Quagmire

Augusta is and has been playing their best ball of the season over the last month. No reason to think the run stops here. In their earlier matchup with Scott, Augusta played very well defensively in the second half and were efficient on the offensive end. I'm expecting another grind it out game with the Panthers moving on.

Good work!! And quick! And I can tell you see what I meant.

Wonder if we could get a side by side of the Wildcat pictured above and the Wildcat at Pendleton County? I've got a feeling the two are very similar.

I'm just glad it never happened.

When we started broadcasting in Augusta we called upon Mustang to show us how it's done. Couldn't have asked for a better introduction into "the business." I have an absolute blast doing it. I will be the first to tell you, I live and die with my team. I get excited when we are doing well and get ticked off when they fall short of expectations. I will also give credit where credit is due. You roll in and lay a thumping on us, you will get praise from me. Besides, we're all just talking about kids, realizing that and making sure you remember that helps to keep things in perspective. The thing I like most about listening to Mustang is how relaxed he is. You'd think he was at home laying on his couch watching the game on tv. And if you don't like it, don't think you'll upset him because there's one thing that I remember from his "teachings," it's his stuff and he'll use it the way he sees fit!!

In a long time, 1950 as a matter of fact. I hope that's right, I don't feel like getting up to check the book!! And our whole town may only fill up one side of the fieldhouse but it's the thought of it that makes it so fun and unique. Our school is and community are so small but yet here we ALL are slugging it out with the big schools. No matter what happens, it's an awesome time to be an Augusta Panther fan!!

I'm relocating part of a post I had in another thread to see if it gets any love here. I don't think it will where I originally put it. Just like to see some reaction to it. It was pretty disappointing to see Mason County fans file out of the Igloo following the boys loss to Augusta instead of sticking around to see their girls cut their net down. A team that should be favored to repeat as 10th region champions deserves much better. Good luck to the Lady Royals next week.

I should have started my post mentioning that I wish the region was held at the Fieldhouse each year. I just love being there. I catch myself just looking around at the enormity of it all whenever I'm in there. It just has a feel to it that you don't get anywhere else. But seriously though, with Pendleton, Montgomery and Augusta all playing on the same night we might see a bigger crowd than we've ever seen there. And I did not forget Scott but I have yet to see them travel well. So we shall see.

Not a lot you can say about this game but I will make one comment about the post game activities. It was pretty disappointing to see Mason County fans file out of the Igloo following the boys loss to Augusta instead of sticking around to see their girls cut their net down. A team that should be favored to repeat as 10th region champions deserves much better. Good luck to the Lady Royals next week.

Well, I see a lot of orange in that picture because Augusta played Robertson County in the second game that night. With the host school playing the 6pm game on the 3rd followed by Augusta vs. Scott at 7:30 there might be a bigger crowd than you think...

We are very proud of our tiny throwback gym. It was built in 1926 and it's undergone it's share of changes over the years but still has that old school feel to it that the purists appreciate. You can see a district game there vs. Bracken County or St. Patrick but you won't see a district tournament game there because it's just too small. Plus, without seeding, you won't see Mason County playing there. On a final note, I really feel we have one of the nicest looking floors in the 10th region. It is very well taken care of and I love how the lights shine on it.

Last night's game was not unlike many Augusta games this season. The Panthers do not foul much, plain and simple. They play smart, don't reach, block out, and get fouls called. They sometimes give up baskets to avoid fouling, which drives me crazy, but they are 22-6. Who am I to argue with how they do things? And if you think 10 fouls last night was bad try our road game at GRC. Three fouls for the game. Once again, Augusta just doesn't foul.

Wildcats Pig out on A. Williams-less Royals

There was not even a Wiggins listed on Newport's roster.

This AHS Sr class is now 78-40, best 4 yr win total ever, 3 20 win seasons, 7 straight wins and looking for more. Proud to be a Panther!!

The game is on and the Panthers are undefeated in February and own one win over the Lions and will look to make it two tonight. Hard to think this group would leave their home floor for the last time without anything but a win. It's hard for me to put into words what they have meant to this school and community. Just so proud to be a Panther.

Yes I saw that. I just feel he should be higher.

Don't hear his name mentioned with the 10th region's "elite" but Connor Maddox is averaging 22ppg, shooting 53% from the field, 42% from three, 85% from the free throw line and his team, Augusta, is 18-6 and that is currently good enough for second best in the region. Personally I think he's worthy to be mentioned near the top of the list. If you disagree, that's fine, I'm not expecting to sway everyone, just putting this out there to see what everyone thinks.

I just hope that none of the teams lose any key players. We could be in store for one of the best 10th region tournaments we've ever seen and I just don't want anything to ruin that. And, with everyone at full strength, no excuses!!!!

With 5 straight wins and 7 of their last 8, Augusta is pretty hot as well. The spark has been their defense as in their last 7 wins they are giving up an average of 53 ppg to their opponents.

Augusta continued to play as well as anyone in the region. It took a few minutes to get going but once they did, the Panthers were not going to be denied. This was the first game, IMO, that the Polar Bears really missed Hamilton's scoring and overall presence on the floor. Crawford was the only one to consistently put the ball in the basket. Meanwhile for the Panthers, Jared Shoemaker finished with a career high 25 points and did as he always does, slowly makes his way around the floor until he ends up in his favorite spot, the short corner, where most times he was wide open. Connor Maddox had just 10 points midway through the 3rd quarter then, spurred by his defense, seemed to be involved in every play when Augusta started putting this one away. His 29 led the Panthers including 9-9 at the free throw line. Camryn Snapp finished with just 8 points but made his presence known on the boards with at least a dozen or more rebounds. And none of these guys get the looks they got without the help of Owens Crawford who runs the point as well as anyone in the 10th region. I thought he did an excellent job early of drawing in the BC defenders that led to open looks for his teammates. The Panthers will get Lewis County at home next Tuesday on what will be a very emotional senior night. Followed by a trip to Newport on Wednesday night to close out the regular season. BC 16 30 43 65 AHS 20 40 54 80 Bracken County (14-10) Crawford 29 Williams 11 Lippert 7 Enges 6 Jones 4 Tan. Fisher 3 Bravard 2 Deaton 2 Tad Fisher 1 Augusta (18-6) Maddox 29 Shoemaker 25 Crawford 12 Snapp 8 Pugh 4 Staggs 2

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!!