[jetpilot]

Final. Pikeville wins their 33rd district championship.

[vundy33]

Well damnit.

Anyone got any details, numbers?

Congrats to all of you boys. It'd be great to see another matchup in the Region.

[Real Badman]

Worst coached game I've ever saw. I can't even troll this one because it was so horrible.

[School Admin.]

Badman, I have to disagree with you. In all fairness, E.R. had a nice game plan, and they did a good job of defending Pikeville, Branham only had a couple of looks where he didn't have a hand in his face. Branham and Rowe hit their shots, period. Johnny didn't get a lot of good looks, and when he did, he was a little cold. E.R. played very hard, they just didn't hit the shots they needed. E.R. was in good shape at the half, but Pikeville made some nice shots, very contested, but they made them. Kosongo played his best game and tried really hard to stay out of foul trouble and not to make bad decisions. I thought the rest of the squad also played hard, it just wasn't enough tonight. Pikeville did what they needed to do to win. Congrats to them, no excuses! E.R. now has to get ready for the Region, and S.V. will tell you, you don't have to win the District to go to Rupp!

[Real Badman]

Badman, I have to disagree with you. In all fairness, E.R. had a nice game plan, and they did a good job of defending Pikeville, Branham only had a couple of looks where he didn't have a hand in his face. Branham and Rowe hit their shots, period. Johnny didn't get a lot of good looks, and when he did, he was a little cold. E.R. played very hard, they just didn't hit the shots they needed. E.R. was in good shape at the half, but Pikeville made some nice shots, very contested, but they made them. Kosongo played his best game and tried really hard to stay out of foul trouble and not to make bad decisions. I thought the rest of the squad also played hard, it just wasn't enough tonight. Pikeville did what they needed to do to win. Congrats to them, no excuses! E.R. now has to get ready for the Region, and S.V. will tell you, you don't have to win the District to go to Rupp!

True, but you have to consider how Thacker's situation was treated, he should have been taken out before he fouled out. He should have never fouled on that fast break lay-up. Good heart, bad decision. Then taking Kasongo out with 3 fouls for the rest of the game and leaving a very rattled Mullins in? That shouldn't have happened. Mullins was so into what the crowd was yelling at him he would lose his man. I'm not making excuses, Pikeville made the shots when the counted, where East Ridge did not, I just believe LeMaster could have made some better in game adjustments.

[School Admin.]

Well, he could have taken Thacker out, but I doubt it would have made a difference in the outcome. LeMaster took Kosongo out and went with more of a faster lineup, because they were behind in the hopes of creating turnovers and a little more of a perimeter threat. In any game you can look at a Coach's decisions and say "what if" I do see what he was trying to do in the 2nd half. Bottom line is this, E.R. has only 1 true perimeter shooter, and if he's not on, they have to rely on the inside game and play excellent defense. I thought the defense was there, Pikeville's guards were well defended, for the most part, but they managed to hit shots in spite of that. In my opinion that was the difference in the game.

[PHSForever]

Bottom line summary of the game..... PHS and ER 1 and 2's were pretty even. 3-4-5 and bench went to Pikeville. Just a little deeper and more experienced. I was sitting behind the ER bench, and Kasongo was out of it mentally. Awesome million dollar talent, but a 2 dollar attitude. When he matures, he will be unstoppable. Kudos to ER for a well played game. Several times during the game, LeMaster kept turning around and telling the assistants that Thacker was leaving his man open too much and trailing, forcing him into bad situations. It snowballed from there for him (Thacker). Glad Wolter wasn't hurt on that layup he blocked, good D play by him.

[That's What She Said]

Well played game overall tonight. I thought Kasongo did have his best game of the year out of the 4 times I have saw him play. He managed to stay out of foul trouble and when ER did manage to get it to him on the block he scored. I do question a lot of the coaching decisions... for instance I felt Kasongo should have had more touches and Miller should have been run off of much more screens. Hamilton was no help the entire night and it is pretty easy to chase a good shooter if they are standing in one spot. Overall a very competitive game.
Congrats to the Panthers! Two in a row

[Panther Thunder]

Congratulations to the Panthers on back to back 59th District championships! And to Coach Williams on his 3rd in seven years.

