I just think that with the athletes Holmes has they could press some and cause the tempo to be much faster than what they are currently doing. Thats just a thought. I am not watching their games, so just an outsider's view.

 

Eta Rho. Can you explain how Holmes plays so many games so low scoring? To me it looks like Holmes has the type of team to force teams to play faster than they would like. But it seems with most teams from Northern Ky they, I assume play slow wih them. Why is this?

 

Holmes defense forces a lot of teams to take long possessions which causes for a low scoring game. Their press is still being perfected and got several turnovers tonight, but once a team crosses the half court line, it's like the pressure stops and Holmes just forces you to "grind it out" in a half court game by stopping penetration and forcing you to beat them from outside.

 

Let's not take away from SK. They played pretty well tonight and did things that have helped other teams keep the game close with Holmes all year. They got Pittman in foul trouble and shot the ball well from outside. If a team can do a combination of both, Holmes is very vulnderable, which was shown tonight.

 

They got Pittman in foul trouble at the 5 minute mark of the 3rd and he didn't return until the 4 minute mark of the 4th. Without him on the floor, Holmes seems to struggle some. SK also sat in a zone pretty much the whole game (2-1-2; 2-3, 3-2) which forced Holmes to be patient.

I thought SK did a decent job against the press, when the game was on the line they made a few key turnovers but it was in the halfcourt, and once on an OOB's play under their own hoop. It was apparent to me that Holmes tightened their defense in the 4th, and I also thought they did the same in the 4th vs Boone but they need to bring that intensity for a full four quarters.

 

I agree. It seemed almost as if they would turn it on and off tonight. Sk would creep back in the game and then Holmes would go on a 7-0 or 8-0 run to give them a comfortable lead again, and then it'd seem as if they relaxed.

 

People can't deny though that when a team hits 4 more 3 pointers than you do, it's going to make a game close.

I just think that with the athletes Holmes has they could press some and cause the tempo to be much faster than what they are currently doing. Thats just a thought. I am not watching their games, so just an outsider's view.

 

:thumb:Agreed. Defense and pressure are where you control the tempo of a game. Getting points off turnovers. If I were Holmes fans, the 47 they gave up in this type of a game would worry me more than just scoring 55.

I don't care how many 3s SK made. They are too small and not quick enough to guard Holmes.

 

55 against SK is worrisome.

 

When a team plays a zone the whole game, that quickness isn't as much of a factor.

:thumb:Agreed. Defense and pressure are where you control the tempo of a game. Getting points off turnovers. If I were Holmes fans, the 47 they gave up in this type of a game would worry me more than just scoring 55.

 

Holmes defense isn't what Holmes fans need to worry about...it's their offense. A lot of standing around tonight and isolation by Rico and Riley. Pittman being in foul trouble and on the bench for 9 straight minutes also didn't hurt. Holmes needs him on the floor or you'll continue to see games like this where they barely win.

It is always the same excuse, a certain player got in foul trouble, or they play a slow tempo game, or they were lights out from the 3, or sat in a zone. Here is the thing, Holmes plays to the level of their competition. Which is why when they play the likes of Scott Co. they played well, but when they play teams like SK it stays close. I want Holmes to bring home the trophy as much as the next person, but there are far too many signs pointing in the "maybe next year..." direction for me. I see an upset abrewing. Good luck to the dawgs anyways, I hope you all do well in the upcoming districts and regionals.

It is always the same excuse, a certain player got in foul trouble, or they play a slow tempo game, or they were lights out from the 3, or sat in a zone. Here is the thing, Holmes plays to the level of their competition. Which is why when they play the likes of Scott Co. they played well, but when they play teams like SK it stays close. I want Holmes to bring home the trophy as much as the next person, but there are far too many signs pointing in the "maybe next year..." direction for me. I see an upset abrewing. Good luck to the dawgs anyways, I hope you all do well in the upcoming districts and regionals.

 

How is it an excuse when you're giving the other team credit for doing the things well such as shooting well from outside, playing a defense that Holmes struggles with, and being aggressive to get a certain player in foul trouble? If anything I'm pointing out the Holmes weaknesses and giving SK credit for exploiting them . Unless you're at the game, which I'm assuming you weren't, it's tough to understand where someone is coming from. Foul trouble is a huge benefit for another team. See Holmes against Scott Co and how getting Phares in foul trouble helped them exploit SC's weaknesses.

 

I find it comical how some on here are quick to say a team isn't "that good, etc" because of a close game. These are high school kids. They aren't going to be perfect night in and night out, despite what folks like myself talk them up to be.

