Southern Gentleman

West benched some normal starters and got down 12-0 early. But give Lincoln credit they just took it them- a 4 pt game going into 4th quarter but Lincoln dominated the game it sounded like the 4th quarter. I would give Lincoln Co alot of credit in this game but I wouldnt count the West Jessamine Team out just yet- they are very young and it will take them alittle while to get things going but come March I bet they will be ready as always.

Why so surprising- Mercer County is a good team! Plus dont think anyone will run away with the 12th this year- going to be WIDE open and whomever is playing the best in the end will reach Rupp

If Grant doesnt get to shoot 30 FTs then I will take Harrison in a close one by 4

Pretty sure West Jessamine shut down Watts and Roark last year, but that was only one game. I agree that was last years teams. I will agree on paper McCreary might be alittle ahead but I still think there is no real favorite at this time, come Jan right after Christmas break we will have a better look at the region. For the last two years though I would have to say the 12th has been a 3 horse race with Lincoln, Boyle and West- those have been the 3 strongest teams night in night out against good solid competetion. So I wouldnt count those 3 out by any stretch- and then you have to include Wayne Co this year with more experience! Throw in SW, East Jessamine, Mercer County, and didnt Danville win the JV Region last year? So lots of talent out there give it a month and lets talk about where everyone is- esp when teams get thier football guys in shape. Going to be a great year for sure:dancingpa

Mercer will be very tough with Jamel Taylor and a good group of senior guards who are backed up by talented sophmores. Mercer can cause alot of noise in the 46th if they play together- this team is just another point why the 12th is WIDE open.

How many wins has Bracken County had the last 4 years under the current coach? Have they thought about bringing soccer out for a chance?

I think it can be done but does Garrard think it can. Agreed with sportsfan- deliberate gets alot done in this region......Where is their district at this year- Boyle?? IF Aumille doesnt play could get real real interesting in that district this year

Agrred with Lincoln being good- Best senior in region in Spurlin, and know what it takes in the program to get there- and with Jackson and home court advantage I would expect to see them again in the semis. Garrard Co is a great choice for sleeper- true Lincoln and Boyle are solid, but I agree Deforest does an excellent job and his kids play tough D and are very patient on O. I can see them winning another 16-17 games this year---

Would have to disagree some- Seems every year SW is ranked highly as is Boyle and Lincoln( not sure they should be 3 and 4 this year). East should be good- not sure Mercer should be that high- West is always ranked low? Why is that- last two years they have done pretty well! I think I would go 1.Mcreary 2. Wayne-West 4. Boyle( if Aumiller plays!) 5. East 6. Lincoln Co 7. SW 8. Pulaski 9. Mercer Co 10. Garrard Co Casey will by much improved and Burgin also- either of those two could also crack top ten very quickly.

Best Schedules the past few years in the region have been West, Wayne, Boyle and Lincoln Co. If you look this year at thier schedules on KHSAA it seems these teams again have great schedules. As far as Jones at McCreary getting fired- dont see it happening! Plus Watts is just a junior- Mccreary will be good this year and next- McCreary along with about 3-4 other teams in region will have shots the next 2 years. As far as McCreary being political- isnt every school system anymore?:confused:

Just because a coach doesnt want to coach in Bracken Co forever doesnt make them a bad coach or person. Coach Fisher left the team after going 1-23 and went into administration but is still there, Coach McKinney did 2 tours, Coach Hammonds stayed 3 years and built the program back up to be respected by most all 10th region teams. Coach Fite had one good year and a down year- like most Bracken County programs they are up and down. In these economic times coaches should do what is best for thier kids and coach the kids they have when they have them to the best of their ability. Just because a home grown person applies for the job doesnt mean they are best person- might not want that person there after 3 years and they dont want to leave and then you have bad blood for years and so on. Lets keep this to 2009 year and what the coach can do this year and how he coaches- if he comes in and wins great- if he doenst then give him time and see. Home grown doesnt mean best!!! ** ALso agreed - if Bracken could keep thier own from going to other counties then they might be better off- but for most of the time they cannot.

Rick was a class act Ref, class act for the association and was always professional with Refs and coaches. I hope he may reconsider?

