Big Blue advances – X2

As I write this column this week we’re in full All ‘A’ Classic mode in these parts of the state, following a pair of wins posted on Monday night by our Lady Bulldogs and Bulldogs over on the other side of the 4th Region in Elkton.

Both teams picked up relatively easy wins over their opponents at Todd County High, the girls with a 70-51 victory and the boys a 79-43 win.

At press time Tuesday morning, both teams are gearing up for semi-final games in this All ‘A’ regional just across the river in Cumberland County.

For our local readers who pick up the NEWS Wednesday on the local stands, we’re heading to Burkesville Wednesday night for a girls’ varsity lineup against Cumberland County in the night cap of a two-game lineup.

The Lady Dawgs and Lady Panthers will tip off at about 7:30 p.m., following the opening game between Monroe County and Glasgow girls teams.

On Thursday night, the action moves to the boys’ varsity division with a couple of games, again at Cumberland County, in All ‘A’ semi-final competition.

Our Bulldogs will also be facing Cumberland County at Burkesville, in the second game of the night, with tip-off to be around 7:45 p.m. The opening game of boys’ varsity play on Thursday is also a semi-final round matchup between Glasgow and the Falcons of Monroe County with a 6:00 p.m. tip-off scheduled.

On Friday night, the championship games are set to be played, but until these next semi-final rounds are finished, we can’t yet determine where those championship games will be played.

Of course we’re hoping to see both Clinton County squads playing for the 4th Region championships on Friday night with the goal being to advance to the upcoming All ‘A’ State Tournament in Frankfort January 28 – February 1.

Not trying to get ahead of myself here, but it’s always good to be looking ahead at least a little bit

The hope of advancing for any of the 4th Region teams still alive after Monday night’s opening round – Clinton County included, would send the two championship squads to Frankfort next week.

The 4th Region girls’ champion will be working through the statewide brackets from the top side and would be facing the Region 11 champion (Lexington – Frankfort area) in an opening round game on Wednesday, January 28, at 12:00 noon central time.

The 4th Region boys’ champion would be coming through the state brackets from the bottom side and would be looking at a state opening round game against the Region 1 champion (Murray – Hickman County area) on Thursday night at 7:00 p.m. central time.

The state All ‘A’ Classic tournament is once again going to be held in Frankfort in the Frankfort Convention Center.

Tip-off time change at South Warren

Another schedule lineup (slight) change to note. According to CCHS Athletic Director Mike Beard, a starting time change should be noted for the February 16 game in Bowling Green against South Warren. The JV tip has been moved up an hour and will now have a 5:00 p.m. start, meaning the varsity game would begin at about 6:30.

Additional reminders are again that the January 30 home double-header night against ACSHS will be the annual “pink-out” night in recognition of cancer survivors and featuring fundraising events to benefit cancer research.

Also on February 6, when we host Glasgow, plan on a little extra time before getting home that night – the annual Basketball Sweetheart festivities will be held then.

Congrats on some big ‘2’ numbers that went up

Congratulations are in order for a couple of achievements that were observed in the past couple of outings involving the number “2”

Head Bulldog Basketball Coach Todd Messer, with the Clinton County win over Cumberland County last week, earned his 200th win as a varsity coach. With Monday night’s victory over the Todd County Rebels, Coach Messer now has 202 career wins, 165 of which have been earned in Clinton County.

Bulldog leading scorer Keifer Dalton continues to add points to his grand total and on Monday night against the Rebels, he stretched that total out to the 2000 point mark, becoming the first ever Bulldog to reach that milestone.

Congrats to both are certainly in order.