TURNOVERS

by Alan B. Gibson

A great season comes to an end

Ask the so-called experts – such as the Lexington Herald Leader’s Dave Cantrell, who had Glasgow rated seven points ahead of Clinton, or the Courier Journal Litkenhous rating service that posted Glasgow less than one-tenth of one rating point ahead of our Bulldogs in the final regional rankings, and they will tell you that last Thursday night’s overtime loss to the Scotties is exactly how this season should have ended. After all, Glasgow was the higher rated team.

I just can’t accept that – but looking at the final score, and the fact that Clinton County didn’t travel to Bowling Green Monday night for semi-final action, then I guess that’s the way it went down.

Still, I have to say one more time – this one was one of the best, most exciting, most satisfying and most fun basketball seasons I’ve had in the 34 seasons that I’ve been doing this.

Was it this group of young men who just seemed to have fun every time they put on the blue and white uniform? Was it the coaching staff, which in my opinion is the absolute best, top to bottom, that we’ve ever had on the bench? Was it the parents, who for the most part, wanted what was best for the team and for a pleasant change not so much individual accolades? Was it the adult fans who filled the gym night in and night out, never giving up on this group of players from the opening tip through all of those 24 wins, and yes, even those seven losses? Or was it those student fans who grew in numbers from the start of the season from just a few, to what would best be described as a “throng” by the end of the year, lining the path on both sides as their Bulldogs emerged every night from the dressing room?

Yes – it was – all of the above rolled into a combination that resulted in a year for Clinton County fans to cherish and remember for a long time.

But, if I had to go to one single thing that seemed to make this season one of the best I can remember, I’d have to stick with my first offering – this group of young men wearing the blue and white uniform were the most focused, most determined, closest knit and over all most fun than any team we’ve put on the floor in a long, long time.

They walked into the gym with a sense of pride that was evident to everyone else there. They conducted themselves in a manner that made me proud to be associated with them. They left everything they had on the floor every time they laced up their shoes.

Just how close-knit was this team? After the OT loss to Glasgow on Thursday, rather than the common practice of riding home with parents, the entire team boarded the Clinton County bus and made one last trip together back to home turf.

That’s close-knit! That’s a team! That’s the true sign of a winner!

Sure, on Thursday night, we were one point short of going on, and I still say that a win on Thursday would have seen us playing on Tuesday. I watched Monday night’s games in the 4th semis – Russell vs. Bowling Green and Glasgow vs. Warren Central – and although three of those four were rated out in front of Clinton County – on most nights, our Bulldogs would have picked up a win against any of those teams in the semis.

Just not on last Thursday night. Wasn’t meant to be. Ball wouldn’t fall through and Glasgow’s misses came off way too hard and out of reach of Bulldog hands.

That’s just the way the ball bounces – on a bad night.

Yep, this one’s been a tough one to close out – but we go on and for the next couple of weeks, enjoy the final games in the two Sweet 16s that will close out this roundball season.

Then, come November, we’ll gather again in the Lindle Castle Gymnasium for the kickoff of yet another basketball campaign in Clinton County. Some years I’ve seriously considered handing off that P.A. microphone and stepping back – letting someone else have that duty. That usually follows a season that wasn’t much fun – for whatever reason.

I can tell you this right now, though. After being around this group that took us on this ride for the 2011-12 season and made it such a fun and memorable journey – the good Lord willing and at the invitation again of the school administration, I’ll be there this coming November.

Thanks guys – and staff – and parents – and fans – what a great season!

It’s March in Kentucky – and I’m busy, don’t call me until April.