As far as the whole respect thing goes, I rarely see Lexington/Louisville teams visit 9th region teams for a true road game. I see 9th region travel all over the state for teams and tournaments. I think the 9th is the only region where the whole region roots for its winner because they feel the rest of the state slights us.

cant argue that one bit.

I'm a little puzzled by all this ranking stuff, just because it doesn't matter or who would have beaten who. The teams that are there are there because they did what they had to do. Good coaches know and relay to their players control who is in front of you and don't worry about the rest. Rankings are nothing more than opinions and that's ok. I wasn't at the game because I am on the west coast. I just wanted to hear how the game went and thanks to those that provided that. Holmes has played two weeks of tough games and have to win 3 more tough ones to win it all. They have good ingredients, good shooters, good point guards, depth that got pressure minutes in the districts and the one ingredient that cannot be overlooked is solid senior leadership in Palmer,Coston, and Englemon. They can play with anyone, they just might not beat them all. The other teams that make to the final 8 are good, also.

On the PRP vs. other 9th region teams, it is hard to judge by one game. Heck, if you judge Bolden on today's game alone you wonder why everyone is going crazy over him. My guess is PRP did not have one of their better days. That being said, based on what I saw today, New Cath and Cov Cath both would have been able to battle PRP just as well as Holmes did. I don't see Cooper getting it done vs. PRP because of their offensive problems, regardless of well they played Holmes in the regional. I still say New Cath was the most complete team in the 9th but Holmes seems to be getting better every tough game they win.

Newcath doesn't shoot the ball better than Holmes...I'd take Holmes shooters all day. Holmes didn't defend Schulte out past the free throw line and that's why they won. Newcath's bread and butter is their inside game...not shooting. Pangallo and Beuter are streaky.

 

Bolden outplayed Ruthsatz two of the three games this year...again, not a better shooter. Stats don't lie. Covcath would've got killed on the boards by PRP. You are seriously underestimating Englemon and how good he is when he plays with a chip on his shoulder. Probably best rebounder in the state for that size and I stand by that.

 

Cooper wouldn't have been able to score enough to beat PRP.

 

Trust me, I'm a huge Cooper and Newcath fan because of the kids on those teams and Coach Sully, same with Covcath...but all 3 teams would've struggled with this PRP team. Holmes played a very controlled game today and their shooters hit shots. Add Englemon playing like a man on the boards and you have a perfect recipe for beating PRP.

 

C'mon Walter. You have got to release the grip on Holmes a bit. I'm one to admit that NCC is one of the better shooting teams in the 9th. And yes that means better than Holmes, Cooper, CCH and Dixie shooting the ball as a team. Does that make them better than Holmes? Not necessarily, just a better percentage shooting team. Statistically Cooper shot better from the field in the final game of the region. I'm just saying.

On the PRP vs. other 9th region teams, it is hard to judge by one game. Heck, if you judge Bolden on today's game alone you wonder why everyone is going crazy over him. My guess is PRP did not have one of their better days. That being said, based on what I saw today, New Cath and Cov Cath both would have been able to battle PRP just as well as Holmes did. I don't see Cooper getting it done vs. PRP because of their offensive problems, regardless of well they played Holmes in the regional. I still say New Cath was the most complete team in the 9th but Holmes seems to be getting better every tough game they win.

 

You are 100% correct. After Holmes played GRC the last game of the season, I didn't think they could win region. Holmes had a bad game against GRC, just like I feel PRP had one today.

 

Congrats to Holmes on the win. Another hard game awaits in Madison Central.

Impressive thing to me today was even through Bolden didnt have a big game scoring, when it got tight, they put it in his hands and he got a bucket or assist....

 

I also thought BJ made huge shots for them today. The 3s at the beginning calmed everyone down, and he hit a few big ones throughout the game that quieted PRP runs.

 

For all intents and purposes Palmer didnt have a great game. But he brought so much leadership in the 4 th quarter.

 

I also thought 23 gave them good minutes defending the bigs.

 

I give PRP props. They came out and defended the guards. But too many times when they contested shots they went to put a hand up to contest they hit the shooter and sent them to the line.

 

I didnt like how the 4 th quarter seemed to be called tighter than the other three, especially inside.

 

Good win. It just gets tougher.

C'mon Walter. You have got to release the grip on Holmes a bit. I'm one to admit that NCC is one of the better shooting teams in the 9th. And yes that means better than Holmes, Cooper, CCH and Dixie shooting the ball as a team. Does that make them better than Holmes? Not necessarily, just a better percentage shooting team. Statistically Cooper shot better from the field in the final game of the region. I'm just saying.

 

Ask Grant and he'll tell you they struggled late in the season because they weren't a good shooting team...again, streaky. Shot lights out against Holmes game 1. Struggled 2nd game because of defensive adjustments made by Holmes.

Impressive thing to me today was even through Bolden didnt have a big game scoring, when it got tight, they put it in his hands and he got a bucket or assist....

