Final from Latonia.

What a game, props to both teams who played their hearts out. Good atmosphere at the Finn and a huge win for Holmes, back and forth game with lots of lead changes. Foster was a load down low for Holmes, the young man Meyers for Holy Cross will be a name you will hear in the ninth region for a few years. Good seeing some Holy Cross friends as usual. Bulldogs playing better at the right time of year. Good luck to both teams.

Holmes vs Beechwood first rd?

Not yet!!

Wow, 2OT, sounds like I missed a heckuva game. Congrats to Holmes, that is a really solid road win.

Holmes vs Beechwood first rd?

 

Beechwood and Holy Cross still to play. That game will now determine district seeds.

You all will not say it but I will, that McClendon kid is special! You are probably looking at defensive player of the year IMO

Edited February 5, 20206 yr by Herefortheunderdogs

Listened to the broadcast...may have been a few whistles swallowed by the officials?

From my view on radio I thought the refs did a pretty good job all night of being "consistent" in letting the touch fouls go and letting the kids play with contact. (This did NOT play into the hands of Holy Cross however, but I thought they were consistent). There was only 1 really bad non call that was end of first overtime when there was an obvious blown call in the back court about 70 ft from the basket with :02 sec left and the game tied. The Holmes player had hard contact on Jeremiah Hicks but they decided to swallow the whistle since there was only 2 seconds left. If that same play happened in the first quarter they make that call but I get it.

 

Typical Holmes/Holy Cross match up. Both teams played hard and it was back and forth especially in the 2nd half with numerous lead changes. Holy Cross had their chances but had a few untimely turnovers that really cost them late in both overtimes.

 

Now the game at Beechwood on Feb 15th is big. If Holy Cross can pull off the upset it would setup a 3-way tie with BW/HC/Holmes. This is all based on the idea that Cov Cath beats Beechwood this Friday night in Park Hills.

 

Holmes 14 19 16 11 3 5 - 68

Holy Cross 15 17 17 11 3 3 - 66

 

* Unofficial from HC Radio

 

Holmes (10-12) - Q. Calloway 22, Foster 21, Elmer 17, Mullins 6, Abdullah 2

 

Holy Cross (10-9) - Meyer 20, McClendon 18, Niehaus 11, Hicks 9, Haney 6, Dreas 2

WHAT.

 

A.

 

GAME!!!

 

 

All players from both teams left their guts right out there on the floor!

 

Some friends of mine who don’t attend high school games don’t quite get what my deal is, but all I know is that it is the best thing going for 5 bucks, and last night’s game was worth $50.

 

I know that they’re not out there playing their hearts out for my entertainment, but holy crap if you can’t get excited about watching them give it all they’ve got, then you don’t have a pulse. I was exhilarated during my drive back home. Each player on the court gave 150%!

 

Outside of a small lead that Holmes briefly had, this game was truly neck n’ neck the whole way. 1 point lead at the end of the 1st, 1 point lead at the end of the 2nd, Tied at the end of the 3rd, Tied at the end of regulation. Then 2 OT’s

 

For starters, there’s no ignoring that both teams have phenomenal freshmans that are undeniably instrumental to the heartbeat of each squad. I’m already seeing D1 in Holmes’ Eian Elmer. Some might say “now now, hold your horses”, but mark my word that by the time this kid is a junior there’s going to be people in the stands recruiting. What poise and maturity he has for his age, and I just love that he has such a smooth mid-range jumper to go along with his inside attack.

 

Freshman Jacob Meyer for Holy Cross, while often times being shut down by Holmes’ smothering around the rim defense, he still got his 20, and there’s no denying that the kid can get up, and can get to the rim at will. This is not the first time either that I’ve seen him dunk the ball, and he’ll do it in traffic like in ain’t no thing. Lightening fast and fearless is a good way to describe him. If he can do all of this now, I just can’t wait to see what he’s all about his junior and senior year. If he grows vertically in the next couple of years, D1 will surely come a’ calling.

