Showing posts with label Adair County Basketball. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Adair County Basketball. Show all posts

Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Adair County 45 - Taylor County 44

Taylor County High School, Campbellsville, Kentucky 01-29-08

By Chris Gregory, Fifth Region Correspondent

Folks, we live in the best basketball state in America. Kentucky is the home of basketball. Sure we have a lot of other things in Kentucky of which we're proud, but when someone talks basketball, we hold our head high, our chest outward, and we are proud. I love it when you go to high school games and thousands of people are there. I love old gyms where it can be 5 degrees outside but 105 inside. I love it when it's packed and most of the crowd has to stand up most of the game and you're elbow-to-elbow with the person next to you. This is high school basketball in Kentucky, where kids play for the love of the game and the name on their jerseys. They leave it all on the floor.

Editor's Note: I could've sworn I heard a chorus humming My Old Kentucky Home as I read that.

Over the last couple of weeks I have seen some of the most exciting ballgames in recent memory. Tonight, when I pulled up in Campbellsville, I had a feeling I would not be disappointed. I ran into the Taylor County gym because it was pouring down rain, and I had to park somewhere near Green River Lake. I stayed wet the first two quarters, but it didn't dampen my spirits. Fans of old gyms would love this one; Taylor County has a gem of a gym. It's old and has bleachers all the way around the floor. I call it "The Clem Gym" in honor of Taylor County native Clem "The Gem" Haskins, who still holds the single game scoring record (55 points) at WKU.

As soon as the JV game ended, the student sections for both schools started their chants. The atmosphere was electric, just as it has been everywhere I've gone to in the past two weeks. I don't think you could have fit another person in that gym. I thought the fire marshal was going to come any second and make someone leave (like that was going to happen).

Both teams came out of the locker room to a chorus of booing from the opposition's fans. Taylor County has flown under the radar in the Fifth Region. They have lost some games they shouldn't have but, make no mistake, this is a very good ball club. Most recently, they have acquired a transfer from Danville High School named Leonard Macon. He has caused a stir in the 20th District and around the region. He is about 6'6", strong and plays to the crowd. He didn't start but made an impact early in the second quarter.

I've watched Adair many times this year. Once again, I found myself sitting beside Adair's #1 fan, T.P. Scott. As soon as I got there, I asked my new friend from Columbia how he felt about this game. He just shook his head and said, "I don't know. This one is always tough."

I soon found out he was right.

Adair controlled the tap, and the Cardinals played them man-to-man. The Indians came out hot but soon cooled off. They hung in the game because Taylor wasn't hot, either. Chase Cox, the Cardinals' three-point specialist put up a "goose egg" in the first quarter. People tell me that he looks to shoot the ball as soon as he gets off the bus. On Tuesday night, Adair's Kalen Kimberland rattled him. He's their senior leader on defense. The quarter ended with a low score: 10-9, advantage Adair.

Leonard Macon came off the bench in the second. Apparently, he didn't start because of a technical foul he got against Marion County on Friday. The kid is raw and strong. He doesn't shoot very good from the floor, but down load he is hard to handle. Both teams struggled to find their mark and still had a low scoring output in the second. The score was tied at 18 at the half. Mr. Scott reported that Adair only shot 33% from the field in the half.

To make Adair's shooting night even worse, Taylor opened up the third quarter in a 1-3-1 zone, and the Indian squad looked to Coach Mark Fudge for answers. I must give credit where credit is due. The Indians never got worried or rattled. They are so patient on offense, making the extra pass and playing under control. That's what makes a championship team.

Still having a little trouble with the zone, Adair called their first timeout of the night in the third quarter. They came out of the timeout looking to penetrate, which was what another fan and I had just been talking about. I met this guy soon after the game started. I'm sorry I never got his name, but he was real nice and said he had once coached the Adair players in little league (I gave him the web address so he can read up on our season).

Taylor was making progress with the zone and had a small lead at the end of the third, 29-26. That was the Cardinals' biggest lead of the game to that point. The crowd was still into the game.

