Those of you down state posters who haven't had a chance to see Holmes or know much about them, here are two articles from last night's win over Covcath, including one that tells you about Jeremiah Johnson's dunk that would have probably ranked as one of the best ky has seen this year from a high school kid:

 

Holmes jams it's way in to the sweet 16:

 

Shortly after Holmes sophomore forward Jeremiah Johnson put the crowd in an uproar and the Ninth Region title in the bag, he returned to the bench and found a seat next to Bulldogs assistant coach Sam Elsbernd.

 

"As soon as he sat down," Elsbernd said, "I told him he picked a pretty good time for his first one."

 

He was referring to Johnson's fourth-quarter dunk. Years from now, when Northern Kentuckians talk about this year's Ninth Region title game between Covington Catholic and Holmes at Conner, they'll talk about the dunk - the first in-game jam of Johnson's career.

With 2:15 to play and Holmes leading 51-44, Johnson's brother Ricardo missed the second of two free throws. The rebound was tapped out to point guard Braeon Avery, who penetrated and shot a floater in the lane. As the ball bounced off the rim, Jeremiah Johnson streaked down the baseline, grabbed the rebound in mid-air and slammed it home with two hands.

 

Rest of story:

http://news.nky.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20080313/SPT0302/803130372

 

Third time a swarm:

 

The last three times Covington Catholic and Holmes had met on the basketball court, Holmes had won in overtime.

In the latest installment, however, the Bulldogs took care of business the same way they had throughout the Ninth Region tournament - emphatically.

Holmes beat its longtime rival 64-50 on Wednesday night at Conner, claiming its second straight regional title and the program's 19th overall.

"Everybody kept saying it was going to go to overtime again," said Holmes senior and tournament most valuable player Arrez Henderson. "We said, 'No, no, no. If we come out with our minds focused and play defense, it won't go into overtime this time.' "

The Bulldogs finished the three-game tournament with a 29-point average margin of victory.

 

Rest of story:

http://news.nky.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20080313/SPT0302/803130371/

I hope you are right about UHA. I would love to see them upset LexCath in that first round matchup. Such a shame I have to work during the day on Wednesday, that game could be a classic.

 

I don't I'll be there!:dancingpa

Wasn't there a thread leading up to the Holmes-Elizabethtown game a few weeks ago comparing Holmes athleticism to Etown's? I thought there were some Hardin County posters that were talking about Etown's as being athletic. If that's the case, since Btown beat Etown in the regional finals by 2, does that give us northern Kentuckians an expectation that Bardstown is similar to Etown (which Holmes handily defeated)?

 

Well, we really don't have any Hardin Co. posters, or if we do, they spend more time on that wild west board.

 

Anyway, E'town is nothing like Bardstown in terms of athleticism. Bardstown more closely resembles a North Hardin if you're looking to compare them to another 5th Region team folks around the state might be familiar with.

 

I've watched Bardstown all year. To be honest with you, I don't know what to expect from them. They've been improving by leaps and bounds to where they don't even much play like the team that was in Richmond in February. A lot of that has to do with the fact that most of them were reserves last year (and one, in the case of Damian Edelen, from what I understand, was cut from the team last year) and are just now figuring out their roles and performing them with confidence.

 

Maybe they aren't quite ready for knocking off the Bulldogs of the world. But they've surprised me a lot over the last few weeks, and I don't know what to expect. All I do know is they keep finding ways to win. No matter what happens next week, this bunch has exceeded expectations and is situated nicely to be the favorite in the 5th next year, if they keep improving. I think they've got a puncher's chance and shouldn't be overlooked.

I love it not many are giving Bardstown a chance and I to can say they are alot better since the Class A. The last few games Bardstown is lead in scoring by differant people so it is hard to focus on one guy. I hope Hickman finds his shooting touch but he always has a all around good game like the other night 13 points and 17 boards. The last time we seen a team all out press in your face we struggled so Bardstown has a week to prapare so I say they will be focused and ready to go. Bardstown first appearance since 1971, underdog in the game so nothing to lose so you never know what might happen.

I love it not many are giving Bardstown a chance and I to can say they are alot better since the Class A. The last few games Bardstown is lead in scoring by differant people so it is hard to focus on one guy. I hope Hickman finds his shooting touch but he always has a all around good game like the other night 13 points and 17 boards. The last time we seen a team all out press in your face we struggled so Bardstown has a week to prapare so I say they will be focused and ready to go. Bardstown first appearance since 1971, underdog in the game so nothing to lose so you never know what might happen.

 

I'm interested in seeing how B'town handles Holmes press.

