kywldcat01

I think some may be selling Cotton a little short. IMO he'll be a top 5 player in nky next year. He impressed me the most this year out of any other player on Boone's team. He has the athleticism that both Earls and Gabbard lack and his defense doesn't get enough credit.

JV success doesn't always equate to success at the varsity level. There are a lot of sophomores that play strictly varsity rather than JV. Rice of Holmes, Hodges of Conner, Stauffer of Ryle are a few examples of sophomores who play strictly varsity but would no doubt be huge factors at the JV level. How many JV champions, over the past few years, have won the region title the next year as juniors or the year after as seniors? Mcfarland, Brown, and Spaulding will be harder to replace than you think. You can't just replace a kid like Steve Mcfarland.

I think you're referring to the 04 team that won region with Nestheide, Kennedy, Votel Brothers, Erpenbeck, Wachs, and Muck. That team was very good here in the 9th.

Didn't the players get State Finalist rings last year? I seem to remember seeing several of the players wearing a ring at the banquet they had two weeks ago at Covcath.

That's what it looks like. I noticed that as well.

See Elijah Pittman last year. He actually played more than Clark, but didn't start. See Brandon Housely this year with Dom Johnson. Same situation. It's all about how those players help the TEAM and fit certain roles. Riley was better off the bench last year but during the region and state tournament saw extensive time at the 1 and 2 with Avery out. Riley could easily play at NKU though. He is definetly good enough to play at the D2 level and could play at some of the NAIA D1 schools (Pikeville, Cumberland, Union). If Mike Hester was good enough to play at Union, Riley certainly is as well. Morehead wouldn't be recruiting him if they didn't think he was good enough to play at that level in the next 4 years. I personally see Riley taking the JUCO route to work on flaws that several people mentioned, such as lack of strength and needing to work on defense. He will play right away at a JUCO which will allow him to improve and get better looks here in 2 years. I think he proved against Scott Co and Elliott Co both that he is good enough to play against D1 caliber guards. He used his quickness to get by the Faulkner boy several times and also dropped 20 on Ge'Lawn Guyn who is probably one of the best defensive guards in the state. Considering Riley was the 3rd leading scorer this year for a team that was pretty loaded, I think some of you may be selling him short a little of his abilities.

With basketball season now finished, thought this might be a good time to start discussing next season. Who will be the top 10 players and top 10 teams next year? What teams should compete for the region title and what do they need to do to be successful? My top 10 players: 1. 6'5 Ricardo Johnson (Holmes) 2. 6'7 Elijah Pittman (Holmes) 3. 6'4 Jeremiah Johnson (Holmes) 4. 6'3 Ronald Cotton (Boone Co) 5. 6'2 Stephen Kolownek (Highlands) 6. 6'0 Mike Gabbard (Boone Co) 7. 6'2 Demetrius Avery (Conner) 8. 6'2 Mitch McLeish (Ryle) 9. 6'1 George Grote (Highlands) 10. Could be filled by several players (Earls- BC, Watson-HHS, Pangallo-NCC, Bryan-Villa, Trammel-Dixie, Rice-Holmes, Greene-Newport) My top 10 teams: 1. Holmes 2. Highlands 3. Boone Co 4. Ryle 5. Newcath 6. Conner 7. Covcath 8. Dixie Heights 9. Newport 10. Holy Cross Thoughts?

Add RivalsHigh as another poll that has Holmes in their final top 25: 23. Holmes Covington, KY 36-2 Pvs. 22 Record since last ranking: 7-0 USA Today and Prepnation were the only two polls that didn't have them in their final top 25: ESPN Rise Fab 50: 22 Maxpreps Xcellent 25: 20 RivalsHigh: 23

Zollo is the only underclassmen here that has already verballed that will end up at UK, IMO. Euton is a good high school player and an absolute work horse, but he isn't athletic enough to play in the SEC. The game against Holmes, when Pittman absolutely dominated him, proved this. Pittman is one hell of a player and has the potential/ability to play anywhere in the country, but Euton will see kids, bigger, stronger, and more talented than Elijah in the SEC. Euton benefits a lot from having smaller kids defend him. With Phares gone next year and teams able to use their big man on Euton, I think a lot of his weaknesses will be exposed. Solid high school player, but mid major talent, at best. As a UK fan, I honestly can sit here and say that a Dakotah Euton isn't going to put us back on the map as a national power. Hate to be so critical of him because he is a great kid off the court, but just stating facts.

That's good to hear. Which "fieldhouse" are they playing at?

Boone will be a top 3 9th region team next year, but will be no where near what they were this year with the loss of Mcfarland, Brown, and Spaulding.

I agree. Scott Co will be good next year, but much more vulnerable without Phares. They'll lose more than one game against KY competition this upcoming season and I don't see them running the table in the 11th this year up until the region championship like they did last year.

I'd say it also has to do with the amount of shots being taken by their opponents and the amount Holmes takes as well. When teams are slowing the ball down and not forcing an uptempo game, there aren't going to be many rebounds.

This could affect not only those two but a lot of the other underclassmen around the state as well who are being recruited by UK.

