[Slamup]

Final

[TheProfessor33]

Two good, evenly matched teams last night. The game was nip and tuck most of the way. Clay Co. made enough plays down the stretch to get the W. I would love to see these two square off again on a neutral floor.

[Tobin Frost]

Have to say I was pleased...even got sucked in to thinking HC was going to pull it off at the half after not truly believing they could driving over. Thought ol' prof33 played well early. HC could have gotten him the ball more late. I know Coach Jones said no moral victories, but I think this loss on the road was actually more impressive than HC's wins so far.

[TriCountySports]

We predicted a Clay County win, but with a closer score. We weren't too far off, though:
[URL="http://insidetricountysports.com/2013/12/17/preview-1-clay-county-vs-5-harlan-county/"]
PREVIEW: 1 Clay County vs. 5 Harlan County [/URL]

[FIRST]

Clay Co. has a very athletic team. Clay Co. has one of the most athletic wing combos in the mountain area. Those two kids are very underrated players. We all know the PG can play for Clay, but those kids are really good also. When you add the strength and size of Farmer and Allen they have a very nice mixture of talent. Congrats to Clay Co. on the win, but also congrats to the Harlan Co. staff and players. I believe Harlan Co. may be a little better than most people first thought.

[Granny Bear]

We predicted a Clay County win, but with a closer score. We weren't too far off, though:
[URL="http://insidetricountysports.com/2013/12/17/preview-1-clay-county-vs-5-harlan-county/"]
PREVIEW: 1 Clay County vs. 5 Harlan County [/URL]

HC was within 3 points with about 20 sec to go.

Clay Co. has a very athletic team. Clay Co. has one of the most athletic wing combos in the mountain area. Those two kids are very underrated players. We all know the PG can play for Clay, but those kids are really good also. When you add the strength and size of Farmer and Allen they have a very nice mixture of talent. Congrats to Clay Co. on the win, but also congrats to the Harlan Co. staff and players. I believe Harlan Co. may be a little better than most people first thought.

I was very impressed with those two guards!

[HDE]

Where's the Clay County perspective? I'm curious to hear what Bubba and UKCC think.
Harlan County missed a lot of easy shots in the second half. Of course, Clay missed a lot of shots in the first half.
I don't think this year's Clay team is as good as last year, but it's still early and they have a lot of new people.

[TheProfessor33]

That is true. Clay hit some free throws with a few seconds to extend the lead late in the 4th. The game was basically nip and tuck the whole way. Granny is right, i believe with under a minute to play, it was a three point ballgame. Clay Co. was impressive. They have size and they have skilled players in the backcourt. Harlan county was equally impressive. Their bigs are physical and rebound well. The backcourt is just what I have been saying it is...very good. Clay attempted to pressure full court for a few possessions, but it resulted in easy baskets for HC, because the HC guards handle the ball so well. I would absolutely love to see these two play again on a neutral floor.

[TriCountySports]

Wes Wolfe and Blake Smith are two of the most athletic guards in the region, and they are the straws that stir the drink, in my opinion. McDaniel is good and everyone knows that, but Wolfe and Smith are great defenders and can get to the basket on just about anyone.

Farmer started off the season really strong, but has been somewhat disappointing since. Allen isn't playing up to his potential, either.

I agree with HDE to some extent. I think this year's group, overall, is more talented. I just don't think they have the gumption of last year's team.

It's really the opposite with Harlan County, though. Last year's Harlan County squad was the most talented team in the region, but had some ego issues. This year's team is not widely known, but they come to play every night. That give Coach Jones something he can work with, for sure.

[HDE]

Bowling and Reed looked pretty athletic/talented to me, and Lyttle dominated in the regional finals. That was a really good group of seniors. You could tell three years earlier that Clay, Harlan County and South had the best classes when they were freshmen.

Speaking of freshmen, there were several good ones last night. I think Carmical and Spurlock from Harlan County and Sams from Clay are in the top 10 in the region. Turner and Sizemore from HCHS are playing well too. The JV game was very competitive.

[Granny Bear]

It was action packed, too!! LOL

I loved it!!

[UKCC]

This team is so much different than last year's team it's hard to judge. I do believe they're every bit as good as last year's team, they just have some chemistry issues at this point. 4 new faces on the floor with McDaniel. Wes Wolfe and Blake Smith is the reason in preseason I tried to tell everyone CC would be the best team. Yes, they lost 4 starters but I knew how good those two were. The biggest disappointment to this point is Allen. Averaging around 12 points when I hoped for 16-18. Farmer has picked up some of the slack yet one night he'll go for 20 and the next 8-10. One thing the Tigers have is every night they can have a different man burn you, yet McDaniel always gets his. They'll fix their minor issues. Have to remember the Tigers are going to get everyone's best shot. JC and Bell played them to 1 point last season and Middlesboro was the better team for 3 quarters in the tournament.

As for HC, Carmichael is a name to remember. HDE has mentioned him before but the kid had game. Caldwell was feeling it and moving better than I have ever seen him. Forget losing Miller, they still battle and will be in the top 4 come March.

[TriCountySports]

We did a feature on some of the young talent in the region. The two players from Clay Co were left off, simply because the games I've seen, they've gotten little to no playing time.

Here is the feature:

http://insidetricountysports.com/2013/12...th-region/

[13th Region Boys]

I believe if this game was played on a neutral floor it may have had a different outcome where the officiating was a little etchy down the stretch.

