It's tournament time, and Lincoln County is on a roll. The Boys and Girls basketball teams are having great seasons. Both squads have 21 wins. I can't remember a time when the school had more success than now. Both teams sporting 1 seeds and home court advantage in the upcoming district tournament.
The coaching duo of Jeff Jackson and Don Story are doing great things with the Lincoln County basketball program. The success doesn't end there, the middle school had the most successful teams in the history of the league too. All three grades (6,7,8) went undefeated in conference play and made deep tournament runs. The 7th grade made it to the final four and the 8th advanced to the sweet sixteen. Coach Eric Ralston and his staff are doing a great job.
The Lady Pats improved their record to 21-5 last night, with a win over region foe McCreary Central. A chance for regular season win number 22 will come Friday night, when they travel down to Liberty for battle with Casey County. This is a preview of two of the better teams in the region, and a good tune up for the upcoming tournaments. The Lady Pats have the district and region tournaments on their home floor, so a sweet sixteen trip is not outside the realm of possibilities for this young Patriot squad.
The boys ran their record to 21-4 on Saturday night with nice road win against Somerset. The Pats will play their final regular season home game tonight against the Dunbar Bull Dogs.
Dunbar brings an impressive 17-6 record into Patriot Palace. They are 8-5 within their region, which is regarded as the toughest region in the state. They are currently ranked 12th in the Rating the State power rankings. Oddly enough, LC has fell out of the rankings despite winning three games this week. This will be a good game for LC heading into tournament time. Dunbar has the type of talent they will test LC and get them ready for a deep tourny run.
This is the last regular season home game for these great seniors. Everyone get out and support this kids tonight. If you can't make it to the game, 102.9 WPBK will be carrying the game live.
Pregame starting at 7:15, tipoff around 7:30.
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We have had many middle school teams in the past that are successful and talented. I think the transtion from middle school to high school is the most important for a HS program to have success. This is a pivotal time for these young kids. So many distractions will come into play once they reach high school. Hopefully these coaches can keep these kids focused on bball and not on fast cars and easy women. Only time will tell.
The most amazing thing is that the boys and girls both have lost only one game in the region.
They both happened down south. One at Wayne and the other at MCC.
Unfortunately the boys fell tonight to Dunbar 66-58. Dunbar seemed to have an advantage over them and I thought our boys played with a little fear. We stayed with them all game, but made some costly turnovers within the last 2 minutes of the game to seal the win for Dunbar.
Tonight vs. Dunbar was rough they had it going in the first quarter. However, the basket had a big steel lid on it for the second quarter and they spead up to "Dunbar speed" and Dunbar had us right where they wanted us and the "lanky light pole" threw down some nasty dunks and killed our spirits. Coach Jackson had to be angry at halftime with his players for allowing them to do this to them. In the second half we kept it close but a few costly turnovers may have been the difference also they missed a key block out late that gave Dunbar a chance to tie and eventually win.
The 6th Grade team made it to the Final Eight in their middle school state tournament.
I think LC should of went to the 2-3 zone a lot earlier than they did. They could not keep the guards from Dunbar from penetrating.
I thought the boys played timid, afraid of getting their shot blocked. With good reason, "lanky light pole" and the other bigs were swatting some shots.
You still go to go strong. The llth region is for real.
I don't get the lanky light pole comment???? We need the mountain man for his clarification skills.
You fools got smoked by da real lex-vegas schools. Yall is 0-3 against dem.
Lincoln ain't got nuthung for real
Straight up G
yall do have a few ballez though
Ryan got his thousandth point in December.
Daniel & Noah should break the thousand point mark in the Danville game.
I hope the school does something to honor the three of them. This will be the first time in school history that 3 thousand point scorers are on the same team at the same time for boys or girls.
Last night I heard that Dan was 25 points away and Noah was 29 away. Good luck guys and go Pats!
I keep saying Jerseys in the Rafters. They need a nickname. that would really get people jazzed. How about "Tri K"? or "Run DRN"?
Come on people. Jerseys??? Banners??? How about all the other 1000 pt. scorers in school history? I agree that they deserve recognition but this takes it too far. The only way this should happen if they WIN a state title. I would agree then.
