9th Region Predictions

**32minutesofpressure** · Aug 8, 12, 02:42 PM

Who are the teams to beat? Who will be better? Who will be worse due to graduation or loss of players? Please be positive and constructive...

**bb junky** · Aug 8, 12, 04:24 PM

Here is what I think will be preseason top 10:
ND, Highlands, Conner, NC, Holmes, Ryle, Beechwood, St Henry, Boone and ?????
I think overall the Ninth is down this year but should be very competitive. Hopefully we see some teams from like Beechwood, Holmes or Conner make some noise over the traditional power houses. I predict Boone has a down year, Conner is my sleeper pick for the region, not sure if they win it but I think they will have a good year and finally get back to the regional tournament.

**Superstar16** · Aug 8, 12, 07:07 PM

Originally Posted by 32minutesofpressure

Who are the teams to beat? Who will be better? Who will be worse due to graduation or loss of players? Please be positive and constructive...

I think ND is the team to beat. Looking for them to go far this year. Conner will be better than most people think. Highlands will be good with thier point guard back in action. She really changes that team. I'm told she is back and playing soccer now. St. Henry will be good with the Neace girl. I think she has a ton of talent. I see Boone and Ryle struggling a little this year IMO. But you can never count them out. NewCath is young but has talent. Holmes has Turner who can score. It will be a very competitive season this year in the 9th region.

**BlueKrush** · Aug 9, 12, 07:35 AM

ND is the team to beat in the 9th. The top teams in the 9th are mucho better than the top teams in the 10th.

**Clyde** · Aug 9, 12, 08:17 AM

Who did NDA lose from last year? Seems like there were some talented seniors that will be hard to replace.

**mexitucky** · Aug 9, 12, 08:45 AM

Originally Posted by Clyde

Who did NDA lose from last year? Seems like there were some talented seniors that will be hard to replace.

Which is harder to replace? Talented seniors or a great coach? NewCath is in the latter. Current coach gets a good amount of green talent, but it helps to start your career coaching Kiernan.

**Clyde** · Aug 9, 12, 08:46 AM

Originally Posted by mexitucky

Which is harder to replace? Talented seniors or a great coach? NewCath is in the latter. Current coach gets a good amount of green talent, but it helps to start your career coaching Kiernan.

Harder to replace? Talented players.

**mexitucky** · Aug 9, 12, 09:00 AM

Originally Posted by Clyde

Harder to replace? Talented players.

I agree, but many feel that a Coach is the main reason for a program's success. There seems to be two schools of thought. I don't think that either is mutually exclusive. However, if you have to replace one or the other, you can have a below average coach and good talent, and the team will be in the hunt. Give a great coach below average talent and you are looking at an unloved coach.

**Jack of all Trades** · Aug 9, 12, 09:27 AM

Highlands should be pretty strong this year led by seniors Ava Abner, Jesse Daley and Leah Schaefer. Others who should contribute along the way are Brianna Adler, Haley Coffey, Lydia Graves, Vanessa Fisse, Emily Parton and Mackenzie Leigh. Many if not all of these have varsity experience which should be a big plus. Return of Abner will definitely be the key. If she stays healthy this team is as good as any in the 9th this year.

**BlueKrush** · Aug 9, 12, 09:33 AM

Originally Posted by Clyde

Who did NDA lose from last year? Seems like there were some talented seniors that will be hard to replace.

Chandler Clark graduated. Not sure who else. Ogle, Thelen, Olivia V all back.

**1wildcat1** · Aug 9, 12, 09:59 AM

ND should be the favorite in 9th. But don't over look Conner.have
some talented seniors and freshman. They can play.

**bb junky** · Aug 9, 12, 12:47 PM

Originally Posted by Jack of all Trades

Highlands should be pretty strong this year led by seniors Ava Abner, Jesse Daley and Leah Schaefer. Others who should contribute along the way are Brianna Adler, Haley Coffey, Lydia Graves, Vanessa Fisse, Emily Parton and Mackenzie Leigh. Many if not all of these have varsity experience which should be a big plus. Return of Abner will definitely be the key. If she stays healthy this team is as good as any in the 9th this year.

