No, but you could say the same thing about almost every team. They are all on a mission. Digger says that on ESPN on the time "the team is on a mission" which I find funny because every team is on a mission to win.

 

I think what NKYboy means is Holmes was without starters all year for different reasons. Since they got their full squad back together, they have only lost one game, and that was to CCH in the district championship on CCH home floor.

 

If you see Holmes on film you'll realize what we're talking aobut. Everyone is finally on the same page and understanding that TEAM concept, which is why they've been playing at such a high level.

Who has Tighlman played with Holmes same athleticism?

 

They played these four teams in the highly competitive Centralia, IL Christmas Tournament.

Cahokia, IL

Champagne Central,

Alton, IL

Chicago Senn, IL

 

They also played these 2 teams in the Superman Classic:

Wheaton Academy, IL

Massac County, IL

 

And played Shelbyville, TN at the Hoopfest at Marshall.

Plus all the top teams in Region 1.

 

They have played a competitive schedule.

I think what NKYboy means is Holmes was without starters all year for different reasons. Since they got their full squad back together, they have only lost one game, and that was to CCH in the district championship on CCH home floor.

 

If you see Holmes on film you'll realize what we're talking aobut. Everyone is finally on the same page and understanding that TEAM concept, which is why they've been playing at such a high level.

 

 

I understand what you are saying but the term "on a mission" is so overused. I prefer "they are on the same page" or "peaking at the right time". Those are more accurate than "on a mission". If I had a dollar for everytime Digger Phelps says that on ESPN we all could retire right now.

Holmes backcourt is the best in nky and probably one of the top 10 in the state. Jefferson and Hill determine everything. If you try to key on them, you have Rice, Henderson and Nelson down low.

 

IMO Rice and Henderson are going to both dominate this game.

 

 

That is why I think Holmes will win is because of the backcourt.

They played these four teams in the highly competitive Centralia, IL Christmas Tournament.

Cahokia, IL

Champagne Central,

Alton, IL

Chicago Senn, IL

 

They also played these 2 teams in the Superman Classic:

Wheaton Academy, IL

Massac County, IL

 

And played Shelbyville, TN at the Hoopfest at Marshall.

Plus all the top teams in Region 1.

 

They have played a competitive schedule.

 

How'd they do against those teams?

I understand what you are saying but the term "on a mission" is so overused. I prefer "they are on the same page" or "peaking at the right time". Those are more accurate than "on a mission". If I had a dollar for everytime Digger Phelps says that on ESPN we all could retire right now.

 

Yea I agree, thats why I said on the same page and are finally understanding that TEAM concept. lol

That is why I think Holmes will win is because of the backcourt.

 

What are the match ups you think we'll see? you're a little more familiar with PT than me, so how do you think they'll try to match up w/ Holmes?

How'd they do against those teams?

 

 

They only lost to Alton, IL

Alton, Champaign Central and Chicago Senn each had athletes comparable to those at Holmes. Tilghman went 2-1 against them. My personal feeling is that, having seen all four teams, that Holmes and Alton are very comparable, with Senn and Central a notch below them.

Alton is the best team Tilghman has played. The Redbirds were 27-5 ... two of their losses came to teams that reached the Class AA quarterfinals in Illinois, O'Fallon and Lincoln. The other loss came at the Marshall County Hoopfest to Liberty Tech of Jackson, Tenn., which is nationally-ranked by at least one publication and will probably win the Class 2A state title this weekend.

 

Alton took two out of three from O'Fallon, which is in the Illinois Class AA final four this weekend. The Redbirds are very comparable to Holmes in terms of athleticism and physical play.

 

How did the game turn out? Alton beat Tilghman 60-40 in the semifinals of the Centralia Holiday Tournament, although the Alton lead was generally in the 6-8 point range until Tilghman had to start chasing them in the last few minutes of the game. Alton was playing very well at the time ... later that night, they routed O'Fallon in the championship game.

 

Champaign Central finished 21-9 and was beaten in the sectional semifinals, comparable to our regional semifinals. Also, mind you, this is in Class AA, the big-school class in Illinois. Tilghman beat Central 82-76 in overtime in the quarterfinals at Centralia.

