The Observer

I would bump Campbell up one spot over Conner, but the rest looks about right.

I was at the game last year when Beechwood beat Conner, but this year I believe Conner is much improved. With the game being at Conner, I'll take the Cougars by 4 in a dandy.

Wow, sounds like an exciting ending. Just looking at the score, I'm guessing both teams strength is at the defensive end of the floor. Holy Cross appears to be better than most thought at the beginning of the season. Giwa is the real deal and his supporting cast are finding their roles. Congrats to Scott on the hard earned victory.

I am pretty sure that traditionally the award has gone to a senior, but I may be wrong. If it comes down to wins and loses, one of the two Beechwood boys will win it, or possibly Flannigan for Calvary. If it comes down to stats, there is no way Bryan does not win it. Maybe I knew and forgot, but who won it last season?

I agree with Stewie. Nerl is one heck of a player. However, Boone is too athletic for Campbell Co. Cotton could create a match-up problem, causing helpside defense to colapse, leaving Earls open for several easy baskets. I'll take Boone by 1 on a buzzer beater by Gabbard.:jump:

1- West Jessamine 2- Mercer County 3- St. Xavier 5- Tates Creek 7- St. Henry TB- Tates Creek

Highlands will win big. How soon are the football kids coming back?

I like Dayton big as well. I have yet to see either team play, nor do I plan on it at this point, but Dayton does have a victory over Lloyd which is enough to lead me to believe the Big Trains are in trouble.

I like the Blue lightning. Bryan is putting up 35+ a game. I am not sure Ludlow has the ability to stop Bryan from putting up 50. After seeing that Ludlow lost to Heritage, it could be a long year for the Panthers. Shelton could cause Villa a problem inside, but I like Villa by 14.

I do not know any of the current freshman for Beechwood, but I do have a couple ideas on where they might have come from. The example I'm sure most Beechwood people would use is academics. Test scores have proven Beechwood to be one of the top public schools in the state. The other idea would be the football program. Many athletes come in to compete for a state championship. This is no different than the several kids to end up at schools like Highlands each year. My final idea is that Dayton also has a solid squad. Perhaps they too will beat Ryle by 20. Like I said, I'm not sure of the situation, but that would be my best guess.

Highlands is playing very good basketball right now. I certainly think they can challenge Holmes once regional time comes around. Kowoloneck is a heck of a player and fun to watch. As for Covington Catholic, keep your heads up. Yes, you are 0-5, but your team hasn't played the easiest schedule in the world. Once Shover gets back and everyone gets used to the speed of varsity basketball the Colonals will be a contender no one wants to mess with. Listerman will make the adjustments needed and Maile will get the shooters around him needed to spread the floor. Once that happens, their win/loss record will recover.

I am not trying to knock the talent. It was meant as more of a compliment towards Faust.

I did notice Billy G and Arrez. He seems to be a pretty approachable guy in the few occations I have seen him out at games. I think it is going to be very interesting to see if more teams put full court pressure on Holmes. It is kind of a catch 22. You don't want to run up and down with a more athletic team, but if they do not handle pressure well, press !! I am sure Henley will be working with the Bulldogs on the press breaker at practice, but it will be interesting how opposing coaches attack them defensively in the future.

Apparently I am the only one who likes Holy Cross in this game. Giwa is very consistant in putting up about 18 a game. The rest of the Indians have been shooting the ball well. Scott has a force inside that Holy Cross will have problems with, but I like the Indians in a close one.

My son said he left when Beechwood was up 20. I have yet to catch the Tigers in action, but they seem to have a solid squad. I was able to see them quite a few times last year and I remember Buettel, Romas, and Snider being very athletic players. It will be interesting to see how they do as the season progresses. And if the Smith kid is as tough defensively as I keep reading about, the All "A" may be realistic.

They may be boring, but they are well coached. Give them time and you will see a better product. Faust always gets the best out of what he has.

Am I wrong or is Campbell dominating the freshman level right now?

Great job Beechwood. Congrats to Coach Rash and all the Tiger players. An ugly win is better than a great loss. Can't wait to see pictures of the ring!!

Turnovers are keeping Hazard in the game. If they can begin to move the ball, this game could be a long way from over. That is a HUGE if.

Frustration is setting in on Hazard

Touchdown Beechwood on QB keeper.

First and goal for Beechwood

I have seen Boone once and have yet to see Conner. I was unimpressed by the way Boone played. They have the most talent (with a huge exception of Holmes) in the 9th region. Many times their players play out of position and they do not work as a team. I was really impressed by Gabbard. I see Conner upseting Boone and showing that they may be the suprise team in the region this year. I'll take Conner by 5.

Should this be a rivalry, perhaps. Is it? No. I cannot recall Beechwood ever competing with Dixie. I know they used to be in the same district but Dixie always pounded Beechwood. That being said, Beechwood has one of their better squads, while Dixie cannot say the same. I still will take the Colonels by 3.

I have no problem with the way Ryle played. I will say that looking at the score I felt a little sick to my stomach, but after examining the box score, it looks like he cleared the bench pretty early. Now, I don't know if they were fast breaking off everything, or how long the press was imposed. I imagine Coach Sullivan is a competitor and understands what the situation is. With time, Cooper will be just fine.