HeavyGee

According to today's The Winchester Sun, Bennett will play but Stenzel is doubtful.

One of the best stories I ever heard involved Jock Sutherland. When he was coaching at Gallatin County (I believe), he ran out onto the court. The referee told him that he was going to get a technical foul for every step back to the bench. So his players carried him back to the bench. I don't recall the final outcome.

I agree.

I'm not 100% sure, but there is a distinct possibility that both Bennett and Stenzel will play.

That's true, and Bob Tallent transferred to George Washington, where he had an outstanding career.

Ditto. Let's keep everything in perspective. In 1966, Rupp's Runts went to the national championship game before they lost to Texas Western. The only two seniors on that team were Larry Conley and Tommy Kron, and neither one were great scorers. The following season, UK--with Louie Dampier, Pat Riley, Thad Jaraz, Bob Tallent, and Gary Gamble--went 13-13. Here is my point. Last year, Mason County had a strong defender and rebounder in power forward Brad Pawset, an effective point guard in Tyreese Scott, and a tremendous sixth man in Tony Browning. In fact, I truly believe that if Browning hadn't gotten hurt in the regional championship game that Clark County might not have won. So, as players like King, Downing, and others continue to progess, Mason County will be fine. And besides, Scott County is good. Most teams in the state would love to have Jordan Lee, Richie Phares, Tyler Portwood, and Cam Hundley.

I agree. Preston Knowles plays basketball for Louisville. Tristen Jones plays football for Western. Robelle Rogers plays football for Eastern. Josh Wood plays baseball for Cumberlands. And Kendall Bergmen, who might have started at center this year, moved to South Carolina. I had no idea that freshmen Corey Rogers and Travis Purvis would be impact players this year. I had no idea that Henry Clay transfer Ryan Williams, who didn't play for the Blue Devils last year, would be one of the best passers I have ever seen. By playing a 1-3-1 zone defense, coach Scott Humphrey has taken his defensive philosophy to the next level. This team is the most fun, exciting, and UNSELFISH team I have seen in quite some time.

I went to the game and, knowing that Gold Sunrise could not attend, kept the score myself.

Actually, score was 61-50

Clark County scoring: Robert Hatton 26, Ryan Williams 12, Corey Rogers 8, Marc Miller 6, Aaron Dini 5, Travis Purvis 2, Chase Kindred 2, Tatum Lewis 0. Robbie Stenzil (ankle) and Evan Bennett (death in family) did not play. Sorry, I don't have Simon Kenton scores. Score by quarter: Clark County --11-29-39-61 Simon Kenton--13-24-35-50

You make a good point here. I remember when I coached softball, teams were allotted a certain number of players on the all-tournament team based on their finish, and it was up to the head coach of that team to select which players made it.

Clark County/George Rogers Clark High School 1. Linville Puckett - All-State Tournament Team (1950-1952), Played at University of Kentucky and Kentucky Wesleyan 2. Paul Smith - All-State Tournament Team (1958), Kentucky All-Stars (1958), Played at University of Kentucky and Georgetown College 3. Tommy Harper - Kentucky All-Stars (1960), Played at University of Kentucky 4. Larry Gay - All-State Tournament Team (1969), Kentucky All-Stars (1969), Played at Florida State University, played in 1972 National Championship Game vs. UCLA 5. Preston Knowles - All-State Tournament Team (2007), Kentucky All-Stars (2007), Signed with University of Louisville

Riley Benock, Meade County, Mississippi State Matt Fraliex, Caldwell County, Murray State Ty Proffitt, South Laurel, Notre Dame

One of the best things that might have happened for Preston this year was the first game against Mason County. That game was played on a Saturday afternoon prior to the Kentucky-Florida game. Florida had two assistant coaches at the game primarily to watch Darius Miller. They were both very impressed with Knowles (remember he had 17 points in the 2nd quarter) and told a well respected former college coach that he could have helped Florida this year (as if they really needed a lot of help). I've always believed that coaches have a herd mentality and, after that game, word really started to spread about Preston.

Bingo! Never underestimate the power of politics.

I am truly sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends.

:thumb: Sounds good.

1. Walls 2. Pettigrew 3. Beckham 4. Brooks 5. Rice 6. Proffit 7. Hill 8. Anderson 9. Coleman (maybe higher, I havent seen him play) 10. Beaumont[/b][/b][/b] Would you really take Walls, Beckham, Rice, Profitt, Hill, and Beaumont over Preston Knowles?

