February 19, 2012
UK Basketball
The Cats didn't play with the enthusiasm for a full 40 minutes last Saturday and at times, it showed. They started out with defensive intensity and shot the ball well in the first 5 minutes then decided to let the Rebels re-group and get back in the game. Then,, Ole Miss decided they could be as physical and intense as the Cats while clawing their way back in the game to tie it at 18 mid-way thru the first half. UK got some breathing room on a late surge to be up by 8 at the half. They methodically began to re-assert their talent edge and finished the game leading by as much as 22 before finally having a 15 point spread at the end of the game. There is one area this young Kentucky team showed improvement in over the last few games, shooting the three. There is an old saying, great shooting can overcome a lot of decencies that will enable a team to win. If the 50% shooting continues, that will be a huge plus, but I still feel more confident about their chances of winning when they really focus on defense and rebounding. You can always depend on the ball going thru the hoop.
Most people think the game(s) that the Cats will have the most trouble winning for an undefeated regular season are the Florida and/or Mississippi State game(s). They may well lose either or both, but I can't help but think they are very prone to overlook Vanderbilt at home next Saturday. Vandy will not come into Rupp and lay down for the Cats and we all know how they can shoot when they really get going (i.e.- @ Mississippi State). I don't know if they can prevent a letdown coming back to Rupp, if they do win in Starkville. You know that Rick Stansbury will remind the officials of all the bad calls and no calls that have went against them in the last three tries against UK. If the Cats don't have a horrible shooting night or blow free throws down the stretch, I think they win in Starkville. UK - 72 Mississippi State - 65.
This will bring us to the second match-up of the Cats vs the Dores. I think it will be another great game, but this time Vandy may not falter during the last 7 minutes like in Nashville. We will get another opportunity to see if Cal's demand for a strong defensive stretch will be answered in the last 4-5 minutes of the game, I don't see the seniors at Vandy wilting under the pressure, they will make free throws late to preserve an upset and stop the 50 game home court winning streak. Remember, Vandy was ranked pre-season in the top 10 and they have played that well at times. Is this game one of them? Naw, just playing with you, unless Anthony Davis gets into foul trouble; the game will be very competitive with the Cats winning in another close one. UK - 74 Vanderbilt - 70.
If (and this is a big if) the Cats can go into the Florida game undefeated, I think they run the table. I don't think Florida has the inside offense or defense to beat UK. I also like UK's length against the Gators to really bother them on the perimeter for the 20 plus threes they will shoot.
High School
They say cheerleading is not a sport, I beg to disagree, if you have not seen a competition among those schools who are really into the "activity", you owe it to yourself to go watch a regional competition. The crowds are huge and the cheering is not as often, but more intense than any sport involving a ball. I've said before and I'll repeat myself, competitive cheerleaders are the "best" athletes in the school. Don't believe me, next time you’re in Rupp, see which squad has the most National Championships. This year made their "19th", don’t think any other team has accomplished what Jomo Thompson's cheer squads have and notice how many in succession. Talk about a coach that should be paid on his results, wonder what he makes anyway? I've never asked, but do they give cheer scholarship’s at colleges?
Speaking of cheerleading, Eastern Kentucky has a history of great cheer squads; one that comes to mind is Greenup County High School several years back. Seems as though Perry Central is continuing the success of Eastern Kentucky along with some others at the state and national level, Perry Central Cheerleaders won the KAPOS State Championship in Bowling Green last week and World Championship in Florida two weeks ago. Congratulations to former co-workers and friends, Coaches Kim Williams Dixon and Kim Chaney. They have worked long and hard, good to see them have this success.
High School Post Season
As I stated in last week's blog, here are my picks for the winners of each region for the KHSAA State Girls and Boys State Tournaments, along with regional sites:
UK Basketball
The Cats didn't play with the enthusiasm for a full 40 minutes last Saturday and at times, it showed. They started out with defensive intensity and shot the ball well in the first 5 minutes then decided to let the Rebels re-group and get back in the game. Then,, Ole Miss decided they could be as physical and intense as the Cats while clawing their way back in the game to tie it at 18 mid-way thru the first half. UK got some breathing room on a late surge to be up by 8 at the half. They methodically began to re-assert their talent edge and finished the game leading by as much as 22 before finally having a 15 point spread at the end of the game. There is one area this young Kentucky team showed improvement in over the last few games, shooting the three. There is an old saying, great shooting can overcome a lot of decencies that will enable a team to win. If the 50% shooting continues, that will be a huge plus, but I still feel more confident about their chances of winning when they really focus on defense and rebounding. You can always depend on the ball going thru the hoop.
