Here is my assesment....9th region teams only (Sk and BB won't be included)

 

Holmes- Wont come in the season ranked #1 but with the addition of Rice, they are definetly the team to beat and should walk through NKY with or w/o Edmondson.

 

Covcath- Alot of talent and probably the only 9th region team that will be able to hang around w/ Holmes and give them a run for their money. TJ and Bo will keep them in games with anyone.

 

Holy Cross- It will be between them and Covcath to see who plays in both the district and regional final against Holmes. Holy Cross returns alot and will be a force this season but the key to their season is if the EIfert kid has developed any and can get more physical down low.

 

After these three teams there is a real drop off but I think a sleeper team that everyone is forgetting about is Dixie. Dixie will be a tough team next year despite losing Lawson. I dont think #4-10 matter though because the 9th region representative will come out of Covington and the 35th district. (CC, HC, HHS)

 

How come each and every year you say that Holmes is the most talented and that they should "walk through" the district and region? Anything can happen- look at 2004-2005, Holmes was the preseason favorite since CovCath lost everyone, but Holmes still lost to them twice.

 

This is what is great about NKY basketball- even though we may not have the same talent as Lexington and Louisville, contradicting game strategies and personal intensity is what keeps all the games close and never allows one team to dominate the rest of the region. For example, a few years ago where CovCath had a nice streak of wins in the 9th region, it was ended by unranked St. Henry and the run included a loss to Brossart, an NKY team. No team is going to WALK THROUGH this region.

I don't see Highlands any higher than a 10. THey lost everbody except Simpson.

 

They had a good JV team and they will easily be the most physical team this year, something which the other NKY teams tend to struggle with.

I like your picks especially Holy Cross, but totally disagree with Ryle. Ryle is not a top 10 team and they will have a very long year in Union.

 

They lose their best player (can't recall his name) but they have strong guards, and big guy with size, and a go-to guy in Mailey, who has improved a lot this summer (I saw him with Ryle and in AAU).

John Maley has talent. There are plenty of others in Union that have talent. The problem is they are either being misused, or they're just roaming the halls at Ryle.

They lose their best player (can't recall his name) but they have strong guards, and big guy with size, and a go-to guy in Mailey, who has improved a lot this summer (I saw him with Ryle and in AAU).

 

I disagree with you and I listed a reason on post# 134.

They had a good JV team and they will easily be the most physical team this year, something which the other NKY teams tend to struggle with.

Agree on the physical part. I just don't see where the points will come from? Also JV is along way from Varsity especially if there is little varsity experience coming from the JV players. A lot will hinge on the develpment of the 2 big guys(Wise and Kruse?). Eaton and Hurtt (Jrs) are nice players, a little more varsity experience last year would have gone a long for those two.

How come each and every year you say that Holmes is the most talented and that they should "walk through" the district and region? Anything can happen- look at 2004-2005, Holmes was the preseason favorite since CovCath lost everyone, but Holmes still lost to them twice.

 

This is what is great about NKY basketball- even though we may not have the same talent as Lexington and Louisville, contradicting game strategies and personal intensity is what keeps all the games close and never allows one team to dominate the rest of the region. For example, a few years ago where CovCath had a nice streak of wins in the 9th region, it was ended by unranked St. Henry and the run included a loss to Brossart, an NKY team. No team is going to WALK THROUGH this region.

 

I agree with you to an extent. Holmes returns everyone this year (minus Edmondson) and was cruising through nky last year before all of their problems started happening (loss of players). I just dont see anyone in nky beating them this year AS LONG AS THEY STAY FOCUSED and dont self destruct again. If they can play together, and I think the loss of Edmondson might help this, there's no team in nky that will beat them. And you can bash me all you want for saying that. But when season comes if they slip up I'll be the one eating crow. I'm not saying they'll blow everyone out, but i don't think anyone will beat them. But you have your opinion and I have mine.

Agree on the physical part. I just don't see where the points will come from? Also JV is along way from Varsity especially if there is little varsity experience coming from the JV players. A lot will hinge on the develpment of the 2 big guys(Wise and Kruse?). Eaton and Hurtt (Jrs) are nice players, a little more varsity experience last year would have gone a long for those two.

 

Unless Simpson is simply unstoppable, HHS is going to struggle.

I don't see Highlands any higher than a 10. THey lost everbody except Simpson.

 

 

I agree... I think HHS struggles this year... plays a bunch of young guys...they have a great group of incoming freshman and I think those guys get some JV time by late in year... a couple might even get some varsity minutes. Its a rebuilding year in Caketown I am sad to say.

 

Holy Cross is my pick... I think the Sorrel kid will lead them... they are well coached and always get excellent talent.

 

Holmes will self destruct by mid year... Cov Cath will be right there but HC gets them in the rematch during Districts.....toughest district in the state IMO..as well as others on here....

I think the Sorrel kid will lead them...

 

I find this statement to be quite amusing.:lol:

I think the Sorrel kid will lead them...

 

I find this statement to be quite amusing.:lol:

 

Explain the above.

I mispoke.. I was thinking of Ryan...however I will tell you that Sorrell is playing very well for the Jazz 16U AAU squad this summer....

I agree... I think HHS struggles this year... plays a bunch of young guys...they have a great group of incoming freshman and I think those guys get some JV time by late in year... a couple might even get some varsity minutes. Its a rebuilding year in Caketown I am sad to say.

 

Holy Cross is my pick... I think the Sorrel kid will lead them... they are well coached and always get excellent talent.

Holmes will self destruct by mid year... Cov Cath will be right there but HC gets them in the rematch during Districts.....toughest district in the state IMO..as well as others on here....

 

Everyone said this last year too and Holmes came out and beat them by 27 on HC home floor.

 

But i don't see Holmes self destructing this year...Rice really wasn't the starter of the problems last year, which everyone fails to realize and if you know the story, you know what I'm talking about. With Nate being gone, you will see a completely different Holmes team. I have watched these kids since they were in grade school and playing on the courts at John G. Carlisle and Glen O. Swing...Trust me. I know what I'm talking about, but if I'm wrong I'm willing to take a little criticism and eat crow as i stated before.

I mispoke.. I was thinking of Ryan...however I will tell you that Sorrell is playing very well for the Jazz 16U AAU squad this summer....

I think you were right the first time!

How come each and every year you say that Holmes is the most talented and that they should "walk through" the district and region? Anything can happen- look at 2004-2005, Holmes was the preseason favorite since CovCath lost everyone, but Holmes still lost to them twice.

 

This is what is great about NKY basketball- even though we may not have the same talent as Lexington and Louisville, contradicting game strategies and personal intensity is what keeps all the games close and never allows one team to dominate the rest of the region. For example, a few years ago where CovCath had a nice streak of wins in the 9th region, it was ended by unranked St. Henry and the run included a loss to Brossart, an NKY team. No team is going to WALK THROUGH this region.

Be fair if Rice is still on Holmes the whole regional tourney is different.