They did not struggle from the outside Parker is a threat as well as Harris and Englemon from the outside. And thats just referring to last years squad. They do create a lot of turnovers with their pressure and speed but by no means a one dimensional run and gun squad!

They did not struggle from the outside Parker is a threat as well as Harris and Englemon from the outside. And thats just referring to last years squad. They do create a lot of turnovers with their pressure and speed but by no means a one dimensional run and gun squad!

 

I will agree you saw them more than I have and girls can definitely improve. And I would never call any of them out...but I will say there is a big difference in "can shoot", "is a threat" and someone that can force you out of a packed in zone. Meaning (just my opinion), if I have a team that can eliminate turnovers and can stay disciplined and pack in a zone and rebound out of the zone, that's a formula that will challenge Holmes IMO. No one is going to try and run up and down the court with Holmes. They would be silly and fired if they did!!! So can Holmes adapt to teams that can protect the ball, slow it down, hit shots and force them to hit from the outside. I'm not talking a couple threes and they pull out of the zone. I'm talking consistently hitting from the outside. Just an example...NCC was very good last year and hit 5 3's against HHS at NCC last year in their first game and lost. HHS NEVER left the paint...even when they hit a couple in a row. That was the key to success for HHS in that game. Others tried it, but couldn't make themselves stay in it. That's what I'm talking about when I say shooting from the outside. Not an occasional shot that goes in. Consistently hitting shots that force a team out of a zone.

 

Again, I think they will be very good and have said they will be a contender when others have not. I'm just saying EVERY team in the 9th has some weaknesses. None of them will be super adverse at changing styles game by game and match ups will play a big part in determining who wins the region. It will come down to who can force their style on the other team and which style prevails.

 

I mean if they don't have any weaknesses we should expect to see a Holmes team that is undefeated and ordering state rings in March right?

It would be nice!

It would be nice!

 

Trust me! I REALLY like the Holmes team. I've coached a few of them and are close to (or know) some of the parents (including you!). But there are others that can play too. It won't be a cakewalk for anyone. Should be a really fun year!

You do make it seem like these girls are just shooting from the hips and throwing up prayers and thats not the case! You make it seem like that there are high school teams out there that will protect the ball on a consistent basis? I don think that will be the case at all! I think you are referring to a on any given night scenario a team may protect the ball. Well then I'll buy that. I think holmes speed will have something to say about that but thats just my opinion. I will say this though there better be a plan to slow this team down in transition meaning teams better make a whole lot of shots!

You do make it seem like these girls are just shooting from the hips and throwing up prayers and thats not the case! You make it seem like that there are high school teams out there that will protect the ball on a consistent basis? I don think that will be the case at all! I think you are referring to a on any given night scenario a team may protect the ball. Well then I'll buy that. I think holmes speed will have something to say about that but thats just my opinion. I will say this though there better be a plan to slow this team down in transition meaning teams better make a whole lot of shots!

 

No, not shooting from their hips...I'm not saying they are "bad" shooters. Just not sold they are great shooters.

 

Secondly, there are high school teams in your region that can protect the ball and make you pay for taking risks. (Holmes was 9-6 in the region last year, so someone protected it). Maybe not all or even a lot of them, but it only takes 1 team to be able to do that. However, I think there are 3-4 teams that have the guards and talent to protect the ball against Holmes. Do all of them have the fire power to beat them, maybe not. But some do. Again, it only takes one.

 

Make a whole lot of shots. There are teams that can do that in your region too. Whether it be from the outside or inside.

 

I get this feeling that you think me and others are beating them down. I'm not. I'm saying they are good. But in NO WAY is it a foregone conclusion that Holmes walks thru the region. That's just silly. Again, not saying they can't win it, but they are one of 4-5 that can...IMO.

So are you predicting Holmes goes untouched in the 9th, cause that's what I'm hearing with all the hype.

I think its unreasonable to think any team will go through this region unscathed! Not once did I say they would run the table. I do think it's silly to suggest that in the 6 losses in the region that the other team protected the ball in those 6 loses! We are talking about High school Basketball! I can flat out tell you that some of those loses were at the free throw line and had nothing to do with turnovers here or there!

Your opinions are entertaining but not always accurate!

I think its unreasonable to think any team will go through this region unscathed! Not once did I say they would run the table. I do think it's silly to suggest that in the 6 losses in the region that the other team protected the ball in those 6 loses! We are talking about High school Basketball! I can flat out tell you that some of those loses were at the free throw line and had nothing to do with turnovers here or there!

 

No no...I'm not saying the losses were from teams protecting the ball. I'm saying those teams were able to protect the ball enough to get the win. There is a big difference! I'm saying that Holmes pressure over a course of a game wasn't always enough to give them a favorable outcome. You and I both know there are many factors that have to do with wins and losses and how you protect the ball is just one of them. But I said there is a formula, not just one thing, that will be the challenge for Holmes. Holmes will win a lot of games because not all teams out there have enough in the tank to put that formula to work. But there are some. That's all I'm saying. And you say it was also caused by turnovers...well when you play at that pace, there are typically turnovers that happen on their side as well. Am I incorrect to say there are teams that can make you pay for the turnovers while protecting the ball on their side. Is that a possibility?

Your opinions are entertaining but not always accurate!

 

Really? All I'm pointing out is a few minor weaknesses. Are you saying they have none? Because if they are as dominate at everything you are saying, they it isn't unreasonable to think they wouldn't run the table in the 9th. In fact, they should if they are that good and have no weakness. Because all the other teams do have some weaknesses and admit it. It just comes down to...can you exploit their weaknesses? Do you have the tools to do it? Same with Holmes. If they don't, I would expect them to not lose a 9th region team and coast through the 9th tournament. That's not going to happen. And that's an accurate opinion. Keep in mind, I highlighted coast.

Possible yes. But thats a blanket statement that covers not only every 9th region team but every team in this state and others! Your formula to beat Holmes is a generic formula that could be used to beat most if not all teams!

Your opinions are entertaining but not always accurate!

 

ditto

Possible yes. But thats a blanket statement that covers not only every 9th region team but every team in this state and others! Your formula to beat Holmes is a generic formula that could be used to beat most if not all teams!

 

Maybe...but that's one of many formulas you can use to beat all kinds of different teams. I'm just saying that the "formula" for holmes. Yes, that formula may apply to many others. But I wouldn't try that formula against a really good shooting team. I would apply a different formula. You're right, there may be 6-10 different generic types of formulas (without too much detail or modifications) that you could come up with. This generic formula is where I would start if I was playing Holmes. And there are teams in the 9th that can apply this formula and have success against them. Hence making this formula IMO the one that can challenge them. Are you telling me the only way they lose is if they lose the game? Teams are not going to be able to beat them...without them giving it away? So if they play to their potential, they shouldn't lose then right?

 

Again, just my opinion and by no means trying to put them down at all. I like them! They are a good team, but reality is, they are no more dominate than the other top teams in the region. I assume you don't agree with that and thats fine. That's your opinion and mine is they won't roll through the region.

 

I have told you why I think they won't roll through the region, but you haven't given me your opinion on why they will. Why will they beat HHS, ND and HC...and everyone else?

My point has been and will be that you did not see this team play once last year! Yes you may have seen a few individuals, know a few individuals and or maybe even coached a few individual players but you did not see them as a team to say that you have or know the formula! I also couldn't make the Holmes vs. Highland game last year and wouldn't begin to tell you how to beat the Bluebirds!