I agree. But it's tough to replace a player like Mcfarland. You don't lose a player of his caliber and just replace him with someone else. I've also heard that Popp may elect to transfer out? Any truth to that?

 

Closest replacement they may have is Montgomery. I don't think he handles, passes, or rebounds quite as well yet, and he is a little smaller at 6'3, but he can dunk easily. Similar tall wiry build to McFarland. He needs to hit the weights some IMO. They may have to try to replace McFarland by committee, depending on what situations/opponents call for.

If Boone can find a replacement for McFarland, they will do well. They need to replace his rebounding and interior passing. Spaulding was a good reserve. Brown did well at the end of the year, but Boone was also doing well before those two football players came out. They will have very good returning seniors in Earls, Gabbard, Popp, and Cotton, as well as 5 other seniors and some good juniors-to-be coming up. Boone should have one of the best backcourts next year. The question is whether they will find enough rebounding and interior play.

 

I think Boone will be stronger physically inside next year than they were this year. Trevon Brown is a big body. Travis Montgomery will step into McFarland's role and be very good. Boone won the JV tournament and the Freshman Tournament this past year. I think they will be Holmes' main competition next year.

Closest replacement they may have is Montgomery. I don't think he handles, passes, or rebounds quite as well yet, and he is a little smaller at 6'3, but he can dunk easily. Similar tall wiry build to McFarland. He needs to hit the weights some IMO. They may have to try to replace McFarland by committee, depending on what situations/opponents call for.

 

The only thing I've seen is what has been mentioned on this board.

 

Thanks for the info. I haven't seen Montgomery play but have heard good things about him. I think the key for Boone next season is going to be Cotton. IMO he'll be their best all around player. If he can improve his jumpshot over the summer and become more aggressive offensively, he has the chance to be a special player for Boone. I was impressed with his athleticism when I saw him in the region tournament. He reminds me somewhat of Arrez Henderson, only obviously not as strong or athletically gifted at both ends of the floor.

I think Boone will be stronger physically inside next year than they were this year. Trevon Brown is a big body. Travis Montgomery will step into McFarland's role and be very good. Boone won the JV tournament and the Freshman Tournament this past year. I think they will be Holmes' main competition next year.

 

I think Highlands will be, then Boone. Boone's had very good freshman and J.V. teams the last few years, but it doesn't always translate 1 to 1 in varsity play. Brown is strong and rebounds well and takes up space but isn't much of a jumper. Earls also doesn't jump well. Hopefully, Brown can improve his defense and running the floor.

Thanks for the info. I haven't seen Montgomery play but have heard good things about him. I think the key for Boone next season is going to be Cotton. IMO he'll be their best all around player. If he can improve his jumpshot over the summer and become more aggressive offensively, he has the chance to be a special player for Boone. I was impressed with his athleticism when I saw him in the region tournament. He reminds me somewhat of Arrez Henderson, only obviously not as strong or athletically gifted at both ends of the floor.

 

I think baseball is Cotton's first sport, so he probably doesn't get a lot of summer work in on basketball. Very athletic kid!

I think baseball is Cotton's first sport, so he probably doesn't get a lot of summer work in on basketball. Very athletic kid!

 

I agree.

I think Boone will be stronger physically inside next year than they were this year. Trevon Brown is a big body. Travis Montgomery will step into McFarland's role and be very good. Boone won the JV tournament and the Freshman Tournament this past year. I think they will be Holmes' main competition next year.

 

Montgomery is pretty one dimensional at this point in his career. McFarland bought a lot to the table in all areas of the game. He was a physical player who defended, rebounded and saw the floor. Montgomery is a scorer and is not a physical player at all. I think Boone is going to miss McFarland a lot.

Montgomery is pretty one dimensional at this point in his career. McFarland bought a lot to the table in all areas of the game. He was a physical player who defended, rebounded and saw the floor. Montgomery is a scorer and is not a physical player at all. I think Boone is going to miss McFarland a lot.

 

Good point, McFarland is a very good defender with his long arms.

IMHO I think the gap between Holmes and the rest of the 9th will get wider next year. Holmes as a team gets bigger and deeper next year. Projected starting lineup EP 6'7, Rice 6'6, Rico 6'5, J.J 6'4, Mayfield 6'0 all could grow an inch or two also. Keyvon younger brother D. Rice is 6'3 as a freshman can already flush it anyway you want, has a nice all around game. Him, Slusher, Mcclendon, and the big young freshman 6'6 could all be big for varsity. One more name Collins. Im not sure Collins will play a lot next year but he is for sure a star in the making at Holmes. His handles are serious.

I suspect there will at least be a couple of teams that could potentially be a stumbling block for Holmes.

 

They were a pretty strong favorite in the pre-season and really had all they could handle from Boone County this year.

 

Additionally, with the way the 9th region teams like to slow things down and grind it out, it gives them a chance to keep the games tighter which means a couple of bounces here or there could be the deciding factor.

 

Holmes will certainly be a strong favorite again and they should make it back to Rupp. I'm just saying, it's high school basketball and you never know. Anything can happen and that includes somebody knocking Holmes out of the regional tournament next year.

I suspect there will at least be a couple of teams that could potentially be a stumbling block for Holmes.

 

They were a pretty strong favorite in the pre-season and really had all they could handle from Boone County this year.

 

Additionally, with the way the 9th region teams like to slow things down and grind it out, it gives them a chance to keep the games tighter which means a couple of bounces here or there could be the deciding factor.

 

Holmes will certainly be a strong favorite again and they should make it back to Rupp. I'm just saying, it's high school basketball and you never know. Anything can happen and that includes somebody knocking Holmes out of the regional tournament next year.

 

Well said........... I agree Holmes will be strong next year but HHS returns everyone (no figuring of roles, chemistry, etc is huge) plus Boone, Ryle and Dixie will provide plenty of 9th region competition. I would rank Holmes as the favorite and HHS very close behind. Nothing is a given in high school basketball........can anyone say Scott Co. ?

IMHO I think the gap between Holmes and the rest of the 9th will get wider next year. Holmes as a team gets bigger and deeper next year. Projected starting lineup EP 6'7, Rice 6'6, Rico 6'5, J.J 6'4, Mayfield 6'0 all could grow an inch or two also. Keyvon younger brother D. Rice is 6'3 as a freshman can already flush it anyway you want, has a nice all around game. Him, Slusher, Mcclendon, and the big young freshman 6'6 could all be big for varsity. One more name Collins. Im not sure Collins will play a lot next year but he is for sure a star in the making at Holmes. His handles are serious.

 

Another example of my team gets better and no one else does ?

Well said........... I agree Holmes will be strong next year but HHS returns everyone (no figuring of roles, chemistry, etc is huge) plus Boone, Ryle and Dixie will provide plenty of 9th region competition. I would rank Holmes as the favorite and HHS very close behind. Nothing is a given in high school basketball........can anyone say Scott Co. ?

 

I'd add Conner to that list as well with Avery, Stephens, and Hodges returning next year. :thumb:

Another example of my team gets better and no one else does ?

 

I never once said the other 9th region teams won't get better. I just think Holmes will have a better team next year than they had this year most people in Covington feel the same way. I will admit I see through red glasses, but the Bulldogs has proving me right more than once. They have proving me right 4 out of the last 5 years.

I'd add Conner to that list as well with Avery, Stephens, and Hodges returning next year. :thumb:

 

I will gladly add Conner: really liked the way they played this year, just a little inconsistent. If Hodges gets stronger he could be a nice post player, Meech is a great shooter and Stephens is a nice ballhandler & leader but will have to score more next season. They are probably a little behind the others mentioned but could develop into a contender.