I agree with your comment! It's like hitting a long HR in baseball but it's goes foul before it goes out. Looks awesome, indeed it was a shot but after it's all said an done, it's strike one!

 

So what if it was in transition? or if Bolden passed it off and they didn't show the rest of the play. At the end of the day it was probably the most impressive one on one move in the entire game that night. Get your popcorn people :popcorn:

Showtime is 100% correct re: Pauly. CCH had Pauly "sell out" defensively. Pauly wasn't even seeing where the ball was. Didn't care. Just kept following Bolden and didn't care what was going on behind him. NCC didnt really do that very much ie was much more conventional.

He was on ice skates my friend. Obviously your partial to Devotto and whether you like it or not it's going to be on just about every highlight reel including Bolden. The only part missing is that he didn't fall down.

 

And whether the shot went down or not has no significance on how Bolden made Devotto look ON THE CROSSOVER. Significance in the score of the game, certaintly, but again didn't really matter as Holmes advances anyways.

 

You are right I am partial to the Devoto tribe. I am a friend of his father as I indicated earlier in the thread.

 

If being on ice skates is what it took to keep James from scoring, Coach Brannen would have been well advised to hand out some more blades.

 

Don't sell Mr. Bolden short. This young man is going to go places. Already being scouted by DI programs. I think his highlight reel will be filled with much more impressive plays... like perhaps a move that ends with a shot that he makes.

Showtime is 100% correct re: Pauly. CCH had Pauly "sell out" defensively. Pauly wasn't even seeing where the ball was. Didn't care. Just kept following Bolden and didn't care what was going on behind him. NCC didnt really do that very much ie was much more conventional.

 

If you're going to play it without a double team this is what you have to plan to do IMO.... Face guard with no help responsibilities, and bet your other 4 are better than their other 4. Alternatively, when Bolden does touch the ball, everyone has to play help responsiblity, and make someone else beat you... Those guys might have the ability to, but judging by the NC game, no one else had more than 9 points.

Whether the shot went down or not is irrelevant to the fact Devotto is probably still searching for his jock strap after the bang bang cross overs on him...

 

Kids need to stop following the ball and start watching the belly.If they would do that ,their ankles wouldn't get broke as much.

Not taking away anything from Holmes. But this was the worst game Ncc played all year. And was still in the game.

Reasons why people have bad games. Many times people dont give credit to the opposing defense. Holmes is quick on both sides of the ball. The reason NCC didint play good - Holmes defense.

As far as Mr Devoto. He is a very good defender. NO ONE can guard Mr. Bolden in the 9th region.

Bottomline, in a game of this magnitude you must bring your "A" game, the Breds failed to do so. There was not a lack of effort by any member of the Breds, they didn't knock down shots or get the rebounds they normally do, simple is that. However, the 'Dawgs just played a much better game, executed their game plan to perfection and came away with the victory. Congrats to them and I wish them nothing but the best the rest of the tourney.

 

BTW, Coach Brannen does a GREAT job, he puts together a great game plan, it's the players that have to execute it.

If you're going to play it without a double team this is what you have to plan to do IMO.... Face guard with no help responsibilities, and bet your other 4 are better than their other 4. Alternatively, when Bolden does touch the ball, everyone has to play help responsiblity, and make someone else beat you... Those guys might have the ability to, but judging by the NC game, no one else had more than 9 points.

 

I agree. You have to make Coston, Palmer, Chames, Englemon, and their bench beat you. Bolden will get his but my game plan would be very similar to how Pauly from CCH defended Bolden. Your best bet is to face guard him all over the court to slow him down. Limit his touches and hopefully make him exert extra energy to make things happen. Hopefully by the 4th quarter he becomes fatigued and isn't as big of a factor down the stretch.

 

Holmes doesn't seem to run many offensive sets. They really don't need to because Bolden is a top notch play maker but the more the ball is in his hands the more great things happen for Holmes.

 

I think the interesting factor is that with most of the great players we have seen over the years we as fans relate directly to scoring. How is the opposing team going to stop a certain player from getting 30 points. For example, Hatton. He is one of the greatest pure scorers we have seen. Majority of game plans is that you don't want him to get 30. But with Bolden and Holmes it tends to be much different. Granted Bolden can hang up 30 on you in the blink of an eye however, he impacts Holmes in so many different ways than scoring. His passing ability and court vision is second to none I have seen over the years in High School basketball. I think Pauly and the Colonels had the most success because they ultimately limited his touches! You can double Bolden all you want but something's gotta give. By doubling you lose an extra defender on a Holmes player. Bolden is more than capable of making you pay by recognizing doubles and finding the open man.

