Citizens First Classic, Bowling Green High School, Bowling Green, Kentucky
By J. Trace Kirkwood
I always try to be honest with my readers. I stayed for this game after Bowling Green's game, but I should have gone home. I didn't take many notes because I was tired. As soon as I finished my work day (my real job that kind of pays), I gulped down some supper, corralled the kids, and headed for the gym. It's hard for me to leave basketball games. Junkies probably have an easier time leaving heroin dens and drunks are better at leaving bar stools than I am leaving a good game of hoops. I've tried a 12 Step program but can't do it without dribbling.
Memory Alert!!
I haven't seen the Doss Dragons play for nearly 30 years. When I was a freshman at Male High, we played at Doss. Steve Sargeant was our point guard and Winston Bennett was a sophomore and on his way to being an All-American at Male and later a small school in Lexington called "Kentucky." Doss whipped out a nasty full court press that left the Bulldogs desperately confused. At one point Bennett had the ball in the corner and tried to throw over Doss's basket to Sargeant, who was begging for the ball. He looped the pass, and hit nothing but net. Two points for Doss scored by Winston Bennett.
I was surprised to learn that Dwight Bransford dragged his Dragons into Bowling Green without a victory, but those guys have taken on Male (this time they lost), Iroquois, Paul Dunbar, and George Rogers Clark. They beat Hart County on Sunday and faced a 4-1 Madison Southern team on Monday night.
Doss controlled the entire game and steadily pulled away from Madison Southern. The Dragons had a three point lead at the end of the first quarter, 18-15, and had a 33-35 lead at the half. At the end of the third quarter they had a ten point, 48-38, lead and won the game 63-52. At times during the game the Eagles could not buy a basket. They got easy shots in the paint, and the ball rattled around on the rim and bounced into the Doss players' hands. I don't have the stats, but I'm guessing that Doss controlled the boards by a wide margin.
In the fourth quarter, it even seemed like Doss was trying to give the game to Madison Southern, but the Eagles could never capitalize. They pulled within eight, and had three possessions in which they could have cut the lead to six. They just couldn't get over that hump, and Coach Shane Butry's players were terribly frustrated at the end.
Madison Southern had a tough player named Carrington Roberts who could work his way inside and had a nice soft touch from about 10 feet. He was unafraid of the big men in the paint. I love those kinds of players.
It was nice having visitors from the Sixth and Eleventh regions.
OBSERVATIONS
Nice P.A. Coach: I thought for a second that David Allen Coe had snuck into the gym at Bowling Green to announce the lineups for the Doss-Madison Southern game. It was actually D.G. Sherrill, who was doing double duty as the public address announcer. He may be the first P.A. announcer from Fredonia, Kentucky.
Good Genes?: I noticed that Doss has a kid named Demeatric Unseld on the team. I wonder if he's related to Wes Unseld.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Bowling Green 81 - Townsend (TN) 54
Citizens First Classic, Bowling Green High School, Bowling Green, Kentucky
By J. Trace Kirkwood
Early in the season I'm frustrated by the lack of rosters and programs. I don't have the same access the "real media" has, so I have a tough time coming up with players names and a tougher time coming up with stats.
Hmmm. Townsend High School? I once camped near Townsend a couple of years ago. That may be all I can tell you about their basketball team. I hate that, and I refuse to identify players only by their numbers. I talked to one of the organizers of the Citizens First Classic about the lack of programs (the tournament had a good program last year) and he said, "When teams don't send me rosters, I can't put together a program."
Bowling Green and Townsend matched each other throughout the first half of the game. Townsend opened a listless, but the coach (I have no idea what his name is, but for the sake of this entry I'll call him "Bobby") blistered his team during an early timeout. He screamed, "Where's your fire?" People shifted in their seats a little and starting looking around at each other in a nervous sort of way. Somebody asked me, "Do you think he's gonna throw a chair?"
His tongue lashing worked? They picked up their defense and started executing their offense, and they made a run back at Bowling Green. The first quarter ended with the two teams tied at 17. My father would say, "Eight minutes in and nothing accomplished."
I noticed that the point guard for Townsend played in some sort of agonizing pain. I thought he had abdominal cramps from maybe eating too much Split Tree Barbecue before the game. Another soul speculated that he had a broken rib, and another thought maybe he had a broken rib. Who knows? The kid was in pain, but "Bobby" didn't take him out of the game. Maybe the kid was determined to play.
The two teams played even through the second quarter and looked like the half would end with the score tied at 34. Bowling Green got a late turnover but missed a layup as the time expired. However, one of the officials called a foul on Townsend, which allowed Bowling Green to take a 36-34 lead to the locker room.
A Townsend fan shouted at the referee, "No one would make that call in a thousand year." I thought it was a bad call, too, but our friendly Vol neighbors need to keep the football south of the border. It doesn't translate well onto the hardwood.
Bowling Green dominated the second half. Joe "Automatic" Gorman had the longshot working, and the entire Purples team had their transition game clicking. They kept stretching the lead by hitting baskets, layups, and playing tough defense. They held Townsend to five third quarter points while scoring 22. By the end of the quarter Townsend players' tongues were wagging.
Bowling Green continued their tough defense throughout the fourth quarter. D.J. Ray, Vic Smith, and Dominique Britt all played tight full court defense. Charlie Williams stayed active at the top of the 2-2-1 defense. Townsend didn't have a chance.
At one point, Townsend's coach pulled a kid out of the game, and when the kid got to the bench, he yelled, "You don't know what you're doing out there." He continued, but I don't feel like I have to transcribe the entire dialog.
The player's mother yelled from the stands, "Quit embarrassing my boy you..." Well, I have my standards on the Pick and Roll. She suggested that maybe he was a chasm full of donkeys. I will say this. The coach yelled at his players, perhaps to excess, but I never heard him use foul language. My wife always gets upset when she hears a coach yell at players. I always tell her, "It takes a thick skin to be an athlete." In my short and pathetic football career I thought a face mask was a handle for coaches to hold while they yelled at me.
I must point out that I've rarely heard James Haire at Elizabethtown yell at his players, and few could argue with his success.
I hate to do this to Joe Gorman, but the folks around the Fourth Region must learn to keep him from squaring up to the basket when he has the ball. Once his shoulders are square to the hoop he'll ring teams up every time. It's automatic.
Bowling Green won 81-54.
OBSERVATIONS
Whatever Happened to Pep Bands?: I know it's a Christmas tournament (refuse to use "holiday") and that bands won't be in attendance, but I miss the era of the pep bands. Even if the pep band is in the stands, they spend most of the time sitting there. Now, fans have to listen to horrible music played too loudly over the public address system. I know that youngster don't communicate verbally anymore, but some of us still use our voices and ears. I guess you can "txt mssg" through any amount of noise. I think at Bowling Green High they crank the loud music to force people out of the gym and to the concession stand. The years of travel have robbed me of good hearing, so when someone tries to talk to me over blaring music they sound like Charlie Brown's teacher. That's my crotchety old curmudgeon moment.
