Ryle has some issues, but Maley is fairly talented.

 

This is the best game that I've seen Covington Catholic play in 2 years. They shot well, rebounded well, and applied solid defensive pressure. Todd did not score as much as he typically does, but I think that's a good thing. The more balanced this team is, the more dangerous they become.

 

Impressive performance by the Colonels. My question is this - has CCH improved that much, or is Ryle just that bad?

 

CCH had a great game and Ryle played poorly, except for quarter two. Remember, it was only an 8-point game at intermission because Ryle played very well in the second quarter. CCH will win state if they play like they did in quarters 1 and 3. They hit the threes, made the extra pass, moved without the ball, crashed the boards, worked for layups when they were there, made great reads on the press to create TO's and played superb team ball. I bet they shot over 60% in quarters 1 and 3. The fourth quarter was a sub game so this was really only a 3-quarter game. A second meeting would not be a 29-point game. It was one of those nights and CovCath was brilliant. They were superb!

65% is okay when you're playing a team that has a record like Ryle's.

 

And I have never bought into the "perception", "background" and "arena" excuses. I'd guess that CCH shot well over 50% from the field, so why can't they shoot FT's more effectively?

 

The arena excuse can only be used to an extent, but I guess when you're playing and shooting a jump shot you don't have time to stare around at the empty seats. Free throws (when you should be concentrating on the rim) you are looking everywhere else. Either way its just one game, their free throws will be ok.

The arena excuse can only be used to an extent, but I guess when you're playing and shooting a jump shot you don't have time to stare around at the empty seats. Free throws (when you should be concentrating on the rim) you are looking everywhere else. Either way its just one game, their free throws will be ok.

 

In the games I've seen thus far, CCH has shot poorly from the charity stripe.

 

And if CCH is "looking everywhere else", then FT shooting is not their only problem.

The only game I truly remember CCH doing well from the line is Scott County. As I said in the second quarter... "The only reason we're in this game, is because we're making our free throws". Outside that game, I haven't truly seen a really good FT shooting night.