I haven't even seen Christian County play this year, but I know they couldn't be "long and athletic" enough to ever play with Holmes.

Holmes may win, but I double guarantee Christian County is Quicker.

Hey, I recognize that - it's sarcasm, right? Sorry to get off the thread here, but if you are looking for a really good target for your sardonic wit, Holmes' fans are nowhere near the most rabid or active on BGP - why pick on them?

 

I believe you are underselling yourselves greatly!

Holmes 42 CrisCo 38 Once again D wins the game.

I haven't even seen Christian County play this year, but I know they couldn't be "long and athletic" enough to ever play with Holmes.

You my friend will be very, very surprised! These guys actually play ball down there and this won't be anything thats different than any other game they have played this year!

 

CCHS 78

Holmes 71

Holmes 34 Christian Co. 29.

Here are some numbers to ponder.

 

Chriatian Co. offensive avg. 76.4 per game defensive avg. 65.77 per game

 

Holmes offensive 59.8 per game defensive avg. 46.11 per game

 

Holmes last 5 games on defensive side of the ball.

 

Holy Cross season avg. 47.19 Holmes allowed 24

Beechwood season avg. 64.85 Holmes allowed 43

Newport Central Catholic season avg. 54.31 Holmes allowed 38

Ryle season avg. 52.42 Holmes allowed 34

Boone Co. season avg. 62.19 Holmes allowed 29

 

If I were a betting man, which I'm not. I'd take Holmes to get closer to Christian Co.'s average of 65.77 than I would to think that Christian Co. would score close to their average of 76.4 per game. Holmes will "D" them up. They won't press alot or create a great deal of turnovers but they will guard the heck out of you and really frustrate you to death with the pressure and contesting of every shot. Henley has been there both as a coach and a player and he KNOWS defense will win a state title or give them the best shot at one.

Holmes is best defensive basketball team that I've seen in person this year. In addition, Boone County may even be the 2nd best...at any rate, whoever plays Holmes will have to make contested shots. They contest everything in the paint and are very long and athletic at every single position.

I've heard from a real good source close to the Holmes program that their head coach felt that Boone's defensive effort against them might have been the best effort in his tenure at Holmes which spans I believe 10+ yrs. Hats off to Boone's effort. I don't believe Christian Co. will of have played a team with as good of defense as Holmes plays. Question remains to be seen how good is Christian's defense? Holmes has put up some nice numbers against some really good teams on both sides of the ball.

Here are some numbers to ponder.

 

Chriatian Co. offensive avg. 76.4 per game defensive avg. 65.77 per game

 

Holmes offensive 59.8 per game defensive avg. 46.11 per game

 

Holmes last 5 games on defensive side of the ball.

 

Holy Cross season avg. 47.19 Holmes allowed 24

Beechwood season avg. 64.85 Holmes allowed 43

Newport Central Catholic season avg. 54.31 Holmes allowed 38

Ryle season avg. 52.42 Holmes allowed 34

Boone Co. season avg. 62.19 Holmes allowed 29

 

If I were a betting man, which I'm not. I'd take Holmes to get closer to Christian Co.'s average of 65.77 than I would to think that Christian Co. would score close to their average of 76.4 per game. Holmes will "D" them up. They won't press alot or create a great deal of turnovers but they will guard the heck out of you and really frustrate you to death with the pressure and contesting of every shot. Henley has been there both as a coach and a player and he KNOWS defense will win a state title or give them the best shot at one.

Kerry Stovall is known as a defensive-minded coach. He's been there three of the last four years so that is a wash.

Edited March 15, 200917 yr by The Scribe

So if he known as defensive minded coach then why is his team giving up 65.77 per game vs. Holmes 46.11 per game? If you compare schedules I think Holmes has played the better schedule and is allowing less points per game. I'm not saying Stovall is not defensive minded I'm saying Holmes is the better defensive team.

Style of play. How many 9th Region teams push the ball up the floor consistantly? Probably a quarter of how many do on Christian County's schedule. You won't get an argument from me on the tougher schedule, but it's not like they played a bunch of teams from the local YMCA.

 

I hate to bring facts into an argument because I know that goes against some principles on here but Christian County has played nine teams (Montgomery Co., PRP, Owensboro, Hopkins Central, Ohio County, Taylor County, Henderson County, Marshall County, and Muhlenberg North) that at least advanced to the semifinals of their respective region. Hendo, Marshall, and Muhl. North all played in the finals.

 

Holmes played eight teams that advanced to their region semifinals -- Ballard, Scott, Highlands, NCC, Scott County, Hendo, Hazard, and Boone County. Four of them -- Scott County, Hendo, Hazard, and Boone -- played in the region final. Holmes may get a slight edge because they have played one other Sweet 16 team in Hazard.

 

The strength of schedule may be closer than one can gather at first glance.

Style of play. How many 9th Region teams push the ball up the floor consistantly? Probably a quarter of how many do on Christian County's schedule. You won't get an argument from me on the tougher schedule, but it's not like they played a bunch of teams from the local YMCA.

 

I hate to bring facts into an argument because I know that goes against some principles on here but Christian County has played nine teams (Montgomery Co., PRP, Owensboro, Hopkins Central, Ohio County, Taylor County, Henderson County, Marshall County, and Muhlenberg North) that at least advanced to the semifinals of their respective region. Hendo, Marshall, and Muhl. North all played in the finals.

 

Holmes played eight teams that advanced to their region semifinals -- Ballard, Scott, Highlands, NCC, Scott County, Hendo, Hazard, and Boone County. Four of them -- Scott County, Hendo, Hazard, and Boone -- played in the region final. Holmes may get a slight edge because they have played one other Sweet 16 team in Hazard.

 

The strength of schedule may be closer than one can gather at first glance.

 

None because they have learned that if they try and run with Holmes it usually ends up in a twenty plus point game versus if they try slowing it down and limit Holmes offensive possessions they can hope to try and have a shot at end of the game if they can stay within 8-10pts.

Bryan Station didn't seem to have any trouble running with them. Beat them by more than they beat Christian County.

 

The 9th Region and 2nd Region play two very distinictive styles. Not saying one is better than the other. They always have, always will. That's why comparing scores is dangerous. Has there ever been a 9th Region team lead the state in scoring? I seem to think that three, maybe four different 2nd Region teams have done this in the past 15 years.

 

The styles and athletes is what makes this a great first round matchup.

Here are some numbers to support my position that Holmes style of play takes teams out of their style.

 

Bryan Station season avg. 70.14ppg. vs. Holmes 86(worst game of season for Dawgs) & 56 in rematch.

 

Scott Co. season avg. 80.78 vs. Holmes - 65

 

Ballard season avg. 72.81 vs. Holmes - 42

 

Henderson Co. season avg. 63.03 vs. Holmes - 42

 

Frankiln Co. season avg. 62.11 vs. Holmes - 48

 

Boone Co. season avg. 62.16 vs. Holmes - 45(loss for Holmes) & 29 in rematch

 

Hazard - 61.14 season avg. vs. Holmes - 40

 

OBTW Christian Co. gave up I think 82 to Henderson Co. in regional finals when Henderson Co. has only averaged 63.03. Almost 20 points more than their season avg.