Tuesday, March 8, 2011

One and done: Boys' round of 32

It was a very good last night in Lexington, Morehead, Mount Washington, Owensboro, Pineville and Winchester. Celebration and anticipation commence tonight for nine more Kentucky communities.

Today's games:

First Region, at Murray State University--Paducah Tilghman vs. Marshall County

Second Region, at Hopkinsville High School--Christian County vs. Madisonville-North Hopkins

Fourth Region, at Western Kentucky University--Bowling Green vs. Warren Central

Fifth Region, at Green County High School--Bardstown vs. Elizabethtown

Seventh Region, at Bellarmine University in Louisville--Jeffersontown vs. Louisville Eastern

Eighth Region, at Henry County High School--Oldham County vs. Spencer County

12th Region, at Lincoln County High School--Southwestern vs. Wayne County

14th Region, at Memorial Gym in Hazard--Perry County Central vs. Knott County Central

15th Region, at East Kentucky Expo Center in Pikeville--Pikeville Shelby Valley vs. Pikeville

These regional champions await the March 16 start of the Sweet Sixteen at Rupp Arena at the University of Kentucky in Lexington:

Third Region--Daviess County

Sixth Region--Mount Washington Bullitt East

Ninth Region--Edgewood Dixie Heights

10th Region--Winchester George Rogers Clark

11th Region--Lexington Catholic

13th Region--Bell County

16th Region--Rowan County

154 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  2. I'm going to have a horribly unproductive "work" day today because this Second Region championship is just completely occupying my brain.

    When people in Madisonville want to go somewhere sparkly, exotic and exciting, we head north to Evansville, Ind. When the folks in Hoptown go out on dates or want to do some fancy shopping, they go south to Clarksville, Tenn., or maybe Nashville. There is, of course, crossover. Several months ago, when my wife preached at First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) down there, I was talking about all of this with one of the locals down there. I asked him if people in Hoptown ever came to Madisonville for anything, and he said, sure, that he and his wife came up just a few weeks before to try our new Denny's. And I pointed out that my wife and I had recently come down there to try the new Japanese place that had opened in an old Waffle House. We both felt very cosmopolitan, I think; I know I did.

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  3. Love Alan Maver's "Striking Ideas" cartoon below this 1973 preview.

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  4. This is great, great coverage. Personally, I'm getting very excited about the Tilghman-Marshall Co. matchup. One of the high points of my high school years was going to Murray State and watching Barry Goheen lead Marshall past Tilghman for the regional title.

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  5. Thanks. That First Region game is going to be great.

    Another thing: Madisonville is mining; Hoptown is farming.

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  6. Excellent report on last night, GoHeath.

    To your forecast on the Second Region, County beat the Maroons in the championship last year, and the Colonels won, 92-71, in the only regular-season game. But I would point out that THERE'S A REASON THEY PLAY THESE GAMES ON A BASKETBALL COURT AND NOT PAPER!

    Also, as Shane Lucas wrote in this morning's Messenger, "The Madisonville-North Hopkins boys basketball team has developed a collective mindset of not letting its season end." Forty-seven of the Maroons' points in their 63-57 win over Union County last night came from seniors, he noted.

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  7. If you look at County's performance in the district tournament -- where they lost to U-Heights -- you can make a case that they may choke in a close game. I just don't think the Maroons can keep it close.

    92 points in a 32-minute game is amazing.

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  8. Jeff Morrow at J-Town tweeted three hours ago that there were about 50 tickets left to the 7th Region Final for sell at J-Town. He said they would be gone by the end of the day and that NO tickets would be sold at the door.

    The anecdotal evidence we're getting seems to be that this year's regionals have attracted a great deal of attention -- as they should.

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  9. Here are your last 10 winners of the 8th region:

    2010: Shelby Co.
    2009: Anderson Co.
    2008: Shelby Co.
    2007: Oldham Co.
    2006: Bullitt East
    2005: Scott Co.
    2004: Oldham Co.
    2003: Oldham Co.
    2002: Oldham Co.
    2001: Scott Co.

    The last team from the 8th region to go all the way was Scott Co. in 1998, before Toyota High was shifted to the 11th Region. Before that you have to go back to Charles Hurt's 1978 Shelby Co. team.

