About a month in. Thoughts?

 

It's more open that I thought before the season started. No one great team. Unlike last year when it was a "big man's region" this year the guards are dominating and the region is small overall.

 

Holy Cross can win the region which I didn't believe before the season started.

Boone - same as Holy Cross (although their D concerns me).

Holmes - not as strong as I thought but that can change.

CCH - much, much better than I expected. Can compete with all teams in the region. Ruthsatz is as good as his rep coming in.

Conner - strong D - weak ballhandling. If they don't turn it over they're a tough out.

NC - early - hard to tell - I'd expect them to compete for the region.

Ryle is about where I expected.

Highlands - like NC it's still early. I don't have as high of hopes as some.

Dixie - Nice depth. Nice hard D. Good at all positions. Slight favorite.

Still early in the season so some things could change, but at this point I think the only teams capable of actually putting enough games together to win the 9th are Boone, CCH, Dixie, and NCC. I would give the edge to Dixie but it's pretty even. I would add HC into the mix as a solid contender if they can get past the distractions that are currently being rumored.

 

Any of the other teams may win on a given night but I don't think they can string enough games together to cut down the nets. Just my opinion.

Edited December 23, 201114 yr by Xstreme

It's beginning to round into shape and I haven't seen most of the teams. It is still really early, though. No one two years ago at this time of year would have

thought Newport would jell and go on a run. Any of the teams mentioned can do that. Remember Holmes looked unbeatable two years ago and Newport killed

them in regional finals. It's still WIDE OPEN.

Too early but Fun to discuss.

 

Holy Cross, Holmes, Boone and Dixie aré the early favorites but CovCath, Ryle, NCC all will be better in Jan. Other teams Clyde mentioned could be ready by tourney time and surprise some teams.

I think it will come down to Dixie and Cov. Cath. and I give the edge to Dixie.

I've seen most teams play already with the exception of Holy Cross, Ryle and Conner. Of the ones I have seen Dixie gets the slight edge. Cov Cath is my #2. NCC is 3. I'm thinking Holy Cross may mess things up for the 3 teams mentioned from talking to others. IMO, Boone is lacking that true big man, Holmes is too inconsistent but could make a run. Highlands, I've seen twice now. Big men are not yet there, they have some nice shooters and like to run, but something tells me they just don't have what it takes to win the 9th.

I agree with Bengal, it is wide open and it will make for an interesting post season. I'm looking forward to seeing the others play.

That is why high school hoops is the best!

I'm thinking it's a six team race but only five of those can make it to the regional. Dixie, HC, Holmes, CCH, Boone and NCC. This is just based on what I've read since I have yet to see any of the of them in person but it sounds like Holy Cross has all the ingredients needed. I have a feeling that the lack of Pike in the middle for DH will be their demise.

1 Dixie

2 Holy Cross

3 Boone

4 NCC

5 CCH

6 Holmes

7 Ryle

8 Connor

9 Cooper

10 Highlands

I personally like Holy Cross if they use Campbell better. I also think Dixie, CCH, NCC or Boone Co. could win it..

At this point I think one of about 5 teams could win it.

 

Dixie is the slight favorite. They have the best player in the region in Hatton. They have a very good point guard in Fox. They have good role players in Hassel and Evans. And lastly they have a versatile "big man" in Stansberry that can create match up problems. Lack of depth could be downfall but the bench is getting better.

 

Holy Cross would be in the #2 hole but I think the loss of Avery will prove to be too much to overcome. I do like their depth though and they have arguably the best trio in nky with Campbell, Burger, and McClendon.

 

NCC is a work in progress, IMO. The loss of Geisler has obviously affected this team but McDonald has been a nice addition down low. If Schulte cones around, this could be a very good team. Beuter and Hightchew are. Both very good guards but we are seeing this year just how much Geisler helped elevate their games last year because of the double teams he saw which opened up driving lanes for both.

 

Holmes is the most athletic team in the region but lack consistency. When they are playing well they're the best team in the region but when they're bad they could probably be beaten by about 8 or 9 teams in the region. Best case scenario for the Dogs is to get the one seed in the district and let Covcath and HC battle for the other spot in the region. Holmes needs Rice to play to his potential if they want to win the region.

 

Boone is intriguing but I think their defense will be their downfall. Rebels can definetly put some points up on the board though.

 

All in all, the region is wide open which makes for an exciting postseason.

 

Covcath is better than expected. Ruthsatz is the floor general you need to win region and we all know high school can be dominated by guards. The only question is can he get enough help from the other guys?

I think it will come down to Dixie and CCH. It's still early, but CCH handled Boone County easily. CCH has three keys for a deep run in the regionals -- defense, floor general and coaching.

I'm going to say CCH and Holy Cross in the finals

Here are the best players in NKY IMO

 

Holy Cross: Campbell, Burger

CCH: Ruthsatz

Holmes: Rice

Boone: McQueary, Stanley

Dixie: Hatton, Stansberry

NCC: Hightchew, McDonald

Cooper: AJ Collins

Here are the best players in NKY IMO

 

Holy Cross: Campbell, Burger

CCH: Ruthsatz

Holmes: Rice

Boone: McQueary, Stanley

Dixie: Hatton, Stansberry

NCC: Hightchew, McDonaldCooper: AJ Collins

 

At the start of the season probably not even on the radar, now they are all over it.

At the start of the season probably not even on the radar, now they are all over it.

 

I could also add Beuter and the other kid who I can't remember - 6'4 guard.

 

NCC is a legit threat for the 9th.