 

I also thought BJ made huge shots for them today. The 3s at the beginning calmed everyone down, and he hit a few big ones throughout the game that quieted PRP runs.

 

For all intents and purposes Palmer didnt have a great game. But he brought so much leadership in the 4 th quarter.

 

I also thought 23 gave them good minutes defending the bigs.

 

I give PRP props. They came out and defended the guards. But too many times when they contested shots they went to put a hand up to contest they hit the shooter and sent them to the line.

 

I didnt like how the 4 th quarter seemed to be called tighter than the other three, especially inside.

 

Good win. It just gets tougher.

 

Coston and Palmer starters for the most part for 3 years helps this team in a lot of ways. Both can play D, shoot, and handle the ball. At least 85-90 games each under their belt, that helps. Usually one of them shoots well, if both do they're gonna win with the way teams play Bolden. If neither is hitting they will have a long night. I believe you do not press them, make them play half court, guard Bolden and the wings tough and see if the bigs can beat you one on one. That is if you can handle Bolden with one guy, if not, then you have to use some type of trapping zone with kids that can really move to recover. They are just not easy to defend with three good guards

I like Bolden's game but if I had one negative to say about his game today is he dribbled too much. Several people sitting around me had the same observation.

I like Bolden's game but if I had one negative to say about his game today is he dribbled too much. Several people sitting around me had the same observation.

He does at times, but he is setting up space and creating shots, as you probably saw today or he is drawing the trap to feed. Bother gets on him some, but he usually gets results. He is still learning. He has improved over the year more than anyone, except Chames (who is much improved).

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Going back to the old thread, game part only, it was insinuated that Holmes would have lost to Bullit East. Where can I get your crystal ball? Your rankings had PRP up so high because of there schedule and location of the school. Quite frankly they were not very impressive. Holmes should have won by double digits. I know the crystal ball says they are done on Friday and that may be so but it is strange that the rankings stop at the northern Kentucky counties southern borders and by ones admission it is the first time seeing Holmes play. I know the rankings are for fun but the credibility seems to insist of seeing more games instead of just using the "old boy network" ranking systems. I know Louisville puts out more talent but obviously they do play basketball pretty well in other regions as well. Interesting that two Lexington schools have the most state titles but that never seems to matter when the rankings come out. It just seems that the support of this site by northern Kentucky users (see which threads have the most pages) would make that a logical thing to do.

 

Not thin skinned at all just left out of the equation year in and year out. Proud to be a Bulldog. As Walter said we probably wouldn't want it any other way. Not going to change any way. Must be nice being behind the curtain.

 

In the last 15-20 years, the 15th Region has more titles than the 9th Region. Just saying. Respect isn't given, it's earned. The Louisville schools and coaches like Dale Mabrey have earned it, call it the "good ole' boy network" or whatever you want, but fact is, the best of the 9th's track record isn't that great against the best of the Lex and Louisville schools on a year-in and year-out basis.

 

I'm a huge fan of this site, but the whole 9th region thing just feels shoved down other's throats sometimes (which could even feed that negativity). I'd understand it more if the success were there, but when it comes to taking home the big prize, it just hasn't been.

 

Mabrey may be at the end of his career, but he's still at a traditional Louisville powerhouse and has probably forgotten more about basketball than most coaches in the state know, so it's kind of insulting to diminish what he's accomplished by insinuating people give his team too much respect. I'd definitely give him a puncher's chance in a one and done game with anyone. As for the other Lexington and Louisville powers, they've more than held their own against the field over the years as well, so no need to border on bashing them even if you do feel your own region is slighted.

 

With all of that said, know that I respect Holmes, Booher, and all of their accomplishments. I picked Holmes to win this one in the contest. If they have to get their motivation from playing the "respect" card, then so be it, but I think it's just that, a motivational tactic and nothing else. No need to try and bring other programs down. True fans know and recognize talent when they see it.

Edited March 7, 201313 yr by JokersWild24

I like Bolden's game but if I had one negative to say about his game today is he dribbled too much. Several people sitting around me had the same observation.

 

He does dribble a lot, but that is their offense. Spread you out with 3 ball threats Palmer and Coston on the wings and let Bolden do his thing. Bolden will get to a shot with the dribble. If you drop from the wings, he will kick to the 3 ball. Put it up and let rebounders Englemon and Chames go get the stick backs. That's what they do and it all starts with Bolden dribbling till he finds the opening.

He does dribble a lot, but that is their offense. Spread you out with 3 ball threats Palmer and Coston on the wings and let Bolden do his thing. Bolden will get to a shot with the dribble. If you drop from the wings, he will kick to the 3 ball. Put it up and let rebounders Englemon and Chames go get the stick backs. That's what they do and it all starts with Bolden dribbling till he finds the opening.

Bolden makes all his teammates better.

Good win Holmes.