What other 1,000 point scorers. On the mens side there are only 2 (I think) and one of them is Hagan Williams. And nobody in Lincoln County would alow his jersey to get hung anywhere. He moved to Casey, after Steve Simpson left. I would have no problem with hanging his jersey in the rafters if he had worked 1/2 as hard on D-Fence as he did on the offence.
I think we should honor these three, and I would go as far as retiring their jersey numbers. If they win the region again. They would be the first 1,000 point scorers to play together. & The first back to back region champions ever. THEY DESERVE IT.
Keith "Marlboro Man" Withrow is in the 1000 point club. Better recognize, he'll school you on the golf course too.
I think retireing jersey numbers is a little overboard. Unless they win a state title. The three all achieving 1000 pts in their career will be nice.
Look at it like this though. Two of the three have started for four years. Not many have had the oppurtunity to do that. That says a lot about their abilities, however it also gives them a lot more oppurtunity to score.
On average they probably have played at least thirty games a year. Over 4 years, at 30 games per year you would only need to average 8.3 pts per game.
They, collectivly, have had great careers. Retiring their #'s is overboard.
They should put the sign back up in the gym with all the 1000 pt scoreres on it, boys and girls.
I also agree, this kids should formally be nonored.
They should def be honored in some way...Keeton didn't start his freshman year, and Young missed 8 to 9 games that year with illness
jerseys in the rafters is ABSURD, if they win a state title maybe. Good post by BB..from the lack of what was available in earlier years they have had more opportunity to play than many others ever will. I'm not taking anything away from them at all, but a couple of years ago Dan had plays ran to him every set, if you get 17 shots you should be able to score some. Keith did it in 3 basically, and hagan did it in 2.
Ralston had mono and missed 8 or 9 games his Sophmore year
Hagan and Keith both played as Freshman. Hagan did it in 2 years. But he averaged over 25 shots a game those 2 years.
Withrow played a lot as a freshman, so he did it over 4 years, just like Daniel, Ryan, & Noah. (Noah didn't start as a freshman, but he did get a lot of minutes toward the end of the season, made all district I think).
If you notice, I said two of them have practically started for four years. Ralston and Young. And I am not taking anything from those two by saying that. Just pointing out it is easier to score 1000 pts if you have four years to do it.
Keeton getting a thousand is the most impressive. He is going to do it in a lot less playing time. I have always thought is was the most prolefic scorer of the three.
Dan is the ultimate "team player", Young is the general and Keeton is the shooter.
ha I like the "team player" comment. In other words average.
BB, to me, you are doing exactly what you tell others on this board not to do...
You are being negative. Why not retire their numbers. Because it has never been done? Well lets start.
I don't think we should put the thousand point scorers back up on the wall so we don't have to see Hagan's name up there. I think you guys need to understand that these kids have made more contribution to the basketball program at LC than any others. That is why they should be honored. They have been successful at every level. If they make it to the state tourney this year again that should be enough to retire the jerseys. How many freshman are ready to play as freshman???
VERY FEW.
Ryan, Daniel, & Noah are special. LC needs to recognize it. But they can't dunk, and they don't run a 4.2 fourty so nobody is impressed. You need to recheck your standards of greatness.
Around here winning the region and going to the state tournament makes you great. And we have done it on their backs. Possibely 2 years in row.
How have I been negative? I have said they are great over and over again. Go back and look before you judge me. I have no ties to the school and have seen those three kids play more than anyone aside from their parents.
Calling Dan a team player is not degrading him. He guards people bigger than him, doesn't force shots etc. Not bashing him at all.
The three are good players. I would not give them all the credit for last year. Miller, Calhoun and Overstreet were keys too last year.
I agree they should be honered, but not have their jersey retired.
BB is not being negative. I agree they should be honored, but jerseys being retired may be stretching it. They have had the luxury of playing for most of 4 years. I think they deserved it though. They are rewarding the coach and the county for playing them for four years now.