Frigid Cold: I don't know about everyone else, but I've had enough of the cold weather. I'm a native of South Florida, so I have thin blood. Christmas in Miami meant putting on t-shirts and cut-offs and playing football in the front yard with mi amigos, Jorge Gonzalez, Roberto DeLafia, Antonio Santana. I didn't know there was a world north of Lake Okeechobee and didn't realize it had to be cold to snow. That reality hit me when my family moved to Kentucky. Well, I can't find any good links to Cuban Christmas music, so I'll just link to Bing Crosby singing Mele Kalikimaka with the Andrews Sisters. I hope that will warm everyone.
Verbal Defense: Dominique Britt displayed some of the best "verbal defense" I've seen in a long time. He went started setting up a trap against a Townsend player and sounded as if he was barking at the kid. I laughed. I hear fans complain about trash talking and the like, but on the whole I think ballplayers -- of all sports -- are quiet these days. Heck, they're almost mute. We chattered all the time, especially playing baseball. Sometimes barking at an opponent can confuse them. THIS is for you Mr. Britt.
By J. Trace Kirkwood
Early in the season I'm frustrated by the lack of rosters and programs. I don't have the same access the "real media" has, so I have a tough time coming up with players names and a tougher time coming up with stats.
Hmmm. Townsend High School? I once camped near Townsend a couple of years ago. That may be all I can tell you about their basketball team. I hate that, and I refuse to identify players only by their numbers. I talked to one of the organizers of the Citizens First Classic about the lack of programs (the tournament had a good program last year) and he said, "When teams don't send me rosters, I can't put together a program."
Bowling Green and Townsend matched each other throughout the first half of the game. Townsend opened a listless, but the coach (I have no idea what his name is, but for the sake of this entry I'll call him "Bobby") blistered his team during an early timeout. He screamed, "Where's your fire?" People shifted in their seats a little and starting looking around at each other in a nervous sort of way. Somebody asked me, "Do you think he's gonna throw a chair?"
His tongue lashing worked? They picked up their defense and started executing their offense, and they made a run back at Bowling Green. The first quarter ended with the two teams tied at 17. My father would say, "Eight minutes in and nothing accomplished."
I noticed that the point guard for Townsend played in some sort of agonizing pain. I thought he had abdominal cramps from maybe eating too much Split Tree Barbecue before the game. Another soul speculated that he had a broken rib, and another thought maybe he had a broken rib. Who knows? The kid was in pain, but "Bobby" didn't take him out of the game. Maybe the kid was determined to play.
The two teams played even through the second quarter and looked like the half would end with the score tied at 34. Bowling Green got a late turnover but missed a layup as the time expired. However, one of the officials called a foul on Townsend, which allowed Bowling Green to take a 36-34 lead to the locker room.
A Townsend fan shouted at the referee, "No one would make that call in a thousand year." I thought it was a bad call, too, but our friendly Vol neighbors need to keep the football south of the border. It doesn't translate well onto the hardwood.
Bowling Green dominated the second half. Joe "Automatic" Gorman had the longshot working, and the entire Purples team had their transition game clicking. They kept stretching the lead by hitting baskets, layups, and playing tough defense. They held Townsend to five third quarter points while scoring 22. By the end of the quarter Townsend players' tongues were wagging.
Bowling Green continued their tough defense throughout the fourth quarter. D.J. Ray, Vic Smith, and Dominique Britt all played tight full court defense. Charlie Williams stayed active at the top of the 2-2-1 defense. Townsend didn't have a chance.
At one point, Townsend's coach pulled a kid out of the game, and when the kid got to the bench, he yelled, "You don't know what you're doing out there." He continued, but I don't feel like I have to transcribe the entire dialog.
The player's mother yelled from the stands, "Quit embarrassing my boy you..." Well, I have my standards on the Pick and Roll. She suggested that maybe he was a chasm full of donkeys. I will say this. The coach yelled at his players, perhaps to excess, but I never heard him use foul language. My wife always gets upset when she hears a coach yell at players. I always tell her, "It takes a thick skin to be an athlete." In my short and pathetic football career I thought a face mask was a handle for coaches to hold while they yelled at me.
I must point out that I've rarely heard James Haire at Elizabethtown yell at his players, and few could argue with his success.
I hate to do this to Joe Gorman, but the folks around the Fourth Region must learn to keep him from squaring up to the basket when he has the ball. Once his shoulders are square to the hoop he'll ring teams up every time. It's automatic.
Bowling Green won 81-54.
OBSERVATIONS
Whatever Happened to Pep Bands?: I know it's a Christmas tournament (refuse to use "holiday") and that bands won't be in attendance, but I miss the era of the pep bands. Even if the pep band is in the stands, they spend most of the time sitting there. Now, fans have to listen to horrible music played too loudly over the public address system. I know that youngster don't communicate verbally anymore, but some of us still use our voices and ears. I guess you can "txt mssg" through any amount of noise. I think at Bowling Green High they crank the loud music to force people out of the gym and to the concession stand. The years of travel have robbed me of good hearing, so when someone tries to talk to me over blaring music they sound like Charlie Brown's teacher. That's my crotchety old curmudgeon moment.
Frigid Cold: I don't know about everyone else, but I've had enough of the cold weather. I'm a native of South Florida, so I have thin blood. Christmas in Miami meant putting on t-shirts and cut-offs and playing football in the front yard with mi amigos, Jorge Gonzalez, Roberto DeLafia, Antonio Santana. I didn't know there was a world north of Lake Okeechobee and didn't realize it had to be cold to snow. That reality hit me when my family moved to Kentucky. Well, I can't find any good links to Cuban Christmas music, so I'll just link to Bing Crosby singing Mele Kalikimaka with the Andrews Sisters. I hope that will warm everyone.
Verbal Defense: Dominique Britt displayed some of the best "verbal defense" I've seen in a long time. He went started setting up a trap against a Townsend player and sounded as if he was barking at the kid. I laughed. I hear fans complain about trash talking and the like, but on the whole I think ballplayers -- of all sports -- are quiet these days. Heck, they're almost mute. We chattered all the time, especially playing baseball. Sometimes barking at an opponent can confuse them. THIS is for you Mr. Britt.
Monday, December 22, 2008
Elizabethtown 56 - Graves County 43
Citizens First Classic, Bowing Green High School, Bowling Green, Kentucky
By J. Trace Kirkwood
Oh, let's see. Christmas shopping is done. The temperature was equivalent to the Arctic National Wildlife Reserve (ANWR). I had tickets to WKU's ballgame and passes to the Citizens First Classic. Tough decision here. What should I do with a Sunday afternoon? BASKETBALL!
After church I spent part of the afternoon wrapping Christmas gifts. I wrapped my wife's gifts: thigh master, vacuum cleaner, frying pan, work boots, a framed photograph of me and the Hooters girls at Talladega (I had such a nice smile), and some new dish rags. Boy! She's going to be surprised when she rips into those presents. Anyway, we made our way to Diddle Arena to watch a game at 4 p.m. After the Hilltoppers woke up in the second half and put Alabama A&M away, we headed over to Bowling Green High to watch some more basketball. One game is just never enough.
