18th CFIT

Another Cumberland Falls Invitational Tournament in in the books and Dixie Heights has earned its third championship trophy in the last four years with a 71-62 win over the Corbin Redhounds.
It was a very evenly matched group of teams competing for this year’s title. The Redhounds won a hard fought game with previously undefeated Hilton Head (SC) high school before taking on Fleming County and its outstanding point guard Pressly Marshall.
Coach Tony Pietrowski made an adjustment in the third quarter to get the ball out of Marshall’s hands by trapping him with double teams at half court and full court. This was the move that won the game.
Against Hilton Head, it was the great play of Ryan Tate in support of Andrew Parks and Jordan Noble that led the ‘Hounds to victory. Tate played an outstanding floor game and scored 16 points, his season high to date.
The seniors on the Redhounds team played well in the tournament. Parks with his aggressive play, has been a real force for the ‘Hounds and Jordan Noble is a very effective go to guy and Brad Lawson is very strong around the basket and as he is in football a very physical player.
There is nothing more exciting than to watch a young player come on. In football it was Clint Cashen who was the young freshman phenom. In basketball, it is Josh Crawford, an eighth grader, that certainly gives the appearance of being the young basketball phenom. I love the way he comes up the court with his dribble low and his head up and surveying the situation as he looks to pass or avenues of penetration.
I said it about Cashen, now I say it about Crawford, this kid is special.
I also feel we have another piece to the puzzle that will fall in place with Cody Dixon that will determine just how far the Redhounds can go in March.
The 13th region as I have said in an earlier column, is wide open. Clay County is always there, but have a couple of lop-sided losses which gives you question as to how much of a threat they are.
Clay County has a win over Rockcastle County, however, I feel like Rockcastle has the best shot of winning the 13th, behind their veteran point guard Aaron Cash.
Even though they lost a couple of games in the Falls Tournament, I felt the Barbourville Tigers looked very good. The Lynn Camp Wildcats are playing well and even though Knox Central has won only won game, they may be a threat come tournament time.
Well, I guess it will all play its way to a solution in March.
As I went through the crowd to my seat, I could not help but notice the many faithful Redhound fans from many years gone by that remain ever faithful today, people like Larry Root and Harold Gant.
I also know that many follow by radio who are not able to attend the games. I say to you all, Happy New Year.