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  10. Here are the last 10 winners of the 12th region (gotta get all of these in today):

    2010: W. Jessamine
    2009: W. Jessamine
    2008: Lincoln Co.
    2007: Lincoln Co.
    2006: Boyle Co.
    2005: S. Laurel (STATE CHAMPS)
    2004: Wayne Co.
    2003: S. Laurel
    2002: Wayne Co.
    2001: S. Laurel

    Since 2005, South Laurel has been in the 13th region.

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  11. Here are the last 10 winners of the 14th region:

    2010: Knott Co. Cent.
    2009: Hazard
    2008: Hazard
    2007: June Buchanan
    2006: Hazard
    2005: Perry Co. Cent.
    2004: Perry Co. Cent
    2003: Powell Co.
    2002: Whitesburg
    2001: Hazard

    The 14th Region hasn't won the title -- or even put anyone in the title game -- since Carr Creek's legendary victory in the 1956 tournament. The 14th Region is the only region with a longer streak of futility than the 1st.

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  12. And finally, here are the last 10 winners of the 15th region. In 1990, Pike County combined Dorton High School and Virgie High School to form Shelby Valley. As you can see, that decision has had a big impact on the 15th region -- and the state:

    2010: Shelby Valley (STATE CHAMPS)
    2009: Shelby Valley
    2008: Paintsville
    2007: Shelby Valley
    2006: Johnson Cent.
    2005: Shelby Valley
    2004: East Ridge
    2003: Shelby Valley
    2002: Shelby Valley
    2001: S. Floyd

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  13. I just helped someone who's husband got his PhD at UK. He grew up in Allentown, PA. Went to Penn State, but is a huge UK fan and hopes to retire to KY.

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  14. "After seasons ending in agony, disappointment and heartbreak"?

    It seems to be that most folks still refer to George Rogers Clark High School in Winchester as "Clark County High." According to Wikipedia, the school was formed in 1963 by the merger of old Clark County and Winchester highs. That's a long time to stick with the old name. I wonder what that's about.

    George Rogers Clark is the alma mater of my favorite NFL player, Miami Dolphins safety Yeremiah Bell.

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  15. In Virginia, it is very common to name high schools after people rather than places. There is no "Frederick Co." high school, for example -- it's called "James Wood." But in Kentucky it is very unusual for the only high school in the county not to take the name of county. Plus, its official name has the word "Clark" in the title. So I don't blame folks for just going with "Clark Co." I realize they had to work out some deal with the name to protect the pride of Winchester. But why should the rest of us care about that?

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  16. In 2010, George Rogers Clark went 26-7 but lost in the regional final to Mason Co.

    In 2009, George Rogers Clark went 25-7 but lost in the regional final to Mason Co.

    In 2008, George Rogers Clark went 22-8 but lost in the regional semi-final to Mason Co.

    So they really did have seasons ending in agony, disappointment, and heartbreak. They must have been so happy when Pendleton took out Mason Co. in the semis.

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  17. So you called it Ballard County High and not Ballard Memorial? And Livingston County High, instead of Livingston Central? Of course, you didn't.

    I think it's pretty unusual to Clark County and this school within the category of Kentucky counties that would've gone through basically the same transition.

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  18. Agony, disappointment and heartbreak, indeed.

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  19. Both Ballard Memorial and Livingston Central took the name of the county, so they don't raise this issue.

    In retrospect, George Rogers Clark should have been named something like "Clark Central" or "Clark County Central" if that's what it took to assuage the folks in Winchester. Or, better still, they could have maintained two separate schools.

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  20. The Bowling Green Daily News reports that fans are lined up outside two of the four entrances as they await tonight's showdown between Bowling Green and Warren Central.

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  21. Jason Frakes tweets that in the 7th region, Eastern leads J-Town 37-34 at halftime.

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  22. In the 8th Region, Oldham Co. leads Spencer Co. 17-8 after one quarter.

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  23. In the 4th Region, Bowling Green and Warren Central are tied 38-all at the half.

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  24. Jason Frakes tweets that Eastern leads J-Town 45-39 with 5:26 left in the third quarter.

