That's incorrect. The people running the Bluegrass/Buckeye Classic canceled Mason County, Mason didn't cancel anything. Unreal. Simply canceling a team out. I have heard in the past that this event is not run very well but their schedule for tomorrow is wacked.

 

I would much rather see my buddies from Mason County playing Sunday. But guess what, no one cares what I think!

It's wrong and news to people in Maysville.

So the fast approaching winter storm and the warnings (Link) for Maysville and Northern Kentucky had nothing to do with Mason not playing Sunday?

 

Honestly, I am like paNDA! I would much rather see Mason County play but honestly I thought it was a rather smart move by them when I was told.

 

BTW Mason County will come to Park Hills to play CovCath on Tuesday February 08th so paNDA and I will still get to see the Royals play!

We shall see if Mason County is coming up.

That's incorrect. The people running the Bluegrass/Buckeye Classic canceled Mason County, Mason didn't cancel anything. Unreal. Simply canceling a team out. I have heard in the past that this event is not run very well but their schedule for tomorrow is wacked.

 

Some of the folks trying to run this event aren't the sharpest tools in the shed, so this wouldn't shock me. :popcorn:

As for this game. As Walter stated, Holmes won't see this type of athleticism in Northern Kentucky this year. A team that is fast enough to stay with Holmes will be their toughest matchup this season. Holmes will handle teams with size better than a really fast team. Fortunately for the Bulldogs, there aren't many really fast teams north of Louisville.

 

My guess is Aiken was somewhat underranked this week in the Cincy coaches poll. They are more likely just outside the top five than barely in the top 10.

 

Holmes is top five in NKY, just haven't figured out where yet.

Grimes has a long way to go to be a high major prospect. He's maybe 6'3" with little to no guard skills so he has to either grow 3" plus or has to completely change his skill set. Very nice HS player, but a long way to go to be a D1 prospect much less a high major...

That's incorrect. The people running the Bluegrass/Buckeye Classic canceled Mason County, Mason didn't cancel anything. Unreal. Simply canceling a team out. I have heard in the past that this event is not run very well but their schedule for tomorrow is wacked.

 

No dog in this fight but Channel 5 news sports reporter just said that Mason canceled due to coming storm. Even as bad as BOKC people may be, I doubt they put this report out if it wasn't true. I would think that the Mason County coaches would make a statement if not. No big deal, there is a storm predicted so a smart move IMO.

Wasn't Mason County all upset last year when Clark County cancelled a game at Mason County due to rain?

No dog in this fight but Channel 5 news sports reporter just said that Mason canceled due to coming storm. Even as bad as BOKC people may be, I doubt they put this report out if it wasn't true. I would think that the Mason County coaches would make a statement if not. No big deal, there is a storm predicted so a smart move IMO.

 

Let's be clear, Male called and said their bus broke down. News of this came during the play of the first two games. Perhaps they have a bit of responsibility for the course of events.

The Mason Co situation has nothing to do with this thread. There's a Bluegrass/Buckeye Classic thread for that discussion.

As for this game. As Walter stated, Holmes won't see this type of athleticism in Northern Kentucky this year. A team that is fast enough to stay with Holmes will be their toughest matchup this season. Holmes will handle teams with size better than a really fast team. Fortunately for the Bulldogs, there aren't many really fast teams north of Louisville.

 

My guess is Aiken was somewhat underranked this week in the Cincy coaches poll. They are more likely just outside the top five than barely in the top 10.

 

Holmes is top five in NKY, just haven't figured out where yet.

 

I agree.

 

Aiken's athleticism really gave Holmes problems, especially on the boards. I doubt very seriously we see any team out-athleticism Holmes the rest of the year, save for maybe Ballard.

 

Right now, I have Holmes as the #3 team in the region behind Dixie and Boone but it wouldn't surprise me to see them beat either. Booher said it best when I talked to him before the game yesterday....the only teams that are going to give his team fits are teams with great guard play that has the athleicism and quickness to beat Holmes' press.

