airjordan23

Yes, you are right in the fact that they lost. Both of those teams lost 5 or more seniors. I'm talking about this year not last and the expierience of all of Beechwood will benefit them in the long run.

Beechwood vs Bellevue at Bellevue on Saturday

By the end of the '09 season, Holmes will have completed a run of five out of six 9th region crowns... IMO.

Boone might have something to say about that. Their 2010 class is VERY good.

Because they were a complete TEAM. No stars, just a group of good players who worked well together. Villa was led by Love and Bryan. Love was the best Division III player which is why he got the award.

Don't get me wrong, the kid is good. But Villa also lost to Dayton, Bellevue, Calvary, and Beechwood twice. I can understand the Beechwood losses and Calvary was a pretty decent team, but Dayton and Bellevue? How does POY let his team fall to lesser competition?

And they probably don't. That was one person's opinion. But they will be very good and most definitely compete for the region. They can most certainly "compete" with any of the teams you listed. In fact, I question whether Boone has the pitching to compete with the others. Cov Cath and Ryle are the teams to beat until someone proves differently. (Yes, yes, I know Beechwood will be good - but they need to prove it first).

I do believe Beechwood has proven themselves they beat very high quality teams last year like Lexington Christian and Apollo both in the top ten this year. I also believe they only lost one senior and still have 8 starters returning with a very deep pitching staff including Elliot, Hadden, Snyder(?), Larimore, and Smith. They also have the most underated hitter in the 9th region Adam Gohs.

From Beechwood :

Zac Larimore : P, SS

 

Josh Bertke : IF , P

 

Brad Leeke : OF

 

All will see minimal time at the freshman level .These 3 will spend most of the time with the varsity .Bertke and Leeke lettered last year as 8 th graders .

All three of these players will probably end up on the J.V. level by the end of the year. Brad Leeke, I heard, had Tommy John. Zac Larimore will be a straight pitcher at the varsity level. Josh Bertke will need to improve his arm strength to play third on the varsity level.

I really hope Mr. Hopson comes to Lexington and plays for Billy G.

I just don't feel that Ryle should have 3 or 4 players on the all region team. Yes, they will be decent this year I just don't seeing them contending with the Boone County, Cov Caths, and Beechwoods.

They have a fine player in Romes coming back but Top 10 is pushing it for this small school. I expect they will wipe the floor in Class A though.

His brother had a heck of a sr season, I bet he does the same. I wouldn't be surprised to see him on the all region team.

While Boone and Holmes will no doubt be ahead of the rest, Boone won't be as far ahead of CCH as some would like to think. Holmes is really the only team who is really above the rest of the competition RIGHT NOW.

 

They will most likely start 3 6'5 + guards in R. Johnson, J. Johnson, and Pittman. No NKY will be able to match up with them. Throw in Riley handling the rock and knocking down treys all night and either (6'3 G) Dom Johnson slashing to the rack or 6'6 Keyvon Arnold stepping outside to knock down a few 3's and there will be mismatches all over the floor for other teams. Holmes will be loaded with scorers next year and kids who love to play defense like this year's team.

 

As far as Covcath and Maile go, Maile and Shover will compliment eachother nicely next year. Maile will be a man among boys in most every game. He was the only player I saw this year who could rebound and bang down low with Holmes. Maile is a preseason POY candidate in the 9th IMO.

 

Dixie loses a lot but will still be a top 10 team. Probably 9 or 10 but they will be there.

 

If I had to predict favorites to win each district on what they return:

 

33rd: Boone (Runner up-Ryle...if they finally play to their potential)

34th: St Henry (Runner up-Dixie...but wouldn't be surprised to see Lloyd turn some heads)

35th: Holmes (Runner up-Covcath...Holy Cross and Beechwood will take their lumps)

36th: Too close to call. Highlands, NCC, and Newport are the favorites but with the draw you never know.

What about Beechwood, they're top ten worthy. Shumate and company should contend strong. If I do recall, they played CCH very close last season without Romes.

Beechwood was undefeated in Conference play....can't really argue against that.

That is true, but how did Beechwood not have the player of the year then?

I think that sums it up best. Grote, Watson, and Kowolonek will be key for Highlands though. If all three can play to their potential Highlands could end up being a top 5 team. If I had to rank em now I'd see it something like this:

 

1. Holmes

 

2. Boone

3. Covcath

4. Ryle

5. Highlands

6. Newport

7. St Henry

8. NCC

9. Dixie

10. Conner

 

Holy Cross, IMO will take their lumps next year. Without Sorrell they will struggle as teams will bey able to double Giwa at the point and force him in to turnovers.

Holmes and Boone no doubt will be ahead of the rest. Cov Cath could be a threat, but Maile could take too many shots away from other players and could be their downfall. Dixie I disagree with because Dixie loses a lot in Mace and Kendall.

I'm surprised to not see Cody Elliot on this thread yet, he is a D-1 player.

Cory Sorrell is very good, but he is not the player of the year. I don't understand how you can have Arrez Henderson as one player of the year and Sorrell as another.

C Farris - Boone

1B Brake - Conner

2B O'Hara - Ryle

SS Letherbee - Ryle

3B Nicholas-Dixie (may not be best defensive, but add in his bat, best overall

LF Campbell - Ryle

CF Elliott - Beechwood

RF Seabold - Ryle

Their are too many Ryle players. One Ryle is not that good, yes they do have some talent coming up from their J.V. team, but we are talking J.V. Many of them do not have varsity expierience.

Shumate over Villas coach? Villa had their greatest season ever.

Rumor has it Beechwood LF Chas Hyde injuried his ankle playing Wii boxing yesterday. It looks like he could miss the entire season. I wonder if he won the match?

I think Hopson and Edmonson come out and play well. I'll take UH in the upset

Holmes wins.

I heard he was looking at Duquesne.