[BlackcatAlum]

Final from BL.... congrats Bobcats!

Score sounds about right to me as I expected BL to win this game.

[outdoorsman43]

Looks like the Blackcats played the Bobcats pretty tough tonight but are still winless on the season. Hang in there boys.

Congrats Bobcats!

[UnderArmour24]

Pburg only trailed by 4 at the half. Listened to this game on the radio they just need someone other than Burchett to step up on offense and want to score and want the ball in a tough situation. Still alot of turnovers but sounded like both teams played a sloppy game. They are getting better though and hopefully will be ready by tournament time. If i recall a couple years ago Pburg was the 4 seed in the district and went on to win the championship and made it to semis of the region. i guess you never know. But congrats to BL on a big district win.

[Stardust]

Nice win for Betsy Layne

[Benchwarmer]

Congrats BL

[Creeker]

Congrats BL.

[BlackcatAlum]

Pburg only trailed by 4 at the half. Listened to this game on the radio they just need someone other than Burchett to step up on offense and want to score and want the ball in a tough situation. Still alot of turnovers but sounded like both teams played a sloppy game. They are getting better though and hopefully will be ready by tournament time. If i recall a couple years ago Pburg was the 4 seed in the district and went on to win the championship and made it to semis of the region. i guess you never know. But congrats to BL on a big district win.

I think it was 2004 maybe, but Prestonsburg didn't win a district game all season and ended up winning the district championship.

Players like Cameron Tincher, Warren Blackburn, Josh Blackburn, and the Carter boys have got to start contributing on offense. Take good shots and move the ball around.

[Westside]

Great job Bobcats!!!

[100%SUCCESS]

BL played sloppy, didn't look good imo. But a wins a win. Good Luck tonight though Bobcats and the rest of the season Blackcats!

[LeeCoUKFan]

I actually expected the Bobcats to win this game by more than what they did, so Prestonsburg must have played a good game in this one. Congrats to Betsy Layne on the win!

[BlackcatAlum]

I actually expected the Bobcats to win this game by more than what they did, so Prestonsburg must have played a good game in this one. Congrats to Betsy Layne on the win!

Why would you expect BL to win by more than what they did? Prestonsburg may not have won a game yet, but they've played the toughest schedule in the region besides SV. Early losses would have been much closer if it weren't for the entire team playing football the week before.

[LeeCoUKFan]

^ Well this was a home game for BL and their average margin of winning by points at home, not including the Shelby Valley game, is by about 20 points per game. Also, Betsy Layne is a decent team this year with a record of 8-4 so far this season. So yeah i was expecting them to win this somewhere in the 15-20 margin.

[BlackcatAlum]

^ Well this was a home game for BL and their average margin of winning by points at home, not including the Shelby Valley game, is by about 20 points per game. Also, Betsy Layne is a decent team this year with a record of 8-4 so far this season. So yeah i was expecting them to win this somewhere in the 15-20 margin.

BL is better than Prestonsburg at this point in the season, but of the teams that BL has defeated the combined record is 24-60. BL has beaten the teams they are supposed to beat, but their schedule has been very weak.

Point is, records are very misleading. Anyone can schedule weak teams to pick up wins, but that doesn't make them better than someone who has a worse record.

[betsylaynealum]

Blackcatalum, I guess we can agree to disagree. Only one team can win region after that its all about wins and loses. Coaches are picked on wins and loses. Grade schoolers choose high schools on wins and loses.

Both teams will get better. I think it will be a heck of a game on Friday night.

[BlackcatAlum]

Blackcatalum, I guess we can agree to disagree. Only one team can win region after that its all about wins and loses. Coaches are picked on wins and loses. Grade schoolers choose high schools on wins and loses.

Both teams will get better. I think it will be a heck of a game on Friday night.

I agree with what you said, but I was only pointing out that records are misleading when making a prediction.

As for Friday, unless someone else can step up besides Burchett - BL wins again.