Grimes has a long way to go to be a high major prospect. He's maybe 6'3" with little to no guard skills so he has to either grow 3" plus or has to completely change his skill set. Very nice HS player, but a long way to go to be a D1 prospect much less a high major...

 

Needs to work on his defense as he does a lot of reaching which gets him in foul trouble, but he's solid offensively. Only weakness I really saw was a lack of an outside shot. A team will take a chance on him because of his athleticism and strength alone.

 

Let's not forget he's also only a soph, GT.

 

What did you think of Tyonte Robertson? The Frosh that started for Aiken. Ellison told me that he's getting some pretty good looks and already has a few offers from some smaller D1 programs.

Tough loss for Holmes. They led the entire game up until the 2 minute mark of the 4th quarter and then a silly turnover at halfcourt allowed Aiken to take a 68-66 lead.

 

Hayes forced a shot at the other end and Aiken got the ball and was fouled. They made 1 of 2 to take a 69-66 lead but Jaleel Gray came right back down the court to make it a one point game with a nice drive and pull up jumper. Aiken would again be fouled with 20 seconds left and sink 1 of 2 to make it 70-68.

 

Booher would call a timeout at this point and set up the dramatic finish. Hayes came down, drove the lane then found sophomore Quan Palmer for a HUGE 3 pointer with 9 second to go. Aiken came back down the floor after a timeout, missed 3 consecutive shots down low, then get a tip in off a missed shot just before the red light went off. Aiken wins 72-71 on a tip on by Olefimu Thompson.

 

Great game by both teams.

 

I doubt very seriously Holmes sees anyone else in the 9th region or the rest of the year with the type of quickness, athleticism, and speed of Aiken. This game gives me more confidence that Holmes has the ability to play with and beat any team in the region. Aiken had 3 kids that are D1 prospects. Willie Moore (Miami OH, James Madison, Akron, Ohio U, and Kent St to name a few), Austin Grimes (Ellison said he is a high major prospect as a soph and he proved it tonight), as well as frosh Tyonte Robertson (Ellison said he already holds a few offers as a frosh...impressive).

 

For Holmes, they had several different guys seriously step up tonight. Hayes was held in check for the most part with 10 points, but Knox (18), Gray (15), and Rice (13) all three picked up the slack. Mayfield also had 7 and after not scoring a field goal the entire game, sophomore Quan Palmer hits a 3 to finish with 5 points.

Both teams were horrible from the free throw line and that ultimately doomed Holmes as they made 1 less free throw than Aiken and lost by 1.

 

Credit Aiken though. They broke Holmes press with relative ease for a lot of easy transition points. I don't see any other 9th region team having that much success against Holmes' press, however. Aiken was EXTREMELY athletic and killed Holmes on the boards.

 

Great learning experience for Booher's squad early in the season.

 

I was really impressed with the speed of Gray with the ball. He is a real slasher as well. Knox was impressive on the boards while clearly outsized by the Aiken inside players. They listed him as 6'1" in the program and he was a beast inside. Rice disappeared the second half for some reason. I don't know if it was defense or what. I did note that Booher pulled him and Hayes quite often the second half and talked to them briefly on the bench. I must admit I like the Booher style of offense and defense and his cool demeanor on the sideline. He seems to have the team's attention and I for one hope he stays @ Holmes for a while.

 

I was really impressed with the speed of Gray with the ball. He is a real slasher as well. Knox was impressive on the boards while clearly outsized by the Aiken inside players. They listed him as 6'1" in the program and he was a beast inside. Rice disappeared the second half for some reason. I don't know if it was defense or what. I did note that Booher pulled him and Hayes quite often the second half and talked to them briefly on the bench. I must admit I like the Booher style of offense and defense and his cool demeanor on the sideline. He seems to have the team's attention and I for one hope he stays @ Holmes for a while.

 

I said after Holmes' first scrimmage that once Gray gets more comfortable throughout the season, you'll see him have nights like this every night. He is indeed very fast, long, and athletic. I have to admit, his handles surprised me. His crossover is so quick and although he doesn't look very strong, he has great body control and is able to finish through contact.

 

If he stays aggressive like he was yesterday, Holmes will be tough to beat.