First Region, at Murray State University's CSFB Center.
Second Region, at Madisonville-North Hopkins Senior High School--#MaroonsHouse!
Third Region*, at Owensboro Sportcenter--Muhlenberg County and Owensboro Apollo play for the championship at 7 p.m. Central today.
Fourth Region, at Western Kentucky University's E.A. Diddle Arena in Bowling Green--The head coach of Bowling Green's state-champion football team, Kevin Wallace, @kwallacebg, encourages the boys' hoops team this morning in advance of today's semi with Russell County: "Purples vs Lakers, 6:30, Diddle! Good luck @scootscoot25 @NacariusF @purplehayes9 @cb_combs Confidence is properly fueled by preparation!"
Fifth Region, at Central Hardin High School in Elizabethtown--First semi, at 5 p.m. Central, pits Etown John Hardin, on eight-game win streak, and LaRue, on a nine-.
Seventh Region*, at Bellarmine's Knights Hall--Louisville Saint Xavier and Louisville Trinity play for the championship at 6 p.m. Central today, and Trinity says it's going to be on WKRD 790 AM.
Eighth Region, at Henry County High School in New Castle.
10th Region*, at Montgomery County High School in Mount Sterling--@ZiHen_5: "Alll the true mason county fans, our game is going to continue as scheduled today. So come out and support us tonight at 5!!! #RoyalNation" (That's the 4 p.m. Central semifinal against Montgomery County, on Maysville's Soft 96 WFTM.)
12th Region, at Pulaski County High School in Somerset--The Jessamine Journal is a fun way to follow these games.
13th Region, at Corbin's The Arena--Clay County and London North Laurel play for the championship at 6:30 p.m. Central today.
14th Region, at Knott County Central High School in Hindman.
15th Region, at the East Kentucky Expo Center in Pikeville--Lick Creek East Ridge and Paintsville Johnson Central play for the championship at 6 p.m. Central today.
16th Region, at Morehead State University's Johnson Arena--Ashland Blazer and Rowan County play for the championship at 6 p.m. Central today.
Three regions are idle today:
Sixth Region, at Louisville Atherton High School and Bellarmine University's Knights Hall in Louisville--Defending champ Mount Washington Bullitt East and 2011 runnerup Louisville Pleasure Ridge Park won semifinals yesterday and play for the title Tuesday.
Ninth Region*, at Northern Kentucky University's Bank of Kentucky Center in Highland Heights--Boone County beat 2011 runnerup Newport Central Catholic, 54-49, on Sunday.
11th Region*, at Eastern Kentucky University's Alumni Coliseum in Richmond--Scott County and Woodford County play for the championship Tuesday.
In the 10th Region, Montgomery Co. and Mason Co. are tied 15-all after one quarter.
ReplyDeleteJody Demling tweets that it's too late to get tickets to the Trinity/St. X game at 7 P.M EST unless you're already in line.
ReplyDeleteNever, ever sleep on Mason County. The Royals went 17-13 this year, but they're up 40-28 midway through the 3d quarter over Montgomery County (23-10).
ReplyDeleteLast 10 winners of the 10th Region:
ReplyDelete2011: Clark Co.
2010: Mason Co.
2009: Mason Co.
2008: Mason Co. (STATE CHAMPS)
2007: Clark Co.
2006: Mason Co.
2005: Pendleton Co.
2004: Mason Co. (state finalist)
2003: Mason Co. (STATE CHAMPS)
2002: Mason Co.
Now Montgomery County is fighting back. The Indians, trying to go to State for the first time since 1995, trail Mason 50-47 after 3.
ReplyDeleteLouisville Catholic Sports tweets that the fans are pouring into Knights Hall at Bellarmine University for the first all-Catholic School Final in the Seventh Region since 1955.
ReplyDeleteUnder three minutes to play ... 54-52, Royals ... Mason County, only seven points since 3:40 mark of third, reports Danny Weddle on Soft 96 ...
