[Bluecat]

Hearing Hazard lost someone to Leslie. Did not hear a name though.

[P. Fanning]

Hearing Hazard lost someone to Leslie. Did not hear a name though.

Must not be too big of a deal then.

[Stone Jack Baller]

"I will agree that Hazard will be the clear favorite, but not close to top 20. The mtns have a couple of teams that will sniff top 20 but they are in the 16th and 13th. Al won't come outta Hazard to play anyone and you won't be ranked by staying at home all year and the people who do the rankings are in Lex and Lville."

Heard Hazard has games scheduled against Ashland and Madison Central early in the season.

[shottaker23]

"I will agree that Hazard will be the clear favorite, but not close to top 20. The mtns have a couple of teams that will sniff top 20 but they are in the 16th and 13th. Al won't come outta Hazard to play anyone and you won't be ranked by staying at home all year and the people who do the rankings are in Lex and Lville."

Heard Hazard has games scheduled against Ashland and Madison Central early in the season.

Ashland is a home game.  Central is in the "Tim Short Classic" lol--it will be a home cooking game and Central finished 10-23 last year, will not be much competition. Point is Al will not play any team that may be above average away from home. Never has never will. Toughest game will on Feb 18th. Other than that they should finish the regular season with only 2 losses and a Diet Water weak RPI

[BlackHawk]

Got to pad that win column before retirement

[LOOKAYANNER]

"I will agree that Hazard will be the clear favorite, but not close to top 20. The mtns have a couple of teams that will sniff top 20 but they are in the 16th and 13th. Al won't come outta Hazard to play anyone and you won't be ranked by staying at home all year and the people who do the rankings are in Lex and Lville."

Heard Hazard has games scheduled against Ashland and Madison Central early in the season.

Ashland is a home game.  Central is in the "Tim Short Classic" lol--it will be a home cooking game and Central finished 10-23 last year, will not be much competition. Point is Al will not play any team that may be above average away from home. Never has never will. Toughest game will on Feb 18th. Other than that they should finish the regular season with only 2 losses and a Diet Water weak RPI

Hazard will have a tough chore defeating Ashland, I don’t care where it is played. If you recall Ashland had state champion Lyon County down by 6 or 7 points with only about 3 minutes remaining in their opening round Sweet 16 game last season before succumbing by 2 points to the Lyons. The Tomcats 6’5 shooting guard Zander Carter has committed to Liberty University who has played in the NCAA tournament recently. And they have much more talent than him.

[shottaker23]

"I will agree that Hazard will be the clear favorite, but not close to top 20. The mtns have a couple of teams that will sniff top 20 but they are in the 16th and 13th. Al won't come outta Hazard to play anyone and you won't be ranked by staying at home all year and the people who do the rankings are in Lex and Lville."

Heard Hazard has games scheduled against Ashland and Madison Central early in the season.

Ashland is a home game.  Central is in the "Tim Short Classic" lol--it will be a home cooking game and Central finished 10-23 last year, will not be much competition. Point is Al will not play any team that may be above average away from home. Never has never will. Toughest game will on Feb 18th. Other than that they should finish the regular season with only 2 losses and a Diet Water weak RPI

Hazard will have a tough chore defeating Ashland, I don’t care where it is played. If you recall Ashland had state champion Lyon County down by 6 or 7 points with only about 3 minutes remaining in their opening round Sweet 16 game last season before succumbing by 2 points to the Lyons. The Tomcats 6’5 shooting guard Zander Carter has committed to Liberty University who has played in the NCAA tournament recently. And they have much more talent than him.

You missed the point altogether or maybe I was vague. Ashland is one of the 2 loses I was alluding to. Carter will eat them alive. The point was that Holland will not play anyone good on the road and I don’t believe they will crack the Top 20 because of that. It’s a disservice to the kids he has that have a chance to play NAIA  that they won’t get seen nor any publicity because he is unwilling to leave the mtns to play anyone. Just like at the summer event at Collins, after he saw a couple of losses he forfeited his remaining games. Just my opinion though

[LOOKAYANNER]

"I will agree that Hazard will be the clear favorite, but not close to top 20. The mtns have a couple of teams that will sniff top 20 but they are in the 16th and 13th. Al won't come outta Hazard to play anyone and you won't be ranked by staying at home all year and the people who do the rankings are in Lex and Lville."

