This region is up for grabs. Should be a great tournament. I will go with Red Colonels.

If the favorites in the districts hold true, and the district winners win their first regional game, the semis could have boone, newcath, dixie, and holmes. Any 2 team matchup would be great.

First off, I'll admit that the only full game I've seen anyone in the 9th play this season was the Dixie Heights / Louisville Western match-up.

 

It seems that Dixie Heights is most people's choice as a 'favorite' in the region, but there seems to be more consensus in people saying that there are four or five teams with a legitimate chance at coming out of the 9th.

 

I was wondering how these teams matched up head-to-head. For instance, would it be fair to say something like:

 

 

"Team 1's" style of play would present lots of problems for "Team 2" in a regional final, so I'll give them the edge in a head-to-head matchup for the title. However, I think that under the same scenario, "Team 3" could beat "Team 1" because of their tradition/big game experience/coaching staff, but would lose to "Team 2" because of they lack depth/size/speed.

 

 

This was an entirely hypothetical scenario used to illustrate what I was trying to say in generic terms (and I meant to imply nothing about any team in particular, so associations you may make are likely coincidental). I was just wondering how someone who was more familiar with the region would stack each team up against the rest of the field in a one-and-done type game.

The stage is almost set for what should be an exciting 9th region tournament. The teams are set but it remains to be seen who plays whom. With 3 strong districts come 3 strong losers on Sunday morning. Who gets what will appear to be the luck of the draw and have to face St. Henry? Now I know that a lot of you on here will say that the Cru has a legitimate shot to upset Dixie and anyone else in the region but we all know that is not likely to happen. So some lucky team will draw them in the first round of the regional which means that the other three district winners will draw Holmes/CCH, Boone Co./Ryle or Highlands/NCC. I know that to be the best you have to beat the best but it sure would be nice to have that good first round draw. Matchups, matchups, matchups!!

First off, I'll admit that the only full game I've seen anyone in the 9th play this season was the Dixie Heights / Louisville Western match-up.

 

It seems that Dixie Heights is most people's choice as a 'favorite' in the region, but there seems to be more consensus in people saying that there are four or five teams with a legitimate chance at coming out of the 9th.

 

Great call. I would think that someone like Walter, Statman, Clyde to name a few who have seen a lot of the top teams throughout the season might be able to lay something like this out. Lineups with size, styles of defense, etc.

I was wondering how these teams matched up head-to-head. For instance, would it be fair to say something like:

 

 

"Team 1's" style of play would present lots of problems for "Team 2" in a regional final, so I'll give them the edge in a head-to-head matchup for the title. However, I think that under the same scenario, "Team 3" could beat "Team 1" because of their tradition/big game experience/coaching staff, but would lose to "Team 2" because of they lack depth/size/speed.

 

 

This was an entirely hypothetical scenario used to illustrate what I was trying to say in generic terms (and I meant to imply nothing about any team in particular, so associations you may make are likely coincidental). I was just wondering how someone who was more familiar with the region would stack each team up against the rest of the field in a one-and-done type game.

 

I would think that somebody like Walter, Statman or Clyde, to name a few would be able to break the teams down. They have seen most of the top teams in the region play and play each other.

I'll give this a try. We know the 8 teams as of now, we just don't know where they will be placed in the region other than they won't play their district counterpart unless they make the finals.

 

1. - Dixie - The # 1 team all year; Hatton is a significant scoring threat, Pike can be a force if he stays out of foul trouble. The rest of the starters are very solid.

Team they don't want to see. (Holmes) The team that beat them, granted it was at Holmes and after a difficult stretch of games. Hatton had a rare avg night or maybe even off shooting night, was it one of those nights or were the quick Holmes guards in his face quicker than most altering his timing?

 

2. NCC - Solid, solid team. Geissler IMO is POY and only senior in region D-1 caliber. Hightchew can do it all. Solid defensively and well coached.

Team they don't want to see. (Dixie) Dixie beat them early in the year and match up very well with them, If Pike can neutralize Geissler (hard to do) they would win again.

 

3. Holmes - Most athletic team in the region, but Gray, Hayes, and Rice must play well for them to win. If they do, they are really tough.

Team they don't want to see. (NCC) They have beaten Holmes twice, enough said.

 

4. Boone County - Very solid team also with Brown a huge force when not in foul trouble. Rest of cast is good but not spectacular.

Team they don't want to see. (Dixie) I don't think they can guard Hatton, that simple.

 

5. Ryle - When Staufner is on and they get it to him, extremely tough to beat. Combine that with good shooting (not consistent as others) they could win it. Most physical team in region.

Team they don't want to see. (NCC) Geissler is better than Staufner and neutralizes him or even dominates him. Ryle doesn't have enough to compensate and Hightchew makes a difference.

 

6. CovCath - Playing better last two weeks. Good insde game with Thelen and Baker. Connelly great role player. They turn the ball over a lot. Can't do that and beat win three straight in this region.

Team they don't want to see. (NCC) Geissler handled Thelen in their game and that makes Baker less effective. Without inside game they probably can't win.

 

7. Highlands - Also playing better of late. Towles is a factor. Have been very inconsistent, can't see them playing great three straight games.

Team they don't want to play (Dixie) I don't think they can score with them.

 

8. St Henry - Weakest team in the final 8. They have only won 5 games. Well coached and play hard, but can't match talent of others.

Team they don't want to play. (Holmes) Holmes destryed the early in the season. Way too athletic for the Crusaders.

 

That's my take. I'm sure people will disagree, but it is only our opinions. Should be fun at KBC next week.

My favorites to win their respective districts at this time:

Dixie

CovCath

NewCath

Ryle

 

CovCath/Holmes and Ryle/Boone are 50/50 games IMO that could easily go either way. Highlands could upset NewCath, but I see that as a 1 in 10 chance. St. Henry upsetting Dixie is maybe 1 in 100 chance.

 

At this point in the season, I rate teams in this order in likelihood to win the 9th region:

1)Dixie

2)NewCath

3)Ryle

4)Boone

5)CovCath

6)Holmes

7)Highlands

8)St. Henry

 

Match ups that I would like to see in 9th region tourney:

UPPER BRACKET

Ryle-St. Henry

CovCath-Highlands

 

LOWER BRACKET

Boone-Dixie

NewCath-Holmes

Match ups mean everything at this point in the year. Guard play is key to winning in the post season.

 

Below is my rankings, and the team they would least like to face.

 

1) Dixie (Holmes ..)

2) NCC (Dixie )

3) Holmes (NCC )

4) Ryle ( Dixie)

5) CovCath ( NCC)

6) Boone (CovCath)

7) Highlands (Dixie)

8) St. Henry (NCC)

1- Dixie Heights

2- NCC

3- Holmes

4- CCH

5- Ryle

6- Boone Co.

7- Holy Cross

That's pretty much how I would rate them. Boone better be careful, they were extremely lucky to beat Cooper in the Districts.