I wouldn't go that far. I'd say there are atleast 2 guard combinations better than those two:

 

Ricardo and Jeremiah Johnson- Holmes

Stephen Kowolonek and George Grote- Highlands

 

I agree with you for now, and certainly as of last year because we didnt get to see much of Popp and Gabbard. But, I would really like to see this tandem this year. It would be interesting. But, I would say the Johnson bros. have the best guard combo in NKY right now and probably for this season. But, I think Popp and Gabbard could compete with Kowolonek and Grote for the 2 spot.

I've seen CovCath play a few times this summer (and am seeing them again tonight) and I'm looking forward to this year.

 

Wellbrock seems to have improved his ability to finish and dramatically improved his free throws. Thelen is unstoppable when he gets in a rhythm on the court- problem is, it takes him some time to get there, and CovCath's offense (which hasn't looked to the post in years) can make his touches few and far between. Those two together down low should be solid.

 

I also look forward to seeing Machinot and Pauly on the floor at the same time. While neither are superb ball-handlers, they are both players with good court vision and speed. Max should be a real leader for the team this year.

 

Austin Hudepohl and Stephen Wilson are two very, very athletic players who can make plays happen. Austin can really get up for someone his size. CCH soccer star Trey Evans has been with the team all spring and this summer and he is an excellent (while a bit streaky) shooter who has the athleticism and first step to get to the basket.

 

Cole Heimbrock is probably the teams most consistent and well-rounded player- he does a bit of everything and he does it well. I look for him and Max to provide some consistency and leadership for this team which lacked it last year.

 

Should be an improved year for the Colonels- I'm not sure I can make it through another year like last.

I agree with you for now, and certainly as of last year because we didnt get to see much of Popp and Gabbard. But, I would really like to see this tandem this year. It would be interesting. But, I would say the Johnson bros. have the best guard combo in NKY right now and probably for this season. But, I think Popp and Gabbard could compete with Kowolonek and Grote for the 2 spot.

 

I gave Kowolonek/Grote the edge over Gabbard/Popp because I feel Grote is the better all around player when compared to Popp. Kowolonek and Gabbard is a toss up. Kowolonek is a better scorer but Gabbard is more of a floor general.

Who is Popp playing AAU with this summer?

 

A Shining Stars team in Cincy.

I wouldn't go that far. I'd say there are atleast 2 guard combinations better than those two:

 

Ricardo and Jeremiah Johnson- Holmes

Stephen Kowolonek and George Grote- Highlands

 

I don't consider J. Johnson a guard. He is a 3.

 

Kowolonek is a 2/3. Great rebounder and scorer but does not have the ball handling ability of the Boone guards, and his outside shot is not as good. The Boone guards are true guards. Grote is a good defender, but doesn't have the same handling and passing ability or quickness. JMO.

Could this Popp debacle of last year be do to the play of McFarland? I mean, he seemed to be a combo of positions 1-3 at times. Just a thought.

 

McFarland had a great year and deserved to play. Popp had slid down to 7th to 9th in the rotation by the end of the season. He is better than that. Was in the top 4-5 IMO.

I gave Kowolonek/Grote the edge over Gabbard/Popp because I feel Grote is the better all around player when compared to Popp. Kowolonek and Gabbard is a toss up. Kowolonek is a better scorer but Gabbard is more of a floor general.

 

Grote is stronger and a better rebounder than Popp. Both are good defenders. Popp has more quickness and slashing ability and is a better passer and ball handler. Kowolonek is very good. I love his game. He plays hard and is always in the right place. He seems like a good kid, too. I think he is the best all-around player of the 4, but I think he plays more like a small 3 than a 2. True that Gabbard is a good floor general.

Holmes is still the team to beat!

I don't consider J. Johnson a guard. He is a 3.

 

Kowolonek is a 2/3. Great rebounder and scorer but does not have the ball handling ability of the Boone guards, and his outside shot is not as good. The Boone guards are true guards. Grote is a good defender, but doesn't have the same handling and passing ability or quickness. JMO.

 

JJ played a 3 this past season on offense and defense, but he is more of a wing than a forward. You'll see him bring the ball up this coming season along with Ricardo, which is why I had them in the guard conversation. Both Ricardo and JJ will be guards at the collegiate level as well, as that is what they play on their AAU team.

 

Of the 4, Grote is the best outside shooter at 34%. Neither Popp nor Gabbard shot over 30% from beyond the arc so I wouldn't consider them very strong from outside either. Kowolonek also had the highest FG % at 50% on the year.

 

Grote is a lot quicker than you're giving him credit for and has some pretty good handles and passing ability. Also, in 2 games against Highlands this past season, Gabbard/Popp combined for just 6 assists. Neither Gabbard nor Popp play as good of defense as those two...IMO. Kowolonek/Grote outscored both in both games. (27-14...18-5)

 

Grote is stronger and a better rebounder than Popp. Both are good defenders. Popp has more quickness and slashing ability and is a better passer and ball handler. Kowolonek is very good. I love his game. He plays hard and is always in the right place. He seems like a good kid, too. I think he is the best all-around player of the 4, but I think he plays more like a small 3 than a 2. True that Gabbard is a good floor general.