ReplyDeleteBack in 1955, St. X beat Flaget (Paul Honung's alma mater) 53-44 and went to State.
ReplyDeleteFlaget, which was also the alma mater of Howard Schnellenberger, closed in 1974. In some ways, it was a victim of its own success, as Catholic families left the West End of Louisville (where Flaget was located) and moved east.
ReplyDeleteKeith Griesser @kgriesser
ReplyDeleteNot gonna lie... I still hate 16th region refs... and most of the bad calls have gone against Mason.
5:05 PM - 5 Mar 12
1:28 to go ... Mason County, 57-53 ...
ReplyDeleteSoft 96 -- Maysville's own WFTM-FM (95.9 on your dial) -- reports that Mason County leads 58-55 with 30 seconds left. Montgomery County has the ball, and the Indians call time.
ReplyDeleteMontgomery County misses a contested three -- gets the rebound -- misses another three -- ball out of bounds to Mason County with 12 seconds left.
ReplyDeleteMason County going to the line.
ReplyDeleteOne-and-one.
Mason County, alma mater of Darius Miller, makes them both.
60-55 Mason.
Danny Weddle calls a solid game.
ReplyDeleteMontgomery County races down and scores to make it 60-57 with four seconds to go. Time out.
ReplyDeleteYears of listening to Kentucky high school basketball have convinced me that Maysville must be quite a place.
ReplyDeleteMason County going back to the line with 3.5 seconds left.
ReplyDeleteOne-and-one.
Free throw misses!
Battle for the rebound -- Mason steals the ball!
Mason scores at the buzzer and wins!
Final score: 62-57
DON'T SLEEP ON MASON COUNTY.
Last time I was through there, 10 years ago or so, Maysville was a beautiful, old river town downtown, surrounded by standard chain-store fun on a ridge. I thought it looked like a good place to live.
ReplyDeleteIt's been a good day for my main man, @uknum1 on (still) No. 1 ...
ReplyDeleteJeff Drummond @JDrumUK
UK's Darius Miller also honored today on SEC Community Service Team for work with God's Pantry, visits to children's hospital, area schools.
4:53 PM - 5 Mar 12
Meanwhile, in the 5th Region, LaRue County leads John Hardin 27-13 with six minutes to go in the second quarter.
ReplyDeleteLaRue County hasn't been to the State Tournament since 1988. Here are the last 10 winners of the 5th region:
ReplyDelete2011: Bardstown
2010: North Hardin
2009: Adair Co.
2008: Bardstown
2007: Adair Co.
2006: John Hardin
2005: Elizabethtown
2004: Caverna
2003: North Hardin
2002: North Hardin
The last team from the Fifth Region to win the state title was Elizabethtown, which beat Lexington Catholic for the title in 2000.
WKRD-AM -- 790 on your dial in Louisville -- reports that they could have drawn 10,000 people to the Trinity/St. X game if it were in a bigger gym.
ReplyDeleteI would love to know more about the differences between Trinity and St. X and how Catholics decide which one they want.
ReplyDeleteSt. X is a Catholic college preparatory school sponsored by the Xaverian Brothers since 1864. Its web page report that St. X "engages young men in rigorous academic programs and extracurricular activities that foster respect, honor and service to God's world."
Trinity was a school founded by the Archdiocese of Louisville in 1953 in response to the growth of Louisville's eastern suburbs. It's mission is "to provide students with a superior high school education in a supportive atmosphere based upon Christian values in the Catholic tradition."
ReplyDeleteI ran these descriptions by a Catholic friend of mine, and he said that St. X is probably the school for higher-end people who want to sent their kids to really good colleges, while Trinity is probably for everyone else. That sounds right to me. I was struck that St. X. talks about "rigorous academic programs" while Trinity merely promises a "superior high school education."
ReplyDeleteJason Frakes of the C-J tweets that the St. X fans were waving money as the Trinity kids were introduced.
ReplyDeleteTrinity leads 15-12 after one quarter. The St. X announcers on WKRD are happy to be close, but somewhat nervous.
