I thought Elliott County had proven they were able to participate with athletic teams when they beath Ballard rather handily, but I'm still hearing alot of the same things. I think Elliott County should be the favorite to win the whole tournament. The only thing that makes it a little tough for them is the draw. I think the team that had the best chance to beat Elliott due to matchup problems lost in the region tourney. I also don't think they'll be playing the opponents that everyone is predicting in the tournament. I expect them to play Anderson, Shelby Valley and Lexington Catholic.

 

I don't see Catholic beating Holmes, Holmes plays the best defense out of any team in the Sweet 16 and like the old addage goes: Offense Wins Crowds, Defense Wins................

I don't see Catholic beating Holmes, Holmes plays the best defense out of any team in the Sweet 16 and like the old addage goes: Offense Wins Crowds, Defense Wins................

 

Catholic is playing good basketball right now. If they can beat Scott County, they'll have a good chance to beat Christian County.

I thought Elliott County had proven they were able to participate with athletic teams when they beath Ballard rather handily, but I'm still hearing alot of the same things. I think Elliott County should be the favorite to win the whole tournament. The only thing that makes it a little tough for them is the draw. I think the team that had the best chance to beat Elliott due to matchup problems lost in the region tourney. I also don't think they'll be playing the opponents that everyone is predicting in the tournament. I expect them to play Anderson, Shelby Valley and Lexington Catholic.

 

Ballard is a very athletic team, but they don't have the size to give EC problems. They start two guards under 6'0 and their biggest player on the floor is 6'4. IF they meet up with a team like Holmes who is big AND has athleticism, it causes alot more match ups problems.

 

BTW...I'm pretty sure they WON'T be playing Lexcath. :thumb:

 

Wait, than's an out-of-state team. That one doesn't count...:taz:

 

(or is that only on Elliott's schedule?)

 

j/k

 

No doubt, Holmes is a good team, but they haven't seemed to be playing well lately to me.

 

Low scoring defensive games will make people think that. In reality they're playing their best ball right now. They're playing the best defense they've played all year and their two best players are carrying them, which is what they're going to need at Rupp.

What are the heights of Holmes' starting 5?

Here is a perfect example of why teams don't try to get in an uptempo, fast paced game with Holmes:

 

 

The move by Rico Johnson at the :40 mark is flat out sick.

Catholic is playing good basketball right now. If they can beat Scott County, they'll have a good chance to beat Christian County.

 

Wow...maybe Holmes shouldn't even show up then since Catholic is going to win and face Christian Co in the second round.

What are the heights of Holmes' starting 5?

 

6'0 Riley

6'2 D. Johnson

6'4 J. Johnson

6'5 R. Johnson

6'7 Pittman

 

Off the bench:

 

6'6 K. Rice

6'2 B. Housely

5'10 P. Mayfield

I thought Elliott County had proven they were able to participate with athletic teams when they beath Ballard rather handily, but I'm still hearing alot of the same things. I think Elliott County should be the favorite to win the whole tournament. The only thing that makes it a little tough for them is the draw. I think the team that had the best chance to beat Elliott due to matchup problems lost in the region tourney. I also don't think they'll be playing the opponents that everyone is predicting in the tournament. I expect them to play Anderson, Shelby Valley and Lexington Catholic.

 

I agree with this. A lot of people were saying that Elliott could not play with Mason or Ballard, because of their athleticism. Elliott won both games at home handily.

 

However, Holmes may be the most athletic team that they will play. That being said it would be an interesting matchup. But if I were Holmes fans I would be worried more about getting by Lexington Catholic or Christian County. Like I am with getting by Anderson County, then Shelby Valley or Mason County. They just have to take it one game at a time, rankings mean nothing anymore. If Elliott County were to win this they will have a tough road ahead and definitely would deserve to be crowned state champions. They will get to play a top 10-15 team in every round, most likely throughout the tournament barring an upset. Then there should be no more doubters of how good this team really is. Good luck Elliott.

6'0 Riley

6'2 D. Johnson

6'4 J. Johnson

6'5 R. Johnson

6'7 Pittman

 

Off the bench:

 

6'6 K. Rice

6'2 B. Housely

5'10 P. Mayfield

 

Thanks :thumb:

Thanks :thumb:

 

No problem.

 

Mayfield usually only plays the last minute of the first and second quarters for defensive purposes to keep Riley from picking up silly fouls.

 

With Rico running the point a lot lately, they've been going with the following combinations:

 

6'5 R. Johnson, 6'0 Riley, 6'4 J. Johnson, 6'6 Rice, 6'7 Pittman

6'5 R. Johnson, 6'2 D. Johnson, 6'2 Housely, 6'6 Rice, 6'7 Pittman

6'5 R. Johnson, 6'2 Housely, 6'4 J. Johnson, 6'6 Rice, 6'7 Pittman

Wait, than's an out-of-state team. That one doesn't count...:taz:

 

(or is that only on Elliott's schedule?)

 

j/k

 

No doubt, Holmes is a good team, but they haven't seemed to be playing well lately to me.

 

And not a very good team, you dont want to show your team struggling against Largo:p

I have seen the following teams play this year:

 

Shelby Valley

Elliott Co

Holmes

Lexington Catholic

Mason Co

Hazard

Adair Co

 

I would rank the teams:

 

1. Eastern

2. Shelby Valley

3. Elliott Co

4. Holmes

5. Lexington Catholic

6. Christian Co

7. Anderson Co

8. Adair Co

9. Mason Co

10. Corbin

11. Central

12. Hazard

13. Bowlin Green

14. West Jesamine

15. Grayson Co

16. Graves Co.

 

The most impressive team I have seen play this year is......Shelby Valley. Watch them play play Elliott Co in the all A. Really liked Justice and Hatfield.

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

 

:idunno: Wouldn't against Holmes :idunno:

I believe the Top 4 teams are Eastern, Elliott County, Shelby Valley, and Holmes. These would be my four favorites to win it. It will be whoever brings their A game every night. I will be suprised if one of these teams isn't holding the trophy Saturday night. But who knows stranger things have happened (Morehead State playing in the NCAA tourney and UK likely going to the NIT).

I put Lexington Catholic ahead because their first round game is against a group playing in Rupp for the first time, whereas Christian County has the Rupp experience which cannot be underestimated in first round games.

 

I'm usually not big on taking early upsets, but I think Christian Co. has a legitimate chance of beating Holmes (though the latter is certainly the favorite).

 

Further, I think that if matched head-to-head on Friday afternoon (with short prep from Thursday's game), Lex. Cath.'s precision will severely hamper Holmes, especially with the added motivation of avenging last year's elimination. NCC has seemed to be a thorn in Holmes' side, and the Knights are structured similarly yet with more talent.