 

All right can we talk about Holmes’ Damario Foster? Kid is a workhorse! He puts up so much effort around the rim and fights and fights and fights for that damn bucket. And that’s not all, you might not think it, but he’ll cool-as-a-cucumber step back and drop a 3 ball on ya.

 

Then Holy Cross has a beast of their own with Jeremiah Hicks. I’ve seen him have better games, but still the guy gave it his all, and just his presence alone will intimidate. I forget what he ended with but he has some late game timely monster blocks where he came out of nowhere to erase so called sure thing baskets.

 

Then we have the junior Calloway brothers for Holmes where both are solid with the rock with lightening fast speed. I can’t get who’s first name belongs to who, but both make this team tick. I was blown away with how one of them grabs the defensive rebound and is off to the races and will swiftly get to the rim at will. And he’s also Cool Hand Luke at the charity stripe. I’d like to know what his percentage is, but when the team needs a sure bet freebie, he’s a sure bet and always reliable.

 

Then we have Holy Cross’ Brandon McClendon who is as smooth and fearless as they come, steady with the rock, swiftly takes it to the rim in traffic, and always finds nifty ways to score the ball. Such great instincts he has, and is crucial in making the Indians go. He was just an inch away from securing the win with that last close range on-the-run last second shot of his that just barely missed at the buzzer, either at the end of regulation, or the 1st overtime, I forget which.

 

I’ve seen more point production from Holmes’ Amari Mullins in past games, but he was still there and ever present in doing things that don’t always show up in the stats. Reliable ball handler when team is passing it around looking for a possible collapse in defense to get an open look, and what a clutch 3 the kid made in the 1st overtime to tie things back up, his first points of the game which sent it into the 2nd overtime.

 

I wish that I knew his name for Holy Cross, but the kid with the longish blonde hair who doesn’t necessarily pass the eye test, he comes in and plays his guts out and can give the team a spark, just like he did with his big 3 ball that brought the house down. His burst of excitement when connecting, and his teammates congratulating him with worth the price of admission.

 

The 3 balls weren’t exactly falling for Holy Cross’ 3 ball guys Gabbard and Neihaus, but that had something to do with Holmes stifling them to have much in the way of an open look. Still Neihaus came through with a clutch 3 in the 1st overtime to briefly put them ahead until Holmes’ Mullins matched him sending it to the 2nd overtime.

 

The Castleman kid for Holy Cross was noticeably missing, and he usually can come in off of the bench and give the team a reliable spark, but I wonder if he is out sick or whatever, but Holy Cross could have used him as he’s been another piece of the puzzle that helps their team go.

 

I was full of thoughts last night when I got home from the game, but couldn’t quite settle them into words just yet, and had to sleep on it, but sure enough it was the first thing on my mind when I woke this morning. Hard not to with all of that fantastic basketball stimulus pleasing my senses.

 

So the results of this game was step 1 in a possible tie between Holmes, Holy Cross, and Beechwood in the 35th. If Holy Cross manages to beat Beechwood which isn’t impossible, and CovCath beats Beechwood which is completely probable then there we have it. Holmes did themselves a favor either way by winning because a loss would be certain death with having to face CovCath in the first round of the districts and now they just might not have to. What will be is still to be seen.

 

All in all can you tell that I was excited by this game? This was surely my favorite game to witness in person thus far this season. I went in thinking that it could very well be a good ol good one, and it indeed was and more so. I’m for certain that it did not disappoint anyone in attendance and even Holy Cross fans I’m sure can tell you that even in this loss it had their adrenaline pumping.

Edited February 5, 20206 yr by B-Ball-fan

Listened to the broadcast...may have been a few whistles swallowed by the officials?

