Dawgs earn a championship title

We’ve got the first half of the holiday break behind us, and now both our Bulldogs and Lady Bulldogs are in the midst of the second half of the holiday tournament run, the post-Christmas events.

The Bulldogs sprinted to the winner’s circle of our own Twin Lakes Holiday Classic last week, picking up four wins across the visiting field, including that winner take all final game matchup over the Vikings of Louisville Valley.

Congrats to our Dawgs on a nice week of basketball.

Now the Bulldogs are out west competing in the Las Vegas Prep Classic at Las Vegas High School. I’m sure in addition to the basketball experience, the sights that are available to see in that area will make it a trip our young men will never forget.

On the girls’ side of action, playing in last week’s Lady Gator Holiday Classic at Greenwood, the Lady Dawgs had a rough week, coming home with a 0-3 tourney mark.

However, the Lady Dawgs bounced back in style in the second half of holiday tournament play, jumping right into the face of McCreary Central’s Lady Raiders on Monday afternoon for their first game of the Cumberland County Don Franklin Classic.

Jumping out to a 18-0 early lead, the Lady Dawgs dispatched McCreary Central easily, 61-40.

Next week, both teams get back to business as we return to some sort of normalcy in the schedule and head right into games just down the road at rival Pickett County, Tennessee.

Before we know it – as in January 10 – we’re at All “A” Classic time.

Congrats Todd on 300

During last week’s Bulldog hosted Twin Lakes Holiday Classic, head coach Todd Messer surpassed yet another milestone in his career as our winningest coach ever here.

The Clinton County win over Caverna last Tuesday night was his 300th victory here – a feat to be proud of, indeed.

Congrats to Todd and a sincere “thank you” for what he has done for our boys’ program up to now.

A little fun on the sidelines

Competition during tournaments can be brutally intense and that’s normal. But at other times, even though the game may be coming down to the wire, it can be fun as well.

That was the case last week during the Clinton County – Caverna matchup in the Twin Lakes Holiday Classic, when the final seconds were expiring from the game clock, with the two teams tied and the Bulldogs in possession for the game-winning last shot, Caverna Head Coach (and former Clinton County Head Lady Bulldog Coach) Blake Button looked down the court at his competitor counterpart, and simply asked “What are you going to run here” prompting Messer to look back with a big grin and the answer “I’ don’t know yet.”

The two coaches went back and forth a time or two with the conversation, giving everyone at the official table a good laugh, and even bringing a chuckle from one of the nearby game officials.

Fierce competition is good for the game, but from time to time, a light moment between friends can be what’s best for the atmosphere on the floor. Especially during the holidays.

Good luck Dawgs, Lady Dawgs and Happy New Years to all of our readers out there!