Intentional Foul

Howard-sr Spurlock-sr Barr-sr Riddle-jr Martin-jr Hardin-jr Brockman-jr Rowan loses a lot but they also have a lot returning. They will be a definite contender next season. I believe Rowan and Ashland will be the favorites next year as Ashland only loses 1 senior, Laisha Ward (but she will be a huge loss to the Kittens)

We're definitely in agreement here. The reason I said "Virtually" from beginning to end is because I knew that Morgan held an early lead. I was just to lazy to type it out:D I agree that any of about 5 or 6 teams can take this region!!! Its going to get exciting!!!!

Give credit where credit is due. Don't think that two 3 point shots won this game for Ashland. Ashland's half court "d" was the biggest reason in that it had Morgan confused all night. Also Morgan banked in its own 3-pointer from the top of the key when Morgan was trying to make a 4th quarter run. Ashland led this game from virtually from beginning to end. That being said - Morgan is an extremely good team that has a definite shot at winning the region. They are a hard team to beat, especially at home. I am not implying that there was any home cooking going on, I thought the refs did a great job of calling a very physical ballgame. I mean that Morgan has a very vocal (in a positive way) fan base that equates into a very solid "sixth man". Morgan is a very energetic team that feeds off of its fan support.

Took the words right out of my mouth.

Unfortunately losing sometimes leads to other problems that may lead to the termnation of a coach. For example - players quitting, parents complaining about their sons/daughters not playing even though the team is losing, the coach practicing the players harder to get more out of them... I agree that losing alone may not cost a coach his/her job but it can lead to other problems that may cause his/her termination

I agree that unless there is another reason (such as the several good ones already mentioned) most players would rather not go in for just a few seconds. But there are always the exceptions. That's when a coach just needs to know his/her players.

Maybe not the best pure basketball player, but I would vote her as the best pure athlete of the 16th region.

The idea of giving your team experience in applying a press sounds good, but lets face it, if the game's outcome is already out of the question, why does Team B wait until Team A clears its benches. Practice the press against some real competition - namely the starters from Team A. This is the way a varsity team gets better, not by beating up on basically a JV team. Sounds to me like Coach B wants to take advantage of a much weaker squad (and the kindness of the Team A coach) to make the score a lot closer than it should be. Yes, Coach A could put his starters in, but this risks injury to them. Also Coach A probably doesn't want to put his starters in because he too wants to play his 2nd and 3rd stringers. The press of Team B doesn't allow for this. One last thing - If Coach B had been pressing a lot of the game then I have no problem with continuing it on the subs. Coach B is just continuing with his original gameplan. But to apply it to team A's subs only, when part of Coach A's reasoning is to show some mercy, to me seems bush league. Again, JMO.

Just a "hypothetical situation" for you to consider: Team A has been thoroughly beating Team B all game. By the end of the first quarter, Team A is beating Team B by at least 20 points. The coach of Team A calls off the press early in the second quarter. Team B does not press Team A at all during the first 3 quarters. At the beginnning of the 4th quarter, Team A's coach starts to clear his bench. The coach of Team B has her starters begin pressing (full court) the subs from Team A. If Team A's coach is showing mercy on Team B, should the coach of Team B take advantage of that mercy by pressing Team A's subs?

Highlands is on a great streak - back to back wins against Conner and Boone Co. Pretty impressive.

Morgan's zone had something to do with that. Rowan did not penetrate the zone but instead tried for inside passes to Riddle or passing around the perimeter for 3s. Rowan came out in an aggressive man to man (both half and full court) thus prompting a lot more fouls. The refs did not make this one close. Give credit where it is due - Morgan Co had an excellent gameplan they just fell a little short. To Rowan - the really good teams find a way to win and that's exactly what they did tonight. IMO Rowan is still the team to beat in the 16th until someone proves otherwise.

I disagree. The achievement of scoring 1000 points is a huge occassion for a high school player. I agree that the school of the player being recognized should provide the ball (this is usually the case). At the next home game, the announcer usually does tell the home crowd of the player's achievement, but it is not as exciting for the player as when he/she recieves the ball at the instant it happens. Most schools in the 16th are cordial enough to grant this request from a visiting team. If they don't want to cooperate, then the visiting team's coach should accept the decision graciously. Personally, I think it shows real class when a coach or AD is willing to do something this nice for an opposing team's player.

I agree with some of the other posts - in today's high school sports environment, people are all too quick to blame the coaches when players quit, especially when they don't have all the information.

This is unbelieveable!!!! The actual fine was only $3,000 with the investigation fees being over $10,000. Until the KHSAA steps up, this sort of behavior will continue at some schools.

What does probation mean to Lex Christian's program? What are the actual penalties?

Any stats for Barbour and Davis?

Wow - looks like the Kittens played well at Boyd tonight. I heard that both Laisha Ward and Kim Strait both had double-doubles in the winning effort.

Sounds like Elliott played a tough game against a very good Wayne Co. team. Elliott's had some tough losses as of late, but against very good competition. I have a feeling Elliott will still be a factor come March. Elliott has some tough ones coming up against East Carter, Raceland, and Ashland. If Elliott can win or be competitive in all these games they will be fire-tested by the regional tourney.

Final

I've got to agree. There may be better fundamental ball players than Laisha Ward in the 16th, but no one comes close to matching her athleticism.

Anyone have the scoring line for Chambers, Cline, and Litzinger?

Right now my COY votes would go in no particular order: Kidwell-Definitely getting the most out of his team. Kidwell knows that his team gives other teams match-up problems. Instead of coaching to overcome other team's advantages, he makes other teams adjust to his team's strengths - a tough thing to do. Tackett-came into Rowan in a tough situation (after losing 2 prior coaches) and has still won despite having the region's toughest schedule. Bradley-People tend to forget the rebuilding process he has done at Blazer. Blazer has steadily went from 3 wins, to 8 wins, to 17 wins in the last 3 seasons. This year the Kittens are 10-2. And he only graduates 1 senior this year. I personally think the 16th region has many fine girl's coaches. By the end of the year the actual COY may be someone totally different than the ones I have mentioned.

Since we're over a third of the way into the season I figured it was time to start asking - who are the best players in the 16th right now. Try to provide some stats to back up your choices if you can. I can't get to a lot of the games in the region and I have not seen some of the premier players yet. While stats don't tell the whole story, they can sometimes help to determine a player's rank.

Final. Impressive win for the Lady Vikings at Elliott County. I believe this makes them 13-3 on the season. Coach Tackett is doing a great job in his first year.

Very Good news!!! Rachel Vanderhoof is possibly the hardest worker in the region and has overcome huge obstacles to continue her basketball career. No one deserves a great season more than she.