Don't be surprised if Trimble County upsets a few teams this year. They have everyone back from last year. I know they only won 1 game last year, but they also played a lot of young players last year and now some of those young players have a year of playing Varisty ball. Teams will have to prepare more for them this year compared to last year. Does this mean they will win the district or region, no but they will sneak up on a few teams.

Since Simon has the most experience in the big games, I will give the nod to them as #1 for now. I do think the team that plays the best man defense will win it all and that is an area where Owen may have a disadvantage with their lack of size.

 

1. Simon Kenton

2. South Oldham

3. Anderson

4. Owen/Oldham

5. Walton Verona

 

 

Crazy 8s, it appears that you have nailed the pecking order pretty well.

 

If the past few years are any indication of the future, the defending champs have pretty much remained the champs -- that is until somebody dethroned them on their home court in the regional. At least that's the way it happened in 2008, when South Oldham beat Shelby Co. at Shelby, and then Simon Kenton beat Anderson Co. for its first of two titles. With this year's tourney being played at Simon, will this scenario play out again, or will Coach Stowers and the Lady Pioneers break the pattern? Hmmmm.

Don't sleep on Shelby. In a region that is wide open, Shelby has experience at guard and an athletic freshman in the frontcourt.

Other then the they're the champs until somebody beats them theory I really don't see what everyone sees in Simon Kenton this season. They have a major lack of size on the inside and have very small guards on the perimeter. Who's gonna be the big time scorer this season? How are they gonna defend the bigger teams?

 

The 8th is down this year and Simon will be competitive, but I find it really hard to view them as the favorites. Would be interested to hear more then just they are the defending champs argument.....

Wainscott can score very efficiently but would have rather passed the ball last year to Tolliver. Brown is also going to put points on the board for the pioneers. And if you questioning defending bigger teams it sounds like your questioning Jeff Stowers defense.

Wainscott can score very efficiently but would have rather passed the ball last year to Tolliver. Brown is also going to put points on the board for the pioneers. And if you questioning defending bigger teams it sounds like your questioning Jeff Stowers defense.

 

 

I didn't intend it as a knock on Stowers or the current players....The size just doesn't seem to be there this season. Last year the Figgins twins and Kayla Smith were big reasons the team defense was so successful. As important as Toliver was to the offense, Smith was that to the defense. I personally love their style of play, but I do question the effectiveness with the lack of size this team will have.

 

 

As far as the scorer goes, Im sure Wainscott can score but that doesn't seem to be her game. I have seen them play several times and can't remember watching her being a dynamic offensive scoring option. That's not a knock on her, it's just not her game. And Brown was a nice option off the bench last season and will be a nice player for the Lady Pioneers but it's hard to envision her as a big threat on the offensive end as well.

 

 

Simon will be a good team, I just don't see them being the best team in the 8th. Actually it wouldn't surprise me if Walton challenged them for the district this season (not that I am picking Walton, but it will be much closer then in previous years).

1. SO

2. Oldham

3. SK

4. Anderson Co.

5. Shelby Co.

6. Owen Co.

7. Walton

8. Carroll Co.

9. Gallatin Co.

10. Trimble Co.

11. Williamstown

12. Grant Co.

13. North Oldham

14. Henry Co.

15. Spencer Co.

16. Eminence

 

I feel it will come down who has the best supporting cast. The larger schools seem to have that more than the smaller ones. Can Owen, WV, Carroll or Gallatin step it up if Gayhart, Dixon, Devine or Hill get shut down. To me, that will be the difference between the top 5 I have listed and the rest of the field.

I feel it will come down who has the best supporting cast. The larger schools seem to have that more than the smaller ones. Can Owen, WV, Carroll or Gallatin step it up if Gayhart, Dixon, Devine or Hill get shut down. To me, that will be the difference between the top 5 I have listed and the rest of the field.

 

This statement says it all and I have been wondering the same thing. This is where South Oldham may have the advantage as they have a deep bench and lots of players who can step up and score. You just cannot focus on one player with them. An agressive pressure man-type defense seems to bother these teams so it will be interesting to see how they handle it.

Other then the they're the champs until somebody beats them theory I really don't see what everyone sees in Simon Kenton this season. They have a major lack of size on the inside and have very small guards on the perimeter. Who's gonna be the big time scorer this season? How are they gonna defend the bigger teams?

 

The 8th is down this year and Simon will be competitive, but I find it really hard to view them as the favorites. Would be interested to hear more then just they are the defending champs argument.....

 

I do understand your point but I give them the edge because of their hard-nosed defense and how that presents problems for most teams in the 8th region. Some of their players also have big time game experience from the state tournament which should also benefit them. There is a very good chance that they will get de-throned this year but I highly respect Jeff Stowers and what he gets his players to do on defense. No one other than Anderson has much size in the post position, so I am not sure if that is really much of a factor this year. If so, Anderson would have the edge there.

I think SO is the favorite, but someone will have to beat Simon at home to do it. No small task...

I think SO is the favorite, but someone will have to beat Simon at home to do it. No small task...

 

Is the girls' 8th at Simon this year?

Is the girls' 8th at Simon this year?

 

 

Yes.

Watch out for Katie Slavey of Walton. She has improved greatly and can really stroke it from the outside.

 

What was her 3-point percentage last year? I would say she has improved.

What was her 3-point percentage last year? I would say she has improved.

 

She was the top 3-point shooter on Walton last yr at around 36%, but you are right in saying she has improved. IMO: she should end up as one of the top shooters in the 8th this yr.

Other then the they're the champs until somebody beats them theory I really don't see what everyone sees in Simon Kenton this season. They have a major lack of size on the inside and have very small guards on the perimeter. Who's gonna be the big time scorer this season? How are they gonna defend the bigger teams?

 

The 8th is down this year and Simon will be competitive, but I find it really hard to view them as the favorites. Would be interested to hear more then just they are the defending champs argument.....

 

Don't underestimate the defense that is left. Those 3 state experienced players held many good big and small players to very low numbers last year. They are short on the size side and need some players to move up and step up.