Unionflash

With half of the season gone, who are the teams to watch that jump up and contend in the 9th region?

Any of the Highland Sr's stepping up?

Every Team misses players eventually. It might be during tournament time. You need to win with the 5 on the court. Players on the bench can't score, turn the ball over or make a great pass. Cov Cath has always had depth because they have so many boys to choose from. High School coaches all play pretty much the same game. The ability to teach players, draw circles for game situations, handle referees etc is where the real advantage lies. Mike Listerman has many years of experience to fall back on. There are few coaches in the 9th region with as much experience. It is easy to target Cov cath because of their past success. Truth is you still have to play the game with the players available. Before people start crowning the regional champ remember it will have to go through another quality school in Covington.

Jim Hicks seems to be one of those coaches that can get the most out of any team. The cougars this year are having a down year but they seem to be hanging tough with most teams. This is a 33rd district game. Who else do they have to play in the district? Ryle, Boone, Heritage?

Josh Nelson is the role player that every team needs. He can be a handful for a quality defensive player to keep him off the boards. That allows Rez to have his way on the boards.

I understand Henderson played Sorrell on the defensive end. Rez can play both ends of the court. There aren't many in the region who fall in that category. Any other candidates?

Holmes seems to be the best under the radar team that hasn't lost a game around here yet. Truth is until that happens Boone, CCH or no one else even matters. Rez Henderson is the best player in the region with a solid supporting cast around him with a lot of basketball experience. Until someone figures out how to stop Rez the rest of the 9th region might as well get behind them. This team doesn't seem to have the problems of years past. This is a credit to the parents of these kids who are keeping them focused and toeing the line.It is also a credit to these kids who are trying to stay focused on the job at hand.

Sandman, before you start taking shots at 18 year old kids get your facts straight. Leadership comes from example. When Maley got his technicals it wasn't for saying a word or any unsportsmanlike conduct. At the point in the game when he got his first technical he had blocked several shots in the game. Two of them he blocked off of the backboard. His first tecnical happened during a hustle play when he ran down a player on a break out steal. He went to block the shot and ended up slapping the backboard. It didn't affect the shot. When the technical was called he picked up the ball and bounced it once and caught it. He was upset and dribbled the ball with two hands hard and caught it. For that he was called for his second technical and ejected and missed a game in his Senior year. A real leader takes his punishment like a man and puts it behind him. Perhaps you should take a lesson from him.

Ponzer and Slavey are two of the toughest kids around. You can push them around but don't expect to keep them down. Any team in the state would be happy to have players with the heart of these two. Coach Steiner has a history of getting more out of his kids than anyone expects. I look for SK to be underrrated all season but to be there at the end.

John is the last of four brothers to play at Ryle. Charlie in baseball and Peter and Casey in basketball. Peter was a strong post player that played on the first Ryle team to make the 1998 Regional finals. Casey played in 2002 with the Regional Champs and now John has some big shoes to follow. It would be a mistake to underestimate his leadership. He spent a lot of years in the gyms watching his brothers play and knows what it takes to win.