One down, one to go

As the ratings predicted, the Trinity Shamrocks stepped to center court Sunday afternoon after the championship game of the 2019 KHSAA Sweet 16 State Tournament to put their hands on the prized trophy, as well as taking possession of the coveted championship banner.

While I predicted that Scott County would emerge as the team with the last win in this 2019, Coach Billy Hicks and company came up just 11 points short of what I thought would be his third state championship.

My prediction of seeing the 4th Region representative, Warren Central, survive into the round of four did come true however.

Coach Unseld and his everchanging squad of Dragons picked up wins against Mayfield, then North Hopkins before running in to that buzz saw named Scott County on Saturday and heading back to Bowling Green with a finalist trophy in tow.

Now word comes that Sunday’s game was Hicks’ last one, announcing shortly after the championship game that there was less than a 1/10 of a percent that he would coach another basketball game.

After 40 years and looking at his dynasty in Scott County being split with a new high school, I can’t say that I’m surprised.

As far as the tournament itself goes, there was a lot of talk about Warren Central making the cut with six or seven new players they added to their roster after summer play.

But as is always the case when you are talking about programs as big as those in Bowling Green that are some of the handful that hold the KHSAA hostage, the talk will die down before November with nothing said or done from the powers that be.

On a couple of personal notes, it was a special and humbling experience Friday afternoon when I was called to center court during a ceremony hosted by the Kentucky Association of Basketball Coaches, naming me to this year’s class for its Court of Honor.

Thanks to the local Athletic Department staff for submitting my name to the KABC for this special award.

My second win of the week came when a group of us went to Drakes Restaurant Saturday to watch the UK – Florida game and grab some lunch.

While we didn’t start out being in a competition, that monster “Morning Glory” burger – at least 8 oz – with all of the works and a fried egg on top, about put both me and Coach Todd Messer down before it was over.

Had there been a trophy – it would have been in my truck when the meal was over.

So, now fans of the girls game – I am, but not planning on going this round – will head back to Rupp Arena for the first time the Girls Sweet 16 will be hosted in the big house.

Scott County still has a chance to take a championship trophy home to Georgetown, with the Lady Cards bringing a 33-1 record into the tournament.

Barren County, our 4th Region representative, with a 31-4 record, will come out of the bottom bracket, going up against 27-7 Pikeville in the opening round.

There’s still a week of high school basketball to keep up with, then it’s back to yard work (and maybe a little NCAA action).

I’m in the gym, don’t call me until April!