Thoughts from the NCH/South Laurel game

[fce1226]

Bored on a Saturday night but itchin' for more basketball after UK's win earlier in the day, I went to Frankfort last night with three of my fraternity brothers to see O.J. Mayo's North College Hill squad take on defending state champs South Laurel. Here's what I thought:

• NCH didn't want to be there. They looked lazy during warmups, they kinda walked through the game (until they realized they were down in the 4th quarter), and they didn't even come out for the second half until about 30 seconds before it started!
  
  
• Boy, are those kids spoiled! Mayo, Walker, and Ellis all did basically whatever they wanted and moaned whenever they didn't get their way. Every time the refs blew a whistle against them, which was quite often, they acted like someone just punched their mom. There's a lot to be said for talent, but I'll take a mixture of talent and heart/desire!
  
  
• O.J. Mayo is good, but he's no LeBron. It was obvious from tip-off that Mayo was head and shoulders above everyone on the floor in terms of talent. That being said, it was also obvious he's nowhere near the level LeBron was in high school. He's a kid that will actually benefit from being forced to go to college for at least a year. I was actually more impressed with Walker's leaping ability -- he could make jumping to moon look effortless!
  
  
• The best player on the floor (at least last night) was #34 from South Laurel. I believe his last name is Hammonds, but he almost single handedly shot South Laurel back into the game. South Laurel is a good 3-point shooting team, but this kid was the straw that stirred the drink. It wasn't until NCH put the 6'11" Ellis on him in the fourth quarter that he cooled down.

There's something that makes me feel like Bill Walker is every bit as good as O.J. Mayo. If his destiny isn't to become a one-and-done player, his raw athleticism could be coached into an All-American talent by a great coach like...um...Tubby Smith?

GO CATS!!!

[The Bubba]

Thanks for sharing thoughts about your trip and the scoop about the players.

[uk9698]

Agreed thanks for the report. I set home and watched Fla-UT and Uconn-UofL!

[kj]

Here are my thoughts:

This past weekend I got to see the North College Hills team (Mayo and company) play against South Laurel HS at the Frankfort Civic arena. South laurel led by 6 with about 5 minutes to go before running out of gas and losing by about 8. South Laurel played bbasically a slow down game when they were in the half court. They took the break every now and then. Probably the only thing that kept them from getting blown out. They were outtallented every position on the floor.

Mayo is a great athlete; great quicks and leaping ability. Watched him in warm ups and he is not a great shooter. Very good but not great. Everything he shoots, he shoots fading away; even when he is wide open. His passing ability impressed me most during the game. Handle was very good, defensively he didn't do much other than play the passing lanes. He got in foul trouble and got teed up. SLHS played very physical and seemed to get under his skin. Have to say he wanted the ball at crunch time and his clutch foul shooting won the game......

Billy Walker is also a stud athlete though he looked to be more 6-5 than 6-7 as widely reported. Watching hiom in warmups he shot mainly from the corners. Was extremely accurate to about 15'. Farther out he was quite inconsistent. Game wise he was very laid back; didn't do much at all til OJ went to the bench. After that he was a beast on the baseline. Handles were ok not great. Defensively mediocre.

Keenan Ellis the 6-11 strtingbean gopt in early foul trouble. SLHS couldn't get anything in close til he went to the bench. Extremely skinny, runs the floor very well. Didn't show much of a post game. Seemed a little lazy on defense but he was the first man down for NCHHS several times on the break. Needs a lot of weight but could be an excellent prospect.

Saw Tubby and Bob Huggins there. Talked to some NCHHS fans who pretty much go with the team every where. Said Huggins has been at every game, Tubby has been to several, and Pitino to a couple. At this point in time they were surprised that all Mayo and walker talk about is UL considering the time Pitino has spent with them. Asked if UK was anywhere in the mix-the answer was no. Said TRubby's style was not what they are looking for. Also said all were good kids just a little lazy due to lack of competition.,


On a side note SLHS had a 6-8 jr, named Trey Smith-son of former UK player GJ Smith who looked good. Could use a lot of weight probably about 180 lbs, but he looked good shooting out to 22'. Had a good handle and a decent jump hook. Scored 16 and had 8 rebs against this stiff competition. Has a ways to go but could be a Wildcat in the future iimo.

Frankfort Civic center is a great place to watch a game

[The Bubba]

Thanks also for your input, a very in depth analysis as well.