Let's go with the all 33rd. Boone goes to Rupp with their girls going to BG. If Downs plays like he did tonight, Nobody beats them. He will be the best guard in the 9th next year. Coach M is also one of the best in the 9th and will get it done IMO. This is their year.

Ryle showed in the 2nd half against CovCath of how scary and dangerous they are. They've been a team on the climb and have gone 9-2 in their last 11 outings, with their 2 losses being close ones to Dixie, and NewCath. They've really come around and it wouldn't surprise me at all to see them cut down the nets on Sunday. They are nasty dangerous and have to believe they can't wait to face NewCath again to emphatically avenge their earlier loss to them.

 

NewCath has held a steady hand the whole season not counting early football legs. They quickly adjusted and haven't budged at showing how serious they are. Confidence sprays out from their pores. You might take them down, but you better be ready for a feisty war. A short bench might be their biggest worry, but they've shown that they can play strong the entire game.

 

IF Dixie plays in the monster fierce way they did in the 1st half against Highlands, nobody's gonna stop them. You could see a hot mean streak in a team as poised as you could hope for. Smart and fierce. They rack up 32 minutes of that solid intensity and the Region is theirs to lose.

 

Boone Co. showed against Holmes that they are without a doubt apart of this conversation. I know they've been in it all season, but personally I've been overlooking them. Not anymore! Serious threat without a doubt.

 

It's amazing the size and nice guard play that the 9th Region has this year. I know that a lot think that there's little chance of making much noise at Rupp this year because of the brackets, but these 4 teams all seem to be peaking right now, and I'd be proud to have anyone of them represent the 9th this year. In year's past I've rarely felt that way about all 4 teams in a Semi. With the level each team is playing, any team in the state had better bring their 'A' game against them.

Boone played Dixie with no Downs, Montgummery, Burgess, and Fookes last game. I look for Boone to beat Dixie and play Ryle once more.

 

That is a good point. I forgot about Downs and Fookes also being out in that game. And it was still a close game.

 

Regardless, Dixie just looks too solid to me despite their shaky second half against Highlands. New Cath has been doing it all year. So I will go with NCC versus Dixie with Dixie's well rounded and deep team having more left in the tank on Sunday to get the regional title.

I think Ryle vs NewCath is a toss up. If Vollet play d like he did against CovCath, I'll pick Ryle. If not NewCath wins.

 

I think Dixie wins a close one against Boone, but if Pike gets in early foul trouble Boone could pull it out.

 

I'll pick NewCath over Dixie in the final, with Ft's down the stretch by the Breds to be the difference.

NCC over Ryle is a great game.

Boone Co knocks off #1 Dixie.

 

NCC over Boone in Finals

I'll say Ryle vs Dixie. I do not think that Boone will duplicate the great performance they had last night. NC/Ryle has to be close - just don't see either team pulling away for a comfortable win. I'll take the Raiders in a heart pick in the final.

That is a good point. I forgot about Downs and Fookes also being out in that game. And it was still a close game.

 

Regardless, Dixie just looks too solid to me despite their shaky second half against Highlands. New Cath has been doing it all year. So I will go with NCC versus Dixie with Dixie's well rounded and deep team having more left in the tank on Sunday to get the regional title.

 

Dixie played aggressive man-man defense in the first half and then got lax in the 2nd half. If they can keep up that type of intensity against Boone Co and likely NCC then they can earn the trip to Rupp. Cohorn and Hassel are solid role player defenders and Stansberry/Pike when they want to play it can really get after you on the post. Although Stewart somewhat "worked" Stansberry in that 2nd half and it did look like Stansberry was doing the best he could.

Let's go with the all 33rd. Boone goes to Rupp with their girls going to BG. If Downs plays like he did tonight, Nobody beats them. He will be the best guard in the 9th next year. Coach M is also one of the best in the 9th and will get it done IMO. This is their year.

 

Downs had a great game but lets not get too excited here. Brady Hightchew will be the best guard next to Hatton next year in the 9th. The kid is extremely quick, gritty and scores the basketball. But Downs was very impressive last night and if he keeps playing that way could lead them to Rupp.

