Sweet 16 Finals Recap

The National City Bank/KHSAA Boys Sweet Sixteen Tournament came to a close this past Saturday night in Rupp Arena, and we couldn’t have asked for a better game to end it all. Mason County and Holmes fought hard until the very end, and proved why each of them made it to the finals to begin with. Before the game began, a video montage was played on the four LED screen around the arena that recapped some of the highlights from the previous days as well as built hype and anticipation for the final game. Thanks to Joseph Lloyd, our Video Event Technician, I was able to get a copy of that montage and put it up on Youtube (and thus on this blog). Kick back and watch an excellent recap of this years Sweet 16.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWk-piHohcA]

I was able to attend the finals on Saturday night and of course took some pictures. Here are a couple below that you can have a look at. I must say that having watched Mason County play most of their games, they definitely deserved to win the whole thing. Their players are all extremely skilled, co-ordinated, and graceful. You rarely see that level of basketball played in high school, but they definitely raised the bar high. Here are a couple photos I took, one of which shows just a sampling of how crazy and packed the crowd was.

For more in-your-face action shots, we had one of our house photographers, James Crisp, on hand with a steady hand and quick shutter finger who captured some great action from the game as well as celebration and the group shot afterward. Have a look!

If you were able to go to any of the games Wednesday through Saturday and took some photos then we would love to see them. Please send them along to rupparenablog@gmail.com and we can add them to the fan section of our Flickr site.

Sweet 16 08 - Day 2 Recap

The second day of the National City Bank/KHSAA Boys Sweet Sixteen Basketball Tournament concluded last night. There were some upsets, some great games overall, and an amazing game to top off the night. Here are the results from yesterday’s games. Click on the bracket to go to the official LIVE bracket that updates throughout the day during the tournament.

I attended both games last night and was especially excited and impressed with Mason County vs Elliot County. Both teams came into the game with excellent records from their regular season this year. Mason County got the lead and kept it by about 4 to 8 points up until half time, with Elliot County right on their tail. Shortly after the second half of the game started, Elliot County was able to make a few crucial plays and overtake Mason County for the lead. After that point, the game went back and worth with no team leading the other by more than about 6 points. Near the end, there was a 2 point difference and a clutch free-throw opportunity that could mean the difference between either team winning, or going into overtime. Both shots were made which put Mason County ahead by two possessions, and led to their victory. Below are a few photos I captured of the fans for both teams and the score board right before the free-throws.

James Crisp, one of our house photographers, was able to attend and capture photos from all the game. There are great photos of each match-up of the day. Take a look at some of the great shots James was able to get from the arena floor.

Stay tuned for for the rest of the tournaments. Each day I will be recapping what went on and likely attending a few of the games. There are also a few side articles/videos that may pop up either today or during the final day of the tournament, tomorrow.

Interview with Julian Tackett - KHSAA Assistant Commissioner

We are right in the thick of Sweet 16 right now at Rupp Arena. Schools of all colors are scattered about the stands like wild flowers in a field. Julian Tackett, the Assistant Commissioner at KHSAA, definitely has his work cut out for him, but fortunately he seems to have a passion for what he does. I was able to ask Julian a few questions pertaining to the National City Bank/KHSAA Boys Sweet Sixteen Basketball Tournament that is going on at the arena right now. Below is our one on one, which will give you some insight into his love for the tournament.

 

Rupp Arena Blog - What unique quality does high school basketball offer that no other level of the sport has?

Julian - It is still the last truly amateur level of play. Playing for the glory of your school, for the memories, not money or fame.

Rupp Arena Blog - What aspect of the KHSAA Sweet 16 tournament do you enjoy the most?

Julian - The reunion/social aspect of the whole thing. First day or so you see people spend more time getting reacquainted than watching the games.

Rupp Arena Blog - It really is amazing that all the teams competing are all located within a reasonable distance from each other. Does this make the rivalries, as well as the intensity of close matches that much more thrilling?

Julian - It does. plus the fact that the better teams play each other through the year through invitational tournaments, summer play, etc., continues to develop stronger rivalries and makes the games more exciting.

