[UKCC]

I don't see 3 losses before Wayne County of 4, 5, and 6 points as mounting issues. I will go as far too say as boys don't play with the same passion as they did even 10-15 years ago and that is a big issue. Those boys (outside of 2 or 3) have NO CLUE what it means to put on a Clay County jersey. 2 of the 3 boys had fathers who were successful Clay County Tigers in the 80's and 90's and that speaks for it's self. One absolutely doesn't care whether he shows up or not just like someone else from his family who played recently. One has played exceptional up until the last two games with almost no experience. I could go on forever. The fact is, if your coach has to beg you to play, something is wrong. They wouldn't play if Steve Wright, Billy Hicks, or whoever stepped into the room. Trust me, I know 'em. It's all over eastern Kentucky. Clay County isn't the only traditional blueblood, it's just that they are at the top (in tradition). If it weren't for a transfer here and there other programs would suffer the same feats. The days of little scrappy teams from the mountains making noise at Rupp is just about over. Clay County, Paintsville, and Shelby Valley's will only come once in a lifetime from here on out.

[SKINNYPIG]

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The Tigers just played a district rival in a game that will determine seeding in a district that has three very good teams 24 hours before, the next game is against Perry Central in the WYMT and someone is surprised they came out flat?
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These kids are not going to get fired up to play Wayne County. Why should they? How many of them could name one player on the Cardinals? Rodney Woods means nothing to them.
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Jackson County has two kids that played with them at Clay County and Perry Central has developed into a great rival. So they bombed in a sandwich game. It happens. Get over it...
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I'm not posting to gripe on players or coaches but...

With all due respect, I beg to differ on a couple of points.

I understand that teams can fall into "trap" games every now and then. I just disagree when you seem to condone it when Clay County players "are not going to get fired up", especially when it's at home.

I also didn't know it was a requirement to know the names of the visiting teams players to be able to get "fired up".

If Rodney Woods and the nameless players at Wayne County "mean nothing" to Clay County Basketball, then by all means remove them from the schedule.

"Why should they?" you say. I have a better question...Why shouldn't they?

[catscards]

I'm not posting to gripe on players or coaches but...

If Rodney Woods and the nameless players at Wayne County "mean nothing" to Clay County Basketball, then by all means remove them from the schedule.

"Why should they?" you say. I have a better question...Why shouldn't they?

Agreed, I think this was a bad game to schedule, I know what a win over Wayne County and Rodney Woods would mean to coach Marcum and us older guys, but to high school kids a game against Jackson County and former coach Kevin Spurlock means much, much more.....

[Brother Cecil]

Clay needs to bring their A game tonight. Two big, strong, athletic kids inside 6'6 and 6'7 and a very good point guard. Peace be among us. Brother Cecil.

[EKYBubbaWatson]

Not sure any games mean much to this Clay team. Clay plays the way they have the last two games Perry will win by 25.

[Hit and Run]

The problem with the Tigers is the same problem they've had the last two years. The first team led by Coach Marcum was head and shoulders above everyone in the region. Everyone can save their Bell County argument because the group that the Tigers had were much more talented than them. Last years team was undoubtedly the most talented team outside of Harlan County. They slipped up and lost to a team that they had defeated by double digits twice during the year. This years team seems to have taken the same mold as Marcum was as a player. This team is attrocious on the defensive end and settles for contested jumpers way too often. This team could be very good and make a run to Rupp, but not with this guy leading them. Robert is a great guy. I remember him vividly from his days as a youngster, but it is apparent he is not the guy that needs to be leading this team. He got the job based on his name as a player and nothing to do with his coaching ability. At the time Clay could have gotten some very good coaches with what they had returning, but they opted to go with the hometown hero who has proven that he isn't capable of guiding this program back to the level that it needs to be at. This is a sad situation almost like the Joker Phillips situation. I understand that Robert lives and breathes Clay County basketball as Joker did UK football, but that doesn't necessarily correlate to W's on the court/field. Unless things turn around and turn around fast a change will have to be made. With that being said I wish Robert and the Tigers nothing but the best and hope they turn this thing around and get us back to Lexington! This die hard Tigers fan from the '60's would love to see nothing more than success again in Manchester, but it doesn't seem feasible. Go Tigers!

[HDE]

Not sure any games mean much to this Clay team. Clay plays the way they have the last two games Perry will win by 25.

Clay has a decent shot.
Like a lot of fans, you got too high when they played well against the Georgia team and too low when they played bad against Wayne.
The truth is usually somewhere in the middle. Clay and Harlan County probably have the best shot at the region with seven or eight teams also capable of making a run.

[nedreader]

Hit and Run, who are the "very good" coaches Clay could've gotten when Robert got the job? I seem to remember people thinking Wright might take the job but obviously he didn't want it. Who were the others? I don't remember a proven name on the list. I think Combs & Parks were on the list. What Clay lacks is most likely pride. I know McDaniel's dad played for the Tigers in the early 80s, so he probably has an idea of what the jersey means. As for the others, I'm not sure. It will be hard to get someone to take the job due to the legacy left by Keith...just a hard act to follow. Just ask Burchell, Jones, Spurlock, and Marcum.

[nedreader]

Also, who are the asst. coaches this year?

[EKYBubbaWatson]

HDE: You don't realize the attitudes of the boys wearing the black and gold. I know that we overachieved playing against top notch talent in Florida, but I also know the last two games have been pathetic. Kids walking out of practice, coach not able to get it out of the kids. Clay will NOT contend if something doesn't change quick.

Nedreader: totally agree with you on the lacking pride part. Rumor was Rodney Woods, Steve Wright but lets face it, that wasn't going to happen.

[Hit and Run]

Hit and Run, who are the "very good" coaches Clay could've gotten when Robert got the job? I seem to remember people thinking Wright might take the job but obviously he didn't want it. Who were the others? I don't remember a proven name on the list. I think Combs & Parks were on the list. What Clay lacks is most likely pride. I know McDaniel's dad played for the Tigers in the early 80s, so he probably has an idea of what the jersey means. As for the others, I'm not sure. It will be hard to get someone to take the job due to the legacy left by Keith...just a hard act to follow. Just ask Burchell, Jones, Spurlock, and Marcum.

Woods would have taken the job at the time. Price tag would have been awfully high, but he would have accepted if the price was right. Another name that I know matter of factly inquired about the open position was Jason Booher who was looking to leave SV after the storybook year. Does he take the Clay job over Holmes? Probably not, but the guy was never even pursued by the geniuses of "critics corner". Combs and Parks are the only names that surfaced because they were the only names that were considered by the powers. Doesn't mean that others that are more qualified weren't interested or would have turned it down. Face it, the 10-11 team was a HEAVILY favored team in the 13th and could have potentially been competitive with the right draw.

[UKCC]

Hit and Run - I like the way you think my man.

[nedreader]

Hit and Run, so you say some very good coaches and all you name is Woods & Booher...who you go on to say probably wouldn't have taken the job over Holmes anyway(I agree). I think it's apparent that Clay's level of play has fallen way off what it used to be and is probably not the coaching job a lot of people think it is.

[kneeburn]

Supt. would not open job for Wright. She wanted Combs, and Mike would not hire him, so job falls in Roberts lap. Wright, Frayly(cant spell),Rosco and Marcum was to be the staff. Only 1 job had to opened for Wright. Oh well.