Downs had a great game but lets not get too excited here. Brady Hightchew will be the best guard next to Hatton next year in the 9th. The kid is extremely quick, gritty and scores the basketball. But Downs was very impressive last night and if he keeps playing that way could lead them to Rupp.

 

Not taking anything away from those guys, they are both great players, but I would put Downs right there with them. I have not been this excited to see a game (Boone vs. Dixie) in a long time. His performance last night was one for the ages and second to none. This will be Dixie's first look at Downs and they will be in for a surprise.

Dixie vs NCC (Finals)

 

Dixie will cut down the nets.

Let's go with the all 33rd. Boone goes to Rupp with their girls going to BG. If Downs plays like he did tonight, Nobody beats them. He will be the best guard in the 9th next year. Coach M is also one of the best in the 9th and will get it done IMO. This is their year.

 

I think Brandon Hatton, Quan Palmer, Brady Hightchew, Jake Burger, Michael Beuter, and Tate Mullins (to name a few) may all have something to say about that next year.

 

IMO Brandon Hatton is and will be the best guard in the 9th over the next 2 years.

 

Personally, I'd take Brady Hightchew over Downs. If those two meet up Sunday afternoon in the finals, don't expect Downs to have the game that he did against Holmes. Hightchew is extremely tough at both ends of the floor.

Not taking anything away from those guys, they are both great players, but I would put Downs right there with them. I have not been this excited to see a game (Boone vs. Dixie) in a long time. His performance last night was one for the ages and second to none. This will be Dixie's first look at Downs and they will be in for a surprise.

 

I believe Duran Jefferson's triple double in the 2004/2005 or 2006/2007 9th region tournament might rank up there as "one for the ages and second to none" as well.

 

Let's not get ahead of ourself RE. Downs had a very good performance but one for the ages?????

I have no clue!!! I say NCC and Dixie. NCC wins the region.

 

Just learned that Zach Ryan is out for the season with an injury he sustained late in the NCC-HHS district final. Ryan's loss is a big blow to NCC. He's a solid shooter and a better kid. NCC will most definitely miss Ryan. Their already short bench just got even shorter. Look for the freshman Schulte to get more minutes. I still think NCC has the horses to win the region though.. perhaps by a nose in both the semis and the finals vs. Dixie.

I think Brandon Hatton, Quan Palmer, Brady Hightchew, Jake Burger, Michael Beuter, and Tate Mullins (to name a few) may all have something to say about that next year.

 

IMO Brandon Hatton is and will be the best guard in the 9th over the next 2 years.

 

Personally, I'd take Brady Hightchew over Downs. If those two meet up Sunday afternoon in the finals, don't expect Downs to have the game that he did against Holmes. Hightchew is extremely tough at both ends of the floor.

 

Solid list no doubt. Let's take it down to the point guard position, I should have clarified that in my post. I recall sitting there last night watching Downs play thinking wow and wow again, over and over. The kid I saw last night was extremely tough and full of grit and had a refuse to lose mentality..........warrioresqe imo. Holmes is the only local team to take down Dixie and Boone took Holmes down twice now. Why wouldn't Downs have another game like he did last night? Was it a fluke? The kid can flat out play. Downs did not play in the first Dixie/Boone game. Tomorrow night will be one for the ages. Get your popcorn ready.

Solid list no doubt. Let's take it down to the point guard position, I should have clarified that in my post. I recall sitting there last night watching Downs play thinking wow and wow again, over and over. The kid I saw last night was extremely tough and full of grit and had a refuse to lose mentality..........warrioresqe imo. Holmes is the only local team to take down Dixie and Boone took Holmes down twice now. Why wouldn't Downs have another game like he did last night? Was it a fluke? The kid can flat out play. Downs did not play in the first Dixie/Boone game. Tomorrow night will be one for the ages. Get your popcorn ready.

 

I'll have my popcorn ready...hope you have yours ready too as Downs will be going against, IMO, the best pg in the region in Matt Trammel.

 

Good Luck to your boys, RE.