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  25. Apparently the BG Daily News sent out an inaccurate tweet before. Now they are telling us that BG leads Warren Central 38-34 at the half.

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  26. Meanwhile, down in the far western end of the Commonwealth, Froggyland reports that Tilghman and Marshall fans are still entering the gym. According to the reporters, the support for both teams has been tremendous.

    Keys to the game according to Froggyland: "I don't see how anyone can contain Tilghman if they can play at pace . . . Job one for them is to be able to run . . . If Marshall County can't get to the foul line . . . You can't let Marshall County get to the foul line . . . If Marshall makes 8, 9, 10 {threes}, you're going to have trouble."

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  27. With 1:46 to go in the third, Eastern leads J-Town 49-44.

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  28. Now the Froggyland announcers are reminiscing about the old days at Racer Arena. "We're awfully blessed to live where we do in this part of the world."

    I couldn't say it better myself.

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  29. In the 4th region, Bowling Green leads Warren Central 46-45 with 2:51 to go in the 3d quarter.

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  30. In the 15th region, 12-17 Shelby Valley leads Pikeville 25-19 at the half.

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  31. In the 14th region, Knott Co. Central leads Perry Co. Central 12-7 after one quarter.

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  32. In the 8th region, Oldham Co. leads Spencer Co. 30-17 at the half.

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  33. In the 12th region, Wayne Co. leads Southwestern 26-17 at the half.

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  34. I can't get any score from the 5th region.

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  35. On Froggyland, the Calloway Co. coach says that Tilghman has the best talent but Marshall may have the best team.

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  36. In the 4th region, Bowling Green leads 48-45 with 2:10 left in the third.

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  37. Jason Frakes tweets that Eastern leads J-Town 49-46 at the end of the third quarter.

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  38. The BG Daily News is now cranking out the tweets. Bowling Green leads Warren Central 50-47 at the end of the third.

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  39. Down in Murray, an a capella singing group from Tilghman is doing the national anthem.

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  40. Jason Frakes that both Eastern and J-Town "look wore out." That's unfortunate, because they still have to play eight more minutes.

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  41. This Tilghman, Marshall coverage could be from 25 years ago.

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  42. The Tilghman singers did a great job.

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  43. Marshall Co. is in the road orange. Tilghman wearing their white uniforms with blue trim.

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  44. In the 4th Region, Bowling Green leads 60-51 with 4:59 left in the game. The Purples can taste it now.

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  45. Eastern can also taste it. They lead J-Town 54-48 with 4:41 left in the game.

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  46. This is the third meeting between PTHS and Marshall Co. On January 11th, Marshall beat Tilghman 51-47 at Marshall. On January 28, Tilghman beat Marshall 69-68 at Tilghman.

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  47. The Dragons aren't dead yet. Bowling Green leads Warren Central by only five -- 60-55 -- with 3:45 left in the game.

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  48. You know, when I went to Heath, I was desperate for any of the county schools to beat Tilghman. But now I find myself feeling a lot more sympathy for the Tornadoes.

    Of course, I never did like Marshall very much.

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  49. I never did like Marshall much either and liked them even less after competing against them in golf matches.

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  50. Bowling Green leads Warren Central 62-57 with 2:37 left in the 4th quarter. Warren Central calls time.

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  51. Eastern is going to survive the 7th Region and beat J-Town yet again. The Eagles lead 63-51 with only 1:38 to go.

    Eastern will be a heavy, heavy favorite to win the title next week.

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  52. Finally, a score from the 5th region. Alex Sherrill, who tweets under the name "ukfan5593," reports that Bardstown leads E-Town 37-17 at the half.

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  53. The BG Daily News estimates that over 7,000 people showed up for the 4th Region title game. BG leads Warren Central 64-59 with 1:23 to go in the game.

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  54. Jason Frakes reports that Eastern leads J-Town 69-51 with 39.2 seconds left.

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  55. Never count out the Dragons! The BG Daily News reports that with 24.2 seconds to go, Warren Central has taken a 66-64 lead.

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  56. In the 1st Region, Marshall hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer to tie the game at 13 after one quarter.

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  57. It's all over in the 7th. Eastern ended the game on a 17-0 run, and they win 73-51.

