[Dookie]

Ashland and WC have not played yet this year and the girl from Russell is Madison Darnell not Darnell Madison. I do believe that Darnell can put up 25 and is a stud player- but until Russell utilizes everyone in the big games I don't see outcomes changing. I felt I watched a game of 2 on 2 for most of the night! I realize rivalry games can get tight and players get tight but that was a very boring game of checkers- and I say checkers- not chess because both coaches would make a move to help the team and it would work and then they would go back to square 1. Square 1 for Ashland is get out of Robinson's way and let her play- and I'd have to say that's not hard to do with her talent level- she's unreal and a talent that doesn't come along often. I thought for the most part Russell did a good job last night defending her and not letting Parker get loose at all. But again- Ashland has no movement on offense. Rymer was the key for Ashland last night as she hit some key shots at key times and made enough defensive plays to "slow" down Sanders in the 2nd half. Fulton neutralized Mitchell and was in her grill all night and I thought Mitchell would be the key for Russell in this game with her ability to get to the rim and her athleticism but Lane for whatever reason didn't make that move. Lane went to their flex offense and Russell missed wide open cutters that were open and then she went away from it. Bradley pressed Russell coming out to start the 2nd half and Russell fell apart- and then Bradley went away from that. My daughter even asked me why Ashland quit pressing. In the end Ashland wins these types of games because they have the best 1 on 1 player maybe in the state and in a tight game she has the ability to do that(not sure why Lane chose to play M2M on last possession). I'm sure Russell is griping about a couple of calls or non-calls costing them but in the end they did not take advantage of their opportunities. Both of these teams have the ability to win the region and are very capable and it is a 3 team race right now with BC being the favorite but- not by much. I'd bank on Fraley making the right decisions in these types of games. BC has won tight games when their shots don't fall but Robinson has proven she can score and carry the load also in these tight games. Wheeler is a stud also who can carry her team in tight games. Darnell also has that ability. WC again- young and fearless and very capable. Some of their losses(Russell by 30) are a sign of youth and a lot of games played in a short period of time- but- I'm sure some of these coaches are smart enough to not take them lightly. Fraley causes teams trouble by match ups and having Wheeler- he spreads the floor and makes you guard corner to corner. Ashland can guard that better than Russell can. If Lane utilizes Sanders and Hill and Darnell down low and slow the game down and not get in a track meet with Boyd they have that advantage. Again- it's a chess match- I just feel like some teams are playing checkers! BC in a big game today and have the rematch with Russell looming- let's go Lady Lions! Good luck to all!