This score really surprised me.

Holmes this year has had it's moments it seems where they tend to play down to their opponent. I wonder if that was the case in this game or if Conner really played the best game of the year for them.

Holmes is getting everyone's best shot right now. Could still be after-effects of loss to NewCath at NKU, too. What really jumped out at me was the 14 points scored in first half vs. Harrison County on Monday. Obviously, coaches have been focusing on defense in practice ... but 14 points for a half?! Heck, I'm wondering whether the first-round game vs. Holy Cross in the district might even be competitive.

Holmes is getting everyone's best shot right now. Could still be after-effects of loss to NewCath at NKU, too. What really jumped out at me was the 14 points scored in first half vs. Harrison County on Monday. Obviously, coaches have been focusing on defense in practice ... but 14 points for a half?! Heck, I'm wondering whether the first-round game vs. Holy Cross in the district might even be competitive.

Holmes plays Beechwood I believe, as they beat Holy Cross last week. Holy Cross will get another game with CovCath in districts.

Holmes is finishing the year like a Team that may go 1 and done in the Tourney. Credit goes to Conner for the great game. The Glover Kid will always remember this buzzer beater.

 

I will assume you mean the regional, because it won't happen against Beechwood in the districts.

Holmes is getting exposed big time IMO. After watching them vs. NCC one thing jumped out at me at the start of the 2nd qtr. Coach Dawn conceded that his team could not play man-to-man so he went to the good ol 2-3 and Holmes clearly showed they were no consistent threat from the outside and their zone offense is very very suspect as it was 1 and done when the defensive change came. Again, just my opinion but while I wasn't at the Conner game I would venture to say I bet Conner played 2-3 as well. Another clear factor is the last 2 times I have seen Holmes play, they are NOT playing hard-nosed defense as on several occaisions they give up long outlet passes for layups and have difficultly with teams that run motion offenses. Congrats to Conner for coming close to pulling off the upset.

 

The 9th will belong to CCH or NCC and then everyone else will be hoping the seeding/draw plays out one of these two gets knocked out. NCC is big and long and has the guard play to sustain a run (but of course that is another thread).

Holmes is getting exposed big time IMO. After watching them vs. NCC one thing jumped out at me at the start of the 2nd qtr. Coach Dawn conceded that his team could not play man-to-man so he went to the good ol 2-3 and Holmes clearly showed they were no consistent threat from the outside and their zone offense is very very suspect as it was 1 and done when the defensive change came. Again, just my opinion but while I wasn't at the Conner game I would venture to say I bet Conner played 2-3 as well. Another clear factor is the last 2 times I have seen Holmes play, they are NOT playing hard-nosed defense as on several occaisions they give up long outlet passes for layups and have difficultly with teams that run motion offenses. Congrats to Conner for coming close to pulling off the upset.

 

The 9th will belong to CCH or NCC and then everyone else will be hoping the seeding/draw plays out one of these two gets knocked out. NCC is big and long and has the guard play to sustain a run (but of course that is another thread).

 

 

Do you feel as though that is more a testament to NCC's size and length (i.e., being able to leave a kid like Schuelte or McDonald at the rim, patrolling the paint and erasing mistakes) or Holmes' inability to attack the defense properly due to lack of personnel and/or patience (i.e., them not having good enough shooters and ball movement and/or not capitalizing on them if they do)?

 

I just ask because I could definitely see a team like NCC giving teams fits in a zone where they leave all of that size and length at the rim instead of chasing smaller teams out on the floor.

 

How effective would the zone be against a team like, say, Covington Catholic or Dixie Heights?

Do you feel as though that is more a testament to NCC's size and length (i.e., being able to leave a kid like Schuelte or McDonald at the rim, patrolling the paint and erasing mistakes) or Holmes' inability to attack the defense properly due to lack of personnel and/or patience (i.e., them not having good enough shooters and ball movement and/or not capitalizing on them if they do)?

 

I just ask because I could definitely see a team like NCC giving teams fits in a zone where they leave all of that size and length at the rim instead of chasing smaller teams out on the floor.

 

How effective would the zone be against a team like, say, Covington Catholic or Dixie Heights?

 

To answer your question I think it is a testimate to both. I'm sure the game might be a little closer with CCH (as they never got to finish their game previously this year) but as for Dixie Heights, NCC already be them by 30 I beleive the first game of the year. I'm just making the point that the last couple of times I've seen Holmes play they have struggled vs. the zone and their defense has not been the same.

