[The Governor]

Well if Paintsville plays like they did against SF then pikeville will win. Paintsville had 4 players around the 3 point line. Not one time did anyone one of them cut the middle, back screens, and the "legendary"coach just sit there w/ his head resting in his hand. These guys are way to talented to not have anyone coaching them.Heck they have 6 sitting there, at one time i seen 7 there tuesday night. J.D. is a good player but has no business under neath . The fergason kid IMO needs to be there. But i guess the "legendary" coach knows what he is doing. If anyone presses them there point guard (Paintsville) will try and dribble thru 2 and sometimes 3 w/ 2 of his team mates on the wings and he still try's to dribble thru them and once again the "legendary" coach just sits there. Hey just a thought here maybe you should sit at home and let someone coach these kids and take them to the state tourney, or maybe the "legendary " coach knows this and thats why he doesnt want to sit at home at this time. This is JMO.

Strong opinion, and very divisive. I disagree 100%. Where do I begin...?

First, let me say that JD is a good player, and he has every reason to be in the paint -- he is the strongest kid on the court -- but that is not to say he shouldn't be on the perimeter too. JD brings that to the table, he has the ability to do both, and do both well, if he wants to.

Second, Van Ferguson absolutely should not be in the paint. Van is athletic, quick, good jumper, but definitely a finess player -- he needs to take his opportunities for offensive rebounds, and weak side shot blocking, but that is the only reason he should ever be in the paint.

Third, Blake, the point guard does tend to try to dribble thru double teams occassionally, but Blake has come a long way as far as basketball IQ. When Paintsville has averaged less than 10 turnovers the past about six games, I'd say that they are doing a pretty good job protecting the ball -- Blake does make some silly mistakes, but last I checked, every HS basketball player does.

Last, turning to the cynical remarks about Coach Runyon. While I am not sure who you are Bluegrass Rules, I can't speak for you, and don't plan to, but I played for Coach Runyon; I watched Coach Runyon's practices when I was young; I have been to watch practice presently; I know Coach Runyon quite well -- his son is my best friend, his daughter is my sister's best friend, he and my father are best friends -- I can tell you, Coach Runyon spends every hour of every day finding ways to win.

He has tried more gimmicks this year in his practices, his coaching style, and his attitude towards players then he has ever done in his coaching career. Coaching occurs in the 2+ hours each day when they have practice. Coach Runyon has never prided himself on being one of these fiery, rally cap type coaches on the sideline who claps every time a player makes a free throw -- if that is the type of coach you are expecting to see, then you'll have to watch another team.

Coaches players will run thru a brick wall for him, he knows how to coach. It isn't his fans that call him legendary, it's the mass of coaches who have respect for him state wide; it's the number of NBA players he has coached against; it's the respect he brought to the mountains with numerous trips to RUPP; it's the Coach of the Year plaques; it's the doctors, lawyers, politicians, teachers, police officers, CEO's, entrepenuers, and successful basketball coaches across this nation that he inspired to be great; it's his loyalty to one school, when he has been offered numerous coaching jobs across this nation; it's the players he has put on college basketball rosters across the nation -- not only Paintsville players, but has helped other HS basketball players as well; it's all of these things that has made him a legend.

If you don't like it, I am cool with it, but no need to put him down because he has made a difference in more lives than most anyone you or I know.

Sorry for the length. Have a great day.