Tough game to pick and I agree it depends if Palmer plays or not. I think he will be fine but if not, things could get interesting.

 

I will say this though... Having Bolden in there instead, Holmes doesn't miss a beat. Kid is really gaining confidence and I think if he is called upon, it could be his coming out party.

 

In the end, I'm gonna say Rice is the x-factor and Holmes by no more than 5.

Walter, CovCath lost by 2 at Holmes and the Bulldogs had Knox then and he's gone and you don't think this game is interesting with Palmer?

CCH wins this one by 10-15. This isn't a bold or outlandish statement whatsoever. They lost by 2 in one of their most poorly played games of the season, IMO. Missed 13 either uncontested or nearly uncontested layups throughout the game. Knox was a physical prescence inside, and without him the Colonels have the advantage inside. After watching Holmes in a few games this year it looks as though Rice plays on the perimeter and, with help-side defense, will not be a huge force inside. He'll drop 14-18.. The question is, can anyone else score efficiently enough with Palmer (assumingly) out? I know Coston can hit the trey and is a somewhat proficient driver, but that leaves 3 extra Colonels to help off of their men and contain Holmes' main gamers. The Colonels D on Jan. 10th was absolutely horrendous. Their defense both individually and as a whole has improved immensely over the past 6 or so weeks. They are at their peak and IMO will almost ROLL through Holmes tomorrow night. They are just meshing at this point of the season and it seems like they love to shoot in Regent's because they didn't miss many shots against HC. It'll be a fast, physical, and emotional game for both teams. I just think the Colonels go off tomorrow and win the District Championship for the first time since I believe 06'? They're well overdue.

CCH wins this one by 10-15. This isn't a bold or outlandish statement whatsoever. They lost by 2 in one of their most poorly played games of the season, IMO. Missed 13 either uncontested or nearly uncontested layups throughout the game. Knox was a physical prescence inside, and without him the Colonels have the advantage inside. After watching Holmes in a few games this year it looks as though Rice plays on the perimeter and, with help-side defense, will not be a huge force inside. He'll drop 14-18.. The question is, can anyone else score efficiently enough with Palmer (assumingly) out? I know Coston can hit the trey and is a somewhat proficient driver, but that leaves 3 extra Colonels to help off of their men and contain Holmes' main gamers. The Colonels D on Jan. 10th was absolutely horrendous. Their defense both individually and as a whole has improved immensely over the past 6 or so weeks. They are at their peak and IMO will almost ROLL through Holmes tomorrow night. They are just meshing at this point of the season and it seems like they love to shoot in Regent's because they didn't miss many shots against HC. It'll be a fast, physical, and emotional game for both teams. I just think the Colonels go off tomorrow and win the District Championship for the first time since I believe 06'? They're well overdue.

 

We'll see it plays out that way, but I don't see it. Palmer is playing from what I heard today. If Holmes plays like they did last night you will be right. If they play thw way they did against HC, Newport, Campbell Co., etc., they will win. That's the issue with this team, you just never know.

A possibility is this may not be the last game these two play this year, probably not likely, but they both can beat anyone in the region. It's happened before where CCH won the district and the 'dogs beat them in the regional finals. The only real advantage with this game would be MAYBE an easier first round regional matchup for the winner. The loser will have to win 3 tough games. This game really is about an easier road in the region, but not much of one.

Walter, CovCath lost by 2 at Holmes and the Bulldogs had Knox then and he's gone and you don't think this game is interesting with Palmer?

 

Call it a "homer" pick.

 

I'm well aware of what the Colonels are capable of and honestly I won't be surprised one bit if the Dogs lose and wouldn't consider it an upset.

 

I just can't see anyway CCH gets Rice in foul trouble again and hold him to 7 points. He has played much more aggressive since that game.

 

 

Holmes lack of depth is concerning...

Call it a "homer" pick.