It is always the same excuse, a certain player got in foul trouble, or they play a slow tempo game, or they were lights out from the 3, or sat in a zone. Here is the thing, Holmes plays to the level of their competition. Which is why when they play the likes of Scott Co. they played well, but when they play teams like SK it stays close. I want Holmes to bring home the trophy as much as the next person, but there are far too many signs pointing in the "maybe next year..." direction for me. I see an upset abrewing. Good luck to the dawgs anyways, I hope you all do well in the upcoming districts and regionals.

 

Not what you want to see come tourney time. I can only judge from the scores that this may indeed be the case, as I have not seen the Bulldogs play this year.

 

Why did the certain player get in foul trouble? Why did the opposing team play a slow tempo game; what allowed them to knock down their threes? Was it indeed a "perfect storm" that conspired to keep a 7-16 team in the game virtually the whole way?

 

Or is it that the 9th is figuring out the recipe for success/competitiveness?

Not what you want to see come tourney time. I can only judge from the scores that this may indeed be the case, as I have not seen the Bulldogs play this year.

 

Why did the certain player get in foul trouble? Why did the opposing team play a slow tempo game; what allowed them to knock down their threes? Was it indeed a "perfect storm" that conspired to keep a 7-16 team in the game virtually the whole way?

 

Or is it that the 9th is figuring out the recipe for success/competitiveness?

 

We have a winner....

FWIW, I still like Holmes' chances...

How is it an excuse when you're giving the other team credit for doing the things well such as shooting well from outside, playing a defense that Holmes struggles with, and being aggressive to get a certain player in foul trouble? If anything I'm pointing out the Holmes weaknesses and giving SK credit for exploiting them . Unless you're at the game, which I'm assuming you weren't, it's tough to understand where someone is coming from. Foul trouble is a huge benefit for another team. See Holmes against Scott Co and how getting Phares in foul trouble helped them exploit SC's weaknesses.

 

I find it comical how some on here are quick to say a team isn't "that good, etc" because of a close game. These are high school kids. They aren't going to be perfect night in and night out, despite what folks like myself talk them up to be.

 

I don't think I said Holmes isn't "that good". I did say that SK is not very good, and I'll stand by that. Holmes plays to their competition. Also I did not say YOU were given the excuses out, however I'm assuming you took that to heart. I think it's great to give credit to SK for playing a good game. But everytime you say "They hit the 3's which obviously affected the margin of score", that is more of an underhanded excuse imo. Again, I want Holmes to win it all, so no need for you to get riled up. I was just stating some obvious things to me.

Not what you want to see come tourney time. I can only judge from the scores that this may indeed be the case, as I have not seen the Bulldogs play this year.

 

Why did the certain player get in foul trouble? Why did the opposing team play a slow tempo game; what allowed them to knock down their threes? Was it indeed a "perfect storm" that conspired to keep a 7-16 team in the game virtually the whole way?

 

Or is it that the 9th is figuring out the recipe for success/competitiveness?

 

I do not think it is the 9th figuring it out. I have watched Holmes a good amount this year, and they are lacking leadership at times, and have some discipline problems that could hurt them in some games. Aside from all that, the most worrisome to me is their method of playing to their competitions level. I could be wrong, never said I was an expert.

I just think that with the athletes Holmes has they could press some and cause the tempo to be much faster than what they are currently doing. Thats just a thought. I am not watching their games, so just an outsider's view.

 

Holmes does not have any depth and can not afford to get into foul trouble.

 

I think many built this team up more than what they really are.

 

They have the best talent in the region, but have not been very good. I saw where they beat a decent Conner team very handily, but tonight's score should be worrisome for Bulldog fans.

 

If I were a Holmes fan I would be really concerned with Holy Cross next week.

Holmes does not have any depth and can not afford to get into foul trouble.

 

I think many built this team up more than what they really are.

 

They have the best talent in the region, but have not been very good. I saw where they beat a decent Conner team very handily, but tonight's score should be worrisome for Bulldog fans.

 

If I were a Holmes fan I would be really concerned with Holy Cross next week.

 

I agree. Housely and Arnold are nice to have off the bench, but aren't at the same level of Rico, JJ, Riley, or Pittman.

 

I wouldn't say they haven't been very good though. They still only have one loss to date in nky and have beaten nky opponents by an average of 15 ppg. I'm personally not too worried about the margin of this game. It will let them know they still have things to work on and need to get better or they'll be on the outside looking in.

 

Holmes has historically played to the level of their competition late in the regular season, hence them losing last year and this year late in the year. Henley will have them ready to go for the tourney. Always does.

Another game in the W column.

 

Where does SK stand in the state rankings?

 

Way down, there talent level is way down this year. Not a gurantee to make it to the region.