Alright folks I know it's early, but what do you all think? The 9th region will be hit hard this year with graduation of some great players (Hill, Rice, Jeffersom, Bovard, Jacobs, Lenhoff, bray, Ryan, etc) and I don't think the 9th region will see a team of Holmes caliber of this year for a while but who will be the early favorites and why?

 

In no particular order here's what I think...

 

CCH- lose a lot of talent in Bovard and Jacobs, but seem to always reload. Noll and Lampl will both have to develop a ton over the summer if they want to be a serious contender.

 

Holmes- return key players in Avery, Clark, Nelson, and by the way 9th region tourney MVP, Arrez Henderson along with a talented JV squad led by sophomore to be Dom Johnson who is probably the next big name player to come through Holmes

 

Ryle- Talented freshman classes the past two years, may surprise a few teams and become a top 5 team by season's end

 

Highlands- return POY candidate Nic Simpson, and with him in the lineup and a decent supporting cast, Highlands may become a contender as well

 

Holy Cross- Giwa, Eifert, and Sorrell all 3 return so HC should be competitive.

 

Boone Co- were somewhat young this year but graduated bray which will hurt them.

 

IMO the top 3 teams next year will be Holmes, CCH, and Highlands but what do you think? I'm not too familiar with the 08 class.

I think we will see another 9th region team or two go far in the Sweet Sixteen within the next 2-3 years.

 

CCH- Grimes and Maile returning. Schover should start PG. Good JV class coming up. Should be good.

 

Holmes- Good talent coming back. JV squad went to the NKY JV semifinals this year.

 

Ryle- Good 2010 class coming up.

 

Highlands- Simpson returning will be POY candidate, along with Henderson of Holmes. Good 2010 class coming up.

 

Holy Cross- Giwa, Eifert, and Sorrell all 3 return so HC should be competitive. Agree.

 

Boone Co- With good coaching and the right players playing, Boone should be better than their 18-12 record next year. Losing Bray will hurt some, but junior Krohman and sophomore Flannery are good 3 pt. shooters, sophomore Earls will be one of the more dominant big men, and junior McFarland will be one of the better players in the 9th. Boone also has a couple of the best point guards in the 2010 class. JV squad were NKY JV squad runners up to Simon Kenton this year. They will still be young, but won't be able to be taken lightly.

 

I think CCH, Holmes, and Highlands will all have a shot. It will probably come down to Holmes and CCH for one more year. Boone or Holy Cross could sneak in there and surprise. Ryle is probably another year away.

Holmes & CCH along with Ryle & Boone should be tops early on.

Never count out NCC or HC, as each should get better as the year goes on.

Eifert from HC graduated this year. I see some mentioned him as being back.

My top 3 to start the season would be

 

CCH/Holmes

Boone

IMO CCH has the early leg up but holmes returns more experience.

IMO CCH has the early leg up but holmes returns more experience.

 

 

CCH's team should be similar to this past years- guard heavy, athletic inside (but small)- but less talented and experienced.

I think Boone will be up there next year.

Highlands with the right draw. Probably CCH or Holmes though. Boone could be a sleeper with McFarland/Earls and the talented soph class coming in.

Highlands with the right draw. Probably CCH or Holmes though. Boone could be a sleeper with McFarland/Earls and the talented soph class coming in.

 

I totally agree with Highlands. Simpson will carry that team next year and will be a tough game for anyone. Who does Highlands return from this year besides Simpson?

Who does Holmes have coming in from Cincinnati. Didn't Nelson recently transfer? What about Ricardo? Anyone else?

I totally agree with Highlands. Simpson will carry that team next year and will be a tough game for anyone. Who does Highlands return from this year besides Simpson?

 

I would suggest that they will still be predominantly a one-man show which is going to hurt their chances.

I totally agree with Highlands. Simpson will carry that team next year and will be a tough game for anyone. Who does Highlands return from this year besides Simpson?

Drew Simons, Luke Stein, Zach Hurtt - SRs (2b)

Jake Turner, Austin Geisting, Jordan Messer, Mitch Fair JRs (2b)

Stephen Kowolonek, Ben Watson, Corey Dill, Zach Lother So's (2b)

I know I've missed some......lots of young kids will get long looks due to the plethora of upper class multiple sport guys...and the FB season should run DEEP this year!

Drew Simons, Luke Stein, Zach Hurtt - SRs (2b)

Jake Turner, Austin Geisting, Jordan Messer, Mitch Fair JRs (2b)

Stephen Kowolonek, Ben Watson, Corey Dill, Zach Lother So's (2b)

I know I've missed some......lots of young kids will get long looks due to the plethora of upper class multiple sport guys...and the FB season should run DEEP this year!

 

Thanks. So basically next year's starters will be:

 

Simpson, Stein, Simons, Hurtt and ??

Who does Holmes have coming in from Cincinnati. Didn't Nelson recently transfer? What about Ricardo? Anyone else?

 

Reggie Revels is the kid you're thinking about. He transfered from Taft last year but was ruled ineligible and was a senior this year. Holmes doesn't have any tranfers that I know of.

Thanks. So basically next year's starters will be:

 

Simpson, Stein, Simons, Hurtt and ??

Ryan Ball and Michael Eaton (srs 2b) will be in the mix