It's possible, but if every shot is criticized and held under a microscope by the coaches, the shooters won't have/gain the confidence they need, and they will be hesitant. Thamann can catch fire sometimes, but he won't see a lot of PT because of his defense/ball handling/size. He is streaky. Popp is capable. He has shot about that from outside his sophomore season. 40% is pretty darned good. I don't think too many high school kids shoot that for an entire season.

 

I believe the half court game is not condusive to their personnel. I know there have been a least a couple of players unhappy and some seniors not return each of the last few years for one reason or another, but I don't know the reasons. I've also heard parents grumble, but this might be true of a lot of teams. I don't think there were any issues at all between the players. As far as I could tell, they all got along well. I'd like to see Boone open it up this year.

 

Agree with your initial statement; it is all about confidence. As for playing a half court game I thought we had one heck of a year last year. And yes parents complain on all teams and it is always the one's where their kid is not playing. We are fortunate in a way we have 10 plus kids that could start on most teams!!! :walk:

Montgomery may be better offensively in the open court, but lots of atheltic guys, such as these are. However, Montgomery can play defense in the halfcourt. The kid has long arms and legs, which allows him to get a wide base, and can keep his hands active in the opposers shot pocket. He also has solid recovery skills and the ability to get up and block shots.

 

In regards to halfcourt offense, give Montgomery some time against the varsity squads around the state and to work within his own varsity squad and he'll be fine. The kid can be a difference maker. I think he also has the ability to take over games (he may not need to as a junior with popp/gabbard), but this will help Boone in his senior season.

 

He is a good shot blocker. Probably would help to have more upper body strength. I think he will be one of the top players in the 9th region his senior year.

Please tell me what this class has won at the middle school level, AAU and High School? Correct me if i'm wrong, but I don't believe they have won a championship at any level. I was talking to a good friend the other day, and we were talking about how this class has actually under achieved and fallen short of expectations. Let's see what they can do this year. I am not sure what the problem is?? Perhaps unrealistic expectations were placed on this group way to early.

 

Middle school Ockerman finished in the top 3 teams in the state tournament. RA Jones finished in the top 5. Ockerman won one Boone-Kenton conference championship and finished runner up another year. Boone boys played on the KY Patriots and various Shining Stars teams. Earls, Popp, and Gabbard have been on 4-5 KY state AAU champs with different teams and medaled at nationals a couple of times. I don't believe any of them have played on a losing team. District, conference championships at Boone last year, and regional runner-up to the eventual state champion by virtue of a 3-point loss. Those aren't bad results.

Wasn't that the case last year as well? I like both Gabbard and Popp but I think the problem for Boone is that their strength of getting out and running is also the strength of Holmes. However, when Boone has to slow it down the size and length of Holmes guarding Gabbard and Popp hurts Boone. If I'm not mistaken last year in the regional finals Gabbard only scored 2 points.

 

True, but that may have had more to do with the slow-down half-court game that Boone played. Should be fun to watch. Boone and Holmes had a very close scrimmage game this summer too.

Agree with your initial statement; it is all about confidence. As for playing a half court game I thought we had one heck of a year last year. And yes parents complain on all teams and it is always the one's where their kid is not playing. We are fortunate in a way we have 10 plus kids that could start on most teams!!! :walk:

 

Good point, although I've heard parents of past starters complain in the stands for various reasons too...

There seems to be some question of Boone changing their 'system'. Let me see that 'system' got them to a 26-5 record last year and 21-8 the year before. Last year they came within a bucket of beating the eventual State Champs and held Holmes to their two lowest point totals of the season - 38 when Boone won during the season and 32 in the Regional finals. Sounds like a pretty good 'system' to me.

Holmes is the favorite again but will not run the table, IMO. Same thing was said each of the last two years, and it did not happen.

 

Holmes is the clear cut favorite. Their athleticism is far ahead of almost any team they play, which includes Boone or Highlands.

 

I have heard from some reliable sources that the Holmes players are working harder than ever before. These kids realize that they have a chance of doing something so special that no other 9th region team will ever be able to do, win back to back state championships.

There seems to be some question of Boone changing their 'system'. Let me see that 'system' got them to a 26-5 record last year and 21-8 the year before. Last year they came within a bucket of beating the eventual State Champs and held Holmes to their two lowest point totals of the season - 38 when Boone won during the season and 32 in the Regional finals. Sounds like a pretty good 'system' to me.

