1. Elliott Co.

2. Shelby Valley

3. Lex Cath

4. Eastern

5. Holmes

6. Mason Co

7. Anderson Co.

8. Christian Co.

9. Corbin

10. Adair Co

11. Bowling Green

12. Hazard

13. Central

14. West Jessamine

15. Grayson Co.

16. Graves Co.

 

 

Looks about right to me...:thumb:

I agree. Eastern is a mirror image of Holmes, but I think their lack of a big man could hurt them if they meet Holmes, Shelby Valley, or Elliott County in the finals.

 

A team will have to have solid guard play and a good big man to win the sweet 16. Very rarely does a team with all guards win the state title. You have to have size and some depth.

 

Eastern just beat Jtown last nite and they have a 6'10" center plus a very strong supporting cast!

Holmes avg. 40 a game, in the region they need to score more to win state title. Elliott has had that by half time.

 

I'd say a lot of that has to do with the fact that 9th region teams play much better defense than other regions around the state. Teams run over a minute off the clock with every possession against Holmes because of how good their offense can be if you give them a lot of possessions. There's a reason teams don't try to run against Holmes and they slow it down. They tried to run with the Dogs at the beginning of the year and were getting ran off the floor...just ask Scott Co, Bryan Station, Ballard, Franklin Co, or any other top 20 team who has played against Holmes. You have to capitalize on offense and be smart with your possessions because if not, Holmes defense will wear you down and you'll find yourself down 15+ real quick because you're giving them so many offensive opportunities.

 

I think those saying Holmes can't score are in for a real treat when they see this bunch play. They have won playing EVERY style there is out there. They have beaten teams like Scott Co and Bryan Station while playing uptempo and scoring in the 70's. And then they've beaten teams like Ballard (another run and gun team) by playing a slow tempo and only scoring in the 40's.

 

If I remember correctly a lot of people were saying the same thing about Holmes last year heading in to their games with Paintsville and Lexcath and all Holmes did was hold both teams to their lowest outputs of the season on their way to the state title game. Again...offense sells tickets, defense wins championships.

^

 

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

1. Elliott Co.

2. Shelby Valley

3. Lex Cath

4. Eastern

5. Holmes

6. Mason Co

7. Anderson Co.

8. Christian Co.

9. Corbin

10. Adair Co

11. Bowling Green

12. Hazard

13. Central

14. West Jessamine

15. Grayson Co.

16. Graves Co.

 

 

:thumb: Looks pretty good to me. I think maybe Eastern should be 3 and Lex. Cath. 4 and Mason 5 and Holmes 6 then it's perfect.

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!"

 

Smart coaches and teams will slow the ball down against EC and force them to beat them with half court sets. It's teams like Mason Co and Ballard, who press the whole game, that get beat by Elliott Co. Teams like Shelby Valley and Cedar Hill, who have good halfcourt offense and pound the ball inside, will beat EC every time.

 

It's just common sense. EC isn't going to be able to run against every team in this tournament. Eventually they're going to have to develop a good half court offense against teams like Holmes and Shelby Valley if they want to win the state title.

Eastern just beat Jtown last nite and they have a 6'10" center plus a very strong supporting cast!

 

They also lost twice in the season to that same team...it's very tough to beat a team as good as Eastern 3 times in the same season which was evident from last night. Let's not forget the FACTS that Eastern was still 1-2 against J'town though. J'town also isn't as big as a Shelby Valley or Holmes.

Any chance of a repeat?

I've watched Elliott play against 4-5 teams that are just as, if not more, athletic as Holmes and I think they played just fine. There's a reason why Elliott has only lost twice, as well, IMO. I look forward to watching some good basketball next week.

I've watched Elliott play against 4-5 teams that are just as, if not more, athletic as Holmes and I think they played just fine. There's a reason why Elliott has only lost twice, as well, IMO. I look forward to watching some good basketball next week.

 

I'll be the first to go on record as saying Holmes is the most athletic team in the state...and that's not an overexaggeration. Anyone who has seen them in person will likely agree with this.

 

IF EC and Holmes meet in the semi's, I guarantee you they will be the most athletic team EC has faced to date. Their size, quickness, and length offensively and defensively is matched by NOBODY in the state. Unless you see them in person, you'll truly never understand where we're coming from. Pittman is a prime example though...6'7 with an 84" wingspan. He doesn't play above the rim...he plays above the square...again, no exaggeration.

 

I'm like you though Wireman. I too look forward to watching some great basketball this week and hope both of our respective teams advance to the point where the kids can settle all of our arguments on the court. :thumb:

I've watched Elliott play against 4-5 teams that are just as, if not more, athletic as Holmes and I think they played just fine.

Who would those teams be?

I think that you all have Adair County much too low. The 5th Region was pretty good this year, and Adair overcame tough Bardstown and North Hardin teams to advance. They are peaking right now, they have one legitimate star (Ballou) and two guys that are on fire (Fudge, Helm). Their first round game is against Grayson County. Several of the top teams on this list were beaten or played extremely close by 5th Region teams. For instance, Shelby Valley narrowly beat Bardstown in the final of the All-A classic. Adair is a likely darkhorse in this tournament.

Who would those teams be?

 

South Charleston, Pickering, Southside, Cedar Hill, Ballard

I think that you all have Adair County much too low. The 5th Region was pretty good this year, and Adair overcame tough Bardstown and North Hardin teams to advance. They are peaking right now, they have one legitimate star (Ballou) and two guys that are on fire (Fudge, Helm). Their first round game is against Grayson County. Several of the top teams on this list were beaten or played extremely close by 5th Region teams. For instance, Shelby Valley narrowly beat Bardstown in the final of the All-A classic. Adair is a likely darkhorse in this tournament.

 

I think Adair has a great chance to advance to the finals :thumb:

I think Adair could be anywhere in the 9-11 range ... I have them at 11. I don't think there is a great deal of difference from #3 or #4 to about #11 or so.

 

Personally, I think a lot of people are underestimating Central ... the Yellowjackets are 16-6 since they started using their football players.