Crunch-time

Couldn't agree more.

Notre Dame is probably the hottest team. They knocked off highlands and also Holmes by 30pts.

I doubt if the rankings change much, if at all, since they both lost convincingly. I think the 3 top teams in the NKY polls lost (all by double-digits). This is the year that all of the polls should be tossed out the window.

I hear ya T34 - the bug that is going around is impacting a lot of teams. I knew Conner must not have been at full strength. Last week, I referred to BC being back to full strength by tournament time after their loss to Ryle. When I heard who was out, the players that filled in, and then who was sick on the floor during that game it made much more sense. Then hearing how sick some of the SK players were during the Shelby game it also made more sense. This bug just lingers on-n-on. Hopefully all the teams should be healthy and back to full strength by districts.

It's been mentioned a thousand times on this board; however, there is a huge burden that comes with being ranked #1 and getting so much attention. You have to come to play because you will take every teams best shot. Also, opponents will have higher energy and will play at a level that will even surprise them.

Glad to see SK is back on track. I wouldn't crown them 8th region champs just yet. Shelby County looks better than they were last year. I always give the edge to the team with the toughest schedule. Also, there is a ton of pressure when it's all on the line and the advantage also seems to go to the teams/coaches that have "been there done that". I like Coach Stowers a lot, but he has been known to take his team out of a game mentally. In a "one-n-done" atmosphere that can be dangerous. Good luck SK...it's time to get it done this year for NKY!!

The 9th region is completely wide-open with no home court advantage in the tourney. Highlands and Conner have clearly been more consistent, but they aren't heads above any team. Both teams would have more losses if they played the schedules that ND, BC, and NCC play. Only time will tell which will pay off. Highlands had a great second win over Conner and then followed-up with a 7pt win over Bellevue. Conner didn't beat ND or BC convincingly. Ryle probably just won their championship a couple of nights ago. ND is playing as good as any team right now and will be dangerous. BC and NCC has a lot of time off and should be healthy when districts roll around and they will be dangerous. Unfortunately, at least two teams (NCC, BC, Highlands, or Ryle) will be missing from the regional tourney so it will be a little watered down; however, it should be extremely competitive.

ND by 15 (at least)

Historic win for the Raiders! This should make for quite an interesting first round of the district tourney when the season is on the line. Ryle is playing great and Boone should be back to full strength.

I meant to say I disagree with the blind draw (duh)

Just read where Highlands and NCC drew each other in the 1st round in their district. I understand support for seeding, but I for one disagree. This is a classic case of a good team being ousted and a bad team will advance to the region. If a team is not good enough to compete with the top teams then so-be-it. Only the best should advance OR a less competitive team gets to advance because they pulled a major upset and "earned" it.

FC - Just sharing my thought's. You gave your assessment and I'm sure it will be completely opposite if we hear from a Ryle fan. I'm a typical "bleacher" coach and I shared what I thought were keys to the game. Not right or wrong, just my two-cents. It would make for a pretty boring discussion if we all see the exact same game. Your girls played with heart and I know the fans are proud. They may get another shot at Ryle in the regional tourney and they'll know what to expect. Good luck the rest of the way!

There is no need to bait the Ludlow folks into responding. I was there and have an unbiased opinion. You asked for details. I've seen Ludlow play 4-5 times and they have been pretty consistent and coach Stamm does a good job. Ryle was absolutely getting killed on the high-low and put-backs in the paint. Ludlow was getting killed on the run-outs. It seemed that sending a defender back would have stopped several easy baskets. The ref's were not very consistent and had the gym in a tizzy. I believe it became a big distraction. It happens to a lot of good coaches and good teams. To their credit, the Ludlow girls played with heart and would not quit.

I read where Paris beat Trimble 26-22 in the semi-final and then played LCA till the end. Quite a turn-a-round.

Crittenden is a nice player, but For some reason Ludlow never adjusted to what she was doing. I would guess she scored 3/4, or more, of her points on run-outs/cherry picking. Over-n-over Ryle would rebound, turn, and hit her on the other end for pretty much an uncontested lay-up. On the offensive end, Ludlow could pretty much score "at will" with their post players, but they only used them in spurts. If Ludlow gets someone back on defense and pounds the ball inside on offense...they are in position to win that game. IMO, their coach spent too much time worrying about the ref's than making adjustments.

Sonny - the powers to be must like the teams that schedule/play the top teams. Scott County is under .500 and in the top 25. It's the only thing I can figure.

There is a formula based on who you play/beat. ND & BC have the toughest schedules in the 9th by far. I just looked at BC's schedule/results on the scoreboard (listed below). Also, ND's biggest competition has been from out-of-state so I don't think their biggest wins even count in the LIT ratings. BC beat the #1 in the 3rd, 8th, and 9th regions (according to LIT). They also beat #2 in the 8th and #3 (Bullet East) in the 6th. They also play or played the #1 in the 5th, 6th, 10th...and #2 in the 7th (twice) My guess is both teams get some kind of credit for playing such tough schedules. Not to mention, if I read scoreboard correctly, BC has beaten 3 of the teams that Highlands lost to so I'm sure that is factored in somehow. It seems to be a little like college football. Done by a computer and no one can really figure it out how it really works. I guess it's good rankings mean nothing.

An entire HS team can play together in KY during AAU season. In Ohio, an AAU team can have no more than 2 players from the same HS until June 1st and then as many as they want. Also, the AAU rule is no more than 3 players from out of state can play on a team. Example, KY can have no more than 3 players from Ohio or Indiana on the team.

Phoenix - I assume you were there - what did Warfield do in that game that displayed a "heck of a coaching job"?

The assistant at Ryle has a strong ability to recruit for AAU teams so I'm sure he will keep both girl's at Ryle.

No way DoubleDeuce...

Another big NKY game is happening tonight. Thought's on this one? If the ref's stay out of it I'll take: NDA by 5.

The Bird's have earned the #1 ranking. A couple of watch-out's 1) hope they are not peaking too early and 2) overall, their remaining schedule is not very strong and does not compare to teams that historically have success in the tournament. Is that good or bad? Only time will tell. The Bird's are living off of the zone. Teams are getting baited into launching 3's. It makes for a very boring basketball game, but it obviously works so stick with it. IMO, there are teams in the 9th they cannot match-up with in an athletic/up-tempo game, but until a team knocks down perimeter shots early and forces them to come out and play...they will control the tempo and have success.

Conner by 5

Congrat's Bird's fans. You just got your wish of being ranked #1 and they've earned it. Hopefully your team can handle the burden that comes with it. No more flying under the radar. If you notice, most of the top teams that have "been there done that" just continue to play. They refuse to buy into the hype and don't care about rankings. Any loss or anything short of a regional championship is considered a failure when you are ranked #1 and the favorite. It's so much easier to play the underdog role. I'm no expert, but I think I would rather play ND, NCC, Ryle, Holmes, BC, or Conner as the underdog when the season is on the line. BC, NCC, & ND have coaches that have won "many" titles and with a few weeks to prepare they will be tough to beat. Also, everyone knows how tough it is to beat a good team (Conner) 3 times in row. It will be a tough road. Good luck!