LOOKING BACK

 The Corbin Redhounds basketball season came to an abrupt ending last Thursday evening as they lost to Pineville in the first-round of the 13^th Region Basketball Tournament.

The Redhounds had beaten Pineville earlier in the season by 14 points. This game was a match up situation that was not favorable for the Redhounds. The Mountain Lions had two very physical players inside that the Redhounds had no answer for.

 Outstanding players

Isaac Wilson, a Redhound two years ago, made the All-KIAC Conference Team this year. I think back about eight years ago when Paul Pietrowski was telling me about a group of kids that were coming up and how he thought there were going to be special. It was fun to watch them as they grew, both in stature and in their knowledge of the game.

They were Josh Crawford, Isaac Wilson, Aaron Manns, Luke Stewart, Josh Smith, Madison Johnson, Travis Smith and Josh Hopkins to name a few. That group, coached by Tony Pietrowski and his staff won two 13^th Region championships.

As I look forward a bit, there is hope for next year. Zach Farley will be one of the better players in the region next year, and I look for Hunter Grubb, Kaleb Maguet along with Farley and Robbie Igo to provide senior leadership.

I also feel Trevor Hill, who will be a freshman, to be a big factor in the team’s success.

 Undefeated

In 1953, Cliff Hagen, Frank Ramsey and Lou Tsioropoulos led Kentucky to a 25-0 undefeated season. That has been the only undefeated team in Big Blue history. As the Wildcats enter the SEC Tournament, this 2012 team is 30-1.

This Kentucky team is the best I have ever watched play and I am not speaking of their accomplished record of wins. Their demeanor on the floor, their unassuming way of playing the game whether things are going well or not going so well.

The Wildcats are a well-oiled machine that their creator as a team,  Coach John Calipari and his coaching staff fine tune on a daily basis.

As the calendar continues to turn pages, I go back four years as Darius Miller first took the floor as a freshman. Miller was as wobbly as a colt on his first legs. The following year he was somewhat passive and unsure of himself, then his junior season, Darius bought what Coach Calipari was selling. Miller began to do what was expected of him. Darius has become a large part of a great team.

You can be sure if Kentucky wins a National title, Miller made a critical contribution.

 Third Time a charm

The championship game of the 13^th Region goes to North Laurel. The Jaguars proved it is tough to beat a good team three times.