The_Generals_Soldier

Despite losing to Mayo, Dawson, and crew the Morgan County team with Justin Perry, Ryan Williams, Admir Algic, Nick Havens, and others was great to watch. In many ways it was a shame this bunch of hardworking kids couldn't win the region, but sometimes as a coach, it's not your best team that wins the region. Case in point this team as Coach Matthew Perry's Cougars returned the next year to take the 16th Region Crown.

Greenup County: The 1983-85 teams at Greenup County, top notch talent and great coaching. To pick between the three teams you might want to pick the '84 team. Even though they didn't win the Region Tournament (They never were the same after Mike Raby injured his knee) they were really a dominate force not only in the 16th Region, but the state as well. The 1997 Musketeers were a nice club as well they finished within a shot of beating Ft. Thomas Highlands (State Runner-up to Lou. Eastern) in the state quarterfinals after being down 20+ points after the first quarter. Boyd County: The squads with Frank Lee were great to watch especially his junior year before the knee injury he suffered. The 2000 Lions with Tyler Zornes and Company were a nice squad as well. Ashland: The 1996 team with Kyle Umberger and company, state runner-up thats enough said. Watching Paintsville and Ashland in the Championship game was great for Eastern KY basketball.

I think Ward is happy where he is, but it would be fun to see him walk the sidelines at the Greenhouse again.

Oh we are in the same camp Big Slick. The problems at GCHS are numerous and will not be fixed anytime soon.

Amen to that Big Slick. I feel the situation can only get better at GCHS, but I give credit to Smith and Sutton for doing the best they could do with the mess that the program is in. From what I've heard I believe that Sutton is trying to find a way out and I'm sure Smith would love to have the job, but the way things are in GC you just never know. With a new Super coming in soon things could change or just stay the same, which in my opinion would be sad.

Congrats to the Royals and Coach Fraley. Jackson is starting to prove a lot of people's thoughts that he may be as good or better a player than Euton. They are both fine athletes, but the performance that Jackson put on was simply amazing. Coach Fraley has also done a nice job of bringing along some of the other younger players and they are complementing Jackson and Euton very well. I can't wait to see the matchup with the Elliott County Lions in the semi's. Good Luck to both teams.

I was wondering myself about the Lions too, is the whole team together??? Turmoil seems to always brew when it comes to who scores the points and most of the animosity is fed to the players through their respective parents. If this is happening at Elliott that is a true shame after the nice run they had last season, but it would be marked as predictable.

Hey is all well in the Elliott County camp? I've not been keeping up too much with the 16th Region, but I heard from a good source that there has been some team jealousy going on between some of the better players. I'm not speculating because I've learn that over time it can be tougher to coach a team with many talented players, then it is to coach a team with a couple of talented players and some kids who fill in certain roles.

I would've loved to see this Elliott County team compete in the 16th Region in the 1990's when you had Boyd County (Roger Zornes), Ashland (Wayne Breeden) and Greenup County (Randy Ward) consistently holding the top tier teams in the Region and even garnering state ranking in this decade. In 2000 the Pre-Season top 25 poll in the Lex. Herald had all three ranked in the Top 20, we may never see that again in the 16th. It's nice to have a dominant team like Elliott, but I miss those days when these three programs along with East Carter (Charlie Baker), West Carter (Grady Lowe), Sam Sparks (Russell), and others made for a very competitive region.

Best Technical story I ever heard involved a young official and an older official. The younger official was blowing calls and no where to be found on places where calls should be made. The coach calls a timeout and asks to speak to one of the ref's and of course the older official comes over. The coach tells him that the game is getting rough and someone needs to blow the whistle. The ref replies by saying, "The young guy with me isn't were he needs to be to make some calls and it's not his fault." The Coach replies, "Well that is your place to step in and take over as the veteran official." The Ref then says, "Well I can't do that I don't want to step on his toes." The Coach then says, "Well if that's how you feel, but if I had a size 17 boot I would've already stomped all of every toe he has."

Just like Don King says, "Only In America er, Greenup County." What a mess. I hope for the kids sake that some resolution can be made to what may be one of the worst seasons in Musketeer Basketball.

Coal Grove couldn't hit a shot for most of the game (Believe me they didn't score from a lack of taking shots) and was playing without two potential starters and one of its top subs. Overall a sloppy game, but the 1-3-1 was very effective in limiting Lewis County's offense it seemed. Not exactly a game film you would want to send to Springfield, Mass. to the Hall, but like someone already said it is a win for a school and a community that hasn't won a game in more than year. Good luck to Coach Hampton and the Lions I really think that come postseason they'll be the team to beat in the 63rd District.

I got a chance to see the Raiders this summer and I'd have to agree they could sneak up on several teams. The team is very athletic and has some nice skill. I would have to say Coach Baker's team has the potential to be a top teir team in the 16th Region picture. Their matchup's with Elliott should be a couple of the better games in the area this coming season.