[13th Region Boys]

As for the JV game Harlan Co started 4 freshman as one of their starting guard did not play. This reason is unknown. But the guard that did not play is the brother of HC's star player last year in Tyler Brewer. This JV game may not have been so close if he had been on the floor.

[13th Region Boys]

I do believe Harlan Co. Should be ranked higher in the region than what they are after showing what they're capable of last night.

[Old School Baller]

Can't wait to see these two meet up again, it was a great game. It's what high school ball is all about. Can't wait to see HC deeper into their season. I think we all may be surprised. I like their depth on the bench.

[Kayne-W]

Thought the difference in this game was the play of Smith who finished with 14, but made his biggest impact on 'D' when he disruptrd Harlan offense when placed at the point on the 1-2-2. Thought Allen and wolfe had a solid game as well!

[64SUR]

Thought the difference in this game was the play of Smith who finished with 14, but made his biggest impact on 'D' when he disruptrd Harlan offense when placed at the point on the 1-2-2. Thought Allen and wolfe had a solid game as well!

Blake Smith was the different in this game. :Cheerlead

[Granny Bear]

I do believe Harlan Co. Should be ranked higher in the region than what they are after showing what they're capable of last night.

Rankings don't really mean anything.

Can't wait to see these two meet up again, it was a great game. It's what high school ball is all about. Can't wait to see HC deeper into their season. I think we all may be surprised. I like their depth on the bench.

That depth surprised even me!!

Thought the difference in this game was the play of Smith who finished with 14, but made his biggest impact on 'D' when he disruptrd Harlan offense when placed at the point on the 1-2-2. Thought Allen and wolfe had a solid game as well!

I disagree. Smith was okay on defense, but he was the game changer on offense....cool as a cucumber under pressure!

I believe if this game was played on a neutral floor it may have had a different outcome where the officiating was a little etchy down the stretch.

No comment!! Everyone should be proud of me!!!

As for the JV game Harlan Co started 4 freshman as one of their starting guard did not play. This reason is unknown. But the guard that did not play is the brother of HC's star player last year in Tyler Brewer. This JV game may not have been so close if he had been on the floor.

Brewer hasn't been a regular starter so far this season. He may be later on, but not so far.


Clay County has a habit of infiltrating little groups of fans onto the visitor's side of the gym. They've done this for years. That's fine and is certainly their right to do, but it really lends itself to a volatile situation, IMO. I moved twice to keep from having a confrontation. I know it's only "words", but when you're emotionally invested in a ballgame, the last thing you want to hear is "she's a loud mouthed bitch" whilst in the middle of yelling at the officials. It's just not a good idea to me.

[Kayne-W]

I agree not a good idea but the chair back sets limit the spots. Some CC fans can definitely cross the line! At least we all support COAL!!

[UKCC]

This will sound rude so don't take it the wrong way. The visitor's side isn't entirely just for the visiting fans. In fact, just a few years ago the band and student sections were on that side with cheerleading parents, etc. I noticed that Harlan County fans were more to the mid-court/Clay County bench than any fans I've seen before. The chair back side is usually packed and the upper seats weren't brought out until recently. It can cause a problem when fans of opposing sides sit side by side. Actually, most games I go to Clay County has more fans at away venues. The region final was actually about 50/50 at Harlan County last year. So when fans come to CC, they're used to having whole sections too themselves and that just isn't going to happen. Harlan County actually had a solid away showing for this game.

[13th Region Boys]

As for the JV game you are wrong Granny bear Brewer has started every game since this summer.

[13th Region Boys]

Clay Co is a solid team that is always hard to compete with in the tournament.

[Granny Bear]

As for the JV game you are wrong Granny bear Brewer has started every game since this summer.

You're right!! I'm so sorry!! I was thinking varsity, when you clearly said JV. And yes, he did start those JV games.

Age is starting to show!!

[Granny Bear]

This will sound rude so don't take it the wrong way. The visitor's side isn't entirely just for the visiting fans. In fact, just a few years ago the band and student sections were on that side with cheerleading parents, etc. I noticed that Harlan County fans were more to the mid-court/Clay County bench than any fans I've seen before. The chair back side is usually packed and the upper seats weren't brought out until recently. It can cause a problem when fans of opposing sides sit side by side. Actually, most games I go to Clay County has more fans at away venues. The region final was actually about 50/50 at Harlan County last year. So when fans come to CC, they're used to having whole sections too themselves and that just isn't going to happen. Harlan County actually had a solid away showing for this game.

So the chair back seats...are they special seating??? There were plenty of seats available there. AND, I had no clue that the cheer parents sat behind Clay's bench. It was totally empty when we got there, and that was actually where I sat down the first time.

I'm not really complaining about where the fans sit, but in a game as close as this one got; folks don't need to taunt the visiting fans with snide remarks. I know it's only words, but it could ignite a confrontation. JMO

[UKCC]

So the chair back seats...are they special seating??? There were plenty of seats available there. AND, I had no clue that the cheer parents sat behind Clay's bench. It was totally empty when we got there, and that was actually where I sat down the first time.

I'm not really complaining about where the fans sit, but in a game as close as this one got; folks don't need to taunt the visiting fans with snide remarks. I know it's only words, but it could ignite a confrontation. JMO

They're no special seats but I sat on the chair back side for this one but didn't realize there was that much seating left. But I agree with you, at no point should fans be doing anything to start a confrontation. Like anywhere though, one bad apple can spoil the whole bunch. Like I noticed one HC fan who had no problem speaking his mind to the refs very loudly on some pretty basic calls with some finger points and other gestures. There's always "those" fans.