Elizabethtown High School, Elizabethtown, Kentucky 02-15-08
It was a "throw-back" trip for me on Friday night. I lived in Shelbyville from 1995 to 2002, when I pulled up stakes and moved my family to Bowling Green. I loved Shelbyville and Shelby County. I even learned to pronounce it the correct way "Shebbuhvuhl and Shebby Cyownny." When I saw that the Rockets were venturing down to the Crossroads of Kentucky, I decided I was tired of Fourth Region games and that I would cross into Chris Gregory's turf and watch a match up between teams from the Fifth and Eighth regions.
It brought back some great memories of my days living in the Eighth Region. My first real taste of basketball up there came one morning while I was getting my hair cut in Greg Tipton's barbershop. Greg and his customers got into a heated discussion about Toyota recruiting players for Scott County High School, which had up-ended Shelby County's long reign in that region. It was great to find a great barber and a place where people liked to talk high school hoops, even if they were a little jealous of Scott County. They called them "Team Toyota."
If I had any concept of "blogging," I would've started the Pick and Roll during my days in Shelbyville because I was a regular at Shelby County games and never missed the Eighth Region tournament at Henry County High School. It was a great gym full of a lot of great fans and a lot of great basketball.
I loved seeing the Rockets take the court tonight. It was great to see these two programs, both rich in tradition. Shelby County has two state championships (1966 and 1978), and Elizabethtown won it in 2000. Between them, they have been to 21 Sweet Sixteen Tournaments. Plus, they share the same colors, blue and gold.
During warm ups, Elizabethtown's band played "The Time Warp," and it seemed that way. It could've been 1996 or 1997 all over again, except that a kid like Alex Matthews, who plays for the Rockets, was a just a little boy in those days. Gosh! I was kind of hoping that I could spend Saturday morning in Tipton's barbershop griping about the officiating and whining about Scott County kicking everybody's butts.
Shelby County started the game absolutely ice cold, and they looked more like a fizzy pop than a fire blazing rocket. Elizabethtown's 2-1-2 zone (talk about a "Time Warp.") befuddled the Rockets, and they fell behind 8-1. It seemed like it was forever before Shelby County broke the ice, but they finally did Johnson's free throw. Mike Clark called a timeout and worked a little "Rocket science" and put them on the right trajectory. At the end of the first quarter, Tim Sanford hit a three that put Shelby County within one, 11-10.
Shelby County seemed to take control of things in the second quarter. They moved the ball around the 2-1-2 zone by hitting the high post and letting him distribute the ball back to the perimeter. Alex Matthews also made some sharp interior passes that kept the Panthers' defenders one step behind the ball. The Rockets took a 22-20 lead to the locker room at halftime, and I thought that Shelby County would find their orbit in the second half and splashdown a victory.
I was wrong. It's why I don't pretend to be a pundit, and it's one of many reasons why I don't gamble.
In the second half, E-town showed patience on the offensive end and continued to play a very active zone defense. Sean Bouthelette, which translates to English as "defense destroyer," and Chris "Go-Go" Gohman started hitting shots and making passes to break down Shelby County's defense. It seemed that the Rockets had no answer.
It was in the third quarter that I witnessed the "Nacho Call." An Elizabethtown fan was standing near the end of the court eating nachos, and when a ball bounced out-of-bounds on that end of the court, he signaled that it was E-town's ball. I looked to me that the referee looked to the fan for the call. It was as if the fan said, "that's not-cho call."
The score was tied at 33 at the end of the third.
Shelby County fans should click HERE for my true feelings about the fourth quarter. My brother travels to South Africa on a regular basis, and he tells me that the locals there call zebras "pajama donkeys." Early in the fourth quarter I wondered if these were the same pajama donks Chris Gregory saw in Larue County the other night. In the second half, Shelby County had more than 10 fouls, and the Panthers had two.
Yeah, yeah, I know. I'm letting my feelings come through, but I've never pretended to be objective on this blog. Behind Male High, Shelby County is my second favorite team because I followed them closely for seven years. Plus, my nephew graduates from SCHS this spring.
Nothing against Elizabethtown because I respect their program, and I cheered for them in 2000 when Antwain Barbour and the Panthers downed Lexington Catholic for the title. I cheered very hard for them.
The Panthers defensive pressure and patient offense frustrated Shelby County, and the home team cruised to a 52-43 victory over one of the leading teams in the Eighth Region.