Tackett was HUGE early along with Hamilton and Anderson when Rowe are Branham were quiet. Then once Branham got going, it was full steam ahead. Credit East Ridge for staying within striking distance. Pikeville had two opportunities to blow it wide open and the Warriors held tough.

Hamilton played Miller exceptionally and really limited his looks. Kasongo had a really good game, IMO, they should have gone to him a lot more. He was drawing fouls and finishing.

Someone is going to get a tough draw when they get ER. Not too many teams with a lightening quick guard, good shooter, and 6'8, athletic big guy.

As for the Panthers, it is very possible, just have to have everything go correctly. PHS is playing some good basketball right now. Maybe not as good as a run earlier in the year, but they are MUCH more complete now than then.

Great night to be a Panther! HAIL PIKEVILLE!

[Panther Thunder]

Hamilton and Anderson are making plays on the glass. Each finished with 10 boards along with 9 points for Anderson and 7 points for Hamilton (a couple of really big 3's). Anderson has to be averaging around 8.5-9 boards per game now. Branham finished with 27. Rowe had 7 assists. Tacket was super efficient from the field. The bench gave good minutes. This team is really starting to become well rounded.

[valleybasketball]

agree...the thacker kid looked at the coach when he picked up his 4th foul...he didnt take him out so its on the coach...he might not of made a difference but from what i watched he had every rebound and had put backs...also he was very well on defense

[PHSForever]

Congratulations to the Panthers on back to back 59th District championships! And to Coach Williams on his 3rd in seven years.

Tackett was HUGE early along with Hamilton and Anderson when Rowe are Branham were quiet. Then once Branham got going, it was full steam ahead. Credit East Ridge for staying within striking distance. Pikeville had two opportunities to blow it wide open and the Warriors held tough.

Hamilton played Miller exceptionally and really limited his looks. Kasongo had a really good game, IMO, they should have gone to him a lot more. He was drawing fouls and finishing.

Someone is going to get a tough draw when they get ER. Not too many teams with a lightening quick guard, good shooter, and 6'8, athletic big guy.

As for the Panthers, it is very possible, just have to have everything go correctly. PHS is playing some good basketball right now. Maybe not as good as a run earlier in the year, but they are MUCH more complete now than then.

Great night to be a Panther! HAIL PIKEVILLE!

Have to totally agree. Anderson is playing like a beast right now on the boards. And to answer a comment above about getting Kasongo more touches, I think Anderson and Tackett made that hard to do. I counted at least 6 steals/deflections of entry passes into the post. I think that made Wolter/Thacker, etc leery of attempting a pass inside to Kasongo. That's where his lack of energy on offense hurts them. And his defense is horrendous. He gets a few blocked shots here and there, but otherwise is almost non-existent. Good player who needs to be coached up and mature some, is all.

As for Mullins....yeah, he got rabbit ears big time with the crowd. It really got into his head.

[Captain_44]

Could better choices been made coaching wise, yeah sure. At the end of the day Pikeville played better and won the game. I thought East Ridge did a good job starting out trying to get the ball to Kasongo, which they need to do more. I thought Kasongo did a good job of staying out of foul trouble. Mullins really let the Pikeville fans get in his head, and its a shame this might have been the best game I've seen him play.

