Reality Check

Yes, he was at the game last night with a cast on his wrist and a boot on his foot. Not sure what happened, but looked like he was more than likely done for this year.

I think Dayton's only shot was hoping to draw Bellevue in the play-in side. They won't go down without a fight, but I just don't think they have a real shot in this one. NCC/Highlands will be interesting. Depends on which team shows up for both of them.

They are a whole different team without Cruse. I noticed that last night as well. I think he would have given them another strong scoring option in the post. Holy Cross was running a triangle and 2 against Fangman and Pohlgeers last night at some points last night. Hall did a good job of taking some opportunities but Beechwoods options were limited from the rest.

Very different Beechwood team without Corey Cruse. Holy Cross did a good job keeping the ball away from Pohlgeers and Fangman. Nick Hall played a nice game but they struggled to find scoring options from the other kids. Holy Cross played a very disciplined game. They played hard on the defensive side of the floor and were patient on offense. A lot on the line for this game, congrats to the Indians on the W. From what I have seen of Holy Cross I don't think they will match up well with CovCath, but we will see!

Why are you yelling at us!?! I am interested to see what the Indians do defensively. They ran a lot of different zones last night to try to minimize Beechwood's guards. How will they try to take Wellbrock and Thelan out of this game?

7- Villa Madonna 5- Burgin 3- Paris 2- Newport Catholic 1- Conner TB- Villa Madonna

Tigers have been less than impressive this season, but then again so has Holy Cross at times. Winner should more than likely avoid Holmes in the first round of the district tournament. Where is this game being played? Holy Cross or Beechwood?

You have to beat those teams if you want to play in the region. Look at Beechwood last year, they made it to the region in the 35th, a district that seeds, by defeating Covington Catholic in the district. They had a great team last year and made it to the region on merit. They are a DIII school just like Bellevue and Dayton. If you really can't beat those teams, then why would you want to play in the region? The competition is going to be just as good if not better.

I agree, I can see why a lot of smaller and mediocre schools would want to blind draw. But I agree, it would not be fair at all. You should reward the teams who have a good season. You should make it to the region tournament on merit not based on luck of the draw.

Cruse, before he was injured, was way more than a role player for Beechwood. Cruse has a lot of potential to be good for the Tigers.

A lot of kids advance significantly from their Sophomore to Junior season and become top contributors. When you have talent like the kids at Holmes they will play significant minutes as a sophomore. But most kids progress through their careers. The talent at Holmes is rare. Is their any DI talent in the current Sophomore class? Probably not, but how much DI talent is normally in NKY? I just think its too soon to make the call on whether or not this is a good class.

I agree with you, too hard to say right now that this is a weak class as most of these kids have not had the opportunity to play significant time at the varsity level.

Thanks! :ylsuper::thumb:

I can't figure Highlands out. One night they look like they could easily win the region, then the next they look like a one and done. Now they lost to a good Conner team, but does anyone who has followed the 'Birds closely think they have shown to be a little inconsistent?

Dayton has shown that they are a good team, but I can't see how you can say they can play with anyone in the region. The opportunities that they have had they have not come away with wins.

Dayton really doesn't own any quality wins this year, other than beating Beechwood. They have beat some DIII schools big, but most of those games they should have won based on their talent level. I think it will be a game for three quarters and St. Henry will pull away and win by 10.

Maybe disrespectful is too strong of a word. Just found it to be strange. I have been watching High school games for many many years and never seen this done before.

This was the first game I saw Highlands play at home, they did the anthem during warmups, which happens a lot. Highlands was down for that, and I think Beechwood was too. Then as the buzzer sounded to start the game, Beechwood kids lined up to do their starting lineups, they shake hands with the Refs. Highlands bench is empty. Then after Beechwood finished their starters the Highlands reserves ran out formed their lines and Highlands starters ran out of the curtain. I have never seen it done that way, I kind of thought it was dissrespectful to the opponent. But I may just be over sensitive!

Pretty balanced scoring from the Birds. They took over at the end of the first half and just ran with out. Tigers were outmatched from the start. ...on a side note, found it interesting that Highlands stayed in their locker room while the visiting team was announced and came out after the visitors were announced. I have never seen that before. Somewhat of a different pre-game set up. I don't know what I think about it. Anyone else see this?

Completely agree, you are just talking about two programs in two completely different places right now. Holmes was not at all running it up.

Pre-season most would say the 9th was a group of three teams: Holmes, Boone County, and Highlands. Boone has had some dissapointing losses but show that they can be a great team. Highlands has had flashes of brilliance and times where we scratch our head. Holmes at times looks uninterested but have the talent to be great. Most said that Newports was a sleeper, I think they are proving that to be the case. If I am ranking who has the best shot at this point to win the region it looks like this... Holmes, Boone County, Newport......then you can throw in Ryle, Highlands, Conner, and a few others who could make a run. I think this year is shaking out to be a lot like we predicted. Anyone else?

Cov Cath was completely out matched last night. This is not your normal Colonels team, Thelan is a great talent and Wellbrock brings some great energy but they have to develop some guards if they want to make it over the hump. A lot of talent in the ranks in Park Hills though so I think this drought will end soon. Colonels need to get their swagger back.

7- Ft. Knox 5- Dixie Heights 3- Villa Madonna 2- Pendleton Co. 1- GRC TB- Dixie Heights

Holmes took a seven point loss last year around this time last year (February 10th) to Boone County and everyone said the sky is falling on the Bulldogs. I will still take Holmes come tournament time. But I agree, there are a lot of games that they look uninterested. There are other teams out there that do the same thing they are just not under the same microscope as Holmes.