One team closes a score book, another lives to fight another day

That’s the way it goes in Kentucky, and that’s why we love it so much.

When high school basketball tournament time rolls around, it’s a different animal than it is anywhere else in the nation.

In our roundball crazy state, it’s all in against each other when the season ends. Big schools against small schools, private schools against public schools, and may the best team (most of the time), win.

The month-long post-season tournament run got underway Monday in Kentucky, and like schools across the Commonwealth, Clinton County left that opening round with mixed results.

First – our Lady Dawgs…

After an up and down season that was once again plagued with injuries from start to finish, our Lady Dawgs bowed out of this 2016-17 campaign on Monday night with a 9-22 mark.

We headed into Monday night’s opening round district contest as a No. 4 seed, going up against a very nice Lady Laker team from Russell County that had earned the No. 1 seed position after putting together a 22-6 season going into the game.

Still, our Lady Dawgs put up a fight that certainly had Russell County Coach Craig Pippen more than nervous headed down the final stretch.

In the end, although it was a 10 point spread, the pass, pass, pass, pass game that Coach Darrell Thompson and company designed and orchestrated Monday night was exactly what had to be pulled off for the Lady Dawgs to have come away with an upset win.

But it wasn’t to be, and although hearts were heavy as our Lady Dawgs left the floor, our crowd continued to stand and cheer, showing it’s appreciation for the effort put forth on the floor. Both Monday night and during the entire year as they battled one obstacle over another – mostly in the knee region.

Heads high girls and staff – you wear our blue and white and you wore it proudly all year – and your fans are certainly appreciative of your efforts.

Thanks for a fun year from this fan who watched from just a few feet away.

Now for our Dawgs.

One goal accomplished, another goal just ahead.

We’re headed to the Regionals.

Clinton County’s 81-51 win over Metcalfe County Monday night wasn’t the prettiest of wins, despite finishing with a running clock situation and eventually leaving with the 30 point victory that closed Metcalfe County’s season out on a 0-30 mark.

Still, on a night that seemed like nothing would fall through the hoop for the Dawgs, we held the line, kept our heads and went on with the task at hand – picking up a win and living to fight another day.

That’s exactly what our Bulldogs pulled off, and come Friday night, they will again don the blue and white Clinton County uniform to head toward our next goal on this season – earning yet another 16th District Championship.

Clinton County will go up against the Tuesday night winner of the Cumberland County – Russell County first round game and if you are a basketball fan, I would certainly suggest making your way to Burkesville Friday night. Expect a battle, as is always the case when the 16th District reaches the championship round, and our Dawgs need to see a house full of blue and white fans behind them.

Then, it’s on to Bowling Green next week and the 4th Region boys’ tournament at Diddle Arena.

Coach Todd Messer and company will be leading our Dawgs into battle against the best of the 4th Region with just one single goal in mind – to win three more games and become one of the 16 teams advancing to the Sweet 16 in mid-March on the Rupp Arena floor.

While that may sound like a tough task considering the level of competition in our region this year – namely Bowling Green – I can honestly say that on the night our Bulldogs are all on their mark – there isn’t a team in this region than can take that goal out of their grips.

Just knowing that with this group of Bulldogs, it’s certainly possible that this ends up being the year, makes this run even more fun.

It’s February and tournament time is in full swing, so . . .

I’ll see you in the gym!