ReplyDeleteIn the 14th region semi-finals, Buckhorn leads Powell Co. 28-23 at the half.
ReplyDeleteBuckhorn last went to the state tournament in 1989. Here are the last 10 winners of the 14th Region:
ReplyDelete2011: Perry Co. Cent.
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
The 14th Region hasn't won the state title since the tournament integrated. Their last winner was Carr Creek in 1956.
Trinity now threatening to blow it open: Rocks up 23-14 with 5:49 to go.
ReplyDeleteTrinity is playing like an old Rick Pitino team -- they're hitting three's and getting steals. Trinity leads 30-16 midway through the second quarter.
ReplyDeleteIf Trinity blows through the basketball tournament the way they usually blow through the football tournament, I expect rule changes from the KHSAA. I don't think the rest of the state is going to sit there and let Trinity and St. X ruin basketball the way they've ruined the 6A football playoffs.
ReplyDeleteThe St. X announcers say that one of the officials at the game looks just like Joker Phillips.
ReplyDeleteOK, I'm leaving the Seventh Region. Trinity is cruising, up 38-24 at the half.
ReplyDeleteThe State Championship may have been decided when Trinity beat Ballard 58-55 in the Regional Semi-Finals.
In an 8th Region Semi-Final, Collins has beaten Gallatin County 56-47. They will play Owen County or Oldham County for the title.
ReplyDeleteHere are the last 10 winners of the 8th Region, which would be really strong if it still included Scott County and Bullitt East:
ReplyDelete2011: Oldham Co.
2010: Shelby Co.
2009: Anderson Co.
2008: Shelby Co.
2007: Oldham Co.
2006: Shelby Co.
2005: Bullitt East
2004: Scott Co.
2003: Oldham Co.
2002: Oldham Co.
The last team from the 8th Region to win the State Title was Scott County in 1998.
Meanwhile, in the Colonial Athletic Association championship, Virginia Commonwealth is rolling over Drexel, 32-19 with 53 seconds left.
ReplyDeleteNow that I've switched channels, St. X is on a run. Trinity's lead is now 40-31 with 6 minutes left in the third.
ReplyDeleteBut then Trinity comes back with a 4-point play to make it 44-31.
ReplyDeleteMeanwhile, WSIP-FM in Paintsville (98.9 on your dial) is doing the pre-game show for the 15th Region championship between Johnson Central and East Ridge.
ReplyDelete34 madisonville, 23 county at half in 2nd region ...
ReplyDeleteGo Maroons!
Delete"Pandemonium!"
DeleteWell, ...
The Maroons lead Christian County, 44-27, with 4:14 to go in the third quarter.
I would say the gym is about 70-percent full. It looks pretty crowded, and it gets pretty loud from time to time. But this is not one of those situations where the students are crammed up against one another and parents are holding little kids on their soldiers and cops are holding back bulging end zones with rope and the 50-year-old men in the gym look at each other with pained faces and wonder aloud about the big trouble we'd be in if there was a fire.
50-28, Madisonville-North Hopkins, with 2:14 to go in the third.
I don't think anyone tried to sell me a program when I came in. The ticket was $6. No re-entry.
50-30.
Here are the media outlets with banners along press row on the opposite side of the floor of the team benches: WSON, "Home of the Henderson County Colonels;" WFMW, "POWER ROCK 93.9;" "Madisonville's ESPN Radio 1310 AM;" WHOP 1230 AM/95.3 FM, "NEWS-TALK-SPORTS; WAVE 104.9, and Source 16, "Western Kentucky Television."
It's 52-32 through three quarters.
This is Don Hanson Court, per script on both sides of the floor. There's a big "M" in a circle at midcourt. The floor at one end reads, "MAROONS," and at the other, "LADY MAROONS."
The Madisonville-North coach started the quarter with a bunch of subs on the floor, but, 43 seconds into the fourth, he's pulling all of them. Christian County, the defending state champs, had quickly cut the lead to 15, and then the Colonels got it down to 52-39 on the next possession.
