A lot of time between now and graduation. Look I'm a big fan of theirs, but there has been a lot of good basketball played over the years in this region.

The 1978 team. Off the top of my head:

Beal- UK,

Schloemer (Mr Basketball)-UC,

Phil Davis-Cent Arkansas (I think)

Mark Moeves- drawing a blank but may have played baseball at next level, Sinclair U seems to stick in my mind for him

John Wimzie played college ball

Ricky Walton, Todd Riley, Elliott Simpson, Tony Malik, Todd Whatley, Kevin Sebastian, Mark Elmer, Dave Derkson, all played something at the next level, and I am probably leaving a player or two off.

That is thirteen kids over a 5 year period and I may be leaving a player or two off, like a Todd Feebeck.

Many are too young to remember but from 1976-1980 Holmes had a GREAT run of talent...and is basically where much of their success and tradition derives...not to forget about Tom Ellis, but that was before my time.

Stands were packed night in and night out..and the competition they competed against in the 9th Region was very very good.

Holy Cross, Cov Cath, Newport, New Cath, and Lloyd were really really good, and throw in SK at the end of that decade.

That is simply not the case today.

Like I said it is hard to compare eras, but to simply say it is, is ignoring a great history.

Very tough to anoint this team anything yet...but one thing you can say about them is that they have been successful...and a lot of unwritten chapters left.

Hopefully, there will be some great endings...

 

I think I can agree with that. By the end of this year and next, we should know more.

 

Who would you give the edge to between this year and last year's teams AT THIS POINT in the season?

A lot of time between now and graduation. Look I'm a big fan of theirs, but there has been a lot of good basketball played over the years in this region.

The 1978 team. Off the top of my head:

Beal- UK,

Schloemer (Mr Basketball)-UC,

Phil Davis-Cent Arkansas (I think)

Mark Moeves- drawing a blank but may have played baseball at next level, Sinclair U seems to stick in my mind for him

John Wimzie played college ball

Ricky Walton, Todd Riley, Elliott Simpson, Tony Malik, Todd Whatley, Kevin Sebastian, Mark Elmer, Dave Derkson, all played something at the next level, and I am probably leaving a player or two off.

That is thirteen kids over a 5 year period and I may be leaving a player or two off, like a Todd Feebeck.

Many are too young to remember but from 1976-1980 Holmes had a GREAT run of talent...and is basically where much of their success and tradition derives...not to forget about Tom Ellis, but that was before my time.

Stands were packed night in and night out..and the competition they competed against in the 9th Region was very very good.

Holy Cross, Cov Cath, Newport, New Cath, and Lloyd were really really good, and throw in SK at the end of that decade.

That is simply not the case today.

Like I said it is hard to compare eras, but to simply say it is, is ignoring a great history.

Very tough to anoint this team anything yet...but one thing you can say about them is that they have been successful...and a lot of unwritten chapters left.

Hopefully, there will be some great endings...

 

On a personal note I played for two of the players from the late 70's early 80's. Todd Riley and Bud Wimzie. The point I'm trying to make is the early Holmes team not only produced great talent but great men who gave back to the program as well.

^ I agree with that TR.

 

In addition, to some of those 9th Region foes, I for some reason left Highlands off. They won it in 79 and had some really nice players...Schlarman, Muntis, Sullivan...

There is a deep chasm between the talent overall in the 9th today compared to the late 70's.

Who would you give the edge to between this year and last year's teams AT THIS POINT in the season?

 

Last year's team.

Why? They were by far a better defensive team. Offensively, this team seems to be ahead. But last year they were darn good on defense.

This year's team doesn't seem to be as "tough" as last year's team and I think that is because they do not have Arrez Henderson.

In addition, I think last year's team faced more challenges from region teams than this year's team will. Heck in the 35th District alone.

 

Not to take anything away from this year's team...#1 in the state does show their ability.

Still got to keep chopping wood.

And if I'm not mistaken, asides from the 5'8 pg everyone on the starting lineup was over 6'4?

 

Dixon, McKinley and Meier are all about 6'5". I believe Mullins and Ponzer are about 6' or just under. I think that was the starting five. They had another small quick guard whose name I can't recall that was first off the bench. I think Mike Medley was the front line sub off the bench and he was maybe 6' 2"? That was pretty much it, using a seven man rotation.

Last year's team.

Why? They were by far a better defensive team. Offensively, this team seems to be ahead. But last year they were darn good on defense.

This year's team doesn't seem to be as "tough" as last year's team and I think that is because they do not have Arrez Henderson.

In addition, I think last year's team faced more challenges from region teams than this year's team will. Heck in the 35th District alone.

 

Not to take anything away from this year's team...#1 in the state does show their ability.

Still got to keep chopping wood.

 

I don't think this year's team will see the same in region competition but overall I think their schedule is tougher than last year's. They've played 6 top 25 teams this year compared to 2 or 3 last year.

 

They probably lack the mental toughness of last year's team, but not the physical toughness. I'll also take last year's team defense but simply because Arrez Henderson could shut down ANY team's best player. Offensively this year's team is much better.