I caught parts of two games, but I'll get to those later. I caught the complete game between Elizabethtown and Graves County. Now, I had to make a tough decision -- sort of like deciding between getting my wife the work boots or diamond earrings for Christmas -- because Allen County Scottsville played Madison Central in the auxillary gym at the same time. I didn't want to short change the fine folks in the Fifth Region, who are loyal readers, so I stuck with Elizabethtown.
I was stunned to see that James Haire's 2008-09 edition of the Panthers had a 1-5 record heading into this tournament and their game with the Graves County Eagles. When I looked over their schedule I noticed that they Male High, Greenwood (their only win), Adair County, Taylor County, and Grayson County. That's a pretty tough opening to a season, especially when you only have three seniors on your squad.
Coach Haire has a new player this year, a big kid named Curtis Washington, who transferred from John Hardin. I don't have any rosters or programs, so I'm taking a stab at this: He looks like he's about 6'8" with a B-52 style wingspan.
On the other hand, Graves County rolled into the game with five seniors, led by Cassidy McAlpin, and a 5-1 record. Their only loss was to Massac, Illinois, at the Marshall County Hoopfest earlier in December.
Both teams opened the game cold, and the small crowd only added to the lethargic nature of the play. I sat and wondered what was going on between the two unbeaten teams playing in the other gym. Graves County had a 10-8 lead on E-town at the end of the first quarter.
The Panthers picked up their defense in the second quarter and held Graves County to just five points. E-town threw a tricky little 2-1-2 zone defense with Washington in the middle at the Eagles, but Coach Haire never settles on just one defense. It seemed like they switched defenses on every possession. Graves County sleepwalked through the second frame. I was impressed with Cassidy McAlpin for the Eagles. He has good post moves and was the only guy for Graves County who played like he wanted to win a ballgame.
In the second quarter, Curtis Washington took a 14 foot jumpshot. Play stopped and the gym was quiet. Coach Haire got the attention of his big man and shouted, "Don't do it again!" The admonished young man shook his head with an unspoken "Yes, sir." I got a laugh out of that.
E-town took a 22-15 lead to the locker room.
The third quarter was nearly all Elizabethtown. The entire team played better defense, and point guard Jack Goblirsh picked up his game. I liked his tenacity, but the officials were not happy with him for some reason. I suspect his mouth had him in trouble. I don't mean anything bad by that because if I were choosing-up sides off that squad, Jack would be the first kid I'd take.
The Panthers held a 39-26 lead heading into the final frame.
Graves County finally picked up their game late in the fourth quarter. Senior guard, Tevin Hill found his game and started attacking Elizabethtown's defense. Late in the game, Hill hit the front end of a pair of free throws but missed the second attempt. He got his own rebound, put the ball up and in, and was also fouled. He hit the free throw and had his Eagles to within eight points, 49-41. Graves County could only muster two more points, while the Panthers scored seven more.
The Panthers notched their second victory on the season, and Terry Birdsong's squad left the court wondering what the heck happened out there. Graves County should figure into the mix in the First Region. They have a good team, but they have to find some inner intensity to beat teams like Elizabethtown, which has played at a very high level for the entire early season.
OTHER GAMES:
Bowling Green 92 - North Hardin Christian 52: I walked into this game at halftime and saw that the Purples were up by 37 points. I looked at the other team's uniforms, and all I could see was "North Hardin." I thought, "Man alive. The Purples are putting this kind of beatdown on a Ron Bevars squad?" I looked for Coach Bevars, who I figured would have peeled the purple paint from Bowling Green's auxillary gym. Then, I realized it was North Hardin CHRISTIAN. I don't have much to say about this game except that I shared a bag of Purpcorn with my little boy.
Allen County-Scottsville 74 - Madison Central 72 (OT): This is the game I DIDN'T attend to see Elizabethtown play. I figured that I'll see Allen County play several times this season, blah, blah, blah. O.K. I was kicking myself for missing this ballgame. These two teams are for real and both were undefeated prior to Sunday night. I wish I had more to say about it. I saw the end of regulation and the overtime. All of it was exciting, and I'm glad to see that the Fourth Region team walked away with the victory.
In the preseason, all the local sports pundits were asked to rank the best teams in the Fourth Region. I don't remember anyone, including myself, mentioning Allen County-Scottsville. Now, that I've seen the Patriots, I want to revise any predictions I made. They are good, athletic, and play with serious intensity. They are now 8-0 and have dispatched, Franklin-Simpson, Greenwood, Warren East, Barren County, and now Madison Central on their way to an undefeated record.
OBSERVATIONS:
Purples Going Green?: I guess to conserve energy, Bowling Green High School is not using several lights in the auxillary gym. With the lacking lighting and the Purple walls I felt like Ronnie Milsap walking into that place. Hey, Coach Sherrill! I know you are a proponent of energy independence, but this is taking it to extreme.
Grew in Da'House!: It was good to see Steffphon Pettigrew cheering on his alma mater on Sunday night. He had fellow Hilltoppers Orlando Mendez-Valdez and Mike Walker in his posse.
Children of Kentucky: My wife puts out a toy Nativity scene on a table beside our Christmas tree every year. Earlier in the day I found my daughter and son playing with the figures from that set. I asked them what they were playing, expecting a religious themed game, and they answered, "Basketball." So, I looked at the table, and I think they had the wise men and shepherds in a 2-2-1 full court press. It looked like they had the baby Jesus playing the post on offense, so I suggested that they move him to point guard. I figured he would know where everyone was on the court. They also had an old dry erase board from my office (I work at home) and were drawing up plays. One looked like an impossible five man weave. I put it on paper and faxed it to Darrin Horn down in South Carolina.
By J. Trace Kirkwood
Oh, let's see. Christmas shopping is done. The temperature was equivalent to the Arctic National Wildlife Reserve (ANWR). I had tickets to WKU's ballgame and passes to the Citizens First Classic. Tough decision here. What should I do with a Sunday afternoon? BASKETBALL!
After church I spent part of the afternoon wrapping Christmas gifts. I wrapped my wife's gifts: thigh master, vacuum cleaner, frying pan, work boots, a framed photograph of me and the Hooters girls at Talladega (I had such a nice smile), and some new dish rags. Boy! She's going to be surprised when she rips into those presents. Anyway, we made our way to Diddle Arena to watch a game at 4 p.m. After the Hilltoppers woke up in the second half and put Alabama A&M away, we headed over to Bowling Green High to watch some more basketball. One game is just never enough.
I caught parts of two games, but I'll get to those later. I caught the complete game between Elizabethtown and Graves County. Now, I had to make a tough decision -- sort of like deciding between getting my wife the work boots or diamond earrings for Christmas -- because Allen County Scottsville played Madison Central in the auxillary gym at the same time. I didn't want to short change the fine folks in the Fifth Region, who are loyal readers, so I stuck with Elizabethtown.
I was stunned to see that James Haire's 2008-09 edition of the Panthers had a 1-5 record heading into this tournament and their game with the Graves County Eagles. When I looked over their schedule I noticed that they Male High, Greenwood (their only win), Adair County, Taylor County, and Grayson County. That's a pretty tough opening to a season, especially when you only have three seniors on your squad.
Coach Haire has a new player this year, a big kid named Curtis Washington, who transferred from John Hardin. I don't have any rosters or programs, so I'm taking a stab at this: He looks like he's about 6'8" with a B-52 style wingspan.
