Saw this on Rick Broering's nkysportsblog...very interesting picks:

 

1. Holmes

2. Covcath

3. Dixie

4. Newcath

5. Highlands

6. Ryle

7. Boone Co

8. Holy Cross

9. Conner

10. Walton Verona

 

Thoughts?

Saw this on Rick Broering's nkysportsblog...very interesting picks:

 

1. Holmes

2. Covcath

3. Dixie

4. Newcath

5. Highlands

6. Ryle

7. Boone Co

8. Holy Cross

9. Conner

10. Walton Verona

 

Thoughts?

 

Initial thought would be when did they move Walton Verona back into the 9th Region!

Bump Cov Cath, Highlands, and Ryle down some. Move Conner way up. Move Boone up.:

 

1. Conner

2. Dixie

3. Boone Co.

4. Holmes

5. New Cath

6. Holy Cross

1. Conner

2. Boone Co

3. Dixie

4. Holmes

5. Cov Cath

6. New Cath

7. Ryle

8. Highlands

9. St. Henry

10. Holy Cross

 

Beechwood may crack the top 10 by midseason with some returning young starters coming back.

I was very surprised Conner and Boone were picked so low. They return a lot next year.

 

I'd probably go with the following:

 

1. Conner

2. Boone

3. Holmes

4. Dixie

5. Covcath

6. Ryle

7. Highlands

8. Newcath

9. Holy Cross

10. St. Henry

 

I'm with Q in that Beechwood could be a surprise team this year. They were very young last year and still had a pretty solid season.

Is it too far-fetched to think that Holmes could possibly come in to the season as #1 again?

 

They actually have a lot more depth this year than last and I've heard they recently added another transfer. 6'4 G Manny Nelson. For those who are familiar with Holmes, this is former Holmes' player Josh Nelson's younger brother and from what I hear, Manny is much better than big brother.

 

They also have that talented sophomore class coming up who made the freshman championship without McClendon even apart of the team.

 

With Booher allowing these guys to use their athleticism, I think they may be better than some of us (myself included) think this year.

I was very surprised Conner and Boone were picked so low. They return a lot next year.

 

I'd probably go with the following:

 

1. Conner

2. Boone

3. Holmes

4. Dixie

5. Covcath

6. Ryle

7. Highlands

8. Newcath

9. Holy Cross

10. St. Henry

 

I'm with Q in that Beechwood could be a surprise team this year. They were very young last year and still had a pretty solid season.

 

Hard to disagree with anyone's picks with everyone being pretty much equal. Whoever gets hot at end of the year will have an opportunity to get to Rupp. My early season pick for top team would probably be Dixie. High school basketball is a guards game and they have the best combo with Hatton and Trammell. If NewCath can get some solid guard play at the point they are a top 5 team. Same with Highlands, if they can get some good play at the point I think they are a top 5 team.

 

Beechwood is a top 10 team right now with what they have returning and could be a darkhorse to win their district and make some noise in regional.

 

1.Dixie

2. NewCath

3. Conner

4. Highlands

5. Boone Co

6. Holmes

7.CovCath

8.Beechwood

9. Ryle

10. Holy Cross

Hard to disagree with anyone's picks with everyone being pretty much equal. Whoever gets hot at end of the year will have an opportunity to get to Rupp. My early season pick for top team would probably be Dixie. High school basketball is a guards game and they have the best combo with Hatton and Trammell. If NewCath can get some solid guard play at the point they are a top 5 team. Same with Highlands, if they can get some good play at the point I think they are a top 5 team.

 

Beechwood is a top 10 team right now with what they have returning and could be a darkhorse to win their district and make some noise in regional.

 

1.Dixie

2. NewCath

3. Conner

4. Highlands

5. Boone Co

6. Holmes

7.CovCath

8.Beechwood

9. Ryle

10. Holy Cross

 

I just can't really see Beechwood as a top 10 team to start the season and I definetly wouldn't have them ahead of either Ryle or Holy Cross.

 

Ryle will have one of the better front court duos this year with Vollet and Stauffer and they should get decent guard play out of Stinson and Perkins.

 

Holy Cross returns everyone from last year's team that beat Beechwood. (Outside of Lea) They also will have Jaylen Beal this year that will see time in the backcourt and also Christian McClendon who transferred from Holmes. McClendon is a top 15 player in the state for his class. If anyone is a darkhorse to with the 35th, it's the Indians.