OBSERVATIONS
The Panthers' Den: What a great place to watch a basketball game. I really liked Charlie Rawlings Memorial Gym. It's a bit of a throwback place, and I liked that the teams sit on the bleachers right along with the fans. That can be very intimidating. They didn't blare loud music before the game or during halftime. I just wish more people were there.
Band on the Fun: I'm giving a Pennyrile Pick and Roll "Three Thumbs Up" nod to the E-town band. They played music at the right time, and they played some old classic rock n'roll numbers. When fans ponied up a buck to shoot a three point shot at halftime, the band played Billy Squier's "The Stroke." That's fantastic! But, they aren't spreadin' ear pollution far and wide, Billy.
Two F's, Two T's, and Two Guns: I noticed a banner for Steffphon Pettigrew hanging in the gym. He was Kentucky's Mr. Basketball last year, and E-town has honored him with a nice banner. I remember when Garrett Morris on Saturday Night Live imitated Ugandan dictator Idi Amin he always said, "Two A's, two D's, and one gun." I've seen Mr. Pettigrew play at WKU this season, and I can tell everyone that the young man has a healthy pair of guns. He is put together solid, and opponents are learning that the young Mr. Pettigrew can sling those guns. I'm looking forward to when Steffphon Pettigrew is a Wheel of Fortune puzzle.
Stand Up and Cheer!: I noticed E-town shares its fight song with the Hilltoppers. Being a WKU alumnus and a regular attendee of Hilltopper hoops, it's hard not to sing along with "Stand Up and Cheer," and it may have bothered some of the Shelby County fans I was sitting amongst.
Showing posts with label Elizabethtown Basketball. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Elizabethtown Basketball. Show all posts
Friday, February 15, 2008
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Elizabethtown 62 - Breckinridge County 54
Breckinridge County High School, Harned, Kentucky 01-19-08
By Chris Gregory, Fifth Region Correspondent
I first started playing basketball when I was in the fourth grade. It was in Homer Gray's Saturday Morning League. From that point on I knew I loved this game. It wasn't until a few years later, when my Aunt Kathy took me to my first Breck County game, I realized I wanted to be a Fighting Tiger.
Saturday night was Homecoming in Harned, and I wanted to see the Tigers and the Panthers scratch it out on the hardwood. Both teams are a little down this year (reflected by their records). E-town lost Kentucky's Mr. Basketball, Steffphon Pettigrew, who is playing for WKU this season, and I had yet to see the Panthers play. I reported on the Tigers over the holidays. Both schools have tons of tradition and some state tournament rings to flash.
Elizabethtown's James Haire is a veteran coach, but this year's team has really challenged him. Prior to Saturday's game, they sported an 8-7 record, having lost to Owensboro the night before. They have good size at every position, but I didn't know what to expect from them because they have won games over some worthy opponents. Plus, Breck has lost some tough games in the last couple of weeks.
E-town was already on the floor going through pre-game warm-ups when Breck took the floor. That's when the pep band struck up "Eye of the Tiger." To this day, and I guess forever, if a person was ever a Breckinridge County Fighting Tiger -- like I was -- that song just gets your blood a pumpin. I'm glad to see that the new band director hasn't shied away from tradition.
I'm really at a loss for words for this game. My buddy, Justin, who made the trip from Hodgenville with me, said that this game was "just blah." I admit that I was expecting a little better game. Maybe it's because I had witnessed two of the best games I've seen this year in the past seven days (I reported on them).
I told my buddy that maybe I should pass on this game, and he said, "well since you're here you should write something." Don't get me wrong; this game had some good moments.
Elizabethtown showed no effects from playing tough game on Friday night and ran off a few buckets. Breck missed some easy shots down low early in the first quarter. The thing that impressed me most in the first was how well Breck plays their man-to-man full court press. They have quick guards, and they get their hands on a lot of balls.
E-town was in control early, leading 17-12 after one period of play.
Breck is a young and players have had to grow up quick. They weren't going to back down to a team from the big city. To Coach Critchelow's dismay his Tigers looked a bit lost on offense, and E-town threw a tough 1-2-2 match up zone at them. I'm still a tiger at heart, but Breck made it easy for the Panthers in the first half. It bothers me to see a team that doesn't penetrate the zone and work for the three. These days teams are living and dying by the three point shot. Breck seemed to pass it around with no ball movement, letting E-town get set after every pass.
Heck, me, Pick and Roll, and three guys from Tules Creek could guard them. E-town outscored Breck in the second 13-7 to take the halftime lead 30-19.