 

With all due respect, no way Popp has more quickness or slashing ability than Grote. Grote always draws the duty of guarding the opposing teams' quickest player and is still considered one of the top defensive players in the region. Popp wasn't seeing the floor this past season for a reason. I don't mean to get down on the kid because he is a great person, but overall Grote has the better all around game both offensively and defensively.

JJ played a 3 this past season on offense and defense, but he is more of a wing than a forward. You'll see him bring the ball up this coming season along with Ricardo, which is why I had them in the guard conversation. Both Ricardo and JJ will be guards at the collegiate level as well, as that is what they play on their AAU team.

 

Of the 4, Grote is the best outside shooter at 34%. Neither Popp nor Gabbard shot over 30% from beyond the arc so I wouldn't consider them very strong from outside either. Kowolonek also had the highest FG % at 50% on the year.

 

Grote is a lot quicker than you're giving him credit for and has some pretty good handles and passing ability. Also, in 2 games against Highlands this past season, Gabbard/Popp combined for just 6 assists. Neither Gabbard nor Popp play as good of defense as those two...IMO. Kowolonek/Grote outscored both in both games. (27-14...18-5)

 

 

 

With all due respect, no way Popp has more quickness or slashing ability than Grote. Grote always draws the duty of guarding the opposing teams' quickest player and is still considered one of the top defensive players in the region. Popp wasn't seeing the floor this past season for a reason. I don't mean to get down on the kid because he is a great person, but overall Grote has the better all around game both offensively and defensively.

 

Popp and Gabbard probably had their worst seasons ever shooting the 3 last season. Popp and Gabbard are both usually in the 37% or higher range on their school and AAU teams. The 3 was not emphasized/encouraged at Boone last season, therefore, the guards did not have confidence in that shot and hesitated/second guessed whenever they took one. Popp probably didn't see the floor due to clashes with the coaches, not because of ability. No way that Grote is quicker than Popp or Gabbard. Physically stronger than Popp, yes. I've watched all of these boys boys play in school and AAU ball for several years, and we will have to disagree on that one. You are entitled to your opinion. All are fine players though. Highlands starting guards are Lother and Grote, if I'm not mistaken. Gabbard and Popp are a better overall combination than those two. I think you'll see both Gabbard and Popp play somewhere in college. Word has it that both have been drawing interest from small D1 down to D2 and D3 teams from AAU ball.

 

Neither Popp nor Gabbard guarded Kowolonek in either game, and vice versa, and Grote and Popp were on each other for only a few minutes. Heck, Popp didn't even play more than a minute or two in the second game. Most of Kowolonek's field goals are inside and stickbacks.

 

Boone's offense was geared toward McFarland and Earls scoring last year, not toward the guards.

Holmes is still the team to beat!

 

Definitely, but I think Highlands and Boone will stilll have a shot.

Definitely, but I think Highlands and Boone will stilll have a shot.

 

While I agree that Highlands and Boone have a shot to possibly beat Holmes, IMO it is a long shot.

 

I actually would say that Highlands has a better shot to beat Holmes than Boone does. Highlands has better overall talent and a much better coach.

McFarland had a great year and deserved to play. Popp had slid down to 7th to 9th in the rotation by the end of the season. He is better than that. Was in the top 4-5 IMO.

 

Yeah, I agree he had a good season. He was "the guy" on that team last year. But, I just wondered with his ability to play the 2/3, and even the 1, if that had to do with Popp not playing as much...

Popp and Gabbard probably had their worst seasons ever shooting the 3 last season. Popp and Gabbard are both usually in the 37% or higher range on their school and AAU teams. The 3 was not emphasized/encouraged at Boone last season, therefore, the guards did not have confidence in that shot and hesitated/second guessed whenever they took one. Popp probably didn't see the floor due to clashes with the coaches, not because of ability. No way that Grote is quicker than Popp or Gabbard. Physically stronger than Popp, yes. I've watched all of these boys boys play in school and AAU ball for several years, and we will have to disagree on that one. You are entitled to your opinion. All are fine players though. Highlands starting guards are Lother and Grote, if I'm not mistaken. Gabbard and Popp are a better overall combination than those two. I think you'll see both Gabbard and Popp play somewhere in college. Word has it that both have been drawing interest from small D1 down to D2 and D3 teams from AAU ball.

 

Neither Popp nor Gabbard guarded Kowolonek in either game, and vice versa, and Grote and Popp were on each other for only a few minutes. Heck, Popp didn't even play more than a minute or two in the second game. Most of Kowolonek's field goals are inside and stickbacks.

 

Boone's offense was geared toward McFarland and Earls scoring last year, not toward the guards.

 

 

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.

While I agree that Highlands and Boone have a shot to possibly beat Holmes, IMO it is a long shot.

 

I actually would say that Highlands has a better shot to beat Holmes than Boone does. Highlands has better overall talent and a much better coach.

 

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.