I need a little help here. I'm picturing a guy a little on the heavy side, kind of thin hair on top, maybe wore glasses, and often wore a Mason County golf shirt. I know I've seen him many times at the press table, but I'm not for sure. Do you have a picture of him?

Actually, I'm a little surprised that Hammonds didn't make it. I was really impressed with him in the game against Clark County back in December.

Per Courier-Journal, the players invited to try out: Boys: Davin Anderson, Doss; Rashad Basey, Jeffersontown; Twany Beckham, Ballard; Kane Belcher, Pendleton County; Riley Benock, Meade County; Kerry Benson, Pleasure Ridge Park; Nick Britt, Warren Central; Jeff Brooks Jr., Doss; Jamie Case, Belfry; Sean Clark, Greenwood; Josh Clemons, Ohio County; Thomas Coleman, Jeffersontown; Matt Daniel, Rowan County; Zack Fain, West Jessamine; Matt Fraliex, Caldwell County; Luc Graves, Allen County-Scottsville; Johonne Hamilton, Ballard; Jordan Hammonds, South Laurel; Mike Hester, Simon Kenton; Justin Hicks, Hazard; Austin Hill, Holmes; Josh Hurd, Simon Kenton; Tanner Jacobs, Trinity; Jaron Jones, Bryan Station; Preston Knowles, Clark County; Jamie McCarty, Johnson Central; Jeffery McClain, Fulton County; Andre Miller, Central Hardin; Spencer Perrin, Boyle County; Steffphon Pettigrew, Elizabethtown (Mr. Basketball); Ty Proffitt, South Laurel; Greg Rice, Holmes; Shawn Savage, Bowling Green; Reggie Smith, Fairdale; C.J. Trotter, Christian County; Robert Troutman, Bullitt East; Justin Vitatoe, Clinton County; Terry Walker, Fort Knox; Matt Walls, Scott County; Ryan Whitaker, Bell County. Coaches: Ron Bevars, North Hardin; Bill Mike Runyon, Paintsville.

Coach Scott Humphrey said the same thing at the press conference. Once he is surrounded with better players offensively, shot selection will improve.

I am not biased, and I agree with you.

This is the first Derby Festival Classic I have been to since the mid 1970s. And I must say it was one of the worst exhibitions of basketball I have seen in some time. Each team had 27 turnovers. The Gold Team, on which Preston Knowles and Steffphon Pettigrew played, played no defense, did not hit the boards hard, and had no one who could take the ball to the basket. Having said that, there were some outstanding performances. I agree with everything The Deuce said except for A. J. Stewart. First, Kansas State signee Mike Beasley was clearly the best player on the floor. He scored 23 points, grabbed 16 rebounds, and at times was a man among boys. Senario Hillman (Alabama) was the quickest, fastest player on the court. He scored 17 points and nobody could guard him. Nolan Smith (Duke), son of former U of L star Derek Smith, scored 19 points and was rock solid. DeAndre Jordan got a huge reception from UK fans and responded with 18 points and 7 rebounds. He didn't play much defense and didn't show much offense outside of 5 feet. But inside of 5 feet he was tough. I sure would like to see him come to Kentucky. I was most disappointed in A.J. Stewart. Yes, he did win the slam dunk competition, but that contest was so bad, everyone around me just laughed. Stewart had two big dunks in the game and that was just about it. We saw him hit few, if any, baskets during warm-ups. Morakinyo "Mike" Williams (UK) scored 9 points and had 7 rebounds, but I was not overly impressed with his game. He's a big guy, who did not appear in shape. But, who knows, neither was Nazr Mohammad in high school. E-town's Steffphon Pettigrew was impressive in winning the 3-point shooting contest. But, during the game, he was hardly visable. As the only player still undecided as to his college choice, I was hoping he would make more of a statement. He did have 7 points, but I left with mixed feelings as to his ability to contribute at the highest level. Still, I believe he could be solid at the small forward position. Clark County's Preston Knowles (U of L) scored 10 points on 4 of 10 shooting. He was 2 of 6 from 3-point range. I would guess that 8 of his 10 shots were quality shots. Knowles was just about the only player on the Gold Team that played any defense, as he had 5 steals. He also handled the ball well. South Laurel's Ty Profitt (Notre Dame) scored zero points (0-5) and had 5 assists and 4 steals. U of L signee George Goode looked solid in scoring 12 points. Lastly, Austin Daye (Gonzaga) looked good with 14 points and 9 rebounds, as did Anthony Randolph (LSU) with 21 points.

Here it is. http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070414/SPORTS03/704140502