Holmes and Beechwood meet in the 35th district championship Friday night at Holy Cross at 6:00.

 

Holmes comes in 28-2 after a 45-24 win over Holy Cross.

 

Beechwood comes in 22-4 after a 63-56 win over Covcath.

 

These teams haven't met since the first game of the year when Holmes won 67-48 at Holmes.

 

Thoughts?

Holmes by 8.

Match Ups:

 

6'0 Riley v 6'1 Beuttel

6'2 D. Johnson v 6'2 Pohlgeers

6'4 J. Johnson v 6'2 Snyder

6'5 R. Johnson v 6'3 Romes

6'7 Pittman v 6'7 Smith

The key to this game for Holmes is their perimeter defense. Beuttel lit them up from outside in the first game and it doesn't seem like he's slowed down any after his performance last night against Covcath. Offensively, Pittman and Rico have to get going....Riley pretty much carried the Dogs in the first meeting.

 

I expect Smith and Pittman to battle down low. They jawed a lot at eachother in the first meeting between the two. Pittman needs to be aggressive and play smart. With him on the floor, Beechwood really struggled in the first game.

 

With that being said, I don't think Beechwood can play good enough defense to beat Holmes:

 

Holmes 64

Beechwood 47

Holmes by 10. Tigers will go zone all night and set picks for their outside shooters this will give Holmes problems.

Holmes will press 1st Q but will let up and play man to man press half court.

 

Just Guessing:)

Holmes by 10. Tigers will go zone all night and set picks for their outside shooters this will give Holmes problems.

Holmes will press 1st Q but will let up and play man to man press half court.

 

Just Guessing:)

 

Did Beechwood play zone against Holmes in the first meeting? I really can't recall whether they did or not.

The key to this game for Holmes is their perimeter defense. Beuttel lit them up from outside in the first game and it doesn't seem like he's slowed down any after his performance last night against Covcath.

 

 

Romes is the key to the above. He's the one that gets Buettel shots. He penetrates and draws help and then dishes to Buettel. Its hard for a kid who is used to playing help D to suddenly change.

Did Beechwood play zone against Holmes in the first meeting? I really can't recall whether they did or not.

 

I believed they did, but I think Holmes drove down the lanes for easy close shots.

Romes is the key to the above. He's the one that gets Buettel shots. He penetrates and draws help and then dishes to Buettel. Its hard for a kid who is used to playing help D to suddenly change.

 

I agree. Rico did a pretty good job on Romes in the first half of the first game which allowed Holmes to not have to rely on help D since he'd just end up in traffic, but eventually Romes started driving the baseline which forced Holmes to trap and left Beuttel wide open for 3's.

 

Beechwood's offense is good enough to keep the game close...it's their defense that is going to have to step it up. Holmes scored at will at times in the first match up, as Beechwood just wasn't athletic enough to stop them from penetrating and getting in the lane.

A game where Holmes could be looking ahead to the region tournament i think they win but only by 6

I believed they did, but I think Holmes drove down the lanes for easy close shots.

 

I think you might be right. I believe Riley lit them up for 16 in the first half, so second half they changed up their defense to try and stop him.

A game where Holmes could be looking ahead to the region tournament i think they win but only by 6

 

I doubt they'll be looking ahead to the regional tournament. Beechwood is a good team and Henley will hammer that in their heads over the next two days in practice.

I doubt they'll be looking ahead to the regional tournament. Beechwood is a good team and Henley will hammer that in their heads over the next two days in practice.

 

Ya but the distric championship is simply a seeding game and is not really viewed as a big deal if it is won

I think Beechwood will start out man and go man until Holmes proves they can beat their man defense. It will be a sagging man focused on stopping penetration and inside scoring and will allow Holmes to take some outside shots. I think Snyder will guard Pittman. Snyder is an athlete with good quickness and hops. Smith will guard J. Johnson and sag in the middle till JJ hits shots and makes Beechwood change strategy. Smith and Snyder have to stay out of foul trouble because Beechwood becomes small with them off the floor.

 

Offensively, Romes is the key to the game. He needs to drive and dish to the open man as Holmes' shot blockers help out. Romes needs to play like Rondo - be all about finding the open man and think pass first. Whoever guards Beuttel will not play help on D and leave Beuttel open, playing him like UK's opponents are playing Meeks. Pohlgeers is the man Beechwood needs to step up and hit some threes. He is fully capable.

 

If I am Holmes, I come out in a relentless press and keep the pressure on. Beechwood has shown a tendency to crack some under a good press and Holmes has the athletes to do it. On offense if I am Holmes, I pound it inside and get Smith and Snyder in foul trouble. With those two out, you take control of the game.

Edited February 25, 200917 yr by Voice of Reason

Ya but the distric championship is simply a seeding game and is not really viewed as a big deal if it is won

 

Not viewed as a big deal?!? You're kidding, right?

 

Winning the district championship is a huge deal. It automatically guarantees you face a district runner up (likely to be Dixie, Ryle/Conner, or Newcath) and avoid a district champion (Boone and Highlands in particular) until atleast the semi's or potentially finals of region. I'd say Coach Henley and Holmes is taking this game very seriously.