[UKFan8]

Bubba,

First of all, you put WAY too much emphasis on how good the little McDaniel kid is. He's average at best and Clay NEVER has been the McDaniel show. Now if we're talking golf, that's a different story. The kid has an opportunity to do something that has never been done around these parts in golf IF he keeps working hard and fine tuning his game. But as for basketball, there's nothing close to Division I or II talent in this region.

Secondly, Clay Co. and Harlan Co. are the best two teams in the 13th Region and clearly to me, they're pretty evenly matched. Clay Co., just like Harlan Co. are capable of being defeated on any given night; neither can have an off night and come away with victory. However, in the WYMT victory, McDaniel was a non-factor as Brewer's athleticism and size really seemed to bother him. In the next matchup, it could be the other way around. The beauty of this situation is that hopefully Harlan Co. and Clay Co. meet in the Regional Finals and then, we shall see!

Third, this Harlan Co. group, for the most part, has been together now for four years. And yes, while they haven't done anything in the Regional Tournament to think they will automatically win this year on the simple fact that they are playing at home would be somewhat of an obtuse way of thinking.

Finally, I cannot understand why people, especially you, keep bringing up Bobby Keith. The man has not coached since the Spring of 1999 and yet, people act like he's still coaching. The question that I have is, if Bobby still wanted to coach and be as involved as he is in Clay Co. basketball, why isn't he? It is obvious to me that some people just CANNOT let go of the past and move on. It's history folks and that's all it is! Robert Marcum is the coach there now and the people of Clay Co. should SUPPORT whomever is coaching there NOW and quit hanging on to memories of two decades ago. As long as the "Bobby Keith Legendary Act" continues in Manchester, who could EVER feel comfortable coaching there?

Until then, we shall enjoy the last couple of weeks in the regular season with anticipation of what is to come in early March. But I leave you with one final thought: This year, the proverbial ROAD TO RUPP will go through Harlan Co.