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01-02-2025, 11:25 PM
Listen, Phelps is the real deal. Officials were inconsistent tonight but let them play for the most part. A really physical game which is what Prestonsburg has to get used to. They’re starting to respond to that type of play and it’s leading to wins.
Coach Smith with a masterful coaching job honestly. Game plan was solid. They’re tough and will be a tough out for anyone. I’m impressed.
Coach Smith with a masterful coaching job honestly. Game plan was solid. They’re tough and will be a tough out for anyone. I’m impressed.
01-03-2025, 12:51 AM
I was very impressed with Stewart. That kid is a baller! Phelps is legit, they’re talented and very well coached.
Crazy thing about this game is that Prestonsburg shot the ball terribly outside of Keithley and still won. They probably win this one by 20 if they were hot, but Keithley put them on his back and willed them to victory. You could tell how hard he works on his craft because when everybody else on the floor started getting jelly legs with about 4 minutes to go in the 4th qtr he kicked it up another gear and sustained that energy through both OT’s. Truly a special talent, and a special night. Glad I got to witness this one in person! Hail Blackcats!
Crazy thing about this game is that Prestonsburg shot the ball terribly outside of Keithley and still won. They probably win this one by 20 if they were hot, but Keithley put them on his back and willed them to victory. You could tell how hard he works on his craft because when everybody else on the floor started getting jelly legs with about 4 minutes to go in the 4th qtr he kicked it up another gear and sustained that energy through both OT’s. Truly a special talent, and a special night. Glad I got to witness this one in person! Hail Blackcats!
01-03-2025, 02:32 AM
Keathley is a different animal! Wow!
Will Rash be eligible soon?
Will Rash be eligible soon?
01-03-2025, 10:32 AM
Had a feeling this would be a great game and it sure didn't disappoint. Don't think the lead got any bigger than 6 points for either team the whole way, just kept trading baskets, particularly Keathley & Stewart.
Main reason I was there was to support my daughter cheering but also wanted to see Phelps play. Heard all kinds of good things about the Weddington kid. Maybe it was where he was in foul trouble the whole game, but his body language was off all night, like he didn't want to be there at all. One thing I did notice about him is that foul trouble or not, he doesn't get back on defense, several times last night both on offense & defense, he was the last player back, not knocking the kid in anyway, but that's one thing that I noticed above everything else. The potential is there for him to be a great player, maybe as the experience comes along, he will rid of those bad habits, maybe it was just an off night, but the lack of basic hustle just getting up and down the floor could be a problem. The Stewart kid couldn't be stopped last night, not sure on his point total but he had to have over 40, he was shooting some Steph Curry bombs in that first half and draining them. Pburg came out with a good adjustment defensively to start the 2nd half with a box&1 with the chaser on Stewart, made a big difference early on, I'm not sure if a decision was made to go away from it or what, Stewart hardly touched the ball when the chaser was on him, but when it switched up, he got the ball back in his hands and took over the game. Weddington ended up fouling out, he wasn't much of a difference maker in this game, but when Stewart fouled out in the OT sessions, Phelps was completely lost. Got great contributions from the Adese kid as well, his athleticism is off the charts. Overall, I think Phelps will be fine, that was a hard fought & physical game that never got out of hand, refs called a consistent game both ways. With that 3-team district, Phelps will definitely have a shot at winning it, just have to get over the hump against Pike Central.
Now for Pburg, what else is there to say that hasn't already been said? A month ago, this team couldn't play dead in a western, everyone had written them off (including me), now here we are a month later, winners of 4 in a row after losing their first 5. This is the second time I've seen them play, first being at FC, and I can just see a major difference in this team and the way they're playing. Of course we all know Keathley is going to get his, but the volume of which he is getting his is impressive, he isn't forcing the issue (as much anyways) as he has in the past, seems to be developing more trust in his teammates, but he is on a generational run right now, back to back 50 point games is something else, especially for someone in the 58th district. This team would still be lost in the water without the presence of Napier & Allen. They didn't score much last night, but they bring so much more to this team than just the ability to score, a calming presence, leadership which is what they desperately need, and they play with toughness and a sense of urgency. Also impressed by the younger players who have stepped up in this streak, the Slone & Reynolds kids both had great games last night, Slone is very active on the defensive end, love to see that. Still a lot of season left but got to give credit where credit is due to Pburg for turning things around when things were looking pretty bleak to start the season. I don't know if they can win district, but one thing is for sure is that they will compete with you and could possibly ruin someone's season come tournament time.
