Why is it that because CovCath is down the hat the region has to be down? I’d maybe argue differently. Cooper looks really good. Beechwood & Highlands are competing at a high level and play very tough & strong together. Newport has some pieces that could allow them to compete. I hate the notion that because CovCath is down, the region must be lacking.

 

Not to mention, I think we all expect CCH to be playing at a high level come February.

They indeed have strong talented athletes with loads of potential, and no doubt both teams pestered each other to avoid anything coming easy, but still Taft, and CovCath included just kept tossing up rushed brick after brick even when wide open, and missing sure bet close range shots, as well as both being dismal at the line making it appear that both are vulgarly overrated.

 

I kept reflecting back to preseason when the word on the street was that CovCath would again be the team to beat in the 9th, and I'm sure of it that with their all around talent and toughness, Cooper will without doubt be the team to beat them. We already know that Highlands did.

 

It pains me to say this, and especially about the Colonels, but both teams just came away looking rather pedestrian with their game, and forgive me because I know that they exerted a ton of energy in this loss, but I saw nothing that might suggest that CovCath has any real shooters on their team.

 

I know a team can have an off night, but seems that this is more than just a fluke, and they've nary a player that can really light it up.

 

I suppose that's just the way it goes, and they can't always be so fortunate as they've been in their recent past, but who exactly were the hype builders ( admittedly I bought into it too) referring to when they thought that CovCath was infallible?

 

To be fair they do play their guts out, and no one could call them a cupcake, but I don't know that they can actually live up to the hype, and feel for them that they've perhaps been unfairly asked to maintain the standard of what we all have come to expect from the boys in blue up on the Dixie Hwy.

 

I don't mean to sound harsh, but it might be time for a sobering dose of reality that even while they're bound to have their share of successes this season, that pre-season 9th Region crowning of them might've been a bit too premature.

 

Still for them there's much room for improvement, and lots to learn, and realizing just what a good program they have at CovCath, I do expect to see a team much better prepared come post season.

 

I saw CCH play Lex Cath and pretty much destroy them, granted LC is not a power house this year, but still a decent team. After watching the game with Taft and recent CCH scores, CCH appears to be back pedaling instead of moving forward. I will agree with everything you have stated.

Why is it that because CovCath is down the hat the region has to be down? I’d maybe argue differently. Cooper looks really good. Beechwood & Highlands are competing at a high level and play very tough & strong together. Newport has some pieces that could allow them to compete. I hate the notion that because CovCath is down, the region must be lacking.

 

Not to mention, I think we all expect CCH to be playing at a high level come February.

 

Couldn’t agree more. HS sports can be cyclical which I why I simply laughed when so my were using the word “Dynasty” with the CCH program. They’ve had great success with the arrival of Coach R. no doubt but they are long way being a dynasty. Will they be a leading contender for the region, absolutelu, but I can think at least 4-5 others who be right there as well.

The region just doesn’t have a superstar like we’ve enjoyed for the last 10 years or so but that doesn’t make it a down region IMO. Teams will have to play more of a team concept more than normal. No team in the region has a player that will take over a game night in and night out and that’s not a bad thing really.

They indeed have strong talented athletes with loads of potential, and no doubt both teams pestered each other to avoid anything coming easy, but still Taft, and CovCath included just kept tossing up rushed brick after brick even when wide open, and missing sure bet close range shots, as well as both being dismal at the line making it appear that both are vulgarly overrated.

 

I kept reflecting back to preseason when the word on the street was that CovCath would again be the team to beat in the 9th, and I'm sure of it that with their all around talent and toughness, Cooper will without doubt be the team to beat them. We already know that Highlands did.

 

It pains me to say this, and especially about the Colonels, but both teams just came away looking rather pedestrian with their game, and forgive me because I know that they exerted a ton of energy in this loss, but I saw nothing that might suggest that CovCath has any real shooters on their team.

 

I know a team can have an off night, but seems that this is more than just a fluke, and they've nary a player that can really light it up.

