney is at South. For the regular season, they were 9-3 at home and 6-8 on the road. They made a nice run in last year's regional and I certainly would think that they will be in the thick of things again.

If SK plays with the intensity that they had against Scott, Holmes and in the second half against Williamstown, they come out on top by 6. Chambers had a game the other day that everyone has been waiting for. Barnes was money in the second half and I thought Sorrell had a good second half. Bench support was also instrumental in their recent positive signs. They can definitely win, but they just need to package it....Maybe the difference is the sixth man in the stands? I am sure it will be packed.

I read 23 in the first half including 6 treys. http://skpioneers.blogspot.com/ Taking a half-time break probably cooled him off. I did notice that Williamstown was only in the locker room for about a minute at half-time. I would have gotten him back on the court as well! I am telling you, this was one of the hardest played and exciting games I have seen in a long time. Did I miss something or was there not even a boxscore in the Enquirer? Too bad.

#14 from W'town flat out put on a shooting demo. He had 6 treys in the first half and was making shots from all over the place with SK kids in his face. SK made a nice run behind some big plays from Barnes in the second half. Steiner used a lot of kids which I really think ended up being the difference as the SK kids just made less turnovers and made more shots down the stretch. What a game.

I am going with NDA for two reasons: 1. awesome senior class with Jackson, Delph, Ludwig, Albanesse and Walker. and 2. they have been there before two years ago. I saw them anhilate Lexington Christian and if they can get on that level again, look out. I think this will likely be one of the best overall tournaments in years with the balance but NDA is the team to beat. Looking forward to it.

Not needed if teams would exercise some judgement in sportsmanship. Really pretty simple.

After 21 from Holmes was fouled and went down to the floor, #3 walked over top of him. The ref saw it and let #3 know it he did. Holmes is a fun high school team to watch. The Highlands kids were tough. Did anyone besides me think Pittman walked before the windmill dunk? No way the refs could have called it as I think the Highlands fans would have felt ripped off. Whatever happened to student sections?

WV by 3 to force a three way tie in the District with Grant, WV and SK all at 4-2. What would happen then?

So even though there a few games left in the district, GC still ends up the 4 seed and draws the 1 seed SK and WV and Williamstown will play each other in the 2/3 seed game.

15/24 and I think Turner Construction was paying a $10 for each one made to Kenton County Schools. 8 out of the 11 players who dressed made at least one.

Straight-up- If I were the Rose Hill coach, I would have had my players throw the ball in the Lawrence County basket! A 71 point spread and to score 106 points isn't necessary at any level. My opinion. This is probably one where there was some previous animosity, payback etc. but come on. Seems like every year there is a game on here that is debated where this happens.

The schedule originally on the SK Blog before the games started showed the finals at Dixie- Girls at 7:00 and Boys at 8:30. I believe that they did a lot of the games TBA because of the teams from out of the area. Don't know for sure but my guess is they were trying to get them the earlier game times. I don't think they did it this way last year; at least I don't remember the same confusion.

http://skpioneers.blogspot.com/

Here are the schedules for Thursday and Friday. http://skpioneers.blogspot.com/

It had certainly been awhile since I had been to a girls game where the refs had to jump in between two players. The crowd was kind of small but you definitely got your money's worth out of this one. I actually felt a little stressed after the contest! I know that there was one intentional foul called during the game but I was a little surprised there wasn't a T or two thrown after the kicking and shoving started. I would have liked to have seen the referees call the coaches together and straighten things out before they escalated to the point they did. Instead, the officials tightened the game up drastically and started calling every little foul. SK has definitely been a team for a few years now that rarely shows emotion or physicality. They certainly showed that they can play a different style last night. Congrats on a hard fought win and good luck in the rest of the tourney. I look for New Cath to make a strong run in Richmond. I also wouldn't count them out of the Bank of Kentucky Tourney, i.e. 9th Region. They have to be considered a strong contender.