On the other hand, Graves County rolled into the game with five seniors, led by Cassidy McAlpin, and a 5-1 record. Their only loss was to Massac, Illinois, at the Marshall County Hoopfest earlier in December.
Both teams opened the game cold, and the small crowd only added to the lethargic nature of the play. I sat and wondered what was going on between the two unbeaten teams playing in the other gym. Graves County had a 10-8 lead on E-town at the end of the first quarter.
The Panthers picked up their defense in the second quarter and held Graves County to just five points. E-town threw a tricky little 2-1-2 zone defense with Washington in the middle at the Eagles, but Coach Haire never settles on just one defense. It seemed like they switched defenses on every possession. Graves County sleepwalked through the second frame. I was impressed with Cassidy McAlpin for the Eagles. He has good post moves and was the only guy for Graves County who played like he wanted to win a ballgame.
In the second quarter, Curtis Washington took a 14 foot jumpshot. Play stopped and the gym was quiet. Coach Haire got the attention of his big man and shouted, "Don't do it again!" The admonished young man shook his head with an unspoken "Yes, sir." I got a laugh out of that.
E-town took a 22-15 lead to the locker room.
The third quarter was nearly all Elizabethtown. The entire team played better defense, and point guard Jack Goblirsh picked up his game. I liked his tenacity, but the officials were not happy with him for some reason. I suspect his mouth had him in trouble. I don't mean anything bad by that because if I were choosing-up sides off that squad, Jack would be the first kid I'd take.
The Panthers held a 39-26 lead heading into the final frame.
Graves County finally picked up their game late in the fourth quarter. Senior guard, Tevin Hill found his game and started attacking Elizabethtown's defense. Late in the game, Hill hit the front end of a pair of free throws but missed the second attempt. He got his own rebound, put the ball up and in, and was also fouled. He hit the free throw and had his Eagles to within eight points, 49-41. Graves County could only muster two more points, while the Panthers scored seven more.
The Panthers notched their second victory on the season, and Terry Birdsong's squad left the court wondering what the heck happened out there. Graves County should figure into the mix in the First Region. They have a good team, but they have to find some inner intensity to beat teams like Elizabethtown, which has played at a very high level for the entire early season.
OTHER GAMES:
Bowling Green 92 - North Hardin Christian 52: I walked into this game at halftime and saw that the Purples were up by 37 points. I looked at the other team's uniforms, and all I could see was "North Hardin." I thought, "Man alive. The Purples are putting this kind of beatdown on a Ron Bevars squad?" I looked for Coach Bevars, who I figured would have peeled the purple paint from Bowling Green's auxillary gym. Then, I realized it was North Hardin CHRISTIAN. I don't have much to say about this game except that I shared a bag of Purpcorn with my little boy.
Allen County-Scottsville 74 - Madison Central 72 (OT): This is the game I DIDN'T attend to see Elizabethtown play. I figured that I'll see Allen County play several times this season, blah, blah, blah. O.K. I was kicking myself for missing this ballgame. These two teams are for real and both were undefeated prior to Sunday night. I wish I had more to say about it. I saw the end of regulation and the overtime. All of it was exciting, and I'm glad to see that the Fourth Region team walked away with the victory.
In the preseason, all the local sports pundits were asked to rank the best teams in the Fourth Region. I don't remember anyone, including myself, mentioning Allen County-Scottsville. Now, that I've seen the Patriots, I want to revise any predictions I made. They are good, athletic, and play with serious intensity. They are now 8-0 and have dispatched, Franklin-Simpson, Greenwood, Warren East, Barren County, and now Madison Central on their way to an undefeated record.
OBSERVATIONS:
Purples Going Green?: I guess to conserve energy, Bowling Green High School is not using several lights in the auxillary gym. With the lacking lighting and the Purple walls I felt like Ronnie Milsap walking into that place. Hey, Coach Sherrill! I know you are a proponent of energy independence, but this is taking it to extreme.
Grew in Da'House!: It was good to see Steffphon Pettigrew cheering on his alma mater on Sunday night. He had fellow Hilltoppers Orlando Mendez-Valdez and Mike Walker in his posse.
Children of Kentucky: My wife puts out a toy Nativity scene on a table beside our Christmas tree every year. Earlier in the day I found my daughter and son playing with the figures from that set. I asked them what they were playing, expecting a religious themed game, and they answered, "Basketball." So, I looked at the table, and I think they had the wise men and shepherds in a 2-2-1 full court press. It looked like they had the baby Jesus playing the post on offense, so I suggested that they move him to point guard. I figured he would know where everyone was on the court. They also had an old dry erase board from my office (I work at home) and were drawing up plays. One looked like an impossible five man weave. I put it on paper and faxed it to Darrin Horn down in South Carolina.
Friday, December 19, 2008
Bowling Green 51 - Franklin-Simpson 49
Bowling Green High School, Bowling Green, Kentucky
By J. Trace Kirkwood
It started out looking like a very long night for the Bowling Green Purples. Franklin-Simpson opened the game with a sticky defense that forced the Purples into turnovers and forced shots and generally sloppy play. The Wildcats were up 9-0 just two and a half minutes into the game, and they eventually expanded the lead to to two touchdowns -- 14-0. Finally, Joe Gorman broke the ice for the Purps with a three pointer, and Bowling Green played their way back into the game before the end of the first quarter. After holding a 14 point lead, Franklin found themselves clinging to a 20-12.
In the second quarter Bowling Green used its defense to outplay the Wildcats. The forced Franklin into a series of bad possessions that included a 10 second call, a five second call, and turnovers on bad passes. Bowling Green's press is not smothering, but it is constant. It frustrated Franklin throughout the ballgame, and if you throw out the first five minutes of this game, the Purples outplayed their opponent through the remainder of the contest.
Bowling Green outscored Franklin 19-14 in the second frame to cut the lead to three at 34-31.
The Purples held F-S to just nine points in the third quarter, but they could only muster 10 points themselves. They opened nearly as ice cold as they opened the ballgame. They seemed to be stuck on 31, but by the end of the frame the hosts were behind by only two points, 43-41.
Franklin-Simpson looked tired in the fourth quarter, and I think that is directly attributable to the effectiveness of Bowling Green's nearly constant pressure. Again, the Purples' defenders pressed after turnovers and missed shots, and they did it a lot better than they did against Glasgow a week ago. Franklin didn't get any cheap baskets like the Scotties did.
Bowling Green didn't get their first lead in this game until 1:02 left in the contest, when they hit a layup to make it 49-47. Franklin tied the ballgame with just a few seconds on the clock, but the Purples got the ball back up the court in a hurry. They moved the ball around an active and seemingly desperate Wildcat defense. I thought they made one pass too many, but they scooped the ball into D.J. Ray, who was low on the blocks. Ray released the ball on a "gimme" layup just before the time expired and the ball bounced through the hoop. The home team won 51-49. It was an exciting end to otherwise ugly game.
OBSERVATIONS
Chip and Dale: I used to laugh at the "Chip and Dale" cartoons when they were so polite to one another that they couldn't get anything done. For awhile on Friday night I thought that Bowling Green and Franklin-Simpson were trying to give each other the ballgame like Chip and Dale. Neither team seemed to want to win it. One side threw the ball out-of-bounds and the other obliged with a turnover.
