Preview: Holmes (34-2) vs. Mason County (33-4)
Posted by Mike Fields on March 22, 2008
Hear comments from Mason County star Darius Miller and Coach Chris O’Hearn after they beat Shelby County in the semifinals.
Hear Holmes Coach David Henley’s news conference, with comments from Holmes players, after their win over Lexington Catholic in the semifinals.
Darius Miller (left) will lead Mason County against Arrez Henderson (below) and Holmes in the title game of the 91st Sweet Sixteen Saturday at 8 p.m. in Rupp Arena
Mason County, rated No. 1 in the pre-season coaches’ poll, has made its way to the Sweet Sixteen championship game. It will face Holmes, which was rated 20th in the preseason, but has put together a spectacular year, highlighted by a come-from-behind win over tournament favorite Lexington Catholic in the semifinals.
This will be Holmes’ first appearance in the title game since it lost to Fairdale in 1990 in Freedom Hall. The Bulldogs were also state runners-up to Shelby County in 1978.
Mason County made back-to-back trips to the finals, winning the title in 2003 and finishing runner-up to Warren Central in ‘04. That ‘04 team was led by Chris Lofton, but a skinny eighth-grader named Darius Miller saw spot action in the finals for the Royals. Miller, of course, has grown into a 6-foot-7 star and UK signee. “That was a great experience (in ‘04), the atmosphere and everything, but I think it’ll be just as great tonight, especially with me having a bigger role on the team, and playing with guys I’ve grown up with.”
The Mason County-Holmes matchup should be intriguing. Neither team has much time to break down film or put together a comprehensive scouting report. But each team’s has watched the other three times this week, just in case they would meet. There is a connection, too. Holmes assistant Tim Sullivan was an assistant to Chris O’Hearn at Mason County a couple years ago. “We’ve got a little history together, and we’ve talked about how it’d be something if we hooked up on Saturday night, and here we are.”
O’Hearn knows his Royals will have its hands full with Holmes. “Defensively, they’re as good a team in the state of Kentucky there is. They’re so strong, and physical and athletic and take pride in defense. They make it tough to score. I know they’re looking forward to playing us and looking forward to guarding No. 21 (Miller). We’re going to see who wins that battle.”
Holmes’ defensive stopper is Arrez Henderson. He’s 6-foot and would be giving away 5 inches to Miller. But the Bulldogs’ Ricardo Johnson is also a solid defender and could get matched up against Miller.
For Holmes Coach David Henley, this appearance in the state finals comes 25 years after he played for Carlisle County in the championship game. The Comets lost to Henry Clay in triple-overtime in Rupp Arena. But Henley said his own memories are secondary to his players making their own memories tonight.
