Greenwood 14 ACS 4 (6 innings)
After Greenwood’s 3-2 semifinal win over Christian County, the much-anticipated matchup between the Gators and regional nemesis Allen County-Scottsville would occur some two-and-a-half weeks early. The Patriots had advanced to the final of the Owensboro Catholic Sports Warehouse Classic earlier by scoring an upset victory of the top-ranked and host Aces. So, for the Classic championship, it would be the Gators and the Patriots, one of the hottest rivalries in Kentucky high school softball.
But as soon as the Patriots sent their first three batters to the plate, it was clear what ACS head coach Brad Bonds was doing. Fresh off their big win over Owensboro Catholic (arguably the biggest win by any team in Kentucky this season), Bonds sent his JV team in to battle the #2 Gators, leaving star pitcher Jamie Ogles to sit on a trash can in the dugout, top catcher Megan Williams wrapped in a blanket and the rest of the Patriot starters to twiddle their thumbs while watching the Gators pound their way to a hollow championship victory.
So who wins and who loses from this decision? Who looks smart and who looks stupid? Here’s my opinion…
The Biggest Winner: 4th region competition
While everyone and their mother will be anticipating and hyping the Greenwood-ACS “rematch” in the regional tournament, underdogs like Barren County, Bowling Green/Warren East (they play in the first round of the district) and Franklin-Simpson will be lurking with absolutely no pressure on their collective shoulders. If the draw works out the way it should, both ACS and Greenwood will have to clear two hurdles before meeting each other. Remember last year: Barren County and Franklin-Simpson pushed Greenwood and ACS, respectively, to the brink in the regional semifinals. With so much attention given to the regional titans, don’t be surprised if one of these teams gives the Gators and Patriots a run. (Note: Barren County beat #18 Edmonson County 5-0 on Saturday)…
Winner: Brad Bonds
Bonds has only been in charge of the ACS softball program for a year-and-a-half, but he is already making his mark as the leader of the program. Last season, he weathered his ace pitcher's nagging shoulder injury and stretches of offensive incompetance to stun Greenwood in the 4th region final. This season, his Patriot team has furthered its ability to rally in ballgames (see Grayson County, Daviess County and Owensboro Catholic this past week). But this decision might be the most noteworthy of them all. By dodging the Gators, Bonds only adds another element to the mental challenge that Greenwood must solve in order to topple the Patriots.
Winner: Greenwood
Motivation should not have been a concern for Brittany York and company if the Gators were to meet the Patriots in the 4th region final. ACS has dismissed Greenwood from the regional tournament for the last two years, and both years Greenwood was an overwhelming favorite to come out on top. This is still the case this year, as Greenwood returned everyone from a team that was ranked top-5 in the state for much of last season. Greenwood, especially York, should be eager to get the monkey off the back, and the fact that the Patriots would gladly give them a seasonal championship should fire up the Gators even more for the chance to finally get rid of the Patriot pest once and for all.
Loser: Penny Reece
A quick look down the third base line during a Greenwood at-bat would reveal the feelings of Greenwood’s head coach. A win over Christian County would give her team a chance to ease the tension left from June 1, 2005 when the Patriots upset the Gators in spectacular fashion. Perhaps just playing the Patriots would give her team a mental edge if they should see them again in the regional tournament. But across the field, Brad Bonds was devising a clever strategy to make sure that didn’t happen, proving once again to be a step ahead of Reece. Remember, it was Bonds who wisely rotated Maleiah Cornwell with Jamie Ogles in the regional final a year ago, while Reece stuck with Brittany York instead of going with Rachel Riley when York faltered late. There’s a lot of pressure on Greenwood to succeed, but perhaps there is just as much on Reece now to measure up with Bonds’s moves.
Loser: Softball fans
It was a long, cold, blustery day at Jack C. Fisher Park in Owensboro, but it was full of good softball and good times. After Allen County-Scottsville took down Owensboro Catholic and Greenwood rallied to defeat Christian County, the stage was set for an epic final to the Sports Warehouse Classic. But with Bonds’s decision to hold his cards until the potential regional final, softball fans were disappointed to find that this great matchup between two of the state’s elite would become nothing more than a glorified scrimmage. For the most neutral of fan, it was a disappointing end to an exhilarating day of fast pitch softball.
The Biggest Loser: Owensboro Catholic
The Aces had already had a bad day, losing for the first time to a Kentucky team in Allen County-Scottsville and then appearing flat as a pancake in a loss to Christian County. Then, the coaches, players and fans of Catholic watch their tournament ultimately turn into Brad Bonds and ACS’s pawn in their mental chess game with the Greenwood Gators. It wasn’t an intentional slap in Catholic’s face, but it cannot be argued that this move was a clear indication of what some teams feel about these weekend tournaments in the large scope of things. However, don’t sleep on Catholic. They are still the state champions and the favorite for this year’s championship until beaten when it matters.
