Boone lost 2 major players in McFarland and Brown. I didn't see any players last year who will be able to replace those two.

 

It might possibly be a little closer between #1 & #2 this year, but #2 will be Highlands not Boone.

 

McFarland will be hard to replace, but I think T. Brown is a capable replacement for Brown inside, and Boone has some good outside shooters. Brown was a good leader. Someone will need to step up to that role.

Boone didn't beat Holmes when it mattered most. I don't see Boone or a lot of teams coming close to Holmes this year.

 

Holmes has much more talent than any team in the 9th.

 

Same things were said last year, and Boone was one missed layup away from winning the region.

I'd look for Montgomery to take McFarland's spot.

 

He'll need to improve his defense and ball handling/passing to match McFarland IMO. Definitely an athletic kid.

Same things were said last year, and Boone was one missed layup away from winning the region.

 

If the layup had gone in, Holmes would still have had 8 or 9 seconds to come down for one last shot. I would have liked Boone County's chances if it had been made but who can say for sure what would have happened next???

I do believe that Lother was the other guard. Wasnt Lother also Highlands leading assist man. He's a good guard. Kowolonek and Grote are both really good players, but I thought Lother was the PG.

 

Lother and Gordon split duties at the point guard position and rotated back in forth as starters.

You could be right, but remember, Boone has the confidence to beat Holmes and they know how to do it. They did it last year when many thought they wouldnt. Highlands will be good, and has a chance as well, but I do agree Holmes is still the team to beat. The old saying applies: "to be the man, you have to beat the man." With Holmes losing Riley, who had more steals and assists, and almost as many points per game as McFarland, and McFarland leaving Boone, but Popp stepping in and getting more playing time, it should be an interesting matchup.

 

McFarland will be missed this season because of his scoring and rebounding ability, and he took the spotlight off of some of the other guys so they could just go play. But, I think Boone will compete with Holmes this year, maybe more so than Highlands IMO.

 

I don't see how anyone can think Boone should be the favorite over Highlands next year with Highlands returning everyone from this past year and Boone losing 3 very good seniors. I also like Highlands chances a lot more against Holmes considering the game will be at Highlands, whereas Boone will have to travel to Covington.

 

Sure Holmes loses Riley, but they replace/reload with Kevon Arnold. I'll take Arnold over Popp any day of the week. Right now, Holmes and Highlands should be considered the two favorites with what they return. Boone is slightly behind Highlands.

 

I think it will be closer between #1 and #2 than it was last year. Heck, Boone beat Holmes once and lost by 3 in the regional championship last year after missing what could have been a game sealing layup. You never know!

 

I think it will be closer this year between #1 and #2 this year than last, but simply because Highlands returns their whole team and Holmes lost some key seniors. Holmes seems to reload after every year though so I wouldn't look too much in to them losing anyone.

I dont see how the #1 and #2 spots in the 9th region can be any closer than last year! Boone Co was the top team in the regular season with Holmes runnerup and Cov-Holmes was the Champs in the playoffs with Boone Co runnerup.

Boone lost 2 major players in McFarland and Brown. I didn't see any players last year who will be able to replace those two.

 

It might possibly be a little closer between #1 & #2 this year, but #2 will be Highlands not Boone.

 

Granted Trevan Brown is more of a PF, I think he could step in and put up the same numbers as Andrew Brown. I know McFarland is a loss for this team, but IMO Popp will step in this year and have big numbers for Boone (if he stays put). Also, Montgomery should see some good minutes and he is a solid 6'3" if not 6'4" and he can shoot the ball and defend the ball (by this I mean get up and block some shots and maybe poke a few steals). I know Highlands will be good and I respect your opinion, but IMO that number 2 spot will be more tightly contested than you think. Ronald Cotton will also play a key role. They have guys that can step in and supplement for what McFarland did. McFarland was really good at "being the guy" though. Someone for Boone will have to step into that role this year. I think it should be Gabbard.

Granted Trevan Brown is more of a PF, I think he could step in and put up the same numbers as Andrew Brown. I know McFarland is a loss for this team, but IMO Popp will step in this year and have big numbers for Boone (if he stays put). Also, Montgomery should see some good minutes and he is a solid 6'3" if not 6'4" and he can shoot the ball and defend the ball (by this I mean get up and block some shots and maybe poke a few steals). I know Highlands will be good and I respect your opinion, but IMO that number 2 spot will be more tightly contested than you think. Ronald Cotton will also play a key role. They have guys that can step in and supplement for what McFarland did. McFarland was really good at "being the guy" though. Someone for Boone will have to step into that role this year. I think it should be Gabbard.

 

Don't forget Boone also lost Spaulding who was a key piece off the bench.

I think a lot of the Boone faithful are underestimating Highlands big time. Boone has a lot of question marks. We can sit here and say a group of players as a whole can replace Mcfarland, but do you realize what he meant to that team? His passing ability was very underrated and he set his teammates up more than anyone else on that team. Most of all, his leadership will be greatly missed. Without Mcfarland, they don't even make it out of the district last year IMO.

 

Gabbard and Popp are solid guards, but to compete with Holmes and Highlands, you're going to have to have an inside game. Highlands front court is very deep with Grubbs, Dill, Watson, Smith-Keller, and Stewart. And of course Holmes will be stacked with athleticism and talent in the front court with Pittman, Rice, and either of the Johnson Brothers. There's also a rumor flying around that Avery of Conner may be at Holmes next year as well.

 

Boone will be solid next year, but I think it may be a two horse race.

Don't forget Boone also lost Spaulding who was a key piece off the bench.

I think a lot of the Boone faithful are underestimating Highlands big time. Boone has a lot of question marks. We can sit here and say a group of players as a whole can replace Mcfarland, but do you realize what he meant to that team? His passing ability was very underrated and he set his teammates up more than anyone else on that team. Most of all, his leadership will be greatly missed. Without Mcfarland, they don't even make it out of the district last year IMO.

 

Gabbard and Popp are solid guards, but to compete with Holmes and Highlands, you're going to have to have an inside game. Highlands front court is very deep with Grubbs, Dill, Watson, Smith-Keller, and Stewart. And of course Holmes will be stacked with athleticism and talent in the front court with Pittman, Rice, and either of the Johnson Brothers. There's also a rumor flying around that Avery of Conner may be at Holmes next year as well.

 

Boone will be solid next year, but I think it may be a two horse race.

 

To say that Gabbard is just a solid guard is an understatement. He is one of the best in NKY. Boone will have solid post play with Earls and if T. Brown steps into his role. I dont underestimate Highlands by any means, I think they will be very good. It is my opinion that those of you who seem to really like Highlands are underestimating Boone County. Lets not forget that Highlands will have a new coach to learn under too, which likely means adjustments. How will those kids respond? (Im sure they'll do just fine, but thats another thing to think about)

Wow. You heard a rumor of Avery going to Holmes... Why would he want to do that??? I cant see him leaving Conner where he will be a stud, to possibly sit on the bench behind J. Johnson.

To say that Gabbard is just a solid guard is an understatement. He is one of the best in NKY.

 

I'll disagree slightly.

 

He is the BEST PG in NKY. Period.

I'll disagree slightly.

 

He is the BEST PG in NKY. Period.

 

 

 

I agree.

Wow. You heard a rumor of Avery going to Holmes... Why would he want to do that??? I cant see him leaving Conner where he will be a stud, to possibly sit on the bench behind J. Johnson.

 

 

Not a rumor.

I'll disagree slightly.

 

He is the BEST PG in NKY. Period.

 

I dont disagree.