[Leaping Lee]

In all honesty, all must admit that Ashland beat the two worst teams in the field. Boyd County gave NCC a good game but it was mainly because of NCC's poor play on an unfamiliar floor. Russell, on the other hand, has a good team and, with a different pairing, could well have played for the championship. Many of us had heard that NCC better beware of Bob Kouns. He did, of course, referee the championship game but, with the game really never in doubt, he could apparently not work his usual "magic" for the home team.

NCC was hammering Boyd for most of the game a late charge by Boyd made it look respectable. Just as a refresher for the uninformed, Boyd had 2 field goals in the first half.

As for Kouns I have always thought he sucked as an official. With that said he slapped Biggs with a "T" last night and was part of the crew that let Warren Central play with 6 people last year. The only reason he called every Ashland game in the AIT is because Russell scratched him for the year so he always called opposite the Russell game. That info came straight from a Russell staff member. The same one who told me they benefited a great deal from the officiating Thursday night.

Bottomline NCC was clearly the class of the tournament and of course Ashland made their path easier, it's their tournament for crying out loud. Of course they would have played Henderson Co if the weather had cooperated and Henderson was probably the 2nd best team in the field. What ever you do Harry, don't let the facts get in the way of a good criticism or argument.