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  58. Christian by one after one q v. Madtownch

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  59. The Dragons win again! In the last five minutes of the game, Warren Central outscores Bowling Green 18-4. They win the game 68-64.

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  60. In the 15th Region, Shelby Valley leads Pikeville 42-30 with 2:30 left in the game.

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  61. They still can't shoot in the 14th region. Perry Co. Cent. leads Knott Co. Cent. 31-25 at the end of 3 quarters.

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  62. It's all over in the 8th region. Oldham Co. beats Spencer Co. 70-50.

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  63. So far we have three regional winners:

    Eastern has won the 7th Region.
    Warren Central has won the 4th Region.
    Oldham Co. has won the 8th Region.

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  64. Tilghman has jumped out to a 26-19 lead with about 4 1/2 minutes to go in the first half. Marshall has called time.

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  65. Brian Eldridge tweets that in the 2d Region, Christian Co. leads Madisonville 20-17 with 7 minutes left in the 2d quarter.

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  66. Now Brian Eldridge reports that Christian Co. leads Madisonville 33-25 with 3 minutes left in the first half.

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  67. It's all over in the 15th Region. Shelby Valley will return to Lexington to defend its state title with a 13-17 record. SVHS beats Pikeville 49-42.

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  68. It's all over in the 12th Region. Wayne Co. beats Southwestern 51-35.

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  69. Tiger Gym P.A. announcer sang the anthem at Hoptown.

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  70. 40-36, Christian County, at the half in the Second Region.

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  71. Tilghman leads 31-22 behind Josh Forrest, who will be playing football for UK in the fall. Forrest already has a double-double at the half.

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  72. In the 2d Region, Madisonville is hanging tough. The Maroons end the 2d half on an 11-7 run. They trail Christian County 40-36 at the half.

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  73. The Froggyland guys say that "it's so difficult to stop Josh Forrest when he has a head of steam . . . Tilghman has kept Marshall sped up and uncomfortable."

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  74. In the 5th region, Bardstown leads E-Town 52-44 with 2 minutes left in the game.

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  75. Froggyland says that "Marshall Co. has to adopt a one-stop, one-score mentality."

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  76. In the 14th Region, Perry Co. Central leads Knott Co. Central 41-36 with under a minute to play.

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  77. To recap so far tonight:

    Shelby Valley won the 15th
    Wayne Co. won the 12th
    Oldham Co. won the 8th
    Eastern won the 7th
    Warren Central won the 4th

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  78. Tilghman leads 33-22 with 6:38 to go in the 3d. Marshall has called time.

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  79. In the 5th Region, Bardstown leads E-Town 53-48 with 1 minute to go.

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  80. Marshall has scored six points in a row. PTHS calls time with a 35-28 lead with over 5 minutes to go in the 3d.

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  81. The Froggyland guys say, "Tilghman has got to know that Marshall's not going to quit."

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  82. Madisonville-North Hopkins has missed its last six free-throw attempts. The Maroons trail Christian County by six late in the third quarter ... make that four.

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  83. In the 5th Region, Bardstown leads E-Town 60-52 with 27 seconds to go.

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  84. AUGGGHHH!!! I hate the thought of Madisonville missing all those FTs.

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  85. Three quarters done ... 52-48, Christian ...

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  86. Marshall played somewhat better toward the end of the 3d quarter, but they still trail 44-38 with one quarter to go.

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  87. The 14th Region has finally been decided:

    Perry Co. Cent. 45, Knott Co. Cent. 39

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  88. "Froggyland," by the way, is 103.7 WFBS-FM in Murray.

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  89. The Marshals have cut Tilghman's lead to 44-42 with 4 quick points to open the 4th quarter. Tilghman calls time.

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  90. Those Froggyland announcers are fantastic.

    The 1310 AM announcers for Madisonville-North Hopkins games include Tom Rogers, whom my father-in-law just informed me "is probably the best all-around athlete they ever had out there. He played football for UK and a little in the CFL." He played for the Maroons in the early '50s, just before my father-in-law became a student there.

    54-50, Christian County ...

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  91. The Bardstown fans on Twitter are screaming about going to Rupp, so the 5th region game is apparently over.