 

I couldn't find a record for Chicago Senn. They were beaten in the regional finals, equivalent to our district finals (in Illinois, it's one loss and done). Senn beat Memphis Craigmont (which made the 3A state tournament) in the quarterfinals at Centralia. Tilghman beat Senn 61-60 in the third-place game at Centralia.

Alton is the best team Tilghman has played. The Redbirds were 27-5 ... two of their losses came to teams that reached the Class AA quarterfinals in Illinois, O'Fallon and Lincoln. The other loss came at the Marshall County Hoopfest to Liberty Tech of Jackson, Tenn., which is nationally-ranked by at least one publication and will probably win the Class 2A state title this weekend.

 

Alton took two out of three from O'Fallon, which is in the Illinois Class AA final four this weekend. The Redbirds are very comparable to Holmes in terms of athleticism and physical play.

 

How did the game turn out? Alton beat Tilghman 60-40 in the semifinals of the Centralia Holiday Tournament, although the Alton lead was generally in the 6-8 point range until Tilghman had to start chasing them in the last few minutes of the game. Alton was playing very well at the time ... later that night, they routed O'Fallon in the championship game.

 

Champaign Central finished 21-9 and was beaten in the sectional semifinals, comparable to our regional semifinals. Also, mind you, this is in Class AA, the big-school class in Illinois. Tilghman beat Central 82-76 in overtime in the quarterfinals at Centralia.

 

I couldn't find a record for Chicago Senn. They were beaten in the regional finals, equivalent to our district finals (in Illinois, it's one loss and done). Senn beat Memphis Craigmont (which made the 3A state tournament) in the quarterfinals at Centralia. Tilghman beat Senn 61-60 in the third-place game at Centralia.

 

Thanks for the info. Nice to see some people doing some research. :thumb:

 

Do you have a complete roster of Tighlman that you could post?

Back to the game. I think guard play will determine the game. PT has strong inside players but the backcourt is small and not as talented. I think the 2 sophomore guards off the bench are more talented than the 2 starters.

 

I think Holmes will pull out the game but it should be an entertaining game.

 

Bingo, we've got a winner...PTs strength is there inside game, but, they lack a quality ballhandler who can break a press...In the games PT has lost, it's to the teams that pressed them full court and made it hard for them to get in there sets and take it inside...Sounds like Holmes is the type team that could give them problems if they play a hard pressing style defense.

As far as Tilghmans schedule, it's been pretty solid....They've played in several tournaments in Ill and have played quality competition from the Champaigne and Chicago area and have played a good Shelbyville, Tn team and a good Univ heights team outside of the 1st region...It's hard to compare out of state teams but I wouldn't automatically think Holmes has played that much a better schedule just because they have a few better quality teams in there district..

 

A couple questions I have are:

1) How deep are they?

2) Have they faced any other teams with as much athleticism as them?

3) How are they going to respond to a more in your face physical defensive style that Holmes is going to bring?

 

1) PT has 3 guys that can come in off the bench and they won't lose a step. Bryon Wright came in off the bench and put up 23 points in the first round of the regional tournament. Jeffery Williams will come in and run the point and is very tough defensively and is a threat from the 3-point line. Buchanan will come in and add a lot of physical play. While he won't put up many points he will give 110% while on the floor.

 

2) I dont know anything about Holmes but PT upset the #3 team in Illinois at the Centralia Holiday Tournament. And played several top teams a westsider stated above.

 

3) PT is capable of playing a physical game. So I really don't think that will be a problem for them.

I think a lot of you are going to be just as impressed with Holmes front court. Rice is probably going to be the best player on the floor. Henderson guarded Walker last year when they played NCh and held his own with 5 blocks and 2 dunks, so I doubt Mcclure or Jones are going to be too much for him to handle.

 

Guard play, once again, is where this game will be won. Jefferson and Hill are both all state caliber players. If Holmes comes out with their press from the get go, or even drops back in a zone, I think Tighlman is going to struggle. (from what I've saw on film.)