Goodin out to prove he’s the best

March 17, 2016

Taylor County’s Quentin Goodin skies for 2 of his 28 points against Mason County. (Photo by Tim Webb)

BY MIKE FIELDS (March 17, 2016)

Quentin Goodin didn’t win Mr. Basketball honors Tuesday night, but the Taylor County senior wanted to show that he deserved the award with his play in the Cardinals’ 94-65 victory over Mason County Thursday night in the 99th Whitaker Bank/KHSAA Sweet Sixteen in Rupp Arena.

Goodin, a 6-foot-2 guard who has signed with Xavier, had 28 points, 12 rebounds, 6 assists and 3 steals as he led Taylor County to its first state tournament win since 1974.

Cards Coach Rich Gatewood thought “Q” had an extra kick to his game in Rupp.

Goodin admitted he did. He said he wanted to “prove a point” that he, not Carson Williams of Owen County, should have been chosen Mr. Basketball by the state’s coaches and media.

At Tuesday night’s banquet, Goodin said he started to stand up when Joe B. Hall made the announcement, “Mr. Basketball is …” but then he heard Carson Williams’ name called.

“I was kind of crushed for a little bit,” Goodin said. “But it is what it is.”

Goodin said he did “everything I possibly could to win that award. Congrats to Carson. He’s a great player. But I feel like Mr. Basketball should be at Rupp playing.”

Williams’ Owen County team lost to South Oldham in the first round of the 8th Region tournament.

Taylor County Coach Rich Gatewood praised Williams as a “superb player who had a phenomenal year.

“But Q could’ve gone to any prep school in the country — he’s an unbelievable talent — but he decided to stay home in Kentucky and try to win (Mr. Basketball). I thought the coaches should have considered that when they voted. It bothers me that if they dislike me they shouldn’t hold it against the kid.”

He did earn Gatorade’s Player of the Year honors for Kentucky this week.

Goodin, Taylor County’s all-time leading scorer with more than 3,000 points and all-time leading rebounder with almost 1,000, is averaging 22.2 points, 7.9 rebounds and 4.1 assists this season.

“Q is a unique kid. Most kids would have gone (on social media) to rant and put it down. But he was raised the right way. I think he handled his disappointment better than anybody could have.”

If Goodin continues to channel his disappointment by taking his game up a notch, Taylor County’s Sweet Sixteen opponents may wish that he had won Mr. Basketball.

Goodin out to prove he’s the best

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