Tezzy,

 

Exactly what I was thinking Holmes has played stall ball to the run and gun and have been able to hold all teams they have faced this season to under 50 points if Im correct. It will be exciting to see the offense Henley decides to run in the sweet 16 will he run the stall which the Bulldogs have proved they can win with to preserve the legs for 3 days of bball?

 

 

 

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.

Eastern by 39 !!!

Holmes beat Ballard by 3 on a NEUTRAL COURT and without their leading scorer playing the whole first half.

 

EC beat Ballard at home by 14 while also giving up 34 more points to them than Holmes did without their leading scorer and big man playing a lot...big difference there.

 

And yes I have watched EC in person. Saw them multiple times over the summer, in the state tournament against MC last year, and in the 5/3rd at Lexcath last year against Covcath. I've also watched them several times on the internet when their games were broadcast this year.

 

I'll return the question back at ya...have you actually watched Holmes in person?

 

If Elliott is hitting above 50% I don't care who you are, you can't guard them all. Defense does win championships I totally agree with you. But most teams don't have five guys who can hit from ANYWHERE on the court. Most of the teams that can do that at any level have pretty good success. You are talking about Holmes like they are the best and most athletic team this state has ever seen. Athlete's to me mean individuality on a team; they are the most athletic and have the most promising future to better themselves in the long run; which is great for any young man. But I don't hear you talk about how good of a team they are as a whole but just how great they are with their wingspan, height, abilities, and how they create matchup problems. Elliott is a team that has five guys who play together and I think that when five guy's play together it makes the 3 or 4 athletes fall that much harder; in this case because Elliott has 5 solid players. You are rooting for your team just as I am but I have watch Holmes play this season just as you have and I hope that you wouldn’t say that Holmes gels as the best team in the state. They are mentally weak and mostly hurts themselves in the games I have seen, athletic ability has carried them, but how far can that take you; maybe all the way but the way you talk it might leave you scratching your head about what they need to improve on. This team is a great team no doubt but they have a lot to improve on. They probably will give Elliott fits but you are not ready for what you will see as well. Elliott has a different style of play that you haven’t seen and they are a different team than you have previously witnessed (I think that you said you seen them last year and a couple of times on TV). I just hope that if Holmes gets beat by any team, that you are not to modest to say that Holmes won’t win the big one until they get better as a TEAM. Elliott might win it all and might not but if they do play Holmes they will be the better TEAM and we will see if “athlete’s can beat a TEAM”. Goodluck to both Holmes and Elliott!

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.

 

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.

This thread has somehow turned into a Holmes and Elliott Coounty thread. So here is my 2 cents worth. How can Elliott travel and play in the Myrtle Beach tournament against tougher teams than most play in-state and be considered playing a weaker schedule and therefore discredited for their #'s? I realize the 16th region was down this year, but why excuse their #'s because of it? Fact of the matter is that in their only 2 losses they shot horribly and could not recover, even though they made last minute efforts to do so. For this reason I say Elliott County is going to win or lose depending on how they play, not how others play them. If they shoot well, no one beats them. JMO

This thread has somehow turned into a Holmes and Elliott Coounty thread. So here is my 2 cents worth. How can Elliott travel and play in the Myrtle Beach tournament against tougher teams than most play in-state and be considered playing a weaker schedule and therefore discredited for their #'s? I realize the 16th region was down this year, but why excuse their #'s because of it? Fact of the matter is that in their only 2 losses they shot horribly and could not recover, even though they made last minute efforts to do so. For this reason I say Elliott County is going to win or lose depending on how they play, not how others play them. If they shoot well, no one beats them. JMO

 

:thumb:

1. Holmes (32-2) - Last year's state runner-up, they allow 46 ppg and are winning by almost 14. They've avenged both of their losses. 1-0 vs. the field

 

2. Eastern (30-2) - Average 70 ppg, win by 16 per game. 1-0 vs. the field

 

3. Shelby Valley (30-4) - Average 74 ppg and win by 22+ on average. Only one in-state loss (vs. Knott Central on 12/21). 1-0 vs. the field (55-52 over Elliott Co.).

