[kywldcat01]

Did you attend the game? If so what do you think kept this game as close as it was? I know you expected a much larger margin because in the prediction thread I think you picked Holmes by 24. Did Dixie play way over their head, or do you think Holmes played uninspired basketball . . . or both?

A little bit of both.

Early on it looked like Holmes was going to run away with this game and turn it in to route. Dogs jumped out to a 8-2 lead and then 11-4 after an and one by Ricardo Johnson. Dixie then went on a 7-0 run that was capped by an Elijah Pittman goaltend to tie the game at 11. Dixie took a 14-13 lead after an and one but three straight points by Pittman, including a sick two hand windmill dunk after a steal, gave Holmes a 16-14 lead after one.

Second quarter Holmes pushed their lead out to 18-14 but another 7-0 run put Dixie on top 21-18. Pittman responded with an and one to tie the game and then both teams traded baskets the rest of the half. Holmes had a chance to extend their lead at the end of the quarter but misses 1 of 2 on three straight trips to the free throw line. Holmes would head in to the half up 28-26.

Third quarter Dixie got the ball first and scored to tie it and it was game on from here. Dixie built a 36-33 lead but a foul by Pike on a Herndon 3 point attempt tied the game. Holmes then capped the 7-0 run with a Pittman jumper from the free throw line to put the Dogs up 40-36. Dixie responded with a Pike lay in, but Avery pushed Holmes lead back out to 4. Dixie then hit a 3 pointer to come within one and this is when the game would get interesting as Dixie's student section and entire gym erupted and started getting in to the game. Dixie was helped out during this stretch by three straight 1 of 2 showings at the free throw line by Holmes. Dixie eventually tied the game at 43 but Holmes scored the last 3 points of the quarter to head in to the 4th up 46-43.

Fourth quarter Holmes held around a 3 point lead for the first few minutes until a Dixie 3 gave them a 51-50 lead. Holmes had a chance to take the lead on their next possession but Pittman missed a wide open two and dunk and Dixie would then push their lead out to 53-50 and the ball. Ricardo Johnson then got a steal and dunk but a tech called on Pittman after the play pushed Dixie's lead out to 55-52. Holmes responded with a 8-0 run though to go up 60-55. Dixie then went on a 5-1 run to close within 1 at 61-60 with 33 seconds left. Holmes pushed their lead back out to 5 (65-60) after 4 straight free throws from Herndon and Pittman with 18 seconds left. Dixie got a 4 point and one after a made 3 and free throw by Hatton but Ricardo Johnson made 2 free throws and Pittman blocked a final 3 point attempt to seal the win for Holmes.

Dixie pretty much came in and played physical the whole game against Holmes. That was the biggest difference IMO. It also hurt both teams that there was over 30 fouls called in both halves. Officiating was horrible and really kept either team from getting in to any type of rhythm. Dixie also benefitted from Holmes poor free throw shooting during key moments in the game. Dixie fans did say afterwards though that this was the best they had seen Dixie play all year.