The 2001 Conner Cougars with Marcus Johnson, Jeremy Stevenson, and Terry Johnson stand out in my mind as a great team that didn't win the 9th Region title. They lost in Double OT in the finals against Highlands @ Holmes with Neltner as a Sophomore and Guidugli as a senior. Highlands was fairly sluggish that year until tourney time, and the 9th was very competitive with Ronnie Dawn of NCC in his senior year. Simon Kenton had a pretty good team with Brock as a Sophomore and Stowers controlling the rock. CovCath and Holmes were decent. Dixie was coming on with the Sophomore/Junior Bramalege brothers. St. Henry had Love etc... and took Conner to OT in the District semi's. Conner was tough and well rounded with smarts, good team play and great shooters. With their senior heavy team I think they could've represented the 9th well at Rupp that season, but just missed the chance by a hair. Highlands lost in the 1st round to a Russelville team that I think Conner could've faired better against.

 

I am trying to recall the Conner / CCH game in the 1st round of region. I remember that CCH had an errant inbounds pass that cost them the game, but I can't remember if CCH was leading or trailing at the time. Anyone?

Hester's family moved to Hebron originally and Mike attended Conner his 8th grade year. I'm almost positive he single handedly led either the Conner 8th grade or 9th grade team to the league championship.

 

His freshman year they moved to Independence where he attended SK. Edmondson's mom lived in Independence (out off Decoursey) but he attended Holmes since his mom worked for the Covington Independent School System.

 

Nate attended SK with Mike his frosh year and then both came back to Holmes their soph year. Mike eventually left Holmes before the season started and went back to Sk but Nate stayed at Holmes for his soph and jr year.

 

Mike finished out his hs career at SK (I believe he would've had to sit out his soph year if he stayed at Holmes), Nate played at Holmes his soph and jr year but some off the court issues during his jr basketball season forced him to move to Gallatin Co with his dad where he played his senior year.

 

I agree if that group stayed together they would've been extremely tough state wide and IMO would've won atleast 1 state title.

 

Thanks...I really enjoyed watching Hester, I had class with NKU's head assistant and recruiter and I was always in his ear to snatch Hester...NKU had Bibbins at the time who turned out to be decent but I always thought Hester would have been a steal for the Norse and was probably better than Bibbins...It turns out that Hester is now at NKU but doesn't seem to be in the mix for whatever reason, he was very good at Union as a Frosh...I like to follow the local boys and I will follow Rico at Ohio and Hill at Illinois State...But where did Arrez wind up after Cincy St. and where did Rice end up after Columbus St. any idea?

Greg Rice told me he was playing for Detroit Univ. but I cant confirm he is on this seasons roster.

96' Holmes team was undefeated vs. NKY schools and there starting lineup were 4 year starters. They were ranked in the top 5 in state all year. Upset by HC in Regionals after beating them by 20 and 30 that season. Mike Flynn's final season as coach.

PG-Fred Conrad and Tim Sullivan

SG-Joe Rice

SF-Jim Humphries

PF-Bernard Evans

C- Mike Slusher

Greg Rice told me he was playing for Detroit Univ. but I cant confirm he is on this seasons roster.

 

I'll believe Rice is on a D1 team about 5 games after I see him on the floor.

At 5'9'', Mike Hester is going to have a lot of problems at a level as high as NKU wants to play.

At 5'9'', Mike Hester is going to have a lot of problems at a level as high as NKU wants to play.

 

He's just as big as Scott Bibbins was at NKU...And Mike also was all freshman at Union

I'll believe Rice is on a D1 team about 5 games after I see him on the floor.

 

Last I heard he really had turned things around at Columbus St. I think he was first team all American and also maintained very good grades!

Last I heard he really had turned things around at Columbus St. I think he was first team all American and also maintained very good grades!

 

Incorrect on the last part. He was at Gateway last year working on becoming eligible. He had a solid 2 years but was not an All-American.

Mod: Please delete this post.

Edited November 3, 201015 yr by B-Ball-fan
I meant to attach a quote to post.

I am trying to recall the Conner / CCH game in the 1st round of region. I remember that CCH had an errant inbounds pass that cost them the game, but I can't remember if CCH was leading or trailing at the time. Anyone?

 

It seems like it was a pretty decent game but I do not recall many details. Final score was Conner 61 - CovCath 56. Looking back to that season, Simon Kenton beat Conner in the district final and NewCath beat Highlands in their district final, so when Conner and Highlands met in the 9th Region finals they were both district runner-ups. Scott also had a decent team that year beating Simon Kenton, NewCath, Highlands, Dixie, Holmes and St. Henry in the regular season and then falling to NewCath in the 1st round of the Regional.

He's just as big as Scott Bibbins was at NKU...And Mike also was all freshman at Union

 

Bibbins is a better pure PG and has a better overall handle. That's why he played. He was very effective at NKU.

Bibbins is a better pure PG and has a better overall handle. That's why he played. He was very effective at NKU.

 

Wow, I'll agree to disagree...Bibbins was effective but to say he had a better overall handle is

1991 Holmes team had most of their state-runner up team back from 1990 (Hayes brothers, Pouncy, Kevin Elliers).

 

Holy Cross (With Houston & Mclendon) beat them at the buzzer in the regional final and went on the the state semi finals.

 

Highlands (Barlow, McSorley, Menefee) was #1 most of the '91 season beating Holmes early and that Holy Cross team on the final game of the regular season at Holy Cross.

 

Most thought Holmes or Highlands would win the region.

 

Actually SK was #1 in the region that season for a short time after defeating Holmes in the semis of the Famous Recipe tournament. We thought we were headed for the regional finals but Holy Cross (who we beat like a drum in the regular season) played a three man weave during the semis and Brad Saalfeld played a great game to beat us. I still remember sitting in the locker room after that loss, it was a heart breaker. With that being said, the regional final was a great game with a great atmosphere.

Wow, I'll agree to disagree...Bibbins was effective but to say he had a better overall handle is

 

I'm with Clyde. I thought Bibbins was the better PG. I thought he was going to be overmatched at NKU, but I was wrong. He actually went on to a pretty solid career at NKU. Much better than I would have ever dreamed for him, honestly.