Top 5 in Northern Kentucky:

Beechwood

Highlands

Dixie

Ryle

Campbell County

 

Top four I'm sold on but curious as to why you think Campbell?

Campbell pretty much has the whole team back including pitchers I think. I also believe (and someone please correct me if I am wrong) but it shoudl be a pretty senior dominate team.

Campbell pretty much has the whole team back including pitchers I think. I also believe (and someone please correct me if I am wrong) but it shoudl be a pretty senior dominate team.

 

What about Conner, they won the 33rd district, the 9th region and had a really nice showing in the state tourney. I thought they were bringing back most of their starters.

Campbell County won only 2 games against teams with winning records last year and they were both from the 15th. They didn't get a single win from any NKY team with a winning record. It's a bit of a stretch to put them in the top 5, hell even the top 10 in NKY, even if they had all their players returning.

What about Conner, they won the 33rd district, the 9th region and had a really nice showing in the state tourney. I thought they were bringing back most of their starters.

 

I think a lot of people are underestimating Conner this preseason, as they did last year when they weren't even ranked in the top 10. As mentioned earlier in this thread, they lost 4 starters in their lineup, with Ross hurting the most. However, I believe they only lost one starting pitcher (Ross). They return standouts Nick Craddock and Blaise Ostertag to the starting rotation. I understand Craddock broke school pitching records last year as a Freshman; 7-1 with a 0.40 era!!! (As per their maxpreps website). They're easily one of the top 10 in NKY, IMO.

I think a lot of people are underestimating Conner this preseason, as they did last year when they weren't even ranked in the top 10. As mentioned earlier in this thread, they lost 4 starters in their lineup, with Ross hurting the most. However, I believe they only lost one starting pitcher (Ross). They return standouts Nick Craddock and Blaise Ostertag to the starting rotation. I understand Craddock broke school pitching records last year as a Freshman; 7-1 with a 0.40 era!!! (As per their maxpreps website). They're easily one of the top 10 in NKY, IMO.

 

I agree Conner will be a player. Arlo is one of two best coaches in NKY (Coach B at HHS the other) and will have them ready. That said, Ross is a very big loss. You lose your ace and that moves everyone up a slot. I know Blaise has been good and will probably assume that role, but after that you don't know how kids will react when they are asked to pitch against the Ryles and Boones and Coopers as opposed to throw off games.

I expect Conner to be really good again...

Tell me about Ryle. My aging memory tells me they struggled last year (at least by their standards). Do they return a lot of players?

What about Conner, they won the 33rd district, the 9th region and had a really nice showing in the state tourney. I thought they were bringing back most of their starters.[/Q

 

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I think a lot of people are underestimating Conner this preseason, as they did last year when they weren't even ranked in the top 10. As mentioned earlier in this thread, they lost 4 starters in their lineup, with Ross hurting the most. However, I believe they only lost one starting pitcher (Ross). They return standouts Nick Craddock and Blaise Ostertag to the starting rotation. I understand Craddock broke school pitching records last year as a Freshman; 7-1 with a 0.40 era!!! (As per their maxpreps website). They're easily one of the top 10 in NKY, IMO.

 

Craddock will be better than Ross at the end of his high school career.

Campbell pretty much has the whole team back including pitchers I think. I also believe (and someone please correct me if I am wrong) but it shoudl be a pretty senior dominate team.

 

This.

It's funny that every year Boone doesn't get much talk on this board but every year they field a very good team. This year will be no exception, I know Ganns is gone but up the middle defense is as good or better than any in Northern KY. Pitching will be solid with Purnell, Davis and a few from last years JV.

I agree Conner will be a player. Arlo is one of two best coaches in NKY (Coach B at HHS the other) and will have them ready. That said, Ross is a very big loss. You lose your ace and that moves everyone up a slot. I know Blaise has been good and will probably assume that role, but after that you don't know how kids will react when they are asked to pitch against the Ryles and Boones and Coopers as opposed to throw off games.

 

I would have Conner in my top 5 and I think everyone in that district will be tough. As usual it will be the toughest district to get out of.

Not sure I agree with your assessment on coaches though.

My top 5 in alphabetical order would be

- Beechwood

- Boone

- Dixie

- Highlands

- Ryle

I would have to keep Conner a sleeper again this year until I see them play with the above 5. I think Conner was hurt the most with the loss of their ace compared to the 5 teams mentioned.

I know none of these teams fall into a top 5 discussion... But does anyone see a solid surprise season out of teams such as St. Henry, Ludlow, Lloyd, Bellevue, Bishop Brossart? Any other teams to watch out for?