Fifth Region Touranament, Hart County High School, Munfordville, Kentucky

Wednesday, March 5, 2008

Adair County 56 - Larue County 42
By Chris Gregory, Fifth Region Correspondent

On Tuesday night some of the 128 teams from 16 regions began their trek to Lexington to get a chance at being champions of the Bluegrass.

The Sweet Sixteen is known all over as one of the best venues in high school basketball. Where else can you watch basketball with 20,000+ of your closest friends? I know people in Kentucky with family in other states, and they are lucky to get four to five thousand fans to show up for their state's championship. And, if you want to talk about passion, I'm willing to bet the far, that people in Ashland know about teams and players in Hoptown, Paducah, Christian County and vice versa. In November, 2006, I attended a bluegrass music festival in Leslie County, and I told some people that I had driven from Elizabethtown. An older gentleman tapped me on the shoulder and asked if I had seen that Pettigrew "young'un play"? He also asked me if Ron Bevars was still at North Hardin. That, folks, is how passionate Kentucky is about its high school basketball.

On Wednesday night, my journey took me to the Fifth Region. As I arrived in Munfordville, I could tell it was regional tournament time. Fans flocked to the gym like it was the day after Thanksgiving and Best Buy had a sale on PS3's or X-Box's. It's funny how tournament time brings people out of the woodwork. You can go to these games all year and not see some of the people you do at the regional tournament. The only other place these people show up is the county fair.

Larue County came into this game knowing that they were the underdog. They were going to play the defending champs, Adair County. After seeing these kids play all year, I knew they were up for the challenge. It hit me in the first quarter, "We're playing in the Fifth Region tournament!!"

Larue County got some early open looks, but I guess they were a little tight because they were 0-3 to start. Adair, on the other hand, came out like they knew they were the show horses of the fifth. They junped out to a 7-0 lead and Coach Childress called a quick timeout. Larue settled down, and Christian Seymour hit a very long three as the buzzer sounded for the end of the first. The Hawks were hanging tough against the defending champs, only down seven after one.

When the teams came out in the second, the Larue players were convinced they could play with these guys, and I was right there with them. I always root for the underdog. The Hawks made an early run and cut the lead to two. Adair showed why they are the defending champs. They made their own run to close out the half leading 26-17.

The Indians must have been thinking, "go out in the second half and put these guys away; we need to rest our legs." Adair's Kalen Kimberland was all for that thought. He hit two threes to open the third and his running mates were right there with him. What was a nine point lead at the half had quickly turned into a 17 point lead for the Indians. Then, the Hawks must've been thinking, "Hey, let's pull out that peace pipe, guys." Larue County got good shots but just couldn't get over the hump. Adair led going into the last quarter, 39-26.

So far the game was going just like Adair wanted. They are a slow down team and sometimes will bore the fans. You look at them and wonder why they are so good. They are very well coached and very disciplined. In the games I've seen them they never shy away from their game plan.

The fourth quarter was exciting. Just when I thought Adair was going to blow out Larue, the pesky Hawks soared back into this game. At one point, they cut the lead to seven, but that would be as close as they would get. Adair was too tough down the stretch. Larue was forced to foul, and Adair does not miss free throws. Indians win 56-42.

OBSERVATIONS

Props to the Hawks: Larue County finished a good season and have a good core of players returning. They will be hungry. Juniors Christian Seymour and Bryan Bault led the Hawks on Wednesday night. Seymour played a heck of a game. I had him with 21 points, and he really stepped it up on the defensive end. Hold your heads up high Hawks. You played a good in a game that no one thought you had a chance in.

The 12th Region's Finest: This was the best officiated game I have seen in some time. They guys let them play but under control. I normally don't brag on refs, but I'll give credit where credit is due.

Note to Hart County High: I never paid much attention this problem until late in the fourth quarter. An old pal of mine, Prentiss Craft, said, "If you're going to host a regional tournament, make sure that all the light bulbs work in the scoreboard." He chuckled and said that it "just bothered him." Other than that, Hart County opened up the tournament as a very gracious host. They had a good flow through the concession stand and had a good staff on hand to help with anything. If you visit the Fifth, try the Nachos Supreme and a diet Dr. Pepper. Can't beat it.

Chiefs of the Tribe: Kalen Kimberland and Darrin Ballou. These guys had huge nights. Each had 21 points, and when it counted Kimberland hit his free throws. He finished the game 6 for 9 from the charity stripe. I get the feeling the team, as a whole, had an off night. Look for them not to be held down long. They will have to step it up on Monday night. They will face a very good and hot Central Hardin team.