Rogers was out of shape. The kid had just had 2 surgeries and had not played since Jan 17th. What did you expect?

 

Zollo missed most of the 3rd quarter in the game the night before with a high ankel sprain. It was very difficult for him to even play. Again what did you expect? Both of these kids were not 100 %

 

 

 

Clark was not the favorite to most in the GRC VS Mason poll. I didn't think we would win going into the game. Too many injuries this year. Give us a healthy GRC team and I believe the outcome would have been different.

 

As to next year, I just hope everyone is healthy.

 

 

:ohbrother:

 

 

How was Clark not the favorite last year?!? Everyone picked Clark Co preseason!

In the 10th, I think it will be a two horse race once again between GRC and Mason Co, with GRC deserving to be the favorite going into the season.

 

With Clark returning Stenzel, Zollo, and Rogers, they will be really tough. They have the experience that will help them in the long run. They will need to develop a point guard though. Playing Stenzel at the point would not be what is best for this team. They will be tough.

 

I think losing Robert Hatton will be huge for GRC. He was their second best player and made teams guard him so they couldn't focus all of their attention on Stenzel. He is really good and GRC will miss him.

 

Mason Co does lose alot. Middleton was a clutch scorer and carried the Royals on the offensive side of the ball for a large part of this season. He was almost automatic from 3 and seemed to be able to get to the rim at will. Downing is one of, if not the best defender in the state and the Royals will miss him guarding the opposing team's best defender. He ran some point and was a warrior on the boards and played very unselfishly. Hamm was just so solid. He was able to demand the ball and calm a young Royals team down. He is a good defender, shooter, and ball handler as well. All of these seniors were MAJOR contributors to the Royals success this year and there will be some growing pains next year when they try to replace them.

 

With that said, Mason County does return a ton of talent. Treg Setty will be the offensive star for the Royals, as he showed in spurts this year. He should continue to grow and could prove to challenge Stenzel as the best player in the Region before they graduate.

 

Neal Pawsat is a beast. He does a little bit of everything and will be a great post player for the Royals. Throw in good guards like Jordan Gilbert and Justin Lang, as well as big men like senior to be Phil Barner and sophomore to be Tyler Black, the Royals will be tough. They will improve as the year goes on as they learn to play together and will be very tough for any team, including GRC, to knock off.

In the 10th, I think it will be a two horse race once again between GRC and Mason Co, with GRC deserving to be the favorite going into the season.

 

With Clark returning Stenzel, Zollo, and Rogers, they will be really tough. They have the experience that will help them in the long run. They will need to develop a point guard though. Playing Stenzel at the point would not be what is best for this team. They will be tough.

 

I think losing Robert Hatton will be huge for GRC. He was their second best player and made teams guard him so they couldn't focus all of their attention on Stenzel. He is really good and GRC will miss him.

 

Mason Co does lose alot. Middleton was a clutch scorer and carried the Royals on the offensive side of the ball for a large part of this season. He was almost automatic from 3 and seemed to be able to get to the rim at will. Downing is one of, if not the best defender in the state and the Royals will miss him guarding the opposing team's best defender. He ran some point and was a warrior on the boards and played very unselfishly. Hamm was just so solid. He was able to demand the ball and calm a young Royals team down. He is a good defender, shooter, and ball handler as well. All of these seniors were MAJOR contributors to the Royals success this year and there will be some growing pains next year when they try to replace them.

 

With that said, Mason County does return a ton of talent. Treg Setty will be the offensive star for the Royals, as he showed in spurts this year. He should continue to grow and could prove to challenge Stenzel as the best player in the Region before they graduate.

 

Neal Pawsat is a beast. He does a little bit of everything and will be a great post player for the Royals. Throw in good guards like Jordan Gilbert and Justin Lang, as well as big men like senior to be Phil Barner and sophomore to be Tyler Black, the Royals will be tough. They will improve as the year goes on as they learn to play together and will be very tough for any team, including GRC, to knock off.

 

 

I think Mason Co will be just as good if not better next year. The guys they have on the bench are just as good as the starter's they lost. Treg and Neal will have to pick up the scoring for Russ points.

Look for T Black and B Lang to get more PT next year. Along with Gilbert, J Lang could be starting.

The Royals will need someone to step up and be a leader. As for GRC, all they need is a point guard and they would be my favorite.

I think Mason Co will be just as good if not better next year. The guys they have on the bench are just as good as the starter's they lost. Treg and Neal will have to pick up the scoring for Russ points.

Look for T Black and B Lang to get more PT next year. Along with Gilbert, J Lang could be starting.

 

That's a big statement. I would be willing to say that they can be as good. But these Royal Seniors are some of the winningest seniors in Mason Co. history. Middleton, Downing, Hamm, and Rice are about as solid as they come.

The Royals will need someone to step up and be a leader. As for GRC, all they need is a point guard and they would be my favorite.

 

That's a great point. They lost alot of leadership this year. And they only return one senior that has played significant minutes (Barner). I agree, someone has to step up.

 

GRC does need to find a point guard as well. Stenzel can't do all he is capable of if he has to play point.

Scott Co. should be heavy favorite in 11th.

 

Holmes same in 9th.

 

Clark same in 10th.

 

Shelby Valley same in 15th.

 

Christian County same in 3rd.

 

When is PRP going to be back to the old PRP?

 

Holmes will be the favorite again in the 9th, but I don't know if I'd say they will be the HEAVY favorite.. They lost to Boone once and beat them by 3 in the regional final. Holmes returns 3 seniors. Highlands will have probably 9 seniors back, and Boone will have 9, 5 of whom were starters at various times during the season.

