Convo 3/1 Fairland (64) - (45) Vinton County

[Ty Webb]

Vinton County started off way too slow again. Missed 5 or 6 easy shots and I'm pretty sure they only made 2 free throws in the game . Can't do that against a good team like Fairland.

I agree, I thought if VC were to have any chance of pulling off the upset, they'd have to start out hot & they didn't. The Dragons were just too quick & talented for the Vikings to get any kind of run going. Congrats to a very talented & well coached Fairland team.

[DragonDad]

I expect some good performances coming up for Fairland. A lot of people were upset about how bad a game it was for the Dragons. It was sloppy. Missed dunks, bad passes. Its obvious they are on another level but coach will have them grounded and ready from here. Later on they wont be able to play like that and still win by 20 on a very off night without Vanhorn most of the game. This group can spoil a fan. Hope they play more hungry next game.

[Reds Fan]

Fairland played sloppy tonight and still won big. Was hoping it would’ve been a little closer tonight but fairland is on a different level. They should win the district final with ease

[pfloyd]

... Pfloyd's Official "unofficial" Napkin Stats - Vinton County

Scoring ... Naylan Yates 14, Jake Speakman 8, Eli Griffith 8, Bryce Damron 7, Nevan Yates 5, Cameron Hammon 3
3 Pointers ... 3/9 ... Naylan Yates 2, Nevan Yates 1
FTs .... 2/12
TOs .... 13
PnP ... 16 fgs /32 points in the paint
Transition buckets ... 3 fgs/6 points in transition


... Pfloyd's Official "unofficial" Napkin Stats - Fairland

Scoring ... Keedrick Cunningham 15, Ty Staten 11, Kollin Van Horn 11, Luke Thomas 10, Isaiah Howell 10, Clayton Thomas 4, Matthew Mondlak 3
3 Pointers ... 7/11 ... Luke Thomas 2, Isaiah Howell 1, Ty Staten 1, Kollin Van Horn 1, Matthew Mondlak 1, Clayton Thomas 1
FTs ... 7/12
TOs ... 8
PnP ... 16 fgs/32 points in the paint
Transition buckets ... 6fgs/12 points off of turnovers

... 5 players in double figures for the Dragons THAT says it all - scorers everywhere ... so quick defensively on the perimeter - tonight with 12 points in transition off turnovers THAT is a dagger in the heart in the one & done season ... Kollin Van Horn has stepped up his game BIG from last season - more aggressive in the paint, on the boards ... everyone of the starters can take you off the dribble to the rim ... what's not to like ? then you have the ballhandling of Ty Staten - he's the glue that gets everything rolling at both ends ... everyone can shoot the 3 ball even Van Horn... I spoke with Kollin Van Horn's Dad before the game - told him that it has been a pleasure to watch the Dragons for the 4 years , with the Dragons they're the only team in the Southeast District that I can fill out my Napkin Stat sheet in the pregame without using the program for names, numbers and starting lineups as the boys have been together for so long ... nice opening game for the Dragons ... on to the District finals vs Fairfield Union ...

[countywide35]

not a real good game plan goin in and a slow start hard to compete with that against team like Fairland. great season though. and good luck to the dragons the rest of the way

[toast]

I read that Vinton County shot 17% from the foul line for the game. Is that a misprint?

[vcgrad]

I feel the same, The boys played hard, but when their Big Boy was out, for most of the 1st qtr, we did not attack the paint at all, he was in foul trouble all night. I think it was poor coaching not to attack the middle. We just ran the same old stuff looking for 3's. We tried to much dribbling thru the press or traffic, needed to get the ball to the open man. I guess we are not used to having some size. We did not take advantage of it the whole year. Good luck Fairland, go win it all.

[91blue14]

#4 from VC was impressive

[bbjunky81]

Fairland won't win by 20 . Both teams have been there and done that . VC is playing better and appear to be back from early season problems. d-2 is different then d-3 . VC has a punchers chance .

I'd take that bet.

That's not a knock on Vinton County or Combs, who's a fantastic coach. Fairland is just in a league of their own in SE Ohio. Damron is a big kid but he doesn't have the speed to keep Van Horn in front, that's going to be a problem.

Fairland is all seniors now and is just on another planet. They want that State title regardless of which division they're in.

I'm going with:

Fairland 74
Vinton C 50

Thought it would be a little higher scoring but seem to be pretty close margin wise.

