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

Thursday, March 6, 2008

By Chris Gregory, Fifth Region Correspondent

Game One: Elizabethtown 55 - Green County 48

Well, we're through the first round of the Fifth Region tournament. On Wednesday things went as planned with both top seeds winning. Thursday night, though, things would be more interesting because these teams were ready to get it on with one another.

Underdogs leave it all on the floor come tournament time. I love the way kids play hard for their schools. Most of them know they will not play at the next level, so they make the most of it this time of year.

The first game was between Green County and Elizabethtown. This game was a hard one to call. I really didn't know who would win this game, and at the start it looked like no one wanted it. Both were stone cold from the field. It was a very ugly game. One must take into consideration that no one on either roster has played in a regional game. The last time E-town was in the regional tournament most of these players were freshman and sophomores and didn't dress varsity. Green County is making their second appearance in 11 years. The coaches, on the other hand, have been in the regionals before. If you know about the Fifth Region, then you've heard of James Haire. He's been to plenty of tournament games. Toby Curry, Green County's coach, has been there before but only as a player. He led his 1995 Adair County squad to the Fifth Region championship game.

The coaches know how important this game is, but do the players?

Like I stated above, this one was ugly in the first half. The tempo favored E-town, but they could not find the bucket. In fact, no on could find it. I started to think that someone had put a lid on the goals. It was the lowest scoring first quarter I've seen all year. E-town led 6-4. That's not a misprint.

The second quarter was about the same with not much going on. Both teams had a lot of turnovers and missed field goals. Something had to give. Green County came into this game as one of the best scoring offenses in the state, but E-town was near the top in scoring defense. I kept waiting for something to happen. Finally, Green County made a "run" by this game's standards. They ran off four points. I mean this game was UGLY. Green County had the halftime lead, 16-15, in what was a struggle for both teams.

The Panthers stepped up the "D" in the third, and the scoring heated up as well. It actually turned into a shoot-fest between E-town's Chris "Go-Go" Gohman and Green County's Clint Henderson. These guys swapped shots like Pamela Anderson swaps husbands. It was turning into a game for a change. Green still hung onto the lead, 36-33.

Chris Gohman owned the fourth quarter and finished the game with 33 points, including six made free throws under 3:00 left in the game. Elizabethtown came back after trailing most of the game to knock out the first district champ of the tournament. They won 55-48.

OBSERVATIONS

Panthers in Charge: Elizabethtown controlled the tempo of this game from the tap. Green County wanted to run, but the Panthers would not let them. Even though the Dragons led most of the game, E-town never panicked and at the right moment took charge. They put Green County away, holding them well below their average of 70 points a game.

These Seats are Reserved: The E-town student section settled into their seats. All of them were sitting down minding their own business and not bothering anyone. Then, an administrator from Hart County made them move. They were in one end zone of the gym, and I guess it wasn't the right place for them to sit. This set off the E-town athletic director, and he told his students to get rowdy early. They booed the administrator every time he came around.

Going Back for Seconds: Folks, Hart County High School may have the best concession stand I've seen in a long time. On Wednesday I reported on the nachos supreme. Tonight, I took a closer look at the menu. To my surprise, they had homemade fried apple pies. Ah, man! They weren't as good as my Mamaw Gregory's but darn close. Editor's Note: I've had Mamaw Gregory's fried apple pies, so now I'm angling to join Chris at the Fifth Region tournament.

Second Game: Bardstown 72 - Taylor County 66

When the draw came out I knew this game would be a shoot-out. That was an understatement. I got so caught up in this game that I forgot to look at the score after the buzzer sounded. I do know that Bardstown had the lead. Both teams shot out the lights.

I hadn't seen a game like this all year. Each team had an answer for the other. Corey hall for Bardstown got things rolling early when he connected for five three pointers in the first half. His counterpart, Chase Cox, matched him shot-for-shot. He had four threes at the break, and Bardstown had a 37-28 lead.

I don't think these teams wanted to go to the locker room for halftime. They were afraid they might cool off. That was not the case. They started the third right where they left off. This game was living up to the hype people talked about all week. It's a shame that one of these teams had to lose. The game was like a ping-pong match, very fast paced. It seemed like it only took an hour to play this entire game. I looked back at the first half and the teams combined for 11 three point goals.

Taylor County worked the interior game as well. Leonard Macon was a force down low, and made Bardstown adjust many shots. He picked up about four or five blocks and scored at will. They just didn't give it to him enough. By this time, Bardstown had a five point lead, but Taylor County had one more run in them. With four minutes left in the game, Macon had a monster slam and the crowd went nuts. I thought it might be the turning point for Taylor, but Bardstown was too tough and won a great game, 72-66.

OBSERVATIONS

When It Rains it Pours: Tonight, I witnessed one of the best shooting displays I have ever seen. These teams combined for 19 made three point baskets. Corey Hall finished with six and so did Chase Cox. Cox is only a junior, so look out next year.

I'm Proud of My Mama: The Bardstown student section is led by "The Big Mamas." They are parents, aunts, and alumni who still have school spirit. They come up with all of the cheers and not ashamed of getting down with the students. I think they brought the whole school with them tonight. Although cold at times with chants like "maybe next year" and "so long seniors," they are fun to watch.

Really. Maybe Next Year: Taylor County loses only two players from this year's team. One is a reserve and the other is a starter. But their man two will be back. So, maybe the Bardstown fans were right, maybe next year. With Chase "Gunner" Cox at the helm and a big presence down low with Macon, Taylor County will be back to fight another year.

The semi-finals will be on Monday night so look for more reports.