West Side Story

It is a big weekend for the western portion of our great state. Possibly overshadowing the Kentucky - Indiana basketball game, Hoopfest at Marshall County High School is taking place. The event will feature some of the best high school talent in the country, as well as top college coaches, and possibly even Michael Jordan. As always, Roy Williams will be in the house, as well as Tubby Smith, Rick Pitino, and others. Billy Clyde Gillispie probably will not be in attendance due to the timing of the Indiana game; however, the University of Kentucky will be represented.

All though I have never been to it, Hoopfest holds a special interest to me. After all, I was a graduate of Marshall County High School, class of nineteen naughty-five. Believe me, the Marshall County Marshall's Can't Be Beat. Unfortunately, due to the limitless transgressions of a pre/post Nirvana teenager on the prowl in rural western Kentucky, I am not allowed to re-enter the hallowed confines of Reed Condor Gymnasium until the year 2050. Therefore, the Wildcat Blog will be sending a guest writer to the event. 'Lifer' will be there in all his glory, set to take in Kentucky commitments Dakotah Euton and DeAndre Liggins.

So, with that said, I will provide some Blue Donkey words of wisdom / suggestions / things you may not know about Marshall County if you are attending this event.

1. Match Up to See - The Marching Marshalls taking on Dakotah Euton and Chad Jackson. The Marshalls are an annual version of Rupp's Runts. Will Dakotah's golden locks be to much for the home squad? Will the Marshall cheering section do the Funky Chicken?
2. Marshall County's head coach is named Gillispie.
3. Carmello Anthony took the ACT at Marshall County High School.
4. Best place to party after the game is Idaho. If you don't know where that is, ask Don Walker - the boys soccer coach. He will tell you.
5. Best Restaurant - Mama D's in Calvert City.
6. Marshall County High School is not actually in Benton; it is in Draffenville - Recognize!
7. Biggest Question - How will the reception of Tubby Smith go?
8. Dan Langhi played for Marshall County, as did fellow future Vandy Commodores' Aaron Beth and Barry Goheen. Dan Langhi was on my little league soccer team. I also saw him order 10 tacos at Taco John's once.
9. I am from Marshall County. I am buying books this week at Marshall University. I had a childhood friend named Marshal, the Marshall County mascot is a U.S. Marshall, and the film U.S. Marshall's was filmed in Marshall County. By the way, former U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Marshall was a bad ass.
10. Keep in mind, this is God's country. So if you are looking for the devil's juice, you'll need to go to Paducah. I recommend the bar at Whaler's Catch. After that, head to the Quilting Museum - tell 'em you were sent by one mean son of a stitch.