Nothing at all for VC to hang their heads about, Fairland is truly just on a different level in our area. I genuinely believe they make the state in D2 and after looking at the other regional brackets I think it's very possible Fairland reaches the state title game before running into an absolute buzz saw.

[vcgrad]

Also, looks as if we should have practiced foul shots---2 of 12. That's so bad!!!!!!! It almost cost us the game against Athens also.

[hawkeyepierce]

Vcgrad...you are correct. It was poor coaching and you will hear it here first, it is time for Combs to go. I mean really, it wasn’t like Fairland was better than us. It wasn’t like they got every shot they wanted. It wasn’t like their defense was fast and athletic. I mean seriously, we should have won the state.

[Sid Farkus]

Also, looks as if we should have practiced foul shots---2 of 12. That's so bad!!!!!!! It almost cost us the game against Athens also.

It probably never crossed Combs' or Kight's mind to have their players shoot free throws. Could you explain to them what they should be doing as coaches? I mean, there hasn't been much success for VC's program, so I'm sure they could use some help. Maybe you need to meet with the coaching staff for queries to satisfy you.

[Vito Corleone]

Wow vcgrad. Just stop. DUMB

[bbjunky81]

Also, looks as if we should have practiced foul shots---2 of 12. That's so bad!!!!!!! It almost cost us the game against Athens also.

It probably never crossed Combs' or Kight's mind to have their players shoot free throws. Could you explain to them what they should be doing as coaches? I mean, there hasn't been much success for VC's program, so I'm sure they could use some help. Maybe you need to meet with the coaching staff for queries to satisfy you.

This brings me to one of my favorite moments of when I'd watch games with my grandpa way back when... He'd say "Why does that boy miss so many layups! Do they not work on layups during practice?!?"

I would just say "dang that's a great idea grandpa! You should tell the coach that!"

[vcgrad]

We have had a lot of talent over the last few years, that has covered a lot of "coaching mistakes"- that talent would have won anywhere it was at. You need to develop your kids---he has never worked with his freshman or JV kids------ he does not even get involved in the biddy league program. Also, did you notice he almost never took out of the game certain players. I know they are not in that great of shape--too never come out??? If you are playing hard (both ways) no way you can give it your all the whole game. And you can tell he never works with his big men--to have that size in the TVC and not dominate???? WOW Just a shame--I know we are not the best team in the state--but we are not as bad as we showed last night. Enough said, year is over. I am just glad all my kids are out of school. Or I would go crazy.

[hawkeyepierce]

Everyone is entitled to their own opinions, however, not their own facts. Also, everyone knows who I am, and I am always about, please introduce yourself and we can discuss the state of the basketball program over your favorite beverages. I will even buy.

[danicalifornia]

We have had a lot of talent over the last few years, that has covered a lot of "coaching mistakes"- that talent would have won anywhere it was at. You need to develop your kids---he has never worked with his freshman or JV kids------ he does not even get involved in the biddy league program. Also, did you notice he almost never took out of the game certain players. I know they are not in that great of shape--too never come out??? If you are playing hard (both ways) no way you can give it your all the whole game. And you can tell he never works with his big men--to have that size in the TVC and not dominate???? WOW Just a shame--I know we are not the best team in the state--but we are not as bad as we showed last night. Enough said, year is over. I am just glad all my kids are out of school. Or I would go crazy.

Yet, you claim to still help with the biddy league yourself, how great of you!

You develop your kids by putting good people that you can trust into the lower levels...or take 100% control over everything and run everyone in one giant practice. Trying to micromanage every thing will run off good assistants real quick.

Before Coach Combs, Vinton County had been to zero (0) District Championship games. Since 2004, they have been to 5, winning 3 of those. I think that tends to say enough.

[Vito Corleone]

I wonder what vcgrad could've done with this team this year. My guess is probably been competing against Oak Hill Academy or Dematha on ESPN

[vcgrad]

I did not mean he had to control anything---just be involved----let the kids notice that he is there watching them---I am not disputing what he has done---just trying to point out---how far the program would be if he worked on the "whole" team/program--that's all. You really feel in your heart of hearts that Fairland is that much better than us? I just can't. Sorry.

[vcgrad]

No I would have worked on the Whole team---so when we paly a team that takes our 3 pt shots away--we have a plan "b"--way to many times that we play in big games--that we have no answer...---just feel bad for the kids.