To Hopson's defense, he was in foul trouble most of the game and played to keep from fouling out....but I do see why so many question his effort. From watching him today, his game is nothing but slashing to the basket....he didn't show he could shoot the ball from 12' out. I didn't see the burger boy status from his play today.

 

Catholic should bulldoze Owensboro on Friday morning...

Catholic's defensive intensity reminds me of South Laurel's 2005 state title team. VERY, VERY quick.

 

Quickness was not 1 of South Laurel's strengths in 2005. Toughness and being well coached and being fundamentally sound was their strength. LexCath isn't necessarily quick, but they are very aggressive and play hard.

 

If you want to talk about quick, watch Holmes play.

 

A side note, Sanford has some of the best hands Ive ever seen defensively. He gets a ton of deflections and steals every game.

It would be sad to see a player like Hopson who doesn't play any harder than that win Mr. Basketball. You could make excuses for him, say he was in foul trouble and all that, there is no excuse from an absolute lack of effort.

As for the foul trouble I thought the charge calls were bad, but he also got away with 1 or 2 charges early that could have been called. Foul trouble is not a good excuse for laziness.

Catholic's defensive intensity reminds me of South Laurel's 2005 state title team. VERY, VERY quick.

I agree that Lex Catholic has that great defensive intensity and ability to guard inside and out like the 2005 South Laurel team. South was a group of high school kids that were bigger than some D1 schools and most NAIA college teams with great skills. Stated 4 kids between 6'4" and 6'8" and all well over 200 lbs. Then came of the bench with 6'8" Smith kid inside and Gross kid at guard who had great quickness with freaky defensive skills and intensity. They would pressure the heck out of ya outside and they were so big and physical inside ya couldn't score around the basket.

Hopson didn't play particularly well, but to be honest, he didn't get much of a break from the officials. Two or even three of his four fouls were on questionable calls, and he appeared to get a bit frustrated.

 

I'm not defending him because the kid has to suck it up and keep playing. Instead, he seemed to drift back and forth between the two ends of the effort spectrum.

 

He did get some bad calls, but he wasnt giving any effort before he got in foul trouble either. I have never seen such a talented player give so little effort and generally just not care. That is no respect for the game in my opinion. He could probably be the best player in the nation if he figured out how to try just a little bit. I've seen some talented players take plays off, but the guy never does anything on the defensive end of the floor besides get rebounds that are in his vicinity anyway. Hopefully someone can straighten him out in a couple of years.

 

That said, I was not impressed with Edmondson that much either. Ugly jumper and not a great finisher either. Struggled against the press, but a lot of guards do that against LC.

 

Sanford was the best player on this day of the Sweet 16. Put the ball in the basket and was just ridiculous on D. I bet he got in his hands on the ball at least 20 times through deflections, tips, or steals.

Very impressed with LexCath, especially Novasel and Sanford.

 

Very unimpressed with UHA, their ability to handle pressure, Hopson, and Edmondson.

Very impressed with LexCath, especially Novasel and Sanford.

 

Very unimpressed with UHA, their ability to handle pressure, Hopson, and Edmondson.

 

I missed the game today so I don't know how bad in person it looked, but I'd give UHA a bit of a break. I saw Bryan Station get dismantled handling the Lex Cath pressure when these two played, and I am pretty certain Bryan Station is a better team than what I got to see. However, Lex Cath brings the pressure hard, and with their length, size, physicality, really get in team's heads. They can make good teams look bad at times. Still, find a team with a ball handler or two who can remain calm and not force things and I think Lex Cath can suffer some.

LexCath reverted some to last years form by not taking care of the ball after getting it on the defensive end. Sanford made multiple turnovers with sloppy passing and took some ill-advised shots in the second half when they needed to protect their lead. Not one of LexCath's better games especially compared to their play in the regional. Often tourney play mirrors how a ream played during the season so I hope they take better care of the ball especially after forcing a turnover than they did yesterday. I also think LexCath got a case of nerves when UHA started their run in the second half. Being the favorite can be a burden sometimes.

Saw the game..couple of thoughts:

 

First of all - Congrats Catholic - great job!

 

Sanford's on ball defense and back tips were extremely disruptive to UHA. But seems like after the umpteenth time UHA would figure it out and stop trying to dribble down the court. I also see Sanford as a player where you have to take the little bit of bad with the good....great athlete, can put the ball in the basket, gets steal/deflections, but will force some shots and make some bad decisions, but usually just due to his aggressiveness.

 

Hopson has a great first step IMO. Problem was, he beat the first defender off the dribble, but until second half, when Novosel was out, couldn't get to the rim. Then he resorted to a floater. If he had a 10-12 foot pull-up in his arsenal he would be very effective. Maybe what happens with a player that athletic, is that you get spoiled during the high school season and lose your edge.

LexCath reverted some to last years form by not taking care of the ball after getting it on the defensive end. Sanford made multiple turnovers with sloppy passing and took some ill-advised shots in the second half when they needed to protect their lead. Not one of LexCath's better games especially compared to their play in the regional. Often tourney play mirrors how a ream played during the season so I hope they take better care of the ball especially after forcing a turnover than they did yesterday. I also think LexCath got a case of nerves when UHA started their run in the second half. Being the favorite can be a burden sometimes.

 

I have to say, in seeing LexCath play 7 or 8 times this year, Sanford is their most valuable player. He hit some big shots that really got LexCath going early. And he is far and away their best defender. He dominates games from time to time on the defensive end. And he adds so much athleticism to the lineup.

It was what I had been saying all year. Hopson does what he wants out there, not really any motivation it seems like. When he wanted to dunk on someone he did. UHA could have won this tournament if Hopson had wanted too, but hopefully he will sign with UK and show us all what he has got with Billy G. Congrats to Lex. Cath you all looked strong and are going to be hard to beat. Sanford was very impressive for most of the night.

Quickness was not 1 of South Laurel's strengths in 2005. Toughness and being well coached and being fundamentally sound was their strength. LexCath isn't necessarily quick, but they are very aggressive and play hard.

 

If you want to talk about quick, watch Holmes play.

 

A side note, Sanford has some of the best hands Ive ever seen defensively. He gets a ton of deflections and steals every game.

 

Sure quickness was ... When Warren Gross and Zack Marcum came off the bench to press, the Cards were VERY quick. You're wrong.

And, yes, Lex Cath is quick.

I agree Holmes is quick, too.

I agree that Lex Catholic has that great defensive intensity and ability to guard inside and out like the 2005 South Laurel team. South was a group of high school kids that were bigger than some D1 schools and most NAIA college teams with great skills. Stated 4 kids between 6'4" and 6'8" and all well over 200 lbs. Then came of the bench with 6'8" Smith kid inside and Gross kid at guard who had great quickness with freaky defensive skills and intensity. They would pressure the heck out of ya outside and they were so big and physical inside ya couldn't score around the basket.

 

Fireman, you obviously watched South Laurel play more than once in 2005 .... unlike others.

By the way, Gross is one of the best defenders I've seen play in the past 10 years.

Catholic seemed to get a hand on the ball every time on defense. A very good effort by the knights.