Larue County 68 - Hart County 36

18th District Semifinal, Green County High School, Greensburg, Kentucky 02-26-08

By Chris Gregory, Fifth Region Correspondent

High school basketball is a game of spurts, ups-and-downs and slumps. Over the past coupls of weeks Larue County has been in a slump, and to tap it all off, last Wednesday, one of their best players decided to leave the team. On Tuesday night, they faced a team they beat down twice this season, but I've always heard that it's hard to beat a team three times in one season. Also, the other two times that Larue played Hart, the Raiders had key players injured. Both times they were without 6'7" Ethan Moore, who could cause match-up problems for Larue.

Once again, I lucked out on a ride to Greensburg. My friend, Justin Craft, picked me up, and another Larue County great, Matt Clifford, was along for the ride. We talked hoops all the way there (Hey! It's Hoopsmas!). When we arrived at Green County's gym, I could tell there was a bigger crowd there than the night before. The girls game was still going on, and, man, it's hard for me to watch girls hoops. It seems there's a whistle every time down the floor. So, to kill time, I wandered around the crowd to talk to some fans. I cam across the parents of a player who told me they enjoyed the website. Thanks, Larue County fans.

We found a seat next to Larue County's locker room. Some players came out early to watch the girls' game. I kept a close eye on them to see if they were getting pumped up for the game. They were. The players were kind of loosey-goosey, and I think that was positive sign. They seemed relaxed. I also noticed that the referees were close to the Hawks' locker room, as well. One of them was Charles Jones, the same Charles Jones that played for UofL and the pride of Scooba, Mississippi. He has been a Fifth Region ref for many years, and I have seen him at many games this year. We are used to him now.

Both teams looked ready to play during warm-ups, and I was curious to see if anyone could step up in the absence of Tyler Hornback, the Larue player who left the team. When the teams made it to the jump circle, I noticed that Hart had the size advantage. Larue's biggest player is 6'3" and the Raiders' Moore is 6'7".

Hart controlled the tap. Hart played a fast pace but couldn't find the basket. On Monday night, I noticed that teams have trouble shooting in Green County's gym. I asked Matt Clifford about it because he played many games there. He told me it was the white walls that are behind the goals. It's hard to pick up the rim when all a shooter looks at is a big white wall and a clear backboard. He said that the rim looks like it's floating in air. Makes sense to me.

The first quarter was back and forth without a lot of scoring. Larue had the early lead, 10-9. Hart County ran subs in-and-out three at a time and were looking to keep the Hawks grounded.

I don't know what was up with the floor on Tuesday night. I think these teams set a record for the most walking calls in one half. We counted four straight trips down the floor that there was a whistle blown for traveling.

Larue County still hung to a small lead, but both teams really didn't shoot that well. Despite the cold shooting, Larue played better than they have the last couple of weeks. They held the lead, 18-15 at the half. It wasn't much of a first half with so many whistles and the cold shooting by both teams.

Again, tonight, no halftime entertainment, but I did hear something that made me chuckle. The PA announcer told the crowd that they were going to raffle off a rifle. Raffle a rifle at a high school game in Kentucky? What's next, try to catch a greased pig during football season. I know schools have trouble raising money these days, so I guess they'll do whatever it takes to get some money. Oh, by the way, I purchased a ticket on the rife.

For the second time this year -- that I've seen -- Coach Childress kept his team in the locker room for the entire halftime. When they came out, they only had 30 seconds to warm up. That's all they needed. They blistered the nets in the third or maybe Childress blistered their hind-ends at halftime. They outscored the Raiders 19-5 in the third and had pushed their lead to 17. I think Larue was coming out of their slump. It was too much for Hart.

Over the past couple of games, Larue had built leads only to panic and loose them. I hoped this wasn't going to happen Tuesday night. They were up 45-21 with 6:28 to go in the game, but Hart County just couldn't get it going tonight. To be honest, I didn't think they fed their big man enough. Larue played better than I had seen in awhile, and they lit up the scoreboard in the last frame for 31 points. They flew away with the victory, 68-36.

OBSERVATIONS

Players Not the Only Ones Stepping It up for the Tournaments: I hope people don't get tired of us writing about high school bands. Tuesday night, the Larue County band went "Old School." I had heard them earlier this season, but I think they were holding back in the regular season. They busted out "Play that Funk Music," "Celebrate, Good Times, C'mon," and "Sweet Home Alabama." SKYNYRD! (Pick and Roll is standing with his lighter aflame for an encore). I even noticed the Hart County band director bobbing his head to the songs. They were equipped with electric guitar, bass, and drum set. Way to step it up Band of Hawks.

Let the Light Shine On Us: I didn't know how Larue would react after losing one of their best players. I have to give it to them. Christian Seymour, Corey Salsman, and senior Alan "A Ray" Vass. Every player who played had good minutes, but these three were got it done with defense, scoring, and deflections. I hope it carries over to Friday night. They will have to play hard again against a good Green County team.

I'll be back at Green County on Friday night to catch the 18th District championship game. Green County has been a good host. The fans are friendly, and, besides, I have to see if I win the rifle.