This was a great game for Ryle to win and I have to say I rather enjoyed seeing some of those faces on the losing side as they left scratching their heads.. The 9th is pretty wide open in my opinion..

This was a great game for Ryle to win and I have to say I rather enjoyed seeing some of those faces on the losing side as they left scratching their heads.. The 9th is pretty wide open in my opinion..

 

I'm not sure how wide open it is Hamilton Joe. I think Highlands has to be considered a very strong front runner. Each Conner victory makes them look that much better.

I'm not sure how wide open it is Hamilton Joe. I think Highlands has to be considered a very strong front runner. Each Conner victory makes them look that much better.

 

Let's see, NDA beat Highlands, Highlands beat Conner and Boone, Boone and Conner both beat NDA. Ryle beat Boone. NCC can beat anyone at anytime. I would have to agree with HJoe. A coin flip.

Let's see, NDA beat Highlands, Highlands beat Conner and Boone, Boone and Conner both beat NDA. Ryle beat Boone. NCC can beat anyone at anytime. I would have to agree with HJoe. A coin flip.

 

:thumb:Thank you

Let's see, NDA beat Highlands, Highlands beat Conner and Boone, Boone and Conner both beat NDA. Ryle beat Boone. NCC can beat anyone at anytime. I would have to agree with HJoe. A coin flip.

 

A coin flip indicates the odds are 50-50. Two wins over a 20-2 Conner team, a win over Boone and a win over Ryle at Ryle. Their only 9th region blemish is an overtime loss to Notre Dame in early January. Their only loss since Notre Dame was a loss to #6 ranked Montgomery County in which they lead going into the 4th quarter. Right now Conner and Highlands are clearly the cream of the crop in the 9th. To say the 9th region is a coin flip is perhaps wishful thinking.

A coin flip indicates the odds are 50-50. Two wins over a 20-2 Conner team, a win over Boone and a win over Ryle at Ryle. Their only 9th region blemish is an overtime loss to Notre Dame in early January. Their only loss since Notre Dame was a loss to #6 ranked Montgomery County in which they lead going into the 4th quarter. Right now Conner and Highlands are clearly the cream of the crop in the 9th. To say the 9th region is a coin flip is perhaps wishful thinking.

Just an observation but HHS beat Connor by 4, Boone by 4, and lost to NDA all at their place, which most will agree is a very difficult place to play because of the set up of the gym. No question they are the favorite at this time, but clear favorite? Not a chance. They do get the district at their place also, so that provides an advantage against NCC, but after that games will be at neutral sites. As has been pointed out, being the favorite is not always a good spt to be in. NDA was a clear favorite last year and it was obvious they felt the pressure all through the tourney. Pressure is a great equilizer.

Just an observation but HHS beat Connor by 4, Boone by 4, and lost to NDA all at their place, which most will agree is a very difficult place to play because of the set up of the gym. No question they are the favorite at this time, but clear favorite? Not a chance. They do get the district at their place also, so that provides an advantage against NCC, but after that games will be at neutral sites. As has been pointed out, being the favorite is not always a good spt to be in. NDA was a clear favorite last year and it was obvious they felt the pressure all through the tourney. Pressure is a great equilizer.

 

It is Conner.

 

 

2007 Boone was the favorite going into last years regional, NDA won the region.

 

2006 NDA was the favorite, Boone won.

Boone has been in the regional final for the past 4 years excluding last year, I think fookes will have her squad ready to play to win another regional title. Boones schedual is so tough playing Montgomery county and Sacred Heart(who they lost to only by 1 point in december), i think this will really help them tournament time.

It is Conner.

 

 

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A man after my own heart.

Just an observation but HHS beat Connor by 4, Boone by 4, and lost to NDA all at their place, which most will agree is a very difficult place to play because of the set up of the gym. No question they are the favorite at this time, but clear favorite? Not a chance. They do get the district at their place also, so that provides an advantage against NCC, but after that games will be at neutral sites. As has been pointed out, being the favorite is not always a good spt to be in. NDA was a clear favorite last year and it was obvious they felt the pressure all through the tourney. Pressure is a great equilizer.

 

I've heard a lot of excuses on why teams didn't play well, but the set up of the gym??? Though it's has been a while since I've been at Highlands the last time I was there the goals appeared to be 10 feet tall and the floor appeared to be regulation size. It's no Rupp Arena, but its' set up doesn't affect the outcome of basketball games.

I've heard a lot of excuses on why teams didn't play well, but the set up of the gym??? Though it's has been a while since I've been at Highlands the last time I was there the goals appeared to be 10 feet tall and the floor appeared to be regulation size. It's no Rupp Arena, but its' set up doesn't affect the outcome of basketball games.

 

Highlands gym is small and dark and the fans are close to the floor. They always support their teams vigorously. I have never been to a boys game there but I can't imagine how they do it. If there is a gym that gives a home team a few points it would be Highlands. And that's a compliment.

The 9th region is completely wide-open with no home court advantage in the tourney. Highlands and Conner have clearly been more consistent, but they aren't heads above any team. Both teams would have more losses if they played the schedules that ND, BC, and NCC play. Only time will tell which will pay off.

 

Highlands had a great second win over Conner and then followed-up with a 7pt win over Bellevue. Conner didn't beat ND or BC convincingly. Ryle probably just won their championship a couple of nights ago. ND is playing as good as any team right now and will be dangerous. BC and NCC has a lot of time off and should be healthy when districts roll around and they will be dangerous.

 

Unfortunately, at least two teams (NCC, BC, Highlands, or Ryle) will be missing from the regional tourney so it will be a little watered down; however, it should be extremely competitive.

Don't forget the X factor....My daughter has played in the Regional final the last two years and just as an observer the nervous knot I get in my stomach leading up to the games has been major.

 

I don't know how the players deal with the importance of these games but it will be a factor. Just look into the faces of the losers and winners after the finals and you begin to see just how big of a game it is.

 

Good luck to all who make it to the Regionals and enjoy the ride.

 

It is Conner.

 

 

2007 Boone was the favorite going into last years regional, NDA won the region.

 

2006 NDA was the favorite, Boone won.

Sorry about the o instead of e, but I disagree about last year's favorite. ND was the best team all year long.

I've heard a lot of excuses on why teams didn't play well, but the set up of the gym??? Though it's has been a while since I've been at Highlands the last time I was there the goals appeared to be 10 feet tall and the floor appeared to be regulation size. It's no Rupp Arena, but its' set up doesn't affect the outcome of basketball games.

You missed the point completely. No one is making excuses, just saying 3 of their 4 big wins have come at home. And to say playing there is like any other gym is ridiculous. If you saw the thread about good and bad gyme last month, HHS was the overwhelming favorite as the worst gym. There is a 2ft. area between the one end line and the wall. If you think practicing there every day doesn't give an advantage you are sorely mistaken. Ask anyone who has played there. That aside, it still wasn't an excuse, just an observation that it is a different game away from home.