I mean there is nothing negative about what he is saying. Yes they have done a good job, but they wouldn't be there like he said without miller and co. and same this year without spurlin. And what did Hagan ever do? He just played and did what he was told, its not like he wasn't a good shooter and honestly probably better than these three. We should retire jersey's because that is rediculous. I dont see Boyle County retire Derick Springates jersey..He had 2,000 pts and went to back to back state tourneys and it was mainly because of him. He couldn't dunk or wasn't that athletic but he is argueably one of the best basketball players to every play in this area because of what he brought to the table fundamentally and competivley. They didn't retire his jersey because thats stupid.
sorry for my typo above i meant shouldn't not should.
BB your information is incorrect again. Young did not start his frosh year. Kelly Reed had the starting position until right up to the District tourny time. Which LC lost in the first round. That year Dan had every play run to him. When you get 17 or 18 shots at the goal you are going to hit some.
Congrats to all three for reaching 1000 points.
You contradicted yourself. Either Young started or he didn't. You said BB gave incorrect information. Then you said Young did start his freshman year. Make your mind up.
Dan Ralston never shot 18 times in two games. I don't know who you were watching. Young started over Reed because he was a better.
I dont know who either of you are..but he didn't shoot 18 times in two games, it was one.
I say again, Jerseys in the rafters and we need a nickname for these guys. come on we have to have it before we invade rupp.
give us some thoughts.
oh, and forget hagan williams. he was not good enough as a freshman to play varsity. i went to every game. trust me he was not physically capable of playing and being effective.
Actually Young did start his freshman year. You said so yourself, so I is that incorrect information.
Yes LC did lose in the first round of the district that year, but I don't think that surprised anyone. They were young and building for the future. I think they were 6-20 going into that game. So what makes you think a late season lineup change cost them a district tournament win?
you wildcat fans are nutso about a nickname...cardiac cats, comeback cats, rupp's runts, crazy cuddly cats, i laugh every year to see what the new great awesome nickname of the year will be........that being said.....go BLUE DEVILS
Some games of interest last night. Bryan Station, a team LC played down to the wire early this season, beat Mascon Co. 65-54 last night.
Another team LC played (and beat badly) Madison Central, took Scott County to OT last night before losing 83-77. It is nice to see how LC has held their own with the elite teams in the state this year.
It must have worked out for them, the change to Young, that is. He was a major part in taking LC to the Sweet 16 last year, and we are on pace to get there again.
As for Daniel, I have never seen him shoot the ball 17 or 18 times in a game in 4 years. And yes, I have been to at least 80% of the games over the last 4 years. Not just home games.
Daniel Ralston, Noah Keeton, Ryan Young, and Coach Jackson will be featured on the ball report on channel 27 today at 11:30am. Tune in and check out our Patriots.
Yes,Young did start his freshman year. He only missed two weeks whem he had mono. About the jerseys being retired, I dont' believe that will happen. I do believe that they should place a banner with everyone's name on it that has scored 1000 points. This is an honor no matter how many years you have to complete it. I hope all 3 of these young men remember how special these four years have been to our community. They all are talented in their own way and I hope they all ahve successful college careers.
have they made any college decisions? Obviously its going to be NAIA or Division 3 level but doesn anyone know?
They haven't made any decisions yet. Ralston isn't going to college... Young & Keaton are being looked at by several local schools... i.e. Asberry, Centre, Trasy, Berea, etc... & a few bigger schools (no reason to name them, as it will only stir up the naysayers on here).
Dan will be playing his last game when Lincoln's season ends. It has been great to watch him play and excel in his time in HS. He is a great young man. He gets so much out of his game considering his athletic ablility. He plays the way most guys wish they could who aren't blessed with great athletic ability. He's an outstanding young man off the court as well.
Of the remaining two, I really think Keeton will be the better college player. He will be a much better scorer than Ryan in college because of his shooting ability. Ryan will not be able to get to the rim in college like he has in HS. If he were a better shooter, he obviously would be much more attractive to bigger schools.
I'm not sold on Ryan even playing college basketball. I really think he would be best suited playing baseball at that level. It's awesome that he is good enough to be considered for the 3 main sports at that level. I don't think he has enough speed or size to play DB or WR in football at the next level. I think he could cause alof of problems on the basepaths for opposing pitchers and he can cover alot of ground in the outfield. I think that's his sport.