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  92. "Somebody up top, mouthing or something--I don't know--is getting tossed. It's a Christian County fan."

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  93. OK, so now 14 regions have been decided:

    16th: Rowan Co.
    15th: Shelby Valley
    14th: Perry Co. Central
    13th: Bell Co.
    12th: Wayne Co.
    11th: Lex. Catholic
    10th: George Rogers Clark
    9th: Dixie Heights
    8th: Oldham Co.
    7th: Lou. Eastern
    6th: Bullitt East
    5th: Bardstown
    4th: Warren Cent.
    3d: Daviess Co.

    So only the two western regions remain to be decided.

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  94. 5:49 to play, and the Colonels surge to a nine-point lead. The Madisonville 1310 AM announcers are not happy with the Tiger Gym officiating.

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  95. Meanwhile, Arkansas-Little Rock has beaten N. Texas 64-63 to take the Sun Belt title.

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  96. Very good day for UALR, got both the men's and women's titles.

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  97. We gave up on 1310 AM. Now we've switched over to a second local station doing the game, 730 AM.

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  98. These guys think that it's time for the Maroons to start pressing. 4:19 to go.

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  99. With 5:09 left, Tilghman has righted the ship somewhat. They lead 49-43. Marshall has missed a bunch of FTs, and the Froggyland guys are afraid that will be the difference. (Since they're from Murray, they're trying to be impartial, but I grew up down there and I can tell that they are pulling for the Marshals.)

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  100. Madisonville has two separate radio teams doing the games?

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  101. Yes. Isn't that crazy? I was shocked.

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  102. 3:40 to go ... nine-point Colonel lead ...

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  103. Maroons are now in full-court pressure.

    "I don't understand why we didn't press when Anthony Hickey was in the game."

    Hickey, Christian County's point guard (and football quarterback), is now out with four fouls.

    2:50 to go.

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  104. Tilghman misses two FT's, and Marshall nails a 3!

    PTHS 49-47 with 4 minutes to go.

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  105. Tilghman called for a charge . . . "And the Marshall fans go bananas!"

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  106. Marshall hits another 3, takes the lead 50-49. "Those kids in orange are feeling it now."

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  107. "Three ball from the corner!" for the Maroons, and we have a timeout at 2:11 with Christian County up 69-61.

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  108. PTHS misses another FT.

    Marshall comes back . . . shot good and a foul. "And they are going insane in the Marshall end zone."

    Marshals on an 12-0 run. They lead 53-49.

    "All of Marshall Co. on their feet."

    PTHS calls time. "They just haven't stayed focus on either end of the floor."

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  109. PTHS back to the line again for the one-and-one.

    They miss again! That's four misses in a row.

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  110. Two straight trips come up empty for Madisonville-North Hopkins, and Christian County is back out by 10 with about a minute to go.

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  111. With 3:10 to go and a 4-point lead, Marshall is trying to hold the ball.

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  112. PTHS comes back and hits a 3! 53-52 Marshall.

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  113. BriEldridge Tweets that the Colonels are playing a 6-foot-5 kid at the point with Hickey on the bench.

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  114. Marshall responds with another basket. They lead 55-52 with less than 2 minutes to go.

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  115. Tilghman heading back to the line with 1:51 to go. PTHS now in the double bonus.

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  116. PTHS misses the first FT.
    PTHS misses the second FT.

    Marshall ball.

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  117. 1 minute to go in Hoptown, and a kid named Basham (nicknamed "The Monster Bash") hits a long one to pull the Maroons within seven ...

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  118. Marshals beat the Tilghman defense. Josh Forrest fouls out!!! He finishes with only 15 points.

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  119. Marshall misses two FTs. But MCHS gets the rebound!

    1:36 to go.

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  120. Wild scramble for the ball. Tilghman had a steal, but couldn't keep it. MCHS knocks out the ball. Tilghman ball with 1:23 to go.

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  121. My sister-in-law and I are pretty sure that the announcers are saying Christian County has a player named, "Beyonce" Lewis.

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    Replies
    1. This turned out to be Deontae Lewis, who ends up hitting the shot that wins the state championship.