[erhs2011]

Well, they way I look at it is. People are saying that Mullins let the crowd get to him? When they taunted him, almost every single time, he hustled and got points for East Ridge and laughed at them. He handled hisself like a WARRIOR should have, with some of the things they were mocking him about. And you say LeMaster had bad coaching skills? Pikevilles coach should have turned around to the student section and told them enough was enough. The things they were chanting was very rude, I would never let my child be apart of making fun of not only the school but an indivisual as they did with Mullins. I find it funny how the crowd can't yell to a reff by there actual name, but you are allowed to yell a players number and last name? Shouldn't be any different. I will say congrats to Pikevilles BASKETBALL players, that would be as far as I would go. I wouldn't say congrats the school, because they are obviously not teaching the right stadards. And using our Country as a taunt to Wolter and Kasongo shouldn't be allowed, from any school, but expecially from a school who has students who have foreign parents. Thats just sad. East Ridge had a good faught game. Miller was off on his shots. Wolter had good drives and Kasongo kept his temper but could have had the ball fed to him a lot more than he did. Thacker had many wonderful rebounds, and shots. They might not have got District, but I would love to see Pikeville and ER match up in Region and would love to see ER come away with that win. :dudecomeon:

[Micro-Brew]

Congrats Coach Williams!!! Coming into the season with all the hype around the Warriors new additions and the young talent and height of Valley, who would have thought you'd be winning your 2nd district title in a row. Looks like another good team effort. Is always nice to see when TEAM trumps individuals (See Buckhorn vs Perry). Congrats and good luck to the Panthers and the Warriors in the 15th region tourney.

[Big Five-0-]

Wow! Not as close as i thought it would be. Congrats Panthers on a great win, and playing some good ball right now..

[theprez]

congrats to the panthers but from what i could tell is the refs let ray get the crap beat out of him on rebounds and everytime he got the ball. no wonder he has a bad attitude. and gets into foul trouble. but pikeville also played a great game and shut miller down.

[vundy33]

Well, they way I look at it is. People are saying that Mullins let the crowd get to him? When they taunted him, almost every single time, he hustled and got points for East Ridge and laughed at them. He handled hisself like a WARRIOR should have, with some of the things they were mocking him about. And you say LeMaster had bad coaching skills? Pikevilles coach should have turned around to the student section and told them enough was enough. The things they were chanting was very rude, I would never let my child be apart of making fun of not only the school but an indivisual as they did with Mullins. I find it funny how the crowd can't yell to a reff by there actual name, but you are allowed to yell a players number and last name? Shouldn't be any different. I will say congrats to Pikevilles BASKETBALL players, that would be as far as I would go. I wouldn't say congrats the school, because they are obviously not teaching the right stadards. And using our Country as a taunt to Wolter and Kasongo shouldn't be allowed, from any school, but expecially from a school who has students who have foreign parents. Thats just sad. East Ridge had a good faught game. Miller was off on his shots. Wolter had good drives and Kasongo kept his temper but could have had the ball fed to him a lot more than he did. Thacker had many wonderful rebounds, and shots. They might not have got District, but I would love to see Pikeville and ER match up in Region and would love to see ER come away with that win. :dudecomeon:

I don't think anyone is saying Coach LeMaster is a bad coach...

All three fan bases have been taunting like that for years. The boundries are pretty well known, or was when I was in high school..

And what does their foreign parents have to do with anything? What were the chants that you found offensive?

I hate Pikeville's fan section as well, lol..and have since they pulled that horse crap a few years ago...but they are definitely effective.

[Scotty doesn't know]

Congrats to the Panthers!! This was a very interesting game to see for Pikeville. East Ridge has the talent to hang with anyone in the region and Pikeville has positioned theirself one of the top two or three teams in the region. I think that they handled the game well. They really could have over looked over this game and played while thinking ahead to the region. They came out, executed, and kept East Ridge at bay. Great win for Pikeville for the district title!