I can argue that this is an objective account of this decision, but with my educational background being rooted in Scottsville, I would be lying. Feel free to comment on who you think are the winners and losers from this move made by ACS.
But as soon as the Patriots sent their first three batters to the plate, it was clear what ACS head coach Brad Bonds was doing. Fresh off their big win over Owensboro Catholic (arguably the biggest win by any team in Kentucky this season), Bonds sent his JV team in to battle the #2 Gators, leaving star pitcher Jamie Ogles to sit on a trash can in the dugout, top catcher Megan Williams wrapped in a blanket and the rest of the Patriot starters to twiddle their thumbs while watching the Gators pound their way to a hollow championship victory.
So who wins and who loses from this decision? Who looks smart and who looks stupid? Here’s my opinion…
The Biggest Winner: 4th region competition
While everyone and their mother will be anticipating and hyping the Greenwood-ACS “rematch” in the regional tournament, underdogs like Barren County, Bowling Green/Warren East (they play in the first round of the district) and Franklin-Simpson will be lurking with absolutely no pressure on their collective shoulders. If the draw works out the way it should, both ACS and Greenwood will have to clear two hurdles before meeting each other. Remember last year: Barren County and Franklin-Simpson pushed Greenwood and ACS, respectively, to the brink in the regional semifinals. With so much attention given to the regional titans, don’t be surprised if one of these teams gives the Gators and Patriots a run. (Note: Barren County beat #18 Edmonson County 5-0 on Saturday)…
Winner: Brad Bonds
Bonds has only been in charge of the ACS softball program for a year-and-a-half, but he is already making his mark as the leader of the program. Last season, he weathered his ace pitcher's nagging shoulder injury and stretches of offensive incompetance to stun Greenwood in the 4th region final. This season, his Patriot team has furthered its ability to rally in ballgames (see Grayson County, Daviess County and Owensboro Catholic this past week). But this decision might be the most noteworthy of them all. By dodging the Gators, Bonds only adds another element to the mental challenge that Greenwood must solve in order to topple the Patriots.
Winner: Greenwood
Motivation should not have been a concern for Brittany York and company if the Gators were to meet the Patriots in the 4th region final. ACS has dismissed Greenwood from the regional tournament for the last two years, and both years Greenwood was an overwhelming favorite to come out on top. This is still the case this year, as Greenwood returned everyone from a team that was ranked top-5 in the state for much of last season. Greenwood, especially York, should be eager to get the monkey off the back, and the fact that the Patriots would gladly give them a seasonal championship should fire up the Gators even more for the chance to finally get rid of the Patriot pest once and for all.
Loser: Penny Reece
A quick look down the third base line during a Greenwood at-bat would reveal the feelings of Greenwood’s head coach. A win over Christian County would give her team a chance to ease the tension left from June 1, 2005 when the Patriots upset the Gators in spectacular fashion. Perhaps just playing the Patriots would give her team a mental edge if they should see them again in the regional tournament. But across the field, Brad Bonds was devising a clever strategy to make sure that didn’t happen, proving once again to be a step ahead of Reece. Remember, it was Bonds who wisely rotated Maleiah Cornwell with Jamie Ogles in the regional final a year ago, while Reece stuck with Brittany York instead of going with Rachel Riley when York faltered late. There’s a lot of pressure on Greenwood to succeed, but perhaps there is just as much on Reece now to measure up with Bonds’s moves.
Loser: Softball fans
It was a long, cold, blustery day at Jack C. Fisher Park in Owensboro, but it was full of good softball and good times. After Allen County-Scottsville took down Owensboro Catholic and Greenwood rallied to defeat Christian County, the stage was set for an epic final to the Sports Warehouse Classic. But with Bonds’s decision to hold his cards until the potential regional final, softball fans were disappointed to find that this great matchup between two of the state’s elite would become nothing more than a glorified scrimmage. For the most neutral of fan, it was a disappointing end to an exhilarating day of fast pitch softball.
The Biggest Loser: Owensboro Catholic
The Aces had already had a bad day, losing for the first time to a Kentucky team in Allen County-Scottsville and then appearing flat as a pancake in a loss to Christian County. Then, the coaches, players and fans of Catholic watch their tournament ultimately turn into Brad Bonds and ACS’s pawn in their mental chess game with the Greenwood Gators. It wasn’t an intentional slap in Catholic’s face, but it cannot be argued that this move was a clear indication of what some teams feel about these weekend tournaments in the large scope of things. However, don’t sleep on Catholic. They are still the state champions and the favorite for this year’s championship until beaten when it matters.
