And then there were . . . 2

Last week we put the last of the high school basketball games in the record books to close out the 2014-15 roundball season.

This year’s last game of the season saw our own regional champion, the Purples of Bowling Green, making a somewhat surprising run through the tournament brackets before falling in Sunday’s championship game 74-58 to the Owensboro Red Devils.

For many fans – yours truly included, the surprise in last week’s Sweet 16 wasn’t so much the two teams that ended up in the championship game by the time Sunday rolled around, it was those that fell by the wayside as the brackets advanced.

Namely . . . Ballard and Knott Central in the bottom side of the brackets, and Covington Catholic not making it out of the top.

As the week continued, it was kinda nice to watch Bowling Green advance – although others from Clinton County had a different opinion – knowing that one of the teams that played in the last game of the season – was the same Purples that ended Clinton County’s season on the regional level.

Made me wonder if that go-ahead shot with less than 10 minutes had rolled in rather than out, how different things would likely have been for our Bulldogs.

Leftovers – II

Leftover – again – notes from this past season of things that slipped through the cracks.

Three times in the past couple of weeks I’ve mentioned – and even made a note once – to throw some more kudos out, this time in the direction of Lady Bulldog head coach Darrell Thompson.

And three times it somehow got forgotton. As an old friend, the late Pryse Haddix used to tell me – “when you burn the cornbread, just say – you burned the cornbread”.

“I burned the cornbread” in failing to recognize Coach Thompson before now. No other excuses.

Thompson was named this year’s Region 4 Coach of the Year by the Kentucky Basketball Coaches Association and was recognized along with the other regional winners during the KHSAA girls’ Sweet 16 in Bowling Green a couple of weeks ago.

Coach Thompson has been an asset to our program in more ways than one, and I’ve told him that more than once. To his credit, not getting the recognition would have been something that wouldn’t have bothered him in the least. To him, as is the case with any good coach – it’s all about his players anyway.

Still – congratulations are certainly in order for the honor, so again – congratulations Darrell, not only on being named KABC Coach of the Year in the 4th – but on leading our Lady Dawgs on a great, fun season.

Former football coach passes

Word came while we were in Lexington last week that former Clinton County High School Bulldog head football coach Brian Thompson had passed away.

Although Thompson had become well known later in life for his community service work in the community – especially as a long-time president of the Foothills Festival Planning Committee, I first became acquainted with him in the late 1970s as the head football coach for Clinton County High School.

Thompson was the first football coach I worked with after returning home from WKU to begin my newspaper career.

Condolences to the Thompson family.

Clinton players show well

Both of Clinton County’s All-Star players left the court after the conclusion of the respective KABC East West All Star games with good performances.

During the Girls’ Sweet 16 in Bowling Green, Ansley Stalcup finished with 17 points in a 26 minute performance to help take her West team to a 104-102 win over the East team.

Last week, Keifer Dalton dropped in 10 points during 26 minutes of floor time as his West team handed out a 132-118 thumping over the East team.

Congrats to both on a nice All-Star performance.

Another high school roundball season in the books – let’s get outside for a change!

March Madness of over for our high school teams – you can call me now!