Best of luck to the Bobcats on the rest of the season!

[OldTymer]

Blackcatalum, I'm pretty sure that Josh Blackburn is no longer on the team or atleast he had quit that last time I talked with people close to the team. I just think Prestonsburg is in the situation they are in because of Jack Pack. If Blackburn is in fact still off the team, then that is three guys (including Tyler Hall and Joseph Jamerson) that are not playing from last years team. And from what I've been told it is all because of Coach Pack and his on-going obsession with seperating basketball players and football players. At a small school like Prestonsburg YOU HAVE TO SHARE ATHLETES and embrace success in other sports teams. You don't tell your basketball players (that play football) that you don't want to see them wearing football shirts (like Coach Pack has) . And you don't tell kids that if they don't play basketball they are going to sit the bench for you in baseball (like Coach Pack has). Its a real shame that kids that have played basketball their entire lives aren't playing because of a coach. This isn't a situation where kids can't handle criticism or hard work, its a situation where they are being badgered and harrassed because of what they do outside of basketball. Its a situation that I hope is resolved very soon by the Prestonsburg administration because the kids at Pburg do not deserve it.

[100%SUCCESS]

We

Blackcatalum, I'm pretty sure that Josh Blackburn is no longer on the team or atleast he had quit that last time I talked with people close to the team. I just think Prestonsburg is in the situation they are in because of Jack Pack. If Blackburn is in fact still off the team, then that is three guys (including Tyler Hall and Joseph Jamerson) that are not playing from last years team. And from what I've been told it is all because of Coach Pack and his on-going obsession with seperating basketball players and football players. At a small school like Prestonsburg YOU HAVE TO SHARE ATHLETES and embrace success in other sports teams. You don't tell your basketball players (that play football) that you don't want to see them wearing football shirts (like Coach Pack has) . And you don't tell kids that if they don't play basketball they are going to sit the bench for you in baseball (like Coach Pack has). Its a real shame that kids that have played basketball their entire lives aren't playing because of a coach. This isn't a situation where kids can't handle criticism or hard work, its a situation where they are being badgered and harrassed because of what they do outside of basketball. Its a situation that I hope is resolved very soon by the Prestonsburg administration because the kids at Pburg do not deserve it.

Well Said

[outdoorsman43]

I'm pretty sure that Josh Blackburn is no longer on the team or atleast he had quit that last time I talked with people close to the team.

This is true. I've heard this from players I've talked to.

[BlackcatAlum]

Blackcatalum, I'm pretty sure that Josh Blackburn is no longer on the team or atleast he had quit that last time I talked with people close to the team. I just think Prestonsburg is in the situation they are in because of Jack Pack. If Blackburn is in fact still off the team, then that is three guys (including Tyler Hall and Joseph Jamerson) that are not playing from last years team. And from what I've been told it is all because of Coach Pack and his on-going obsession with seperating basketball players and football players. At a small school like Prestonsburg YOU HAVE TO SHARE ATHLETES and embrace success in other sports teams. You don't tell your basketball players (that play football) that you don't want to see them wearing football shirts (like Coach Pack has) . And you don't tell kids that if they don't play basketball they are going to sit the bench for you in baseball (like Coach Pack has). Its a real shame that kids that have played basketball their entire lives aren't playing because of a coach. This isn't a situation where kids can't handle criticism or hard work, its a situation where they are being badgered and harrassed because of what they do outside of basketball. Its a situation that I hope is resolved very soon by the Prestonsburg administration because the kids at Pburg do not deserve it.

Didn't know that Josh had quit.

Great post BTW... I've heard a lot of the same things you've mentioned from a player who plays football, basketball, and baseball. He's told me about considering walking out during practice from all the comments made about the football players by Pack, but he's stuck it out.

[OldTymer]

Didn't know that Josh had quit.

