Bardstown 84 - Central Hardin 74
By Chris Gregory, Fifth Region Correspondent
Folks, I don't know where to start with this one. You could label this game as a game of runs. It was a matter of who would make the last run. It could also be the modern day "Hoosiers" because Central Hardin is one of the largest schools in the state, and Bardstown is one of the smallest. The Tigers were not as worried as the little team from Indiana.
We had a full house in Munfordville, and they honored the Fifth Region Athletic Directors Hall of Fame. They inducted one of my golfing buddies from Hart County, Ed Dennison. He has served Caverna High School since 1978.
After the induction, I noticed a group of young ladies and maybe one guy standing in front of the scorer's table. I didn't know what was going on. They announced that they were from Bardstown High and would sing the National Anthem. I was floored by their performance. Way to go, ladies and gent.
The first run of the night took no time. Central got the tip, and it was off to the races. Coming into the game, I thought that the Bruins had no chance to run with the Tigers, but I was wrong. They busted open the first quarter with a couple of threes and took the lead 26-18. All week Central Hardin shot the lights out in the first quarter. I'd like to know what percentage they shot in those quarters because they always came out hot.
Between the quarters I started taking in some of the fan action. All of Cecilia must have been there to support the Bruins. Heck, if you went down Highway 62, you probably could've stolen anything you wanted. I'm sure it was a ghost town. They were real proud of this team, as they should be.
(Editor's Note: How do you think I finance Pick and Roll? I wasn't at the Fourth Region Tournament last night. I was cruising up and down U.S. 62 with a pickup truck, a flashlight, and a crowbar.)
The Bruins got a little rattled in the second, and the second run of the night was starting. The Tigers were getting back into the game thanks to Central Hardin not scoring a field goal for nearly 3:00. It was getting wild and tensions were running high. I have to credit the officials for keeping this game and players under control. Bardstown cut the lead down to three before the half. It was a good half of basketball, and I hoped it would continue in the second.
The guys I sat with had a halftime discussion about what adjustments were going to be made by both teams. It was kind of crazy. The 1-3-1 zone Central had used all week was working for them, and the great ball movement and inside-out play was working for Bardstown. The third quarter was going to be different. I think Bardstown Coach Gary Goode was trying to catch hsi breath. In the third, he just sat down and turned his players loose. they responded with a 24 point outburst. Early in the quarter, Bardstown got their first lead and were not going to be denied. They held Central to 13 points in the quarter. The Tigers lead 55-47 after three.
When the fourth got started the Tigers still had some things to take care of. Bardstown was out-playing Central on both ends of the floor. In no time, they had pushed their lead to 12 and J.C. Wright called a timeout with only a minute or so off the clock.
Central had one more run. They set screens for Tony Harding and he connected on a couple of huge threes. One of them was at the 1:11 mark, and that three got it back to a ten point lead. After a Bardstown turnover, Harding hit another three. Wow! Another run and Central was showing life, and the Bruin Nation was alive again. Time was not on their side, however. Central had cut the lead to three, but that was with 48 seconds to go. They had to start fouling.
Bardstown hit their free tosses and won by ten, 84-74. It's the Tigers first trip to the Sweet Sixteen since 1971. They had a huge second half, scoring 53 points. Down the stretch, the Tigers made 13 of 14 free throws after the 1:30 mark.
OBSERVATIONS
Cool Hand Luke: Coach Gary Good is probably the most laid back head coach I have ever seen. He coaches under control (if that makes sense). He never looks stressed on the sidelines. He never looked too upset when things weren't going his way. During timeouts, he just grabbed up the clipboard and drew up plays. It was just simple basketball, and his players responded, big. I never have met Coach Goode, but he looks like the type of guy you could approach and have a nice conversation with.
One for the Little Guys: The Bardstown Tigers are in the state tournament. Being one of the smallest schools in the state, I can hear all of the small schools around the Commonwealth cheering for them next week. They may be joined by the likes of Hazard and University Heights. Maybe we can crown a small school champs this year.
Good Sportsmanship: As the Central Hardin team headed back to their locker room, I noticed several of the Elizabethtown High boy's team congratulating them on a hard fought game. As cross town rivals, I thought this was a real nice gesture by the Panther team.
I'm Laying Down the Pencil: The season is over for me. I hope folks have enjoyed what I have contributed to Pick and Roll. I will be at the state tournament, but I think I will let Pick and Roll report on those games. I plan on doing this again next year (if you will have me). Thanks for reading, and I hope you check back during the state and next year.
Editor's Note: Pick and Roll is here to stay. The response has been tremendous, and I've had a blast putting it all together. It's as simple as this: I love basketball. It is the most beautiful, athletic, and pleasing of all the sports. The motion, the precision, the skill, the athletic ability, the excitement make it dang near perfect. I think Chris shares my feelings about basketball. I will be reporting from the Sweet Sixteen, and I hope I'm up for 15 basketball games in four days. I hope I can write coherent reports from "SexyLexy."
Pick and Roll might be dormant throughout the summer, but things will get going again for football season. I actually "kicked" Pick and Roll off in November with reports on a couple of Bowling Green football games. I guess I'll subtitle it "The Pennyrile Hook and Ladder" for the pigskin season. After the Sweet Sixteen I plan to post something about the future of Pick and Roll.
Fifth Region All Tournament Team
Clint Henderson - Green County
Chase Cox - Taylor County
Jesse Beavers - Nelson County
Christian Seymour - Larue County
Chris Gohman - Elizabethtown
Sean Bouthilette - Elizabethtown
Darrin Ballou - Adair County
Kalen Kimberland - Adair County
Daniel Linder - Central Hardin
Chris Nichols - Central Hardin
Tony Harding - Central Hardin
Demarco Phillips - Bardstown
Damian Edelen - Bardstown
Jordan Hickman - Bardstown
Corey Hall - Bardstown
Corey Hall was named MVP with a 22.6 point average
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