I can argue that this is an objective account of this decision, but with my educational background being rooted in Scottsville, I would be lying. Feel free to comment on who you think are the winners and losers from this move made by ACS.
posted by Ben Osborne at
8:00 PM
28 Comments:
Biggest Loser- The fans.
As you have stated, if these two teams meet in the regional, then we will know how good of a decision it was.
I know this is the big story from the tournament, but, can anyone give any info on any other games of interest. I see on the Scoreboard that there were a lot of close games and several ties.
By
Anonymous, at 9:58 AM
OK, first off your softball knowledge just took a hit of credibility with the statement that Greenwood has been the overwhelming favorite the past two years. If I'm not mistaken ACS beat Greenwood pretty handily in the regular season two years ago, and not many if any thought Greenwood (starting about 6 8th graders) had a chance against ACS in the regionals.
So, let's not let our ACS bias get in the way of facts.
As far as winners and losers. The loser to me is the ACS players who now know that their coach doesn't think they are better than Greenwood and doesn't have the confidence in them to let the play the game and let everything take care of itself.
Basically, what Bonds is saying is that we know Greenwood is better than us, and our only chance is to have a one game winner take all opportunity, where it might be the one game out of 5 that we would beat them.
Bonds knew that if he beats Greenwood in the OC tournament odds of him beating them again in the Regionals just got a lot slimmer, and if Greenwood wins it gives them confidence, and puts doubt in ACS mind.
But what Bonds may have not realized is that a Greenwood win in the OC tourn. against ACS varsity may have gave Greenwood a false sense of security and led to some over confidence come Region time. Well, that ain't happening now, Bonds just pissed off a sleeping giant and any chance he had that Greenwood might come out flat and believing all they hype, because I'm sure Greenwood will probably be ranked #1 after this weekend has gone out the window and he is going to see a team with more focus than they have had all year.
By
Anonymous, at 10:01 AM
I would like to think that Greenwood would be focused. But, there is still the same old turmoil in the Gator pit after losing their head assistant and having Reece do her normal go off crap at the girls. Someone needs to do something about the program and the head coach. This should have been a celebration instead the girls are just as angry and lost as ever
By
Anonymous, at 11:36 AM
OK, for the second anonymous:
I'll give you the part about Greenwood in 2004. Still, they were the defending regional champions and winners of two of the last three 4th regions. The Gators had been to state five times to ACS's one. But still, I'll give you that.
But if you think ACS's players are on a different page from Bonds, then you are wrong. There are mind games at work here. Bonds is playing a game with Reece, just like he did with the pitching rotation in last year's final, and we know how that ended up. Does Greenwood have more talent than ACS? I think everyone knows that answer. Is Greenwood a better TEAM? We'll find out.
What Bonds did was create more drama. We've seen how parents handle that in the Swamp. All this does is increase the pressure for the regional final, and I assure you, NO team is tougher under pressure than ACS.
It was a brilliant move, playing to ACS's strengths and Greenwood's weaknesses.
By
Ben Osborne, at 12:04 PM
Ben,
You let your love for ACS cloud your judgment here. Are you related to Bonds or something?
Bonds did what he did, it wasn't a genius move or brilliant or any of that other stuff you make it out to be. I think you are over estimating the "mind games" thing.
I'll give Bonds credit for rotating his pitchers last year, good managerial move no doubt about it. Its not like he's the first one to ever do that though. So I wouldn't coronate him as the next Sue Enquist or anything yet.
And as far as Bonds and the players being on the same page, don't know and don't care. All I know is that they deserved a chance to compete, that's why the games are played. And from the ACS parents I talked to it didn't sound like they were on the same page and it doesn't appear that Greenwood has a monopoly on the drama in the fourth region.
You say no team is tougher under pressure than ACS, come on, dude. Now I guess you've seen every team play??? They've come back to win some games, that's great, doesn't make them the best team in the state under pressure. You can throw the Grayson Co. game out since they got their runs in a monsoon, where Grayson's pitcher couldn't grip the ball. Butler they came back and won, but probably never should have been in that position, and then they came back on an overrated OC team. So I really don't see what they've done to be considered "the best team under pressure"... Greenwood came back and tied Union County on a two out two run bottom of the seventh HR by their 8th place batter. Then they came back from 2-0 to beat Christian County 3-2 who promptly turned around and handed it to OC 7-4. So what has ACS done that Greenwood hasn't other than not schedule them last year, and claim the field was wet this year, and then play their JV. If they're scared why don't they just say it?