Now it's 56-41 with 5:53 to play.
There's Jim Pearson, The Messenger photographer, at one end. There are a couple of pretty good high-school basketball players on the floor. I'm sure one or more of these coaches is excellent. I'll bet there are a number of fantastic teachers, parents, police officers, band directors, whatever ... I promise you, however, that there is no one in this building right now who is better at what he does than Jim Pearson is. I love Madisonville, and he is one of the differentiating features of our town.
Christian County is getting a little plucky here. It's 56-44 with 4:24 to play.
It appears that they've put the Christian County and Hoptown fans on the players' side of the floor and the Madisonville-North Hopkins and Henderson County fans on the media side. I'm sitting on the top row of what is mostly a Hoptown section, but there is also a pretty significant section of folks from Webster County. About four of the guys appear to be Webster coaches, and I imagine they're sitting here kicking themselves over the fact that this Christian County team upset* them in the quarters.
60-44, 3:33.
I think I might be in a pretty good place for Game 2, as I'm directly behind and about 10 rows up from a middle-aged couple, maybe not quite 40, in black and orange T-shirts that they appear to have had made. The backs of the shirts read:
WATCH THEM
WORK
#20
Jordan
#3
Trey
The man is listening to a little device. Could be a transistor radio, but it's more likely, of course, some kind of digital handset. He and the woman both have cornrows that dangle off the backs of their heads, and there are orange beads at the ends. They look terrific, and it must make Jordan and Trey feel great to have parents (presumably) who are so obviously proud of and interested in what they're doing.
Now here comes the Hoptown band. Two big tuba dudes moved in just to the right of me.
I was going to move around the gym all night and write what I saw, but I think I'm going to stick here. I think I've found my spot.
65-51, 1:15
Well, Madisonville won ... I think it was 12 points.
#20 Jordan was All-Second Region!
DeleteAccording to Wikipedia, East Ridge is the largest of six high schools in Pike County with a total of 734 students. It was formed in 2002 from a merger of Millard, Elkhorn City, and Feds Creek.
ReplyDeleteHere are the last 10 winners of the 15th Region:
ReplyDelete2011: Shelby Valley
2010: Shelby Valley (STATE CHAMPS)
2009: Shelby Valley
2008: Paintsville
2007: Shelby Valley
2006: Johnson Central
2005: Shelby Valley
2004: East Ridge
2003: Shelby Valley
2002: Shelby Valley
I've had to pull the plug on WSIP; there was something wrong with their signal. It sounded like the radio was just barely off the station, so you kept getting static everywhere.
ReplyDeleteRussell County leads Bowling Green 35-33 at the half.
ReplyDeleteIn the 16th region championship, Ashland leads Rowan County 40-39 after three quarters.
ReplyDeleteAshland and Rowan County are putting on a show. Ashland Blazer now leads 54-53 with 3:20 left in the game, as both teams are raining three-pointers.
ReplyDeleteHere are the last 10 winners of the 16th Region:
ReplyDelete2011: Rowan Co. (state finalist)
2010: East Carter
2009: Elliott Co.
2008: Elliott Co.
2007: Elliott Co.
2006: Russell
2005: Rowan Co.
2004: Morgan Co.
2003: Rose Hill Christian
2002: Ashland
No team from the 16th Region has won the state championship since Larry Conley's Ashland team won it all in 1961.
Ashland still leads Rowan 54-53 with 2:40 left.
ReplyDeleteTrinity's going to state. The Shamrocks lead St. X 62-41 with four minutes left in the game.
ReplyDeleteNow Rowan County's experience in big games is showing. Mike Fields of the LHL reports that Rowan leads Ashland 59-56 with 39 seconds left, and Rowan has the ball.
ReplyDeleteAnd Rowan County hangs on for a 59-56 victory over Ashland. They are going back to the state tournament, where they were runners-up last year.
ReplyDeleteTrinity polishes off St. X 67-46, so the number one team in the State will also be in Lexington.