Poncho Wright Award: Eric Smith shoots rainbow jump shots from a kind of funny looking release. I've heard people call this type of shot a "rainmaker" because it knocks moisture out of the clouds. Back during the Doctors of Dunk era at Louisville they had a player named Poncho Wright, who could shoot the ball with the best. Poncho had a high-arching, rainmaker jump shot and was deadly from the corner. I've always said that it's too bad Poncho played prior to the three-point shot in college basketball. Eric Smith's shots remind me of Wright's. Eric even has a high arc on his free-throws.
Courtney Dalcourt Watch: He's the best athlete in this part of the state. He's better football player than basketball player, but his athletic ability is unmatched. He's big and fast and strong. I've lost track of who is recruiting him for football, but my guess is that a 1-AA program is going to make a steal. I may be his biggest fan.
By J. Trace Kirkwood
It started out looking like a very long night for the Bowling Green Purples. Franklin-Simpson opened the game with a sticky defense that forced the Purples into turnovers and forced shots and generally sloppy play. The Wildcats were up 9-0 just two and a half minutes into the game, and they eventually expanded the lead to to two touchdowns -- 14-0. Finally, Joe Gorman broke the ice for the Purps with a three pointer, and Bowling Green played their way back into the game before the end of the first quarter. After holding a 14 point lead, Franklin found themselves clinging to a 20-12.
In the second quarter Bowling Green used its defense to outplay the Wildcats. The forced Franklin into a series of bad possessions that included a 10 second call, a five second call, and turnovers on bad passes. Bowling Green's press is not smothering, but it is constant. It frustrated Franklin throughout the ballgame, and if you throw out the first five minutes of this game, the Purples outplayed their opponent through the remainder of the contest.
Bowling Green outscored Franklin 19-14 in the second frame to cut the lead to three at 34-31.
The Purples held F-S to just nine points in the third quarter, but they could only muster 10 points themselves. They opened nearly as ice cold as they opened the ballgame. They seemed to be stuck on 31, but by the end of the frame the hosts were behind by only two points, 43-41.
Franklin-Simpson looked tired in the fourth quarter, and I think that is directly attributable to the effectiveness of Bowling Green's nearly constant pressure. Again, the Purples' defenders pressed after turnovers and missed shots, and they did it a lot better than they did against Glasgow a week ago. Franklin didn't get any cheap baskets like the Scotties did.
Bowling Green didn't get their first lead in this game until 1:02 left in the contest, when they hit a layup to make it 49-47. Franklin tied the ballgame with just a few seconds on the clock, but the Purples got the ball back up the court in a hurry. They moved the ball around an active and seemingly desperate Wildcat defense. I thought they made one pass too many, but they scooped the ball into D.J. Ray, who was low on the blocks. Ray released the ball on a "gimme" layup just before the time expired and the ball bounced through the hoop. The home team won 51-49. It was an exciting end to otherwise ugly game.
OBSERVATIONS
Chip and Dale: I used to laugh at the "Chip and Dale" cartoons when they were so polite to one another that they couldn't get anything done. For awhile on Friday night I thought that Bowling Green and Franklin-Simpson were trying to give each other the ballgame like Chip and Dale. Neither team seemed to want to win it. One side threw the ball out-of-bounds and the other obliged with a turnover.
Poncho Wright Award: Eric Smith shoots rainbow jump shots from a kind of funny looking release. I've heard people call this type of shot a "rainmaker" because it knocks moisture out of the clouds. Back during the Doctors of Dunk era at Louisville they had a player named Poncho Wright, who could shoot the ball with the best. Poncho had a high-arching, rainmaker jump shot and was deadly from the corner. I've always said that it's too bad Poncho played prior to the three-point shot in college basketball. Eric Smith's shots remind me of Wright's. Eric even has a high arc on his free-throws.
Courtney Dalcourt Watch: He's the best athlete in this part of the state. He's better football player than basketball player, but his athletic ability is unmatched. He's big and fast and strong. I've lost track of who is recruiting him for football, but my guess is that a 1-AA program is going to make a steal. I may be his biggest fan.
Friday, December 12, 2008
Glasgow 75 - Bowling Green 74
Glasgow High School, Glasgow, Kentucky
By J. Trace Kirkwood
Man! It feels good to be back in the saddle. After a weekend of pressing the couch watching Lonesome Dove while trying to shake the mother of all colds, I was pretty ramped up to be headed to a high school basketball game. It was a beautiful drive under a huge full moon on my way to Glasgow. The moon was so bright that I believe I could have made the drive without using the truck's headlights.
I had no idea what to expect out of this game. Glasgow is re-tooled with former UofL player, Jeff Hall, as head coach, and his son Cameron Hall is also on the squad. Bowling Green lost players like D.L. Moore and Jared Carpenter, but D.G. Sherrill has opened up his offense this season with an emphasis on perimeter play. The only thing I knew is that it would be different from a Glasgow-Bowling Green from last season.
The Fourth Region better beware of this pack of dogs in Glasgow. Think of President Bush's dog Barney's recent behavior when you think of this year's edition of these snippy little terriers. I'm not trying to make a case that the Scotties are going to win the Fourth Region, but they will figure into the final outcome of the standings. Last season Glasgow finished with a mediocre 16-13 record and was sub .500 in the region. They made it to the regional tournament but got bounced in the first round by Russell County.
I was unable to track down the scoring tonight, but Cameron Hall, who is a 6'1" junior, will emerge as the best shooter in the Fourth Region this year. He can shoot from nearly anywhere on the court and has a nose for the basket when he needs to drive into the lane. Matched with the shooting of Craig Mosier, the Scotties will bite more than just Rueters reporters in January and February.
I have to admit that I arrived late to the ballgame. It's hard for me to make it to games that start at 6:00 p.m., especially when they are in another city. Last season I promised Ricky Mudd that I would make a game at Glasgow, and I never did, so I decided to kick this Pick and Roll season off with a visit to the Dog Pound. I got to see a good game.
The Purples are going to press a lot this season. They have a sweet 2-2-1 zone press that works well when the players committ to making it work. They also like to press after missed shots and even turnovers. Bowling Green has one major flaw when they press after missed baskets: no one gets back on defense. They gave up too many easy baskets to Glasgow. It cost them the ballgame.
Bowling Green's Joe Gorman didn't see a lot of playing time last season, but he was on the court a lot on Friday night. The kid can flat out shoot three point shots. He cannot be left open if he's along the arc between the baseline and the free throw line. He's nearly automatic from out there, and he nailed some key shots in the first half.
The game was knotted at 31 at halftime.
Astraddle halftime was a devestating run by the Scotties. With just a few minutes left in the second quarter Bowling Green had a 28-20 lead on the home team. An 11-3 run by Glasgow tied it, but the Scotties continued their run after halftime. They stretched it to a 20-5 run and had a 40-33 lead in the third. By the end of the quarter, the Purples had closed within three -- 56-53.
