Bass-keet-ball Time in the Bluegrass!

It is bass-keet-ball time in the Bluegrass!...as Oscar Combs from the UK Broadcast Team would say. I love starting the Blog with these words each season as the SK hoop teams get a chance to put on their real uniforms (new Jordan ones I might add) and a chance to play someone other than their teammates.


The SK boys team would get to take center stage first this year as the 10th Region touted Harrison County Thoroughbreds would make their way north from the land of JoeB. Harrison comes into the game with a 10th Region ranking of second while the Neer boys tip off the season with an 8th Region ranking of 6th. These rankings are according to the Lexington Herald Leader.

The one thing that was apparent from the first time I saw this team this year; they are pretty small. That is compounded by the fact that Coach Steiner lost the three leading rebounders from last year’s season to graduation. What the Neer boys lack in vertical size, they seem to make up for in getting after it on the defense as the team showed a high energy trapping defense early on in the game. SK looked like they were going to blow the Thoroughbreds out early on as SK sprinted out to a 13 point lead. The Breds capitalized on baseball baseline to baseline passes for some quick hitting points and were able to get the first half lead down to single digits, 40-32 at the intermission. Cody Chambers was red hot and posted 17 first half points.

SK didn’t seem to have the same intensity in the third quarter as the Breds actually came back and tied the game. Riley Barnes would hit a couple of big 3’s down the stretch and SK would take a 52-49 lead into the final stanza. The Neers went into a pass and cut offense with about 4 minutes to go in the game; wasn’t a true stall but it was clear that they weren’t looking for their shot. They did chew up a bunch of clock and Nick Ayers was able to get a put-back to extend the Neer lead to 4 with less than a minute. Harrison would go down and get a bucket off an inbounds play to draw within a two point bucket. SK would then turn the ball over with about 28 seconds to go. The Breds would get off a three pointer at the buzzer that would draw rim but not fall. SK wins 63-61. Chambers would lead all scorers with 23 points while Monson, Sampson and Barnes would all put 9 on the board.

The girls team will get their chance to tip off for real on Friday night as they host Grant County in an early 32nd District match-up.

Coaching by numbers.


Chambers with a deep second half trey.


Swanny modeling the new capri style Jordan uni's.

 
Sampson with a nifty save keeping his dribble alive.

 
Coach reacts to an unforced TO.

 
Barnes drew two 5 second closely guarded balls calls against the Breds.