Old School Dr.

I am just a big Cumberland, Harlan County and Mountain sports fan making observations on these and many other games and events just like a lot of other people on this website. I am sorry that you feel that you must try to give some sort of lecture to me about what I post on here. It is a great country we live in, everyone is entitled to an opinion and has the right to express it, as for this game and its issues I think there has been enough said. Have a great day sir

It is called having high expectations for a special group of kids, possibly something you know very little about.

Very much so, and my point is that last night was a very lackluster performance by Cumberland and all of the subbing that was done in the first half and early in the 4th quarter (along with Harlan shooting well and playing inspired ball in the first half) contributed to that. Cumberland is in a lot of people's minds the top team in the Region and they forced an 0-5 team into 32 turnovers and still only put up 58 points and won only by 18, and IMO that is just not near what this team is capable of and is a little bit disturbing.

You can give them what ever you want HDE, but I am just saying that Cumberland should beat a team like Harlan by 30 plus points and if they dont, then they have not, and did not last night play to their potential and I just dont like to see this team play that way. They need to establish the level of excellence that they are capable of and be consistent with it, like Elliot County (94-41 over Boyd County) JBS (100 to 40 something over Jenkins) and Shelby Valley (90-52 over a solid Covington Scott High) and not just beat 0-5 teams and 2-5 teams like Harlan and Barbourville by only 15 to 19 points. Establish an excellence that does not give their competitors much expectation of success against the the Skins. A lot of people may not understand what I am talking about, but I guarantee you the Scott County's, the Lexington Catholics, the PRP's, the Ballards, and the South Laurel's of the world know very much what I am talking about

Harlan was blown out by the time the 4th quarter started and as far as Harrison going out, Cumberland had already started subbing heavily when he left. Bottom line, like I said Harlan hit 5 or 6 3's in the first half (something they wont do often) while Cumberland played a bunch of people and were not very sharp and allowed Harlan to stay in the game until they amped up the pressure in the 3rd quarter.

Actually early in the 4th with 6 minutes left, Leisge came out after looking very good in his first game, then Johnson came out with 4 minutes left and Wilson played to the 2 minute mark with mostly subs after sitting most of the game in foul trouble.

The game was ugly, Harlan threw in a bunch of deeeeep 3's in the first half while Cumberland went 10 or 11 deep into their bench and never got in any kind of rhythm. Then they finally let their key players play a little together in the 3rd and blew Harlan out before subbing heavily in the 4th to keep it from being a 30 point game

It will be very interesting to see how this one turns out. With Crawford out, if South cant win this one at home I dont see how they would have much of a shot at them at all later in the year with Crawford. I think Corbin puts more talent on the floor even without the big fella, but Corbin's key players are still pretty young and Steve Wright is a very good coach. I wouldnt be surprised to see a one or two point win for the Cards.

Just a little curious (tropiclighting) to how you figure Harlan will stay within 14 of the Skins???

He is actually at least a solid 6'5" maybe closer to 6'6" and yes, his overall game is very good.

My thoughts on the actual dunk!! It was a very nice dunk, but not a great dunk. The thing about the dunk that makes it pretty special is the fact he split 2 defenders then threw it down over someone standing under the rim. What would have made it a great dunk is if a 6'4" or 6'5" guy had been under the rim and went up with him and challenged him and he still threw it down. Having said all that, it is the kind of dunk that all young kids dream about getting (spit defenders then go down the lane in traffic and hammer down) Nice one big fella!

People from the metropolitan area (Lexington specifically and Rupp Arena) might get to see some of it first hand at the sweet 16 in March.

I agree, they also have some talent and one big beast to go with that experience.

I agree with the point total (100) but I think it will probably be more like Hazard 51 PCC 49 PCC is well coached and physically pretty tough. Might need a good supply of Tylenol and bandaids for this one!! Lots of bumps and bruises!!

I actually said, a more mature and improved team, wouldn't you agree now sir??

Nice try anyway!!! LOL

Very much so, each program I think has a lot of respect for each other, but Harlan probably doesnt have the caliber of players to keep it competitive this year.

This was a great win and a big statement about the depth of this Cumberland team and the progress some of their inexperienced players have made, not to mention the Dominant play of Desmond Johnson (23 points and 26, yes that is right 26 rebounds). All I can say is 'WOW'!!! and Hats off to this special bunch. I knew M'boro was a very good team and IMO they are one of the top 5 or 6 teams in the region. As for Cumberland, with their young guys getting this valuable experience and stepping up in big games, when they get everyone on the floor together they will be a very complete team.

Thanks for the info.

Hey Les, you are the guru, I am just an intense observer with lots of thoughts and ideas. I guess I get carried away sometimes, but its just a strong passion for sports, especially 13th Region and mountain sports. Keep up the good work sir, I actually really enjoy what guys like you and John Henson bring to sports in the area.

That was last year and Jackson clearly had a much underachieving team without any very good wins at all, but having seen them at AAU this past summer I felt like they would be a more mature and improved bunch this year with everyone back. As for Lynn Camp, they have beaten Berea, Williamsburg and Red Bird!!! Lets not get too carried away with these victories, let them meet up with a quality team that actually attempts to play a little defense before you have them actually competing with the Regions best. This game will probably be a shoot out, but if I was Jackson I would go down low to the big guy so much he wouldnt be able to walk after the game! Just a few thoughts from up here in Harlan county

Who makes that decision??? and how do they make the decision??

Lynn Camp may be improved, but I dont think they have the talent to beat a team like Jackson. A wild, undiciplined, run and gun game will be right up the Generals alley and they have more weapons than the campers and IMO will take care of business in this one.

Brock Leisge will be back after being out for a couple weeks. As for the Jackets, they do have a much improved team with some good talent, but in regard to Barbourville, they do not have much talent and are not very good and the way they play defense (sit back in a 2-3 zone) is just what the docotor would order up for M'boro. Letting Griffin spot up and hit 3's early is something you cant let happen. Cumberland, well known for their man to man defense has done a good job guarding the Jackets 3 point shooters the last couple years and the intensity the Skins play with on the defensive end will be unlike anything M'boro has seen yet in this young season. Having said all of that, I believe it will be a very good, very competitive and entertaining game

Does anybody have scores or updates of this game? Thanks