In my view, I think that it is pretty poor of an administration to wait this long to name a coach. In this day in age of basketball, it is so important to have some form of summer basketball for the kids. By not having a coach in place soon after Coach Starns left, it looks as though to me that basketball may not be a priority. But, who knows I may be reading too much into the situation.

TJ Maynard seems to be the guy that everyone has talked about replacing the legendary Coach Ivan McGlone for years now. Coach McGlone is one of my favorites, on a personal side he has always been a great guy to talk to and has truly helped me out in my life. I couldn't have been happier for one guy when he won the State AA Title two seasons ago. I've also known TJ Maynard for several years and I feel that he would be a great choice, if Coach Morris or one of Ivan's upper level assistants didn't want to step into that role. I know for many of them they feel as though that they can't follow into his footseteps, due to a certain level of respect. Coach McGlone has dealt with some personal health issues with his wife in the past couple of years and I know that has weighed heavy on his mind, so retirement could be in the future, but I really hope that if his health is alright and his wife continues to do okay that Coach McGlone is able to stay on the sideline for a long-time to come.:thumb:

A question to ponder is...Since Coach Jim Matney has the Golden Eagle Football Program moving in the right direction does the school system put as big a priority on basketball. As am outsider it seems to me that football has become king in Johnson County. I'm not saying that one person or a group of people are causing a slowdown in the process of hiring a basketball coach, but football seems to be the priority due to recent success. For that matter Baseball seems to be inching in over basketball as well due to its success. Best of luck to JC, I've always enjoyed visiting as an opposing player, fan, etc..

I'd have to put Don Gullett in the argument. As far as high school accolades there are few in the countries history, much the Bluegrass State that can match his career. By far the most versatile athlete to ever play in the state, he could've picked his career in Baseball, Football, or Basketball and would've had a Hall of Fame career. Here is a great article about Gullett that tells plenty about this great athlete. I've known Gullett personally for years and I can tell you aside from being a great athlete in his day he is a great guy. If media coverage was like it is today, Gullett would be on every magazine, Blog, and website coming and going. http://www.cincypost.com/2002/jul/20/lonnie072002.html

I saw Boyd play this summer and they didn't look too bad. Of course you are right Roger wouldn't step into this situation unless he had an ace in the hole persay. He is a top notch coach and one of the very best this area has ever seen. I have a great deal of respect for Coach Z, but I'm sure he has a plan

It is still a big IF for the Perry kid. I know he is a great athlete, but I have my doubts on whether he will really come out and play. If he does he will make an impact on the districty standings, but I would still say that the Musketeers are still listed behind Raceland and possibly Lewis County leaving them in the 3rd slot.

I know that is a true shame as Sutton as it seems to me that Sutton in many ways, sold himself out to try to get the Head Position. He may have lost himself and everything that he was ever taught or learned in the process, and that is truly sad. All I know is that if I had a son there is no way I would have my child in the mess that the GC school system has become. It is a true shame that you can say 90% don't respect him, in my opinion that simply states the neagativity that eats away at good ol' GCHS. Oh and by the way, the planet I live on has a good dose of reality in it, and the truth is that I am a realist and I'm no longer blinded by the nonsense that has been created at GC.

Yeah that's pretty close I'm not sure exactly were the line is drawn, but the county is certainly different from the Eastern end to the Western end. It has always been a tough situation at GC with the differences. It's nearly impossible to get two schools to get along in a merger, much less three like GC was when it was developed.

I would agree twofakind Sutton would've been the best choice for a head position, but it seems he was used by the politics of GC like so many. I wish him the best, but it's a shame he isn't the top guy for GC Hoops.

I agree it was a good move to keep Sutton, I was kind of suprised Sutton was willing to stay around. Summer ball is over rated in some ways, but it does show the dedication a kid has for your program. I know Craft plays multiple sports, but the Perry kid doesn't and he should've/could've been there for the Musketeers. Ward's teams did play few summer games, but that was a different era of basketball, I believe he has even evolved from that. Summer ball doesn't mean a lot towards predicted the regular, but it does help build camaraderie among teammates.

I wouldn't put a whole lot of stock in players who didn't participate this summer. I know Craft plays Baseball and Football. As for Perry I think it is still questionable whether he plays or not. A whole lot of unknowns, not easy for Coach Leach being in the situation he's in. I wish him luck, he seems like a nice guy, but I think he is in for more than he knows.

Donnis Butcher coached The Detroit Pistons I believe and without a doubt you would have to find a spot for him on an all time 15th Region team. He also logged some minutes as a player in the NBA for the New York Knicks and the Detroit Pistons. Here's a link to his all time pro stats, he also coached the Pistons from 1966-1969. http://www.databasebasketball.com/players/playerpage.htm?ilkid=BUTCHDO01