tezzyrice

Very good points and I agree. I have to ask you this though. Had that been one of the Holmes players who committed a foul like that (which honestly would never happen as I've seen them give easy lay ups many times this year because they don't play like that) would you still think it wasn't intentional? The bottom line is, the kid knew Pittman was going to dunk so he intentionally fouled him with some force to keep it from happening. I don't want to turn this thread in to the same direction that the Ryle thread turned, but I think it was a pretty good call, especially after the one that the refs let go against Ryle.

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As for the game: I think Holmes wins and gets revenge on Boone from earlier in the year. It's tough to beat a team as good as Holmes twice in one season, which was shown when Holmes played Bryan Station in a rematch and blew them out of the gym. I really don't think the Dogs will lose focus in this one. Coach Henley has coached in 3 of the last 4 region championship games, which is going to be an advantage in Holmes' favor. Let's also not forget that Pittman played hurt the 1st game and was really having his way with the Rebels before injuring his wrist and becoming virtually a non factor the rest of the game. I think Boone keeps it close throughout but Holmes pulls away at the end. When it's all said and done, I see the Dogs cutting down the nets and Ricardo Johnson "one upping" his 9th region tourney team selection from last year with a 9th region tourney MVP award. Holmes 57 Boone Co 49

9400. If Holmes and Scott are both playing in the finals Tuesday night, the arena will EASILY be close to capacity.

Speaking of Tuesday...if you're a 9th region fan, I recommend getting to the BOKC for the start of the 10th game if you want a seat in the lower bowl on one of the sidelines. I assume many of the 10th fans will stick around for the 9th finals which is going to leave limited seating in the lower bowl, unless you want to sit in the endzones.

Pangallo and Conner seemed to be their only scoring threats in the first half. I believe they combined for 12 of NCC's 18 points? NCC had a lot of success outside but inside the paint, not so much. Holmes size and athleticism frustrated the NCC big men the whole game. The bigger Geisler, Jake?, did have a few nice possessions though where he outrebounded several Holmes defenders for offensive put backs. I really liked how Henley put the game in the hands of Pittman and Rico late in the game. Rico came up HUGE today and showed why he's the best all around player in the state for his class.

This depends on whether or not Phares is ok and able to play...anyone know? LC already played them to within 6 just a few weeks ago and that was WITH Phares in the lineup. With Phares: Scott Co 81 Lexcath 70 Without Phares: Lexcath 76 Scott Co 72

Yea I've noticed that several times from Housely this year when he and Pittman have had break aways together and he elected to throw it down himself rather than giving it up to the big fella for an oop.........

Rice played pretty well today. He came up HUGE on several possessions when Holmes needed a bucket. Once he learns how to be smarter about his shot selection, the kid is going to be a stud. (Not that he isn't already for his age) It's nice seeing Holmes have Kevon, Pittman, R. Johnson, and J. Johnson on the floor a lot together, as that's 4 of their 5 starters for next year.

Nice pics PaNDA. :thumb: Pittman's dunk was nice off the rebound...he threw it down pretty hard.

The last two times Holmes has faced an opponent in the Region championship, that beat them in the regular season had the following results: 04/05 Regular Season- Conner 75 Holmes 74 (OT) Region Championship- Holmes 53 Conner 39 07/08 Regular season/District- Covcath 42-41; Covcath 46-42; Covcath 53-50 Region Championship- Holmes 72 Covcath 60 Not that it matters, but a little history lesson. Coach Henley knows how to prepare his teams for a region title game after a team beat them in the regular season.

Match ups: 6'0 Riley v 6'0 Brown 6'2 D. Johnson v 6'0 Gabbard 6'4 J. Johnson v 6'3 Cotton 6'5 R. Johnson v 6'5 Mcfarland 6'7 Pittman v 6'6 Earls

Fair enough. But at the same time, isn't it the players who provide the excitement and atmosphere? It's the players making great plays and playing good defense that bring the atmosphere to the arena by getting everyone excited....not student sections.

