[Stardust]

Posted by Mike Fields on January 9, 2009

A close-knit, sharp-passing, good-shooting basketball team that doesn’t have much size but compensates with a fast-break style that wins over fans and blows past most opponents.

That’s Elliott County’s Lions, who have shot their way to the top of the state ratings, rarefied air for a 16th Region team.

They’re the most entertaining hoops show in Kentucky, and they pick up fans wherever they go. Like Bob Baldwin of Winchester, who watched Elliott County rip South Charleston, W. Va., 107-84 in the Kentucky Bank Shootout at Bourbon County a few weeks ago.

Baldwin, golf pro at Winchester Country Club, said it didn’t take long “to convince myself that Elliott County plays more like Rupp’s Runts than anyone I’ve seen during the last 43 years. I had heard that they really played well together, but what I saw was almost surreal — so fundamentally sound and absurdly fun to watch that they almost took your breath. What I saw was jaw-dropping.”

Elliott County is led by a trio of 6-foot-2 seniors: Jonathan Ferguson and the Faulkner twins, Evan and Ethan. Ferguson is averaging 27 points and hitting 43% of his threes. Evan Faulkner averages 18 points; Ethan averages 15. Timmy Knipp, a 6-7 sophomore who’s more of a perimeter player than post man, averages 15.5 points.

Baldwin said people who aren’t old enough to have seen Rupp’s Runts can imagine what that UK team looked like by watching Rick Mays’ runnin’ and gunnin’ Lions.

“This team has ‘it’ and the Runts had ‘it.’ They play (and execute) as one from stem to stern, and therein, truly epitomize the concept of team basketball.”

For those who weren’t around to appreciate Adolph Rupp’s 1966 NCAA runners-up, their tallest starter was 6-5 Thad Jaracz, although 6-4 Pat Riley jumped center. All five starters averaged in double figures: Riley (22 ppg), Louie Dampier (21 ppg), Jaracz (13 ppg), Larry Conley (11.5 ppg) and Tommy Kron (10 ppg).

[goodguy]

Good write up. What makes it fun to watch is watching those three seniors do what they have a passion for.....and that is play basketball as hard as they can every time they hit the floor.

People appreciate good attitudes and 110% effort. Keep it up boys, this is the year to make the little schools proud!

[racer4life]

Good press for Elliott County. They are by far the most fun team to watch that I have ever seen in KY high school basketball.

[Memorial Gym #5]

They are really fun to watch!! Good article and good luck to Elliott Co. the rest of the season.