SportsFan10

Agree with you on Reidenger. Huge point of the game when HC pulled within 5 points with around 5 minutes to go in the Fourth Quarter, Reidenger was responsible for a 3 pointer and then 2 to 3 times (seemed like in a row) broke the press moving up the middle of the floor and hit Baker on the baseline for 15 footers (and Baker hit the big shots when the team needed them). CovCath lead went from 5 points to 12 points in roughly a minute and that was pretty much the game. Also CovCath was (unofficially) 12 of 17 on free throws with Connelly making 8 of 11. Make some outside shots and free throws, play some intense defense and good things happen. Still way too many turnovers for CovCath with 10 in the first half, 9 in the 3rd Quarter and 4 in the 4th Quarter for 23 total. All of CovCath team seemed to contribute and also agree that Thelen had a good game and took what was given. I had Thelen at 5 of 9 from the floor and 1 of 2 on free throws along with his 10 rebounds. Need to beat Holmes and get a good draw opposite Dixie and NewCath!

Good win for CCH and nice to see Schult bring energy and all out hustle that all on this team should exhibit every game - as most know defense, boxing out and rebounding are all about your effort and desire which all can do. IMO the big games (district and region) are going to come down to how effective this team can be against a zone defense (see results of 4th Quarter of Dixie game when not effective). Can they hit a few outside shots to loosen the zone thus allowing easier passes into their big men and penetration into the seams of the zone - if not it will be a long night. Also can they make their free throws like the Boone County game (not sure but somewhere around 70-75%) or revert back to the lower regular season free throw stats. If they can execute these then IMO they have as good a shot as any at winning this region.

TOG Let me help finish that second sentence with a little more detail: "as the players traveled by cars to the game in Hamilton OH and several cars got lost arriving just before the game was to start at 5:00pm. The game did start around 5:10pm.

O.K. - where has Hellman been so far this season. He makes the most of his first appearance (one inning) by throwing hard, throwing different pitches for strikes and if you look at the young man you know he is going to only get stronger as he can add muscle and weight to his lanky 6ft 4in frame. I see much potential this year and especially next year for him. What am I missing here and what is the coaching staff missing??

I agree that if you can play tough defense then you can earn minutes without other stats. IMO I have not seen that kind of defense displayed by Machinot and Hudepohl. I guess we will see in the final four games, district and region.

IMO - I still do not understand how you can continue to give minutes to players who do not produce. Some Covcath guards play minutes without producing any real positive stats (points, assists, steals, rebounds vs turnovers.....). Does anyone have official stats for the season on all the Covcath guards? It would be interesting to see the production of each guard, especially against minutes played. The good news is that Covcath made a few outside shots and controlled the boards without turning the ball over. Still must continue to improve the outside shooting and control turnovers with each game left to be ready for the districts and region.

I agree with CovCathiRadio here on Brett. Max Pauly is playing well and needs to play as much as possible. Brett could spell him from time to time but I think Max and Brett in the game at the same time would improve both scoring and turnovers which would help keep other teams from packing it in and double teaming the very effective Thelen and Wellbrock (which is going to happen more and more). Some playing time from other guards could definitely be spared for Brett at the 2 position with Max at the point.

How can Brett Reidinger not be getting more playing time? Scored 8 points in 3 minutes going 2 for 2 from the three and 2 of 2 on free throws - third leading scorer behind Thelen and Wellbrock (3 pt shot in 2nd qtr & 3 pt shot and 2 of 2 from foul line in the 4th qtr). Look at the stats from last night's game. Also I think he was the second leading scorer in the Montgomery County game last Friday scoring 12 pts in roughly 10 minutes or so (3 of 6 fg and 3 of 3 ft).

Clyde, please add the circumstances of the only 3 pt shot made and how much time did Riedinger actually play? Was it at the end of a quarter or did he actually get a chance to play more and score more?

This CCH team does play harder but is only better than the team from last year because of Thelen (who will only continue to get better with each game). Again last year's team lost 3 of top 7 players to illness and injury - Pauly to illness/injury for most of 2nd half of season, Thelen to broken elbow in mid Jan, and their best player and point guard Shover to illness for the whole year. Evans sure would have helped last year. Where would this year's team be if their best player Thelen was out for the year – yes very weak. Please enough said about last year’s team. This year's team has Thelen and Wellbrock down low playing well but lacks consistent guard play. Evans & Pauly need to play more minutes and start making some outside shots to help open up down low for the big guys (Evans is shooting well on 3s at about 35% but Pauly actually shot better last year before he was sick). The other two fast but unproductive junior guards have to do more than play a little defense. They must learn to be an outside threat and to penetrate, draw and dish to the open man. If not, their minutes should go quickly to more productive players. Also Riedinger should get a chance at some real minutes as he has proven he can shoot and make free throws (please do not tell me he needs to get bigger as we all know this team needs someone to make outside shots and not turn the ball over. Also Lother for Highlands was a thin but solid guard last year and this year). Wilson (also needs more minutes) and Heimbrock must also hit those mid range shots from the 3 position and Connelly's energy can help down low and on the press when needed. I agree that this team will beat Beechwood and Holy Cross and get to the region. They have an opportunity to suprise many and win two games in the region but they must start now playing the guys that will hit some outside shots (especially free throws) and not make turnovers. Without some consistent production from the outside other teams will more and more sit in a zone and double and triple team Thelen and dare someone else to make shots. Also Highlands was missing their 2nd best player George Grote due to a sore back - he sat on the bench Tuesday night and did not dress for the CCH game.