Bowling Green made a gutsy run in the fourth quarter and actually outscored Glasgow 21-19 in the final frame. It wasn't enough. Plus, the Purples missed critical free throws down the stretch. They had two opportunities to tie the ballgame with just a few seconds left, but two different players -- Eric Smith and Tevin Barksdale -- missed sets of double bonus free throws. It was a killer, and the Scotties take a big win on their home court.
Glasgow's run on either side of halftime is what killed Bowling Green.
OBSERVATIONS
Welcome Back: Everyone should welcome Jeff Hall back to the Fourth Region. A lot of people are going to pull the welcome mat in after they see how well his boy can shoot the basketball. No amount of pressure will stop him. He could shoot the ball with a piece of plywood held up in front of his face. I'm guessing that Cameron Hall will get the Fourth Region's "Newcomer of the Year" award, and the Scotties will be the most improved team from last year.
Brian Asberry Welcoming Committee Chairman?: When I was a senior in high school in 1984 a friend of mine and my brother's had just graduated from WKU. He was working for the Courier-Journal and invited me to go with him to the Louisville-Western game at Freedom Hall. He had some really good seats that put us just a few rows from the court. We both wore red hooded sweatshirts that had massive block letters reading W.K.U. on the fronts. At some point in the game Western's Brian Asberry, always one of the Hilltopper's enforcers, took exception to Jeff Hall's defense and maybe his mouth. I don't know. As Asberry trotted up the court he delivered a vicious forearm shivver to Hall's face. Hall crumpled to the court near the jump circle while the Louisville faithful went wild with anger. For a few moments I thought I was going to die at the hands of irate Cardinals fans. They were looking to express their grievance with Mr. Asberry to anyone wearing WKU clothing.
To any UofL fans that might remember yelling at me I want to inform you that what you all collectively suggested to us is physically impossible to do. The Cardinals won that game, but it didn't turn out too well for the little red birds from Louisville this season. So! Right back at ya, Louisville fans!
Good to be Back: I tried to write about some football this year, but it didn't work out. I love high school football, but my family are fair weather friends. If I go to football games, I usually have to go alone, especially after it turns cool. I travel a lot during the week, so I was spending too much time away from my family. Although they didn't go tonight, I usually have no trouble getting the wife and kids to go to a basketball game. They love the hoops.
Please post comments. If you think I'm wrong about something, call me on it. I'm a big boy, so you're not going to hurt my feelings, and there is no way I can see everything correctly from the stands. Remember. I'm not a reporter. I'm just a fan with a computer and some time on my hands. I hope everyone enjoys Season II of the Pennyrile Pick and Roll.
By J. Trace Kirkwood
Man! It feels good to be back in the saddle. After a weekend of pressing the couch watching Lonesome Dove while trying to shake the mother of all colds, I was pretty ramped up to be headed to a high school basketball game. It was a beautiful drive under a huge full moon on my way to Glasgow. The moon was so bright that I believe I could have made the drive without using the truck's headlights.
I had no idea what to expect out of this game. Glasgow is re-tooled with former UofL player, Jeff Hall, as head coach, and his son Cameron Hall is also on the squad. Bowling Green lost players like D.L. Moore and Jared Carpenter, but D.G. Sherrill has opened up his offense this season with an emphasis on perimeter play. The only thing I knew is that it would be different from a Glasgow-Bowling Green from last season.
The Fourth Region better beware of this pack of dogs in Glasgow. Think of President Bush's dog Barney's recent behavior when you think of this year's edition of these snippy little terriers. I'm not trying to make a case that the Scotties are going to win the Fourth Region, but they will figure into the final outcome of the standings. Last season Glasgow finished with a mediocre 16-13 record and was sub .500 in the region. They made it to the regional tournament but got bounced in the first round by Russell County.
I was unable to track down the scoring tonight, but Cameron Hall, who is a 6'1" junior, will emerge as the best shooter in the Fourth Region this year. He can shoot from nearly anywhere on the court and has a nose for the basket when he needs to drive into the lane. Matched with the shooting of Craig Mosier, the Scotties will bite more than just Rueters reporters in January and February.
I have to admit that I arrived late to the ballgame. It's hard for me to make it to games that start at 6:00 p.m., especially when they are in another city. Last season I promised Ricky Mudd that I would make a game at Glasgow, and I never did, so I decided to kick this Pick and Roll season off with a visit to the Dog Pound. I got to see a good game.
The Purples are going to press a lot this season. They have a sweet 2-2-1 zone press that works well when the players committ to making it work. They also like to press after missed shots and even turnovers. Bowling Green has one major flaw when they press after missed baskets: no one gets back on defense. They gave up too many easy baskets to Glasgow. It cost them the ballgame.
Bowling Green's Joe Gorman didn't see a lot of playing time last season, but he was on the court a lot on Friday night. The kid can flat out shoot three point shots. He cannot be left open if he's along the arc between the baseline and the free throw line. He's nearly automatic from out there, and he nailed some key shots in the first half.
The game was knotted at 31 at halftime.
Astraddle halftime was a devestating run by the Scotties. With just a few minutes left in the second quarter Bowling Green had a 28-20 lead on the home team. An 11-3 run by Glasgow tied it, but the Scotties continued their run after halftime. They stretched it to a 20-5 run and had a 40-33 lead in the third. By the end of the quarter, the Purples had closed within three -- 56-53.
Bowling Green made a gutsy run in the fourth quarter and actually outscored Glasgow 21-19 in the final frame. It wasn't enough. Plus, the Purples missed critical free throws down the stretch. They had two opportunities to tie the ballgame with just a few seconds left, but two different players -- Eric Smith and Tevin Barksdale -- missed sets of double bonus free throws. It was a killer, and the Scotties take a big win on their home court.
Glasgow's run on either side of halftime is what killed Bowling Green.
OBSERVATIONS
Welcome Back: Everyone should welcome Jeff Hall back to the Fourth Region. A lot of people are going to pull the welcome mat in after they see how well his boy can shoot the basketball. No amount of pressure will stop him. He could shoot the ball with a piece of plywood held up in front of his face. I'm guessing that Cameron Hall will get the Fourth Region's "Newcomer of the Year" award, and the Scotties will be the most improved team from last year.
Brian Asberry Welcoming Committee Chairman?: When I was a senior in high school in 1984 a friend of mine and my brother's had just graduated from WKU. He was working for the Courier-Journal and invited me to go with him to the Louisville-Western game at Freedom Hall. He had some really good seats that put us just a few rows from the court. We both wore red hooded sweatshirts that had massive block letters reading W.K.U. on the fronts. At some point in the game Western's Brian Asberry, always one of the Hilltopper's enforcers, took exception to Jeff Hall's defense and maybe his mouth. I don't know. As Asberry trotted up the court he delivered a vicious forearm shivver to Hall's face. Hall crumpled to the court near the jump circle while the Louisville faithful went wild with anger. For a few moments I thought I was going to die at the hands of irate Cardinals fans. They were looking to express their grievance with Mr. Asberry to anyone wearing WKU clothing.
To any UofL fans that might remember yelling at me I want to inform you that what you all collectively suggested to us is physically impossible to do. The Cardinals won that game, but it didn't turn out too well for the little red birds from Louisville this season. So! Right back at ya, Louisville fans!
