Pike County Holiday Classic

[Coach Kelley]

Soccerfix...not sure what you're getting at...but I was complimenting Waverly and their team and coaches. I believe they have one of the toughest schedules around, and they are better than 1-5 team. I will be the first to tell you Piketon has to get better, but Im happy for our players and Piketon fans. We play one game at a time, so we will focus now on Unioto. Our goal is state tourney, and if we get better, we have the same chances as any other school. Good luck the rest of season to all pike county teams!

[lebasketball22]

Not to take away from any of the players who made the all tournament team but how do you justify not recognizing Harrison Martin within that group. He seems to be the most valuable player to any team that played in the classic. He is a leader, a point guard, a center, a great all around player.

[tap in bogey]

Keep it classy, soccerfix. Everyone else seems to be doing a good job of that.

A hard played game by two teams that wanted it badly. I'm not surprised at the rebounding margin as it was obvious from the cheap seats that Waverly had a huge advantage. Brush going to the bench in foul trouble added to that but the Tigers were already getting the best of the boards before then.

This was a big win for the Streaks and now it's time to focus on the league schedule for a while now. And best of luck to Waverly through the remainder of the season as there are some positives to take away from this game tonight.

[tap in bogey]

Not to take away from any of the players who made the all tournament team but how do you justify not recognizing Harrison Martin within that group. He seems to be the most valuable player to any team that played in the classic. He is a leader, a point guard, a center, a great all around player.

Good question. Unfortunately, it's one of those situations where not everything in life is fair. Was he one of the five best players in the tournament? No doubt about it. At worst, probably third best in the county. But the tournament is set up for two players on the winning team to make the all-tourney team and only one player from each of the other three schools make it. Since Kretzer had such a phenomenal (sp?) game tonight, he was chosen. Too bad for Harrison but I am sure he will move on from this to the next game.

[Hoggy]

Congrats to Piketon on the County Championship.

[chef_piketon]

What a game. The Chef "stewed" that the game would give The Chef more heartburn than eating 2 day old gravy and it did. The Chef is told that Piketon and Waverly have been fighting it out since the county court house was moved and haven't stopped. As a fan, The Chef would love to see this type of game any day over lopsided ones just not sure the players and coaches could stand it. Both teams were exhausted from the play and the heat.

The Chef thought both teams gave it all they had in a very good sportsmanship game. Good Luck to Waverly as they have an excellent team. What a team Piketon and Waverly would be if these two close rivals were on the same team. That would be incredible.

Good luck to all Pike County teams.

The Chef knows the Piketon gym is The Oven for the obvious reasons. But Waverly's could be called the Inferno as The Chef about cooked from the heat sitting up in the cheap seats. Shed the big white hat about half time. Get that many people in one place with all the hot air of breathing and sitting close and the body heat alone raised the temperature. Massive crowd.

The Chef wants to add great music selection with the jazz band. It was a good choice. Now that is The Chef's kind of music instead of music which The Chef can't even understand.

[LIGHTSOUT]

Just a question - who picks the all tournament team??

[Lightle04]

I think it's the sports writers that set at the scorers table but not for sure.

[SOCFAN1430]

Coaches select all tournament team, they have for as long as i can remember. Any other night Martin would have made it but Kretzer was the best player on the floor last night, i bet he had 20 rebounds to go along with 34pts. Evan Legg is the best shooter in the county, especially from the FT line. I was very impressed with the Lightle kid from Western, youngest player selected. Jordan Thornsberry played pretty well in both games, 16 against Waverly. So did Dakota Hawks for Eastern. He easily could have made all tourney team. Had 19 last night and 8 against Waverly, gave Waverly guards all kinds of trouble whether on the ball or getting in passing lanes on the wing he played very well.

And Game Point there are no sports writers at the scorers table, there are book people from both teams a clock guy and a pa guy. Sports writer Julie Billings is under the baskets on both ends taking great pictures and keeping stats.

[TAZ]

bengalfan76,

Obviosly you weren't at the first game each night. But if you were you should have paid a little more attention before you start talking trash about Western and Eastern fans. During our game on both nights, half of Westerns fans had to sit at the top because the bottom was half full of Waverly fans. I also noticed a lot of red on the bottom of the other side! Now I understand you wanting to come early to get a good seat for the BIG game following the UNIMPORTANT game(I'm sure that's what most of you were thinking.) But how can you bash our fans for doing something that your fans did too? Maybe that's why they didn't move for you. Our game is just as important to us as your game is to you! If you want courtesy then give courtesy. Stay at the top until it's your turn!