 

4. Elliott County (30-2) - They average almost 86 ppg and they're winning by 26+ on average. 2-1 vs. the field. What scares me? On neutral courts they lost to Shelby Valley (52-55) and squeaked by Anderson Co. (76-72).

 

5. Lexington Catholic (25-7) - Average 71 ppg, win by 9 per game. 1-2 vs. the field (all games on the road).

 

6. Mason County (24-6) - Allowing under 49 ppg and win by 17 per game. 0-2 vs. the field (vs. Lex. Cath, @ Elliott Co.)

 

7. Corbin (29-3) - Average 74 ppg, win by 22+. 1-0 vs. the field

 

8. Christian County (21-6) - Average 76+ ppg and win by 11 per. Haven't played anyone in the Sweet 16.

 

9. Anderson County (24-5) - Allowing under 49 ppg and win by almost 14 per game. 0-1 vs. the field (neutral court loss to Elliot Co., 72-76)

 

10. Bowling Green (26-6) - 63+ ppg. 1-0 vs. the field (Grayson Co.)

 

11. West Jessamine (26-8) - 67 ppg. 1-0 vs. the field (Lex. Cath.)

 

12. Adair County (26-7) - Allow just under 51 ppg. 1-0 vs. the field (Central)

 

13. Hazard (26-8) - Allow under 47 ppg and win by 14+ per game. 20-4 in 2009. 0-1 vs. the field (@ Holmes)

 

14. Central (16-14) - Lost their first 8 games. 16-6 in 2009. 0-2 vs. the field (Eastern, Adair Co.)

 

15. Grayson County (25-6) - Allowing under 50 ppg and win by 13 per game. 0-1 vs. the field (Bowling Green, 59-72)

 

16. Graves County (23-9) - Allow 50 ppg. No games vs. Sweet 16 participants.

I think overall it's going to be a great state tournament. Usually there are a bunch of 1st round games that are decided before the ball is tossed up, but this year almost every game has the potential to be great - with both teams having a legitimate shot at a win. I'm really looking forward to some great basketball.

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

 

:thumb::thumb::thumb::thumb::thumb:

This thread has somehow turned into a Holmes and Elliott Coounty thread. So here is my 2 cents worth. How can Elliott travel and play in the Myrtle Beach tournament against tougher teams than most play in-state and be considered playing a weaker schedule and therefore discredited for their #'s? I realize the 16th region was down this year, but why excuse their #'s because of it? Fact of the matter is that in their only 2 losses they shot horribly and could not recover, even though they made last minute efforts to do so. For this reason I say Elliott County is going to win or lose depending on how they play, not how others play them. If they shoot well, no one beats them. JMO

 

A good defense will cause you not to shoot well. Holmes is the best defense going right now. (held their last 5 opponents to 33 on average) Pretty impressive.

edit

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!"

 

How many teams in the sweet 16 have you seen?

 

Ballard didn't make it...?:confused:

If Elliott is hitting above 50% I don't care who you are, you can't guard them all. Defense does win championships I totally agree with you. But most teams don't have five guys who can hit from ANYWHERE on the court. Most of the teams that can do that at any level have pretty good success. You are talking about Holmes like they are the best and most athletic team this state has ever seen. Athlete's to me mean individuality on a team; they are the most athletic and have the most promising future to better themselves in the long run; which is great for any young man. But I don't hear you talk about how good of a team they are as a whole but just how great they are with their wingspan, height, abilities, and how they create matchup problems. Elliott is a team that has five guys who play together and I think that when five guy's play together it makes the 3 or 4 athletes fall that much harder; in this case because Elliott has 5 solid players. You are rooting for your team just as I am but I have watch Holmes play this season just as you have and I hope that you wouldn’t say that Holmes gels as the best team in the state. They are mentally weak and mostly hurts themselves in the games I have seen, athletic ability has carried them, but how far can that take you; maybe all the way but the way you talk it might leave you scratching your head about what they need to improve on. This team is a great team no doubt but they have a lot to improve on. They probably will give Elliott fits but you are not ready for what you will see as well. Elliott has a different style of play that you haven’t seen and they are a different team than you have previously witnessed (I think that you said you seen them last year and a couple of times on TV). I just hope that if Holmes gets beat by any team, that you are not to modest to say that Holmes won’t win the big one until they get better as a TEAM. Elliott might win it all and might not but if they do play Holmes they will be the better TEAM and we will see if “athlete’s can beat a TEAM”. Goodluck to both Holmes and Elliott!

