Stealing this thread idea from @Hoops Junkiein the boys' forum, but if you had a vote for 9th Region Girls Coach of the year would you give it to Coach Holthaus, Coach Arlinghaus, or someone else?  I think this is a tougher call than on the boys side (Matt Otte for me, decisively), and I feel like I could make a GREAT case for both Holthaus and Arlinghaus, so what say the masses?

I think I would pitch my case for Coach Ritchey at Highlands. They are still so super young and raw and were so far away from being a great basketball team at the end of last year. Even at the beginning of the year they were taking some big losses and in some tighter games than should be expected. That has all changed in January and they are looking like a serious contender in the region. I figured that would happen with this group but not this year so Coach Ritchey has them ahead of schedule. 

1 hour ago, se7ens said:

I think I would pitch my case for Coach Ritchey at Highlands. They are still so super young and raw and were so far away from being a great basketball team at the end of last year. Even at the beginning of the year they were taking some big losses and in some tighter games than should be expected. That has all changed in January and they are looking like a serious contender in the region. I figured that would happen with this group but not this year so Coach Ritchey has them ahead of schedule. 

I love Jamie, and they are certainly young and rebuilding, but I don't know any non-Highlands fan that thinks for one second they are a "serious contender in the region."  They are going to be a real contender next year, for sure, and they'll get a district runner-up in the first round of the 9th so they have a great shot at winning a game, but that will be the end of the journey for the young Birds.

24 minutes ago, The Double Deuce said:

I love Jamie, and they are certainly young and rebuilding, but I don't know any non-Highlands fan that thinks for one second they are a "serious contender in the region."  They are going to be a real contender next year, for sure, and they'll get a district runner-up in the first round of the 9th so they have a great shot at winning a game, but that will be the end of the journey for the young Birds.

Ehh, look at their January. I see what you are saying, I do, but they could win it all. It's not likely, sure, but it is possible and you couldn't say that in December. To me, that's an enormous coaching accomplishment. 

 

Similarly, I think the Pandas are ahead of schedule and there is a serious argument to give it to Kes Murphy. 

25 minutes ago, se7ens said:

Ehh, look at their January. I see what you are saying, I do, but they could win it all. It's not likely, sure, but it is possible and you couldn't say that in December. To me, that's an enormous coaching accomplishment. 

 

Similarly, I think the Pandas are ahead of schedule and there is a serious argument to give it to Kes Murphy. 

I am not sure anyone on this board follows NKY Girls Hoops more closely, in fairness, and there is growth, to be sure, but they still have a long way to go.  Again, I love Jamie and Bert, great people, and I know many of those girls and their families fairly well, but there is a big gap from Cooper / Ryle / Dixie / HC / Notre Dame and the Birds.  

Again...won't be the case next year, for sure!  The Birds have a great couple of years coming up.

Notre Dame has a D1 talent, a very talented 6'2" center, and the Draymond Green of the 9th in Maya Lawrie (LOVE Maya, that is the greatest compliment I can give her)...."ahead of schedule"?  They lost a ton, but this year they still have enough to win 3 at NKU, especially with Kes at the helm.  

I am going to say Coach Arlinghaus. He had work to get all the girls on same page with new add-ins, but he really was able to get them to gel together and it showed in the All A tournament.

If I can wait till after the region to vote that would be great. All points above are great but coaching is what it is…. Which IMO is to take a group of kids and make them better. In that sense everyone knew Cooper would run the region but who makes the most impact in the tourney?  
 

Highlands and NDA are my finalists. They are the youngest and most coachable group. 

On 1/31/2023 at 2:22 PM, The Double Deuce said:

I love Jamie, and they are certainly young and rebuilding, but I don't know any non-Highlands fan that thinks for one second they are a "serious contender in the region."  They are going to be a real contender next year, for sure, and they'll get a district runner-up in the first round of the 9th so they have a great shot at winning a game, but that will be the end of the journey for the young Birds.

Highlands may be playing in the easiest district in the state. Four class A schools, one 5A school. The Breds are not a powerhouse like previous years. The Birds win the district without breaking a sweat.

Arlinghaus - Has his team 21-5 up to this point and played a great schedule. They have wins over McCracken Co (#2 in state at the time), Notre Dame, Conner, Meade Co, Ashland, Pikeville and Bethlehem. Just won the All "A" State Title. 

Holthaus - Been the #1 team in the 9th all year and will take a special effort from someone in the 9th to knock them off at NKU. They have 3 losses, all outside the 9th region.

Richey - Team has gotten better and better as the season has gone on. Nice Sophomore group led by Marissa Green.