[UKFan8]

This was the first time that I got to see Whitley Co. play this year and my honest opinion is that they obviously had a very, very good team but not a team full of individual talent. The Smith kid was a good shooter but there's absolutely no way she'd ever be able to get that shot off in college without setting a trillion screens to get her wide open. It just starts way too low. I'll have to say I was most impressed with #11. I believe her name is Powers. Boy, she has an engine that never stops! Not only that, she hit some huge clutch shots just to keep them in it and give her team a chance to tie or win at the end of the game.

As far as the tactics of the game, I just couldn't understand why Coach Anderson stayed in the man-to-man early in the game when it was obvious that NO ONE could stay with Ashley Woolum one-on-one. I thought maybe a trapping zone to get the ball out of her hands and put pressure on Noth Laurel's other guards would have been more appropriate. But certainly not questioning Coach Anderson, what a class act and a terrific coach he's been for the Whitley Co. Lady Colonels for so many years!

As an observer, it was clear that Ashley Woolum was the best player on the floor!!! There's no disputing that. However, it was the outside shooting of Bruner and Proffitt that I thought was the difference, especially early in the game, which gave North Laurel a big lead.

Also, one last point about Whitley Co. that I've made all year is that they did own quality regional wins over Harlan, Harlan Co., and played Clay Co. close BUT all of those games were at home. It's much different away from your home gym with different referees and not just the home fans.

Perhaps North Laurel had a great game plan and executed it perfectly. Or, perhaps Whitley Co. was a little overhyped and that crash course they were on to challenge Clay Co. just came to a screeching halt!!!

Congratulations to North Laurel and great season Whitley Co.!!! You'll be back next year and hopefully it is with Larry Anderson!!!!!!!!!!