King of the Bluegrass Tournament

Adair County vs. University Heights Academy
By Chris Gregory, Fifth Region Correspondent

Everybody is talking about Scotty Hopson, but pound-for-pound Adair County's Kalen Kimberland was the best player in this game. He had a tough assignment: guard Hopson.

I like to watch players during warm ups and see how they prepare themselves for the game. Hopson was dancing to the music played over the loudspeakers, but the Adair players looked focused. This was the first time I've gotten a look at Adair County since last season's Fifth Region Tournament, and they looked stronger, especially the 6'7" center, Darrin Ballou.

A friend of mine from Louisville joined me and wanted to see if I could be wowed by Scotty Hopson. Instead, Ballow wowed me.

When we took our seats, I noticed we were behind Scott Padget. I could tell by his ears. He's a heck of a nice guy and was talking to everyone around him.

Hopson got fired up quickly when the game started. He scored six quick points, and then he let me down. I remember what Pick and Roll said about him in Bowling Green, and I saw what he was talking about. He's got great potential but needs to get his game face on.

I liked what I saw out of Adair County. I looked forward to a Hopson-Ballou match up, but to my surprise, Kimberland started guarding Hopson. Kimberland is only 5'11," so he gives up eight inches to the Blazers' blue chipper. He plays great defense.

At the end of the first quarter the Blazers had a 16-14 lead.

Darrin Ballou is quickly becoming one of my favorite players, and I hear he is big on WKU. I think he would be a good fit for the Hilltoppers. He shoots good from the floor but tends to force some of his shots He was stronger than Hopson. Ballou needs to work on his free throw shooting.

The second quarter went back-and forth. Hopson stood around a lot and looked lazy. His teammate, Tyshawn Edmonson took up the slack by doing most of the scoring in the second quarter. It's rumored that UT is looking at Edmonson (editor's note: I've also heard Florida). UHA still had the lead at the half, 33-28.

Adair County made some adjustments to start the third quarter. They started feeding Ballou down low, and he was finding the basket. It didn't take long for Hopson to switch over and guard Ballou, but Ballou took it right to him. He is stronger in the upper body, and he pushed Hopson around quite a bit.

With 5:00 to go in the third, UHA Coach Randy McCoy called a timeout and was red faced. At the end of the quarter, the game was tied at 49.

The game was living up to its hype.

With his team in a battle, Mr. Hopson decided to show up. He took charge in the fourth quarter. He is quick off the dribble and really elevates on his jump shot. He just doesn't impress me. I don't know why.

The game went to overtime with the teams knotted at 58.

In the extra frame, Adair County's Kalen Kimberland showed why he was -- pound-for-pound -- the best player on the floor. He scored nine of his game high 21 points in overtime. After a timeout, UHA threw a 2-1-2 zone press against Adair, and it caused the Indians a lot of trouble. With 6.6 second left in the game, UHA had a two point lead, but Adair had the ball. They had a shot at tying it up, but Ballou turned the ball over. UHA won a good contest, 65-63.

OBSERVATIONS

Beam Thee Up Scotty: Hopson has a lot of growing up to do before he plays the college game. His attitude is sorry. Scott Padgett said the same thing about him. If he ends up at UK, I hope BCG can mold him. He is athletic and has great hops.

Editor's Observation: Pick and Roll was never in the military, but he knows that soldiers, sailors, and Marines call the thick rimmed, ugly, military issue eyeglasses "BCG's." That is their lingo for Birth Control Glasses. I'll let the readers make the leap in logic, but calling Billy Clyde "BCG" could get...well...ugly.

Double Dog Adair You: Adair County is going to be fun to watch again this year in the Fifth Region. Ballou and Nick Fudge (in my opinion the best point guard in the Fifth) along with Kimberland will carry the Indians deep into the regional tournament. Ballou and Fudge are both juniors, so they'll be tough next year, too.

Editor's Note: I've got to take "A Christmas Story" out of the DVD player.