Editor's Note: You and the three guys from Tules Creek would be working your butts off to pick up my slack. Plus, you'd need these things on the sidelines: a defibrillator, an emergency room doctor, an oxygen tank, a box of Girl Scout Tagalong cookies, and an ice cold Dr. Pepper before I'd even set foot on a basketball court. I'd have trouble keeping a fence post from going around me.
E-town started the third in a hurry to get this one over with and head back Highway 86. They ran an offensive play that would make Pick and Roll proud. They used the pick and roll. I had to look down at the E-town bench to see if Gene Hackman or James Haire was calling plays. I kept looking for the old "picket fence." E-town was too much for them in the third. They lead 44-30.
I guess the Panthers thought they had this game wrapped up because they seemed too laid back to start the last frame. Like I said, Breck was not intimidated. They were still playing hard and Coach Critchelow had made his point about moving the ball. E-town was up by 16 at this point. Breck had fought back to cut the lead to seven at one point but just couldn't get over the hump. E-town turned up pressure once again, and Breck was forced to foul and pray that the Panthers would miss from the charity stripe. E-town made the shots down the stretch and dodged a late bullet from the Tigers. They won 62-54.
OBSERVATIONS
No Stranger to the Mic: Breckinridge County's Huston DeHaven has been calling Tiger basketball since 1970, and his sidekick and stat man, Scotty Willoughby, has been with him since 1992. These voices of Breckenridge County have seen it all, and they won't shy away from telling listeners exactly what they think about officials, the crowd, and let people know if a player got away with a dirty play. By no means would they bash a player but tell listeners, "Well, he got away with that one.
I asked Mr. DeHaven what games stuck out in his mind other than Breck's state run in '95. He said, "well, a lot of them." He remembered every regional final that Breck was involved in: 1986 against Apollo and Rex Chapman; '93 against Grayson County where the Tigers had a seven point lead with 30 seconds to go and Grayson came back to win. Mr. DeHaven went on to tell me that he had once interviewed the legendary Cawood Ledford, Joe B. Hall, and Denny Crum. He is a fixture in Breck County sports, and I hope he has many more years behind the microphone.
He also had a day job for many years. He was the superintendent of Breck County Schools.
I Love Tradition: Regular readers of the Pick and Roll know that we love high school bands. Well, Breck has had good bands over the years, and Saturday night I was glad to see they still keep up with traditions. Like many games we all stand to honor our country with the playing of "The Star Spangled Banner," but Breck takes it a step further with playing "My Old Kentucky Home." During time outs and half time they play "Eye of the Tiger," which features a cow bell. You can never have enough COW BELL!!
A Hero There Made: Elizabethtown's Sean Bouthilette (pronounce booth-uh-let) was in the right places at the right times Saturday night. He led the Panthers with 19 points. He was a mismatch for Breck and E-town took full advantage of it. He is much quicker than he looked and is wide and strong. He grabbed a lot of loose balls and muscled his way to the basket. Somehow, I think the Panthers will be around come regional tournament time (just a gut feeling). They went nine deep tonight, and that means a lot playing night in and night out come tournament time. You can never count out a James Haire coached team.
By Chris Gregory, Fifth Region Correspondent
I first started playing basketball when I was in the fourth grade. It was in Homer Gray's Saturday Morning League. From that point on I knew I loved this game. It wasn't until a few years later, when my Aunt Kathy took me to my first Breck County game, I realized I wanted to be a Fighting Tiger.
Saturday night was Homecoming in Harned, and I wanted to see the Tigers and the Panthers scratch it out on the hardwood. Both teams are a little down this year (reflected by their records). E-town lost Kentucky's Mr. Basketball, Steffphon Pettigrew, who is playing for WKU this season, and I had yet to see the Panthers play. I reported on the Tigers over the holidays. Both schools have tons of tradition and some state tournament rings to flash.
Elizabethtown's James Haire is a veteran coach, but this year's team has really challenged him. Prior to Saturday's game, they sported an 8-7 record, having lost to Owensboro the night before. They have good size at every position, but I didn't know what to expect from them because they have won games over some worthy opponents. Plus, Breck has lost some tough games in the last couple of weeks.
E-town was already on the floor going through pre-game warm-ups when Breck took the floor. That's when the pep band struck up "Eye of the Tiger." To this day, and I guess forever, if a person was ever a Breckinridge County Fighting Tiger -- like I was -- that song just gets your blood a pumpin. I'm glad to see that the new band director hasn't shied away from tradition.
