Kingfish Stevens

As a bit of an olive branch to Golden Gopher, I am going to say that Matt Thomas is the best senior in the region. In my mind, there is no doubt about it. He is a very deserving young man. However, in the spirit of honesty and at the risk of bending the olive branch, I have to add that there is no way by any stretch of partisan imagination that Bonner is a top ten player. Coleman may contribute more to the maroonies than will Bonner. Bonner will miss the bumping and shoving of McDavid.

The region has a number of decent coaches but no "great" ones.

Too bad Mars is not a new member of the 64th District. We could possibly reverse the ill-advised vote by Rose Hill to seed.

The previous playoff meeting score is irrelevant. What was the score when they played this season? I believe it was LCA 42 Raceland 7.

As a long distance fan of CovCath, I used the link to listen to the game on the radio. After about seven minutes of babbling with no mention of the score, I gave up. These guys are miserable. At least, from BGP, I found out that CovCath is ahead with less than seven minutes left. If I didn't appreciate Dickie Martin before I sure do now.

It is always a big event for the participants. I'm glad to see that three of the 16th Region teams (Bath County, Rowan County, and Rose Hill) are in it.

The best coach in the region will undoubtedly be the one who has the most talent that performs to its capabilities. With very few exceptions, it is the successful performance of talented players that makes a coach look brilliant. If the talent and personal motivation of the players is sufficient, the coach can roll out a ball and retire to the teachers's lounge for a nice Diet Pepsi and a nap.

I would agree with Fastbreak that there is a lot of passion in the 16th Region. Those associated with a particular school passionately support their favorites. No doubt about it. However, I believe an equally present ingredient in the mix is that many passionately dislike some of their neighboring schools. To put it another way, there is not a high level of love in the 16th Region. There is, in many cases, even less trust and respect. So, why do so many 16th Region threads get closed down? Undoubtedly, it is passion of one kind or another. And, this passion is not limited to BGP by any stretch of the imagination. The 16th Region is not likely to host a "family picnic".

Sounds like what goes around often comes around, so to speak. From your posts, I know that you are a great supporter of the coach and the program there in Westwood. Your Eagles may surprise a lot of people in the district and region this year.

Godfather, did you forget Arliss Beach?

Actually not. The teams are school teams and the event is considered by most to be the middle school state tournament. Nothing else would remotely qualify since it features 28 of the top teams from all over the state. Possibly if Ashland ever entered such tournaments, you would feel differently. Participation sure couldn't hurt your programs- boys and girls.

Thank you for the list.

Excellent analysis from a first time poster.

Sorry, Golden Gopher. I merely intended to state the obvious. I didn't intend to hit a raw nerve. Sometimes the truth is uncomfortable.

That 1994 Boyd County team was a fine team. It was probably the best team in the region during that decade.