 

I also don't see either Newcath or Highlands being better than Holmes this year. Both of those teams will lack guard play this coming season which will hurt them when they play a team like Holmes who will press the entire game and put a lot of pressure on the backcourt.

 

Dixie may end up the best team in the 9th, but I just don't see it. They will lack depth next year and outside of Pike, they have no inside game whatsoever. Against teams who have a good big man like Highlands, Ryle, Conner, Holmes, and Boone (to name a few), you'll see Dixie struggle some.

I just can't really see Beechwood as a top 10 team to start the season and I definetly wouldn't have them ahead of either Ryle or Holy Cross.

 

Ryle will have one of the better front court duos this year with Vollet and Stauffer and they should get decent guard play out of Stinson and Perkins.

 

Holy Cross returns everyone from last year's team that beat Beechwood. (Outside of Lea) They also will have Jaylen Beal this year that will see time in the backcourt and also Christian McClendon who transferred from Holmes. McClendon is a top 15 player in the state for his class. If anyone is a darkhorse to with the 35th, it's the Indians.

 

I also don't see either Newcath or Highlands being better than Holmes this year. Both of those teams will lack guard play this coming season which will hurt them when they play a team like Holmes who will press the entire game and put a lot of pressure on the backcourt.

 

Dixie may end up the best team in the 9th, but I just don't see it. They will lack depth next year and outside of Pike, they have no inside game whatsoever. Against teams who have a good big man like Highlands, Ryle, Conner, Holmes, and Boone (to name a few), you'll see Dixie struggle some.

 

Hightchew from NewCath got a lot of experience last year playing in the same back court as Pangallo. I think he will make a smooth transition to the point and Giesler is a POY candidate.

 

While Dixie might lack front court depth their guards will create match up problems.

 

You can shuffle the deck in the 9th next year and probably not be too far off with any prediction. There is a lot of very average teams in the 9th next year and as mentioned in another thread probably not a team that could legitimately be considered a top 20-25 team in the state.

Holmes will be interesting to see with the new style of play but many unproven players at this point, atleast at the varsity level. Outside of Hayes I really dont know what to expect from them except to probably see a blur of them flying up and down the court.

 

Highlands will need to get solid play out of their PG Al Dean and Crowley and Egan will have to provide some additional scoring to go along with POY Candidate Jack Stewart. Once Towles gets in basketball shape and adds some additional size in the paint as well as offensive capability they should be strong heading into Districts. I would also expect some solid sophomores to add some depth to this year's squad.

 

Dixie will have a great guard combo in Trammell and Hatton. Zach Young is also a rising sophomore so watch out for that kid. Pike will be the only size they have and if he gets in foul trouble other teams will have their way down low.

 

Boone Co returns a very solid group of JVers from last year and with Brown/Montgomery leading the way they will contend for the Region. Conner is also my darkhorse to win it but I am not very familiar with their squad. I just know they have good guards and the big 6'7 kid who can face up and score. Hicks is a very good coach who could lead them to the title.

Unlike past seasons this upcoming season will see upto 5 or 6 teams that can win the region.

 

CCH can compete for the region if they get good PG play.

Conner should be good.

Boone should be good but don't underestimate the loss of Gabbard and Cotton. PG , like CCH, is the key issue. If they get it they'll contend.

 

I like Dixie as well assuming their PG stays healthy.

 

The overrated team IMO will be Highlands.

Unlike past seasons this upcoming season will see upto 5 or 6 teams that can win the region.

 

CCH can compete for the region if they get good PG play.

Conner should be good.

Boone should be good but don't underestimate the loss of Gabbard and Cotton. PG , like CCH, is the key issue. If they get it they'll contend.

 

I like Dixie as well assuming their PG stays healthy.

 

The overrated team IMO will be Highlands.[/QUOTE]

 

You may be surpirsed in that statement. Jack Stewart was dealing this summer against National competition and will lead the Birds. The key will be the other 3 Sr's who have minimal varsity experience. If they do not show up then your statement will likely be correct. If they play like they can and contribute then they will surprise some teams.

