I could really see a Ballard vs. Hopkinsville situation in Rupp, depending on the draw. But I still have a lot of basketball to watch before I make that official proclamation lol.

 

The beauty of this poll, is that someone in the loop has seen them all at one point or another this season. But I agree, it's really arbitrary to rank teams in a poll. I agree with Wireman that PCC won't win vs. KCC. Cordia is a mystery. Fun just discussing it all.

 

Fair enough.

 

I trust both of your opinions. Of the teams listed in the top 5, Hoptown is the only one I haven't seen THIS YEAR.

I personally think Holmes and Newcath are better than T but gave them the benefit of the doubt with Spalding slowly coming along.

 

Holmes beat T over the summer with Bolden dropping 25+ and holding Spalding without a rebound. Newcath is REALLY good. There isn't a team in the state that can match up with them when it comes to size. Can they handle teams with athleticism is still left to be seen.

 

I'll take your guys word on Hoptown since I haven't seen them this year but from what I saw from their retuning players last year, I still would like Holmes and Newcath odds.

 

Have you seen Holmes or Newcath this year?

 

I haven't yet.

Have you seen Holmes or Newcath this year?

I have to say, with all of your videos I feel like I have. Well done.

I haven't yet.

 

Holmes is really good. (Shocker coming from me, I know). Bolden and Chames are as good as any other guard/big man combo in the state. McClendon is an elite defender who can hold his own against any guard in the state at the 1 or 2. I honestly didn't realize how good they were until I watched them against Ballard. Missing 20 FT's and 22 3's yet losing by 11 says a lot, IMO. That is also their biggest weakness, though. If they are knocking down outside shots, they can beat anyone in the state, including Ballard. When they struggle from outside, they are beatable. I can almost guarantee though that Ballard is the only team who can press them end to end and have success.

 

Newcath's front court goes 6'5, 6'7, 6'8 and all bring something different to the table. Their starting 5 would beat some D3 teams, IMO. They have two Division 1 big men in Schulte/McDonald, a small D1, big D2 guard in Tanner Moeves, and a PG that is a D1 athlete in Zack Pangallo (Receiving big time D1 interest for baseball, interest from Ball State for hoops). The other two in Newcath's top 6 will play college basketball at some level in Ben Weyer and Grant Moeves. Biggest question with them is can their bench play at an elite level like those guys can.

 

Time will tell, but I feel like the 9th has not one, but two state title contenders.

Holmes is really good. (Shocker coming from me, I know). Bolden and Chames are as good as any other guard/big man combo in the state. McClendon is an elite defender who can hold his own against any guard in the state at the 1 or 2. I honestly didn't realize how good they were until I watched them against Ballard. Missing 20 FT's and 22 3's yet losing by 11 says a lot, IMO. That is also their biggest weakness, though. If they are knocking down outside shots, they can beat anyone in the state, including Ballard. When they struggle from outside, they are beatable. I can almost guarantee though that Ballard is the only team who can press them end to end and have success.

 

Newcath's front court goes 6'5, 6'7, 6'8 and all bring something different to the table. Their starting 5 would beat some D3 teams, IMO. They have two Division 1 big men in Schulte/McDonald, a small D1, big D2 guard in Tanner Moeves, and a PG that is a D1 athlete in Zack Pangallo (Receiving big time D1 interest for baseball, interest from Ball State for hoops). The other two in Newcath's top 6 will play college basketball at some level in Ben Weyer and Grant Moeves. Biggest question with them is can their bench play at an elite level like those guys can.

 

Time will tell, but I feel like the 9th has not one, but two state title contenders.

 

I'm looking forward to seeing both teams play at some point this year. I'm not going to Japan until after the season is over this year!!!!

I'm looking forward to seeing both teams play at some point this year. I'm not going to Japan until after the season is over this year!!!!

Thank God!

I'm going off of what I saw from their returning players last year at Rupp.

 

I do plan on seeing them in January though at the Joe B Hall Classic and should have a better idea then if my opinion is off base or not.

 

You have to consider too that Hopkinsville added Quan Poindexter from Christian County to their returnees. Very talented addition.

 

I saw Trinity for the second half against Bowling Green and Hoptown the entire game against Warren Central. Hopkinsville was markedly better.

I'm looking forward to seeing both teams play at some point this year. I'm not going to Japan until after the season is over this year!!!!

 

Newcath plays in the KOB and Lexcath tourney. Both will be good indicators of whether my opinion of them being legit state title contenders is right or not.

 

Holmes has already beaten Cordia and has destroyed every other team in their path. A trip to NY in a couple weeks has me very intrigued as they will see teams of the same caliber as those listed in the top 5. They open with Long Island Lutheran which features a front court of 6'6, 6'9, 6'9, including Robyn Missa who was Dakari Johnson's back up last year at Montverde. Their other big time player is Danny Green's younger brother.

You have to consider too that Hopkinsville added Quan Poindexter from Christian County to their returnees. Very talented addition.

 

I saw Trinity for the second half against Bowling Green and Hoptown the entire game against Warren Central. Hopkinsville was markedly better.

 

Again, I trust the opinion of you guys and will take your word for it until seeing them in person in January.

What's great is that we'll be able to start settling some of this right away this weekend as several of the top teams start play in the King of the Bluegrass in just four short days.

What's great is that we'll be able to start settling some of this right away this weekend as several of the top teams start play in the King of the Bluegrass in just four short days.

 

I plan on coming down Saturday and am debating staying over night for Sunday's games as well.

What's great is that we'll be able to start settling some of this right away this weekend as several of the top teams start play in the King of the Bluegrass in just four short days.

 

I plan to be at the finals.

I plan on coming down Saturday and am debating staying over night for Sunday's games as well.

 

I'll be there for Thursday's games for sure; Friday's most likely; everything after that during the weekend is a toss up with my sister and her husband getting into town for the holidays and a few other friends arriving in town as well.

I'll be there for Thursday's games for sure; Friday's most likely; everything after that during the weekend is a toss up with my sister and her husband getting into town for the holidays and a few other friends arriving in town as well.

 

I'm the exact opposite. Busy the whole tourney except for the day of the finals.

It should be a fun year in the 2nd Region this year. I can't wait to see Hoptown January 28th versus my Caldwell County Tigers. This should be a battle. Also, would love to see NCC in the All A Classic. After seeing Hopkinsville and Ballard the same day, there is not that much separation in the talent of either team.