[HDE]

YNWA, you coach good talent for 30 years you're going to win some games. Think what you want of Mike Jones, I'll think what I want. You think Jones is a legend, I don't. As far as anybody respecting my opinion, that's for them to decide. My opinion is mine. I think that the best coach in the 13th might just be Brad Sizemore. I think Strange and Phipps are very good at taking what they have and competing. I have been very impressed with Marcum this year. I watched Jones practice, watched him coach, and I'm not a fan. Yes he's won a lot of games as he's been around a long time, but in no way will you convince me he is a "very good" coach.

I was thinking you had Lewis Morris as the best coach in the region a couple of weeks ago.
I hadn't thought of it that way, but it could that Jones is just the luckiest coach in the state if he's had "good talent for 30 years."

[EKYBubbaWatson]

Lewis Morris is another guy that I like as a coach. The guy from Middlesboro has done some impressive things even though I don't know much about him. That was taken out of context. I didn't mean Jones has had good talent every year, but he had a lot of talent over the years. Maybe I'm being too harsh on his career. From 2001-present I've not been impressed at all. I'll leave it at that.

[Mountain pride 10]

I just thought this deserved repeating!!
nicker:

Thanks there Granny Bear, from time to time I have my moments, but truly if the Bears win the Regional, A. Caldwell will be one of the biggest reasons. Good luck and hope many Harlan Countians end up in Rupp to see the HC one week from today.:Clap:

[fan first]

Jones was a very good coach at Clay. Look at the program the next 5 years after he left.
The program hit an all time low. Jones always said his best team at Clay was going to be the freshmen team he had his last year there, Oddly, not a one of those players played past the soph year under the new coach.

[Granny Bear]

I was really impressed with South Laurel's PG Blake Sanders, played out standing last night. What a lot of people don't realize Blake Sanders, had a level 4 concussion last season and missed almost all of last season except for about 4 games. Level 4 concussion can be career ending. For 6 weeks he sat in a dim lit room with no TV, video games or cell phone. The next 5 months Blake travel to UK sports Med Center. Going through a series of brain test and impact testing.

October 2012, he had gallbladder surgery, got back around Thanksgiving. Two games in to this season while playing (Taste Creek) and after going 4 for 4 at the 3 point line. He breaks his right hand and has surgery were 2 screws was placed in his right hand. Missed 8 weeks.... after getting out of his cast he had tendinitis in his wrist which was very painful but continued to play through the pain. He gets the flu for 3 games but still tried to play and help his team.

He, kept a positive attitude through it all telling eveyone God had it all under controll. He would tell his coach, Coach Davis; it could always be worse with a smile on his face.

He,leads each team in a passionate and emotional prayer at the end of the game win or loose. He's truly been a blessing to those around him.

Wishing Blake Sanders, the best in his future.

I had no idea this kid had gone through so much!!
It's a testimony to his mental attitude that he's still standing, let alone passionately leading a basketball team.

Good luck to Blake Sanders!!

[Granny Bear]

A Caldwell played with heart and passion last night and showed great leadership and determination, it seemed very fitting to me that he be the one at the free throw line in a tie game with 3 seconds left! I dont think Ive ever seen him more focused at the line than he was in that situation!! Tyler Brewer stepped up big in the 4th quarter also with some big shots and how about the little fella - Cody Bumgardner? He made a HUGE 3 and 2 HUGE ft's that the Bears had to have to win the game. Way to go Cody, I really enjoy watching this youngster play. These 3 guys inspired me last night and I am sure they inspired their teammates and coaches as well... If the entire team along with coaches bring that kind of heart and passion to the Black Bear Palace this weekend no matter what happens myself along with the rest of black Bear Nation I believe will be very happy and satisfied!!!

You guys will have to forgive me, I do not know how to "multi quote", AND my internet was down ALL DAY LONG yesterday.

This post intrigues me because it's the first time I've ever completely agreed with BBC. Bumgardner's three pointer was absolutely the turning point in that game; it boosted HC's momentum! Cody doesn't seem to know that he's too small to play down low because he waded in and got a couple rebounds that he really had no business getting. That kid played with more grit and heart than I've seen in a long time. I never saw him back down even one time...LOVED his effort and determination!!

[Granny Bear]

Thanks there Granny Bear, from time to time I have my moments, but truly if the Bears win the Regional, A. Caldwell will be one of the biggest reasons. Good luck and hope many Harlan Countians end up in Rupp to see the HC one week from today.:Clap:

I wish everybody could know Aaron the way that I do! He's such a good kid, and so passionate. His goofiness hides a lot his passion, but whenever the game is on the line, I'll take this little idiot every day of the week and twice on Sundays!!!

[OldSchoolTiger]

Jones was a very good coach at Clay. Look at the program the next 5 years after he left.
The program hit an all time low. Jones always said his best team at Clay was going to be the freshmen team he had his last year there, Oddly, not a one of those players played past the soph year under the new coach.

I wouldn't say "an all time low", the very next year under Glen Gray, the Tigers were 25-6,and lost in the region semi finals too a very good Barbourville team. After one season Gray stepped down and Kevin Spurlock took over with an 80-43 record in his 4 seasons. Just for the record, Justin Hobbs, Ryan Smith,Wes Smith and Mat Dobbs played through their senoir seasons.

[UKCC]

I wouldn't say "an all time low", the very next year under Glen Gray, the Tigers were 25-6,and lost in the region semi finals too a very good Barbourville team. After one season Gray stepped down and Kevin Spurlock took over with an 80-43 record in his 4 seasons. Just for the record, Justin Hobbs, Ryan Smith,Wes Smith and Mat Dobbs played through their senoir seasons.

I don't believe Wes Smith and Matt Dobbs played as seniors. I remember senior night only having Hobbs and Smith.

[OldSchoolTiger]

I think it makes for an exciting tournament with no run away favorites. On any given night, if your team gets hot, look out. Anyone of the 4 teams that are left can win this tournament. I know that any of them will make the 13th proud at Rupp next Thursday night.

[OldSchoolTiger]

I don't believe Wes Smith and Matt Dobbs played as seniors. I remember senior night only having Hobbs and Smith.

I was going by memory on that one and the memory isn't hardly what it used to be.......thanks for the correction.

[UKCC]

I was going by memory on that one and the memory isn't hardly what it used to be.......thanks for the correction.

I wasn't meaning any disrespect or anything. No problem. It happens to all of us. Haha

[Black Bear Grandmom]

I thought the Black Bears showed a lot of grit when they were down double digits in the 4th and went on an 8-0 run to get back in the game. My guy A. Caldwell was huge for coach Jones tonight, every night for that matter. This young man gets his dinner bucket each and every night an goes to WORK, there are several on this team and many other teams that would be well served to try an duplicate this kids effort. Good win , and good job!

I couldn't have said this better if I tried. Aaron always gives 110%. Way to go Bears!!

We need the last 4 minutes of this game, for 32 minutes every game. If they can play that way, they'll win the region. Love those bears!!!