Holmes Bulldogs (31-2)

9th Region Champions

Head Coach: Jason Booher

 

Three years ago when Jason Booher took the Holmes' job, he told the current seniors as sophomores that if they stuck together they could become something special. We are now in year 3 of Booher's tenure and the Bulldogs are making their way back down I-75 to Rupp Arena after running the gauntlet in the 9th region tournament. The Bulldogs knocked off 3 of the top 4 teams on their way to the 14th region championship in school history. Holmes beat tournament favorite Newcath 55-50 in the quarterfinals, then defeated Cooper 40-39 in overtime in the semi finals, and knocked off Covcath 62-60 in thrilling fashion in the 9th region championship.

 

The key for the Bulldogs has been the play of one of the most exciting players in the state in sophomore James "Beetle" Bolden. Bolden was named 9th region MVP after scoring 22 points in the first round against Newport Catholic, 18 against Cooper in the region semi's (including a buzzer beating 3 in overtime), and 26 pts in the 62-60 9th region championship win over Covcath. The day after taking home MVP honors, Bolden received his first Division I scholarship offer from Xavier. The quick and athletic point guard comes in to the tournament averaging 18 ppg, 4 rpg, 4 apg, and 3 spg.

 

Bolden gets a lot of the publicity, rightfully so, but Holmes is a very balanced team. Quan Palmer (12 ppg), and Chris Englemon (11 ppg, 9 rpg) both average double digit scoring, while senior BJ Coston averages 9 ppg and junior Quinton Chames averages 8 ppg, 7.5 rpg. The key is Holmes' depth as they have 8 guys total who average 8 or more minutes per game.

 

Despite the offensive balance and ability to put points up in a hurry, it is the defense of the Dogs that has led them to a 31-2 record, as they give up just 52 ppg and have a +7 rebounding advantage, out-rebounding their opponents 33-26 for the year.

 

The last time Holmes went to the state tournament was in 2009 when they won the state championship. The last time Jason Booher was at the state tournament, his Shelby Valley Wildcats cut down the nets at Rupp Arena. The 2012-2013 Bulldogs will look to have a similar showing starting Wednesday at 1:30 when they take on Pleasure Ridge Park, out of the 6th region.

Are the Dogs poised to make a run like in 2009 or are they just another 9th region pretender in the Sweet 16?

Well they certainly can play with PRP for starters. But they were living on the edge trailing at halftime in every 9th region game. Can't do that and survive long. Got to stay out of foul trouble too. Yeah they held on against CovCath but if that game would have went OT I think they would have been in big trouble. Got to have the stars on the floor. Probably come down to shooting as it often does. Look at Boone Co last year. Got outshot big time in first game then team that beat them couldn't hit squat the next game.

Well they certainly can play with PRP for starters. But they were living on the edge trailing at halftime in every 9th region game. Can't do that and survive long. Got to stay out of foul trouble too. Yeah they held on against CovCath but if that game would have went OT I think they would have been in big trouble. Got to have the stars on the floor. Probably come down to shooting as it often does. Look at Boone Co last year. Got outshot big time in first game then team that beat them couldn't hit squat the next game.

 

 

While I agree they want their starters with the big minutes, 3 subs did big things for them at regional. Housely and Hill with great defense on Ruthsatz and McDonald. And Herndon with good ball handling and clutch FTs in pressure situations...

Holmes will have to keep Chames and Engleman in the game and out of foul trouble to hang with PRP as well as other teams in this tourney.

 

Bolden will be on the grand stage and has excelled in big games, I expect no different. Coston and Palmer will be the glue that keeps thos team together. PRP will be a very hard game that is for sure.

Holmes will have to keep Chames and Engleman in the game and out of foul trouble to hang with PRP as well as other teams in this tourney.

 

Bolden will be on the grand stage and has excelled in big games, I expect no different. Coston and Palmer will be the glue that keeps thos team together. PRP will be a very hard game that is for sure.

 

Agree, those two will be key in the PRP game.

The key for Holmes is a quick start. They haven't had a game like that in a while where they just come out and jump all over a team. They shot 28%, 27%, nd 28% in the first half of the three 9th region games. Definetly need to play better if they want to advance.

 

I think they can definetly win this game. Holmes is bound to have a break through and I think it starts with this game.

 

Bolden will do his usual thing but I think both Coston and Palmer are going to shoot well from outside. If Englemon and Chames stay out of foul trouble, Holmes front court can play with any team in this tournament.

I'm only counting this as their 13th Region Championship. What am I missing? Are one of the two Covington entries in the 9th Region list Holmes?

I'm only counting this as their 13th Region Championship. What am I missing? Are one of the two Covington entries in the 9th Region list Holmes?

 

I could be wrong, but I believe Holmes' counts both Covington championships and has those banners hung in the gym...could be wrong. If not, 13 is correct. If they do count those, then this is actually the 15th region championship:

 

1939 and 1945 as Covington

1948, 1951, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1980, 1988, 1990, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2013 as Holmes

 

Now that I think about it, they might even have the Covington Grant year banners hanging as well. If they include those, that would be 19 region championships:

 

1958, 1959, 1961, and 1964

 

Not sure how their school has those in the record books.

I could be wrong, but I believe Holmes' counts both Covington championships and has those banners hung in the gym...could be wrong. If not, 13 is correct. If they do count those, then this is actually the 15th region championship:

 

1939 and 1945 as Covington

1948, 1951, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1980, 1988, 1990, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2013 as Holmes

 

Now that I think about it, they might even have the Covington Grant year banners hanging as well. If they include those, that would be 19 region championships:

 

1958, 1959, 1961, and 1964

 

Not sure how their school has those in the record books.

 

Not trying to discount their success, but I was just trying to be historically accurate. I am a history nerd, so that's what I do.

Are the Dogs poised to make a run like in 2009 or are they just another 9th region pretender in the Sweet 16?

 

Let's hope the Dogs can continue the run.

 

This years' team reminds me a lot off the 08 team that had to beat a very good 11th region team to advance. That year was Lexcath, this years' team to beat is Madison Central.