You may be surpirsed in that statement. Jack Stewart was dealing this summer against National competition and will lead the Birds. The key will be the other 3 Sr's who have minimal varsity experience. If they do not show up then your statement will likely be correct. If they play like they can and contribute then they will surprise some teams.

 

 

All I can on is what I saw last year. Obviously, kids improve year to year. I just don't see enough there to contend.

Hightchew from NewCath got a lot of experience last year playing in the same back court as Pangallo. I think he will make a smooth transition to the point and Giesler is a POY candidate.

 

While Dixie might lack front court depth their guards will create match up problems.

 

You can shuffle the deck in the 9th next year and probably not be too far off with any prediction. There is a lot of very average teams in the 9th next year and as mentioned in another thread probably not a team that could legitimately be considered a top 20-25 team in the state.

 

Hightchew may have gotten experience last year but can you honestly say he's a good enough compliment to Geisler to bump them up to #2 in your rankings? Especially when teams like Boone, Holmes, Ryle, and Conner all bring back much more?

 

One thing's for sure in your post though...the 9th will be really wide open and likely come down to whoever can get hot late in the season and maintain that momentum through post season play.

Holmes will be interesting to see with the new style of play but many unproven players at this point, atleast at the varsity level. Outside of Hayes I really dont know what to expect from them except to probably see a blur of them flying up and down the court.

 

From what I've heard, Holmes has been a well oiled scoring maching over the summer and putting up 85-90 points consistently on teams. How that transitions to the regular season is still left to be seen, but this team has a lot more talent than a lot of people realize.

 

Dontel Rice (6'5 younger brother of Kevon) , from what I hear, has easily been the best player on that team so far over the summer. Add 6'6 Kevon, 6'1 Hayes, 6'2 Gray, 5'11 Mayfield, and 6'4 Nelson and you have a pretty solid nucleus to go with a junior class that includes 6'1 Charles Knox, 6'5 David Hoskins, and 6'9 big man David Stephens. Stephens has been mentioned several times by Demling as a player to really watch this coming season because of his improved play on the AAU circuit.

 

Throw in a very solid sophomore class led by 6'4 Peterson, 6'1 Englemon, 6'1 Coston, and 6'0 Palmer to that group and this team will be loaded with depth and athleticism next year. I'd compare this team to the 2008 team, as far as quality depth goes and style of play.

 

Holmes should also get pretty solid pg play this season out of jr to be JaKeith Pitts. HE has been playing with the NKY HEat this summer and really showing out. His quickness makes him extremely tough to defend. After sitting out last season, he seems to be rejuvenated and ready to get back out there. Anyone who saw this kid as a freshman knows how talented he is.

Highlands will need to get solid play out of their PG Al Dean and Crowley and Egan will have to provide some additional scoring to go along with POY Candidate Jack Stewart. Once Towles gets in basketball shape and adds some additional size in the paint as well as offensive capability they should be strong heading into Districts. I would also expect some solid sophomores to add some depth to this year's squad.

 

I actually think this year's personnel will fit in to Coach Flynn's "system" a lot better than last year's team. Stewart will anchor the post and be a reliable scoring option for the Birds all year and the addition of True and Towles down low should both take a lot of pressure off of him.

 

Dixie will have a great guard combo in Trammell and Hatton. Zach Young is also a rising sophomore so watch out for that kid. Pike will be the only size they have and if he gets in foul trouble other teams will have their way down low.

 

I agree. Trammel and Hatton can only take this team so far though. I'd look for other teams to attack Dixie down low and get Pike in foul trouble which is the reason why I think the Red Colonels might be a litle overrated this season. It's been shown in the past that depth wins championships in this region and with Dixie lacking depth, I just can't see them as a team that can seriously challenge for the region championship.

 

On a side note, I do think Parker Stansberry (sp?) could have a breakout year this coming season for the Red Colonels. At 6'4, he has multiple dimensions to his game both inside and out.

 

Boone Co returns a very solid group of JVers from last year and with Brown/Montgomery leading the way they will contend for the Region. Conner is also my darkhorse to win it but I am not very familiar with their squad. I just know they have good guards and the big 6'7 kid who can face up and score. Hicks is a very good coach who could lead them to the title.

 

Experience wise, Boone and Conner are the two safest picks when talking about top 3-5 teams in the region this coming year.