Very hard to compare eras, but I think the Holmes 78 and 80 teams are the two best I have seen in my lifetime.

They had all the ingredients. Size, great guard play, physical and finesse inside, and could shoot and play some defense.

In addition, there were more challenges from within the region to those teams, than there are now.

Simply put the 9th Region is really down this year, and frankly it has been the last few years.

Not taking away anything from this year's team...I just hope fans don't start putting unnecessary pressure on these kids with expectations and building them up to be something they are not.

Can they win? They certainly have a very good shot and I hope they do.

 

Agreed on all points.

Lets be careful here. According to the powerful Atari computers being used in Louisville and Lexington Holmes is not ranked number 1 and never has this year. A team that Holmes beat and a powerhouse from somewhere in KY is ranked higher than Holmes. Holmes needs to beat Cooper by around 90 points because showing up weaker competition is obviously criteria #1 in the rating systems Litkenhous and Mr. Cantrall use.

 

This will never happen because Henley has too much class and respect for Tim Sullivan to do that.

This will never happen because Henley has too much class and respect for Tim Sullivan to do that.

Sarcasm, that is my point. Margin of victory should have no bearing in HS sports.

Dixon, McKinley and Meier are all about 6'5". I believe Mullins and Ponzer are about 6' or just under. I think that was the starting five. They had another small quick guard whose name I can't recall that was first off the bench. I think Mike Medley was the front line sub off the bench and he was maybe 6' 2"? That was pretty much it, using a seven man rotation.

 

Sean Dougherty was the other guard for Simon Kenton. It just popped into mind as I was shoveling snow this afternoon. He may have been the starting point guard with Ponzer coming off the bench. I am not sure about that.

Sean Dougherty was the other guard for Simon Kenton. It just popped into mind as I was shoveling snow this afternoon. He may have been the starting point guard with Ponzer coming off the bench. I am not sure about that.

 

I'm pretty sure Sean came off the bench.

I agree with you. That CCH team didn't have any superstars but all worked very well together which is why they were so successful.

 

I don't think that 03/04 CCH team was as talented as this year's Holmes team though. Honestly I don't think any team to come out of the 9th this decade was as talented as they are.

 

When was the last time a 9th region team had 4, possibly 5 D1 players in their rotation?

 

Only team I can think of that comes close to this team in talent was the SK team led by Brock, Nevels, and Kannady and Brock was the only D1 player in that group.

 

HC in 94, had Joe Harney went to WKU, Todd Clark went to EKU, Brian Johnson walked on at Xavier and Jason Williams played at Embry Riddle which is NAIA. As for Holmes, I think they're the best team in the state but I only see Ricardo Johnson and Elijah Pittman being D-1 players and J. Johnson, Riley and Arnold playing college ball, just not D-1.

Edited January 29, 200917 yr by Ram
Rule 13

HC in 94, had Joe Harney went to WKU, Todd Clark went to EKU, Brian Johnson walked on at Xavier and Jason Williams played at Embry Riddle which is NAIA. As for Holmes, I think they're the best team in the state but i only see Ricardo Johnson and Elijah Pittman being D-1 players and J. Johnson, Riley and Arnold playing college ball, just not D-1.

 

HC had a very good team that year! It's a shame they lost in the state quarter finals, I wish they would have won it. HC is I believe the only ninth region team to never lose the first riund of state.

HC in 94, had Joe Harney went to WKU, Todd Clark went to EKU, Brian Johnson walked on at Xavier and Jason Williams played at Embry Riddle which is NAIA. As for Holmes, I think they're the best team in the state but i only see Ricardo Johnson and Elijah Pittman being D-1 players and J. Johnson, Riley and Arnold playing college ball, just not D-1.

 

Eli, Rico, and JJ will all three find nice D1 homes...trust me. Several MAC schools really like JJ and are looking at him very closely. Akron and Wright St, to be exact, are keeping close tabs on him. He'll likely get late offers though.

 

Riley, the jury is still out on. Morehead is recruiting him, but the majority of his recruiting is being done by Junior colleges.

 

Arnold will be a D1 prospect and land at a D1 school as well, as long as he keeps progressing. He is drawing a lot of interest from Indiana and a lot of D1 schools are inviting him to their elite camps to get a better look at him. ESPN, Scout, and Rivals all three agree that Arnold has D1 potential and talent.

Eli, Rico, and JJ will all three find nice D1 homes...trust me. Several MAC schools really like JJ and are looking at him very closely. Akron and Wright St, to be exact, are keeping close tabs on him. He'll likely get late offers though.

 

Riley, the jury is still out on. Morehead is recruiting him, but the majority of his recruiting is being done by Junior colleges.

 

Arnold will be a D1 prospect and land at a D1 school as well, as long as he keeps progressing. He is drawing a lot of interest from Indiana and a lot of D1 schools are inviting him to their elite camps to get a better look at him. ESPN, Scout, and Rivals all three agree that Arnold has D1 potential and talent.

 

Just curious but how do you know ESPN, Scout, and Rivals all agree? I'm not disagreeing but just wondering.