[Cougar Connection]

I thought the Fields kid played Branham tough and most of his points came on others trying to fight through picks where he did not switch off and stayed up close. He even got a five second call on him once. The difference was that Johnny Miller did not knock down the three-pointers like aganist SV, I got to give Pikeville credit for their defense. He still had plenty of good looks and just could not buy a three. But what beat ER was the Ray,Ray baby sitting that goes on game in and game out. He did not get back or rebound. Game over. Coach/Coaches on ER keep trying to calm him down and it takes away from the game plan. If he didn't get the ball in the post every trip he pouted and shut down. I cannot wait to see how his brother acts and the other players they are supposedly bringing for next season. Personally, I am getting tired of watching them babysit Ray,Ray. He either gets with the program or sets the bench IMO. Good luck ER in the regional touranment. The Fields kid must be more apart of the offense and not just a defensive role player. He can get to the rim whenever he wants and finish! :Thumbs:

[vundy33]

I thought the Fields kid played Branham tough and most of his points came on others trying to fight through picks where he did not switch off and stayed up close. He even got a five second call on him once. The difference was that Johnny Miller did not knock down the three-pointers like aganist SV, I got to give Pikeville credit for their defense. He still had plenty of good looks and just could not buy a three. But what beat ER was the Ray,Ray baby sitting that goes on game in and game out. He did not get back or rebound. Game over. Coach/Coaches on ER keep trying to calm him down and it takes away from the game plan. If he didn't get the ball in the post every trip he pouted and shut down. I cannot wait to see how his brother acts and the other players they are supposedly bringing for next season. Personally, I am getting tired of watching them babysit Ray,Ray. He either gets with the program or sets the bench IMO. Good luck ER in the regional touranment. The Fields kid must be more apart of the offense and not just a defensive role player. He can get to the rim whenever he wants and finish! :Thumbs:

You obviously don't like Ray. But he didn't lose this game for ER.

[Panther Thunder]

I thought the Fields kid played Branham tough and most of his points came on others trying to fight through picks where he did not switch off and stayed up close. He even got a five second call on him once. The difference was that Johnny Miller did not knock down the three-pointers like aganist SV, I got to give Pikeville credit for their defense. He still had plenty of good looks and just could not buy a three. But what beat ER was the Ray,Ray baby sitting that goes on game in and game out. He did not get back or rebound. Game over. Coach/Coaches on ER keep trying to calm him down and it takes away from the game plan. If he didn't get the ball in the post every trip he pouted and shut down. I cannot wait to see how his brother acts and the other players they are supposedly bringing for next season. Personally, I am getting tired of watching them babysit Ray,Ray. He either gets with the program or sets the bench IMO. Good luck ER in the regional touranment. The Fields kid must be more apart of the offense and not just a defensive role player. He can get to the rim whenever he wants and finish! :Thumbs:

Kasongo is young and immature. He needs to find a mentor with good character and the ability help him develop his. He was visibly pissed when not named to the All-District team and was on facebook after the game talking about transferring to Pikeville. He is all over the place.

He just needs to mature and learn how to act. If he can harness his ability, put in the work, and stay focused, he has good potential. I hope he turns it on and some point for his own sake.

[PHSForever]

You obviously don't like Ray. But he didn't lose this game for ER.

I partly agree with the poster. Ray did a FANTASTIC job when he did get the ball, but he DID also pout a lot when he didn't. Part of that is his fault for not sealing off his man so entry passes have a better chance of getting to him in the post, and part of that lies at the feet of the coaching staff for not teaching him how to do it.

Either way, his maturity (or lack of) is detrimental to his game and the team's game plan. Overall, he didn't lose the game for East Ridge, Pikeville just flat out beat them with their depth and the 3-5 players like I mentioned earlier. I had practically a front row seat to him, sitting only 4 rows back of the ER bench, and his body language and attitude were horrible when things didn't go his way. Same for the Mullins kid, but the Mullins kid at least kept battling hard, to his credit. He's an emotional player who wears it on his sleeve, I actually enjoy watching players like him, even on opposing teams, because they give so much on the floor.

