Cats Pause 9th Region Preview

[mexitucky]

Holy Cross isn't even the best team in their district...with or without Campbell...let alone the region.

 

5 or 6 is a good spot for them to start the season.

 

 

 

Again, Newcath isn't "clearly" the best team in the region. Most experience? Yes. Most talent? No. The region is wide open this year. Anyone in the top 5 could represent us at Rupp and I wouldn't be surprised come March.

 

You keep talking about Newcath's front court and their size. Boone last year is a perfect example that you don't need a bunch of 6'5 guys to win the region. I'll take the smaller, quicker guys any day. They played 4 guys who were 5'11 or smaller and Newcath had no answer for them because of their quickness. Do you really think Schulte or Seibert is going to be able to defend McClendon or Coston one on one out on the perimeter?? The key to beating Newcath this year is scoring early and often to set up a press and your defense to put pressure on the Breds. Outside of Pangallo, I wouldn't feel comfortable with anyone else bringing the ball up against pressure and he is still young and mistake prone.

 

And speaking of proven players...Cooper returns just as much, as does Holmes and Covcath.

 

Holmes returns two kids (Palmer and Coston) who have been starting since their sophomore year as well as a kid that has been seeing time since his sophomore year (Englemon). They return a sophomore (Bolden) that is arguably the most talented kid in the region not only for his age, but overall. They return several JV guys that saw time late in the season. (Jamanti Wilson and 6'5 Marcus Hill as well as 6'5 Chames who played a lot at HC last year) And guys like Armani Housely and Daquon Glover who are unknown juniors will also make a name for themselves this year with their outside shooting. Anyone who saw Holmes JV last year knows that those two along with Wilson can flat out fill it up from outside. This will be a fast and athletic Holmes team, but also one that shoots it well from outside. Also may be a surprise (experienced) addition to the roster that makes them even better.

 

Covcath is in the same boat as Holmes and Cooper as far as returning experience but also having younger guys that will step up and make a name for themselves.

 

This Newcath team isn't Holmes of 08/09 or even the Boone teams during that Holmes run...I wouldn't even put them in the same class as the Dixie team that won region two years ago. Newcath will lose atleast 2 or 3 9th region games.

 

If teams want to implement Boone's game, then they better hit from the stripe at an 85% clip and hit every clutch 3 that they can. Even then, NewCath beat themselves. When Hightchew and his teammate colided on what should have been a lead changing, break away lay-up, it turned into a 5 point swing. NewCath never recovered from that. I'll take good post play over running the weave or whatever Boone ran last year.

 

And no team is Holmes 08/09. However, they could wind up being better than Dixie, the same one that beat NewCath in OT.

[Omega Man]

Zach McNeil doesn't make this list? I know he is new to the 9th but reputation alone gets him in this top ten.

 

I'm not sure he starts for Cooper this year? He has a nice shot and decent handles. The 9th is loaded with talent.

[FRONT OF THE RIM]

I agree. My point is, this isn't a Newcath team that will be a dominant force because of their size and talent...therefor they arent the "clear cut favorite."

 

Do I think they deserve the #1 ranking? Absolutely. How long they keep it is a better question though.

I think they play at Cooper in early Dec. Maybe that will shed some light.

[TAC]

I think they play at Cooper in early Dec. Maybe that will shed some light.

 

May be a good barameter. Not many grid iron boys that will start for NCC. What about Cooper?

[Jester313]

Cooper has 4 BB players on the football team 3 of which could start. If they go deep into the football playoffs they may not be at full strength until mid December.

[Qryche11]

May be a good barameter. Not many grid iron boys that will start for NCC. What about Cooper?

 

Not many? How bout none. The likely starting 5 have all probably been playing hoops all year long outside of maybe cutting back a little in August/September due to golf. All 5 play AAU competitively, Beuter, Siebert, Schulte with the NKY Bombers and McDonald and Pangallo I believe also play or have played with the Omega team. NCC will lavó depth and that will be their only real issue IMO. What football players outside of Franzen even play?

