All A chase continues for the Dawgs

It wasn’t an easy task, by any means, but our Bulldogs dispatched their dog counterparts in the 4th Region All “A” Classic chase Monday night in The Castle.

In a down to the wire dogfight, the Bulldogs outlasted the Scotties 48-36 in a contest that finished up with a Clinton County double-digit victory, but in reality was a down to the wire finish that wasn’t decided until the final couple of minutes.

The Bulldogs, showing not only superior class on the floor but a higher degree of toughness down the stretch, held on to what was a narrow lead, and took advantage of several Glasgow mistakes, including cashing in from the line when it mattered the most.

For their efforts, the Bulldogs stayed alive in the race for the 4th Region All “A” Classic championship title, along with Metcalfe County, Cumberland County and Monroe County, all of which will now advance to the semi-final round of action on Thursday night at neighboring Cumberland County High School.

Our Dawgs will go up against Metcalfe County in the opening game Thursday night in Burkesville, with a slated 6:00 p.m. tip, followed by the Cumberland County vs. Monroe County matchup at 7:30 p.m. The championship game will be Friday night, again at Cumberland County, with an 8:00 p.m. tip.

Local fans have the opportunity to make the short 20 mile trip and show our young men in blue and white that our community is behind them and try to push them to a 4th Region Championship and another trip to Richmond next week and the All “A” Classic State Tournament.

Big win for Todd

Knowing Coach Todd Messer, he would have just as soon let this accolade slip by him, but we have to give credit where credit is due.

The 4th Region All “A” win Monday night was a milestone career victory as a head coach. Coupled with his wins while at the helm at Fleming County before he moved his family to Clinton County 14 years ago, Todd has coached his teams to the winner’s circle 300 times now.

The Monday night victory was his (by my math) 262nd win as a Clinton County boys’ head coach.

Congratulations Todd on the milestone – and thanks for continuing to teach our young men how to show class and pride for their uniform and their community every time they take the floor.

And the future looks good as well

The community basketball excitement level was on high throughout this past weekend as the 6th grade boys competed in Lexington in the Kentucky Basketball Commission’s State Tournament.

A separate article giving more particulars about the success of these young players and the way they represented Clinton County in the tournament begins on page 1 of this week’s issue, but I have to also take this opportunity to congratulate the team in this space as well.

Complete with an escort lap through Albany on their return Sunday night with a state runner-up trophy in tow, the 6th Grade Bulldogs came home to a hero’s welcome, along with their coaches. On Monday night, during the All “A” Classic contest in The Castle, local fans rose to their feet to give these young players an ovation of appreciation as they were recognized at center court.

Again, congrats to all – and the future of hoops looks good for Big Blue roundball fans!

In the meantime – I’m in the gym until March