[smurray]

What a great game and tournament. Hawhee's Palace was rocking last night as two heavyweights pounded on each other. When it was all said and done each team had left it all on the floor and the Redstreaks escaped with a 1 point win. After a 1-4 start on the season, losing games we know the Tigers should have won, no-one knew what to expect from the Tigers of Waverly. They showed heart and something last night every Waverly fan has been waiting for. You can't relive the past but I'm sure everyone in attendance will agree if Waverly had played like that in their previous games they would have easily been 4-1, maybe 5-0 entering last nights contest. Even though a loss, Waverly MUST build from last night. A loss is painful but last nights loss is much different than the previous losses. Washington Court House, Valley and Burg are all games Waverly had won and felt we were the better team on the floor. The way the Tigers lost those games leaves one dejected and searching for answers. Last night we saw something different. We saw a Waverly Tiger team who clawed and fought the entire game, not throwing in the towel when they were down 10 with 2:20 to play (60-50). We saw a Waverly Tiger team playing with great heart, determination and pride - something this group needs to build on. Get some rest, heal up and get ready for the mighty Minford Falcons coming to the Palace next Tuesday.


CLARIFICATIONS:

Waverly missed 9 FT's (4 in the 4th) while making 14. Piketon missed 12 (5 in the 4th) while making 15. Legg made good on 8 FT's in the 4th). Piketon shot 27 FT's while Waverly shot 23 and Piketon wins by making 1 more than Waverly.

I had Piketon with 7 threes (Legg 4) and Waverly with 3. That's a 4 point difference if they're two pointers. 3 of Legg's treys were in the 1st period and Waverly did a much better job defending the 3 in the 2nd half (only one by Mooore). Waverly has to start defending the 3 like they did in the 2nd half of last nights game.

The All Tournament team is selected by the respective coach. One from each team with the championship team getting two, including the MVP. Western coaches selected their player, Eastern coaches selected theirs and so on. As was said about Martin, he deserved to be on the team, but Waverly can only select one and what Krezter did last night in addition to 12 points against Eastern he was the obvious choice. Martin played big last night with 23 points and everything else he does but Kretzer had a MONSTER night with 23 points in the 2nd half. Martin was no doubt one of the best 3 players. Moore could have joined Legg on the team, but Helton was selected for his defense. As was mentioned, Hawks could have made the team for Eastern as could have Chad Lands, but you only get one.

I echo the chef's kudos to the Waverly High School Jazz Band, not to be mistaken for the Pep Band. It's all a preference in music I guess but I very much enjoyed their music and it wasn't overpowering. VERY NICE JOB!

A HUGE thanks needs to go out to Athletic Director Bo Arnett as well for all the work he does in putting this tournament together. I know there are many, many others behind the scenes and what a job they do with this tournament, THE BEST AROUND!

[JIMMY THE GREEK]

Great game by both teams, great game plan by both coaches. The kids decided the outcome on the floor...you couldn't ask for a better epic battle between two rivals. Records doesn't mean anything in this tournament...(check the History). I thought the officials were pretty consistent...(always the human element of missing a few or questionable judgment) but they were good officials. Kretzer, Martin, and Legg proved why they're among the top skill level players in Southern Ohio. This was a good indicator for how the blow out games for Piketon this year is hurting the starters. I say...if you have to score a hundred every game so be it, but playing starters for one quarter and a couple of minutes to keep from hurting feelings is a double edged sword. I say give them three quarters of game time, just take the press off and work on your zone defenses and half court offenses in blow out games. Just my opinion being a "Grandstand coach" or "Monday Morning QB"
Love my Streaks!

[eagles73Taylor]

Great win Streaks! Hard fought game, Waverly owned the boards, Piketon made the free throws down the stretch!

[bengalfan76]

bengalfan76,

Obviosly you weren't at the first game each night. But if you were you should have paid a little more attention before you start talking trash about Western and Eastern fans. During our game on both nights, half of Westerns fans had to sit at the top because the bottom was half full of Waverly fans. I also noticed a lot of red on the bottom of the other side! Now I understand you wanting to come early to get a good seat for the BIG game following the UNIMPORTANT game(I'm sure that's what most of you were thinking.) But how can you bash our fans for doing something that your fans did too? Maybe that's why they didn't move for you. Our game is just as important to us as your game is to you! If you want courtesy then give courtesy. Stay at the top until it's your turn!

Taz I did exactly what you said. I walked into Hawhee made a left and went upstairs until it was time for Western/Eastern game to be over. No I was not there to see Tuesday games. I was busy.lol

[Eaglesnest]

Congrats to the Streaks on being county champs. For them to have a shot at advancing to the regionals, they will need to do better in the half court and manage the clock better in close games (shooting 3's while up 5 or 6 in the closing minutes can get you beat.) That being said, the Streaks have all the pieces to make a great run.

Waverly played with heart and Kretzer played very well (scoring 34)and Martin does not get enough credit IMHO. The Eagles should hold their head high as well holding martin and Kretzer to a combined 24 I believe in their game.

