LOOKING BACK

I have been following the basketball Redhounds since back in the summer, watching them grow, watching them sweat, watching them develop under the watchful eyes of coach Tony Pietrowski and his assistants, Jason McDaniels and Brent West.
I have followed the Redhounds for more years than I care to think about, and this is one of my very favorite Redhound teams. I have learned to appreciate each player for their particular contributions and the head coach and his assistants for the job they do.
On Friday the ‘Hounds beat a very formidable team by downing Pineville, 81-65 then on Saturday beat a strong Cumberland team, 85-67.
This group of young men is coming together as a team and definitely is a force to be dealt with, whether it is South Laurel, Bell County, Clay County or anyone in the 13th region. The defense is tough and non-relenting and the offense is exploding from everywhere.
The leader is a young strong sophomore in Josh Crawford, who plays in spite of nagging injuries and is totally unselfish in his efforts. Crawford is simply the best player in the 13th region. From a trio of sharp shooters, a 20-point effort can come at any time in the person of Madison Johnson, Deke Barley or Josh Smith. Josh Hamlin and Isaac Wilson provide strong play from the point guard position, Inside, the ‘Hounds get an all-out effort from Clayton Sewell and freshman Aaron Manns.
From the bench comes great support in Clint Cashen, Rob Madon, Devin Rogers and a kid I feel has a lot of potential in Lee Crawford.
A lot of times we forget the contributions made by players like Luke Stewart and Justin Woods. These kids work hard the year around helping make the rest of the team better for outside competition.

How about those Kentucky Wildcats? Well, I don’t know how a team could play so poorly on offense and come so close to beating the number one team in the nation.
The Cats could not make a three point shot, could not make a free throw, could not do anything offensively, yet managed to lose by only three points.
I find the recruiting process of coach Tubby Smith’s staff very interesting. You inform Corey Brewer he is to small to play in the SEC and then offer Adam Williams a scholarship who at the time is only a sophomore in high school of rather suspect ability.
Chris Lofton is informed that he is a step slow, but the same man evaluates Bobby Perry, Sheray Thomas, Lukasz Obrzut and Shagari Alleyne as prospective SEC players. What is wrong with this picture?
I have always liked Dick Vitale, but I must admit he wore a little thin on me in Saturday evening’s broadcast of the Florida-UK game.
Vitale consistently reminded everyone of Kentucky’s inconsistency like everyone would have difficulty recognizing it. I still feel Kentucky is a good team and will finish the season well. Is Florida going to win another national championship? No!

It is Oct. 1955: Danville travels to Corbin riding a 23-game winning streak. The Admirals bring a train full of fans, which were sent home crying in their Pepsi’s as the mighty Redhounds of ’55 dismantled Danville 34-20 breaking their streak and their hearts.

It is Oct. of 1981 and the undefeated Redhounds face the undefeated Yellow Jackets of Middlesboro before a huge crowd. The Yellow Jackets win 22-13 and send me home crying in my Pepsi. My worst loss ever.

It is Nov. of 1976. Coach Archie Powers leads the Redhounds to a 7-0 win over Mayfield to capture the Kentucky Class AA State Championships.
The football ‘Hounds are working hard in the weight room and I am sure coach Steve Jewell and his staff are licking their chops in anticipation of spring practice and the upcoming 2007 season.
I see Chris Hart from time to time and he never fails to bring up the basketball team I coached and Chris played in the 80s.
Actually it was a very good church league we were involved in and we had a very good team. Local churches each had representatives in the league made up of high school age boys who did not play for their respective high schools.
The league was very competitive and served as a wonderful outreach program for the churches. I have no idea why such a program no longer exists. Chris was my point guard and our team did very well. Someone should look at reviving such a program.