Heard Hazard has games scheduled against Ashland and Madison Central early in the season.

Ashland is a home game.  Central is in the "Tim Short Classic" lol--it will be a home cooking game and Central finished 10-23 last year, will not be much competition. Point is Al will not play any team that may be above average away from home. Never has never will. Toughest game will on Feb 18th. Other than that they should finish the regular season with only 2 losses and a Diet Water weak RPI

Hazard will have a tough chore defeating Ashland, I don’t care where it is played. If you recall Ashland had state champion Lyon County down by 6 or 7 points with only about 3 minutes remaining in their opening round Sweet 16 game last season before succumbing by 2 points to the Lyons. The Tomcats 6’5 shooting guard Zander Carter has committed to Liberty University who has played in the NCAA tournament recently. And they have much more talent than him.

You missed the point altogether or maybe I was vague. Ashland is one of the 2 loses I was alluding to. Carter will eat them alive. The point was that Holland will not play anyone good on the road and I don’t believe they will crack the Top 20 because of that. It’s a disservice to the kids he has that have a chance to play NAIA  that they won’t get seen nor any publicity because he is unwilling to leave the mtns to play anyone. Just like at the summer event at Collins, after he saw a couple of losses he forfeited his remaining games. Just my opinion though

Yes, I misunderstood. I see it now that you pointed it out, lol.

[zaga_fan]

"I will agree that Hazard will be the clear favorite, but not close to top 20. The mtns have a couple of teams that will sniff top 20 but they are in the 16th and 13th. Al won't come outta Hazard to play anyone and you won't be ranked by staying at home all year and the people who do the rankings are in Lex and Lville."

Heard Hazard has games scheduled against Ashland and Madison Central early in the season.

Ashland is a home game.  Central is in the "Tim Short Classic" lol--it will be a home cooking game and Central finished 10-23 last year, will not be much competition. Point is Al will not play any team that may be above average away from home. Never has never will. Toughest game will on Feb 18th. Other than that they should finish the regular season with only 2 losses and a Diet Water weak RPI

Hazard will have a tough chore defeating Ashland, I don’t care where it is played. If you recall Ashland had state champion Lyon County down by 6 or 7 points with only about 3 minutes remaining in their opening round Sweet 16 game last season before succumbing by 2 points to the Lyons. The Tomcats 6’5 shooting guard Zander Carter has committed to Liberty University who has played in the NCAA tournament recently. And they have much more talent than him.

You missed the point altogether or maybe I was vague. Ashland is one of the 2 loses I was alluding to. Carter will eat them alive. The point was that Holland will not play anyone good on the road and I don’t believe they will crack the Top 20 because of that. It’s a disservice to the kids he has that have a chance to play NAIA  that they won’t get seen nor any publicity because he is unwilling to leave the mtns to play anyone. Just like at the summer event at Collins, after he saw a couple of losses he forfeited his remaining games. Just my opinion though

Al's schedule isn't going to cost any kid a chance to play college basketball.

[Bluecat]

"I will agree that Hazard will be the clear favorite, but not close to top 20. The mtns have a couple of teams that will sniff top 20 but they are in the 16th and 13th. Al won't come outta Hazard to play anyone and you won't be ranked by staying at home all year and the people who do the rankings are in Lex and Lville."

Heard Hazard has games scheduled against Ashland and Madison Central early in the season.

Ashland is a home game.  Central is in the "Tim Short Classic" lol--it will be a home cooking game and Central finished 10-23 last year, will not be much competition. Point is Al will not play any team that may be above average away from home. Never has never will. Toughest game will on Feb 18th. Other than that they should finish the regular season with only 2 losses and a Diet Water weak RPI

Hazard will have a tough chore defeating Ashland, I don’t care where it is played. If you recall Ashland had state champion Lyon County down by 6 or 7 points with only about 3 minutes remaining in their opening round Sweet 16 game last season before succumbing by 2 points to the Lyons. The Tomcats 6’5 shooting guard Zander Carter has committed to Liberty University who has played in the NCAA tournament recently. And they have much more talent than him.

