On another note, someone pointed out the parallels between CCH football and basketball this year. The varsity teams struggle to pull it together and the JV teams have performed well. No matter if that is chemistry or talent, they need to tap into that before this gets too far out of hand.

 

Lets not lose proper perspective here and I say this as a fan of all of the JV boys since I've watched them for a long time.

 

Winning at the JV level does not tell us that these players are ready for varsity ball. Remember Tim Tierney? Heckuva JV player on a strong JV team. He wasn't ready to play varsity ball that year and showed that he was overmatched when he did get in. Got a lot better over that summer and was ready as a Junior. The JV guards on this team are in the same position. Solid JV season - not ready for varsity prime time.

Grubbs, Welz, and possibly Collinsworth but doubt it.

 

Grubbs and Welz were on the bench. I"m guessing that will be it.

I might be wrong but to me it seems this young CovCath team, outside of Shover and Maile, is basically a JV team. No experience really outside of those two.

 

As for Highlands. Congrats and you played very well against your rival, but the Birds aren't anywhere near where they were last year. Both teams lost a lot over the past few years and are in rebuilding mode.

 

Seems like the only teams in the 9th region that aren't in rebuilding mode is Holmes, Boone, Ryle, and possibly Beechwood. They all get a lot back.

I might be wrong but to me it seems this young CovCath team, outside of Shover and Maile, is basically a JV team. No experience really outside of those two.

 

As for Highlands. Congrats and you played very well against your rival, but the Birds aren't anywhere near where they were last year. Both teams lost a lot over the past few years and are in rebuilding mode.

 

Seems like the only teams in the 9th region that aren't in rebuilding mode is Holmes, Boone, Ryle, and possibly Beechwood. They all get a lot back.

 

I don't think Highlands is that far off of last season. Remember McGraw and Simpson were rarely healthy at the same time last year. This years team will be better by seasons end.

When coach Listerman watches the tape of the game the one thing that should stick out more than anything is how out of shape several of his players are. I don't know how much better of a team Highlands is, but I can tell you they were in much better physical shape than Covington Catholic.

 

I would say the reason is because HHS' first 7 are strictly basketball players and have been hooping it up all summer/fall gaining excellent conditioning but then CCH's first 5 or 6 look to be strictly b-ball also. (scratching head) There is something to be said for Varsity experience and HHS had 3 kids on the floor yesterday who started the majority of last season as Sophs.

Grubbs and Welz were on the bench. I"m guessing that will be it.

 

I agree. I was thinking maybe Collinsworth but this is a loaded Junior class and his time is better served hitting the weights and conditioning. I would expect him to be major physical specimen by summer. I was disappointed Grubbs shaved the mohawk though. It looked pretty intimidating the other night after they hoisted #18 up in the air.

 

Once Grubbs and Welz get their legs and shot this team will be very good. Will they be good enough to beat Holmes....who knows.

I agree. I was thinking maybe Collinsworth but this is a loaded Junior class and his time is better served hitting the weights and conditioning. I would expect him to be major physical specimen by summer. I was disappointed Grubbs shaved the mohawk though. It looked pretty intimidating the other night after they hoisted #18 up in the air.

 

Once Grubbs and Welz get their legs and shot this team will be very good. Will they be good enough to beat Holmes....who knows.

 

Holmes shoots it like they did last night and they walk through the 9th.

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Holmes shoots it like they did last night and they walk through the 9th.

 

True dat, True dat.

 

Teams need to hope Riley is off the mark and they might try exerting some pressure of their own but then again it might turn into a DUNKFEST if they arent able to press Holmes. :scared: I can see Billy Hicks and those athletes trying it out and seeing success but I cant name one NKY team that could do that to Holmes to be quite honest.

I think HHS is a work in progress....winning games and not necessarily playing great basketball yet. They are a really good TEAM and it shows in their approach to what they do. Adding Grubbs and Welz to the rotation will also take some time but they fit nicely and their depth and size will be important later.

As far as last night, Watson had a outstanding game, Kowolonek was a little off his game but always contributes in all facets of the game, Lother showed that he is a great ball-handler/passer, Grote needs to cut down turnovers but he hasn't shown how good he can be yet. Gordon, Dill, & Smith-Keller all contribute nicely. Thought Dill was a force until fouls put him on the bench, Gordon &S-K got their shots and played strong D. Overall, a pretty good performance. CCH, not so good. Obviously the guard play is weak.....Pauley had some moments offensively. Thought their rebounding was poor. (one series I think HHS rebounded four/five before getting stickback). Scoring threats were limited, at one point it was obvious that Maile was their only option which made him very easy to defend. I stated my thoughts earlier about Wellbrock & Isler; Ice will not start and Wellbrock has more up side. That needs to start happening down low or Maile will continue to be lonely out there...with or without Shover. Coach L will make this team better defensively/intensity but it probably isn't their year.

What was up with the "Crazies" last night? They began the game in unison, but quickly scattered and weren't heard from the rest of the night. Think they're saving it for the close confines in Ft. Thomas?

What was up with the "Crazies" last night? They began the game in unison, but quickly scattered and weren't heard from the rest of the night. Think they're saving it for the close confines in Ft. Thomas?

Like I said earlier. When they scattered, I thought for sure something funny was about to go down. Then they just stayed scattered and did nothing...

Like I said earlier. When they scattered, I thought for sure something funny was about to go down. Then they just stayed scattered and did nothing...

 

Their effect isn't quite the same in a big arena. Guess they just weren't into it.

Highlands is playing very good basketball right now. I certainly think they can challenge Holmes once regional time comes around. Kowoloneck is a heck of a player and fun to watch.

 

As for Covington Catholic, keep your heads up. Yes, you are 0-5, but your team hasn't played the easiest schedule in the world. Once Shover gets back and everyone gets used to the speed of varsity basketball the Colonals will be a contender no one wants to mess with. Listerman will make the adjustments needed and Maile will get the shooters around him needed to spread the floor. Once that happens, their win/loss record will recover.

I promise you Shover will not be playing until after Christmas, AT LEAST. Do not get your hopes up.

What was up with the "Crazies" last night? They began the game in unison, but quickly scattered and weren't heard from the rest of the night. Think they're saving it for the close confines in Ft. Thomas?

 

Gt already answered twice, but I'd imagine it's difficult to cheer when your team is getting beaten by 20.