Great post BTW... I've heard a lot of the same things you've mentioned from a player who plays football, basketball, and baseball. He's told me about considering walking out during practice from all the comments made about the football players by Pack, but he's stuck it out.

I think this just goes to show you how "a house divided" can fall. There is still enough talent on this team to win some games, but it is my understanding ,as I said before ,Pack has lost his players. Has anyone heard anything about possible changes?

[BCF4L]

Can I coach this team please? I would love to do it.

[OldTymer]

Can I coach this team please? I would love to do it.

LOL well at this point you couldnt have a worse record.

[UnderArmour24]

Blackcatalum, I'm pretty sure that Josh Blackburn is no longer on the team or atleast he had quit that last time I talked with people close to the team. I just think Prestonsburg is in the situation they are in because of Jack Pack. If Blackburn is in fact still off the team, then that is three guys (including Tyler Hall and Joseph Jamerson) that are not playing from last years team. And from what I've been told it is all because of Coach Pack and his on-going obsession with seperating basketball players and football players. At a small school like Prestonsburg YOU HAVE TO SHARE ATHLETES and embrace success in other sports teams. You don't tell your basketball players (that play football) that you don't want to see them wearing football shirts (like Coach Pack has) . And you don't tell kids that if they don't play basketball they are going to sit the bench for you in baseball (like Coach Pack has). Its a real shame that kids that have played basketball their entire lives aren't playing because of a coach. This isn't a situation where kids can't handle criticism or hard work, its a situation where they are being badgered and harrassed because of what they do outside of basketball. Its a situation that I hope is resolved very soon by the Prestonsburg administration because the kids at Pburg do not deserve it.

Well said. I have heard these comments several different times. Just like the old phrase "United we stand, Divided we fall." Pburg will continue to fall if 3 sports dont work together and support one another.

[MiddlesboroAlumni]

There a few things that has hurt this team.

For one, why play in these prestigious tournaments at Lexington Catholic, etc. when this is supposed to be a rebuilding year? I mean, really? What did Prestonsburg accomplish by playing in that tournament? There had to have been five or six top 20 teams in that tourney. When you as a team get beat by 40-50 points every game, you can't remained focused on the task at hand and basketball isn't fun anymore. It becomes more of a chore and that's when the players do not play to their full potential (which has been the case here).

What has hurt this Prestonsburg team is that Coach Pack couldn't get two would-be starters to come out for the team: Tyler Hall & Joseph Jamerson (both whom are football players for the school). Pack pushed them away more than anything from what I've heard with these comments and incidents that have occurred that some of you have already mentioned. Jamerson is a long 6'3 body that would have been a big help for this Blackcat team and Hall would have been another ball handler, occasional scorer, and senior leader. And now we have Josh Blackburn leaving the team!

This team is hopeless and may not win a game all season long if this kind of junk keeps going on. I've heard plenty has went on behind the scenes and no one is near on the same page. This may turn very ugly very quickly, more than it is already. I don't think we've seen the worst yet either. Most of these boys want to win but just aren't being guided in the correct manner. In high school, many basketball players play other sports (football, baseball, track, etc.). For example, Tyler Hall is a fine basketball player and decided to play his first year of varsity football for the Blackcats this season. I was told Hall was heckled about this by Pack and decided to forgo his senior basketball season. Look at what he accomplished: strength and toughness in the weight room, started on a historical '09 team, and made memories that will last a lifetime. What is wrong with that? Absolutely nothing! It helped the kid for basketball if anything.

Get over it Pack! In high school, basketball isn't the most important thing in these young kids lives!

[BlackcatAlum]

^Good post.

[OldTymer]

There a few things that has hurt this team.

For one, why play in these prestigious tournaments at Lexington Catholic, etc. when this is supposed to be a rebuilding year? I mean, really? What did Prestonsburg accomplish by playing in that tournament? There had to have been five or six top 20 teams in that tourney. When you as a team get beat by 40-50 points every game, you can't remained focused on the task at hand and basketball isn't fun anymore. It becomes more of a chore and that's when the players do not play to their full potential (which has been the case here).