Like Panther Thunder said, whoever draws ER in the region is going to have a load on their hands, but Coach Lemaster has to do a better job of coaching up some kids and diagraming some plays that actually work. Irregardless, Pikeville has been the better team 3 times this season for a reason...they play as a TEAM. On, on Maroon and White!!

[Cougar Connection]

(You obviously don't like Ray. But he didn't lose this game for ER)

This was not intended to indicate that I have anything personally against Ray. I just believe that his behavior distracts ER from what they could accomplish. I would never say such a thing. I also gave Pikeville their due for playing good defense and feel they deserved to win however if Ray came ready to play he could have easily dominated the post. I thought it was a good first half for both teams and ER became distracted in the second half and was very unorganized.

[School Admin.]

I thought the Fields kid played Branham tough and most of his points came on others trying to fight through picks where he did not switch off and stayed up close. He even got a five second call on him once. The difference was that Johnny Miller did not knock down the three-pointers like aganist SV, I got to give Pikeville credit for their defense. He still had plenty of good looks and just could not buy a three. But what beat ER was the Ray,Ray baby sitting that goes on game in and game out. He did not get back or rebound. Game over. Coach/Coaches on ER keep trying to calm him down and it takes away from the game plan. If he didn't get the ball in the post every trip he pouted and shut down. I cannot wait to see how his brother acts and the other players they are supposedly bringing for next season. Personally, I am getting tired of watching them babysit Ray,Ray. He either gets with the program or sets the bench IMO. Good luck ER in the regional touranment. The Fields kid must be more apart of the offense and not just a defensive role player. He can get to the rim whenever he wants and finish! :Thumbs:

Coach, I agree with you about Ray to a point. I think he must be willing to receive coaching and improve from it. To his credit, he did try to stay out of foul trouble in the game. Unfortunately by doing so, it takes away from his game by being over cautious. Boundaries for behavior and expectations need to be drawn and followed. Johnny just couldn't knock it down last night, I hate it for him and the team, he's a great kid. Michael needs to be a little more involved, and I think he will be. I saw Michael start to drive to the goal a few times, only to stop and pass the ball. I also think Hagy needs more minutes. Positive thing is, these are good things to worry about!

[LeeCoUKFan]

Impressive! Congrats Panthers!

[itzAmazing]

Congrats to Pikeville on the championship. Excellent team and excellent fan section.

As far as the conversation about Kasongo, it's pretty clear his biggest issue is his poor attitude. He seems to have no desire to play basketball. I believe he has a world of potential but he will never tap into any of it if his attitude doesn't improve. I hope and pray Kasongo gets his attitude in shape and I believe that will come if he is disciplined properly. A great player cannot become great without discipline, of body and mind.

Good luck to the Warriors in the regional tournament!

[Mr. know it all]

I was watching the game Thursday night and i think ray did a tremendous job in the post. I do agree that he needs to learn to control his temper, but i dont blame him he was doing a good job posting up and getting open but his teammates just wouldnt give him the ball

[Panther Thunder]

Can we forfeit this game now?

The benefit of the District Championship is one of these three:

-Betsy Layne
-Belfry
-Sheldon Clark/Johnson Central

as opposed to:

-Phelps
-Prestonsburg
-Sheldon Clark/Johnson Central


Wacky and Unfortunate for PHS.

[School Admin.]

Can we forfeit this game now?

The benefit of the District Championship is one of these three:

-Betsy Layne
-Belfry
-Sheldon Clark/Johnson Central

as opposed to:

-Phelps
-Prestonsburg
-Sheldon Clark/Johnson Central


Wacky and Unfortunate for PHS.

Panther Thunder, not to take away from your great win last night, but I said all along that the District Championship MIGHT be a bad thing this year they way things are lined up this year. E.R. has a 3 in 4 chance of drawing a team they have beaten this year and a 3 in 4 chance of drawing 2 teams in their bracket for the tourney they have beaten this year......... Could we have a game 4 for a trip to Rupp? Stay tuned!!!!!