By Nick Brockman, Sports Writer
As the high-school basketball season approaches its third month next week, the competition and atmosphere has undoubtedly been heating up in Hopkins and Webster counties.
December provided a rather slow and uneventful 31 days for some local fans as teams left the area for various invitationals and tournaments across the state, but now in the midst of the season, the teams are focusing their attention on other western Kentucky foes.
Such action during the past couple weeks has provided some great crowds and I thought I would share some of my favorite moments for those who were not able to reach the events.
The first game that makes the list is the Webster County at Hopkins County Central boys matchup of Jan. 9.
The contest took place on Central's Homecoming and Webster brought plenty of fans as well, thus a crowded gym. The Trojans and Storm battled tenaciously up and down the floor in a tight game and the aggressive effort of both teams exhibited itself quite clearly in two specific situations.
Despite being ahead as many as 10 points in the first half, Webster coach Bev Hart continued to display the intensity of a tie game. Hart's enthusiasm and refuse-to-give-anything-anywhere attitude boiled over when he argued a foul call, which resulted in a technical foul.
Hart did not do anything too rash. His desire to win just briefly overcame him and the play fueled the excitement in the building.
December provided a rather slow and uneventful 31 days for some local fans as teams left the area for various invitationals and tournaments across the state, but now in the midst of the season, the teams are focusing their attention on other western Kentucky foes.
Such action during the past couple weeks has provided some great crowds and I thought I would share some of my favorite moments for those who were not able to reach the events.
The first game that makes the list is the Webster County at Hopkins County Central boys matchup of Jan. 9.
The contest took place on Central's Homecoming and Webster brought plenty of fans as well, thus a crowded gym. The Trojans and Storm battled tenaciously up and down the floor in a tight game and the aggressive effort of both teams exhibited itself quite clearly in two specific situations.
Despite being ahead as many as 10 points in the first half, Webster coach Bev Hart continued to display the intensity of a tie game. Hart's enthusiasm and refuse-to-give-anything-anywhere attitude boiled over when he argued a foul call, which resulted in a technical foul.
Hart did not do anything too rash. His desire to win just briefly overcame him and the play fueled the excitement in the building.
Later in the fourth quarter when Central had cut the lead, another play helped to create a thrilling environment.
Just inside six minutes to play, a near rugby-style scrum developed on the Trojan side of the floor as both teams' players hit the deck to recover a loose ball.
Unfortunately, the play resulted in Webster's offensive scoring leader LaBrice Williams leaving the game injured, but the effort illustrated the boys' desire to win.
One of the best girls contests I have witnessed occurred a week later on Jan. 16 when Daviess County visited Webster. A sizable crowd assembled on both sides of the court for a matchup of teams with 12-plus victories.
Ahead just one point to begin the fourth quarter, the Lady Trojans needed something, anything to pull away from the talented Lady Panthers. That's when Webster's Ellie Steiner took over the ballgame.
Steiner amassed nine consecutive points in just 65 seconds and gave her team control of the contest.
The Lady Trojans went on to win by 11 points.
Making the fourth-quarter even more memorable was how both teams reached that point.
Daviess utilized a 21-0 first-quarter run to lead by as many as 15 points. Webster coach Christina Whitsell challenged her players to respond and they did by cutting the lead to seven at halftime. The comeback continued in the third quarter when the Lady Trojans passed Daviess' offensive production.
Obviously, the final game to round out the mid-season list of great games and atmospheres is Tuesday's game between Central and Madisonville-North Hopkins.
The contest marked the first time this season I witnessed a near capacity crowd. Just a few seats remained in the top corners of Maroon Gym.
With both schools' students cheering and jeering, numerous police officers on guard and concession lines 30-people deep, I remembered my high school days not too long ago and the pride on the line in such rivalry matchups.
Although North fell, fans from both sides could not be disappointed in terms of the buzz and fervor, which was evident throughout.
By game's end, Central's students rushed the court with the joy of defeating its most noted rival and North fans watched in silence, overcome with shock.
Thursday's rematch, however, will provide the Maroons will the same visiting-court celebration opportunity when the teams face off at Central.
Hopefully the game will be just one of many more action-packed and sensational settings as the regular season winds down over the next month.
Just inside six minutes to play, a near rugby-style scrum developed on the Trojan side of the floor as both teams' players hit the deck to recover a loose ball.
Unfortunately, the play resulted in Webster's offensive scoring leader LaBrice Williams leaving the game injured, but the effort illustrated the boys' desire to win.
One of the best girls contests I have witnessed occurred a week later on Jan. 16 when Daviess County visited Webster. A sizable crowd assembled on both sides of the court for a matchup of teams with 12-plus victories.
Ahead just one point to begin the fourth quarter, the Lady Trojans needed something, anything to pull away from the talented Lady Panthers. That's when Webster's Ellie Steiner took over the ballgame.
Steiner amassed nine consecutive points in just 65 seconds and gave her team control of the contest.
The Lady Trojans went on to win by 11 points.
Making the fourth-quarter even more memorable was how both teams reached that point.
Daviess utilized a 21-0 first-quarter run to lead by as many as 15 points. Webster coach Christina Whitsell challenged her players to respond and they did by cutting the lead to seven at halftime. The comeback continued in the third quarter when the Lady Trojans passed Daviess' offensive production.
Obviously, the final game to round out the mid-season list of great games and atmospheres is Tuesday's game between Central and Madisonville-North Hopkins.
The contest marked the first time this season I witnessed a near capacity crowd. Just a few seats remained in the top corners of Maroon Gym.
With both schools' students cheering and jeering, numerous police officers on guard and concession lines 30-people deep, I remembered my high school days not too long ago and the pride on the line in such rivalry matchups.
Although North fell, fans from both sides could not be disappointed in terms of the buzz and fervor, which was evident throughout.
By game's end, Central's students rushed the court with the joy of defeating its most noted rival and North fans watched in silence, overcome with shock.
Thursday's rematch, however, will provide the Maroons will the same visiting-court celebration opportunity when the teams face off at Central.
Hopefully the game will be just one of many more action-packed and sensational settings as the regular season winds down over the next month.
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