By the time the fourth quarter rolled around, I finally had dried off from the rain and the excitement ran a chill up my back. About a minute and a half into the quarter, Corey Helm fed Adair's Darrin Ballou on the post, and he turned and dunked the ball straight up into Macon's face (welcome to the Fifth Region Mr. Macon!). It's the most emotion I've ever seen out of Ballou, who is normally quiet and goes about his job. He was in Macon's ear all the way down the court. Wow!! That's Kentucky high school basketball!

Not to be outdone, Taylor answered by feed their new big man, who traded for Ballou's bucket. Taylor had the lead with 5:13 left and had things going their way. They got into the bonus at 4:15 with a 35-32 lead.

The gym was getting louder and louder. Josh Gumm, Taylor's other three-point threat, hit a big three to make it 38-32. The zone had worked for the Cardinals all night, but Coach Troy Young made a move that we in the stands could not believe: he went back to the man-to-man, which let Adair back in the game.

Adair got a big bucket, cutting it to 38-34. Then, the Indians' Corey Helm finally woke up from his basketball coma and hit a huge three with 2:40 to go. This was the big swing in my opinion. The teams continued to trade baskets, and Ballou picked up his fourth foul. I thought, "well, this might burst the bubble for the Indians," but I forgot that this is a very smart team. Taylor remained in the man-to-man "D" and Adair spread the floor. Kalen Kimberland slashed into the lane and missed a shot, but he never gave up. He got his own rebound, put it in, and gave Adair a 43-42 lead. I could not believe what I was watching. Three out of the last four games I have been to have ended like this.

It was 44-43, and the Cardinals lead with 12.3 seconds to go. Adair spread the floor again, and Kimberland ran into the lane again. This time he was fouled and went to the line with 7.2 seconds remaining. He made the first of two shots, and Taylor tried to freeze him with a time out. You can't ice this kid. He made the second shot, making it 45-44. Taylor had a chance, getting the ball to Chase Cox, but Kimberland had him in check. Cox pushed off badly, but there was no call. he got the shot away, but the shot did not fall. He had been off his mark all night.

Adair won a great on in Campbellsville, and their fans rushed the floor. Hey, guys, don't forget that the district tournament is in Taylor's gym, and I'm sure they won't forget that.

OBSERVATIONS

King Cox: Before the game, Taylor County honored Chase Cox. He scored his 1,000th point on December 21st, and they went on to say that he now has over 1,200 career points. If my math is right, that's 200 points in a little over a month. Did I hear that right? Cox was off his mark on Tuesday, but it's still a great accomplishment for this young man. Oh, yeah, did I mention that he's only a junior? Look for him possibly to become the all time leading scorer in Taylor County history.

Gem of a Gym: My hat's off to Taylor County. They have a great gym. In this day and age with counties building new and bigger schools, Taylor has kept it real. Their gym is a fan's gym. If you ever have a chance to see it, don't pass it up. I love the way the bleachers are arranged because you're right on the floor, and you can see the action from anywhere.

Rodney Dangerfield?: I don't think so. With all the veteran coaches in the Fifth Region -- Tim Davis, James Haire, and Ron Bevars -- Coach Mark Fudge has earned my respect. He has talent, and he knows how to coach it. He has his team ready to play, and it shows. They are always under control, and I noticed that they are always looking to him for their next move. This means the players have confidence in their coach. He is a great leader, and coaches around the region better respect coach Fudge.

Editor's Note: I apologize to Adair County and Taylor County fans for being so slow posting Chris's report. My house had no power for a long time last night, and I had to leave for Henderson very early this morning. Thank you for reading.

Saturday, January 5, 2008

Adair County 70 - North Hardin 44

Adair County High School, Columbia, Kentucky
January 4, 2007

By Chris Gregory, Fifth Region Correspondent

Well, it's a new year and teams around the Fifth Region are getting back into the meat of their schedule. Friday night, I was really torn over which game to attend. There were so many district and regional match ups that I couldn't make up my mind. I was so torn that even gave Pick and Roll a call for his advice. I needed to go watch Taylor vs. Central Hardin because I haven't written anything on them yet.

So which game did I choose? North Hardin at Adair County. I've been waiting for this game since I looked at who the Indians played after the King of the Bluegrass Tournament.

North came into this game after playing the night before at district foe Central Hardin, a game which the Trojans won 64-54. I would've gone to that game, but I had to work that night.