ReplyDeleteMeanwhile, in the Fourth Region, Russell County leads BGHS 51-47 after three quarters.
ReplyDeleteI don't think Russell County has ever been to the state tournament, and no one from outside Warren County has won the Fourth Region since 2001. Here are the last 10 winners of the Fourth Region:
ReplyDelete2011: Warren Central
2010: Warren Central
2009: Bowling Green
2008: Greenwood
2007: Warren Central
2006: Warren Central
2005: Warren Central (state finalist)
2004: Warren Central (STATE CHAMPS)
2003: Warren Central
2002: Warren Central
Of course, even if Russell County wins tonight, they would still probably face Warren Central in the final.
Here come the Purples. BGHS and Russell County are tied at 55 with 4:34 left in the fourth quarter.
ReplyDeleteNow the KHSAA has posted some other scores:
ReplyDelete1st Region semis:
Marshall Co. 49, Fulton City 30
10th Region semis:
Clark Co. 61, Campbell Co. 45 (Clark will play Mason for the title)
12th Region semis:
Boyle Co. 63, E. Jessamine 57
In the 13th Region Final, Clay County leads North Laurel 34-31 with one quarter to go.
ReplyDeleteMeanwhile, VCU is hanging on against Drexel in the CAA finals. VCU leads 52-46 with 3:09 left.
ReplyDeleteHere are your last 10 winners of the 13th Region:
ReplyDelete2011: Bell Co.
2010: Corbin
2009: Corbin
2008: South Laurel
2007: South Laurel
2006: South Laurel
2005: Corbin
2004: Rockcastle Co.
2003: Cumberland
2002: Rockcastle Co.
The last state champion from the 13th region was Richie Farmer's Clay County team, which took the title in 1987.
Twenty-eight minutes ago, Zack Mitchell tweeted that Clay County was dominating North Laurel.
ReplyDeleteThree minutes ago, he tweeted that the refs are doing their best to give the game to North Laurel but that Clay County continues to dominate.
Clay County leads 41-37 with six minutes to go.
Order is restored in the Fourth Region, as BGHS pulls away for a 66-56 victory over Russell County in the semi-final. Next up, Warren Central v. Glasgow.
ReplyDeleteAt the CAA tournament, the Drexel fans are wearing "Year of the Dragon" t-shirts. That's pretty cool. The Dragons have cut VCU's lead to 54-51 with a minute to go.
ReplyDeleteBuckhorn has advanced to the 14th region finals with a 67-51 win over Powell Co.
ReplyDeleteWhile Rowan County is heading back to Lexington, their opponent in last year's title game is not. Madisonville beats Christian County 70-56 in the Second Region semis.
ReplyDeleteOK, now we're settling in with WHOP-AM (1230 on your dial) for the Second Region semi-final between Hoptown and Henderson County. Unlike the folks at WSIP, these guys know how to work this Internet thing. Their signal is coming in clear as a bell.
ReplyDeleteI lost my parents couple. I got up to spend $2 on nachos, and, when I returned, my people were gone.
DeleteThe good news, however, is that here between games I ran into WHOP's Todd Hamilton in the restroom. He married a Hoptown girl, and he's been with the station for four years. He seems happy. Good for good Todd.
About two minutes before Henderson County-Hoptown tip ...
Found a spot several rows up from Jordan and Trey's dad (presumably). He's set up behind a video camera on a tripod--not a media camera but the type that the team might be used for filming games.
6:58 to go in the first, still 0-0. The scoreboards actually show just big blank spots where scores might be. I kind of like that.
The Henderson County dancers are wearing pink wigs.
5:00 of the first quarter ... 4-blank, Henderson County ...
The Hoptown coach is bald, and he's wearing a black suit with a black tie. The Henderson County coach is silver-haired, and he's dressed as though it's any other day that he might be teaching a civics class.
10-2, Henderson County, 2:56 ...
Henderson County is looking for a new boys' basketball coach.