Ben, I like this site and appreciate it for what it is, but if its going to be an ACS fan site, then say so. And then I'll know what to expect when I come here.
If its going to be a serious softball blog then IMO you need to check your loyalties and report facts and not spin stuff to make ACS and Bonds out to be more than they are. If you need examples for this look no further than your statement that ACS upset Greenwood two years in a row, you admitted you were wrong on this point, but why did you say it to start with??? Because it doesn't matter that Greenwood won the year before and had been to state 4 times or whatever, if that's all that mattered then North Carolina should have been favored to beat Duke in basketball this year since they won the title the year before. But they were'nt, because UNC lost everything and Duke didn't. You just said/typed it because it made your team look better. Sounds a lot better if you can say they've upset them twice despite Greenwood being overwhelming favorites.
By
Anonymous, at 1:11 PM
I don't know how brilliant of a move it was. However, it doesn't take much to throw off Greenwood's head coach. Hope they fare better in this years regional tournament. They gotta get out of their district first and the girls at Central are looking for an upset.
By
Anonymous, at 1:13 PM
I admit that I wear red, white and blue tinted glasses. A year out of high school doesn't fade the tint that much.
However, I DO respect a coach that will think big picture and be creative in their strategy. I admit, I am new to the sport...I started to really follow it last season. To see a coach throw a championship game in favor of thinking big picture is very interesting to me. And I see why Bonds did it, and I think it's a good move. But yes, I am biased and I'm not gonna waste my or your time explaining that I'm an objective fan.
Take this site for what it is. If you think it's an "I Love ACS Softball" thing, then that's your decision. But if it were, you'd know it would have been before now, I assure you. And no, I have no relation to any ACS coach or player, so you can't play that card.
I appreciate good strategy. I saw good strategy on Saturday night. Perhaps you didn't. It's all a matter of opinion.
By
Ben Osborne, at 2:02 PM
Despite all of the back and forth it comes down to Bonds doing what he thought was right and trying to have some sort of strategy and Reece still not knowing what to do. It will be very interesting to see the regional, if both teams make it that far, to see a real good ballgame between two very good teams. It will come down to the coaching ability and that is where Bonds has the upperhand. He knows what needs to be done to get his team motivated where she only knows how to anger and humiliate her players.
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Anonymous, at 2:19 PM
As far as who is the best team under pressure, that could ba argued all day. Most if not all kids who play for these teams have played competitive summer ball for several years. They have been thru pressure situations time after time. York, Riley, Dunning, Ogles, Cornwell and Stovall have all pitched in Championship games so it's gonna come down to who plays the best if another showdown presents itself. I am an ACS fan and I like Coach Bonds, but I totally disagree with not playing the starters. The seniors have worked their tails off for many years and have added much to the ACS softball tradition. To take away a chance to win a prestigious tourney like this one from them was shameful.
By
Anonymous, at 2:58 PM
I agree these girls all know how to react under pressure. I do feel that it will come down to who the best coach is. Coach Reece has been head coach at Greenwood for 13 years and has a winning record, this doesn't make her the best all around coach. She folds under pressure and does not have a positive influence on the girls. These girls know how to play ball like the best of them but you cannot expect a group of teenagers to know when to make the right call under certain situations. Reece does not know when herself to make the right call or what the right call is. Of course, this is where a good assistant comes to play, but Reece can't seem to keep a good asst. on her staff, going through 2 this year and 6 over the past years. From an outsider looking in she got rid of one of the best coaches I've seen around this area. Mckenney was able to shake up our girls and keep them off balance at the plate. He also appeared to get those Gators pumped up and excited to play.
For this it is my opinion that come push to shove Bonds will most likely stick it to Reece once again. It's going to be an interesting post season.
By
Anonymous, at 4:01 PM
were there any other intersting teams or games this weekend besdies this one. its getting all the hype!
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Anonymous, at 5:26 PM
I believe that neither Bonds nor Reece consider their team. ACS girls deserved to play......Greenwood girls deserve respect from Reece. I know alot of these girls personally,and I truley think its a shame for them.I know as soon as I write this I will get slammed.....but here goes. Yes, I am from Catholic and a parent. The reason we contend every year is because of George and Zub and our fans. The girls do it for that as much as for themselves. They are a team, from the coaches all the way down to the 7th grade pinch runners. Win or lose, they're always family....and thats tough to beat.
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Anonymous, at 5:52 PM
I totally agree with that! You must be a "family" and a "team" before you win a state championship. Greenwood will never win one until all the drama and their coach goes away!