 

I suppose that's just the way it goes, and they can't always be so fortunate as they've been in their recent past, but who exactly were the hype builders ( admittedly I bought into it too) referring to when they thought that CovCath was infallible?

 

To be fair they do play their guts out, and no one could call them a cupcake, but I don't know that they can actually live up to the hype, and feel for them that they've perhaps been unfairly asked to maintain the standard of what we all have come to expect from the boys in blue up on the Dixie Hwy.

 

I don't mean to sound harsh, but it might be time for a sobering dose of reality that even while they're bound to have their share of successes this season, that pre-season 9th Region crowning of them might've been a bit too premature.

 

Still for them there's much room for improvement, and lots to learn, and realizing just what a good program they have at CovCath, I do expect to see a team much better prepared come post season.

 

All pre season rankings are premature. That is why they are called "pre season."

 

Rankings always change throughout the year.

 

Yes, its is obvious now that CCH may have some gaps. And that Cooper is playing well and deservedly #1 in the 9th.

 

Most people had CCH and Cooper at #1 and #2 preseason but all felt they were close.

 

I would never measure a NKY team against how they play with a Cincy team. Weirdly enough, they are quite different.

 

I would say Cooper has way more talent than Elder but they narrowly escaped that game.

 

Teams are gonna have bad games and learn where their holes are. Thats how they get better!

I have seen roughly half the 9th region teams this season and I have watched 9th region for better part of 20 years. This region is deeper and more competitive than recent years, which I think is great. Previous years had 2, maybe 3 teams with true shot to win region - you could argue 5-6 this year and we have long way to go.

I have seen roughly half the 9th region teams this season and I have watched 9th region for better part of 20 years. This region is deeper and more competitive than recent years, which I think is great. Previous years had 2, maybe 3 teams with true shot to win region - you could argue 5-6 this year and we have long way to go.

 

I know this is getting off the thread, but who are you're 5 or 6 teams ?

Cooper, CovCath, Highlands, Newport and Beechwood have all proven they can play at high level. Handful of other teams have showed some signs but are still developing and getting better - by tourney time who knows (Dixie, NCC, St Henry, Holy Cross etc)

Don’t think he’ll play anytime soon, if at all. Just a hunch. Young man has committed to Notre Dame. Risk worth the reward??

 

Michael will be playing at some point this season-I will leave it at that.

Couldn’t agree more. HS sports can be cyclical which I why I simply laughed when so my were using the word “Dynasty” with the CCH program. They’ve had great success with the arrival of Coach R. no doubt but they are long way being a dynasty.

 

I'm certainly not calling their 2014-2018 run a dynasty, but they have 2 State Championships, and 1 State Final Four in the last 5 years. They are the premier program in the state right now.

Last year they had a ugly 47-46 loss at Winton Woods in January, and people piled on. It's December.

No one can argue this. A full sponsorship by Under Armor is material proof of that. But, CCH being down, doesn’t make the region down. The region is as deeply competitive as it’s been in the last 5-7 years, imo.

This gets lost in most conversations. Everyone has a new “hot take” heading into the new week. Next sunday night it will be something else. Still very early. Not even 1/3 of the way into the season.

CovCath stats for the game.

 

FG - 13-43 - 30.2%

3pt - 1-17 - 5.8%

FT - 11-25 - 44%

 

Someone double check me as I have some doubts about my math.

CovCath stats for the game.

 

FG - 13-43 - 30.2%

3pt - 1-17 - 5.8%

FT - 11-25 - 44%

 

Someone double check me as I have some doubts about my math.

 

Those are some ugly stats. I haven’t seen numbers like that from the blue colonels in forever.

CovCath stats for the game.

 

FG - 13-43 - 30.2%

3pt - 1-17 - 5.8%

FT - 11-25 - 44%

 

Someone double check me as I have some doubts about my math.

 

 

Those are horrible numbers yet they still almost won at the buzzer over a very good team from Ohio.

 

I assure you this, their stats will be better (not that they can get much worse) tonight when they play NCC.

 

This Taft game was simply an off night for their shooters.