 

Do you really have that kind of sight? LOL

From my view on radio I thought the refs did a pretty good job all night of being "consistent" in letting the touch fouls go and letting the kids play with contact. (This did NOT play into the hands of Holy Cross however, but I thought they were consistent). There was only 1 really bad non call that was end of first overtime when there was an obvious blown call in the back court about 70 ft from the basket with :02 sec left and the game tied. The Holmes player had hard contact on Jeremiah Hicks but they decided to swallow the whistle since there was only 2 seconds left. If that same play happened in the first quarter they make that call but I get it.

 

Typical Holmes/Holy Cross match up. Both teams played hard and it was back and forth especially in the 2nd half with numerous lead changes. Holy Cross had their chances but had a few untimely turnovers that really cost them late in both overtimes.

 

Now the game at Beechwood on Feb 15th is big. If Holy Cross can pull off the upset it would setup a 3-way tie with BW/HC/Holmes. This is all based on the idea that Cov Cath beats Beechwood this Friday night in Park Hills.

 

Holmes 14 19 16 11 3 5 - 68

Holy Cross 15 17 17 11 3 3 - 66

 

* Unofficial from HC Radio

 

Holmes (10-12) - Q. Calloway 22, Foster 21, Elmer 17, Mullins 6, Abdullah 2

 

Holy Cross (10-9) - Meyer 20, McClendon 18, Niehaus 11, Hicks 9, Haney 6, Dreas 2

 

I agree with you on the blown call, as I instantly turned to the guy sitting near me and said, there easily could have been a foul called there, but it looks like they just let it go to make way for the 2nd overtime.

 

Hicks I believe almost got a 'T' called on him in the second overtime when the ball went out of bounds in the corner to Holmes, and the Dawgs were up by 4 at this point , and instead of handing the ball to the ref when ball was completely dead, he takes a shot from the corner, having the ref give him a look as to say "Oh man, you're testing my patience, and you know that I could 'T' you up right now"

WHAT.

 

A.

 

GAME!!!

 

 

All players from both teams left their guts right out there on the floor!

 

Some friends of mine who don’t attend high school games don’t quite get what my deal is, but all I know is that it is the best thing going for 5 bucks, and last night’s game was worth $50.

 

I know that they’re not out there playing their hearts out for my entertainment, but holy crap if you can’t get excited about watching them give it all they’ve got, then you don’t have a pulse. I was exhilarated during my drive back home. Each player on the court gave 150%!

 

Outside of a small lead that Holmes briefly had, this game was truly neck n’ neck the whole way. 1 point lead at the end of the 1st, 1 point lead at the end of the 2nd, Tied at the end of the 3rd, Tied at the end of regulation. Then 2 OT’s

 

For starters, there’s no ignoring that both teams have phenomenal freshmans that are undeniably instrumental to the heartbeat of each squad. I’m already seeing D1 in Holmes’ Eian Elmer. Some might say “now now, hold your horses”, but mark my word that by the time this kid is a junior there’s going to be people in the stands recruiting. What poise and maturity he has for his age, and I just love that he has such a smooth mid-range jumper to go along with his inside attack.

 

Freshman Jacob Meyer for Holy Cross, while often times being shut down by Holmes’ smothering around the rim defense, he still got his 20, and there’s no denying that the kid can get up, and can get to the rim at will. This is not the first time either that I’ve seen him dunk the ball, and he’ll do it in traffic like in ain’t no thing. Lightening fast and fearless is a good way to describe him. If he can do all of this now, I just can’t wait to see what he’s all about his junior and senior year. If he grows vertically in the next couple of years, D1 will surely come a’ calling.

 

All right can we talk about Holmes’ Damario Foster? Kid is a workhorse! He puts up so much effort around the rim and fights and fights and fights for that damn bucket. And that’s not all, you might not think it, but he’ll cool-as-a-cucumber step back and drop a 3 ball on ya.

