I've recently seen him and really don't think he was that tall. The CCH roster list him at 6'6 and if its like most rosters we see, that may be a little high. Heppler is listed at 6'3.

 

Could be wrong, just from what I've seen.

 

I'm not certain of Heppler's height, but if I recall he's stocky and strongly built, so that's always good news to crowd up, and take control of the paint.

I've recently seen him and really don't think he was that tall. The CCH roster list him at 6'6 and if its like most rosters we see, that may be a little high. Heppler is listed at 6'3.

 

Could be wrong, just from what I've seen.

 

That's Ben Heppler from last year. His younger brother Will is a legit 6'6.

 

Bo is also a legit 6'6 and can elevate quickly.

That's Ben Heppler from last year. His younger brother Will is a legit 6'6.

 

Bo is also a legit 6'6 and can elevate quickly.

 

If Ben Heppler is 6'3" I'm the Dalai Lama.

If Ben Heppler is 6'3" I'm the Dalai Lama.

 

Ha, he really is (give or take half an inch with shoes) :thumb:. How tall do you think he is?

Ha, he really is (give or take half an inch with shoes) :thumb:. How tall do you think he is?

 

Having stood next to him I'd say 6'1.

Having stood next to him I'd say 6'1.

 

Maybe I'm not as tall as I think then cause I'd give him 6'2 and 1/2, and 6'3 with shoes. This is not a constructive discussion.

 

So does everyone think CCH has a legit shot at getting back to Rupp?

Maybe I'm not as tall as I think then cause I'd give him 6'2 and 1/2, and 6'3 with shoes. This is not a constructive discussion.

 

So does everyone think CCH has a legit shot at getting back to Rupp?

 

I think this year more than ever they will need each player to play up to their potential. Not having that true big man inside will force their guards to handle the ball more. They have some really really good outside shooters and a sophomore that could very well be the leader of this team for the next 3 years the outlook looks better.

 

I look for a very strong run this year but then probably come up short to teams that have a stronger/taller 4/5. Several teams throughout the state have really nice big men that could control the inside forcing their outside to shoot more.

 

Good to be a fun year...

I think this year more than ever they will need each player to play up to their potential. Not having that true big man inside will force their guards to handle the ball more. They have some really really good outside shooters and a sophomore that could very well be the leader of this team for the next 3 years the outlook looks better.

 

I look for a very strong run this year but then probably come up short to teams that have a stronger/taller 4/5. Several teams throughout the state have really nice big men that could control the inside forcing their outside to shoot more.

 

Good to be a fun year...

 

How many state champs won because of their bigs? That's a true question and not a rhetorical statement.

 

Seems to me it's always strong perimeter play. Even when Holmes won with Pittman he didn't exactly play down low offensively.

How many state champs won because of their bigs? That's a true question and not a rhetorical statement.

 

Seems to me it's always strong perimeter play. Even when Holmes won with Pittman he didn't exactly play down low offensively.

 

You don't win without strong perimeter play, but it still requires a strong inside presence. You're absolutely right though, that strong guard play can make up for shortcomings in the front court.

 

To answer your question: didn't South Laurel rely on their big guy (Walt Allen, maybe?) in '05?

 

Warren Central in '04 featured two big dudes: Maresca & Dewalt. Those guys overwhelmed a lot of teams down low. They also had strong guards, though.

How many state champs won because of their bigs? That's a true question and not a rhetorical statement.

 

Seems to me it's always strong perimeter play. Even when Holmes won with Pittman he didn't exactly play down low offensively.

 

You don't win without strong perimeter play, but it still requires a strong inside presence. You're absolutely right though, that strong guard play can make up for shortcomings in the front court.

 

To answer your question: didn't South Laurel rely on their big guy (Walt Allen, maybe?) in '05?

 

Warren Central in '04 featured two big dudes: Maresca & Dewalt. Those guys overwhelmed a lot of teams down low. They also had strong guards, though.

 

In short, you're right. Perimeter play is more important than having a couple good bigs.

With no knowledge of who's moved up from the Freshman team, or even if all of these players are still in the mix, I'm using last year's underclassmen roster to give a guess at who's likely to make up the majority of this year's roster.

 

So. - Cold Vonhandorf - Guard

 

Jr. - Will Heppler - Center

 

Jr. - Ryan Massie - Guard

 

Jr. - Austin Sweeney

 

Jr. - Kyle Beck

 

Jr. - Andy Flood

 

Jr. - Noah Lenhof

 

Sr. - Bo Schuh - Forward

 

Sr. - Grant Romes - Forward

 

Sr. - Cooper Theobald - Guard

 

Sr. - Matthew Shumate - Guard

 

Probable starters and 6th man.

 

Cole Vonhandorf

Bo Schuh

Grant Romes

Cooper Theobald

Matthew Shumate

Will Heppler

 

We of course can anticipate great things to come from CVH and Bo Schuh, but I expect Grant Romes and Will Heppler to make big impacts this year to fill the void of losing Mark Schult.

 

Romes had displayed nice key defensive qualities in the past, and along with him and Schuh, Heppler will be ever so instrumental at holding down the paint and becoming rebounding and hopefully scoring machines.

 

Cooper Theobald had shown brilliance in the past, and I think it's now his time to shine.

 

Sure he's got big shoes to fill, but I think he's a confident enough guard that will very often be given the duties of the point and will show that he's quite capable of handling them.

 

We've all known that Matthew Shumate is a marksman, but now we'll get to see him be called upon to prove it on a regular basis. I could be wrong, but in the past I've seen from him a stone cold approach that doesn't always lend himself to appear as a team player. To maximize his worth, he'll have to add that quality to his arsenal of assets for the betterment of the team.

 

I know zero about the other 5 Juniors that I listed as possible contributers.

 

I'm doubtful that I've painted the proper clear picture here, but hopefully I've come close to the ball park with my hunches.

 

I'm extremely interested in hearing what others closer to the matter know so that we all can be more informed.

 

I remember last year at this time not knowing exactly what to expect from the Colonels and WOW did they certainly turn that around. I think they were placed somewhere at 15-20 in the state in the early goings, and although hardly any of us was even sure that they'd get out of the crowed 9th, they thankfully made WAY more noise than almost anyone truly expected.

 

The sleeper player this year is the Sweeney kid. Only freshman moved up his freshman year to the JV squad. Rumor is he is playing well in the preseason workouts. Heppler has a ways to go to be an impact player this year. His focus is primarily baseball. Time will tell. Flood could play a role but is much to thin to play with the bigs. Schumate can shoot but needs to step up his defense. I think CCH can make a run but lots of things have to come together much like last year.

In short, you're right. Perimeter play is more important than having a couple good bigs.

 

Last 2 KY state champs had the best/hottest PG on their team.

I was talking to a mom of a CCH frosh today, whose son is a darn good basketball player, IMO.

First cuts happened with more cuts on the way. And now the freshmen footballers are joining in the tryout process.

Suffice to say that Cov Cath has a lot of freshman talent this year.

Final frosh cuts are today. Just got a text from a happy CCH frosh mom.

Saw a picture of the new CCH uniforms today... Good stuff.

 

Uno Cinco--- brings to mind many great kids from the past including Michael Robinson.