[Mr. Sixer]

Cooper has 4 BB players on the football team 3 of which could start. If they go deep into the football playoffs they may not be at full strength until mid December.

 

4 is the correct number of football players Cooper has that will play basketball and yes 3 of them WILL start once they get done with the playoffs and get their bball legs under them.

 

Returning Starters:

AJ Collins - SG

Drew Shelton - PF/C

Aaron Morgan - PG

 

Tyler Morris should play as well but depending on his knee situation may opt out of bball this year. Regardless of when those players get back Cooper will still be a team to contend with come February. NCC will be the favorite most likely, and should be, up until then.

[4pointplay]

Not many? How bout none. The likely starting 5 have all probably been playing hoops all year long outside of maybe cutting back a little in August/September due to golf. All 5 play AAU competitively, Beuter, Siebert, Schulte with the NKY Bombers and McDonald and Pangallo I believe also play or have played with the Omega team. NCC will lavó depth and that will be their only real issue IMO. What football players outside of Franzen even play?

 

McDonald and Pangallo played for Shining Star Sports coached by Mitch Shover

[Walter]

If teams want to implement Boone's game, then they better hit from the stripe at an 85% clip and hit every clutch 3 that they can. Even then, NewCath beat themselves. When Hightchew and his teammate colided on what should have been a lead changing, break away lay-up, it turned into a 5 point swing. NewCath never recovered from that. I'll take good post play over running the weave or whatever Boone ran last year.

 

And no team is Holmes 08/09. However, they could wind up being better than Dixie, the same one that beat NewCath in OT.

 

If you don't have guards capable of getting the ball up the floor, the good post play becomes a non factor.

 

You don't need a dominant post presence to be good. Guard play wins out at the high school level.

[Lawnboy13]

Not many? How bout none. The likely starting 5 have all probably been playing hoops all year long outside of maybe cutting back a little in August/September due to golf. All 5 play AAU competitively, Beuter, Siebert, Schulte with the NKY Bombers and McDonald and Pangallo I believe also play or have played with the Omega team. NCC will lavó depth and that will be their only real issue IMO. What football players outside of Franzen even play?

 

The only one I can think of is Sr. Jake Haas.

 

Also heard that 6'5" TE & DE, Jr. Tyler Lyon might be going out for the team. Don't know what he brings to the court other than another tall body with long arms. :idunno:

[Bankingboard]

Don't forget the Pangallo kid. He handels the ball well and is a good outside shot. In their JV game last year with Holmes he played Bolden step for step.

Newcath should be #1 but they aren't "clear cut #1" by any means. They will have their hands full against teams that want to play uptempo and put pressure on their guards. Beuter and Seibert don't handle the ball well against pressure and they tend to force shots. Their front court also isn't good in an uptempo setting.

[Bankingboard]

I agree that Jake Schulte needs to show improvement this year, but with his length and jumping ability, he has a chance to develope into a very good player.

Outside of Campbell, McDonald has the best offensive game of the bigs in NKY. Not only can he score in the low post, back to the basket, but the kid has an excellent mid range game. Schulte is limited on offense and his post moves aren't even close to McDonald's nor can he shoot it like him.

 

I think Bolden will end up on the list by the end of year. He has the most upside of any guard in the 9th region. He is only going to get better, just needs to add some strength.

 

With Campbell, Mcdonald, and Maniacci in the top 5 I just don't see Tobler cracking the top 5 especially when you got guards such as Hatton and Ruthsatz.

[Omega Man]

I saw Schulte playing up a year over the summer with a couple of team mates on the Bombers. He was a stud. He played without the fear he had as a sophomore last year. I think he will become the go to man in NCC's middle.

[Clyde]

I'm in the camp that thinks Schulte will have a strong season.

[RomanEmpire]

Not much talk here on Conner, but they return some key players. Also possibly get three guards on the team who did not participate last season. Could be interesting in Hebron when they get their team complete after football season.