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As far as the game, I thought Holmes played pretty well defensively. NCC didn't get much, if anything around the rim and it was their 3 point shooting that kept them in the game. Conner, Pangallo, and even one of the Geisler's hit several big three's throughout the game. I know all three players had atleast 2 of them. Difference in this game was Ricardo Johnson. He took over in the 4th quarter, scoring 7 of his 15 points after the two teams headed in to the 4th tied at 28. NCC had a great game plan coming in to the game. They took their time offensively and worked for good shots to keep from giving Holmes a lot of offensive possessions. I honestly think "stalling" hurt them in the end though as on several possessions they ran off over a minute of clock only to miss a shot, turn it over, or have a shot blocked, which led to Holmes capitalizing at the other end. I think the big rebound and two hand dunk by Pittman was the game changing moment in the 4th. NCC came down and hit a 3 but Rico responded with a personal 5-0 run to put the Dogs in control and seal the deal. Only negative I saw with the Dogs today was them rushing shots and playing too much "one on one" ball at times. They have to continue to work the ball around, attack the rim, and find the open man rather than trying to get in a jump shooting contest with the opposing team. Pittman and JJ both rebounded very well for Holmes. On to the finals for revenge against the Rebels.

Right before districts. His mother and father recently got married so they had Kevon and his younger brother's last name officially changed from Arnold to Rice.

TOG...I have to respectfully disagree with you on this matter. Honestly, who cares whether the students show up or not? People come to see a basketball game...not cheering sections.

I agree. I don't understand why they didn't give the ball to Grote or Kowolonek and let them use their athleticism and quickness and then try to find Watson or Grubbs in the middle...They kept picking their dribble up on the sideline and trying to throw it across the floor which led to a lot of easy tip aways and steals for Boone.

Well the much anticipated rematch is finally here, as they will meet in the finals with the right to advance to Rupp on the line. Holmes comes in 31-2 after a 47-38 win over NCC. Boone comes in 26-4 after a 55-47 win over Highlands. Boone beat the Dogs in Florence 45-38 back in February when these two met, to end a 22 game winning streak by Holmes. Thoughts?

To echo OR...Boone's press in the second half was the difference in this one. Highlands kept picking up their dribble WAY too much against it, which led to bad passes and easy turnovers for the Rebels. Game was closer than the final indicates though. Boone was only up 2 with I believe 2 or 3 minutes left, when a missed lay up by Highlands after a steal and some stall ball by Boone forced the Birds to start fouling, which led to the final. If you're a Highlands fan though, you have to feel pretty good about the Birds considering how much they accomplished this year with NO seniors. I'd expect them to be in the same boat with Holmes next year with this group that they have. Good luck to the Rebels Tuesday night against the Dogs.

I agree. I do think ALOT of the Holmes faithful want to see a rematch with Boone though to prove it was just "one of those nights" out in Florence.

Not sure if anything has changed, but I know when Austin came out of high school, Marquette was VERY interested in him and wanted him to keep them on his radar for when he graduated from JC.

I agree....I think some of those complainining about a lack of atmosphere are in for a nice surprise come Tuesday night. Again, I guarantee Tuesday night will draw the biggest crowd both 9th and 10th region folks have ever seen for a region championship. I'll be there for both games today as well. :popcorn::thumb:

I say this with no disrespect meant to anyone so please don't take it the wrong way, but, I can't believe some still feel the need to complain about this or that. Ladies and Gentleman...let's all realize this is about the KIDS!! Some of us need to put that in perspective rather than worrying about our own selfish wants or needs. I'm sure the kids could care less about the things some of us are complaining about and they're simply happy to have the opportunity to play in a first rate facility and have a chance to prepare themselves for a state title run. Isn't that what this is all about? Our teams advancing and seeing these young men succeed? I can guarantee you, they'd play in an EMPTY gym and have no problem with it. Also, these are the same prices as at Rupp...tickets are actually MORE at Rupp and atmosphere usually lacks BIG TIME in the first and second round games, so why are we complaining about this, but not that??? Whether the games are held at BOKC or a high school, very rarely do first round games draw big crowds. I can guarantee you the 9th and 10th region will see bigger crowds than they've ever seen come Tuesday night.

I'd say wait til after today, Monday, and Tuesday, and then I'd be able to give you a better answer. I'd say the lack of atmosphere had a lot to do with it just being the opening round of th tournament. As far as which facility is better, BOKC is hands down the better of the two.