Adair County 45 - Taylor County 44

Taylor County High School, Campbellsville, Kentucky 01-29-08

By Chris Gregory, Fifth Region Correspondent

Folks, we live in the best basketball state in America. Kentucky is the home of basketball. Sure we have a lot of other things in Kentucky of which we're proud, but when someone talks basketball, we hold our head high, our chest outward, and we are proud. I love it when you go to high school games and thousands of people are there. I love old gyms where it can be 5 degrees outside but 105 inside. I love it when it's packed and most of the crowd has to stand up most of the game and you're elbow-to-elbow with the person next to you. This is high school basketball in Kentucky, where kids play for the love of the game and the name on their jerseys. They leave it all on the floor.

Editor's Note: I could've sworn I heard a chorus humming My Old Kentucky Home as I read that.

Over the last couple of weeks I have seen some of the most exciting ballgames in recent memory. Tonight, when I pulled up in Campbellsville, I had a feeling I would not be disappointed. I ran into the Taylor County gym because it was pouring down rain, and I had to park somewhere near Green River Lake. I stayed wet the first two quarters, but it didn't dampen my spirits. Fans of old gyms would love this one; Taylor County has a gem of a gym. It's old and has bleachers all the way around the floor. I call it "The Clem Gym" in honor of Taylor County native Clem "The Gem" Haskins, who still holds the single game scoring record (55 points) at WKU.

As soon as the JV game ended, the student sections for both schools started their chants. The atmosphere was electric, just as it has been everywhere I've gone to in the past two weeks. I don't think you could have fit another person in that gym. I thought the fire marshal was going to come any second and make someone leave (like that was going to happen).

Both teams came out of the locker room to a chorus of booing from the opposition's fans. Taylor County has flown under the radar in the Fifth Region. They have lost some games they shouldn't have but, make no mistake, this is a very good ball club. Most recently, they have acquired a transfer from Danville High School named Leonard Macon. He has caused a stir in the 20th District and around the region. He is about 6'6", strong and plays to the crowd. He didn't start but made an impact early in the second quarter.

I've watched Adair many times this year. Once again, I found myself sitting beside Adair's #1 fan, T.P. Scott. As soon as I got there, I asked my new friend from Columbia how he felt about this game. He just shook his head and said, "I don't know. This one is always tough."

I soon found out he was right.

Adair controlled the tap, and the Cardinals played them man-to-man. The Indians came out hot but soon cooled off. They hung in the game because Taylor wasn't hot, either. Chase Cox, the Cardinals' three-point specialist put up a "goose egg" in the first quarter. People tell me that he looks to shoot the ball as soon as he gets off the bus. On Tuesday night, Adair's Kalen Kimberland rattled him. He's their senior leader on defense. The quarter ended with a low score: 10-9, advantage Adair.

Leonard Macon came off the bench in the second. Apparently, he didn't start because of a technical foul he got against Marion County on Friday. The kid is raw and strong. He doesn't shoot very good from the floor, but down load he is hard to handle. Both teams struggled to find their mark and still had a low scoring output in the second. The score was tied at 18 at the half. Mr. Scott reported that Adair only shot 33% from the field in the half.

To make Adair's shooting night even worse, Taylor opened up the third quarter in a 1-3-1 zone, and the Indian squad looked to Coach Mark Fudge for answers. I must give credit where credit is due. The Indians never got worried or rattled. They are so patient on offense, making the extra pass and playing under control. That's what makes a championship team.

Still having a little trouble with the zone, Adair called their first timeout of the night in the third quarter. They came out of the timeout looking to penetrate, which was what another fan and I had just been talking about. I met this guy soon after the game started. I'm sorry I never got his name, but he was real nice and said he had once coached the Adair players in little league (I gave him the web address so he can read up on our season).

Taylor was making progress with the zone and had a small lead at the end of the third, 29-26. That was the Cardinals' biggest lead of the game to that point. The crowd was still into the game.

By the time the fourth quarter rolled around, I finally had dried off from the rain and the excitement ran a chill up my back. About a minute and a half into the quarter, Corey Helm fed Adair's Darrin Ballou on the post, and he turned and dunked the ball straight up into Macon's face (welcome to the Fifth Region Mr. Macon!). It's the most emotion I've ever seen out of Ballou, who is normally quiet and goes about his job. He was in Macon's ear all the way down the court. Wow!! That's Kentucky high school basketball!

Not to be outdone, Taylor answered by feed their new big man, who traded for Ballou's bucket. Taylor had the lead with 5:13 left and had things going their way. They got into the bonus at 4:15 with a 35-32 lead.

The gym was getting louder and louder. Josh Gumm, Taylor's other three-point threat, hit a big three to make it 38-32. The zone had worked for the Cardinals all night, but Coach Troy Young made a move that we in the stands could not believe: he went back to the man-to-man, which let Adair back in the game.

Adair got a big bucket, cutting it to 38-34. Then, the Indians' Corey Helm finally woke up from his basketball coma and hit a huge three with 2:40 to go. This was the big swing in my opinion. The teams continued to trade baskets, and Ballou picked up his fourth foul. I thought, "well, this might burst the bubble for the Indians," but I forgot that this is a very smart team. Taylor remained in the man-to-man "D" and Adair spread the floor. Kalen Kimberland slashed into the lane and missed a shot, but he never gave up. He got his own rebound, put it in, and gave Adair a 43-42 lead. I could not believe what I was watching. Three out of the last four games I have been to have ended like this.

It was 44-43, and the Cardinals lead with 12.3 seconds to go. Adair spread the floor again, and Kimberland ran into the lane again. This time he was fouled and went to the line with 7.2 seconds remaining. He made the first of two shots, and Taylor tried to freeze him with a time out. You can't ice this kid. He made the second shot, making it 45-44. Taylor had a chance, getting the ball to Chase Cox, but Kimberland had him in check. Cox pushed off badly, but there was no call. he got the shot away, but the shot did not fall. He had been off his mark all night.

Adair won a great on in Campbellsville, and their fans rushed the floor. Hey, guys, don't forget that the district tournament is in Taylor's gym, and I'm sure they won't forget that.

OBSERVATIONS

King Cox: Before the game, Taylor County honored Chase Cox. He scored his 1,000th point on December 21st, and they went on to say that he now has over 1,200 career points. If my math is right, that's 200 points in a little over a month. Did I hear that right? Cox was off his mark on Tuesday, but it's still a great accomplishment for this young man. Oh, yeah, did I mention that he's only a junior? Look for him possibly to become the all time leading scorer in Taylor County history.

Gem of a Gym: My hat's off to Taylor County. They have a great gym. In this day and age with counties building new and bigger schools, Taylor has kept it real. Their gym is a fan's gym. If you ever have a chance to see it, don't pass it up. I love the way the bleachers are arranged because you're right on the floor, and you can see the action from anywhere.

Rodney Dangerfield?: I don't think so. With all the veteran coaches in the Fifth Region -- Tim Davis, James Haire, and Ron Bevars -- Coach Mark Fudge has earned my respect. He has talent, and he knows how to coach it. He has his team ready to play, and it shows. They are always under control, and I noticed that they are always looking to him for their next move. This means the players have confidence in their coach. He is a great leader, and coaches around the region better respect coach Fudge.

Editor's Note: I apologize to Adair County and Taylor County fans for being so slow posting Chris's report. My house had no power for a long time last night, and I had to leave for Henderson very early this morning. Thank you for reading.