Good to be Back: I tried to write about some football this year, but it didn't work out. I love high school football, but my family are fair weather friends. If I go to football games, I usually have to go alone, especially after it turns cool. I travel a lot during the week, so I was spending too much time away from my family. Although they didn't go tonight, I usually have no trouble getting the wife and kids to go to a basketball game. They love the hoops.
Please post comments. If you think I'm wrong about something, call me on it. I'm a big boy, so you're not going to hurt my feelings, and there is no way I can see everything correctly from the stands. Remember. I'm not a reporter. I'm just a fan with a computer and some time on my hands. I hope everyone enjoys Season II of the Pennyrile Pick and Roll.
Monday, December 8, 2008
The Busy and the Sickly
I want to apologize to the Pick and Roll faithful and any new readers combing through this blog. I intended to go to a couple of games this past weekend, but a really bad chest cold set in on me keeping me out of the gymnasiums. I've also been on the road for work a lot, so I haven't been to any games. I'm planning to get back on the horse this week, though.
One of the problems I have is that my own kids are starting to play basketball. I have to haul them to practices. I just don't understand where they get their passion for basketball.
I'm still at it, so don't think this blog is dead. It's just struggling along right now.
One of the problems I have is that my own kids are starting to play basketball. I have to haul them to practices. I just don't understand where they get their passion for basketball.
I'm still at it, so don't think this blog is dead. It's just struggling along right now.
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Bowling Green 49 - Franklin-Simpson 34
By J. Trace Kirkwood
Two very gutsy teams put every physical ability they had on the field at El Donaldson Stadium in Bowling Green, Kentucky, last night. The visiting Wildcats rolled up U.S. 31-W with a team full of athletes that includes two of the best in the state with Courtney Dalcourt and Patrick Flippin. Bowling Green stood its ground with one of the strongest back field runners I've seen at the high school level with Tevin Barksdale.
I was excited because Frankin-Simpson had the attitude that they didn't care that Louisville Trinity is the only team to beat Bowling Green at home in the past several years. They took the field to win the game and not cower at the Purples' tradition. The Wildcats did what any good street fighter has to do to win a well-matched fight: come out and pop the big guy right in the nose and hope that he doesn't get mad enough to kill you.
Franklin's Hayden Williams picked off a J.P. Jackson pass about three-and-a-half minutes into the game in Bowling Green territory. Courtney Dalcourt found Brandon Kinnaird with a touchdown pass, and the Wildcats took a quick 7-0 lead on the Purples.
The Wildcats had an opportunity to take a two touchdown lead, but their drive fizzled in the worst sort of way late in the quarter. I won't "if" things because football is filled with important plays, ones where the momentum of the game shifts. Late in the first, Bowling Green seemed surprised by Franklin's tenacity and possibly with Dalcourt's superb athletic ability. Everything seemed to be going for the Wildcats. Dalcourt connected on a downfield pass that would've netted a first down with Franklin heading into the Purples' end of the field. However, a holding call brought the ball back. Instead of it being first and ten near the 50 (I can't remember where the play had ended, and I apologize) their next play started deep in their own territory with a 2nd down and 20.
The Wildcats couldn't get the first down.
Bowling Green got the ball back and finished the first quarter with a touchdown pass from Jackson to Zack Williams.
I have no way of knowing if the holding call ended a Franklin-Simpson drive and touchdown, after all, the Wildcats had two more downs to get a fresh set of downs. I just feel like if they punched another touchdown on the Purples and made it 14-0, they would've had a pretty good shot at winning the ballgame.
That's the beauty of football, though. In basketball it's hard to measure what a foul or a lost ball does to a team, but in football the mistake is measured out in one yard hash marks. After a penalty, when the referee puts the ball down on the grass, the fans can see "we are here and we could've been there."
It was tied at 7 at the end of the first.
Each team scored a touchdown in the second quarter. Bowling Green's Tevin Barksdale made one of the most impressive touchdown runs I've seen with a spinning, tackle breaking 48 yard rumble into the endzone. Barksdale showed everyting a running back needs to be good in that run. He showed agility by avoiding tackles and his own blockers by spinning like a springtime cyclone. He showed strength by busting through tackles. He showed speed by flying through Franklin's backfield.
Franklin's defense probably felt a little like a trailer park in April after that run.
The Wildcats didn't back down. That's why I like Tim Schlosser's team so much. They answered with a drive and touchdown with 4:50 left in the half. The teams went to halftime tied at 14 a piece.
Bowling Green opened the second half with a 24 yard touchdown pass from Jackson to Barksdale. The Wildcats blocked the point after attempt, and for awhile I thought it might prove critical to the game. That left the door open for Franklin to take a lead possibly win a close game. And, Franklin responded with a touchdown and a point after to take the lead 21-20 with 4:37 left in the third quarter.
Their lead was short lived because Bowling Green answered with at touchdown at the 1:53 mark in the quarter. The Purples opted for a the two-point conversion. Jackson dropped back and made a short pass into the endzone where a gang of Purples and Wildcats were clustered in line with the right hashmarks. I couldn't count how many times the ball was tipped, but it ended up in the hands of Tevin Barksdale. The Purps slammed shut the door the blocked extra point left open.
The Purples' first possession of the final quarter featured a long drive and a J.P. Jackson keeper into the endzone. Jackson did a superb job of faking a hand-off. I bought it. The Wildcat defenders bought it. I was convinced he handed the ball off to Barksdale, and I think for a split second J.P. Jackson was the only person in Donaldson Stadium that knew he had the ball.
Bowling Green was up 35-21.
Franklin-Simpson looked tired. That's what the big lineman for Bowling Green does to teams. They wear them down. Even though the Wildcats looked fatigued, they managed to score two more touchdowns in the fourth, but the Purples scored two more. The game ended in an absolute scoring frenzy.
Here's what I took from this game: If Courtney Dalcourt ends up at a 1-AA football program, that lucky school will have the steal of the decade. As a Hilltopper fan, I'd love to see this kid wearing red and gray next season. the guy is a heck of an athlete, and he is among the best football players in the state.
Franklin-Simpson is the most dangerous .500 football team in the Commonwealth. They won't be .500 for long, and should finish the season 6-4. Sorry, Coach Schlosser, the Wildcats are good, but I don't see them beating Fort Campbell on the road. The Wildcats are off next week then they paly three at home before heading to The Fort.
Tip to Coach Schlosser: When you play Fort Campbell, stay out of Oak Grove, unless you have a post game steak at Charlie's. There are rites-of-passage available in Oak Grove, but for young football players a steak at Charlie's is the only one they need to experience.
Also, Tevin Barksdale can run the ball late in the game with four or five guys on his back. He had a run in the fourth quarter and carried three Franklin defenders five yards. I'd hate to have to try and tackle him in the open field.
OBSERVATIONS
Doctor, Doctor: Apparently, in order to be eligible for Homecoming Queen at BGHS, you have to be the daughter of a local doctor. Th elist of last names for the candidates and their escorts are all the ones my insurance company has paid. For a minute I thought I was listening to pages at the Medical Center.