I agree but I think ND has so much young talent coming up to varisty with the other three metioned I think they are the favorite.

**Porky** · Aug 9, 12, 03:10 PM

Originally Posted by bb junky

I agree but I think ND has so much young talent coming up to varisty with the other three metioned I think they are the favorite.

ND could possibly have the Smith girl playing too. I like ND and Conner as the top two teams, followed by Ryle, Boone, Highlands and NewCath in no specific order. Also would consider Holmes, St. Henry, Beechwood and Holy Cross to round out my preseason top ten. Should be a very fun season.

**jumpball** · Aug 9, 12, 03:30 PM

Originally Posted by BlueKrush

Chandler Clark graduated. Not sure who else. Ogle, Thelen, Olivia V all back.

Lizzy Brannen graduated, too, but agree that NDA will be the team to beat. They have the coach, the star, a talented supporting cast, and good showings in post season play these past couple of years. IF Smith is able/willing to play then NDA will be very strong, indeed. NCC also strong team who does well post-season; what does new coach mean for them? Very high expectations for Conner, but you can't count out Ryle and Boone even after each have lost a D1 girl plus other key players. Highlands is on the up-swing, but they are still young and I just don't see them finishing on top this year.

Plenty of talented individuals in NKY, let's see who will make the most of it!

**Clyde** · Aug 9, 12, 03:53 PM

Are the top two players the girl from Highlands (Schaefer?) and Olivia V from NDA?

**Superstar16** · Aug 9, 12, 06:30 PM

Originally Posted by Clyde

Are the top two players the girl from Highlands (Schaefer?) and Olivia V from NDA?

I would agree with that on the offensive side of the ball. Both could inprove on thier defense.

**RCC9** · Aug 10, 12, 06:12 AM

Originally Posted by jumpball

Lizzy Brannen graduated, too, but agree that NDA will be the team to beat. They have the coach, the star, a talented supporting cast, and good showings in post season play these past couple of years. IF Smith is able/willing to play then NDA will be very strong, indeed. NCC also strong team who does well post-season; what does new coach mean for them? Very high expectations for Conner, but you can't count out Ryle and Boone even after each have lost a D1 girl plus other key players. Highlands is on the up-swing, but they are still young and I just don't see them finishing on top this year.

Plenty of talented individuals in NKY, let's see who will make the most of it!

I wouldn't say HHS is young as a team. They have 6 seniors. 5 of them will be their top 7. 4 of them will probably start. Now the majority of the backups are freshman and sophomores, but I would add very talented young players. They only have two juniors in the program. And whoever said Schaeffer needs to work on her defense needs to see more HHS games! She can guard anyone on the floor and shut them down. Watched her do it to many good players last year. The 1 to the 5.

Not saying they will win it all because I question a few things with this team, but if they stay healthy and repair a few minor things, they can beat anyone on a given day.

**Porky** · Aug 10, 12, 06:53 AM

Originally Posted by Clyde

Are the top two players the girl from Highlands (Schaefer?) and Olivia V from NDA?

Agree, but I would have to include the Kiernan girl from NewCath.

**RCC9** · Aug 10, 12, 09:02 AM

Originally Posted by jumpball

Lizzy Brannen graduated, too, but agree that NDA will be the team to beat. They have the coach, the star, a talented supporting cast, and good showings in post season play these past couple of years. IF Smith is able/willing to play then NDA will be very strong, indeed. NCC also strong team who does well post-season; what does new coach mean for them? Very high expectations for Conner, but you can't count out Ryle and Boone even after each have lost a D1 girl plus other key players. Highlands is on the up-swing, but they are still young and I just don't see them finishing on top this year.

Plenty of talented individuals in NKY, let's see who will make the most of it!

I wouldn't say HHS is young as a team. They have 6 seniors. 5 of them will be their top 7. 4 of them will probably start. Now the majority of the backups are freshman and sophomores, but I would add very talented young players. They only have two juniors in the program. And whoever said Schaeffer needs to work on her defense needs to see more HHS games! She can guard anyone on the floor and shut them down. Watched her do it to many good players last year. The 1 to the 5.

Not saying they will win it all because I question a few things with this team, but if they stay healthy and repair a few minor things, they can beat anyone on a given day.