Crunch-time

I have no opinion on Cheesman, but I absolutely know that Chris D would be incredible with this talented group. I'm glad he isn't the HC...very glad!

100% Boone fan. I'm not sure I "took a shot" at coach "O" unless stating "she'll be less intimidated if Fookes is not on the sidelines" is what you consider a shot. If so, it's an opinion and I won't back-off of it. We have a Raider fan on here that took a bigger shot at one of the BC coaches, but it's an opinion so it is what it is. At least I was subtle

Never doubted which team was more talented from top to bottom...as a coach, I'd say "Moss will get her double-double so I make someone else beat me". Playing a zone is nuts, IMO. It allows the opponent to stay rested and out of foul trouble. Plus, it will take the pressure off a very young PG. So it will be interesting to see what coach O decides to do.

7-3

Where was that attitude last year? I seem to recall some whining when a key player from Ryle was sooo jacked up she couldn't stop fouling and spent some time on the bench...all I remember was "if we had her we would've - could've - should've". The Lady Raiders already have doubt. The stars are aligned (home floor - their best team in history) so they better get it done on Friday. All they need is your confidence I haven't seen them play, but please tell me they don't still sit in a zone all night with all those athletes?

I have no idea for sure. So far, I think we've ran with the rules comment from one poster on here. I've heard three things 1) no additional penalty 2) 1 additional game 3) 2 additional games...I also haven't heard about an appeals rule in HS. I guess we'll know soon enough.

Not nice Shock!

Yep, I have a vested interest in BW as well so I know what you mean. Remind her it's her last chance to beat Boone on her home floor...if I calculate correctly I hope to make it on Friday...if not, I'm sure I'll miss what will surely be a a barn-burner.

Dean is more than capable of coaching the team. The only thing that will change is the sidelines will be quiet with less foot stomping and screaching...and of course, Olivero will be less intimidated. If Ryle can't beat Boone at home without their coach...it will certainly take some of the luster out of the rematch(s).

No need to feel sorry for anyone. Success always draws criticism. This year has been much better than usual. You might want to pull for Boone in this game because the one and only time Ryle beat Boone they got hammered the next time around. As one Ryle Dad told me after that game "I'm afraid this may come back to bite us"...and I agreed Your team has 4 (maybe 6) more chances to beat Boone before your niece moves on. With all that incredible talent for the past 3yrs and nothing (dist or reg) to show for it...it would be a shame to go more 2yrs and come up empty. The recent HHS team was the favorite for 2-3yrs and came up empty and your team will top that so the pressure will mount. Diddle is a great experience. I want your niece to experience it, but I don't want Ryle to ever experience it...so I'm stuck

Shock...you've been around way too long to believe this statement.

I meant it as a general statement...it requires thick skin for anyone to support the LadyRebs and their coach

I have your back WVFrank...I'd be hard pressed to find any player that went through the pressure that my Daughter went through at BC, but to this day she calls Nell anytime she needs to "dump" or to just talk. And, when she gets the opportunity to come home she always spends time with her coach. She never fully understood why she was so hard on her in-and-out of the classroom until the time came to meet the rigors and demands of playing at the next level. I was surprised to hear she got ejected. I've seen her get "T'd" a lot, but never ejected. But as soon as I heard the comments about concern for her players...I wasn't surprised. The "only" times I've seen her lose her mind was on cheap/dirty type plays. Anything negative towards BC or Nell always brings the "haters" out of the woodworks. I have concerns about the game on Friday since it's at Ryle. If they lose, every Tom, Dick, and Harry will show up on this board starting from their Blackberry's in the gym. However, if Boone wins the BIG game at NKU...you'll hear Crickets on here Ya gotta have "super" thick skin to support this coach and her program

You sure hit the nail on the head. I know kids that worked their tails off to be in tip top shape when they arrived on campus and were still no where close to being prepared. There are many reasons why kids quit or transfer to smaller programs, but the vast majority have a difficult time handling 15-18hr days for six days per week. It doesn't take long to find out which players love the game versus which players have a true passion for the game.

I'm ate up with this stuff my friend. When I'm sitting in the stands watching college teams from mid to high majors...I tend to try to picture where, or if, some HS players that I'm most familiar with will fit at the next level or even be able to compete. My opinion means "squat", but it's still my "opinion" so I guess I'm entitled

I'm sure it's just giving her an opportunity to get some time on the perimeter to handle the ball. You are correct, she cannot defend a guard at the next level so she will won't be far from the basket on "D". She also keeps way too many balls active on the defensive rebound so she won't be guarding on the perimeter too much.

Absolutely "Yes" to all three questions.

Last thing Shock...in fairness, because I adore your niece, I have no idea where the stats are located, but I would bet there are 20+ players with higher stats. Absolutely no way do I feel there are that many player's that are better than her. Stats and rankings look good on paper and a fun conversation piece, but for the most part they mean very "zero".

It depends on the style of play. IMO, she'll be a match-up nightmare at the 3, but can certainly be effective at the 4 as well. A bigger player can't guard her on the perimeter because she''l blow by them and if they give her space she'll knock it down from outside. If a guard defends her she'll move down low and kill'em in the paint. And the fact she's a southpaw adds even more to her game. paNDA...you know as well as I do that a lot of personal opinions are formed based on HS performance so the vast majority of the people have "zero" clue what some of these kids can really do when they play on the big stages against the truly best-of-the-best.

Is Syd the best player in the state? maybe not, but not many people will say there are 6 better players...including me. I personally don't determine the top players based on who has the highest PPG avg or highest Reb avg. My biggest knock on Syd is she tends to take a play here and there off on the defensive end. I find it tough to believe that there's truly 6 players with more athleticism and a better all-around game...of course, it's really just subjective anyway. Syd is sometimes TOO unselfish. She would never be selfish, nor would Fookes allow it, but I'm 100% confident that her numbers could be staggering if she wasn't a team player, however, BC would have a couple of more losses as well.

Whew! You shocked me shock...I expected you to say Syd was 7th right behind the top 6 players at Ryle. You are slipping my friend where's your loyalty

I knew which side of this fence you would be on

Agree! they are scheduled again in a couple of weeks so we'll see what happens. After this dust settles, I bet they don't drop 100 on them next time.

When I see only 1 3pt'er plus they had 24 steals...you can get a pretty clear picture of how the game went. Would it be better if it was 80-3? perhaps, they lost 70-0 a few weeks ago and it wasn't publicized It's okay to think differently CC. I personally wouldn't demorilize a team that's clearly much less talented and you would. We'll just agree to disagree. It's all good!