To answer your question I think it is a testimate to both. I'm sure the game might be a little closer with CCH (as they never got to finish their game previously this year) but as for Dixie Heights, NCC already be them by 30 I beleive the first game of the year. I'm just making the point that the last couple of times I've seen Holmes play they have struggled vs. the zone and their defense has not been the same.

 

Those are the key words in that statement. And that's not saying Dixie would win now because I don't. NCC is the #1 team in the region IMO and while they could lose to a team in the ninth it would take a solid, solid game by their opponent. Cov Cath is the closest to NCC with Holmes and Dixie a little back at this moment.

What is the debate? The answer is a resounding "no".

 

There are two legitimate contenders in the 9th, and two more that could win the region with a break or two. Really, in my opinion, there is one CONTENDER and one contender, if that makes any sense. NewCath's to lose, in my opinion, in spite of what we saw in one half of basketball in January.

 

I know that the snow melt is causing streams and rivers to rise, but that is some heavy sandbagging no matter the circumstances. It's like Lou Holtz took over your keyboard.

Do you feel as though that is more a testament to NCC's size and length (i.e., being able to leave a kid like Schuelte or McDonald at the rim, patrolling the paint and erasing mistakes) or Holmes' inability to attack the defense properly due to lack of personnel and/or patience (i.e., them not having good enough shooters and ball movement and/or not capitalizing on them if they do)?

 

I just ask because I could definitely see a team like NCC giving teams fits in a zone where they leave all of that size and length at the rim instead of chasing smaller teams out on the floor.

 

How effective would the zone be against a team like, say, Covington Catholic or Dixie Heights?

 

Holmes ball movement against the zone was awful. It took them a quarter and a half to figure out how to attack it. There was no penetration off of the wing or, ideally, from the free throw line. Once the man up top turned and attacked McDonald, they looked a lot better. However, they didn't do that enough. Additionally, Bolden never attacked off of the wing, and really didn't shoot many 3s. Much of that had to do w/ the fact that the ball moved so slow that Moeves or Pangallo could rotate out quickly.

To answer your question I think it is a testimate to both. I'm sure the game might be a little closer with CCH (as they never got to finish their game previously this year) but as for Dixie Heights, NCC already be them by 30 I beleive the first game of the year. I'm just making the point that the last couple of times I've seen Holmes play they have struggled vs. the zone and their defense has not been the same.

 

Not trying to challenge you at all on your points, just playing Devil's Advocate. NCC and Holmes (on tape, last year) are the only two 9th Region teams that I've even seen play.

 

Appreciate your analysis.

Holmes ball movement against the zone was awful. It took them a quarter and a half to figure out how to attack it. There was no penetration off of the wing or, ideally, from the free throw line. Once the man up top turned and attacked McDonald, they looked a lot better. However, they didn't do that enough. Additionally, Bolden never attacked off of the wing, and really didn't shoot many 3s. Much of that had to do w/ the fact that the ball moved so slow that Moeves or Pangallo could rotate out quickly.

 

Gotcha. Sounds like a very "awkward" matchup in many respects.

Holmes is getting exposed big time IMO. After watching them vs. NCC one thing jumped out at me at the start of the 2nd qtr. Coach Dawn conceded that his team could not play man-to-man so he went to the good ol 2-3 and Holmes clearly showed they were no consistent threat from the outside and their zone offense is very very suspect as it was 1 and done when the defensive change came. Again, just my opinion but while I wasn't at the Conner game I would venture to say I bet Conner played 2-3 as well. Another clear factor is the last 2 times I have seen Holmes play, they are NOT playing hard-nosed defense as on several occaisions they give up long outlet passes for layups and have difficultly with teams that run motion offenses. Congrats to Conner for coming close to pulling off the upset.

 

The 9th will belong to CCH or NCC and then everyone else will be hoping the seeding/draw plays out one of these two gets knocked out. NCC is big and long and has the guard play to sustain a run (but of course that is another thread).

 

For anyone who was at the game, is this true? Did Conner just sit in a 2-3?

Conner played 2-3 zone.

 

Smart coaches will take note and not even attempt to play M2M.

Conner played 2-3 zone.

Smart coaches will take note and not even attempt to play M2M.

 

Was that a dig on anyone?

 

Sounds like Conner stepped up their game for this one. Quiet night by Hemmerich? Keep in mind good teams win close games. Holmes is out of sync right now, but it only takes one night to find the rhythm. Can not wait for the regionals.