 

Then Holy Cross has a beast of their own with Jeremiah Hicks. I’ve seen him have better games, but still the guy gave it his all, and just his presence alone will intimidate. I forget what he ended with but he has some late game timely monster blocks where he came out of nowhere to erase so called sure thing baskets.

 

Then we have the junior Calloway brothers for Holmes where both are solid with the rock with lightening fast speed. I can’t get who’s first name belongs to who, but both make this team tick. I was blown away with how one of them grabs the defensive rebound and is off to the races and will swiftly get to the rim at will. And he’s also Cool Hand Luke at the charity stripe. I’d like to know what his percentage is, but when the team needs a sure bet freebie, he’s a sure bet and always reliable.

 

Then we have Holy Cross’ Brandon McClendon who is as smooth and fearless as they come, steady with the rock, swiftly takes it to the rim in traffic, and always finds nifty ways to score the ball. Such great instincts he has, and is crucial in making the Indians go. He was just an inch away from securing the win with that last close range on-the-run last second shot of his that just barely missed at the buzzer, either at the end of regulation, or the 1st overtime, I forget which.

 

I’ve seen more point production from Holmes’ Amari Mullins in past games, but he was still there and ever present in doing things that don’t always show up in the stats. Reliable ball handler when team is passing it around looking for a possible collapse in defense to get an open look, and what a clutch 3 the kid made in the 1st overtime to tie things back up, his first points of the game which sent it into the 2nd overtime.

 

I wish that I knew his name for Holy Cross, but the kid with the longish blonde hair who doesn’t necessarily pass the eye test, he comes in and plays his guts out and can give the team a spark, just like he did with his big 3 ball the brought the house down. His burst of excitement when connecting, and his teammates congratulating him with worth the price of admission.

 

The 3 balls weren’t exactly falling for Holy Cross’ 3 ball guys Gabbard and Neihaus, but that had something to do with Holmes stifling them to have much in the way of an open look. Still Neihaus came through with a clutch 3 in the 1st overtime to briefly put them ahead until Holmes’ Mullins matched him sending it to the 2nd overtime.

 

The Castleman kid for Holy Cross was noticeably missing, and he usually can come in off of the bench and give the team a reliable spark, but I wonder his he is out sick or whatever, but Holy Cross could have used him as he’s been another piece of the puzzle that helps their team go.

 

I was full of thoughts last night when I got home from the game, but couldn’t quite settle them into words just yet, and had to sleep on it, but sure enough it was the first thing on my mind when I woke this morning. Hard not to with all of that fantastic basketball stimulus pleasing my senses.

 

So the results of this game was step 1 in a possible tie between Holmes, Holy Cross, and Beechwood in the 35th. If Holy Cross manages to beat Beechwood which isn’t impossible, and CovCath beats Beechwood which is completely probable then there we have it. Holmes did themselves a favor either way by winning because a loss would be certain death with having to face CovCath in the first round of the districts and now they just might not have to. What will be is still to be seen.

 

All in all can you tell that I was excited by this game? This was surely my favorite game to witness in person thus far this season. I went in thinking that it could very well be a good ol good one, and it indeed was and more so. I’m for certain that it did not disappoint anyone in attendance and even Holy Cross fans I’m sure can tell you that even in this loss it had their adrenaline pumping.

 

Very good view of the game and I agree, best game I have saw all year as far as lead changes and effort. Mullins was coming off of some ankle issues and did step up at the right time. I think maybe the blond haired young man maybe is Haney, lots of potential their as well. Foster,was a beast, and I understand he just got offered a full ride in football as well. As I said earlier, props to both teams, love the Holmes , Holy Cross match ups at the Finn, just a good city rival.

Do you really have that kind of sight? LOL

 

You can go back and listen. The crew on radio said so much on the no call.

You can go back and listen. The crew on radio said so much on the no call.

 

Yeah, I know what your saying, but those radio guys and the fans in the seats don't always have the best sight lines on making a call. Not defending the officials, just saying.