DeleteZack Mitchell is still furious about the officiating in the 13th Region Final between CLay County and North Laurel. He tweets: "So North Laurel can shove Number 5 Kody Reed to the ground out of no where and Clay county gets fouled. Sounds about right."
ReplyDeletePresumably he meant "Clay County gets called for the foul," but we get his point.
Clay County still leads North Laurel 45-41 with 2:40 to go in the fourth.
ReplyDeleteVCU leads Drexel 57-56 with 11.9 seconds to go. VCU at the line.
ReplyDeleteVCU makes both free throws. 59-56 with 11.9 seconds left.
ReplyDeleteThe CAA is the best mid-major conference in America.
Drexel shoots for the tie -- and misses!
ReplyDeleteVCU wins the CAA title 60-57 and the folks in Richmond storm the floor.
It will be an absolute travesty if Drexel doesn't get a bid to the NCAA's.
With 1:45 left in the 13th region final, Clay County and North Laurel are tied at 45.
ReplyDeleteI can only imagine what Zack Mitchell thinks.
Clay County and North Laurel are still tied, and North Laurel has the ball with 9.9 seconds to go.
ReplyDeleteNorth Laurel cannot score, and the 13th Region final is headed for OVERTIME!
ReplyDeleteZack Mitchell tweets that "This is the most biased game I have ever seen."
ReplyDeleteHenderson County has jumped out to a 10-2 lead over Hoptown in the 2d Region Semi-Final, and the folks on WHOP are getting restless.
ReplyDelete#20 Jordan is now on the court. He just had a terrific block to stop a transition basket.
DeleteI wonder how many Jordan Somethings there are playing in high-school basketball games around the country tonight. I'll bet there's not a single Pippin Something.
And now #3 Trey is on the floor for the Tigers, too. #3 Trey passes on an open three, and #20 Jordan misses his try.
No team from outside Christian County has won the Second Region since Madisonville turned the trick in 2001. Here are the last 10 winners of this region:
ReplyDelete2011: Christian Co. (STATE CHAMPS)
2010: Christian Co.
2009: Christian Co.
2008: University Heights
2007: Christian Co.
2006: Christian Co.
2005: University Heights
2004: University Heights
2003: Hopkinsville
2002: Christian Co.
Back in the 13th Region Final, North Laurel leads Clay County 51-50 with 41.6 seconds left in OT.
ReplyDeleteClay County ball.
Henderson leads Hoptown 16-5 after one quarter.
ReplyDelete#20 Jordan hits a three, and this pulls Hoptown to within 16-10 and elicits two big fist pumps into the air by Dad at the video camera. Now #20 Jordan gets a steal, and then a putback, and it's 16-12. And now #3 Trey gets a steal and a layup, and it's 16-14 with 5:16 to play.
Delete#20 Jordan and #3 Trey's dad is ecstatic. He's pumping fists and yelling on each make or miss.
After three quarters in the 3d Region Final, Apollo is leading Muhlenberg County 46-33. That would be yet another upset for Apollo.
ReplyDeleteHere are the last 10 winners of the Third Region:
ReplyDelete2011: Daviess Co.
2010: Muhlenberg Co.
2009: Grayson Co.
2008: Owensboro
2007: Owensboro
2006: Owensboro Apollo (state finalist)
2005: Ohio Co.
2004: Owensboro Apollo
2003: Daviess Co.
2002: Owensboro
The last team to win the State Tournament from the Third Region was little Breckinridge County, which did so in 1995.
North Laurel has won the 13th Region. The Jaguars beat Clay County 54-52 in overtime, and they will be going to Rupp Arena for the first time.
ReplyDeleteMy guess is the folks in Manchester will agree with Zack Mitchell on the officiating.
Hoptown has roared back! They scored 11 straight points to tie the game at 16, but Henderson now leads 18-16.
ReplyDeleteIn the 15th Region Final, Johnson Central leads East Ridge 50-33 with one quarter left.
ReplyDeleteMeanwhile, in the First Region, Tilghman leads St. Mary 42-26 at the half. Joey Fosko reports that Tilghman has put on an "unreal shooting display."