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Anonymous, at 6:21 PM
agreed i played on a team with a coahc problem! we had so much talent but couldnt get to state because r coach brought us down!
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Anonymous, at 6:52 PM
My question to the team is why don't the parents and the players unify and go to the school. The onesie twosie crap won't work. If it is such a problem then they need to be the ones to do something about it!!!!!!
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Anonymous, at 7:07 PM
I totally agree with that if you can't get the players and the parents to speak up at one time then there's not alot that will be done. The fact that Reece is allowed to continue with the way she does things shows alot for the Warren County Board and for Greenwood High School. Any other coach at any other school would have already been repremended for their actions and would not have been allowed to continue on the way she has done.
Come on parents do something about it!!!!!!!!!
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Anonymous, at 7:23 PM
Agree with "family". Good luck to Catholic tomm. on your game against Greenwood. Sounds like enough going on there to kick their butt.
By
Anonymous, at 9:25 PM
What is the main complaint regarding Reece? She seems to always have encouraging things to say about her girls when interviewed after games. It's got to be tough dealing with all those hormones from that many girls. And from what I heard regarding losing her last asst. coach, it was more than justified. Coaches can't be "buddy-buddy" with the kids. SOMEONE has to be the grown-up.
By
Anonymous, at 11:24 AM
What interviews have you seen? She always blames on or more of the girls when things go wrong instead of doing what a coach should do and bearing the burden.
She got rid of both coaches this year because the girls like them to much and she was threatened by mckenny's knowleddge of softball. She probably felt like he was getting too much credit for their success and was to good of a motivater for the girls. I've never seen a coach tear the team down year after year like she does and cause so much turmoil then wonder why she hasn't won a state title with the talent she has year after year.
By
Anonymous, at 12:07 PM
Do you KNOW without a doubt that she got rid of both coaches because the girls like them too much? Did you actually hear her say that or that she was threatened by one's knowledge of softball? Those are pretty bold statements to be making. Too often people assume things without knowing the real facts. "Heresay" and assumptions can be very damaging. It's also unfair to place blame solely on the coach that a team hasn't won a state title. True, decisions made can have a negative impact on the outcome of a game but to totally blame a coach is uncalled for. She must be doing something right with her record over the past years. Come on, give her a little credit.
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Anonymous, at 12:41 PM
I haven't ever heard anyone of her players ever say a good word about Reece. Mckenney on the other hand the girls praised and enjoyed. He taught them some of the basics of softball, something she hasn't been able to do in 13 years. As far as winning the state she won't have a state title because as a coach she doesn't have what it takes to be a champ.
Yes after the game when she's talking with the press she puts on her happy face and is encouraging it's just a shame she can't be encouraging on the field. As far as buddy-buddy, a good coach can be buddies with the girls and yet still have the respect of the girls and be able to dicipline at the same time. Then after jumping the girls still earn their respect because he doesn't call them out in front of the entire crowd. Reece doesn't know how to do that and until someone does something about it she will continue to drag down one of the best ball clubs in this state.
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Anonymous, at 12:48 PM
I'll give her a little credit she has been very fortunate to have the athletes she has had in the past. I don't ever see any past athletes come to see her at the ballpark......NO RESPECT
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Anonymous, at 12:50 PM
"Do you KNOW without a doubt that she got rid of both coaches because the girls like them too much?"
I know both were told by reece that she got calls from parents that they were mad because they were to close to the girls and the parents didn't like that. When the parents started asking around, none could be found that made that call. What parent doesn't want the coach to be close to their kid? My source is several of the parents and kids who talked to the coaches after.
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Anonymous, at 12:57 PM
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Anonymous, at 3:12 PM
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By
Anonymous, at 3:22 PM
I don't know about all of that, but I am a former Lady Gator who to this day the sight or sound of Reece makes me sick at my stomache. Something has to be said for that.
By
Anonymous, at 3:43 PM
Looks like airing dirty laundry in public has been taken to a new level be some of the Gator faithful. Some of these posts read like a soap opera storyline w/ each episode more sordid than the last. Oh and by the way, all this on an ACS 'homer' blog!! Most agree the only way ACS can win is to feed the Gator infighting, it also gives OC a chance to crow about all the love and harmony that makes them one big family. When everyone I know realizes that OC has its own 'family issues.' With that said,and all things being equal,even if ACS reaches the region final, it looks like a Gator beatdown on ACS. Even little mind games like ACS pulled at OBORO can't overcome the gap in talent this year.
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Anonymous, at 4:32 PM
All right, game over. Greenwood fans: you should behave better...
By
Ben Osborne, at 4:49 PM
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