Go ahead, disagree with me. That's what makes this fun. I may even agree with you on a thing or two.
I know for a fact that Young has visited Transy, Centre, Berea,Linsdey Wilson for Basketball and Campbellsville for football and Georgetown called about football and Union. He will just have to see what the best offer is for him. He will have to decide what is best for his future.
Good thing you are not a college caoch because Young would not have a chance with you but there is some coach out there that will take a young man that has a lot of heart and talent to win many games for his team... Also, by the way Young is the leading scorer on the basketball team. He is the leading 3-point shooter percentage wise on the team. Just check the stats.
I'm not questioning his heart or talent. I'm saying he would fair better playing baseball in college than he would the other two sports. It's a good thing you don't teach spelling.
He may have the best 3 point percentage. Are you saying that's who you want shooting the 3 if the games on the line? He shoots the better percentage because he doesn't shoot as many as Keeton or Ralston. He's the leading scorer because he's unstoppable when he wants to go to the rim. I'm saying he will not have as much success at that in college. He could be a good college basketball player at the NAIA level. He could be an even better baseball player.
I don't know how well he plays baseball because baseball in this county does not get the respect that it deserves. Young is a different type of player than Keeton. Are you saying in coach that they do not need point guards? Someone has to get the ball up the court see the floor and make good assists and run the team in other words be the "General"as someone said eariler. I know Keeton is a three point shooter but you do not know if Young can not play college ball. By the way did you ever play ball? What was your position? Did you get a ball scholarship to play? We should hope that they all get college scholarships and not talk so negative about 18 year old boys.
You're an idiot. I said I thought he would be a better baseball player at the college level than he would the other two sports. Period. Baseball not getting the respect it deserves in LC (as you say) has nothing to do with his ability to play baseball.
College basketball teams do need a point guard. Ideally, they have one who is also an excellent outside shooter. He's no Rondo. He is an excellent HS basketball player. Period. I'm sure you were too. You're obviously a Division 1 coach or possibly a pro scout.
I haven't said anyhting negative about any 18 year old kids unless you're 18. You just don't like anyone disagreeing with you. You must be the same guy who wants to retire jerseys.
Keep it civil, no name calling.
They are both Patriots, that is the bottom line.
They are also both good kids. I think Ryan would be good at whatever he wants to do. It is nice to have options in this world. But I would think his best sport is Football. I think he had D-1 speed. Whatever he decides to do, I wish him well.
As for Keaton I wish him all the best too. I just hope more colleges start recognizing his talent.
Great point. I'm the same guy who said baseball would be his best sport in college, but regardless of what he chooses, he will do well. For someone to suggest that I was in any way putting down a kid like Ryan really gets under my skin. He is a great kid and a great leader. They will both do really well at whatever. It's a great dilemma for a kid to have at this point in his life.....Let's see, what sport do I like the most? If only all kids were fortunate enough to have to make the same kind of choice.
The good thing about these 3 kids ( Ralston, Keeton and Young ) are that they are best friends. They have never been jealous of each other. Way back when we started the Lightning team when they were 10 year olds we had a saying that we built that team on and they have remembered it for the most part. The saying is from John Wooden who was a pretty good coach and motivator, who had a world of talent. He said "It is amazing how much you can accomplish if nobody cares who gets the credit". I wish I could have lived by that a little more during my 4 years of being a high school sports parent and I probably wouldn't have the gray hairs that I have.
Every parent wants their kid to be the one that gets the credit and the recognition, I think that is just human nature. But sometimes you have to step back and realize that acheiving team goals and team wins prepare kids for life much more than stats.
You guys can compare Ryan, Noah and Daniel all you want because they really don't compare each other, they just want to win.
133-29 AAU, 10 year old YBOA state champions, 56-1 8th Grade Year 12th Region Champs, Knights of Columbus Champion, 45 wins so far in their JR and SR year ( they won 6 their freshman year). I think the proof is in the pudding they just want to win.
Young can def shoot the ball well enough to play a pretty high level in basketball...I know he shot 500 to 600 shots a day this summer. Thats why it hard to bash a kid who will work that hard for himself and his team
BUBBLE OR NUTTIN baby
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