Viking89

Exactly. The better comparison for the CA/PC game from last year is McEwen/Collinwood. Untested team with the inflated record against a tough young team that has grown up. PC's record in home sub-state games is something like 9-1 over the last 25 years. They know how to take care of business in this round.

You're bringing a .500 team in here and trying to tell us how good Perry County is or isn't? Have you ever been to a substate game at Perry County? If PC is focused then this game is over by halftime. If not, the crowd won't let them lose it in the 4th.

If you define Dill as a "weak link", then there's still a lot about basketball you have to learn. If my "weak link" is giving me 6-8 pts, 6 rebs, 5 asst, 3 steals, and routinely manning up on the opponent's best perimeter player, then I'm going to Murfreesboro with a real chance to do some damage.

Lots of teams might think they had the "it" factor if they'd been able to play McEwen's schedule. Collinwood is definitely good enough to win this game. Dismiss them at your own peril.

Big game experience will be the difference tonight. PC 66-59. Better get your licks in now, because it looks to me like the next 2 years will be all Collinwood.

Perry County will show up, and the experience gained in big games last year will help them get it done. The DC was a much-needed wakeup call. I'm confident Coach Haston can relay the urgency of this game without "grabbing anything down there." I'm glad we have a coach who played for PC and appreciates what it means to the community. This is still basketball country.

Forget about the ending tonight Perry County, and focus on 3 correctible things this game can teach you: 1. You must be able to close out a tight game at the foul line. 2. You must find ways to get your teammates easy looks. I don't have stats in front of me, but I'm having a hard time recalling even 5 assists for the night. 3. The 3-point shot appears to be your friend, but it's not. Congrats to Wayne County for pulling it out. You guys kept fighting and gave yourself a chance. Maybe we'll see you again in 3 games.

No argument - win 'em all if you can, but I wouldn't think twice about getting the matchup I wanted for the semifinal round. Fun history lesson. My senior year (89), close to this exact scenario played out - WC beat us (PC) in the District Final (not an upset, they won regular season), with Clifton 3rd and S'town 4th. We were in the Regional bracket with MTP. Not afraid of them, but not too excited about it either. Then all 4 Dist 12 teams swept and we ended up playing S'Town in the semis and WC again in the finals, an 84-77 PC win. The good old days.

Win the consolation game so you can play a top 5 team in an elimination game? Expect the stomach flu to hit C'Wood and/or S'Town tomorrow night, game to end up somewhere around 42-38.

Some Perry Countians with computers have actually suited up. Funny thing - we don't feel the need to get on here and make idiots of ourselves. High School AP Polls are useless. Voters have seen at most 4 out of the 10 teams they vote for. Power Rankings are a little better, but don't tell you anything about toughness and experience. I'd still rank the title favorites as Lake County, Middleton, and Perry County. I've seen Perry County play, and they are very good, but I'd like them more if they weren't so reliant on 3-point shooting. One bad game and your tournament is finished (Middleton had a LOT to do with the bad game last year. Tough to shoot 3's when you're rushing your shot or drifting.) I also expect the championship to be won by a team that played well in the state tournament last year. You usually have to lose one to win one. These 3 fit the criteria.

Yes, more football please. Taking vacation tomorrow and driving 3 hrs for this one. Can't wait. Hope both teams play well!

Even being a native Perry Countian, I have to admit that is some great smack right there. Well done!

Quite possible, but senior 4-year starters with Mercer's speed, talent, heart, and guts don't grow on trees.

The "Charge" calls this week reminded me of games at a summer camp where guys get rewarded for trying to make any hustle play. Most any drive to the basket resulting in the defensive player going to the ground was called a charge. On one play the Perry County player jump stopped 3 feet from the Middleton defender, who flopped anyway with clean air between them. At least he didn't get the call that time, but by strict interpretation it should have been a technical foul. Statistically that call should be close to 50/50. I bet overall this week it was closer to 75-25. Keep it up and sooner or later someone will get undercut and hurt pretty bad.

Gamechanger - You indicated earlier that you are a current player, so I will write as though I am addressing you and the team. Great job today attacking the basket and getting easy looks. You played well defensively and controlled the glass. All positives, and congratulations on getting that 1st State Tourney win under your belt. You are very capable of beating Middleton if you do these things again Friday and take better care of the basketball. A championship caliber team will make you pay for those turnovers. Enjoy the ride and take it them Friday.

Summertown WILL play those 2 guys tight, as well as anyone else on the floor. They've played a tough schedule and know how to defend multiple scorers. I expect a close, low scoring game in the 50's. Halftime score may be 21-18 due to nerves and adjusting to the shooting background. Murphy Center is tough if you've never played in there. Good luck Summertown, I'm picking you 55-52.

Next time state the obvious that you think Perry County is too white to be taken seriously above the Class A level. Ask Clarksville Academy if that was much of a handicap, as Mercer was the quickest player on the floor. I do miss having 2 quality public school teams from Memphis in the A tournament every year. Everybody knew you had to go through Bolton at some point. I think consolidations over the last 15 years or so has weakened the Class A teams a fair amount.

Slatten was/is a good coach, and had more talent around him at Perry County than most Class A teams at the time. I never got the impression watching those teams that they won in spite of him, and I think he did an excellent job. It's quite a leap, however, to put his name up there with Willie Hudson and skip over Dave Rhodes.

I'm not so sure you'll find a private school in any classification that will have more fans in attendance next week than Perry County or Summertown.

Evidently he did well enough. What's your problem with Haston? Did he not sign your game program back in '97? Or is that the game in which you claim to have seen him crying? He'll be fine. And count me among those who are glad to have a PCHS grad back in the seat. By the way, beating CA on their home floor is what a real notch on the belt looks like. See you at Murfreesboro next week, hopefully to settle the score next Saturday.

Haven't seen SF play, but notice most of their games are in the 40's, indicating a very deliberate offensive pace. I think a little half court trap from Perry County will speed the game up to their liking. Maybe put Mercer at the top of a 1-3-1 zone? Yeah, I like it..............

I dare say that Haston, being raised by his college coach Grandfather and having played for Coach Knight at Indiana, has already forgotten more about basketball than you'll ever know. Just be grateful that he kept his arms crossed again in the D Finals, or PC might've blown your cold shooting Eagles out by 30.

Good string. I've enjoyed watching this thread and remembering many of these teams. The '97 Perry County team belongs in any discussion, as do the mid-80's Bolton teams. The late 80's East Robertson program was strong as well. Perry County gave up two significant advantages by adding football and moving into their new gymnasium. They can still compete, but no longer are they practicing basketball 9 months out of the year or playing in a gym where the visitors win 1 out of 10 games. This year's team showed that it may have what it takes to turn the program around. Hopefully they do.