ReplyDeleteHere are our last 10 winners of the First Region:
ReplyDelete2011: Marshall Co.
2010: Paducah Tilghman
2009: Graves Co.
2008: Paducah Tilghman
2007: Paducah Tilghman
2006: Graves Co.
2005: Lone Oak
2004: Carlisle Co.
2003: Calloway Co.
2002: Paducah Tilghman (state finalist)
Of course, no team from the First Region has won the state title since North Marshall in 1959.
Muhlenberg Central put on a furious rally in the fourth quarter, outscoring Apollo 29-18. But Apollo had a 13-point lead when the quarter began, and they hang on for a 64-62 victory. Apollo now has a record of 17-14, and they lost the Ninth District title, but the Eagles are going to state.
ReplyDeleteIn the second region, Henderson County leads Hopkinsville 26-23 at the half.
ReplyDeleteHoptown ended up taking the lead a couple of times near the end of the half, but then it seemed to get hurt by a bullet passes to Henderson County post players cutting across the middle of what appeared to be some sort of zone defense. I don't know ... heck. I know the Tigers missed a couple of free throws right at the end of the half.
DeleteIt's 26-23 at the break, and Henderson County's pink-wigged dance team is doing a routine to a Grease medley. The cheerleaders for both schools are sitting on the floor in front of them, cheering them on.
In addition to apparel for the four teams who are playing tonight, I've seen some really cool garb for Lyon County (an old guy in a purple hooded sweatshirt and purple baseball cap with gold "LC" in script across the front) and Caldwell County (a coach-aged dude with an almost-UK blue golf shirt).
What a disaster! Now I've lost the feed from WHOP.
ReplyDeleteIn the 15th Region, Johnson Central finishes off East Ridge by the score of 65-45.
ReplyDeleteSo all of tonight's regional finals have been completed, and the field so far looks like this (regions with no winner will finish tomorrow night):
ReplyDelete1st:
2d:
3d: Owensboro Apollo
4th:
5th:
6th:
7th: Lou. Trinity
8th:
9th: Boone Co.
10th:
11th:
12th:
13th: North Laurel
14th:
15th: Johnson Central
16th: Rowan Co.
WHOP is back!
ReplyDeleteA bunch more scores have come in. The following finals have been set for tomorrow night:
ReplyDelete5th Region: Bardstown v. John Hardin
6th Region: Bullitt East v. PRP
8th Region: Collins v. Oldham Co.
10th Region: Clark Co. v. Mason Co.
11th Region: Scott Co. v. Woodford Co.
12th Region: Boyle Co. v. Southwestern
14th Region: Buckhorn v. Knott Co. Cent.
The only games still underway are Hoptown v. Henderson in the 2d region, and Tilghman v. St. Mary in the 1st.
Tilghman beats St. Mary 70-56. So the First Region final will again feature Tilghman v. Marshall County.
ReplyDeleteAfter three quarters, Henderson County leads Hopkinsville 42-40.
ReplyDeleteIt's 43-42, Hoptown, with 7:45 to play in the fourth quarter.
DeleteHenderson County surged to an eight-point lead, but then Hopkinsville seemed to become more determined to drive to the goal as opposed to shooting three-pointers. Also, Hoptown went to a full-court, man-to-man press. It pulled to within two at the end of three quarters, and then #20 Jordan hit a corner three right out of the break to give the Tigers the lead.
I spent pretty much all of the quarter standing in the end zone beyond the Hoptown goal. There was a group of guys--ages, maybe, 25 to 65--in chairs beyond the end of the Hoptown bench. Cracking jokes, checking their phones, commenting knowingly on every play ... they seemed totally at ease here, totally comfortable with a lot of eyes on them, totally accustomed to being interrupted for handshakes. I imagine they must be some of the other Second Region coaches.
This will be the third time in the last six years, and the second year in a row, that Tilghman and Marshall have met in the First Region final.
ReplyDeleteThe folks on WHOP are starting to get excited. Henderson is having big problems with Hoptown's press, and the Tigers now lead 47-43.