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  122. Tilghman misses two threes. MCHS ball. MCHS headed to the line.

    1:02 to play.

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  123. Tilghman's Forrest and Bubba Tandy, who is one of Christian County's top players in this game, will both be playing football for UK.

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  124. MCHS makes both FTs, and they lead 57-52.

    Tilghman comes back -- and charges! MCHS ball, and this game is pretty much over.

    "Paducah Tilghman has lost their composure . . . In the last four and a half minutes they have melted down."

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  125. One minute to go. Marshall ball. Marshals with a 57-52 lead. They just have to make some FTs.

    Early in the second half, PTHS was up 35-22.

    "No team with Marshall Co. is going to quit . . . I talked about the urgency of every possession . . . Paducah Tilghman didn't respect it, and they are going to pay."

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  126. 14 seconds to go ... 76-65 ... radio announcers say Maroon players linger in their huddle around Coach Marty Cline out of the timeout ...

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  127. Tilghman tries for a steal, finally fouls with 49 seconds left. "That's 11 seconds you'll never get back."

    MCHS makes one of two. 58-52.

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  128. Tilghman commits yet another turnover. "Ballgame."

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  129. MCHS misses a layup. Tilghman gets the ball back and scores. PTHS calls time. But MCHS leads 58-54 with 14.3 seconds to go.

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  130. Second Region: Christian County.

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  131. Great effort by Madisonville, by the way. That game was closer than I expected.

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  132. The Froggyland guys have told us -- in about 30 different ways -- that PTHS basically threw this game away with stupid plays.

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  133. MCHS outscores Tilghman 24-12 in the fourth quarter; win the game 62-56.

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  134. Based on what I heard tonight, Josh Forrest should fit in perfectly with the UK football team.

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  135. Oh, boo. You've been living in Washington so long, you don't even remember what's it's like in Kentucky. Have another latte.

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  136. So crazy that you have a son Josh Forrest's age.

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  137. Toward the end of the game, the announcers made several references to the tragedy experienced by Gus Gillespie, the MCHS coach. I didn't know what they meant until I found this, which was published by Joey Fosko of the Paducah Sun on October 23, 2008:

    "Gunner Gillespie passes away ...
    Within the last hour or so, we at The Paducah Sun got the sad and awful news that Gunner Gillespie, the 8-year-old son of Marshall County basketball coach Gus Gillespie, passed away after battling an inoperable brain tumor for nearly 11 months.

    "Far western Kentucky has gotten to know Gunner and his plight quite well for the last year — his love of trains became the inspiration for T-shirts that were sold to help raise money for his medical expenses, and his mother, Janna, has kept thousands of friends and well-wishers apprised of Gunner's struggles on an online journal.

    "Gus Gillespie talked in this forum back in the spring about how much he and his family appreciated the outpouring of love and support — emotionally, financially and otherwise — received from the Marshall community, and how it played a role in his decision not to seek an attractive coaching job at Mount Vernon, Ill., where he was once an assistant.

    "Please keep the Gillespies in your prayers ..."

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  138. Believe me, Eric, the Froggyland guys were much more critical of Josh Forrest than I was.

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  139. And so, in a particularly Kentucky moment, the First Region trophy is handed out in a haze of tradition, blame, sympathy, memories, tragedy, prayer, and love.

    "A very proud tradition . . . and a lot of blood, sweat, and tears on the Marshall County side."

    As the Froggyland guys properly noted, they are very, very lucky to live where they do.

    That's all for me. I'm going home.

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  140. Joey Fosko, former Lone Oak High academic-team standout ...

    Great stuff from the First Region. I'm just joshing you, GoHeath. I don't have any question that Froggyland was tougher on the guy than you were.

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  141. Wow. This was fun. My favorite moments from revisiting this coverage were the mention of Charles Hurt and 1978 Shelby County, Dorton and Virgie, my father-in-law's comments on Maroon Tom Rogers, the fact that Madisonville had two radio stations calling the Second Region title last night, the national-anthem singers in Murray and Hoptown and "all of Marshall County on their feet."

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  142. So wild that Bowling Green and Tilghman both seemed to have their games in hand, and both fell apart down the stretch.

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