You missed the point altogether or maybe I was vague. Ashland is one of the 2 loses I was alluding to. Carter will eat them alive. The point was that Holland will not play anyone good on the road and I don’t believe they will crack the Top 20 because of that. It’s a disservice to the kids he has that have a chance to play NAIA  that they won’t get seen nor any publicity because he is unwilling to leave the mtns to play anyone. Just like at the summer event at Collins, after he saw a couple of losses he forfeited his remaining games. Just my opinion though

Al's schedule isn't going to cost any kid a chance to play college basketball.

Nope, especially with all the summer/travel basketball these kids play now. If they are good enough they will be seen.

[P. Fanning]

"I will agree that Hazard will be the clear favorite, but not close to top 20. The mtns have a couple of teams that will sniff top 20 but they are in the 16th and 13th. Al won't come outta Hazard to play anyone and you won't be ranked by staying at home all year and the people who do the rankings are in Lex and Lville."

Heard Hazard has games scheduled against Ashland and Madison Central early in the season.

Ashland is a home game.  Central is in the "Tim Short Classic" lol--it will be a home cooking game and Central finished 10-23 last year, will not be much competition. Point is Al will not play any team that may be above average away from home. Never has never will. Toughest game will on Feb 18th. Other than that they should finish the regular season with only 2 losses and a Diet Water weak RPI

Hazard will have a tough chore defeating Ashland, I don’t care where it is played. If you recall Ashland had state champion Lyon County down by 6 or 7 points with only about 3 minutes remaining in their opening round Sweet 16 game last season before succumbing by 2 points to the Lyons. The Tomcats 6’5 shooting guard Zander Carter has committed to Liberty University who has played in the NCAA tournament recently. And they have much more talent than him.

You missed the point altogether or maybe I was vague. Ashland is one of the 2 loses I was alluding to. Carter will eat them alive. The point was that Holland will not play anyone good on the road and I don’t believe they will crack the Top 20 because of that. It’s a disservice to the kids he has that have a chance to play NAIA  that they won’t get seen nor any publicity because he is unwilling to leave the mtns to play anyone. Just like at the summer event at Collins, after he saw a couple of losses he forfeited his remaining games. Just my opinion though

Al's schedule isn't going to cost any kid a chance to play college basketball.

Exactly. Alice Lloyd isn't too far from Memorial Gym and its not too far away from Pikeville. I'm sure Scott Cornett and Tigh Compton know the way there quite well. I know Pikeville would love to have another Bulldog like Justin Hicks again one day.

[shottaker23]

Ashland is a home game.  Central is in the "Tim Short Classic" lol--it will be a home cooking game and Central finished 10-23 last year, will not be much competition. Point is Al will not play any team that may be above average away from home. Never has never will. Toughest game will on Feb 18th. Other than that they should finish the regular season with only 2 losses and a Diet Water weak RPI

Hazard will have a tough chore defeating Ashland, I don’t care where it is played. If you recall Ashland had state champion Lyon County down by 6 or 7 points with only about 3 minutes remaining in their opening round Sweet 16 game last season before succumbing by 2 points to the Lyons. The Tomcats 6’5 shooting guard Zander Carter has committed to Liberty University who has played in the NCAA tournament recently. And they have much more talent than him.

You missed the point altogether or maybe I was vague. Ashland is one of the 2 loses I was alluding to. Carter will eat them alive. The point was that Holland will not play anyone good on the road and I don’t believe they will crack the Top 20 because of that. It’s a disservice to the kids he has that have a chance to play NAIA  that they won’t get seen nor any publicity because he is unwilling to leave the mtns to play anyone. Just like at the summer event at Collins, after he saw a couple of losses he forfeited his remaining games. Just my opinion though

Al's schedule isn't going to cost any kid a chance to play college basketball.

Nope, especially with all the summer/travel basketball these kids play now. If they are good enough they will be seen.

