Ranger

Both teams played very hard. Fun game to watch if you like defense and physicality. Worst shooting night of Barnes' career. BUT- he played really good D with tons of steals in the second half. If I am not mistaken, with two minutes to go in the 4th, there were only 5 fouls total between both teams. Sampson really having a smooth year on the offensive end. Tim Moore been calling the games since the 81-82 b-ball season. Wow.

Another vote for Riley Barnes from SK. One of the quickest shots I've seen in a while.

SK looked flat and tired. Game was a 1 point game with a couple minutes to go in the half before Conner went up by 5 at half. Conner came out in the third and burned the nets. SK offense anemic against the Conner zone and the Pioneers just didn't seem to have the energy or gumption to compete. For whatever reason, the Pioneers have taken a dive in late January as they have now lost two out of their last three games. In 2012, they went 0-4 between 1/17 and 1/24, in 2011, they went 0-5 between 1/15 and 1/28. Good news for the SK fans, they usually bounce back with a strong February. Good luck to both of these teams the rest of the season.

I have a feeling that the practice they missed on Monday will be more than made up for today and tomorrow.

The one thing I'm not sure of is how long this rule has been in existence. As mentioned earlier, Kenton County Schools hosted a tournament during MLK Week and the schools hosted multiple games on MLK Day. (It was called the Kenton County Classic) Was the rule in existence then? Dunno the answer there. If I'm a coach and I know that schools have been allowed to play on MLK Day, not sure how much thought I put into not scheduling a game on this day, especially when you know that your sister schools have been playing on this day. If the rule is new and there were specific communications on the subject then that creates a different set of circumstances. I guess it is possible that the rule was established after the schedule was made.

This is the same school system that recently had a weeklong celebration called "Live the Dream" that was highlighted by a boys and girls basketball tournament. Now they can't even play on this day? I was driving in to work this morning and heard about parades, marches and yes, sporting events set aside today to honor Dr. King. I believe there are ways for the students to honor a great American other than suggesting that they go into hibernation for the day. To me, not allowing kids to play in basketball games that are to honor Dr. King makes a statement that they don't want kids to celebrate and honor Dr. King. This game was going to be at Henry County and is called the MLK Classic! Kenton County Schools does have a new superintendent who is now into her second school year. I’m a believer that athletics and school activities are one of the best things afforded to kids but I’m not sure all the decisions I read and hear about are aimed in that direction. I’m sure their decisions are aimed at safety and political correctness but there is a point where the pendulum on each can sway too far.

When was the last time you could say Notre Dame and lack of depth in the same BGP thread? No depth on varsity and the JV team only scored 2 buckets in the first half. Looks like some challenges post-Voskuhl.

Hard to win a quick paced, pressurized game by only using 7 players. I might be wrong but some of the NDA girls got zero rest. SK used 11 or 12 players, most getting a decent amount of minutes. When it was established early that it was going to be a track meet, NDA seemed to go along with the plan. Somehow thre has to be some players over on the bench that could finish out a quarter or something? Great Job and Congrats SK; hard play, defense and coaching won this game.

Return of Barnes and an improving knee of Swanson makes it a different team. Barnes came in off the bench and immediately hit a 3 pointer and then hit Sampson with a pass of an inbounds play that connected for another 3. Barnes return to the line-up seemed to open up scoring opportunities for Sampson. He still isn't 100% but looked good. Sampson scored 29 and Barnes 23; many of Sampson's points were down the stretch from the line. Swanson with several nice assists driving to the basket while running the point. Not sure of the rebounding but seemed like SK had the edge. Morrison not the biggest kid on the floor but really rebounded the ball well. Steiner still going fairly deep into the bench. Impressed with how hard Ryle played and moved the ball but difference in the game to me was Sk's depth. One of Swanson's assists. Barnes driving to the basket.

SK just missing way too many pieces of the machine to be the team they planned going into this year. BUT, they played hard and scrapped tonight. They fell behind 23-11 only to come back and take a 29-27 lead and kept it close the rest of the way. Gave up a ton of points at the line, wow they missed a bunch. Bowling was not in the building as he was at the Best of the Bluegrass Football events. Swanson played but didn't look even 70%. Barnes still on crutches and I heard Ayers had surgery this week.

This thread, like most involving SK, has gone about 10 different directions. When Senior Luke Stone caught the pass that has been questioned here, SK had the ball on 3rd down and 4 at BC 35 with just under 4 minutes to go in the game; the score was 23-14. His first pass reception of the season. As far as the two point conversion goes, clearly a botched snap. Anyone remember the Conner/SK game from a couple of years ago? I'm not sure how throwing the ball is even questioned as their running game hadn't seen too many 4 yard runs during the game. SK's last touchdown was scored on a running play by a JV running back after another senior without many minutes of playing time recovered the Boone fumble. As far as the JV game being cancelled, is it possible Boone is so banged up and many of their varsity spots are being filled by JV guys that they just didn't want to play? Either way, too bad for the JV guys who didn't play last night and too bad for the SK kids who look forward to their Saturday morning games.

