Headed to our state’s Capitol

It’s been a few years, but we’re headed back to the All “A” State Tourney thanks to a closer than I preferred win Saturday night by our Bulldogs over the Scotties of Glasgow in the All “A” Classic 4th Region boys’ basketball tournament held here in the Lindle Castle Gym.

Saturday night’s win was a big one for our program, and a nice piece of revenge for the Big Blue after suffering that heartbreaking loss in the 4th Region tourney last year to the Scotties – a loss that kept us from going to the state level of the All “A” in that 2011-2012 season.

Looking at a little history in the All “A” Classic for our boys’ program:

Although our Lady Bulldogs have a significant history with the All “A” tourney, having captured the state championship twice (2003 and 2004) and a runner-up title (2005), our Bulldogs have only found themselves playing on the state tournament level three times, including this year’s upcoming trip, since the tournament went state-wide in 1990.

All three of those 4th Region All “A” Championship titles have come under the leadership of Coach Todd Messer – 2007 – losing in the quarter-final round, 2009 – losing in the opening round, and now in 2013.

Looking ahead at the 16 teams headed to Frankfort this week, and what the Dawgs are planning for:

Clinton County heads to Frankfort with a nice 13-6 overall record this season, faces the champions of Region 14 (53rd District), the Patriots of Knott County Central, a school making it’s first appearance in the All “A” Classic state tournament.

The Patriots will take an 18-3 record into Thursday night’s game against Clinton County.

An overview of this year’s state bracket shows Knott Central is the second highest ranked team among the 16, with Newport Central Catholic being the topped ranked. Clinton County comes in at seventh, and is the third highest ranked team in the lower group of the brackets.

All in all – our Bulldogs certainly have their work cut out for them this week in Frankfort, but realistically, their goal of reaching Sunday’s championship game is certainly very “do-able”.

One thing the Dawgs need is plenty of fan support, and with that being said, the call goes out to Big Blue fans to make the trip north to our state’s Capitol Thursday afternoon for the game that night.

A few more particulars about the upcoming All “A” appearance:

While the Bulldogs have been twice before, this will be our first trip since the event moved to Frankfort, so remember, we are headed to the Frankfort Convention Center in the old part of the city, just across the Kentucky River from the Capitol Building.

Tickets for Thursday night’s game are available locally at Clinton County High School during regular school hours at the front office and are $8. Game time Thursday night is set for 7:00 p.m. local time (Central).

Bottom line – put on the blue and head north and get behind our Bulldogs in this first game against the Patriots. Congrats to the Dawgs and the coaching and support staff on last week’s win – and as always . . .

Go Big Blue – We Are Bulldogs!

Back to .500

Another tidbit about last Saturday night’s game in the 4th Region All “A” Classic Championship.

Since records have been researched beginning in 1940, the 45-41 victory over Glasgow set the all-time Clinton County boys’ basketball record back to the .500 mark at 933-933.

When Coach Messer arrived in Clinton County seven years ago, the Bulldog overall record was behind with an 810 – 860 mark. Since that time, Clinton County has gone 123-73 under Messer, bringing us to the .500 status once again.