plateauGolfer

As a somewhat unbiased fan, neither from Temple or Celina, I can comment fairly to say this was one of the greatest basketball games I ever saw, and I have seen thousands. To start with, it appeared Clay County would be able to match the outsanding atmosphere, as they came out of the gates hot, hitting their first four shots, but Temple's outstanding depth, their team speed which is the first to match Clay's, really started to stifle the Bulldogs. The Skogen kid could shoot his 3-point jumper any time he wanted and pretty well scoring a will. I have to say, that it was one of the most improbable come-backs I ever saw. Temple had this game in the bag and I think their coach and team started playing like it. Everything was going their way in the fourth. Fouls were 10-2, which was hard to stomach. In a super intense, man-to-man game like this, there was NO way Temple could just have two fouls, but they did, and were wearing Clay out at the free throw line. I remember thinking this game was over. But ---no one has figured out how to measure heart yet and this game was nothing but guts and heart for Clay who basically refused to lose. Temple didn't fold, the refs didn't take it, there was so serious coaching snafu, --this game was won by kids who refused to lose. There were coaches from Jackson County, Red Boiling Springs, Gordonsville, and other upper cumberland schools --there were fans who just like good basketball and man, this is one for the ages. They should put it on a DVD and sell it for what it is --A CLASSIC because there will never be one like it --on any level. What a great job Coach Edwards did for Clay County. What good situational coaching. He told his team who to foul and iit paid off with big misses by Temple. Godwin was being covered up by Newsome and couldn't do his little left handed spin move to get open --Speed mets its match in this game. Temple impressed me with their team speed and across the board talent at ever position. But again, Heart --in the form of Casey Ferrell refused to quit and played above his abilities. When the game was over people didn't want to leave, including me. We wanted to hang around and soak up that energy. We wont see a game like this, most of us, for the rest of our lives. I followed a bunch of Hamilton County cars back south, through Livingston and beyond. I was imagining what they must have been talking about and how they must have been saying, "How did we lose?" Up 10 with four minutes to play. You are feeling, on that long drive back, what Celina players and fans felt for three years on their trips home after sectional losses. Pretty sick feeling isn't it? Basketball is like politics, you may get to thinking you are inviceable --but anytime two teams step on the the court, one will win and one will lose. This game was determined by heart and on this night, Celina's heart was bigger. Enjoy this one Clay County players. It will be with you for the rest of your lives. When you're old men, you can tell your grandchildren about this one--but get the tape so you can show 'em.