Geisler went for 30 and 10.

 

Nice night.

Geisler went for 30 and 10.

 

Nice night.

 

Thelen was held to 9 and 5.

Three stats that jump off the page in 3-D. NewCath 40 to 26 in rebounds and 17/20 from the line compared to 4/6 for CCH. Geisler 13/15 from the line. There were 8 total fouls on NCC and 16 for CovCath.

 

Wasn't there, but the difference in total fouls for teams always baffles me. Usually the losing team ends up with more fouls as they are forcing their opponent to the stripe late in the game in hopes of them missing free throws. The whole fouls should be about even in the end is a farce.

 

As far as officiating, I think one of the subtelties of basketball is having to adjust to officials calls. Now that is hard for college kids let alone high schoolers, but every official has their own way of calling a game. Not trying to defend the refs by any stretch-just trying to point out a frustrating issue for all coaches and players.

I have attended all of CCH's games this year and one of the glaring problems happened immediately after Listerman went to a 6 man rotation. I have watched high school basketball for over 4decades and the vast majority of that time a CCH fan. Listerman has put all of his eggs into 6 seniors hands and when things aren't going well things do become unglued. This senior class is not the best in CCH history however there are juniors and even a few sophomores that can play. I can't understand how the junior class, once again, is overlooked by Listerman. He did it last year, the year before and the year before that. Everyone needs to remember that Thelen and Connolly are the only seniors that played significant varsity time last year. Mashinot, Reidinger, Baker and Schult all played JV last year. The last senior is Hudepohl and he has not seen any real varisty time in 4 years. Building a team to make it through the grind of an entire basketball season, you are going to need more than 6 players. Don't blame a technical foul or bad refereeing or rebounding as the difference. The difference started when CCH played in the LexCath invitational when Listerman and his staff made the decision to go with 6 kids. Building depth is the key and I feel badly for this entire team because their is plenty of talent.

I have attended all of CCH's games this year and one of the glaring problems happened immediately after Listerman went to a 6 man rotation. I have watched high school basketball for over 4decades and the vast majority of that time a CCH fan. Listerman has put all of his eggs into 6 seniors hands and when things aren't going well things do become unglued. This senior class is not the best in CCH history however there are juniors and even a few sophomores that can play. I can't understand how the junior class, once again, is overlooked by Listerman. He did it last year, the year before and the year before that. Everyone needs to remember that Thelen and Connolly are the only seniors that played significant varsity time last year. Mashinot, Reidinger, Baker and Schult all played JV last year. The last senior is Hudepohl and he has not seen any real varisty time in 4 years. Building a team to make it through the grind of an entire basketball season, you are going to need more than 6 players. Don't blame a technical foul or bad refereeing or rebounding as the difference. The difference started when CCH played in the LexCath invitational when Listerman and his staff made the decision to go with 6 kids. Building depth is the key and I feel badly for this entire team because their is plenty of talent.

 

Where to begin..

 

Last year the following juniors played on a regular/semi-regular basis: Thelen, Connelly, Hudepohl, Maschinot, Riedinger.

 

This year Massie and Conner have been the first two guards off the bench. Arnzen doesn't look to be back fully but even if he was there is a lot of depth at the 4 and 5 position (see Drew Baker last year). Haden is in a similar situation.

 

There's only one sophomore who deserves consideration and that's Fredrick.

 

All high schools have a short bench as the year goes on. NCC essentially played 6 last night and won.

Thelen & Connelly did play regularly last year. Thelen actuually got time as a sophomore until he got injured. Hudephol, Mashinot and Riedinger did not get anywhere near semi-regular play last year at the varisty level - nor did Schult.

 

This isn't about NCC and there 6 players. As you point out "all high schools have a short bench as the year goes on". Good point, however the short bench for CCH started in December.

 

When you refer to players off the bench you have neglected to point out that Massie, Cleves, Arnzen and Hayden (all juniors) probably don't play more than 10 - 12 minutes per game combined. Arnzen is recovering from knee issues, but has looked good playing JV this year. Is it impossible to get him 5 - 7 minutes a game to rest Connelly, Baker or Thelen. Hayden played 40 seconds last night - those 40 seconds were at the end of the game.

 

I have seen Drew this year and recognize that his time at the JV level last year may have helped in his overall development. However, no one that has ever played varsity basketball can argue with the fact that JV vs. Varsity is a big difference.

 

We can go player by player, position by position, grade by grade - the bottom line is that CCH barely beat an extremely undermanned Highlands team, lost to Holmes at home and didn't play well last night at NCC. I don't blame the coaches, players, fans or administration of the school. My point is valid - too early to give up on all of your underclassmen this early in the season when there is no doubt you will need them somewwhere down the road.

Thelen & Connelly did play regularly last year. Thelen actuually got time as a sophomore until he got injured. Hudephol, Mashinot and Riedinger did not get anywhere near semi-regular play last year at the varisty level - nor did Schult.

 

This isn't about NCC and there 6 players. As you point out "all high schools have a short bench as the year goes on". Good point, however the short bench for CCH started in December.

