Big League Chew

A kid that may lead the state in scoring in 2009/2010 is Blake Bryan from Villa Madonna. He may not be of the caliber described in this thread, but will likely average over 30 as a senior. He averaged more than 22 points as a sophomore and the level of competition the school faces allows for some big scoring opportunities. So, look for him to be a scoring leader in the state.

As hard as it might be to believe Villa earned their way to 2 runs against a D1 pitcher who was absolutely on his game. Not many teams in the region would score 2 or more runs the way Nichols was throwing. He had 18 strikeouts and basically dominated hitters but Villa had great strategies to at least get a couple on the board. Joey Neal bunted for a single while Hamilton and Ries had back-to-back singles in the 4th inning to score, and Joey Neal later made Nichols balk to get in a run from 3rd base. If only Villa stopped Dixie from scoring those extra couple they might have pulled it out. It was never guaranteed that Dixie would win that game until the last pitch.

It really was a good game as Villa had a legitimate chance to win it and they were well prepared. Nichols was just pitching at a different level that night as I believe he was hitting 90 mph in the first couple innings. Good season for the Blue Lightning and good luck to Dixie.

Wasn't a guarantee at all. Very well played game by both Villa and Dixie. A few plays go differently and Villa is in the regional. Nichols brought his "A" game with 18 strikeouts, but Villa touched him up in the 4th and 5th innings. Dixie scored 2 in the bottom of the fifth and held on.

I agree with this statement as the smart/better teams focused on stopping Blake since he was the point guard and leader of the team. When Blake struggled, the team struggled and Blake's the kind of player who can carry a team when he's on. Love is an outstanding shooter but didn't necessarily mean more to the team as Blake could get to the basket on any single defensive player in the region. Blake can beat Silver Grove and Heritage by himself next year and that isn't a joke. He does have some flaws such as trying to do to much and turning the ball over but he will put Villa on his back next year for around a 4th place finish in conference. Don't forget that David Schuh and Ryan Schroth can shoot the 3 ball.. They just need to get a little bigger, stronger, and quicker.

Let's go Holmes!!

Seattle had a brother graduate last year from CCH, Skylar or Skyler. So, wasn't a big surprise that he followed his brother. BTW, he was a regular on the varsity golf team and contributed fairly well on the varsity baseball team this year as an 8th grader. The rules are changing in 2008/2009. 8th graders who play varsity for a high school are ineligable to play a sport for another high school as a 9th grader. This rule goes into affect next year.

I have been to a lot of baseball games from the larger schools and I haven't seen a big crowd at a baseball game yet. What schools are bringing the big crowds? High school baseball games are just not bringing a very big crowd at all. I even saw a note from The Old Guy in another thread asking to get CCH fans out to the game; I'm assuming because the crowds are not very large even at Cov Cath.

Feel bad for the Lightning who never got their shot to play on Champions Field this year. Were they the only school in the region left out?

We could debate for quite a while as to why a player would stay at a smaller school rather than go to a bigger school like Cov Cath. I have heard from at least one AAU coach explaining to a player that high school basketball is about getting touches. He went on to say that if you can play 4 years at Varsity level for a small school, that is much more important than playing maybe 1 year, half time, at varsity at a big school. He believes that you earn scholarships to college in AAU basketball and high school just helps keep your skills fresh; it is about getting better. I don't know if that is true or not, but that was his opinion. Look at Arrez Henderson. I believe his opportunity at LA Tech was because of his high school career, but I may be wrong about that. Debate between Big Schools and Small Schools could take on a life of its own.

Sounds good.. I really hope they can get that game in with all the rain coming down. It would be a shame to cancel this game and the high school kids not be able to play at this stadium. As for the game Lloyd beat Villa 12-2 but 6 of those runs came with a grand slam in the very last inning when Villa put in a different pitcher. Lloyd is definitely favorite in the game tomorrow but it should be a close game and a good one to watch as Villa is hot lately. I know music is played when each player comes up to the plate, do the high school kids get to pick which song is played as they come up to bat? Just out of curiosity.

Hopefully his stats aren't getting in his head?:irked:

The rich keep getting richer at Cov Cath, two 8th graders transferring from Villa that will make an impact down the road - Derek Phelps (6'4" and growing) and Grant Guess. Grant had a knee injury and did not play this year, but is a very strong basketball player and is a gym rat. In four years, these two start at Cov Cath barring injuries. Another transfer that could be a good one is Seattle Stein, but may be giving up basketball to focus on Baseball and Golf.

Westmoreland certainly would be a starter, but unfortunately for Villa, he is graduating - one of the seven seniors.

I think they will contend for Division III again in 2008/2009, but youth may keep them from winning as many games as this years team. But, lookout for them in 2009/2010 season when the talented sophomore and freshman classes become Seniors and Juniors. Reminds me of this year's senior class that took a lot of knocks as juniors, but paid off when they became seniors.

This definitely won't happen as I guarantee you Dixie pitches Nichols first round vs. Villa. Not only did Dixie only beat Villa 6-0 with Nichols and only beat Calvary 6-0, they've had trouble scoring runs often. I don't know if you folks remember but two years ago #1 seed Dixie did not pitch their ace vs. #4 Lloyd in the first round of the 34th and got beat. Villa ended up winning the District that year so Dixie has definitely learned their lesson to pitch their ace. You only need to win one game in the 34th to make it to regionals.

Villa has a lot of talented young, athletic players who will grow up quickly in varsity play next year. They won't be as strong inside, but the team will be a quicker team. So, probably need to take advantage of having an athletic team, that gets up and down the court quickly. Starting 5 will likely be very quick, almost a 5 guard team of Bryan, Duggan, Schuh, Schroth, & Steinkoenig. Four of them are juniors, exception being Duggan. The four juniors were all gaurds last year. Schroth continues to grow and will likely need to move inside to the 4 or 5 spot. Quite a shift from being a point guard as a freshman.

Well seeing how Lloyd already beat Conner it can't be too surprising.. Conner is a very good team and might have been slightly favored in this one but Lloyd is playing good baseball. They are the favorite to win the 34th IMO.

How did Zac Adams do agaisnt Isler?

I don't see this as a big upset at all.. Lloyd has a very solid team this year.

Villa - Will Reis 6 1/3, Ryan Schroth closed Williamstown - 5 pitchers, not Michael Walter

Final. Villa has now won 8 out of their last 11 after starting 0-10.

Wow! Nky baseball continues to surprise me everyday. Lose to Silver Grove and then beat CCH?!?!? I want to hear from some CCH fans who were there on their analysis.

Nothing against Silver Grove though Congrats to them! Just saying that because Bellvue seems to be talking BIG lately.

Ouch! That seems to bring back Bellvue to reality.