“He’s so long and he’s learning how to post up and score in the post,” said Holmes coach David Henley. “Last year he didn’t know how to score in the post. Now he’s hard to handle one-on-one down there.”

 

.....Pittman finished with six rebounds, three blocks and three assists. He also hit three 3-pointers. Ricardo Johnson tallied 15 points to go with five rebounds, three blocks and two assists

 

Game story

 

 

After the game, Highlands coach Mike Flynn called Pittman “the most talented player in the state. Ricardo (Johnson) is the best player in the state, but Pittman’s the most talented.”

 

^^^Ryan Ernst blog

 

Where is he most talented player in the state going to play next year?

Where is he most talented player in the state going to play next year?

 

JUCO..

Avery played last night...didn't score, but I honestly don't remember him taking any shots either. He played a lot of minutes though and did a very good job defensively.

 

The thing about Demetrius is he's a very unselfish kid so he just goes out there and does what the coach tells him to do. Holmes is very lucky to have him apart of their team. Great team player.

It's good to know he played. I was worried that maybe he wasn't completely healed from his injury and aggravated it.

I have to agree with Sticky on his points. I thought that if Highlands would have went man to man a little sooner this game might have been closer. Holmes was up 18 I believe, before the switch was made. Nice to see Gordon and Lother on the floor at the same time. IMO this makes the Birds much more effective in the offensive end. To answer your question Q about Smith Keller, not much of a factor because of who they were playing. He needs space to get his shot off and it was not going to happen last night. Holmes shot lights out in the first half and that was the difference. If these two meet again down the road I think the Birds might have a chance of knocking them off.

 

Agreed-saw the same thing in the Seneca game when Highlands was playing against them in the Republic Bank tournament in Lexington over the holidays. Seneca drained 8 out 13 3's in the 1st half yet played zone most of the game. I believe Seneca ended up nailing 13/24 3's.

 

Match-ups that I was expecting to start the game:

 

Lother-Slusher

Kowolonek-R. Johnson

Grote-J. Johnson

Stewart-Rice

Watson-Pittman (I would have went with Watson's strength and experience in this match-up)

Agreed-saw the same thing in the Seneca game when Highlands was playing against them in the Republic Bank tournament in Lexington over the holidays. Seneca drained 8 out 13 3's in the 1st half yet played zone most of the game. I believe Seneca ended up nailing 13/24 3's.

 

Match-ups that I was expecting to start the game:

 

Lother-Slusher

Kowolonek-R. Johnson

Grote-J. Johnson

Stewart-Rice

Watson-Pittman (I would have went with Watson's strength and experience in this match-up)

 

I was getting text updates and I cant tell you how many messages I had where it said 3 ball after 3 ball. Coach Flynn was quoted as saying they scouted the Ryle game and they didnt shoot that way. Holmes seems to rise to the occasion in big games and IMO must not have brought it on that night they lost to Ryle.

 

Nice matchups though, I also think Watson would have been able to probably push Pittman out of the lane but since Pittman likes to hang around the 3pt line he wouldnt have to exert much force.

Might get blasted for this, and if I do it will be rightfully so. But here you go.

 

Holmes isn't going to make it out of the region. Too many discipline teams to play against in one week.

 

But, call it a challenge, I'm ready to eat crow.

Anyone have an update on Ben Watson? I read on Ryan Ernst blog that he injured his shoulder late in the game?

I was getting text updates and I cant tell you how many messages I had where it said 3 ball after 3 ball. Coach Flynn was quoted as saying they scouted the Ryle game and they didnt shoot that way. Holmes seems to rise to the occasion in big games and IMO must not have brought it on that night they lost to Ryle.

 

Nice matchups though, I also think Watson would have been able to probably push Pittman out of the lane but since Pittman likes to hang around the 3pt line he wouldnt have to exert much force.

 

Pittman has only taken five 3's over the last 5 games....three of those came in the Highlands game. He's been staying down in the post a lot lately and posting up, hence him having some pretty impressive performances lately.

Pittman has only taken five 3's over the last 5 games....three of those came in the Highlands game. He's been staying down in the post a lot lately and posting up, hence him having some pretty impressive performances lately.

 

If he keeps doing this, watch Rico's point totals go up also.

Pittman has only taken five 3's over the last 5 games....three of those came in the Highlands game. He's been staying down in the post a lot lately and posting up, hence him having some pretty impressive performances lately.

 

As well he should, anybody with his leaping ability and at 6'7 has no business outside the 3 point line. Seriously, he could dominate within 10 feet if he would learn some drop step moves as well as good pump fakes. Not many kids come along the pike with his talent and physical skills. It would behoove him to develop in this area ASAP if he wants to continue playing in college.

As well he should, anybody with his leaping ability and at 6'7 has no business outside the 3 point line. Seriously, he could dominate within 10 feet if he would learn some drop step moves as well as good pump fakes. Not many kids come along the pike with his talent and physical skills. It would behoove him to develop in this area ASAP if he wants to continue playing in college.

 

I have been wondering for 3yrs why he hasn't learned to play around the basket. It's about time!!!

Might get blasted for this, and if I do it will be rightfully so. But here you go.

 

Holmes isn't going to make it out of the region. Too many discipline teams to play against in one week.

 

But, call it a challenge, I'm ready to eat crow.

 

 

No team in the 9th is better than Holmes...especially when tourney time comes around. Holmes will make it to Rupp!!

No team in the 9th is better than Holmes...especially when tourney time comes around. Holmes will make it to Rupp!!

 

We shall see. They have laid a couple eggs this year, you better hope they dont lay one in the Tournament. I still think they miss a strong shooting PG in Riley as well as depth but if they play like they did agaisnt Highlands you might be right.

As well he should, anybody with his leaping ability and at 6'7 has no business outside the 3 point line. Seriously, he could dominate within 10 feet if he would learn some drop step moves as well as good pump fakes. Not many kids come along the pike with his talent and physical skills. It would behoove him to develop in this area ASAP if he wants to continue playing in college.

 

I have been wondering for 3yrs why he hasn't learned to play around the basket. It's about time!!!

 

As Coach Henley stated in the post game article, Pittman has really been working on his post game and improved in that area tremendously. It's shown lately. If he continues to do this, Holmes is going to be very tough to beat because no team in the region has a single player that can go one on one with him down low.

 

He has had stretches the past few games where he's scored 8-10 straight for Holmes, including this game where he scored 9 straight at the beginning of the 4th quarter.

Anyone have an update on Ben Watson? I read on Ryan Ernst blog that he injured his shoulder late in the game?

 

Again, does anyone know Watson's status?