Main reason I was there was to support my daughter cheering but also wanted to see Phelps play. Heard all kinds of good things about the Weddington kid. Maybe it was where he was in foul trouble the whole game, but his body language was off all night, like he didn't want to be there at all. One thing I did notice about him is that foul trouble or not, he doesn't get back on defense, several times last night both on offense & defense, he was the last player back, not knocking the kid in anyway, but that's one thing that I noticed above everything else. The potential is there for him to be a great player, maybe as the experience comes along, he will rid of those bad habits, maybe it was just an off night, but the lack of basic hustle just getting up and down the floor could be a problem. The Stewart kid couldn't be stopped last night, not sure on his point total but he had to have over 40, he was shooting some Steph Curry bombs in that first half and draining them. Pburg came out with a good adjustment defensively to start the 2nd half with a box&1 with the chaser on Stewart, made a big difference early on, I'm not sure if a decision was made to go away from it or what, Stewart hardly touched the ball when the chaser was on him, but when it switched up, he got the ball back in his hands and took over the game. Weddington ended up fouling out, he wasn't much of a difference maker in this game, but when Stewart fouled out in the OT sessions, Phelps was completely lost. Got great contributions from the Adese kid as well, his athleticism is off the charts. Overall, I think Phelps will be fine, that was a hard fought & physical game that never got out of hand, refs called a consistent game both ways. With that 3-team district, Phelps will definitely have a shot at winning it, just have to get over the hump against Pike Central.
Now for Pburg, what else is there to say that hasn't already been said? A month ago, this team couldn't play dead in a western, everyone had written them off (including me), now here we are a month later, winners of 4 in a row after losing their first 5. This is the second time I've seen them play, first being at FC, and I can just see a major difference in this team and the way they're playing. Of course we all know Keathley is going to get his, but the volume of which he is getting his is impressive, he isn't forcing the issue (as much anyways) as he has in the past, seems to be developing more trust in his teammates, but he is on a generational run right now, back to back 50 point games is something else, especially for someone in the 58th district. This team would still be lost in the water without the presence of Napier & Allen. They didn't score much last night, but they bring so much more to this team than just the ability to score, a calming presence, leadership which is what they desperately need, and they play with toughness and a sense of urgency. Also impressed by the younger players who have stepped up in this streak, the Slone & Reynolds kids both had great games last night, Slone is very active on the defensive end, love to see that. Still a lot of season left but got to give credit where credit is due to Pburg for turning things around when things were looking pretty bleak to start the season. I don't know if they can win district, but one thing is for sure is that they will compete with you and could possibly ruin someone's season come tournament time.
01-03-2025, 12:56 PM
I'm thrilled to see Prestonsburg turning it around, and Keathley doing his thing, but we won't truly see how much they have improved until they play a formative team. I'm not trying to be a "negative Nancy" but outside of Stewart, Phelps didn't really impress me. You had a couple of players who looked the part, but they didn't play the part. I will say we are better now than we were a couple of weeks ago, but I am a realist and I don't want to get too excited until I see us matched up against a better product. I am ecstatic, but I don't want to be let down, as I have in the past. If we can play with Pikeville in the All A, then I am all on board, but as good as Keathley is, he can't score 50 a night, and especially against the top tier teams in the region. Hail Blackcats!
01-03-2025, 07:54 PM
(01-03-2025, 12:56 PM)Blackcat 4 Life Wrote: I'm thrilled to see Prestonsburg turning it around, and Keathley doing his thing, but we won't truly see how much they have improved until they play a formative team. I'm not trying to be a "negative Nancy" but outside of Stewart, Phelps didn't really impress me. You had a couple of players who looked the part, but they didn't play the part. I will say we are better now than we were a couple of weeks ago, but I am a realist and I don't want to get too excited until I see us matched up against a better product. I am ecstatic, but I don't want to be let down, as I have in the past. If we can play with Pikeville in the All A, then I am all on board, but as good as Keathley is, he can't score 50 a night, and especially against the top tier teams in the region. Hail Blackcats!
Phelps went into Tug Valley this week and beat the reigning state champs of WV. Phelps is good. Would likely beat many 15th region teams. Unfortunately they’ve only played Prestonsburg and East Ridge thus far in the region. We should see how good they are the next couple of weeks but I can tell you they’re good. They have size, shooting, rebounding and coaching.
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