Final: Holmes 61, Paintsville 53
Posted by Mike Fields on March 21, 2008
Photos, coaches’ comments
Also: Holmes Coach David Henley on facing Lexington Catholic in the semifinals
Lexington Catholic Coach Brandon Salsman on Holmes
Podcast: Hear pregame comments from Paintsville Coach Bill Mike Runyon
It will be Holmes vs. Lexington Catholic in Saturday’s 10 a.m. semifinal. The Bulldogs powered their way past Paintsville thanks to Arrez Henderson. He had all of his 21 points and 6 of his 7 rebounds in the second half. Sophomore Elijah Pittman (shown at right in photo by Mark Cornelison) had 19 points. for Holmes. Paintsville was led by Shane Grimm’s 17 points. Justin Murray had 14. Landon Slone was limited to 11 points on 4-for-13 shooting.- Paintsville Coach Bill Mike Runyon is retiring after 26 seasons, 531 wins, eight region titles, one state title (1996) and a state runner-up (1998).
- Holmes has taken control behind Arrez Henderson. The Bulldogs lead 53-44 with 2:20 left in the game. Henderson has 16 points, all in the second half. Paintsville has had 3 turnovers and missed 3 inside shots on its last 7 possessions.
- Paintsville leads 37-36 going into the fourth quarter. It’s gotten rough on the court. Lots of off-the-ball foul calls, and lots of contact inside. Arrez Henderson had 9 points in the third quarter for Holmes. Shane Grimm has 14 points to lead Paintsville.
- Arrez Henderson has scored Holmes’ last 6 points to push the Bulldogs into a 36-33 lead with 2:53 left in the third quarter.
- Halftime: Paintsville 24, Holmes 21. The Tigers finished the half strong, with a 6-0 run. Justin Murray hit a layup, then got a steal and a layup, and Paintsville closed it with a drive-and-dish from Blake Bundy to Shane Grimm. Grimm has 11 points to lead the Tigers, and Murray has 9. Landon Slone, who had 35 in the opening win over Jeffersontown, has been pretty well silenced by Holmes’ defense. Slone has 2 points. Elijah Pittman has 13 to lead the Bulldogs.
- Paintsville has tied it 18-18 with 2:20 left in the first half. Shane Grimm has muscled inside for 10 points to lead the Tigers. Elijah Pittman has 10 off the bench for Holmes. Both teams are struggling with their shooting — they’re a combined 14-for-39 (36%).
- Holmes leads 14-8 after one quarter. Elijah Pittman hit a 30-foot three-pointer at the buzzer. He has 8 points off the bench to lead the Bulldogs. Paintsville is 4-for-12 shooting.
- Elijah Pittman’s three-pointer from the top of the key has given Holmes a 7-6 lead. There’s a timeout with 2:26 left in the first quarter. Neither team is shooting well. Paintsville is 3-for-10; Holmes is 3-for-10. Paintsville’s Landon Slone, who lit up Jeffersontown for 35, is being guarded by Holmes star Arrez Henderson.
March 21, 2008 at 4:15 pm
[...] Bill Mike Runyon’s last game. Hear comments from Runyon and Holmes Coach David Henley, and read game notes on Mike Fields’ blog. Photos by Mark Cornelison. Share This 1 [...]
March 21, 2008 at 6:06 pm
Having Kentucky roots, yet having spent 48 years of my life in Florida, People there could not understand my feelings toward Kentucky basketball and it’s tradition. Becoming emotional over wins as well as losses,listening to those games sitting in a car, and referring to young men as though they were national heros. People there just had no concept of what that tradition meant to Kentuckians.
Following our return to Kentucky 3yrs. ago, it seemed to me that alot of the appreciation had been lost. Was the great tradition simply a piece of Kentucky history. My faith was restored when I saw the video clip of Coach Runyon kneel at center court at Rupp, and kiss the floor. With tears in my eyes, as well as those of his players, my faith had been restored.
Coach Runyon,sir, you have class!