With the tournaments starting up in a few weeks I thought it might be fun to reminisce about past 9th regional champions. There have been some really good players and champions in the 9th but it might be fun for some of the younger readers to hear stories about some of the older teams and their accomplishments. Most of us know about Troy McKinley and the 1981 state championship team that defeated Mason Co. in the finals before a capacity crowd at Rupp. How about Doug Schloemer, John Wimzie and Dicky Beal on the 1978 Holmes team that had their championship stolen by a non-call. How about Dicky Beal and the 1980 Holmes team and Jack Jennings and the 1988 Holmes team. If we want to go back to the 60s even CovCath had some great teams under Mote Hils. NewCath in the 70s. Kenny Shields won 5 regionals and I think 2 with Scott Draud pulling the trigger. What do you say let's hear all the stories as you remember them.

 

:dancingpa

Edited February 15, 200917 yr by EZ Living
typo

With the tournaments starting up in a few weeks I thought it might be fun to reminisce about past 9th regional champions. There have been some really good players and champions in the 9th but it might be fun for some of the younger readers to hear stories about some of the older teams and their accomplishments. Most of us know about Troy McKinley and the 1984 state championship team that defeated Mason Co. in the finals before a capacity crwod at Rupp. How about Doug Schloemer, John Wimzie and Dicky Beal on the 1978 Holmes team that had their championship stolen by a non-call. How about :dancingpaDicky Beal and the 1980 Holmes team and Jack Jennings and the 1988 Holmes team. If we want to go back to the 60s even CovCath had some great teams under Mote Hils. Kenny Shields won 5 regionals and I think 2 with Scott Draud pulling the trigger. What do you say let's hear all the stories as you remember them.

 

It was 1981, and everyone remebers them. I'm reading Pioneer Spirit right now. So far it has been excellent! I remember watching the Jack Jennings Holmes team (my 1st trip to the Sweet 16).

It was 1981, and everyone remebers them. I'm reading Pioneer Spirit right now. So far it has been excellent! I remember watching the Jack Jennings Holmes team (my 1st trip to the Sweet 16).

Sorry that was a typo that I have since edited. Wasn't it 1988 when Jack Jennings and Allen Houston locked up in a state semi-final matchup between Louisville Ballard and Holmes? I believe the score ended up 92-88 or something close to that. Ballard went on to win the championship that year.

Sorry that was a typo that I have since edited. Wasn't it 1988 when Jack Jennings and Allen Houston locked up in a state semi-final matchup between Louisville Ballard and Holmes? I believe the score ended up 92-88 or something close to that. Ballard went on to win the championship that year.

 

It was 1988. Ballard defeated Clay Co. in a rematch from the previous year.

Sorry that was a typo that I have since edited. Wasn't it 1988 when Jack Jennings and Allen Houston locked up in a state semi-final matchup between Louisville Ballard and Holmes? I believe the score ended up 92-88 or something close to that. Ballard went on to win the championship that year.

 

It was 1988, but Ballard beat Holmes in the Quarterfinal game, not semi's.

With the tournaments starting up in a few weeks I thought it might be fun to reminisce about past 9th regional champions. There have been some really good players and champions in the 9th but it might be fun for some of the younger readers to hear stories about some of the older teams and their accomplishments. Most of us know about Troy McKinley and the 1981 state championship team that defeated Mason Co. in the finals before a capacity crowd at Rupp. How about Doug Schloemer, John Wimzie and Dicky Beal on the 1978 Holmes team that had their championship stolen by a non-call. How about Dicky Beal and the 1980 Holmes team and Jack Jennings and the 1988 Holmes team. If we want to go back to the 60s even CovCath had some great teams under Mote Hils. NewCath in the 70s. Kenny Shields won 5 regionals and I think 2 with Scott Draud pulling the trigger. What do you say let's hear all the stories as you remember them.

 

:dancingpa

Everybody has heard about the 78 state championship that was stolen from Holmes with the non-call on goaltending but does anybody remember the longest 3 seconds in CovCath basketball history when Earlington defeated them in the championship in 1967?

I was fortunate enough to have been on 1980 Holmes team with Dicky Beal, Ricky Walton, Elliott Simpson, and bunch of other great players. We felt we had a great chance to win the state that year, but we went into double overtime with Ashland friday night and didn't get back into bed until around 2:30am. We had to then get back up early on Saturday morning for our game against Owensboro and we didn't have the stamina to stay with them. Owensboro had a great team and went on to win the state championship by beating Lou. Doss 57-56. I have some great memories that will last a life time from playing in those three games in Freedom Hall.

It was 1988. Ballard defeated Clay Co. in a rematch from the previous year.

 

Not to get off topic, but that Ballard vs. Clay Co title game is one of the best basketball games I have ever seen on any level.

I was fortunate enough to have been on 1980 Holmes team with Dicky Beal, Ricky Walton, Elliott Simpson, and bunch of other great players. We felt we had a great chance to win the state that year, but we went into double overtime with Ashland friday night and didn't get back into bed until around 2:30am. We had to then get back up early on Saturday morning for our game against Owensboro and we didn't have the stamina to stay with them. Owensboro had a great team and went on to win the state championship by beating Lou. Doss 57-56. I have some great memories that will last a life time from playing in those three games in Freedom Hall.

I was there and I remember it all too well. The double OT win on Friday night was a great game in it's own but that and the traffic from a wreck you had to sit in until early in the morning cost you a chance to give Owensboro your best. I remember all the players had huge bags under their eyes coming out of the locker room and tried their best but in the end you couldn't press and do the things that got you 33 wins. Disappointing that you never got the chance to play them on a level playing floor. I bet it would have been a great game of two equal styles of teams.

Everybody has heard about the 78 state championship that was stolen from Holmes with the non-call on goaltending but does anybody remember the longest 3 seconds in CovCath basketball history when Earlington defeated them in the championship in 1967?

 

Yes I do.....:cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry:

I'm a younger 9th region fan. I've been a fan since the 1990 Bulldog team. I'm enjoying the history lesson, keep them coming.:thumb::popcorn:

79 is my favorite Highlands team. A senior oriented team led by:

Mike Vories PG

Dan Sullivan SG

Bob Muntis C

Jim and Dave Malone (cousins)

Jeff Fischer PF the only jr starter.

Off the bench were :

Rich Dees jr

Dip Redmond jr

Joe Conley jr

Chris Vogel jr.

Steve Ling jr.

As you can see this team was experienced. Beat Holmes in a thriller at the Big house. Vories did make all of those free throw. Jim Malone put a blanket on Beal that night. The Birds then went on to beat Louisville Westport in the 1st round and then lost to Christian County in the next round. I also remember Shelby County and Charles Hurt paying the Birds a visit during the regular season. Memories sort of vague, I do remember Hurt breaking one of the rims. I think SC won in a close one. Ah those were the days!

Who is the greastest 9th region player of all time ?

Who is the greastest 9th region player of all time ?

 

Thacker, Barton, Schloemer, Draud, and Beal would certainly come to mind.

Thacker, Barton, Schloemer, Draud, and Beal would certainly come to mind.

 

Is that Tom Thacker? Did he play for L. Grant or Holmes ? I'm not really sure. I know he went on to play at UC and Boston. I think he was a part of the championship at UC the year after Big O left. I could be wrong on this, correct me if I am. He youst to host a tourney every summer in Covington.