[More Cowbell]

elliott is the better team when they have had rest

This has got to be the lamest excuse I have ever seen for why Elliott did not win. Let me get this straight, Elliott didn't win because they were tired? Let's take a look at that assumption...

When you look at the way the tourney fell out, Elliott had to be the fresher team of the two. For one, they had played earlier in the day on Saturday, which gave them an extra couple hours rest there. Plus, they had played two overmatched opponents to that point, which allowed them the chance to rest their starters and not feel the added exhaustion of a close game. Meanwhile, while EC was toying with Pineville, SV had to withstand a tough, physical game against Newport Catholic just to get to Sunday morning. So if any team could claim fatigue as a factor, it was Shelby Valley.

SV was the better team today, plain and simple. Could Elliott win if they meet again in Rupp? Sure they could. But that's all speculation at this point.

It seems to me that everyone who says EC would've won if they had played better is missing the point. Which is Shelby Valley could've played a lot better, too. Neither team played to their top potential, but then you don't always play your best every game. SV didn't play their best (it's hard to fathom missing as many free throws as they did), but they still managed to hang on for the win. And instead of saying it's because EC didn't do this or that, everyone should just give Valley's players the credit.