 

I'm well aware of what the Colonels are capable of and honestly I won't be surprised one bit if the Dogs lose and wouldn't consider it an upset.

 

I just can't see anyway CCH gets Rice in foul trouble again and hold him to 7 points. He has played much more aggressive since that game.

 

 

Holmes lack of depth is concerning...

 

Big changes from the pre-season thread where you said - 'One thing i do know...Holmes will be very deep this year and once again, extremely athletic. '

 

This to me points out the most disappointing thing that seems to hit the Holmes program every year. They seem to have more kids leave the team for whatever reason than any other school around.

CCH wins this one by 10-15. This isn't a bold or outlandish statement whatsoever. They lost by 2 in one of their most poorly played games of the season, IMO. Missed 13 either uncontested or nearly uncontested layups throughout the game. Knox was a physical prescence inside, and without him the Colonels have the advantage inside. After watching Holmes in a few games this year it looks as though Rice plays on the perimeter and, with help-side defense, will not be a huge force inside. He'll drop 14-18.. The question is, can anyone else score efficiently enough with Palmer (assumingly) out? I know Coston can hit the trey and is a somewhat proficient driver, but that leaves 3 extra Colonels to help off of their men and contain Holmes' main gamers. The Colonels D on Jan. 10th was absolutely horrendous. Their defense both individually and as a whole has improved immensely over the past 6 or so weeks. They are at their peak and IMO will almost ROLL through Holmes tomorrow night. They are just meshing at this point of the season and it seems like they love to shoot in Regent's because they didn't miss many shots against HC. It'll be a fast, physical, and emotional game for both teams. I just think the Colonels go off tomorrow and win the District Championship for the firs t time since I believe 06'? They're well. overdue.

 

I have to question how much you've truly seen Holmes if you think Rice is a perimeter player. He may take an occasional 3 but more often than not his points come off taking his man off the dribble and either getting fouled or getting an easy basket or offensive put back.

 

It won't surprise me if CCH wins but no way they win by 15. They win by 15 and lunch/dinner is on me at the region tourney when CCH plays. Just ask Clyde or Mr. Wehry where to find me.

Big changes from the pre-season thread where you said - 'One thing i do know...Holmes will be very deep this year and once again, extremely athletic. '

 

This to me points out the most disappointing thing that seems to hit the Holmes program every year. They seem to have more kids leave the team for whatever reason than any other scho ol around.

 

Since the first game Holmes has seen Lewis, Herndon, knox, and Amison all leave the team for different reasons. Three were seniors....

Since the first game Holmes has seen Lewis, Herndon, knox, and Amison all leave the team for different reasons. Three were seniors....

 

This is concerning to me along with all the other players that have transferred from Holmes in the last couple seasons. I believe Coach Booher is a great coach but I'm beginning to wonder if Holmes is the right fit, I will definitely give it a couple more seasons before I make to much judgement though. Maybe he just needs his own methods and coaching strategies to be instilled from middle school up and then things will get better idk. It just seems like there was less of players quitting, transferring and getting kicked off the team under Henley but again maybe its just a rough first few years. Someone correct me if I am wrong or reading into this too far, but watching them it almost seems like Coach L has more of a grasp on the team than Coach Booher. Anyways as someone who has followed Holmes greatness the last 6 or so years its just hard to watch this team. Holmes actually has talent this year, Palmer, Coston and Rice are three of the better players in the region if you ask me, when the play with AGGRESSION. Then you have Martin, Waller and Englemon along with the four players that have left the team this year above, 3 of which would have been key and Herndon was a young talented player. One last player and probably the key to it all is Bolden who plays not like a Frosh but probably more like a Junior and from a talent standpoint is the best on the team other than Rice, he should have been playing more all year if you ask me but he is now and that's all that matters. So without getting into the transfers this team is still possibly the most talented team in the region, or could have been and I would have loved to see another state title run, I'm spoiled as a Holmes fan:D.

