Fifth Region Review

When Pick and Roll told me about his idea to start this blog, I told him that I would love to help him out. He knew that I was a fan of high school basketball. At first, I didn't know what kind of approach to take, but then I told myself to just go to games and see what I could come up with. I hope Pick and Roll readers have enjoyed my views so far.

Like Pick and Roll, I, too, have a job, but mine is a little different than his because I work a night shift in Elizabethtown. How do I get to the game? Well, my schedule allows me some days off during the week, but, in turn, I work a lot Saturdays and Sundays. It's really not that bad.

I thought I would give a Fifth Region review:

Adair County Indians
They're quickly becoming one of my favorite teams. They had a great holiday tournament season, but they suffered their first loss to an 11-2 Boone County squad in the Hoopin It up Classic. Then, they traveled to the King of the Bluegrass, where they had a tough first round draw against a very good University Heights team. They lost in overtime. They've played a very tough non-region schedule, which should prepare them for Fifth Region play. I'm sure that is what Coach Mark Fudge was wanting.

Adiar is ledy by 6'7" Darrin Ballou, who is only a junior, and from what I gathered from the KOB, he is catching the eye of some college coaches. The Indians are not wasting any time getting into regional play. They open up the new year with a game against always tough North Hardin on January 4th. Adair is 11-3.

North Hardin Trojans
I saw North Hardin take on John Hardin on December 13th. The Trojans have a slew athletes, led by point guard Maurice Gosa, who is very quick and loves to take people off the dribble. North Hardin was busy during the holidays as well. They went 3-0 in the Athlete's Choice Classic at Bardstown Bethlehem, and then went 2-2 in the KFC-Taco Bell Classic at Marion County, losing to Lexington Paul Dunbar in double overtime. Opponents better watch out for this team's quickness because they flat get it up an down the floor. They also have a good percentage from the three point line. Like I wrote in an earlier post, they have veteran coach Ron Bevars, who has an impressive regional tournament record, so don't ever count them out.

Larue County Hawks
Okay. I've been taking some flack from people around the Fifth Region over Larue County. I live there, and I'm good friends with their head coach, Paul Childress, so, naturally, I'm not going to let anyone talk smack about them. They have a 9-1 record, but some say they've played a weak schedule. However, if fans go back and look at the start of the season, they had three payers, two of whom were starters from last year's team, out with injuries. One of them is still out, and they're all seniors. Coach Childress was forced to play Junior Bryan Bault, who had never played one minute of high school basketball until this year. He must be pretty pleased with his team's early run. Bryan Bault? He's leading the team in points and rebounds.

I also like that Larue's coaching staff consistently teaches their young players. They give them a chance to play and make them learn from their mistakes.

Editor's query: Is the Wonder Woman of Kentucky County Clerks still in office? I always enjoyed working with her and got a kick out of telling people that I was going to meet Linda Carter in Hodgenville.

Bardstown Tigers
The Tigers may be as quick and athletic as North Hardin. I watched them dismantle Green County over the holidays. They are led by Demarco Phillips, who is a smooth, lanky wing player. They started the season with a seven game winning streak, but they ran into a good Allen County-Scottsville team ledy by Pick and Roll's favorite player, Jay "Pickle Juice" Starks. Look for Bardstown to go into regional play wide open and ready to kick into high gear.

Elizabethtown Panthers
I haven't been able to watch the Panthers, normally a Fifth Region power. Lately, they have been on fire, winning five games in a row after dropping four of their first five. Never county out a James Haire coached team. I hope to report on them later.

Taylor County Cardinals
Again, I haven't had a chance to see them play, but they've caught my attention. They beat Elizabethtown in the second game of the season, but they gave the win back to E-town in the championship game of the Coca-Cola Classic. The Cardinals also had a good game against Adair County, losing by only four in Columbia. Loaded with another Gumm as a three point threat, look for Taylor to maybe surprise some teams.