In my Fifth Region Review, I stated that both of these teams played good in holiday tournaments. I would give Adair the nod on strength of schedule because they played three ranked team in the KOB: University Heights, Trinity, and Ballard. However, North Hardin is a very good and athletic ball team. I had seen both of these teams play and knew that this game could make an early statement in the Fifth. I thought the game was going to be a coin toss because both teams are very good.

North was 12-2 overall and 8-0 in the region coming into this game, and Adair was 11-3 and 5-0 in the Fifth. As I suspected there was a big crowd on hand, and Adair fans are true to their Indians.

North controlled the tap and got into their offense right away. They turned ball over, and I started to notice that the Trojans might not be as pumped up for the game as the Indians. Adair's Corey Helm capitalized on the turnover and busted a three on the right wing. When this kid gets set, watch out, because he hardly ever misses.

Both teams play man-to-man, but North was about a step behind on their end.

Adair was quick to push the ball, and they were ready to run North back up Dixie Highway. North Hardin finally settled down and scored a bucket, but Adair was on the warpath in the first. I believe they did the unimaginable in the first quarter. This is unofficial, but I had them making all their field goals in the frame. They led 18-9.

North Hardin is the type of team that lives and dies by the three. Their best threat, Maurice Gosa, hit six three point shots the night before at Central, but he could not find the mark in Columbia. I'm sure that he missed his first five three point shots in this contest.

Midway through the second, North looked tired. Maybe they had one too many holiday meals. Adair County still had their hot hand and was not going to let up on the athletic Trojans. Darren Ballou began to heat up, and so did their point guard, Nick Fudge, who is Coach Mark Fudge's son.

I asked fans about Ballou to see if any college coaches were looking at him. Most said that his parents like WKU, but no one could say if the Ballou family has talked to Hilltopper Coach Darrin Horn.

Ballou had 10 points at the break, and his Indians led 33-18.

The third began a little ugly for Adair. They started turning the ball over, and it looked as if North was finally ready to show up for this game. They scored a couple of quick baskets and starting feeding their big man LaRod King. This offense helped because Adair's wide body, Cameron Murrell, got into foul trouble. Coach Fudge responded with a smaller lineup and started running against the Trojans. It worked, Adair had a 21 point lead at the end of the third.

Adair County fans could smell victory when the fourth quarter rolled around. Even Coach Ron Bevars had taken his seat on the bench. Adair came into this game rested and ready. Still, I could not believe how the game was shaping up. As I stated, I came in thinking it was a coin toss, but Adair prevailed by 26 points.

The Fifth Region is going to be KY Highway 55 this season. It's got to go through Adair County.

OBSERVATIONS

We'll Take Your Charity: Adair County is a great free throw shooting team. The Indians will make any team going down to the wire with them pay big time.

When I Wish Upon A Star: North Hardin fans say not to pay too much attention to this game because it means nothing. They're wrong. It's wishful thinking. If these two play again, North will think, "man, they've beat us by 26, what else can we do?" They also said that North was tired from playing Central Hardin the night before. I disagree again. They are kids, for crying out loud and kids don't get tired. How can you play and win state tournament games? They are played day-after-day. Now is the time for their players to get ready for those types of games.

It's A Small World After All: When the Adair County fan sitting next to me asked where I was from, I told him Breckinridge County. It turned out that his aunt was my first grade teacher. He said he started going to state tournament games the year Breck won it all in 1995, and he's been back every year since. That paled in comparison to the guy next to him. T.P. Scott has attended 663 state tournament games in-a-row. 663 games! I guess he likes hi basketball. Nice fans in Columbia.

Editor's astonished note: I'd like to meet Mr. Scott, and I hope you gave him the web address to the Pick and Roll. 663 games? I've pondered that, and I have decided that it has to be close to a record or maybe is a record. The Sweet Sixteen is 15 games every year, right? If my ciphering is right, then Mr. Scott has been to the Sweet Sixteen 44 times.

I've thought about all the college, high school, and pro basketball games I've been to in my 41 years, and I don't think I've been to a total of 663. I cut my teeth as a little boy on Kentucky Colonels basketball, Seventh Region (the great Ballard and Male High teams), and UofL basketball. I went to 40 college basketball games in the 1994-95 season (before I was married), and I've held season tickets to WKU basketball for the last six seasons. I'm absolutely astonished.