Most people think the game(s) that the Cats will have the most trouble winning for an undefeated regular season are the Florida and/or Mississippi State game(s). They may well lose either or both, but I can't help but think they are very prone to overlook Vanderbilt at home next Saturday. Vandy will not come into Rupp and lay down for the Cats and we all know how they can shoot when they really get going (i.e.- @ Mississippi State). I don't know if they can prevent a letdown coming back to Rupp, if they do win in Starkville. You know that Rick Stansbury will remind the officials of all the bad calls and no calls that have went against them in the last three tries against UK. If the Cats don't have a horrible shooting night or blow free throws down the stretch, I think they win in Starkville. UK - 72 Mississippi State - 65.
This will bring us to the second match-up of the Cats vs the Dores. I think it will be another great game, but this time Vandy may not falter during the last 7 minutes like in Nashville. We will get another opportunity to see if Cal's demand for a strong defensive stretch will be answered in the last 4-5 minutes of the game, I don't see the seniors at Vandy wilting under the pressure, they will make free throws late to preserve an upset and stop the 50 game home court winning streak. Remember, Vandy was ranked pre-season in the top 10 and they have played that well at times. Is this game one of them? Naw, just playing with you, unless Anthony Davis gets into foul trouble; the game will be very competitive with the Cats winning in another close one. UK - 74 Vanderbilt - 70.
If (and this is a big if) the Cats can go into the Florida game undefeated, I think they run the table. I don't think Florida has the inside offense or defense to beat UK. I also like UK's length against the Gators to really bother them on the perimeter for the 20 plus threes they will shoot.
High School
They say cheerleading is not a sport, I beg to disagree, if you have not seen a competition among those schools who are really into the "activity", you owe it to yourself to go watch a regional competition. The crowds are huge and the cheering is not as often, but more intense than any sport involving a ball. I've said before and I'll repeat myself, competitive cheerleaders are the "best" athletes in the school. Don't believe me, next time you’re in Rupp, see which squad has the most National Championships. This year made their "19th", don’t think any other team has accomplished what Jomo Thompson's cheer squads have and notice how many in succession. Talk about a coach that should be paid on his results, wonder what he makes anyway? I've never asked, but do they give cheer scholarship’s at colleges?
Speaking of cheerleading, Eastern Kentucky has a history of great cheer squads; one that comes to mind is Greenup County High School several years back. Seems as though Perry Central is continuing the success of Eastern Kentucky along with some others at the state and national level, Perry Central Cheerleaders won the KAPOS State Championship in Bowling Green last week and World Championship in Florida two weeks ago. Congratulations to former co-workers and friends, Coaches Kim Williams Dixon and Kim Chaney. They have worked long and hard, good to see them have this success.
High School Post Season
As I stated in last week's blog, here are my picks for the winners of each region for the KHSAA State Girls and Boys State Tournaments, along with regional sites:
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Ira's Weekly Column
Harold's Blog
Andy's Recruiting Links
Brian Hyatt's Exclusive Videos
| Region | Boys | Site |
| 1 | Marshall Co. | Murray State University |
| 2 | Hopkinsville | Christian County High School |
| 3 | Ohio County | Owensboro Sportscenter |
| 4 | Bowling Green | WKU-Diddle Arena |
| 5 | North Hardin | Central Hardin High School |
| 6 | Bullitt East | Bellarmine University |
| 7 | Trinity | Bellarmine Univesity |
| 8 | Oldham Co. | Henry Co. High School |
| 9 | Newport Central Catholic | Northern KY University |
| 10 | Clark County | Montgomery Co. High School |
| 11 | Scott County | Eastern KY University |
| 12 | East Jessamine | Pulaski Co. High School |
| 13 | Knox Central | Corbin Civic Center |
| 14 | Perry Central | Morton C. Combs Athletic Complex |
| 15 | Pikeville | East KY Expo |
| 16 | Rowan Co. | Morehead State University |
| Region | Girls | Site |
| 1 | Paducah Tilgham | Murray State University |
| 2 | Hopkinsville | Madisonville-North Hopkins |
| 3 | Grayson Co. | Owensboro Sportscenter |
| 4 | Bowling Green | WKU-Diddle Arena |
| 5 | Marion Co. | Franklin-Simpson High School |
| 6 | Mercy | Louisville Doss High School |
| 7 | Manual | Louisville Manual High School |
| 8 | Anderson Co. | Henry Co. High School |
| 9 | Boone Co. | Northern KY University |
| 10 | Montgomery County | Campbell Co. High School |
| 11 | Madison Central | Eastern KY University |
| 12 | Mercer County | Pulaski Co. High School |
| 13 | Clay County | Corbin Civic Center |
| 14 | Perry Central | Morton C. Combs Athletic Complex |
| 15 | Shelby Valley | East KY Expo |
| 16 | Ashland | Morehead State University |
Best of luck to all athletes, cheerleaders, coaches and school administrators during the post season. Remember, support your schools, but it is still just a game.