Greenwood 59 - Warren East 56

14th District Semifinal, Warren Central High School, Bowling Green, Kentucky 02-27-08

There are forces in nature like the Coriolis Effect, which cannot be overcome. To achieve flight, an airfoil (wing) must create the Bernoulli Effect (I'm not going to explain them, so click on the links). In Kentucky high school basketball Pick and Roll hypothesizes the "Ballard Effect." The name of this possible law of high school hoops effects, primarily, referees and a lot of casual fans of the game. It's called "Ballard" because I grew up in Louisville where the glittery student body of Ballard High School was full of "school spirit." When other schools replicated their antics, the Louisville Police Department called them "criminal mischief." I've written about the "Ballard Effect" in an earlier post, but I'm not going to take the time to link to it.

I doubt my hypothesis on the "Ballard Effect" ever appears in any science journals or magazines, but a team of sociologists from the tiled hallways of Finley C. Grise Hall on the high academic Hill of WKU needs to get right on it. They could study it very well locally without traveling to Louisvlle to watch the mighty Ballard Bruins.

If I make any Bruins fans mad, well, I've never really liked y'all anyway.

Greenwood High School is playing better than anyone in the Fourth Region right now. They are peaking at the right time. They are getting solid play from every position and exceptional play from guys like Mark Lacy, Austin Reed (Wednesday night's Player of the Game), and Dee Anderson. They are going to be a tough team to beat.

Warren East was one of my picks as a possible dark horse in the Fourth Region tournament, but I knew they had to get past Greenwood in the first round of the district. Wednesday's game was going to send a good team packing no matter the outcome.

East opened strong with good perimeter play from Deangelo Kirk, Shenard Holton, and Demetric Ray. Greenwood responded and made a run back at the Raiders. Actually, it was a game of runs. The two teams surged at one another like crossing currents in an ocean made up of player and fans and cheerleaders and pep bands. I got to see an exciting game Tuesday night, and early in the first quarter I knew I was going to get see another.

East caught the late surge in the quarter and had a 20-15 lead at the end. An East player went "cheerleader hunting" as time expired. He launched a full court shot and nearly hit a cheerleader, who was oblivious that the ball had been thrown, in the head. I've seen it happen so many times.

Note to cheerleaders: you better pay attention at the end of a quarter.


After what felt like a frantic first quarter, both teams settled down in the second and played some good basketball. Demetric Ray opened the quarter with a big basket, and East started opening up an lead on the Gators. The Raiders' center, 6'5" Justin Watson is a great shot blocker. He set the single season shot block record at Warren East with 77 (as of Feb. 26th), and he holds the career record with 191. Wednesday night, it seemed like East was more effective on the defensive end when Watson was in the game. He knew how to use his size to Greenwood's efforts in the paint.

Late in the quarter I thought to myself that Greenwood's Dee Anderson was not having a good game. No sooner than I had the thought, he got a basket followed by a steal. Lacy got a steal for the Gators, too, and late in the quarter I felt the momentum shift to Greenwood's side.

The Raiders took a 33-27 lead to halftime, but it felt precarious, at least to me.

Greenwood stepped up their intensity in the third quarter, and Warren East had trouble dealing with the pressure. They started making stupid mistakes. With the Gators closing in on them, Deangelo Kirk decides to go "I-40" on a rebound, but instead of putting it in the hoop he dropped it in the ocean. I sensed East's high tide ebbing away. Diddle Arena is probably less than a mile away from the gym at Warren Central, but for the Raiders it may as well been on the moon.

It's interesting. Late in the third quarter, the Raiders had six fouls and the Gators had two. I started looking for members of WKU's Sociology Department.

Warren East clung to a two point lead at the end of the third, 41-39.

In the fourth quarter, East played desperate. Greenwood played like champions. Mark Lacy made some huge steals, and Dee Anderson found his way to the basket. Late in the quarter, East made one last run at Greenwood, but the big lizards were too much for them. They tied it at 45 with 5:53 left and soon took a 49-45 lead, and they never looked back.

Greenwood won 59-56 and moves on to meet Bowling Green on Saturday night for the district championship.

OBSERVATIONS

Viva Las Vegas: I noticed that Warren East lists its colors as royal blue and "vegas" gold. The Raiders kind of crapped out on Wednesday night.

Play-by-Play Principal: Rockfield Elementary's principal, Damon Tabor, is doing play-by-play for the ESPN affiliate in Bowling Green. He does a great job, but his show prep needs to include the Pennyrile Pick and Roll. I've tried to convince my daughter, who goes to Rockfield, that Mr. Tabor keeps his electric paddle charging under the broadcast table.

Crowded House: No, not the 1980s New Wave band. It's something so much stronger. Tuesday and Wednesday nights' crowds were huge at the 14th District. It has had a throw-back atmosphere with lots of people in the stands, pep band music, and hot air. Seats are scarce, and there is no canned music thumping in over the PA system. It'll be shorts and t-shirt night at the gym on Saturday if it gets warm like it is supposed to.

Only Hoops Around: Players, coaches, and fans from all over the region were in attendance tonight, no doubt taking notes. I don't think there were any other games going on in the Fourth Region tonight. Fewer teams are left after tonight. The Road to Rupp is paved with a thousand broken hearts.