 

A few things to point out from your post:

 

1. Elliott relies on offense to win games. Key word is IF they shoot above 50% they can beat anyone, and I agree. But eventually a team isn't going to shoot that well every game. Law of averages catches up to the offense, but defense never quits and is constant. Holmes isn't too shabby from outside either though. If I recall correctly, they actually have a higher 3 pt % than your EC Lions at 40% and Riley is one of the top 3 pt shooters in the state. Pittman, JJ, DJ, and Rico have all shown the ability to hit shots from anywhere on the floor.

 

2. The way EC fans talk, you'd think they had the USA Dream Team of high school basketball. (No disrespect meant to the fans or their team, but some go WAYY overboard) Never once have I said Holmes was the most atheletic team this state has ever seen, and honestly that'd be foolish thinking by ANYONE considering some of the Ballard, J'town, Scott Co, and other L'ville teams we've seen throughout the years. But for THIS YEAR, I truly believe Holmes is the most athletic team in the state. Very rarely do you see a teams' 5'11/6'0 PG grabbing 8 and 9 rbs a game when there is a 6'4, 6'5, and 6'7 kid out there as well with just as much athleticism. You'll realize what I'm talking about next Thurs. Holmes plays above the rim more than any team in the state and Pittman plays above the square. He's jumped up and not blocked, but GRABBED balls out of mid air several times this year.

 

3. Individual talent doesn't carry a team. Especially with a group like this one, you have to play as a team to be successful. Holmes has had some pretty talented teams in the past that didn't do squat because they played too much "Me" ball. Not the case with this group and that's evident by the fact that Holmes' TEAMS have been to the state tournament 4 of the past 5 years. Rico, JJ, Pittman, and Rice have also been playing together on the same AAU team pretty much all their lives, so let's not act like EC is the only team who has been playing together for a while and that makes them a superior TEAM. :ohbrother:

 

4. As far as EC having a different style that I've never seen or witnessed, I'd say Scott Co runs and pressures just as much as EC and Holmes faired pretty well against them I believe. I'll return the comment back though, and say EC hasn't seen a team that will play as good of defense as Holmes does. If you think Holmes doesn't play together as a TEAM, you obviously haven't seen them this year in person. They've lost just 5 games over the past two years and they've beaten some pretty good TEAMS over that span, including a Covcath team (3 times), that pretty much took EC behind the woodshed last year ...BTW, this Holmes teams is MUCH better than they were. Having athletes is nice but 66-5 over a two year span with the same core group speaks for itself. :sssh:

 

5. If Holmes does get beat, I'll have no problem giving the other team credit, but if they get beat it won't be because they aren't a good team...it will be because they ran in to a team that was just better and executed better THAT NIGHT (which is evident by the fact that Holmes has avenged BOTH losses this year).

 

All of these arguments become moot if neither team advances to the semi's. For right now, I think EC fans need to worry more about Anderson Co and then a potential match up with the only KY team to beat them. Same goes with Holmes fans....Christian Co and Lexcath are both very capable teams.

 

Until the games decide each teams' fate, good luck and hope to see you down the road. :thumb:

Half of them...Eastern, Corbin, Lex Cath, Mason Co., Shelby Valley, Anderson Co., Holmes and Elliott County.

 

I'm not doubting Holmes defensive abilities against any other team in the state. I'm just not sure they can stop Elliott County's shooters.

A good defense will cause you not to shoot well. Holmes is the best defense going right now. (held their last 5 opponents to 33 on average) Pretty impressive.

 

We agree Obie!!! :thumb: