tash2597

Mcclendon originally attended Summit View before leaving for Holmes...I believe he left in the middle of his 7th grade year and attended Holmes this past year as an 8th grader...Brutus might know the situation a little better than myself though..

Isn't his younger sister's last name Beal that attends Holy Cross? Maybe I'm thinking of someone else?

KY Players lost both of their games today. Lost the first one by around 20 and the second I believe was 63-51...Ricardo Johnson had 23 of his team's 51 points in the second game. I really don't understand why either Johnson brother plays with that team. I was very disappointed in what I saw as far as basketball knowledge goes and coaching. That team could be so much better with a different coach that preached fundamentals. On a side note, if anyone wants to see some good basketball, get over to UC and see the CP3 All Stars..I caught some of their game against DC Assault and was very impressed. #21 for them is an absolute stud...not sure of his name.

Scott was better than you're giving them credit for. Sure MC beat them by 21, but Scott was better than that game showed. You also failed to mention that Mason Co played them early in the season (second week of December), rather than late in the season when they were clicking on all cylinders and really rolling along. Scott had Holmes on the ropes, only to lose by 1 point in overtime (Holmes closest game all year, outside of the state championship) and they also knocked off several other good teams such as South Laurel and Corbin. I think Scott will be pretty solid next year. Losing Gligorevic (sp?), Murray, and Hagfors will hurt but they return a pretty solid nucleus to work with. Kellen Smith should be one of the top point guards in the region next year. They have a solid big man to patrol the paint in 6'8 O'Connor as well as a couple athletic guards in Neideregger and Jones. The only weakness I see is their depth. They didn't have a particularly good JV squad. I agree that GRC and MC should be the favorites...but don't overlook Scott.

Greg is the older cousin of both James and Kevon Rice. All three are also related to Chris Rice (c/o '04) and Sid Rice (c/o '01) who also played basketball for Holmes.

I've never heard anything like that... and doubt it's true. The only one that I know of that Kevon Rice is related to is James Rice (senior last year).

Could have been...Rice, Avery, and Johnson have all been fixtures in the Covington area for quite some time. Not sure if they're related at any level though.

Covington is an urban area that a lot of families grow up in and never leave. Several of the kids on this year's team have relatives that played for Holmes back in the late 70's and throughout the 80's, early 90's. Rice, Avery, and Johnson are all very common last names in that area and very big families. I'm pretty sure that Mcclendon (frosh) is the nephew of former Holmes great Dicky Beal and there is also a younger Beal at the 8th grade level, as well as another Avery that is an 8th grader. More often than not, Holmes will have kids on the basketball team (and in the school in general) that are related some how since the families have been in the area so long.

My apologies oldjams. I was simply reporting what Lynn had said since she is a family member and I figured she was close to the situation.

How much are tickets to get in? I plan on getting over there later tonight.

Demetrius is the cousin of former Holmes players Braeon and BJ Avery. His mother recently sold her house in Hebron/Burlington and has since moved to Covington...according to Demetrius' aunt Lynn. Avery averaged 11 ppg, 5 rpg, 2 apg, 1 spg, shot 43% from the field, and 42% from 3 pt land last year for the Cougars. At 6'3 he's able to play the 1, 2, or 3 and is very comparable to J. Johnson of Holmes. JJ is probably more talented, but Demetrius is every bit as athletic as the other Holmes guys. With him, I'd expect to see Holmes lineup to look something like this next year: 6'5 R. Johnson, 6'3 Avery, 6'5 J. Johnson, 6'6 Rice, 6'7 Pittman

I don't want to say it's official...but after talking to someone, it looks like Demetrius Avery is in the process of becoming a Bulldog for next year...........

They may not be as talented off the bench, but they're definetly deeper this year. Mcclendon, Slusher, Jones, Oden, and Hayes will all see minutes on a regular basis. There's also the possibility that Avery ends up at Holmes depending on what his parents decide to do since he won't be back at Conner...

Holmes will be tested more this season with the schedule they're playing (KOB, Mason Co, Princeton, Christian Co, Warren Central, Kentucky-Tennessee Showcase, Marshall Co Hoopfest, Lloyd Invitational) but I still think with the talent they return, they're one of the top 2 teams in the state. Pittman and R. Johnson should be early Mr. Basketball candidates and having Rice and J. Johnson in the lineup with them presents a lot of match up problems for opposing teams. If they play to their potential and stay healthy all season, Holmes should be one of the favorites to cut down the nets next year and repeat as state champs. Anything less than a state championship would be a disappointment for this group, IMO. Outside of the big 4 (Pittman, Johnson Brothers, Rice), they have a very deep junior class and a rising star in freshman to be, Mcclendon

It's either Josh or Jeremiah Chancellor that plays with the KY Players from Woodward. Josh is a junior to be and 6'7...Jeremiah is a senior to be and 6'5. Again, I don't know how true it is though that they're at Holmes. Just going on what I've heard. I guess we'll find out here soon. As far as the younger kid that you saw, if it's not one of the above, you may be referring to David Smith. He'll be a sophomore and is probably in the 6'6-6'7 range as well. I too heard this, this morning. He won't be at Conner but where he'll end up is still in the air. Last year they played with the Queen City Prophets. The coach of the KY Players can't get certified to coach in these events. I'm not too sure of the reason, but I know that's why Ricardo, JJ, and Elijah played with the Prophets last year during nationals.

I heard again today that Avery won't be at Holmes next year and he's staying at Conner. On the other hand...I also heard that the 6'8 kid from Woodward, OH that plays AAU ball with them is now at Holmes and is playing summer ball with them. Has anyone seen Holmes recently at any team camps to confirm this?

I heard Shotwell wasn't playing this year..

Henderson Co was tough in the Lloyd tournament last Christmas. I had the opportunity to see them play and came away impressed. I'd assume Brock Stone and the Childress kid will be their top 2 returning players along with DJ Holmes?

I believe you're referring to Trey Evans. Pretty sure he plays soccer at CCH and plays AAU ball with the KY Players.

Beechwood also had it's best team in school history....the year before they lost to Holmes by 25 in the first round of districts. Schumate is a good coach but the talent he had this past year wasn't too shabby either. We'll find out a lot about him and his team this coming year when they don't have players like Beuttel and Romes.

Harrison Co will have to find someone to replace the scoring that Custard provided last year. From the few times I saw them, he was the only one that seemed to be able to score consistently. They'll definetly have to work more as a team this coming season since they won't have that go to scorer.

I guess Brannen of Newcath should be considered hands down too then since they beat Conner, Highlands, and Covcath....right? Schumate is an up and coming coach here in nky but not of the same caliber as a Henley, Listerman, Hicks, or Faust.

I'd really like to see both teams play each other every year. I think it'd be a nice 9th/10th rivalry game.

Didn't the Martin kid also transfer out of Hazard?

I just noticed on the KHSAA website that Holmes and Mason Co will meet in this on January 2nd at 8 pm. Anyone know if there are any other teams in this or games being held on this day since it's on a Saturday? It looks like the game will be held @ Mason Co. Thanks in advance.