The problem is that too my knowledge the big 3 at Hazard didn't play big travel ball(please correct me if I'm wrong, I seen a Sperry and couple of kids from the 13th in front of coaches but thats it). Going with some regional team to a couple of tournaments somewhere that there are zero coaches at does not help in any way shape or form. If kids don't play on EYBL, Adidas, or UAA its almost no chance to be seen. And Summer didn't help Hazard any when they played in the biggest event of summer at collins with over 40 programs present and they forfeited their day 2 games. Sorry but if you are playing a cupcake schedule and won't go out and play good teams away from home and you have a loaded team you are doing a disservice to your kids who have the potential to play at the next level.

---

Ashland is a home game.  Central is in the "Tim Short Classic" lol--it will be a home cooking game and Central finished 10-23 last year, will not be much competition. Point is Al will not play any team that may be above average away from home. Never has never will. Toughest game will on Feb 18th. Other than that they should finish the regular season with only 2 losses and a Diet Water weak RPI

Hazard will have a tough chore defeating Ashland, I don’t care where it is played. If you recall Ashland had state champion Lyon County down by 6 or 7 points with only about 3 minutes remaining in their opening round Sweet 16 game last season before succumbing by 2 points to the Lyons. The Tomcats 6’5 shooting guard Zander Carter has committed to Liberty University who has played in the NCAA tournament recently. And they have much more talent than him.

You missed the point altogether or maybe I was vague. Ashland is one of the 2 loses I was alluding to. Carter will eat them alive. The point was that Holland will not play anyone good on the road and I don’t believe they will crack the Top 20 because of that. It’s a disservice to the kids he has that have a chance to play NAIA  that they won’t get seen nor any publicity because he is unwilling to leave the mtns to play anyone. Just like at the summer event at Collins, after he saw a couple of losses he forfeited his remaining games. Just my opinion though

Al's schedule isn't going to cost any kid a chance to play college basketball.

Exactly. Alice Lloyd isn't too far from Memorial Gym and its not too far away from Pikeville. I'm sure Scott Cornett and Tigh Compton know the way there quite well. I know Pikeville would love to have another Bulldog like Justin Hicks again one day.

Hicks was what 2007 or 08? 16 years is a heck of drought between. You have 11 NAIA schools in Ky I believe. I just saying that Hazard has several kids who can play at the next level if they where just seen by coaches. I promise Midway for instance isn't driving to Hazard to watch em beat Jenkins by 40. And Alice Lloyd or Upike is not taking more than 1 kid from a team. Plus if you have a good team but play a dietwater schedule You aren't beating anyone at crunch time meaning at Region, which they haven't in a while. My opinion is Al hasn't played a competative Away schedule in a long time. Easy to have those 22-5 and 28-4 season when you don't go out a play anyone, sucks come region time though.

[zaga_fan]

Newsflash for people, you can send game film to coaches.
NAIA coaches aren’t just hanging out in Lexington and Louisville waiting for teams to come through.

AAU, camps, sending game film and social media are the primary ways kids get discovered. NAIA schools are mostly focused on their season and can only devote so much time to high school games.

If you want to complain about Hazard’s schedule, that’s fine. But let’s not invent arguments for the sake of arguing.

[shottaker23]

Newsflash for people, you can send game film to coaches.
NAIA coaches aren’t just hanging out in Lexington and Louisville waiting for teams to come through.

AAU, camps, sending game film and social media are the primary ways kids get discovered. NAIA schools are mostly focused on their season and can only devote so much time to high school games.

If you want to complain about Hazard’s schedule, that’s fine. But let’s not invent arguments for the sake of arguing.

Piss poor weak scheduling it is then. But if you think NAIA coaches don't recruit the better bigger schools in Lex and Lville then You need to try a different newsflash. Want to be seen, play a good schedule. Want a winning record but no tourney results play cake. But either way yes  the thread origination was about Top 20 and weak scheduling

[Jet fighter]

Don’t sleep on Leslie. Yea it’s hazard to lose and they ain’t losing, Breathitt, Perry will battle as always but do not sleep on Leslie, hearing rumors that kids are getting healthy!!

[Bigbluewarehouse]

The kids at leslie can get healthy but they are not going to compete with hazard, or breathitt an prolly pcc either. Hazard has daulton combs who can absolutely shoot the lights out but in my opinion is held back by als coaching he played for a good aau team got an offer already an doesn't shoot near enough

[Medusa]

Ah he’s got 3 other college level guys on his team dude. Only 1 ball. Al Holland is King. HS Ball isn’t AAU. Some organization in HS ball.

