Master of the Hardwood

The college level moved them up above the block and it's working out well for them. I look for the high school level to look at this also. I think the problem in high school is that the kids that will be up close to the shooter. They are trying to protect the free throw shooter by keeping them away from them as much as possible. They have done surveys and looked at statistics about the advantage/disadvantage on rebounding free throws and it shows that the defense gets it more times than the offense where it is at now in high school, so I would say they will leave it at that for now. The college level has a lot bigger players and it was a good move for them to move it up, but don't know if the need is there at the high school level right now. I'm sure it will be voted on, but when they spoke about it last year, every thing wanted to be left alone, but after 1 year of seeing the college level do it, maybe some minds will change and maybe not. The substituting on free throws is to keep a coach from sending in one player before the player shoots the first shot, then before they get set, send in another or 2, and really icing the shooter, then after the first shot finally gets taken, do the same thing, send in one sub, then send another to the table then another one, after 2 minutes, the shooter finally gets to shoot and all of this is done without a timeout. So they changed the rules to let the shooter shot the first one without being iced by a smart coach. All subs come in and then the 2nd shot is taken. Great rule.

Leslie is really struggling to score points, they don't really have a scorer that they can go to. Buckhorn should win this one easily if they play half as good as they did against JBS the other night. Buckhorn by 15

No need to rush back...they are a lock for the number 1 seed so why be in a hurry to come back...i'm sure he will come back when he is totally ready to play. No need to hurt it again before the tourney.

I think it's tough to play at Knott and Perry has not been playing well. There defense is keeping them in some games, but they are having trouble trying to find a shooter. Knott by 12.. 70-58

PCC is having trouble scoring, JBS by as many as they want. PCC can't guard them, and they will be able to do whatever they want. 85-61 JBS

Don't see Hazard losing to Perry Central anytime soon, they have more kids to reload with coming up in their gradeschools and PCC doesn't. Not looking good for the Commodores future.

It pretty much is. Cordia holds the tie breaker over Letcher I think, so that locks them in at #4 and Knott and Cordia are #2 and #3, unless Knott can knock off JBS by more than JBS beat them by the first time, then Knott would take the #1 seed...which is possible.

Sounds like Perry finally hit some shots. The last couple of games they have been ice cold from the 3 pt line, something like 2-40 or something, it has been awful shooting for them. Teams are thinking they are holding the ball, but they aren't, they just can't score. This game may get them out of the slump they were in, I guess only time will tell. They play Knott Central on Thursday, if they don't play well, it could be back to the losing column in this one.

What in the world happened in this game?? Powell has been playing well and I know Knott was at home, but this score is just crazy. Was someone out for Powell or did Knott just hit everything they threw up? Someone have some insight on what happened in Knott county last night?

I think it's a great idea for the kids to look nice coming to games. That doesn't necessarily mean suits and ties though. It's hard to travel on buses or vans dressed like that for a long period of time. I think that if they are playing at home they could come dressed in shirts and ties, but if they are on the road, they should be comfortable while they travel and maybe have a team warm up suit or sweat suits like most of them have anyways. It still looks nice and shows team unity and does represent the school and it's colors well. Just my opinion on the topic.

Since Knott has been off for a week and should be well rested and they are playing at home, I'll have to take the Patriots in a high scoring game by 8. 79-71

Probably one of the better 1st round games. This one could go either way depending on who is hitting the 3 ball and who plays their game plan out right. I would like to stick with the mountain team on this one, but I think Holy Cross will come out on top of this one by 1.

Wonder why they do not give All tourney team or MVP? Is it because this is just the first part of the All A tourney, I guess the tourney finishes up in Richmond, so I would say they will give out these awards their. But I will be glad to give my All tourney team and MVP too. MVP - Whitaker (Hazard) Would of not even been out of the 2nd round if not for him running the show, all the other players are just roll players. He is the real deal. Cordia - Hurt, Taylor Buckhorn - Gay, Stidham JBS - Stepp, Short Hazard - Warren, Jones Lee - Charles

You mean the King wasn't at this game? What in the world did you have to do that you would miss this big of a game? Did the "OLD" legs just need a break or what?

Round 1 1 Bardstown 1 Holy Cross 1 UHA 1 Bishop Brossart 1 Somerset 1 Rose Hill 1 Gallatin 1 Hazard Semi Round 2 Holy Cross 2 UHA 2 Rose Hill 2 Hazard Final 3 UHA 3 Hazard Winner 5 UHA TB: 119

He is moving around a little bit and riding a bike to try and keep in shape, but he did refuse to go in the game when asked last night. That was not good to see.

7 Knott 5 Cov Cath 3 Jackson County 2 Jackson City 1 Estill TB: Jackson County

This was a great game, Tate not playing hurt JBS because they could double Clark all night long and give help when they couldn't in the WYMT, because he is such a good shooter, penatrator, and passer, when he is on the floor it makes everyone else better. Clark would not of had to force so much if he was in there. The addition of Warren "The garbage man", was great for Hazard, he runs the floor well and has great hands and can score when he gets the ball under the basket. Whitaker is a great guard and can handle the ball, he is a true point guard and can score too. He was trying to dribble a little too much on the press towards the end of the game, but the biggest shot in the game was the 3 ball that Whitaker hit with a little over 2 minutes to go right in the middle of a big JBS run, everyone felt the momentum shifting and it was getting ready to turn into a real close game. I think JBS had cut it too 5 and was really picking up the pressure, when he hit this deep 3 in the corner that pushed it back up to 8. These 2 teams I'm sure will meet again in a month or so and I hope that everyone is healthy on both teams so there won't be any excuses for either team and they can leave it all out on the floor. Heck of a game guys, good luck to the Dogs in Richmond, make the 14th proud.

Hazard by as many as they want. Lee has a good young team and good coach, but don't think they have the athletes to play with Hazard.

Guess I didn't get up early enough that day to get my picks in. Man I can't catch a break..

7 East Carter 5 Rose Hill 3 Ashland 2 Pike County Central 1 Knox TB: Rose Hill

Hazard has not played well in their last 3 games, they are not playing well at all right now. They should of lost to a smaller less talented Clay county team, but of course Coach Holland out coached Spurlock as usual. Neither team played well in the Cumberland game, it was very sloppy and didn't think either team deserved to win that one. The Jbs game was terrible, JBS played about as bad as they could play the first half and were still leading, i think the Stepp kid was like 1-15 or something the whole half, but they were still leading. Hazard needs to come out a lot better in this one and play for 4 quarters if they want to come out on top. It's the PCC rivalry though, I'm sure they will come out ready to play, should be a great one as usual.

The All A semi's on Saturday night should be: JBS/Buckhorn, could be a good one, Buckhorn was leading at halftime of first meeting Hazard/Cordia, will be a good game, Cordia is the most under rated team in the region Games will be at Perry county Central following the 2 girls Semi final games. FINALS TO BE ON SUNDAY AT 2:OO AND 4:00 AT PERRY CENTRAL

Elliott county is playing the best right now I think. Should be a good tourney though.

They have a chance to go to Richmond and win the All A state tourney, they don't have a chance to win the sweet 16. He will play to go to Richmond. Hurt or not.