I agree...will be watching them. I listed them at #11...but they could be higher.

 

With the way the draw ended up, I honestly think this tournament goes about 11 or 12 teams deep with teams that could win the whole thing.

 

All of the highest rated teams sit in the bottom bracket, with the exception of Eastern and Corbin and only one of those two will be around for the second round.

 

Anything can happen in the Sweet 16.

I thought Elliott County was 30-2.:popcorn: I don't recall all of those teams trying to run and gun. In fact, I saw some of those teams try to slow it down, but could not do so because of Elliott's pressure on the guards. And for what it is worth, Justice had a lot more to do with beating Elliott than pounding the ball inside in the Shelby Valley game. Ballard had a very good inside game. Their guards just gave out at the end. I look forward to a very competitve state tournament. Any one of those top 8 teams could win it...and any of them could lose in the first round.

Great post!:notworthy:

I'm beginning to wonder why anyone besides Holmes and Elliott County are making the trip to Lexington.

 

From what I can gather, we have the unstoppable force (Elliott County) and the immovable object (Holmes). One cannot be stopped, running teams ragged and scoring at will. And the other, well, you're lucky if they let you breathe, much less score.

 

I say we petition the KHSAA to go the BCS format, so we can get these two on the court to settle the matter and save the rest of the participants the embarassment of having to face them.

 

Would it be too much for either side to concede that both are great teams that play contrasting styles and are capable of beating anyone they play? And, that there are a few other teams in the tournament that are capable of doing the same thing?

 

Just wondering.:idunno:

 

:lol::thumb:

We could go on for days about who is the best and why they will win. I think that we would agree that these two teams are defanetly in the top three of the tournament and we both hope that they meet each other. If it does work out the way we hope for then our teams can battle it out on the court. Goodluck to your team! :thumb:

 

And....thats why we play the games instead of going on season stats to determine the best. Anything can happen in post season play. When you get down to the best teams it usually hinges on which teams have the most poise and focus.

I personally haven't witnessed a team in the state that could run and gun with Elliott County. Elliott County's entire offensive and defensive midsets are centered around their ability to run and wear teams down. A lot of teams come into games with the thought that they can run with Elliott and win but they can't as evidenced by the Ballard game. Elliott County's conditioning is IMHO by the far the best in the state. We have a motto in Elliott County: "Run to live! Live to run!"

 

Holmes is by far the beat defensive team and the most athletic team in the State. If they don't win it all this year it will be because they beat themselves again.

And averaged scoring around 42, and that just won't get 'r done in Lex, IMO.

 

Holmes scoring 42 and holding an opponent to 33, that's a winner winner chicken dinner. The teams in the 9th elect not to play Holmes in a Dunk Fest. You let the Dawgs get all jacked up on running the floor, you come out on the short end of the stick.

Edited March 12, 200917 yr by Obie1
spelling

One thing that maybe has already been pointed out but I feel a need to emphasize. When you are playing in region, teams scheme against you and say "this is what we are going to do to play with them." When you get to Rupp, teams are established, and they say "We are going to do what we do, the heck with what they do."

 

That is where the divide is coming in in this thread.

 

Being a ninth region guy I feel the need to point out that while Holmes bread and butter is defensive game, they sure can play the uptempo pretty well too. The question is, if they force the defensive game on someone else, will the someone else be able to adapt. And don't say "well there is no way they let that tempo happen"... Because it's March. Anything can happen...

Lets get back to the thread title....Rank the Sweet 16 teams.

1. Holmes

2. Elliott Co.

3. Eastern

4. Shelby Valley

5. Lex Cath

6. Mason Co.

7. Corbin

8. Christian Co.

9. Anderson Co.

10. Bowling Green

11. Adair Co.

12. Hazard

13. Central

14. West Jessamine

15. Grayson Co.

16. Graves Co.

 

This looks really good to me.

 

I've seen this team a lot this season. And I really hope they win a championship and bring it finally back to the 9th Region. But my one question for Holmes fans is this. Whats wrong with this team?

 

There is no doubt the player that is going to bring this team to the top is Ricardo Johnson. He is a awesome team player. But he has been the only consistant player. I keep hearing Holmes fans talk about Pittman and his great performance at Rupp last year. But a reason why that was so special was because he shot the ball so well during that tournament. Lately it seems his shooting is in a slump. So is Riley, I haven't seen the consitancy I saw from him at the begining of the year. I haven't seen the great play of Jeramiah Johnson as of late. I thought he was really getting better until I saw him in the regionals. Kevon Arnold / Rice has been good at times but other times he's looked like the sophmore he is. He takes dumb shots, forces things, lacks a strong defensive game. Then you have Coach Henley. I respect the heck out of this guy and think he's a great coach. But why didn't he take advantage of the mismatches in the post that Pittman had during the enitre regional. Why don't they run more? Why aren't they pressing?

 

I love watching the athletes on this team. And I will be rooting for them down in Lexington next week, but I guess my point is.....this team has a lot of question marks???????????????

I think most people would agree that the top 4 teams left are Holmes, Elliot, Eastern and Shelby Valley in no specific order. The thing that will make this tournament so fun to watch is that the winner may not even come from that 4 and there are quite a few teams left who have a great shot to win it. I really hope to attend my first state tournament this year.

I think most people would agree that the top 4 teams left are Holmes, Elliot, Eastern and Shelby Valley in no specific order. The thing that will make this tournament so fun to watch is that the winner may not even come from that 4 and there are quite a few teams left who have a great shot to win it. I really hope to attend my first state tournament this year.

 

:thumb: Great post.

I pick Elliot County to win it all.

^

 

I agree. Elliott Co will not score over 80 if they play Holmes. Maybe not over 70.

 

Has Holmes scored over 70 this year. Elliott leads the state in scoring

Edited March 18, 200917 yr by American Skier
Rule 13

Sounds like this sweet 16 is decided between Holmes and EC already,I know were just focused on Shelby Valley and going to try to go to Rupp and represent the 10th Region.

1. Eastern

2. Holmes

3. LexCath

4. Shelby Valley

5. Elliott Co.

6. Corbin

7. Mason Co.

8. Adair Co.

9. Anderson Co.

10. Christian Co.

11. Hazard

12. Bowling Green

13. Central

14. West Jessamine

15. Graves Co.

16. Grayson Co.

 

I really don't think there is much difference between 6 through 13.

 

As for Graves and Grayson, I haven't seen either one or heard much about them, they maybe better than I realize.