 

Playing devil's advocate, perhaps adjusting the system takes them to 27-4 and a regional championship, and 23-5 the previous year instead. Boone also scored very low in those games. I've never been a fan of deliberate stall ball like Princeton used to play against the big schools. It only works once in a great while, IMO. The infamous UK/UC game awhile back may have been a fairly close game point-wise, but it was nowhere near changing the end result.

There seems to be some question of Boone changing their 'system'. Let me see that 'system' got them to a 26-5 record last year and 21-8 the year before. Last year they came within a bucket of beating the eventual State Champs and held Holmes to their two lowest point totals of the season - 38 when Boone won during the season and 32 in the Regional finals. Sounds like a pretty good 'system' to me.

 

And the sad part is that a group of parents tried to run McQuery out of town a couple of years ago.

Holmes is the favorite again but will not run the table, IMO. Same thing was said each of the last two years, and it did not happen.

 

Whether they run the table the ninth or not I don't think they are concerned as long as their cutting the nets down again.

 

Would not be surprised one bit if they actually go undefeated in the ninth though.

Holmes is the clear cut favorite. Their athleticism is far ahead of almost any team they play, which includes Boone or Highlands.

 

I have heard from some reliable sources that the Holmes players are working harder than ever before. These kids realize that they have a chance of doing something so special that no other 9th region team will ever be able to do, win back to back state championships.

 

If you can honestly predict "that no other 9th region team will ever be able to do, win back to back state championships", please send me next weeks winning lottery numbers while you are at it. That's an elementary statement because no one really knows the future ability of schools to come. Holmes will be a great team this year, but they won't be the only one. Their athletic ability can be matched or countered by some good coaching and a string of luck such as a made last second second lay up instead of a missed one. Anything can happen, that's why we have a tip off to let the coaches and kids decide who wins. I look forward to a good year of everyone giving Holmes their best shot and if they can't beat them, at least they will make them better so they can represent the 9th again with another state title.

Is the system what got the wins or the talent? Except the loaded 2004 class at Boone, up until the last few years with the 2009 and 2010 classes coming through, the results don't seem to be as desirable. An argument can be made that they may even do better with some adjustments. Nobody remembers the runners up in the long run. If what they did last year didn't win them a regional championship, I say try something different, IMO. Don't be satisfied with a runner up finish. I know the players aren't. It will be awhile before a class as good overall as this 2010 class comes through Boone again[/B]. Wins have followed this class of Boone players throughout their basketball careers, all the way from middle school and AAU ball into high school ball.

 

The class of 2011 won a Freshman Championship and a JV Championship and the class of 2012 won a Freshman Championship? Boone's team will be better in the 2011 season than this year's team.

If you can honestly predict "that no other 9th region team will ever be able to do, win back to back state championships", please send me next weeks winning lottery numbers while you are at it. That's an elementary statement because no one really knows the future ability of schools to come. Holmes will be a great team this year, but they won't be the only one. Their athletic ability can be matched or countered by some good coaching and a string of luck such as a made last second second lay up instead of a missed one. Anything can happen, that's why we have a tip off to let the coaches and kids decide who wins. I look forward to a good year of everyone giving Holmes their best shot and if they can't beat them, at least they will make them better so they can represent the 9th again with another state title.

 

You do realize that the state tournament has been around for 90yrs + and the 9th region has only two teams that have won the championship.

 

No one can predict the future with 100% certainty, but you honestly think some possible team in the future will have a chance of doing what Holmes has a chance of doing this year? Talk about elementary thinking!

If you can honestly predict "that no other 9th region team will ever be able to do, win back to back state championships", please send me next weeks winning lottery numbers while you are at it. That's an elementary statement because no one really knows the future ability of schools to come. Holmes will be a great team this year, but they won't be the only one. Their athletic ability can be matched or countered by some good coaching and a string of luck such as a made last second second lay up instead of a missed one. Anything can happen, that's why we have a tip off to let the coaches and kids decide who wins. I look forward to a good year of everyone giving Holmes their best shot and if they can't beat them, at least they will make them better so they can represent the 9th again with another state title.

 

The run Holmes is on is unprecedented in the 9th region. No 9th region program has had the success that Holmes is having right now. You won't see anything like it soon, if ever from another 9th region program.

And the sad part is that a group of parents tried to run McQuery out of town a couple of years ago.

 

Agree and what a shame. For those of you.becareful, what you wish for... the grass is not always greener on the otherside.