Saturday evening marked the third trip to Wayne City this week for Coach Jimmy Goebel’s NCOE Junior High basketball team. This time, however, the Jr. Cards were playing for some hardware as they were set to take on the home town Wayne City Braves in the Consolation Championship game.

The first quarter was shaping up to be a very well balanced game. Both teams were determined to put forth their best effort and give everything they could to win and when the buzzer sounded, the Jr.Cards would find themselves trailing by only one point, 10-9. Second quarter action started out the same way as the first with both teams trading baskets. NCOE would go on  to tie the contest at 16 all, but would then run into some offensive woes and be unable to put another point on the board the rest of the way. This scoring drought would find the Jr.Cards trailing by nine heading into the locker room at halftime. [Read more...]

As the visiting Crab Orchard Trojans jumped out to the early 12-7 first quarter lead, it appeared Thursday night was not shaping up to be the game that the NCOE Jr. Cards had hoped. However, the second quarter seemed to go much smoother for NCOE when they applied some defensive pressure and took advantage of the Crab Orchard turnovers by converting on the offensive end to outscore the Trojans 12-9 in the second quarter and inch closer to only trail 21-19 at the halftime break. [Read more...]

With both teams entering Friday night of the round robin tournament with an unblemished 2-0 tournament record, it was undeniable that the championship trophy was on the line. The NCOE Junior Cardinals and the Gallatin County Hawks had both disposed of Crab Orchard, as well as Hardin County en route to this final game on the final night of the Gallatin County Tournament.

When the ball was tipped, emotions were running high and players were a little on the anxious side, knowing what was at stake. Both teams would find it difficult to put the ball in the basket early on, and it was no wonder the first quarter came to a close with the score knotted at four all. Second quarter action found things heating up offensively for both teams, but unfortunately for the Jr. Cards, not as much as it was for the Jr. Hawks. As the second quarter ended, it would be Gallatin County pulling ahead by a score of 20-11 at the halftime break. [Read more...]

For the second consecutive night, the Junior Cardinal basketball team ventured to Gallatin County to take part in the Gallatin County Tournament. This time, they would be taking on the Crab Orchard Trojans. Although they are another Little Greater Egyptian Conference Team, this game would not count towards either team’s conference record.

First quarter action would find points coming few and far between, but at the end, it would be Crab Orchard holding the one point lead at 5-4. NCOE would respond in the second quarter to claim the one point advantage at 6-5 which would knot everything up at 10-10 at halftime. [Read more...]

“The best way to improve your team is to improve yourself.”--John Wooden

The Fighting Cardinals Basketball Camp is coming up June 4-6 at the NCOE High School Gym.

Session 1: 8 a.m. - 10 a.m. 1st-4th grades
Focus: Fundamentals and Contests

Session 2: 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. 5th - 8th grades
Focus: Fundamentals, Contests, and Learning the Fighting Cardinals System

Session 3: 1:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. 9th - 12th grades
Focus: Fundamentals, Contests, and Learning the Fighting Cardinals System

Price: $35 for 1st-4th and $40 for 5th - 12th (make checks payable to NCOE Boys Basketball)

*Deadline May 18 (return form by May 18 to Coach Goebel to be guaranteed to get a t-shirt)**

The Fighting Cardinals Basketball Camp will focus on the key components that make a good program a better program; fundaments of the game, teamwork, and improving yourself to become the best individual basketball player you can become. Each camper will receive a camp t-shirt and will have the opportunity to compete in many contests, with rewards being given out to the “Camp Champ” and “Runner-Up.”

Contests: Hot Shot Free Throw, Ball Handling, Survival, Speed Dribbling, Ball with Blinders, 1 on 1, 2 on 2, and 3 on 3. During each session at the end of the week, the coaching staff will name a Mr./Ms. Hustle, Mr./Ms. Defense, and Mr./Ms. All-Around Camper. All questions should be directed to Coach Jimmy Goebel.