[CriticalThinker]

Y’all have got to stop glazing Hazard so hard. Yes they are a good basketball team, but they are not perfect. Leslie very much almost beat them at Leslie last year. There are many good ball clubs in the region and when you get tunnel vision on these pre season rankings you’re just fueling these other teams. Again, I mean no disrespect to Hazard, they are a good ball team. They deserve to be ranked 1, but don’t forget they fell short of everyone’s expectations 2 years in a row. Breathitt, Perry, Knott, and yes I even think Leslie will be in the mix of things this year.

[zaga_fan]

John has been investing in the young kids at Leslie since he got there.
The Eagles will be a formidable team, but they may have some issues with the firepower of Hazard.
Combs is a good player but he's a role player at Hazard right now and just needs to be ready to shoot if the ball comes his way.
I'm interested to see how the addition of Rydge Beverly plays out. He and Caudill are both at their best with the ball in their hands, don't know what that will end up looking like.

[HCS]

Y’all have got to stop glazing Hazard so hard. Yes they are a good basketball team, but they are not perfect. Leslie very much almost beat them at Leslie last year. There are many good ball clubs in the region and when you get tunnel vision on these pre season rankings you’re just fueling these other teams. Again, I mean no disrespect to Hazard, they are a good ball team. They deserve to be ranked 1, but don’t forget they fell short of everyone’s expectations 2 years in a row. Breathitt, Perry, Knott, and yes I even think Leslie will be in the mix of things this year.

I defended the 14th Region earlier when people were taking shots at how terrible it was. To be honest though, there aren't "many" good teams in the 14th. There are 3-4 at the most at this point. Noble has always done a great job and did all he could with them the last two years, but they aren't a contender yet. They have to prove that by beating a few good teams first.

---

Hazard was picked fourth in the 14th last year. They didn't fall short of anything.

[CriticalThinker]

Referencing the BGR rankings, they were consensus #1.

[HCS]

Coaches picked Hazard fourth in the Cats Pause. Perry was No. 1 in the preseason poll. The coaches group poll is usually about the same.
Was this poll in the preseason? If the readers pick it, no wonder it's wrong.

[Slim one]

Coaches picked Hazard fourth in the Cats Pause. Perry was No. 1 in the preseason poll.  The coaches group poll is usually about the same.
Was this poll in the preseason? If the readers pick it, no wonder it's wrong.

I suspect he’s talking about what most people in the region thought during the season when Hazard reeled off about 15 wins and only one loss in Tennessee until Breathitt beat them in overtime. Then they got back on their win streak for 10 or so straight games. Perry looked dead in the water and Breathitt had lost big to Hazard at one point.

[Bigbluewarehouse]

I think it's hazards to lose now can they become cocky and over confident and end up being beat during regions absolutely you can never count out pcc hoskins can make something out of nothing an the breathitt team ain't gonna go down without a fight it will be interesting to see how powell lee an owsley all do with new coaches I expect about the same as last year but guess only time will tell

[HCS]

Everyone has ups and downs during the course of the season. I guess they were the top team through much of the regular season, but Hazard wasn't the preseason favorite in 2024. They are in 2025 though with an experienced team that has probably learned from last year. Breathitt went through the same thing before winning two years ago.

[LOOKAYANNER]

HCS, where can I find a Catspause Magazine? I’ve been to Walmart, Sam’s Club, and Mejiers and haven’t seen any on the shelves yet.

[Medusa]

Been wondering the same thing Lookayanner. Think we may have to find some CIA or FBI agents to find out the hidden locations for the magazine.

[HCS]

I will ask the editor/publisher. I would have thought they'd be at Wal Mart and the big grocery stores.

[HCS]

Here is link to order: https://www.shopcatspause.com/product_p/2024-25bbyb.htm

Lexington has magazines at Barnes & Noble, Kentucky Branded, Joseph-Beth.

[LOOKAYANNER]

Here is link to order: https://www.shopcatspause.com/product_p/2024-25bbyb.htm

Lexington has magazines at Barnes & Noble, Kentucky Branded, Joseph-Beth.

Thanks