Was unaware Barnes and Ayers were out. Knew about Swanson for SK and Barker for Conner not playing.

Simon Kenton (2-2) - Montgomery 8 0 21, Morrison 5 0 14, Sampson 8 4 20, Robinson 5 1 11, Bowling 2 0 4, Rekner 1 0 2, Pracht 1 0 2. Totals: 30 5 74.

 

Conner (2-0) - Riddle 1 3 6, Watts 3 2 8, Padgett 7 8 22, Way 1 3 5, Lamblez 4 2 10, Yeager 1 0 2, Hemmerich 9 5 23. Totals 26 23 76.

 

Halftime score: Conner 49-43. 3-pointers: S 9 (Montgomery 5, Morrison 4); C (Riddle).

It's a bad sign to walk into the gym at Conner and see two ref's you've never had before and one that isn't that good. The Jim Hicks effect was in full display- SK shot 10 free throws while Conner shot 36. Sampson was continually pounded in the lane with no calls while Padgett got the benefit on the other end. 3 of the foul calls for SK actually hurt them offensively- took away a late basket by Bowling that should have been an 'and one'- foul called before the shot. Sampson got run over shooting a 3 and the foul was called after the shot- ball on the side instead of three freethrows.

 

Bad exectution by SK in the last 2 minutes was the difference. Conner players did what they needed to while SK made mistakes with shot selection and ball handling. Really miss Swanson at the point.

The Conner student section was pretty Rowdy last night. Great fan support. Think that was a big reason the Cougars were able to pull that one out. SK seemed pretty rattled late.

Sampson got run over shooting a 3 and the foul was called after the shot- ball on the side instead of three freethrows.

 

 

Why was it a bad call?

It's a bad sign to walk into the gym at Conner and see two ref's you've never had before and one that isn't that good. The Jim Hicks effect was in full display- SK shot 10 free throws while Conner shot 36. Sampson was continually pounded in the lane with no calls while Padgett got the benefit on the other end. 3 of the foul calls for SK actually hurt them offensively- took away a late basket by Bowling that should have been an 'and one'- foul called before the shot. Sampson got run over shooting a 3 and the foul was called after the shot- ball on the side instead of three freethrows.

 

Bad exectution by SK in the last 2 minutes was the difference. Conner players did what they needed to while SK made mistakes with shot selection and ball handling. Really miss Swanson at the point.

 

Obviously, you are going to have a bit of a biased slant on the officiating depending on who you are rooting for. I thought it was average at best and calls were missed both ways. But all I can say is welcome to the 9th Region! Can't tell you how many times I've seen a Conner team not get the benefit of the call when playing at SK, Walton, Grant Co, etc. That said, I would like to address your issues above from a Conner slant. The Bowling 'and one' should have been a travel. He jumped to shoot, did not release the ball, and landed. Only then did a Conner player make contact. The 3 by Sampson was a total flop job. The Conner kid closed out well, did not leave his feet, and barely made contact. After the shot Sampson flopped into the stands. As for the Jim Hicks effect, I think that has hurt Conner more than help them over the years. Again, your point of view is going to be skewed a bit depending on your team, but that is the way I saw the calls in question.

How was Conner's PG play?

 

PG play continues to improve and hasn't been an issue for Conner. That might be because they are go-go-go and not running alot of offense right now. Riddle, Watts, and Way are doing an adequate job taking care of the ball by committee. "32 Minutes of Hell" has arrived in Hebron. Really impressed with Hemmerich and his ability to create his own shot. Don't know how Padgett scores and is so effective in the post. Undersized but continues to excel.

I wouldn't take much out of PG play against SK. Noah is a great kid, but not physically ready to be the man just yet. Not to mention he came in the season figuring he would be 4th in line to get minutes at the point.

I wouldn't take much out of PG play against SK. Noah is a great kid, but not physically ready to be the man just yet. Not to mention he came in the season figuring he would be 4th in line to get minutes at the point.

 

 

Strength is his biggest need for sure.

 

Strength is his biggest need for sure.

 

Exactly. He has all the tools. I did hear he played really well last night too

Obviously, you are going to have a bit of a biased slant on the officiating depending on who you are rooting for. I thought it was average at best and calls were missed both ways. But all I can say is welcome to the 9th Region! Can't tell you how many times I've seen a Conner team not get the benefit of the call when playing at SK, Walton, Grant Co, etc. That said, I would like to address your issues above from a Conner slant. The Bowling 'and one' should have been a travel. He jumped to shoot, did not release the ball, and landed. Only then did a Conner player make contact. The 3 by Sampson was a total flop job. The Conner kid closed out well, did not leave his feet, and barely made contact. After the shot Sampson flopped into the stands. As for the Jim Hicks effect, I think that has hurt Conner more than help them over the years. Again, your point of view is going to be skewed a bit depending on your team, but that is the way I saw the calls in question.

 

Just curious but what is the "Jim Hicks effect"?

 

PG play continues to improve and hasn't been an issue for Conner. That might be because they are go-go-go and not running alot of offense right now. Riddle, Watts, and Way are doing an adequate job taking care of the ball by committee. "32 Minutes of Hell" has arrived in Hebron. Really impressed with Hemmerich and his ability to create his own shot. Don't know how Padgett scores and is so effective in the post. Undersized but continues to excel.

 

The Hemmerich boy is a nice player, but seems to have a lot of unforced turnovers. I saw multiple travels and several times where he just falls to the ground and turns it over. He also seems to fire it up at will. What is his percentage?

Just curious but what is the "Jim Hicks effect"?

 

Hicks has been known in the past to get pretty fired up with the refs I believe. From what I have seen of him though over the past couple years when they play the Birds he seems very much reserved on the bench.

Hicks has been known in the past to get pretty fired up with the refs I believe. From what I have seen of him though over the past couple years when they play the Birds he seems very much reserved on the bench.

 

I have only recently got to see Coach Hicks and the Cougars but in the handful of times I have seen them play Coach Hicks always conducts himself in a very professional manner

Hicks may have calmed some over the past few years. My referee contacts tell me he is (was?) the biggest complainer in NKY. Always begging for calls, etc..