I was impresssed with Boone's young guys. This was a tie game in the 4th quarter. SK made some plays and capitalized on some breaks. Future looks bright for Rebs.

That's not the hit where he got hit. He fumbled, recovered and then was hit when he was getting up.

Only the player who made the hit knows what he saw. However, one thing for sure, the ball was loose on the play.

I just paused and prayed for them. Reading the news account of what happened was a reality slap for me. We all get caught up in touting and defending our teams and players but when it comes down to it, they are just high school kids.

Hey 22-Not sure about the Mr. Football discussion but the reason he isn't getting looks in my opinion is the simple fact that he is from Kentucky. Kids from Kentucky obviously aren't as athletic as kids from Florida/Texas. I say that wiht sarcasm but in Kentucky last year, there was 1 D-1 signee for every 769 kids playing high school football, in Florida that ratio was an astonishing 1 for every 119 kids playing football. Less than 20 kids in KY signed D-1 scholarships last year while in Texas that was nearly 400. Big differences in population but come on. Maybe Joker needs to quit looking at what the scouting services say by trying to get kids from FL and GA and look inward at kids like Cameron.

Has to be one of the smallest crowds I can remember in a long time at the final game. Tons of empty seats in lower arena and upper deck pretty empty. Lack of statewide interest in these two teams and another game going on in Louisville that everyone interested in.

Based on all I had heard about Marion, I didn't expect the game to be that close. I watched the game on video feed and really felt like WV coulda/shoulda won the game. Judy's foul trouble in first half was tough; she came out in the third and really asserted herself after Marion made a nice run to start the 2nd half. While WV has some nice returning players next year in Judy, Sandlin, Mullakin, they lose a lot of perimeter shooting. With the two bigs, I have a feeling that they will be seeing a ton of zone next year. All A Championship and Regional Title is a very nice season. Good Job.

Is this the player with multiple ACL injuries? Is that why she can "play right away and not sit."

Wesley did have a triple double. Interesting, Roy Winchester was at the SK GC game last week. Talked to him for a bit. He said gym is 49 years old but has been used in 50 8th Region Tourneys, the longest streak in KY HS B-ball. It would have been interesting to hear the chatter among the school board back then; let's build a 5500 seat gym in a fairly rurual area; pretty good thinking on someone's part. By far, the best atmosphere of any gym I've been to; like how they left the stage for Mr. Winchester and the Deputies to still sit on during the game.

Didn't have time to read all 6 pages of posts, BUT, the Boone Student section was dismal on Sunday. Strange thing is there was a small one for the girls' game but there was nothing for they boys game. With that being said, the absolutely BEST student section I've ever seen outside of Diddle Arena? Boone County when they played Ryle on February 2nd. Two pics, one shows Boone kids in background on Sunday during the girls' game, they were not there for the boys game. (Maybe this was part of the boys b-ball team?) Second shows the student section during the girls game versus Ryle; impressive.

Winning shot; I had set-up on the NDA for the "winning" shot when Voskuhl about fell in my lap in the trap. Once Moss broke out on the fast break, this was the best I could get. Group hug time. Definitely the best game of the day. Both teams fought hard. Love Switzer's face on this one.

Good luck to South Oldham tomorrow. More impressed with Whitfield each time I see her play. SK, great season. Continued prayers for the SK community following yesterdays storms. SIMON KENTON HIGH SCHOOL PIONEER SPORTS BLOG: The Pride of Southern Kenton County…Our Community

Anyone even thinking about jumping on thsi bandwagon shouldn't forget that Miles missed most of the second half of the game against X with a messed up ankle. Ironically, SK made their comeback with Miles unable to play. Sounds like coaching to me? The worst call I've ever seen in a football game at any level (defensive pass interference) was called against SK after they made a stop and X ends up scoring the difference in the game.

Reminder; Jeff Marksberry won the 2008 Marvin Lewis Coach of the Year Award...it isn't just based on winning, I copied the info from the Marvin Lewis Foundation website: The Marvin Lewis Coach of the Year Award presented by Baker Concrete is awarded to the top high school football coach in the Tri-State area. Over 200 area schools may nominate their coach for this award. The winner is chosen based on their teaching skills, sportsmanship, dedication to players, and commitment to education and his community. The award is handed out by Coach Lewis at the annual Greater Cincinnati Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame Scholar-Athletes Banquet. Enough said.