I hope Waverly gets it together (1-5 and could easily be 0-6 as they barely escaped the Eagles beating them by 3)and makes some noise in D2. The Streaks certainly can in D3 and if the eagles can start shooting the ball better from the perimeter they can make some noise in D4.

Good luck to all schools

[Tigers24]

Congrats to the Streaks on being county champs. For them to have a shot at advancing to the regionals, they will need to do better in the half court and manage the clock better in close games (shooting 3's while up 5 or 6 in the closing minutes can get you beat.) That being said, the Streaks have all the pieces to make a great run.

Waverly played with heart and Kretzer played very well (scoring 34)and Martin does not get enough credit IMHO. The Eagles should hold their head high as well holding martin and Kretzer to a combined 24 I believe in their game.

I hope Waverly gets it together (1-5 and could easily be 0-6 as they barely escaped the Eagles beating them by 3)and makes some noise in D2. The Streaks certainly can in D3 and if the eagles can start shooting the ball better from the perimeter they can make some noise in D4.

Good luck to all schools

Just for the record it would be impossible for Waverly to be 0-6. If we would have lost to Eastern, we would have beaten Western. Still 1-5 no matter which way it went Tuesday.

[Eaglesnest]

Congrats to the Streaks on being county champs. For them to have a shot at advancing to the regionals, they will need to do better in the half court and manage the clock better in close games (shooting 3's while up 5 or 6 in the closing minutes can get you beat.) That being said, the Streaks have all the pieces to make a great run.

Waverly played with heart and Kretzer played very well (scoring 34)and Martin does not get enough credit IMHO. The Eagles should hold their head high as well holding martin and Kretzer to a combined 24 I believe in their game.

I hope Waverly gets it together (1-5 and could easily be 0-6 as they barely escaped the Eagles beating them by 3)and makes some noise in D2. The Streaks certainly can in D3 and if the eagles can start shooting the ball better from the perimeter they can make some noise in D4.

Good luck to all schools

Just for the record it would be impossible for Waverly to be 0-6. If we would have lost to Eastern, we would have beaten Western. Still 1-5 no matter which way it went Tuesday.

Good point..my bad on the math :12223

[bengalfan76]

OK Pike CO Tourney/ Waverly Classic is over now time to revert back to Pike Co Fan. Hope that Eastern and Waverly have a huge tourney run. Also Hope to see Western turn it around.

[TAZ]

bengalfan76, I'm sure you did do the right thing as did I. My family and I moved to the top after the game without hesitation. Unfortunetly you have those that don't do the right thing. Just wanted to clear up that it wasn't just the east and west side, it was county wide. Also it could have been that some of those who were invading others spaces had family or friends on that team. Not really fair to judge when you don't know the situation.

bengalfan76,

Obviosly you weren't at the first game each night. But if you were you should have paid a little more attention before you start talking trash about Western and Eastern fans. During our game on both nights, half of Westerns fans had to sit at the top because the bottom was half full of Waverly fans. I also noticed a lot of red on the bottom of the other side! Now I understand you wanting to come early to get a good seat for the BIG game following the UNIMPORTANT game(I'm sure that's what most of you were thinking.) But how can you bash our fans for doing something that your fans did too? Maybe that's why they didn't move for you. Our game is just as important to us as your game is to you! If you want courtesy then give courtesy. Stay at the top until it's your turn!

Taz I did exactly what you said. I walked into Hawhee made a left and went upstairs until it was time for Western/Eastern game to be over. No I was not there to see Tuesday games. I was busy.lol

[bengalfan76]

bengalfan76, I'm sure you did do the right thing as did I. My family and I moved to the top after the game without hesitation. Unfortunetly you have those that don't do the right thing. Just wanted to clear up that it wasn't just the east and west side, it was county wide. Also it could have been that some of those who were invading others spaces had family or friends on that team. Not really fair to judge when you don't know the situation.

bengalfan76,

Obviosly you weren't at the first game each night. But if you were you should have paid a little more attention before you start talking trash about Western and Eastern fans. During our game on both nights, half of Westerns fans had to sit at the top because the bottom was half full of Waverly fans. I also noticed a lot of red on the bottom of the other side! Now I understand you wanting to come early to get a good seat for the BIG game following the UNIMPORTANT game(I'm sure that's what most of you were thinking.) But how can you bash our fans for doing something that your fans did too? Maybe that's why they didn't move for you. Our game is just as important to us as your game is to you! If you want courtesy then give courtesy. Stay at the top until it's your turn!

Taz I did exactly what you said. I walked into Hawhee made a left and went upstairs until it was time for Western/Eastern game to be over. No I was not there to see Tuesday games. I was busy.lol

The folks sitting around me badmouthed both teams. So I doubt they would have been fans.lol Your are correct I shouldnt judge.lol