Musings on the 12th Annual Hoopfest

Once again an orgy of basketball occurred during the Marshall County HoopFest in Draffenville. I am sure the Fire Marshall was absent for the Saturday evening session, but he may have been the only one. Seriously, there was a large crowd (5 to 6,000?) to witness 6 games on Sat. night. Altogether there were 18 games between teams from nine states.
DeAndre Liggins – got the biggest applause when he was introduced as “committed to UK” (the next biggest hand was for Marcus Jordan, son of the man himself).

Sightings – Bruce Pearl- I heard he had been there on Fri night and all day on Sat - he seemed right at home in Reed Condor Gymnasium – Marshall Co colors are like Tennessee’s –he sent at least 452 text messages while in my sight but he did have time to catch a shirt thrown by a cheerleader (not hers). Billy Clyde arrived during the evening session – he obviously was anxious to get away from the massacre in Bloomington. His highness Michael Jordan was a no-show as far as I know, but Harrah’s Casino is close by. A contingent from Liberty U was there watching ???
Best player names: Quackenbush from Rose Hill, he also made more three’s than UK commitment Dakotah Euton; Ge-Lawn Guyn from Scott Co., also had a nice game.
Best hair: someone suggested Dakotah Euton, but my vote goes to Jorge Guiterrez of Findlay Prep & he was definitely the MVP of his game.

Host Marshall Co with no players being recruited outplayed Rose Hill with Euton, Quackenbush, and C. Jackson. Oak Hill was their usual dominating self with several highly regarded players including Brandon Jennings being the most impressive. One defender cannot guard him-Chicago Hales Franciscan, with three or four college prospects learned that first hand. Oak Hill 83, CHF 62. Scott County has some nice players (T. Portwood, Ge-Lawn Guyn, R. Phares) and should be a factor in KY as will Lex. Catholic. Scott Co lost in a close one to Chicago Whitney Young but not because of Marcus Jordan, whose best attribute on the court is surrounding himself with several good ballplayers. Lex Cath. shot better, didn’t turn the ball over and more than held their own under the basket in beating Chicago Simeon 67-56.

Players I was impressed with: Chad Jackson, 6’4 soph from Rose Hill, Joe Jackson from Memphis White Station. Kyle Cassity from Pinckneyville, IL, Brandon Jennings is the real deal, only 6’2 and 165, but a really quick slice and dice lefty) and soph Tiny (he is not at 6’9, 300 lbs) Gallon of Oak Hill, DJ Cooper (he is tiny) from Chicago Hales Franciscan, Richie (not Farmer) Phares (6’7 junior from Scott Co), Taylor Stewart (Lex Cath)

On Liggins and Euton- Liggins seemed athletic enough to become a good college player, but he certainly didn’t dominate. Through the first half he probably led his team in rebounds and handled the ball well enough. On Euton, attempted a bunch of threes and has two more years to learn to make them.

One of the best dunks during a game was by Taylor Stewart of Lex Cath- in traffic following a missed shot. He will continue to fly high at the Air Force.

Longest roster – Lex Cath – had about two dozen players and a bartender who served drinks on demand. They would have brought their full squad but the other 2/3’s was busy sacking Cory Robinson of Lone Oak in the Class 4A state championship.

Shortest roster – Findlay College Prep, NV - only seven dressed out for game – all they needed to put a whippin’ on the boys from Wheeler, Georgia. One can only guess as to the whereabouts of Findlay’s other players, but Harrahs is between Draffenville and Vegas.

Best food – great ice cream provided by the Happy Cow (a Roy Williams favorite in past years) and some good ole Western KY barbeque – that made me pretty happy. I sort of expected to see Rich Majerus in the food line but he may have been with MJ.

Next to final comment: Oak Hill will play another home game (they have played at the Marshall Co. gym many times before) against St. Benedicts (NJ) this coming Thursday night. The game will be nationally televised by ESPN. Marshall County and Graves County girls and boys will be the opening acts.

A final serious thought: The host team, Marshall Co., had more on its mind than basketball. Gunner Gillespie, the seven-year old son of Marshall Head Coach Gus Gillespie, was just recently diagnosed with cancer. As a show of support for Gunner and his family, yellow tee shirts with Gunner’s drawing of a train were worn by many in the gym and some on the court. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Gunner and family.

Posted by Lifer