 

Holmes will have a height advantage in this game as Holmes has 6 players who are 6'4 or taller so rebounding will be key for B'town.

 

Defensively, I don't think Bardstown has an answer for Holmes. They will need to be smart offensively and work for good shots.

Holmes by 16.

Holmes wins.

Holmes will win this one by at least 10.

including one that tells you about Jeremiah Johnson's dunk that would have probably ranked as one of the best ky has seen this year from a high school kid

 

Pure speculation on my part....and while it was a nice dunk...I have to think that some of the high risers from down state have had those exact type dunks a few times this year.

 

 

With that said....Holmes by 8

Holmes wins by 12.

I'm interested in seeing how B'town handles Holmes press.

 

Holmes will have a height advantage in this game as Holmes has 6 players who are 6'4 or taller so rebounding will be key for B'town.

 

Defensively, I don't think Bardstown has an answer for Holmes. They will need to be smart offensively and work for good shots.

 

Bardstown has alot of guys around 6'2 to 6'3 with long arms and quick leapers so the size advantage not my major concern. I think the press and getting points from it and not making to many turnovers is more of a concern. I seen Holmes play in Louisville and if they play the same way Bardstown has a cnance to pull upset.

Bardstown has alot of guys around 6'2 to 6'3 with long arms and quick leapers so the size advantage not my major concern. I think the press and getting points from it and not making to many turnovers is more of a concern. I seen Holmes play in Louisville and if they play the same way Bardstown has a cnance to pull upset.

 

From your first sentence, that is a mirror image of Holmes except the majority of their players are 6'4 and 6'5 with long arms and leapers. Holmes played in Louisville at the beginning of the season so I wouldn't really judge them from that. They were still getting used to eachother as they had two new starters as well as transfers in Ricardo and Jeremiah Johnson who had never played with Avery, Henderson, or Clark before.

 

Starting lineup wise I think Bardstown will be able to match up with Holmes but once Holmes starts using their depth, I feel that's where they start to struggle.

From your first sentence, that is a mirror image of Holmes except the majority of their players are 6'4 and 6'5 with long arms and leapers. Holmes played in Louisville at the beginning of the season so I wouldn't really judge them from that. They were still getting used to eachother as they had two new starters as well as transfers in Ricardo and Jeremiah Johnson who had never played with Avery, Henderson, or Clark before.

 

Starting lineup wise I think Bardstown will be able to match up with Holmes but once Holmes starts using their depth, I feel that's where they start to struggle.

 

That's another concern Bardstown during the regionals only played about 7 to 8 players with Hall and Hickman playing the whole game. With both teams pressing Bardstown will need to steal some mins here or there and not make turnovers when they start to wear down. They have done it all season so there no reason to think they can't. One good thing most of the bench are juniors that have been playing together since middle school and know each other well.

That's another concern Bardstown during the regionals only played about 7 to 8 players with Hall and Hickman playing the whole game. With both teams pressing Bardstown will need to steal some mins here or there and not make turnovers when they start to wear down. They have done it all season so there no reason to think they can't. One good thing most of the bench are juniors that have been playing together since middle school and know each other well.

 

Depth will be the key factor in this game as you eluded to because of both team's pressing the whole game. Holmes usually will go 10 deep, but has the ability to get 1 or 2 more players some time off the bench.

 

It will be tough for Bardstown to press though as after every made basket Holmes doesn't give the other team a chance to set up their press. They are back up the court very quickly.

 

Holmes starts 3 seniors (Avery, Henderson, Clark) and 2 sophomores (R. Johnson, J. Johnson-twin brothers).

 

Coming off the bench Holmes plays 2 seniors (Nelson, Humphrey) 2 juniors (D. Johnson, Riley),and another sophomore (Pittman).

Depth will be the key factor in this game as you eluded to because of both team's pressing the whole game. Holmes usually will go 10 deep, but has the ability to get 1 or 2 more players some time off the bench.

 

It will be tough for Bardstown to press though as after every made basket Holmes doesn't give the other team a chance to set up their press. They are back up the court very quickly.

 

Holmes starts 3 seniors (Avery, Henderson, Clark) and 2 sophomores (R. Johnson, J. Johnson-twin brothers).

 

Coming off the bench Holmes plays 3 seniors (Nelson, Humphrey, Riley) a junior (D. Johnson), and another sophomore (Pittman).

Bardstown press is used to slow teams down and hope they make a mistake by throwing over top and they go and get. They set it up pretty fast since have been doing all season. Might have to press in spurts to give some players a little rest. Just watched tape of Holmes and it will be a interesting game to see how the coaches handle each other strengths and weakeness. On tape Holmes is good and Bardstown will have to bring its A game.