By the way, Pick and Roll is angling to attend all fifteen games at Rupp this March. It will tax the several dollar budget of the website and then I have to convince my wife and trick my boss.

Friday, December 28, 2007

King of the Bluegrass Tournament

Adair County vs. University Heights Academy
By Chris Gregory, Fifth Region Correspondent

Everybody is talking about Scotty Hopson, but pound-for-pound Adair County's Kalen Kimberland was the best player in this game. He had a tough assignment: guard Hopson.

I like to watch players during warm ups and see how they prepare themselves for the game. Hopson was dancing to the music played over the loudspeakers, but the Adair players looked focused. This was the first time I've gotten a look at Adair County since last season's Fifth Region Tournament, and they looked stronger, especially the 6'7" center, Darrin Ballou.

A friend of mine from Louisville joined me and wanted to see if I could be wowed by Scotty Hopson. Instead, Ballow wowed me.

When we took our seats, I noticed we were behind Scott Padget. I could tell by his ears. He's a heck of a nice guy and was talking to everyone around him.

Hopson got fired up quickly when the game started. He scored six quick points, and then he let me down. I remember what Pick and Roll said about him in Bowling Green, and I saw what he was talking about. He's got great potential but needs to get his game face on.

I liked what I saw out of Adair County. I looked forward to a Hopson-Ballou match up, but to my surprise, Kimberland started guarding Hopson. Kimberland is only 5'11," so he gives up eight inches to the Blazers' blue chipper. He plays great defense.

At the end of the first quarter the Blazers had a 16-14 lead.

Darrin Ballou is quickly becoming one of my favorite players, and I hear he is big on WKU. I think he would be a good fit for the Hilltoppers. He shoots good from the floor but tends to force some of his shots He was stronger than Hopson. Ballou needs to work on his free throw shooting.

The second quarter went back-and forth. Hopson stood around a lot and looked lazy. His teammate, Tyshawn Edmonson took up the slack by doing most of the scoring in the second quarter. It's rumored that UT is looking at Edmonson (editor's note: I've also heard Florida). UHA still had the lead at the half, 33-28.

Adair County made some adjustments to start the third quarter. They started feeding Ballou down low, and he was finding the basket. It didn't take long for Hopson to switch over and guard Ballou, but Ballou took it right to him. He is stronger in the upper body, and he pushed Hopson around quite a bit.

With 5:00 to go in the third, UHA Coach Randy McCoy called a timeout and was red faced. At the end of the quarter, the game was tied at 49.

The game was living up to its hype.

With his team in a battle, Mr. Hopson decided to show up. He took charge in the fourth quarter. He is quick off the dribble and really elevates on his jump shot. He just doesn't impress me. I don't know why.

The game went to overtime with the teams knotted at 58.

In the extra frame, Adair County's Kalen Kimberland showed why he was -- pound-for-pound -- the best player on the floor. He scored nine of his game high 21 points in overtime. After a timeout, UHA threw a 2-1-2 zone press against Adair, and it caused the Indians a lot of trouble. With 6.6 second left in the game, UHA had a two point lead, but Adair had the ball. They had a shot at tying it up, but Ballou turned the ball over. UHA won a good contest, 65-63.

OBSERVATIONS

Beam Thee Up Scotty: Hopson has a lot of growing up to do before he plays the college game. His attitude is sorry. Scott Padgett said the same thing about him. If he ends up at UK, I hope BCG can mold him. He is athletic and has great hops.

Editor's Observation: Pick and Roll was never in the military, but he knows that soldiers, sailors, and Marines call the thick rimmed, ugly, military issue eyeglasses "BCG's." That is their lingo for Birth Control Glasses. I'll let the readers make the leap in logic, but calling Billy Clyde "BCG" could get...well...ugly.

Double Dog Adair You: Adair County is going to be fun to watch again this year in the Fifth Region. Ballou and Nick Fudge (in my opinion the best point guard in the Fifth) along with Kimberland will carry the Indians deep into the regional tournament. Ballou and Fudge are both juniors, so they'll be tough next year, too.

Editor's Note: I've got to take "A Christmas Story" out of the DVD player.