SK Walton Shleby Anderson. All fine teams. None would win the 9th IMO.

Stop. I had no reason to get into the conversation here, until the bolded popped up on my screen...:ohbrother:

 

Ryle...yes

Holmes...yes

Highlands...probably

ND...nope

Holy Cross...nope

 

I understand all the rootin and tootin over who thinks their region is the best. That's cool, but lets not exaggerate.

 

Anderson County, Shelby County, and Walton Verona are solid ball teams....

 

Anderson County beat Holmes this year and played common opponents closer than Highlands did. Walton was tied at SK with 33 second left until a controversial intentional foul was called against Walton. And Shelby County is right there with them.

 

I'm glad you weighed in. I had forgot that Anderson beat Holmes.

I'm not calling the 9th down. I think basketball in nky is some of the top in the state Can say that without hesitation. Anyone calling the 8th a pushover and the top 4 or 5 9th teams would walk thru the 8th just explains a lot of their understanding or lack of knowledge of basketball. Anderson county has proven to be one of the top teams in the state over the past several years. Shelby county has had treatment success over that same time period.

As far as the 9th, It's not as balanced as some may hope. Ryle and Holmes has proved all year they are the two top teams and have separated themselves a little How do you believe homes toughest matchup Willaby against holy cross so they have to get by that game first. Outside of these to you have a pack that can contend which includes Notre Dame HC and Highlands. Any other team could pull off an upset but I cannot believe they can win the night. Most not region observers should be pulling for holy cross that will give me any of the teams a better chance at the Crown this year. Any other teams will have a hard time matching up with Holmes other than Ryle giving them fits with their height.

Who you got

SK vs Holmes

Anderson Co vs Ryle

Shelby Co vs Highlands

WV vs ND

Trimble Co vs Conner

Williamstown vs HC

Collins vs NCC

Gallatin Co vs Cooper

That would be the match ups based on the courier journals rankings per region. Teams 1-8

 

This might prove the ninth is deeper, or more competitive through the middle, and I will not disagree with that. I did disagree with the plug in of all 5 of those mentioned earlier as automatic region champs in the 8th.

 

Because I have no beef over the depth of the regions, I only put my picks/opinions of 3 of the top 4 games. At best, it is split, but I really think the a Ryle/Anderson game would be a dandy...I couldn't pick one.

Sure. They all had seniors that graduated and moved on, just like every school. So others lost kids too, essentially not as good as the year before. Comparing year to year will never work in high school athletics. If HHS was heathy all year, we wouldn't be having this conversation. But they weren't. But they are now!

 

Boone, Cooper , NCC, all better last year?

I'm not calling the 9th down. I think basketball in nky is some of the top in the state Can say that without hesitation. Anyone calling the 8th a pushover and the top 4 or 5 9th teams would walk thru the 8th just explains a lot of their understanding or lack of knowledge of basketball. Anderson county has proven to be one of the top teams in the state over the past several years. Shelby county has had treatment success over that same time period.

As far as the 9th, It's not as balanced as some may hope. Ryle and Holmes has proved all year they are the two top teams and have separated themselves a little How do you believe homes toughest matchup Willaby against holy cross so they have to get by that game first. Outside of these to you have a pack that can contend which includes Notre Dame HC and Highlands. Any other team could pull off an upset but I cannot believe they can win the night. Most not region observers should be pulling for holy cross that will give me any of the teams a better chance at the Crown this year. Any other teams will have a hard time matching up with Holmes other than Ryle giving them fits with their height.

 

Highlands matches up with Holmes well actually.

Boone, Cooper , NCC, all better last year?

 

Better meaning what?? How do you define better? It's all relative to that year. Any team that loses senior starters can't be better, correct? But in most cases, everyone lost seniors. So they just have to play who is in front of them.

 

When you ask about year to year, that can only be determined by how they do against the existing teams. You can't really ask if they are better than last year. You never know.

 

If HHS didn't have all the injuries, they would be just as successful as last year's team in my opinion. For example, if you were looking HHS' record with wins over Sacred Heart, Holmes, Mason co and Campbell co, what would you think about this HHS team? Those were games that were close that HHS was not at full strength and had two players down. Let alone a girl that's been out for the season that would have helped a ton. Because all those would have been very possible victories without significant players being out. The Mason game was the only one where I think they had just got everyone back. But they lost at Mason on a last second unlikely shot that fell for them. All those were very possible wins at full strength. Until recently, I haven't said much about the injuries being a factor. But when someone wants to say they are down or not as good, well no one would be as good with a starter or two out or a starter and another top contributed out of more than half your games when you play the schedule they played. So yes, I think HHS is just as good if they stay healthy and play inspired.

Just some numbers..

HHS/SK vs. "like" opponents;

HHS 7-5 win/loss margin +98

SK 10-2 win/loss margin +145

Overall numbers;

HHS 19-10 pts for- 1564 pts against-1221

SK 20-5 pts for- 1567 pts against- 1303

You could argue that Simon is the best team in NKY regardless of region. If you put them in the ninth they would be co favorites along with Holmes and Ryle. After that, Anderson/Shelby/Walton are probably all about the same as the next level of teams in the 9th. However, the 9th is stronger 5-8.

 

There isn't a team in the 9th that would "automatically" win the 8th. Ryle/Holmes would both be the favorite if they replaced simon (just like simon is the favorite now) but they aren't automatic winners. Anderson already beat holmes. Walton/Shelby are also capable of beating one of the favorites. Both the 8th and the 9th should be great tournaments!

Only 1 team wins from each region, that is all that matters. Really don't think any of those match up with Etown, Male, Butler so will it matter? Every year we hear this argument, maybe Simon will get their chance the next time alignment is discussed to be in the 9th. There is so many players changing hands in the 9th I am looking for Mel Kiper to have a big draft board. But you better if you want to keep up with the 3 I mentioned in bold

With all that being said now that HHS is healthy and they schedule they played this year sounds to me they should be favorite to win the 9th, because all you hear is they weren't healthy and they didn't have a gym.

 

And why does everyone put HC up there in front of teams that have beaten them?

For the record, I never said the 8th was better the 9th. I only said that the 9th is down compared to recent years, and that the top of the 8th region is underestimated. I would agree that from 5-8 the 9th is deeper.

Only 1 team wins from each region, that is all that matters. Really don't think any of those match up with Etown, Male, Butler so will it matter? Every year we hear this argument, maybe Simon will get their chance the next time alignment is discussed to be in the 9th. There is so many players changing hands in the 9th I am looking for Mel Kiper to have a big draft board. But you better if you want to keep up with the 3 I mentioned in bold

 

True, THIS YEAR.

Male the next 3 years are loaded.......I know Pioneer pride, I know, all back for Simon next year, for now

Sure. They all had seniors that graduated and moved on, just like every school. So others lost kids too, essentially not as good as the year before. Comparing year to year will never work in high school athletics. If HHS was heathy all year, we wouldn't be having this conversation. But they weren't. But they are now!

 

You use the injury excuse alot. SK has had injuries all season so has other teams.