Agreed - Woods is the Dean- Jackson is solid and Hammonds is making West very respectable in the 2 years he has been there with a controversial call 2 years ago and then last year losing in finals. I would say with Hammonds at West they are going to be a top 5 team every year- and always be in the hunt from now on.

Both Woods and Jackson are Great Coaches. Sometimes Districts are weaker for some teams then others and easier to win, on the region total I think they are 5 and 6 respectfully. Now I will say Jackson has always had alot more talent to do it with esp at UHA. Woods might be a notch above in some eyes but Jackson has been doing it lately- so I would say they are even and considered both classy men- which goes along way in why thier programs are considered top notch

Many of great coaches have never made the dance- takes some luck also!!!

Agreed with alot that is said on the post 1. Jackson is a great coach- has shown it at different schools. Woods is in the same company. I do think those 2 are tops but I think there is a couple other coaches who have shown with minimal talent or rebuilding they can coach also but are just alittle younger and might not have the same resume yet? Or maybe will never those top 2 have done it over and over. I would put Hammonds at West in the mix with high results in short time with what was suppose to be rebuilding years at West. I would also include Schultz at SW as a top tier coach who deserves alot of credit. Last year was a down year but for the most part is a solid coach. Jones, Deforest and Flynn are also nice coaches that can make a difference in the outcome of a game. 2. Watts- yes best player in region but does need to get his team to the promised land this year.- The region 3. Lincoln- no way anyone should count them out- due to being a senior, would not surprise me at all if Spurlin doesnt walk out at Rupp as player of the year for 12th. With him, Jackson and some guard play and a year to get ready for post season and hosting the region- wouldnt be a surprise at all to see them semi night! 12th should be fun- but I do think as stated above a few people in the region can make differences in some close games and most all have proven it already. * Good luck to all:ylsuper:

Great Post- agreed on the last two coaches at Garrard have been really really solid. Garrard will be dealt with this year and I think they will get one of the big two in district this year in reg season. Post season is another story though......Some teams expect to win there in this region , Garrard needs to prove in post season, but I do think they are capable. If there were to beat on of Lincoln or Boyle I dont think it would be a huge upset in districts, just a great game

This looks about right SSFan- I agree with Garrard fan- Garrard can be really tough this year- and that District could see Garrard coming out? The seed in that district will be key.

I like Lincoln then Boyle in the end with Boyle winning the reg season games West, East and Mercer in a dogfight, with Burgin having the ability to beat any of them! Pulaksi, then Casey McCreary then Wayne

Sorry I didnt mention to name the school I apologize- but I also know of a few instances where the families have sent thier kids to Private schools to play but they have taught in the public school system because of retirement and pay. Hard to knock that really. The only thing I dont like is a bigger school recruiting teachers with easy jobs to get thier kids for 4-5 years.

I think this has happened several times with the Mason County royals getting teachers kids from surrounding schools.

Raider Robert Jones is a keeper for McCreary. He does a great job. I dont care if you have talent or not winning 20 games is tough to do in KY! Now favorites this year maybe- but last year I would have given the preseason nod to Lincoln. Plus even if they do get to region and they should, it will be a new experience for all of them! McCreary has been alot like Mercer the last two years- good ball clubs but have gotten snake bitten in districts also. Favorites: Wayne, McCreary, Boyle, East and West with about 5 more capable putting on a region run to a crown. Balanced 12th this year. Some teams have experience and some just plain expect to win- should be a fun year.

Agreed with Coach Moore being a top notch coach- Menifee will do nothing be get better under his leadership.

Because if the local coach was that good he would have been given a chance a long time ago- and middle school doesnt play anyone like the Varisty does- league is terrible Bracken is in- then when middle schools combine it is alot tougher- I think Persinger had his chance to coach High School at the JV level and pretty much dissappointed everyone by his lack of dedication- so I think this thread is a moot point now and people just trying to get things stirred up- new guy is hired and people should support him- final say so. Kids will play hard- Bracken will do well but will never compete for region crown. Getting to region is an accomplishment and nothing wrong with that when State Champs are in your district. People should be more positive in Brooksvile

I think Bracken County has had some pretty good coaches as of lately. Hammonds and Fite are pretty good coaches. Hammonds has had much success at West Jessamine now and Fite left for personal reasons. I can't say those two hires were bad ones, IMO.