I'm really at a loss for words for this game. My buddy, Justin, who made the trip from Hodgenville with me, said that this game was "just blah." I admit that I was expecting a little better game. Maybe it's because I had witnessed two of the best games I've seen this year in the past seven days (I reported on them).
I told my buddy that maybe I should pass on this game, and he said, "well since you're here you should write something." Don't get me wrong; this game had some good moments.
Elizabethtown showed no effects from playing tough game on Friday night and ran off a few buckets. Breck missed some easy shots down low early in the first quarter. The thing that impressed me most in the first was how well Breck plays their man-to-man full court press. They have quick guards, and they get their hands on a lot of balls.
E-town was in control early, leading 17-12 after one period of play.
Breck is a young and players have had to grow up quick. They weren't going to back down to a team from the big city. To Coach Critchelow's dismay his Tigers looked a bit lost on offense, and E-town threw a tough 1-2-2 match up zone at them. I'm still a tiger at heart, but Breck made it easy for the Panthers in the first half. It bothers me to see a team that doesn't penetrate the zone and work for the three. These days teams are living and dying by the three point shot. Breck seemed to pass it around with no ball movement, letting E-town get set after every pass.
Heck, me, Pick and Roll, and three guys from Tules Creek could guard them. E-town outscored Breck in the second 13-7 to take the halftime lead 30-19.
Editor's Note: You and the three guys from Tules Creek would be working your butts off to pick up my slack. Plus, you'd need these things on the sidelines: a defibrillator, an emergency room doctor, an oxygen tank, a box of Girl Scout Tagalong cookies, and an ice cold Dr. Pepper before I'd even set foot on a basketball court. I'd have trouble keeping a fence post from going around me.
E-town started the third in a hurry to get this one over with and head back Highway 86. They ran an offensive play that would make Pick and Roll proud. They used the pick and roll. I had to look down at the E-town bench to see if Gene Hackman or James Haire was calling plays. I kept looking for the old "picket fence." E-town was too much for them in the third. They lead 44-30.
I guess the Panthers thought they had this game wrapped up because they seemed too laid back to start the last frame. Like I said, Breck was not intimidated. They were still playing hard and Coach Critchelow had made his point about moving the ball. E-town was up by 16 at this point. Breck had fought back to cut the lead to seven at one point but just couldn't get over the hump. E-town turned up pressure once again, and Breck was forced to foul and pray that the Panthers would miss from the charity stripe. E-town made the shots down the stretch and dodged a late bullet from the Tigers. They won 62-54.
OBSERVATIONS
No Stranger to the Mic: Breckinridge County's Huston DeHaven has been calling Tiger basketball since 1970, and his sidekick and stat man, Scotty Willoughby, has been with him since 1992. These voices of Breckenridge County have seen it all, and they won't shy away from telling listeners exactly what they think about officials, the crowd, and let people know if a player got away with a dirty play. By no means would they bash a player but tell listeners, "Well, he got away with that one.
I asked Mr. DeHaven what games stuck out in his mind other than Breck's state run in '95. He said, "well, a lot of them." He remembered every regional final that Breck was involved in: 1986 against Apollo and Rex Chapman; '93 against Grayson County where the Tigers had a seven point lead with 30 seconds to go and Grayson came back to win. Mr. DeHaven went on to tell me that he had once interviewed the legendary Cawood Ledford, Joe B. Hall, and Denny Crum. He is a fixture in Breck County sports, and I hope he has many more years behind the microphone.
He also had a day job for many years. He was the superintendent of Breck County Schools.
I Love Tradition: Regular readers of the Pick and Roll know that we love high school bands. Well, Breck has had good bands over the years, and Saturday night I was glad to see they still keep up with traditions. Like many games we all stand to honor our country with the playing of "The Star Spangled Banner," but Breck takes it a step further with playing "My Old Kentucky Home." During time outs and half time they play "Eye of the Tiger," which features a cow bell. You can never have enough COW BELL!!
A Hero There Made: Elizabethtown's Sean Bouthilette (pronounce booth-uh-let) was in the right places at the right times Saturday night. He led the Panthers with 19 points. He was a mismatch for Breck and E-town took full advantage of it. He is much quicker than he looked and is wide and strong. He grabbed a lot of loose balls and muscled his way to the basket. Somehow, I think the Panthers will be around come regional tournament time (just a gut feeling). They went nine deep tonight, and that means a lot playing night in and night out come tournament time. You can never count out a James Haire coached team.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)