Throw Backs?: Bowling Green's cheerleaders celebrated Homecoming by climbing into an attic at the school and dragging out old uniforms. It was a nice touch. I did notice that none of them wore the long sleeve sweaters, knee socks, longer skirts, and carried gigantic pompoms like they did back in my day. It wasn't so much of a "throw back" as a "toss back." Wait! Toss back? That's a whole 'nother subject.
National Geographic Moment: The stadium lights attracted some of the most impressively large grasshoppers I've seen outside of National Geographic photos from Africa. One kid crushed one in front of me, and it sounded like he crushed a bag of potato chips.
ESPN: I guess they broadcasted last night's game in Bowling Green. There were cameras there, and the one in the north endzone was up in one of the most precarious looking contraptions. I can't even describe it, but they would have to pay me hazardous duty pay to ascend in that thing.
Two very gutsy teams put every physical ability they had on the field at El Donaldson Stadium in Bowling Green, Kentucky, last night. The visiting Wildcats rolled up U.S. 31-W with a team full of athletes that includes two of the best in the state with Courtney Dalcourt and Patrick Flippin. Bowling Green stood its ground with one of the strongest back field runners I've seen at the high school level with Tevin Barksdale.
I was excited because Frankin-Simpson had the attitude that they didn't care that Louisville Trinity is the only team to beat Bowling Green at home in the past several years. They took the field to win the game and not cower at the Purples' tradition. The Wildcats did what any good street fighter has to do to win a well-matched fight: come out and pop the big guy right in the nose and hope that he doesn't get mad enough to kill you.
Franklin's Hayden Williams picked off a J.P. Jackson pass about three-and-a-half minutes into the game in Bowling Green territory. Courtney Dalcourt found Brandon Kinnaird with a touchdown pass, and the Wildcats took a quick 7-0 lead on the Purples.
The Wildcats had an opportunity to take a two touchdown lead, but their drive fizzled in the worst sort of way late in the quarter. I won't "if" things because football is filled with important plays, ones where the momentum of the game shifts. Late in the first, Bowling Green seemed surprised by Franklin's tenacity and possibly with Dalcourt's superb athletic ability. Everything seemed to be going for the Wildcats. Dalcourt connected on a downfield pass that would've netted a first down with Franklin heading into the Purples' end of the field. However, a holding call brought the ball back. Instead of it being first and ten near the 50 (I can't remember where the play had ended, and I apologize) their next play started deep in their own territory with a 2nd down and 20.
The Wildcats couldn't get the first down.
Bowling Green got the ball back and finished the first quarter with a touchdown pass from Jackson to Zack Williams.
I have no way of knowing if the holding call ended a Franklin-Simpson drive and touchdown, after all, the Wildcats had two more downs to get a fresh set of downs. I just feel like if they punched another touchdown on the Purples and made it 14-0, they would've had a pretty good shot at winning the ballgame.
That's the beauty of football, though. In basketball it's hard to measure what a foul or a lost ball does to a team, but in football the mistake is measured out in one yard hash marks. After a penalty, when the referee puts the ball down on the grass, the fans can see "we are here and we could've been there."
It was tied at 7 at the end of the first.
Each team scored a touchdown in the second quarter. Bowling Green's Tevin Barksdale made one of the most impressive touchdown runs I've seen with a spinning, tackle breaking 48 yard rumble into the endzone. Barksdale showed everyting a running back needs to be good in that run. He showed agility by avoiding tackles and his own blockers by spinning like a springtime cyclone. He showed strength by busting through tackles. He showed speed by flying through Franklin's backfield.
Franklin's defense probably felt a little like a trailer park in April after that run.
The Wildcats didn't back down. That's why I like Tim Schlosser's team so much. They answered with a drive and touchdown with 4:50 left in the half. The teams went to halftime tied at 14 a piece.
Bowling Green opened the second half with a 24 yard touchdown pass from Jackson to Barksdale. The Wildcats blocked the point after attempt, and for awhile I thought it might prove critical to the game. That left the door open for Franklin to take a lead possibly win a close game. And, Franklin responded with a touchdown and a point after to take the lead 21-20 with 4:37 left in the third quarter.
Their lead was short lived because Bowling Green answered with at touchdown at the 1:53 mark in the quarter. The Purples opted for a the two-point conversion. Jackson dropped back and made a short pass into the endzone where a gang of Purples and Wildcats were clustered in line with the right hashmarks. I couldn't count how many times the ball was tipped, but it ended up in the hands of Tevin Barksdale. The Purps slammed shut the door the blocked extra point left open.
The Purples' first possession of the final quarter featured a long drive and a J.P. Jackson keeper into the endzone. Jackson did a superb job of faking a hand-off. I bought it. The Wildcat defenders bought it. I was convinced he handed the ball off to Barksdale, and I think for a split second J.P. Jackson was the only person in Donaldson Stadium that knew he had the ball.
Bowling Green was up 35-21.
Franklin-Simpson looked tired. That's what the big lineman for Bowling Green does to teams. They wear them down. Even though the Wildcats looked fatigued, they managed to score two more touchdowns in the fourth, but the Purples scored two more. The game ended in an absolute scoring frenzy.
Here's what I took from this game: If Courtney Dalcourt ends up at a 1-AA football program, that lucky school will have the steal of the decade. As a Hilltopper fan, I'd love to see this kid wearing red and gray next season. the guy is a heck of an athlete, and he is among the best football players in the state.
Franklin-Simpson is the most dangerous .500 football team in the Commonwealth. They won't be .500 for long, and should finish the season 6-4. Sorry, Coach Schlosser, the Wildcats are good, but I don't see them beating Fort Campbell on the road. The Wildcats are off next week then they paly three at home before heading to The Fort.
Tip to Coach Schlosser: When you play Fort Campbell, stay out of Oak Grove, unless you have a post game steak at Charlie's. There are rites-of-passage available in Oak Grove, but for young football players a steak at Charlie's is the only one they need to experience.
Also, Tevin Barksdale can run the ball late in the game with four or five guys on his back. He had a run in the fourth quarter and carried three Franklin defenders five yards. I'd hate to have to try and tackle him in the open field.
OBSERVATIONS
Doctor, Doctor: Apparently, in order to be eligible for Homecoming Queen at BGHS, you have to be the daughter of a local doctor. Th elist of last names for the candidates and their escorts are all the ones my insurance company has paid. For a minute I thought I was listening to pages at the Medical Center.
Throw Backs?: Bowling Green's cheerleaders celebrated Homecoming by climbing into an attic at the school and dragging out old uniforms. It was a nice touch. I did notice that none of them wore the long sleeve sweaters, knee socks, longer skirts, and carried gigantic pompoms like they did back in my day. It wasn't so much of a "throw back" as a "toss back." Wait! Toss back? That's a whole 'nother subject.
National Geographic Moment: The stadium lights attracted some of the most impressively large grasshoppers I've seen outside of National Geographic photos from Africa. One kid crushed one in front of me, and it sounded like he crushed a bag of potato chips.
ESPN: I guess they broadcasted last night's game in Bowling Green. There were cameras there, and the one in the north endzone was up in one of the most precarious looking contraptions. I can't even describe it, but they would have to pay me hazardous duty pay to ascend in that thing.
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