 

No predictions on the game from me in my mind Holmes has no trouble winning and wins by 10+ but that's because I've seen them at their best. Wouldn't be surprised at all if CC wins though because Holmes is a rollercoaster and CC is a good team.

 

They win by 15 and lunch/dinner is on me at the region tourney when CCH plays. Just ask Clyde or Mr. Wehry where to find me.

 

Walter is easy to find. Look for a guy typing on his phone like a mad man for the entire game. HOFer.

Difference in the game........Confidence.....Cov Cath has it.

They did not have it in the first meeting. CCH played a very timid, almost scared game the first time.

CCH by 5-6

Both teams are going to look at the first game and see things they did or didn't do that will lead them to believe that they can and will win this game. CCH will talk about the layups missed and foul trouble. Holmes will talk about Rice getting in foul trouble early and not hitting many outside shots.

 

Two even teams just like CCH/HC.

Covington Catholic 70-62.

This is concerning to me along with all the other players that have transferred from Holmes in the last couple seasons. I believe Coach Booher is a great coach but I'm beginning to wonder if Holmes is the right fit, I will definitely give it a couple more seasons before I make to much judgement though. Maybe he just needs his own methods and coaching strategies to be instilled from middle school up and then things will get better idk. It just seems like there was less of players quitting, transferring and getting kicked off the team under Henley but again maybe its just a rough first few years. Someone correct me if I am wrong or reading into this too far, but watching them it almost seems like Coach L has more of a grasp on the team than Coach Booher. Anyways as someone who has followed Holmes greatness the last 6 or so years its just hard to watch this team. Holmes actually has talent this year, Palmer, Coston and Rice are three of the better players in the region if you ask me, when the play with AGGRESSION. Then you have Martin, Waller and Englemon along with the four players that have left the team this year above, 3 of which would have been key and Herndon was a young talented player. One last player and probably the key to it all is Bolden who plays not like a Frosh but probably more like a Junior and from a talent standpoint is the best on the team other than Rice, he should have been playing more all year if you ask me but he is now and that's all that matters. So without getting into the transfers this team is still possibly the most talented team in the region, or could have been and I would have loved to see another state title run, I'm spoiled as a Holmes fan:D.

 

No predictions on the game from me in my mind Holmes has no trouble winning and wins by 10+ but that's because I've seen them at their best. Wouldn't be surprised at all if CC wins though because Holmes is a rollercoaster and CC is a good team.

 

Believe me, Booher has a grasp on the team. It is easy to be spoiled when you had the run they had a few years ago. There are challenging kids, but there are more good kids that buy into the system. Kids leave for various reasons, most for PT,

some are consistently late for practice, some get in trouble at school or academics. This is no excuse, just a fact, these kids overall just don't have the advantages other kids have, and the school and district do their best to provide what they can, such as all equipment, uniforms, shoes, transportation (they actually bus kids home after away games). Still with all of this, it sometimes isn't enough for some kids. You'd be surprised how many kids could play and play well, but are caretakers of their families and work to help out and just don't have the time to play sports. I know this happens at other places, but probably not to this degree. The coaches have to learn to adjust, also. The good thing is they have a deep talent pool to draw from and understand that, unfortunately, they'll lose some along the way. Booher has been involved in the elementary program and the 8th grade team has only one loss this year. So the talent is still there, it's just how many can they move forward positively. Again, no excuses, just the way it is. You work with the circumstances you have as does everyone.

I like the Colonels to break the Bulldogs' win streak tonight. The Dogs looked a bit dissheveled against Beechwood on Wednesday. They were consistently outmuscled by the Tigers. In the end, Holmes had too much talent and prevailed, but it was not a cake-walk.

 

The Colonels played about as well as they are able against a very good Holy Cross team. They seem to be peaking at the right time.

 

Should be a good ole good one. Since I can't make it back over to Regents Hall tonight, I would like to extend an advance thank you to covcathIradio and the crew for broadcasting the game. :thumb: