Quagmire

Well, we're about 5 hours from the tip off....

I thought Augusta came out a little rusty after a six day layoff but still were good enough for 18 1st quarter points while only giving up 6 on the defensive end. The Saints would make a run in the 2nd quarter to get within 6 but the Panthers would stretch that back out to 10 for a halftime margin of 34-24. The Panthers stayed hot scoring the first 14 points of the 3rd quarter to blow the game wide open and Augusta won, 77-44. SPS 6 24 29 44 AHS 18 34 56 77 Saints Frey 16 McCall 10 Swolsky 7 Thompson 5 Burton 4 Br. Bauer 2 Panthers Crawford 20 Snapp 15 Maddox 14 Pugh 9 Shoemaker 9 Spradlin 3 Cordle 2 Purdon 2 White 2 Staggs 1

It isn't senior night but there is a chili supper to support the seniors from 5-7!! As far as the game, you can bet the atmosphere will be amazing. They'll tell you it's just another game on the schedule we all know better. I expect it to be a battle from beginning to end. Have to give credit to the Polar Bears for the way they've played since Jacob Hamilton went down, but the Panthers have been on quite a roll themselves. This group of seniors at Augusta have only lost to Bracken County once(10-1) in their high school careers and if this is their last crack at them, they don't want to lose again. I've said it many times, if you can make it, it's worth the $4 you'll pay to get in. But if you can't make it and are still interested, go to Augusta Independent Schools and I'll have all the play by play action around 7:30.

I love the Fieldhouse it is one of the true gems in our state. But when the Igloo is filled up with fans on both sides and even standing room only in the end zones, the atmosphere is amazing!! That 2014 Augusta/Mason game was one of the truly memorable games ever in this region and part of it's appeal was the crowd. When that gym is filled up for a big game parking is an absolute issue but if you want to be there you'll find a spot, somewhere! As the Panthers play by play guy, I may struggle to park but as long as we're playing I got a great seat!!

Hoping the cancellation of the Paris game doesn't disrupt the momentum the Panthers have built up.

I'm going to be a homer in this thread too as I bring it back from a three day break. I've got to say Connor Maddox deserves mention. He is a tireless worker that constantly works on his game that has evolved over his career. He used to be that guy from Augusta that shoots all the threes. He's now the one that defenses key on each night that's dangerous from anywhere. He doesn't put up gaudy numbers every game but he's there when the team needs him to hit a big shot and he's done that several times this season. He is not the team's defensive stopper but has improved that part of his game as well. He is currently averaging 22ppg and shooting 84% from the charity stripe. And the Panthers are 16-6. He'll be the first to tell you he hasn't or couldn't do this on his own, the team concept has made the Panthers the team they are today but his numbers deserve a look and consideration.

The love of the Augusta gym that we refer to as the Panther's Den just comes from the pride we have for everything orange and black. It's a throwback that you just don't see everyday and thankfully it has stood the test of time. I'm so glad we still have it and haven't moved on to one of those cookie cutter gyms that you see everywhere else. I've heard from a number of coaches of teams on our schedules over the years how they wanted to come coach at least one game there. I'm sure the same would be said about Bracken County's old gym. That place was a classic! Loved going there for that old school feel. We didn't have much success there back in my day but still loved making the trip. The Igloo is nice but ask ones who know about the old gym, they'll tell you. And for those tired of hearing about our cozy little gym, I'm sorry you'll just have to pass over threads you might think it'll show up in. It's not going anywhere unless George Clooney throws a bunch of money our way and we can build a new one. No wait, we'll just build another parking lot and a practice gym!

Maddox never played at Fleming County. In fact, Maddox was at Mason County but was not worthy of wearing a Royals jersey. But at the end of the day where's the relevance in all of this? So they should be hated for their accomplishments because they haven't lived within walking distance of our little school? Lets live in the now. This Augusta team is playing extremely well right now, rolling better than they have all season. I know many are just not used to the fact that Augusta is a contender and maybe they are upsetting the balance of things in the 10th but don't hold that against these kids that show up every night playing their tails off to make their dreams come true. Overlook us, dismiss our wins with excuses, but keep your eye on us because we believe and we will not quit.

Can a mod add a poll to this?

I understand what you mean but it can still be a very intimidating place to play especially if you've never played there.

Augusta. The little gym that's 10 years from it's 100th birthday is a very tough place to win when it's filled up. It can be very loud and just about every fan is basically sitting on the edge of the sideline. The rows on either side only go 4 deep at the most. If you've never been to a game there I challenge you to show up on February 13th when Bracken County comes to town. Better get there early because you may not get in. And if you do, you'll see the atmosphere is unreal!! Game times: JV at 6, varsity at 7:30.

Once again the Panthers are very impressive. After finishing off West Carter last night about 9pm the Panthers loaded the bus and left Augusta before 10am to play in Winchester. Playing about 90% of the game with their starting five they led most of the game. GRC took the lead 51-50 with just under three minutes to go but that lead lasted just a few seconds as Connor Maddox hit a layup to put the Panthers up 52-51 and GRC would not score again. The win improved Augusta to 16-6 and dropped the Cardinals to 13-11. Connor Maddox led all scorers with 31 points. Cornelius and Anderson led GRC with 12 points apiece. I would have all the scoring but don't have my sheets with me.

Excellent game all around for the Panthers. Jumped out to a big early lead and West Carter could not recover. It was under 3 minutes to go in the 2nd quarter before the Comets got to double figures and under 3 to go in the 3rd before topping 20 points. Augusta is playing their best defense of the season at the best time. WC 4 14 25 44 AH 19 29 41 60 WC (15-7) Roe 11 Jordan 8 B. Brown 8 Roark 8 D. Brown 7 Hanshaw 2 AHS (15-6) Maddox 25 Crawford 11 Pugh 10 Shoemaker 6 Snapp 5 Staggs 3

Yeah, print a copy of your predictions and you can easily dispose of them when the tournaments ends!!!

This won't likely help either way and in fact may be completely wrong but here's how it looked to me from my seat on the stage. Maddox had control of the ball on Augusta's side of the floor. He got it knocked out of his hands by a Brossart player into the back court. Therefore, he was able to run it down and pick it up in the back court. It was a very chaotic series of events so if it didn't happen the way I saw it I give the officials a pass because it was crazy there for a few seconds.

First of all, I'll be winning the car. Hope there's enough gas in it to get me to Augusta! On Monday night I think the Panthers take care of business and eliminate St. Patrick. I'm very sure that the Saints will be ready and will give Augusta a battle but the post-season experience of the Panthers will lead them to victory! On Tuesday night I expect quite a battle between the Royals and Polar Bears. Limited post-season experience on both sides keeps this one close. The big question is whether or not Jacob Hamilton will be able to go for BC. Even if he is not, the Polar Bears have put up a good fight in his absence. As close as this one is to me, I give the advantage to BC since they are playing at home. That takes us to Thursday night's final. What an atmosphere we could be in store for with Augusta vs. Bracken County. I like the Panthers to bring home their 3rd district title in four years.

What a performance by my Panthers tonight. It's always a battle with Brossart and they tried their best to get out of the Panther's Den with a win but just couldn't do it. Credit to the Panthers' defense tonight. They held the Mustangs to a mere 5 points in the 3rd quarter. The only stats I have is scoring for the two squads and as always, this is unofficial. Augusta 54 Maddox 21 Shoemaker 16 Snapp 11 Pugh 3 Crawford 2 Laycock 1 Brossart 49 Crawford 21 Zai 11 Schultz 9 Hickman 3 Kremer 3 I do know that I'm missing 2 points for Brossart, anyone that knows feel free to correct me!!

This was quite a game. Much credit to BC for fighting back to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. At the same time I was very disappointed with PC. I expected better poise from them down the stretch. A lot of empty trips by both squads but the difference was that Crawford showed up, Allen not so much. He has a huge upside but also has a long way to go. All that said, Hunter Wood is one of the 10th region's most underrated players IMO.

Scoring in this one? Anyone?

Who are today's officials?

So coach Russell won a 9th region title with Newport, the last two 10th region titles with CC, and because they are currently under .500 he can't coach? The regular season is three months of prep for the post-season. If they are ready when late February rolls around as I expect they will be, they could very well win their 3rd straight. My Panthers have time to work out some of their kinks and hopefully they'll be a big factor at the end of next month as well.

So MoCo played without Jones. They are, according to most, the top team in our region. Therefore, playing without Jones they still should have won IMO.

Panthers battled back to take this one. Struggled to hit shots in the 1st quarter and trailed 19-13. Scott hit their stride in the 2nd quarter and got up to their largest lead of 33-20. Panthers finished the quarter on a 9-2 run and trailed at the half, 35-29. Augusta's run carried over to the 3rd quarter as they scored the first 6 points to tie the game at 35 all. The teams went back and forth the rest of the quarter with Camryn Snapp following a Jared Shoemaker miss with a basket just before the horn to put the Panthers up 44-43. The 8 point 3rd quarter is probably Augusta's best defensive quarter this season. The Panthers carried that momentum into the 4th quarter where they outscored the Eagles 23-15 to win going away, 67-58. **Unofficial Stats** Augusta 67 (12-5) Snapp 24 points 12 rebounds Maddox 18 Pugh 14 Shoemaker 6 Crawford 5 Scott 58 (6-12) J. Ohmer 20 (no threes) Dumlao 14 Perrin 7 Jolley 6 Englemon 6 Trame 3 C. Ohmer 2

Hold the phone chief!! They might be the best but let's see some more ideas!! lol

Have to do this. I love pizza but wings over pizza every time. My pick has to be Greg's in Maysville, esp. on Tuesdays. Where else in the region can one get their wing fix? Maybe I can use this thread as a guide.