]That may be true' date=' but at the beginning of the year[/b'], it seems like everyone except Fraysure in the Cats Pause yearbook thought Clark was the favorite.

 

I think everyone thought Zollo would have a bigger impact than he had. He will be better next year when healthy and with another year in the system.

 

This is what I was talking about last year preseason kinda like now.

Edited March 22, 200917 yr by Ram
Rule 13

I'd be really surprised if Holmes didnt return to Rupp from the 9th. I think they return everyone except Jamel Riley and Brandon Housley. I'd say they return the most talent in the state.

 

They also lose another starter in Dom Johnson.

Cumberland County will return most if not all of their starters.

 

Good for them?

 

I don't doubt that Cumberland County will still be a factor, but they're not a favorite. They're the type of team that can make an upset, but not the type of team that is going to win three games to take the region.

Holmes will be the favorite again in the 9th, but I don't know if I'd say they will be the HEAVY favorite.. They lost to Boone once and beat them by 3 in the regional final. Holmes returns 3 seniors. Highlands will have probably 9 seniors back, and Boone will have 9, 5 of whom were starters at various times during the season.

 

They just won a state title and return 4 of their top 7 including 2 major D1 players. I would guess they will be ranked # 1 in the state and will say they get every # 1 vote in any 9th region preseason poll.

I'd be really surprised if Holmes didnt return to Rupp from the 9th. I think they return everyone except Jamel Riley and Brandon Housley. I'd say they return the most talent in the state.

 

 

They also lose another starter in Dom Johnson.

 

They also lose James Rice, didn't play a lot, but a senior nonetheless.

 

And for all those saying they are "only" losing Riley, Housely, and Dom Johnson, you gotta realize that was a big part of their team. Yeah, Pittman and the brothers Johnson get all the pub, but Riley was deadly from three and looked like a floor leader, often pointing people into place, etc. Dom Johnson and Housely both were excellent defenders, which we all know is a big part of Holmes game; and if you look at their games the past few days, one of those two were always giving 8-12 points, and I think that is somewhat of a bonus for Holmes.

 

From what I understand they will insert Mayfield and K.Rice, but they will need some younger guys to step up to make a decent bench.

 

They just won a state title and return 4 of their top 7 including 2 major D1 players. I would guess they will be ranked # 1 in the state and will say they get every # 1 vote in any 9th region preseason poll.

 

2 major D1 players doesn't always equal state success. See University Heights 2008. Not saying that they won't have success, but just saying that just because they may have two big time players, it takes an entire team to win...

I think that Hatfield and Justice both return for Shelby Valley, Holmes should win the 9th, Clark will be the favorite in the 10th, same for Scott in the 11th. I would not be quick to count out Elliott of winning the 16th. Timmy Kinpp had a great showing in the Tournament this week and I look for him to explode next season being the #1 option for the Lions. But as Cats said, the 16th is as wide open as any region next season.

 

 

Me too, I have felt all along that Elliott County will be all right next year. Many think that there will not anything left after the graduation of four starters, but it ain't so. Down yes but certainly not out. They will have a good point guard, still have good outside shooting, they should have a good defense and they have a real go to player. I'm not saying that there is not work to be done but, the Lions should be as much in the hunt for a sixteenth title as anyone.

They also lose another starter in Dom Johnson.

 

Holmes will be the favorite again in the 9th, but I don't know if I'd say they will be the HEAVY favorite.. They lost to Boone once and beat them by 3 in the regional final. Holmes returns 3 seniors. Highlands will have probably 9 seniors back, and Boone will have 9, 5 of whom were starters at various times during the season.

 

With Rico, JJ, and Pittman returning for Holmes, I think it's going to be tough for any other team to get out of the 9th.

 

Holmes may only return 3 senior starters, but those 3 seniors are pretty darn good. JJ, Rico, and Pittman are all three D1 caliber talent and they also return a star in the making in Rice. (If he can keep his emotions in check) Holmes will be very deep next year as well with a talented junior class who went to the JV championship without their best player (Rice) playing a single game. I believe Slusher will also play some valuable mins next year as a senior as well. Next year's Holmes team will remind me a lot of the 07/08 version, only with more talent.

 

I like Highlands to contend with them for the region crown. I was impressed with their team this year despite having no seniors. Kowolonek, Grote, Watson, and Grubbs are going to be tough, as well as role players Lother, Gordon, and Dill.

 

Boone should be there near the top but I don't think some of the Boone fans realize how much not having Mcfarland, Spaulding, and Brown is going to affect them. Mcfarland's all around game was what led them to a win over Holmes this year and the reason they were in the region championship.

They also lose James Rice, didn't play a lot, but a senior nonetheless.

 

And for all those saying they are "only" losing Riley, Housely, and Dom Johnson, you gotta realize that was a big part of their team. Yeah, Pittman and the brothers Johnson get all the pub, but Riley was deadly from three and looked like a floor leader, often pointing people into place, etc. Dom Johnson and Housely both were excellent defenders, which we all know is a big part of Holmes game; and if you look at their games the past few days, one of those two were always giving 8-12 points, and I think that is somewhat of a bonus for Holmes.

 

From what I understand they will insert Mayfield and K.Rice, but they will need some younger guys to step up to make a decent bench.

 

 

 

2 major D1 players doesn't always equal state success. See University Heights 2008. Not saying that they won't have success, but just saying that just because they may have two big time players, it takes an entire team to win...

 

I would say they were successful last night!