ReplyDelete47-45, Hopkinsville ... five minutes to go ...
Delete#20 Jordan passes to #3 Trey, who drives and hands off to a teammate for a short banker. 49-45.
Henderson County breaks the press, gets a layup and a foul. Free throw good. 49-48.
#20 Jordan unguarded three-pointer. 52-48.
With 4:04 left in tonight's last game, Hoptown leads Henderson County 52-48.
ReplyDeleteTimeout, Henderson County ... 4:04 to go ...
DeleteHoptown relaxes its press out of the timeout, and it still gets a turnover--on a travel on the perimeter.
#20 Jordan misses a runner, but a teammate rebounds. #3 Trey comes in from the other side, absorbs contact, and banks in--no call. 54-46.
Another Henderson County turnover ... runout to #20 Jordan ... layup ... 56-48, Tigers.
Timeout, Colonels, 3:04 ...
Dad at the video camera is now accepting some well wishes on behalf of his sons and talking on his own cell phone, while also swaying to the very loud Hoptown pep band.
Henderson County scores low, but misses a chance to add a free throw. 56-50.
Hoptown misses low, and Henderson County outraces the defense back to the otherend. 56-52.
Hoptown spinner in the lane, 58-52.
A Henderson County kid misses twice near the hoop. 1:31 to play ...
Two free throws, HC turnover, Hoptown layup ... 62-52. 1:02. Everybody (else) not obviously connected with Henderson County or Hoptown appears to be leaving.
Quick Henderson County score and timeout: 62-54.
Hoptown fouled, 43 seconds ... miss ... miss ...
HC three just rims out ...
29.4 seconds ... Hoptown fouled ... good and good ... 64-54 ... should be it.
So it's going to be Hopkinsville and Madisonville-North Hopkins here tomorrow night for the Second Region championship and berth in the Sweet Sixteen. Hoptown-Madisonville was one of those Thanksgiving-football rivalries for years, so I imagine these two teams are still each other's biggest rivals. Well, I guess Christian County is bigger for Hopkinsville, and maybe Hopkins County Central is bigger for the Maroons.
Final: 66-54.
Hoptown blitzes Henderson 26-12 in the fourth quarter, and the Tigers win 66-54.
ReplyDeleteSo the Second Region final will be Hopkinsville v. Madisonville.
Somebody just walked by in a Hoptown-orange blazer that looks like it might've been really sharp when it was brand new. Still looks good. Just old.
DeleteYeah, #3 Trey and #20 Jordan are his sons. Good for the dad and good for the boys.
I never really got into this game. It's not often that I attend games anymore, but, almost always when I do, I get completely caught up in them to the point that I almost forget anything else going on in my life outside the gym or stadium. That didn't happen tonight. It was still good, though. I really like being among people, though I would definitely prefer to be invisible. I stare too much. I'm too obvious about trying to overhear conversations. When I do end up talking to people, I'm too earnest and too warm. And I'm pretty conspicuous, anyway--with no obvious affiliation to any of the tribes, moving around a lot, sitting by myself, typing on a laptop. It would be great to be an invisible, friendly ghost. If I get to go to Heaven, I hope I get to waft around to a lot of things like high-school basketball games. If so, I'm going to be everywhere at once. I'm going to see everything at once, and I'm going to hear everything at once. And it's all going to make sense in the moment and in context of all the zillion histories colliding at that very moment.
And that's all for tonight.
ReplyDeleteGreat stuff, GoHeath!
DeleteYou did an excellent job, Eric. I really hope Madisonville brings it home tomorrow night.
DeleteMy apologies to the folks in the Fourth Region; I was so certain Warren Central would beat Glasgow that I forgot that the game had not actually been completed. The Scotties gave it a valiant run, but of course Warren Central beat them 72-66 in overtime.
ReplyDeleteSo the Fourth Region final will be Bowling Green v. Warren Central, just as we expected. Better luck next year, rest of Fourth Region.