The Observer

I have heard the same complaint for years in the 9th region. T"he officials in the 9th are too whistle happy, causing a problem for the team representing the 9th down state come time for the Sweet 16." While I cannot say I have bought into it, the fact the 9th has produced only 1 state champion certainly seems fishy. Bottom line is calling a basketball game is not easy. The players are so fast and quick it is hard to get them all right. As a fan, I only wish for consistency.

I agree. The officials in the 9th are not very good. Oh yeah, I am a Covington Catholic, Holmes, and Boone Co. fan if any refs are reading.

Perhaps others can name candidates, but none of them top him. He is an amazing athlete.

Hopefully someone can fill me in on Mr. Henderson and his college plans. Has he limited his choices at all? Is he set on playing D1 basketball? He clearly has the skill, but being a 5' 11" shooting guard does not help things.

I'll take Holmes by 19. Covington Catholic seems to be struggling and Holmes is playing great ball right now. It depends on how well Catholic shoots the 3 ball. If they are hitting, I'll say they stay within 10, otherwise it could get ugly.

1st - Murray 2nd - University Heights 3rd - Hancock Co 4th - Metcalfe Co 5th - Bardstown 6th - Louisville Holy Cross 7th - Louisville Collegiate 8th - Gallatin Co 9th - Covington Holy Cross 10th - Saint Patick 11th - Lexington Christian 12th - Somerset 13th - Pineville 14th - Hazard 15th - Shelby Valley 16th - Elliott Co TB - 16th

No one in the 9th touches Holmes. Does not mean an upset can't happen come region time, but Holmes is my pick. I feel they can make a run in the Sweet 16 as well. The 9th will get at least one win this year.

Ludlow moves down the list and without Romas, I would even move Beechwood down. They are clearly not the same team without him.

This was my first time seeing Highlands this year and they are the real deal. Greg McGraw really impressed me tonight. Highlands certainly proved they belong in the same conversation as Cov. Cath. and Holmes. I would not want to play them until I had to in the regional championship.

Cov. Holy Cross Newport Cent. Catholic Beechwood Newport Saint Henry Villa Madonna Ludlow Dayton Bellevue Heritage Academy I rank them in this order. I know Newport beat Beechwood, and Bellevue has gotten past Dayton once, but this is how I see the teams in my opinion. The problem is the top 4 teams play each other early so who knows how it shakes out. It may not be the best team that wins, but the team who has the hottest hand.

Wow, I have seen both teams play enough this year to realize Holmes by 20+ but I had no idea it would get this ugly. I'm glad I went to the Cov. Cath./Highlands game instead. Alex Hall can play D3 ball somewhere. He is a solid offensive player who sometimes struggles against quicker players. In my opinion, Brian Romas is the Tigers best player. He is athletic and has a more all-around game. Hope the Tigers can rebound and beat a tough Villa team tonight.

Wow, I wish I could have been at the game to support this kid. The Sorrell family is in the thoughts of many in the NKY area.

I think Beechwood can play with them for a half. I did not make it to the Cov. Cath. game but heard the Tigers ran out of gas. With Romas out, they aren't as solid defensivly and I really doubt they can keep Holmes off the glass. I'll take Holmes by 20+.

Villa by 18. Love will lead the way with 26 points. 66-48

Beechwood played with their 2nd leading scorer in Brian Romas. Covington Catholic was only up 1 at halftime but gradually tacked onto the lead as the game wore on. Cov. Cath. drove the ball at will against the Tigers and got them in foul trouble.

Glad to hear Coach Schneider is coming back. I hope he can add even more wins onto his record. He has built the program into an every year contender.

I really like the variety of gyms in Northern Kentucky. There really isn't a real model everyone follows. I know Simon Kenton and Dixie have the same gym set-up, any other schools?

Interesting point. I would love to see a rotation between several different places, but I'll doubt that will ever happen. NKU's arena will certainly help the argument in the future.

Mason County is the best in NKY, hands down. In the Boone/Kenton/Campbell Co. area, I would go with Ryle on a packed night. Villa Madonna is amazing as far as small school setting. For worst, I would nominate Heritage. If you have been there, there is no argument.

Sorrell will be playing with a heavy heart. I'll take Holy Cross by 2.

I am a bigger fan of over night trips during Summer team camps where the kids can stay in a dorm and kind of get a feel for the college life while also bonding with their teammates.

Also, Highlands at Cov. Cath. on Jan. 8th

Beechwood @ Villa on Jan. 10th. From everything I hear, Div. III will be decided between these two teams. Also a beautiful gym over there at Villa Madonna.

LCA by 8

I have yet to see Villa but from everything I have heard, they have 2 great players and the rest of the team is so-so. That being said, I'll take Villa by 13.