 

When you refer to players off the bench you have neglected to point out that Massie, Cleves, Arnzen and Hayden (all juniors) probably don't play more than 10 - 12 minutes per game combined. Arnzen is recovering from knee issues, but has looked good playing JV this year. Is it impossible to get him 5 - 7 minutes a game to rest Connelly, Baker or Thelen. Hayden played 40 seconds last night - those 40 seconds were at the end of the game.

 

I have seen Drew this year and recognize that his time at the JV level last year may have helped in his overall development. However, no one that has ever played varsity basketball can argue with the fact that JV vs. Varsity is a big difference.

 

We can go player by player, position by position, grade by grade - the bottom line is that CCH barely beat an extremely undermanned Highlands team, lost to Holmes at home and didn't play well last night at NCC. I don't blame the coaches, players, fans or administration of the school. My point is valid - too early to give up on all of your underclassmen this early in the season when there is no doubt you will need them somewwhere down the road.

 

To be fair, both Holmes and Newcath are two of the best teams in the region. I wouldn't throw in the towel just yet. This is the same CCH team that beat a very good Henry Clay team.

I hate to start bashing referees as it appears that noone with a lot of real experience playing the game has a desire to referee today but personally I have seen some awful officiating lately. I took in the Carroll County @ Cooper triple header last night and know for a fact that the Cooper varsity coach apologized to the Carroll County coaches for the officiating. I didn't see the freshman game but I heard there was maybe 1 foul called the whole game on the home team, Cooper, and knowing how the Cooper staff preach hard nosed man to man that is unbelievable.

 

I have been to the last couple of Cooper home games and I have seen Mr. Gabbard there grading the ref's so it would be interesting to hear his opinions as to what he sees.

.... I don't blame the coaches, players, fans or administration of the school. ...

 

Not to be too argumentative, but someone has to be responsible.

 

There is way too much talent and depth on this team to lose like they have done in the last two outings.

I have learned that Coach L didn't put Connelly back into the game after the Technical foul because that is his 'policy'. It didn't appear that the foul was anything flagrant or violent. While that is certianly the Coach's choice, I like to hear him explain the rationale since he himself was T'ed up after blowing up on the sideline. I don't think the lesson he intended really came across.

To those who think other CCH players should get more PT, tell us what you think those other players can add or do better than those on the floor.

 

On another subject, Jake Giesler is clearly the player of the year in N. Ky. IMO. I felt he would be before the season started and it is good to see him having games like this night after night to erase doubt from anyone who thinks he is not player of the year. On top of his individual play and ability, he means more to his team than any player in the area. With him, NCC is a threat to win the region. Without him, NCC is scrapping to be one of the top 10 in the area.

If you take Geisler off NCC they barely win half their games. They have severe depth problems and lack experience. Hightchew is the only player with significant Varsity experience. They are getting Beuter some nice experience as a sophomore and Ryan seems to be a nice player off the bench but if Geisler were to go down would they be within 10 points of CovCath?

Thelen & Connelly did play regularly last year. Thelen actuually got time as a sophomore until he got injured. Hudephol, Mashinot and Riedinger did not get anywhere near semi-regular play last year at the varisty level - nor did Schult.

 

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Maschinot played quite a bit. Hudepohl started a fair amount of games. Riedinger came off the bench as a shooter.

To those who think other CCH players should get more PT, tell us what you think those other players can add or do better than those on the floor.

 

On another subject, Jake Giesler is clearly the player of the year in N. Ky. IMO. I felt he would be before the season started and it is good to see him having games like this night after night to erase doubt from anyone who thinks he is not player of the year. On top of his individual play and ability, he means more to his team than any player in the area. With him, NCC is a threat to win the region. Without him, NCC is scrapping to be one of the top 10 in the area.

 

Three player race for player of the year in Northern Kentucky in my opinion. Not willing to give award just yet to Giesler in first two weeks of January. CovCath has played awful well early in the year and Thelen has been very good. Realize Scott is in the 10th Region but if you are talking about player of year in Northern Kentucky at this point Kellen Smith has to be in the conversation. He is averaging 19 ppg (top 5 in N Ky), leading Northern Kentucky in assists by a wide margin and leading in steals as well.

 

If your argument is that Giesler is more important to his team than you haven't watched Scott play. Scott runs everything thru Smith and like Giesler he doesn't come off the floor unless it is foul trouble or a blowout. Lot of basketball to be played before you hand out the awards

I refuse to comment on any high school player negatively. You are taking a simple comment about CCH going to a 6 person rotation and assume that I feel that some of those 6 can't play. Maybe that's your opinion - not mine. Spin it anyway you want - the bottom line is that this team has not played well since the LexCath tournament and that coincides with the change in playing philosophy. Come to a game - watch it objectively and then let me know that no else should be playing. This is not a kid thing. It's about the overall development of the entire team and enhancing your opportunities for advancement in the district tournament, regional tournament and for the future of the program.