HUGE game tonight in Park Hills as BGP #5 Great Crossing visits BGP #3 CovCath in an opening week bonanza!!!  Coach Page's Warhawks had a solid test in the opener versus a West Jess team that will be a factor in the 9th.  Coach Ruthsatz's Colonels went on the road in the opener and handled a Simon Kenton team with solid pieces with a 3rd quarter running clock.  Safe to say, both will get a lot more competition tonight.  

I have the Colonels by 7, but I think you could have a lot of results here that wouldn't be all too surprising, given that it is so early in the year, there are some football kids still easing back into basketball shape, and both teams will undoubtedly be a lot better in February than they will be this evening.

How the Colonels under-sized, but highly skilled and tough-minded, roster handles Malachi Moreno will likely be the key match-up to watch.  Can the Colonels ball pressure make it tough to get solid entry passes to the 6'10" (ish) Moreno in the post, or will he be able to get deep positioning in the block and get the ball with time and space to operate?  Should be one of the great early-season contests around the Bluegrass.

If CCH is knocking down shots, their new fast pace style of play will work out well for them. It will combat the size differential quite a bit. I will also take CCH because of their experience. Seniors Ipsaro and McGillis and Hussey a Junior are not only talented but bring that upperclassmen experience. Great Crossing has 1 Senior, 1 Junior and 8 Sophomores on their roster. I now the sophomores are very talented but at this point in the season and the game being in Park Hills, I will take the Colonels by double digits. 

2 hours ago, The Double Deuce said:

HUGE game tonight in Park Hills as BGP #5 Great Crossing visits BGP #3 CovCath in an opening week bonanza!!!  Coach Page's Warhawks had a solid test in the opener versus a West Jess team that will be a factor in the 9th.  Coach Ruthsatz's Colonels went on the road in the opener and handled a Simon Kenton team with solid pieces with a 3rd quarter running clock.  Safe to say, both will get a lot more competition tonight.  

I have the Colonels by 7, but I think you could have a lot of results here that wouldn't be all too surprising, given that it is so early in the year, there are some football kids still easing back into basketball shape, and both teams will undoubtedly be a lot better in February than they will be this evening.

How the Colonels under-sized, but highly skilled and tough-minded, roster handles Malachi Moreno will likely be the key match-up to watch.  Can the Colonels ball pressure make it tough to get solid entry passes to the 6'10" (ish) Moreno in the post, or will he be able to get deep positioning in the block and get the ball with time and space to operate?  Should be one of the great early-season contests around the Bluegrass.

DD, my crystal ball is really blurred this morning and I believe it will remain that way till game time.  With that being said, I do like your break down of the game.  I'm not sure Moreno will be the first option on the offensive end, but will score on put backs and rebound strong.  CCH's Mr. Everything will certainly be a factor in this game.

After some deep thought, I'm going with Great Crossing in a tight one, maybe even OT.  I'll be there.

CovCath will win this win by 10+ if Mr. Everything for CCH get's his open shooters the ball instead of taking contested shots. If not I agree with both assessments that CCH loses a close one. With that said, Ipsaro shoots a very high FG% and hits contested shots at a high rate but let's remember that he doesn't have the luxury of those offensive rebounders that he had last year, to get any 2nd shot opportunities for him and other teammates. The biggest challenge for CCH this year will be exactly that, Ipsaro's ability to get his team involved proactively versus passing when he is in trouble or not hitting his shooters early on the wing.

If Ruthsatz can manage this over the course of the year CCH will have a very successful season.  With Hussey and the McGillis boys who can all shoot at a high rate and were 9 for 13 collectively last game and 6 for 9 from the 3 versus Simon Kenton, getting them the ball will be the key to success. I heard Ipsaro started out super hot versus Simon Kenton but missed his last 7 or 8 shots when he had other players open. That may be the achilles heal for them. He ended up going 8 for 17, which is almost 50% and pretty good, before being taken out with the rest of the starters in the 3rd because of the blow out. 

The other concern is Aiden Jones ability to stay out of foul trouble. Given his brute strength, Cov Cath needs him in the game as he makes it very difficult for centers to move him on the block. This game will be a test for CCH early which is a good thing. 

I’d go with CC. Believe Great Crossing may be a little overrated. Won’t reach their full potential until Moreno becomes much more assertive and physical….which I am sure he will over time, just not sure it will be this season. 

I watched Great Crossing Scrimmage Western in the preseason and I'm not convinced Great Crossing is deserving of the BGP #5 ranking, yet!  They are loaded with talent and will just continue to get better but I think the experience, the crazies and the discipline of Cov Cath will be to much for Great Crossing tonight.  Cov Cath by 10-15. 

Cov Cath's freshman team played New Cath tonight rather than Great Crossing.

The Cov Cath vs. Great Crossing JV game was 12-10 Colonels at the end of 1Q.

The JV game tipped off a little after 6:30pm, so the varsity game is gonna be starting later than 7:30.

1 minute ago, Colonels_Wear_Blue said:

The Cov Cath vs. Great Crossing JV game was 12-10 Colonels at the end of 1Q.

Cov Cath JV now leading 23-19 at the half.

Cov Cath JV leading Great Crossing 40-25 at the end of 3Q.

Cov Cath JV wins it 50-33.

Varsity action:

6-4 Warhawks with 4:50 left in 1Q.

7-6 Colonels with 3:10 left on 1Q.

Cov Cath's first lead of the game.

8-6 Colonels

9-8 Warhawks on an and-1.