 

Ultimately, it's a very tough and strategical choice how your going to defend him but with his court vision and passing capabilities it truly makes it tough to double him. Holmes supporting cast aren't slouches either so if Bolden can get them easy scoring opportunities your in for a long night.

Whether the shot went down or not is irrelevant to the fact Devotto is probably still searching for his jock strap after the bang bang cross overs on him...

 

I didnt' think we were allowed to call out specific NCC players and be critical of them in this thread , especially the seniors?

 

Anyway, I agree with the many other posters that are saying the most important part is putting the ball in the basket and on this play he didn't. So, kudos to Devotto for his defense on this play and keeping Bolden from scoring.

Edited February 28, 201313 yr by Moken

Not Saying NewCath wouldn't of done it if they were up 6 with 3 mins to go. What I'm saying they did it in the first half. Like or not Holmes played stall ball in that half so NewCath couldn't build a bigger margin going into half. It does make the game boring sometimes and you wouldn't inspect that from a Holmes team.

 

Neither team is required to give you a show. Those kids are there to win and avance & its the coaches responsibility to do whatever it takes to give their team the best chance to win ( within the rules of the game ) In a perfect game NCC would of loved for this game to be a half court game with their inside presence but Holmes coach did a great job picking certain times of the game to push and hold back. I have no ties to either school but it was a great high school game to watch. IMO

Neither team is required to give you a show. Those kids are there to win and avance & its the coaches responsibility to do whatever it takes to give their team the best chance to win ( within the rules of the game ) In a perfect game NCC would of loved for this game to be a half court game with their inside presence but Holmes coach did a great job picking certain times of the game to push and hold back. I have no ties to either school but it was a great high school game to watch. IMO

 

You're right,they played that way back in 2009 to go to state .It worked then and probably will work now.Great coaching .IMO.Still need a shot clock.LOL

You're right,they played that way back in 2009 to go to state .It worked then and probably will work now.Great coaching .IMO.Still need a shot clock.LOL

 

I wouldnt mind seeing a shot clock either but until it comes you do whatever it takes to advance to the next game !

I wouldnt mind seeing a shot clock either but until it comes you do whatever it takes to advance to the next game !

 

I get your point you do whatever it takes to win. So the Holmes and Cooper game this weekend. We all know Cooper plays great D and say they are up 2 with 7 mins to go in 2 Q and they have the ball and stall it for 7 mins and they do the same thing in second half and Holmes ends up winning 24 to 23 you will be happy with that. That to me is boring Basketball that was played in the 1960's and believe that's close of when I was born. I just think a shot clock would be more fun to watch the game then someone holding the ball and dribbling around for 4 to 5 mins. IMO

I get your point you do whatever it takes to win. So the Holmes and Cooper game this weekend. We all know Cooper plays great D and say they are up 2 with 7 mins to go in 2 Q and they have the ball and stall it for 7 mins and they do the same thing in second half and Holmes ends up winning 24 to 23 you will be happy with that. That to me is boring Basketball that was played in the 1960's and believe that's close of when I was born. I just think a shot clock would be more fun to watch the game then someone holding the ball and dribbling around for 4 to 5 mins. IMO

 

I hear ya, it would be boring ! I'm not against a shot clock but if a team decides to hold the ball for a lenght of time like your talking about the other coach has a choice to sit back or come out and get the tempo up . Last thing about me being happy with the score 24-23 holmes. As a basketball fan just going to watch a good game probably not but Holmes would take the W for sure !

You're right,they played that way back in 2009 to go to state .It worked then and probably will work now.Great coaching .IMO.Still need a shot clock.LOL

 

Assuming you're referring to the 9 th championship that year, Boone stalled them. No one wanted to run with Holmes that year. The teams up here knew it and that's why Boone almost got em. The teams down state tried to run with them... That's why Holmes has a banner hanging for that year.

Edited February 28, 201313 yr by True blue (and gold)