What has hurt this Prestonsburg team is that Coach Pack couldn't get two would-be starters to come out for the team: Tyler Hall & Joseph Jamerson (both whom are football players for the school). Pack pushed them away more than anything from what I've heard with these comments and incidents that have occurred that some of you have already mentioned. Jamerson is a long 6'3 body that would have been a big help for this Blackcat team and Hall would have been another ball handler, occasional scorer, and senior leader. And now we have Josh Blackburn leaving the team!

This team is hopeless and may not win a game all season long if this kind of junk keeps going on. I've heard plenty has went on behind the scenes and no one is near on the same page. This may turn very ugly very quickly, more than it is already. I don't think we've seen the worst yet either. Most of these boys want to win but just aren't being guided in the correct manner. In high school, many basketball players play other sports (football, baseball, track, etc.). For example, Tyler Hall is a fine basketball player and decided to play his first year of varsity football for the Blackcats this season. I was told Hall was heckled about this by Pack and decided to forgo his senior basketball season. Look at what he accomplished: strength and toughness in the weight room, started on a historical '09 team, and made memories that will last a lifetime. What is wrong with that? Absolutely nothing! It helped the kid for basketball if anything.

Get over it Pack! In high school, basketball isn't the most important thing in these young kids lives!

:Clap::Clap::Clap:

[PaintsvilleTigerfan]

I think if a coach tries to make a player just play his/her sport they need to be fired. Coaches need to realise it is about the kids not about them. At a small school like p-burg the numbers simply don't work out for every sport to have its own set of athletes.

[TRUBLX3]

This is a common problem throughout Eastern KY., each of our schools may be blessed with a small, talented pool of athletes, that can be difference makers on the court or field. Coaches, AD's, and administrators need to be aware that without cooperation and participation from everyone, your school suffers! Regardless how important you feel your part of the program is, no one wins by denying these kids an opportunity to enjoy high school sports. Take a look from the fans perspective, we want to see our good kids playing, not listening to someone tell us how good they might have been. Has anyone else noticed that game attendance has really taken a beating other the past few years, it is very seldom now that you show up at a gym and sit shoulder to shoulder with other fans.

[BlackcatAlum]

This is a common problem throughout Eastern KY., each of our schools may be blessed with a small, talented pool of athletes, that can be difference makers on the court or field. Coaches, AD's, and administrators need to be aware that without cooperation and participation from everyone, your school suffers! Regardless how important you feel your part of the program is, no one wins by denying these kids an opportunity to enjoy high school sports. Take a look from the fans perspective, we want to see our good kids playing, not listening to someone tell us how good they might have been. Has anyone else noticed that game attendance has really taken a beating other the past few years, it is very seldom now that you show up at a gym and sit shoulder to shoulder with other fans.

I haven't seen Prestonsburg's fieldhouse packed since region was there last. I'd say we average around 25-30 home fans at a home game during the season and they're all parents usually.

[BCF4L]

It's hard for me to grasp that Pack is doing this. I know Coach Pack absolutely loves basketball and he would do anything in order to keep his job. Back in the day, he had no problem at all playing football players...why now? He doesn't have much of a relationship with the DeRossetts or Athletic Director Butcher, IIRC. Maybe this has something to do with his decision to not play football players? Or maybe he is the first coach to realize that some of these football players just aren't good basketball players? Now, I'm not saying I believe this because honestly, I haven't seen a P-burg basketball game in quite some time so I have no clue how good any of these kids are, but I know Pack isn't about the "politics" that go on with playing certain players. Maybe he's giving some folks a dose of reality by actually playing players based on skills instead of their parents? But at this point in the season, and seeing the record of this team, I'd pull players from the girls squad if I felt they could put the ball in the basket.