 

Rupp Arena Blog - From cheering for your team when you were in high school, to being a part of running the state basketball tournament each year, how do you think your outlook on the importance of Sweet 16 has changed?

Julian - The Sweet 16 is not just a series of games. It is a huge special event in the state. Everyone who is anyone in Kentucky will come through those turnstiles this weekend, and my job is to make sure that they leave here thinking this year’s experience was just a little better than the last one.

Rupp Arena Blog - Along that same subject, what is the most nostalgic moment of the tournament that reminds you of when you were that age?

Julian - It still amazes me to see the kid’s reaction to Rupp. Players who are supposed “stars” in their schools, etc. who come out in awe of the place, taking pictures with cell phones, digital pics of each other, etc., taking that first shot on the floor. It is quite a moment to watch.

Rupp Arena Blog - If you could pass along one piece of advice to high school athletes as they enter college sports, what would it be?

Julian - You never get a second chance to live this particular moment. Don’t always spend your time worrying about tomorrow’s game, next year’s classes, etc. Live and enjoy this moment to the fullest. Spend a few minutes and walk around the facility. See people. Soak it in. After you leave high school, life goes by very very fast.

Thanks Julian for the interview and it is easy to say that you are not the only one that finds so much enjoyment in this experience. It seems that no matter how many of these tournaments people go to, year after year, there is always fresh faces and talent sure to “wow” and amaze.

Sweet 16 08 - Day 1 Recap

Hundreds of goals and millions of sneaker marks later, the first day of the National City Bank/KHSAA Boys Sweet Sixteen Basketball Tournament has come to an end. There were some upsets, some close games, and some amazing moments that your average fan may not expect from high school players. Here are the results from todays games. Click on the bracket to go to the official LIVE bracket that updates throughout the day during the tournament.

I was lucky enough to be on the floor for the first game of the day, University Heights versus Lexington Catholic. There were plenty of great moments in each half. The first half it seemed like Lexington Catholic was going to run away with the game and win by a wide margin. The second half of the game, University Heights stormed back and gave Lexington Catholic a run for their money. Although Lex-Cath did end up snagging the victory, they definitely had to work for it every step of the way. Below are a few photos I captured from the intense game.

While I was only at the first game, our house photographer, James Crisp, was present for every one and delivered on some amazing photos from all the games that day. Once the whole tournament comes to an end then we will upload boatloads of photos from each game to our Flickr site for your viewing pleasure. In the meantime, take a look at some of the great shots James was able to get.

Stay tuned for for the rest of the tournaments. Each day I will be recapping what went on and likely attending a few of the games. There are also a few side articles/videos that may pop up here and there.

Office Abroad

 

Each time around this year, Kentuckians grin wide since March means lots of basketball. More basketball is never a bad thing, in fact, too much basketball would be a problem most of us would look forward to. Of course there is the NCAA tournament, as well as the NIT for some teams, but nothing gets crazier at Rupp Arena than Sweet 16 week where the best high school teams from around Kentucky match wits and skill on the same planks of wood that UK Basketball plays on. Little did you know, a good amount of workers for those games are actually people from the offices of the Lexington Center.

 

Since most ushers, concession stand workers, and box office employees have other day jobs, high school games during the day put a bit of a strain on the amount of people available to work. To make up for a lack of man-power, nearly all the employees from the offices at the Lexington Center (which includes Rupp Arena, Lexington Convention Center, Shop at Lexington Center, and the Lexington Opera House) volunteer to help out in various ways around the arena. Paper pushers are turned into ticket sellers, marketing directors may find themselves as ushers, and secretaries may be selling you your hot dog and coke. It is ‘all hands on deck’ at Rupp Arena. The workers actually enjoy the change-of-pace and get to test drive other jobs they may not know about otherwise.

 

There are still three and a half days left of Sweet 16, so plenty of games for anyone to check out. When you are looking around, take note of the office workers abroad and take it easy on them if they seem a little new to things. It is because they are.

Staff pictured in photographs (in order): Matt Johnson (Graphic / Web Designer) working at the Box Office; Tom Hobermann (Operations Manager - Lexington Opera House) working as an usher; Jill Isham (Administrative Assistant) working at the Box Office.