High Standard

The difference in this game was defense. LC's zone gave NCC trouble in trouble in the first half causing multiple turnovers leading to uncontested transition layups. When they didn't get turnovers LC forced NCC to shoot many contested jump shots. NCC on the other hand allowed penetration to the lane all game for lay ups, dump downs, or kick out open 3s. LC would come down and throw one or two passes and drive right to the middle of the lane and caused the defense to brake down. LC had a ton of points in transition most coming off of turnovers or bad shot selection. I know NCC is a good shooting team but IMO they settle way too much for shooting 3s. Very few times did they attack the gaps or pentrate the zone. When they (mostly #4) great things happened, layup, got fouled, or kick out 3. LC attacked all night long. I would like to know how many of LCs points came from inside the paint or the free throw line? I'm saying 60+. It is hard to win games if your NCC giving up that many points in the lane and from the line. Good Luck to both teams for the rest of the tournament and the season.

CCH - 72 Cooper - 59 CCH right now has the better team, better coaches, and the support of the crazies behind them. Think it will be a close game but CCH will pull away a little at the end hitting their late game free throws. I think McNeil will prove tonight why he is the best in the region (IMO). However, Ruthsatz will put together a game plan to ultimately make someone other than McNeil beat them and will pay off. I wish this game was later in the season, but could lead up to an epic rematch in early march if they were to meet again in BB&T Arena.

Congrats to the Breds on the win and good luck to the Green Devils for the rest of the year. But let's be honest, you cannot take too much from this game. I was not there but there is a reason NCC won by 53. No shot at Dayton but the talent level here is not nearly the same. Weyer has proven himself as one of the best in the region the last couple of years, as well as E. Anderson and Moeves gave solid minutes last year, but other than those 3, noone has proven anything. The Lexcath game will give us a better idea of where the Breds are at this early in the season and who will be contributors. I wish them the best of luck and look forward to catching a couple games this season. Side Note: You are not giving Zack Pangallo enough credit if you are comparing him RIGHT NOW to a player who has played one game (minus the scrap minutes from last year) and won by 53. Pangallo had a fantastic career just like all of his cousins and uncles before him. I'm sure Hall will have a fantastic career as well (I like his game a lot) but let's give credit where credit is due. No reason to trash either player on here when both are and will be great players.

I'm not going to put a limit or prediction on this team. Still too many variables to be determined. The definitely have the talent to 4-peat in Frankfort and win the region. I can see them doing both. But I can also see them struggling a bit only returning 2 guys (Weyer, E. Anderson) who saw legitimate varsity minutes last year. They did win the JV regional so the talent is there, but JV success doesn't alway turn into Varsity success. They will be a fun team to watch develop and get better throughout the year. Good luck to Coach Dawn and the Thoroughbreds this upcoming season.

How will the loss of McDonald Pangallo and Moeves effect this team? It is tough to lose 3 guys of that caliber and two 3 year starters. Weyer will obviously be the go to guy on this team but I believe Coach Dawn have some guys who were over shadowed by last years seniors that can produce this year. I have seen Hall play a couple times and think he is poised for a break out year. The Andersons will provide energy for this team. Some other pieces include sharpshooter John Ludwig, sophomore Steven Pangallo, Luke Moeves, and Trey Wurtz. With Weyer preferring to play more outside leaving Wurtz (6'6") as the only other big I can see this team wanting to play up pace and press every once in a while. This is different from years passed having multiple bigs to throw in there. I can see them competing for another All A Championship and a region title.

They have some nice talent returning and with the addition of Mullins (has he been ruled eligible yet?) should be in a good spot to challenge Newcath for the district for the first time since 2008 if I remember correctly. Snapp, Covington, Hollis, and Mullins provides a solid core guys for Coach Snapp to build around. I think they will miss Paul Price this year. He was a tough nose guy who could bring the ball up and allow snapp to play off the ball and come off screens. And was also a lock down defender. It will be interesting if Snapp moves over to the PG position. I think this team has a lot of potentially and on paper can compete with anyone in the region. I just think it's going to come down to if all of these guys by in to Coach Snapp and play together. Should be fun to watch.

1. Covcath 2. Cooper 3. Newcath 4. Holmes 5. Newport 1. Sean McNeil 2. Cole Von Handorf 3. Ben Weyer 4. Markel McClendon 5a. Adam Goetz 5b. Ethan Snapp Not saying they should be top 10 but we have not mentioned Ludlow or Bellevue. Coach Wofford (Ludlow) and Coach Hicks (Bellevue) do a great job of getting their kids to play hard every time out no matter who the line up against. Ludlow has some nice pieces returning with Kalib Mitchell and Marcus Roark. Now Bellevue loses a lot this year graduating Woodyard, Barrett, and Arnzen, but they did beat Highlands last year in a district seeding game.

Lexington Catholic always does a great job every year hosting a holiday tournament. The King of the Bluegrass always has the best in-state teams every year as well as some great out of state teams as well. Gone the last couple years and the competition is second to none. I have heard Ashland holds a nice tournament too.

Congrats to Carson and his family! This is a great get for the Norse. Solid group of KY kids with Williams and Faulkner as well as McDonald to build around.

Congrats to the Jags! Coach Borchers has done a great job building a winning program in Union. Anytime you can walk off the field with a win over HHS is huge. Things get a little easier next week with NCC but look forward to seeing how they do the rest of the year. The Jags will not be an easy out when it comes November in the playoffs. Good Luck the rest of the way!

If I remember correctly, there were several quality bigs while Campbell was at Holy Cross. Holmes - Chames, Hill, Englemon Covcath - Tobler NewCath - McDonald, Schulte Cooper - Manniacci While I do not think Campbell is top 5 of the last 20 years, to say there were no bigs to match up with him is not accurate. Tobler (UC walk-on), McDonald (NKU), and Schulte (USC Upstate) all play DI while Manniacci (Lincoln Memorial) played a year at a high DII.

Agree with you on De Jesus. I just don't think we should give up on Hamilton yet. He is still young (24/25?) and can be a HUGE asset to the team once he learns to bat .275 and draw a walk here or there. He has 51 stolen bases this year already with an OBP below .300. I just think Reds Fan's give up on some players too quickly like they did with Bruce, Votto, and Hoover last year. Go look at their numbers this year. Votto is batting above .300 and .400+ OBP while hitting near .500 since the ASG. Bruce is hitting .260 (which is one of the best in his career) and it is still going up. Hoover had the lowest ERA for a relief pitcher in the NL at the ASG. Yes, thats including Chapman. My point is just we, Reds Fans, are quick to give up on guys and not let them work through a rough year or let them develop. Do I think Hamilton will be a HOF center fielder? No. But I do think he can be a very good center fielder.

C - Mesoraco 1B - Votto 2B - Phillips 3B - Frazier SS - Cozart RF - Rodriguez CF - Hamilton LF - Winker P - Bailey Bruce will be traded in the off-season. Hamilton's defense is underrated by most. He has the ability to cover a lot of ground in the outfield. His bat is still developing and I think it is his best interest to stop the switch hitting experiment and just bat from the right side.

Congrats to Q and his family! Xavier got a good one here and I think Q can be an important role for them in years to come. Wish him nothing but the best of luck!