Let's look at the numbers this decade: State Tournament Wins: Holmes 9 Covcath 2 Region Championships: Holmes- 4 (05, 07, 08, 09) Covcath- 2 (04, 06) Highlands-1 (01) Newcath- 1 (00) Ryle-1 (02) St. Henry- 1 (03) Region Final Appearances: Holmes- 5 (00, 05, 07, 08, 09) Covcath- 5 (02, 04, 06, 07, 08) Newcath- 2 (00, 06) Boone Co- 2 (04, 09) Conner- 2 (01, 05) Highlands- 1 (00) St. Henry- 1 (03) District Championships: Dixie- 8 (01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08) Covcath- 6 (01, 02, 04, 05, 06, 07) Newcath- 5 (00, 01, 04, 07, 09) Highlands- 5 (02, 03, 05, 06, 08) Holmes- 4 (00, 03, 08, 09) St. Henry- 4 (03, 07, 08, 09) Boone Co- 2 (04, 09) Conner- 2 (05, 06) Ryle- 1 (02)

Not sure about that. What's the new tourney in Frankfort?

Holmes will likely be preseason top 25 next year in several polls with what they return. Do any of the Holmes faithful know what type of schedule they'll play next year? I'd expect to see them in tournaments with prestige such as the KOB, LIT, and the Lexcath tourney. It'd also be nice to see them play a few out of state opponents with national recognition. What about Holmes v Princeton? Would love to see Sibert and R. Johnson go toe to toe.

This past year's game only happened because both agreed to play in the Bluegrass/Buckeye Challenge. I'd hope that those two will play again this year, but not sure it'd happen unless it's in a tournament or classic somewhere.

Holmes star of one of best sweet 16's The 92nd National City Boys' Sweet Sixteen was one of the more entertaining state tournaments in years. The big crowds — total attendance was 130,706, the highest since 1993 — contributed to the great atmosphere. When it played out, the best team (Holmes) won. Most impressive half of hoops: Holmes' performance in the opening 16 minutes against Lexington Catholic..... Mr. Effervescence: Nobody mixes more talent and carefree exuberance in the way they play than Holmes' 6-foot-7 junior Elijah Pittman. Fire and ice: When Holmes played Lexington Catholic, it was a contrast of coaching styles....... Overtime thrillers: Here's how I'd rank the title games I've seen that have needed an extra period, or two, or three.......... Most likely to revisit Rupp: Holmes (returnees will include Elijah Pittman, Ricardo Johnson, Jeremiah Johnson)......... Woulda-been MVP: If Central had upset Holmes, Alex Morrison would have been the Sweet Sixteen MVP........... Best impression of Chris Lofton: Mason County senior star Russ Middleton....... Shoulda-been all-tourney: The selection process for all-tournament precludes anybody making it whose team lost in the first round......... Mr. GQ: Central's Doug Bibby was the runaway (run-way?) winner for best-dressed coach. For one game...... Most helpless feeling: Hazard Coach Al Holland looked forlorn as he watched his Bulldogs miss their last 20 shots and....... Nicest move off the court: After West Jessamine beat Hazard in the first round of the Sweet Sixteen, Colts star Jerrod Polson.......... All-basketball/football team: Tevin Barksdale of Bowling Green; Jacob Russell of Anderson County; Ridge Wilson and Tim Patterson of Central; and Anthony Hickey of Christian County. Player most rumored to be relocating: Elliott County 6-foot-7 sophomore Timmy Knipp was the hot topic among speculators of roster changes before next season. College coach hiding a smile: If Transylvania Coach Brian Lane can land........ High school coach thinking what-might-have-been: Bryan Station was the only team to beat both state finalists......... Settling Scores: After more than 25 years, the basketball gods finally smiled on Holmes Coach David Henley, assistant John Wimzie, the Bulldogs, their fans and the Covington community....... http://www.kentucky.com/289/story/740724.html Click on the above link to read the rest that Fields mentions in each category. Thoughts?

Agree on all points.

Forgot all about Robinson. I agree, he is very solid. I never said Hodges would lead nky in rebounds, just said he could be an "other" that could be mentioned.

Nope. According to nky.com, he averaged 14 ppg and 7 rpg. I think him averaging 13 ppg and 9 rpg during the 9 game post season is a good indication though that his numbers will improve over the next year with added strength and size. Players do improve in certain areas from year to year, ya know.

The thread about the best teams in the state of this decade got me to thinking. Which 9th region school has had the best program during the 2000's? As it stands, the two most winningest schools since 99/00 are: Holmes 220-90 Covcath 212-83 Number of wins aren't always a true testament as to how good a program/team really is/was though. Thoughts?

A few "others" to consider could be Hodges (Conner), Watson (Highlands), Grubbs (Highlands), Pike (Dixie), Nichols (Ryle), Stauffer (Ryle). All should be very solid. As far as who will be the rebounding leader, I think it will likely be Pittman of Holmes. I just don't see how he doesn't average a double double next year with his size. I've seen on here several times as well that his dad is in the 6'8-6'9 range which could very well mean Elijah isn't finished growing yet at 6'7. Wellbrock of Covcath had a few nice rebounding games this year, but I think that had more to do with CCH having nobody else to grab the rebounds down low. Thelen went down with an injury toward the middle of the season and Isler was physical, but not exactly a jumping machine that was going to get you a lot of rebounds.

I agree 100%. See Ricardo Johnson. I don't think he led Holmes in scoring one game during the sweet 16, but still got the MVP award because of his contributions to the TEAM, whether it be scoring, rebounding, assists, or most importantly, leadership. Matter of fact, here are the MVP's of each Holmes game: First round: Ricardo Johnson Quarters: Ricardo and Jeremiah Johnson (Co-MVP's with double doubles) Semi's: Elijah Pittman Finals: Jeremiah Johnson