tash2597

How many times have you seen Fant and Gibbs play? Fant is easily the best big man in the state for his class and Gibbs is rapidly emerging as one of the hottest prospects in the state for the c/o 2010. Knipp is a solid player but not nearly as sound as those two. Both are complete players offensively and defensively. Knipp struggles defensively with athletic kids who are his size. See the Holmes game against Pittman as evidence. He benefitted greatly from playing with the Faulkners and Ferguson throughout his young career because very rarely was he forced to create off the dribble or use post moves with his back to the basket to score. Fant and Gibbs are both much more attractive prospects.

Colt Barnhill.

Geisler is more physically and mentally mature than Stauffer at this point and is more athletic than you're giving him credit for. I agree Stauffer has a high motor and is deceptively athletic with nice talent, but I have to disagree that he doesn't get "out-muscled" by anyone. Several bigs pushed him around in their games against Ryle...Pittman, Geisler, O'Connor, Grubbs, and Watson, to name a few. Stauffer has more range than Geisler but overall just isn't as solid as Geisler yet. That very well could change over the next two years though, because as you said, both are good players. I think the thing with Thelen was just a matter of confidence. From looking at the CCH stats, he didn't get very much playing time at the beginning of the season. Once he started seeing more time, you could notice a drastic improvement in his game both offensively and defensively. He began grabbing more rebounds, taking more shots, and becoming more aggressive on both ends of the floor. He also held his own in the game against Holmes. I'm not sure if it was from a lack of effort from Pittman or not, but Thelen was having his way down low. He finished with 10 points and 9 rebounds that game. Pretty solid if you ask me considering none of the other big men you mention finished with over 7 points against Pittman.

Fant and Gibbs will both be ahead of Knipp.

What's your reasoning for Geisler not being above Stauffer? Geisler was the most consistent big man for that sophomore class. Stauffer was too inconsistent IMO to be considered ahead of Geisler. Thelen really started to come on before his mid season injury. It's tough to give him a fair assessment because we didn't get to see him a full season. Regardless of the situation, Geisler still performed well no matter who their competition was. Geisler is a little more complete at both ends of the floor as well compared to Stauffer. Stauffer has trouble maintaining his cool when players get physical with him which leads him to be less consistent. I agree that Earls will likely drop, but the kid still goes out there and plays well regardless of the competition. Robinson had a few good games but what sticks out the most to me from his stats is in two games against Elijah Pittman, he combined for 2 points and just 7 rebounds. If you want to be considered the best or in the same group as the best, you have to be able to play well and hold your own. Stauffer, Geisler, and Earls all played much better against Pittman. Robinson just seems too passive to me. I think he's one of the better big men in nky, but I wouldn't have him ahead of Stauffer, Geisler, or Thelen. He still needs to prove himself a little more IMO. Geisler- 90-175 (51%) Earls- 125-234 (54%) Pittman- 193-366 (53%)

Geisler was more productive than any of those other players you have ahead of him, averaging close to a double-double (11 ppg, 8 rpg). No way Robinson is the third best big man in NKY: Pittman- 14 ppg, 7 rpg Geisler- 11 ppg, 8 rpg Earls- 10 ppg, 4 rpg Stauffer- 9 ppg, 5 rpg Robinson- 7 ppg, 4 rpg Top 5, maybe...but not as high as you have him.

Statewide: 1. Pittman (Holmes) 2. Fant (Warren Central) 3. Gibbs (Iroquois) 4. Zollo (GRC) 5. Euton (Scott Co) NKY: 1. Pittman (Holmes) 2. Geisler (NCC) 3. Stauffer (Ryle) 4. Earls (Boone) 5. Thelen (CCH)

I agree. I wasn't trying to downgrade Kellen. I think he is a very good player at the high school level and possesses many tools and skills that could translate to the D2 or D3 level in college. I was just trying to point out they aren't on the same level when it comes to talent. Smith will definetly be a top 3 player in nky his senior year though and should be mentioned as a top 20 player for his class statewide.

Smith is hands down the best sophomore in nky at the pg position, but I wouldn't go as far as saying he's as good as Johnson. Those are some pretty big shoes to fill considering Johnson's accomplishments so far. (Honorable mention all state as soph, sweet 16 all tourney team as soph, first team all state as junior, sweet 16 mvp as junior, and already has a D1 offer) When comparing the two, Smith's all around game is no where near the level of Johnson's yet. He doesn't have the ability to consistently take over on both ends of the floor yet like Johnson does. I will say though, that I think Smith's on par with, if not better, than Gabbard.

Rico will likely be the main pg, but Mayfield, Herndon, and JJ will all bring the ball up and start the offense as well.

Rico will run the point for Holmes next year.

Barner will be playing in tournaments with them, but isn't a regular member of the team. (Same situation as Guyn) Last I heard, Rice is playing for the Queen City Prophets, same as last year. I don't follow the KY Players so I really wouldn't know whether or not they've played in any tournaments. Chane plays with OBC (Ohio Basketball Club), so I wouldn't count on him playing with the KY Players. As far as the transferring rumors, very unlikely he ends up at Holmes.

KY Players only has 4 kids from Covington: Ricardo Johnson- Holmes Jeremiah Johnson- Holmes Elijah Pittman- Holmes Willie Slusher- Holmes The rest of their roster consists of: Phil Barner- Mason Co Ge'Lawn Guyn- Scott Co (Will make appearances with them in tournaments) Brandon Tucker- Newport Tristan Luke- Dixie Heights Trey Evans- Covcath 2 or 3 players from Cincinnati Woodward

The 6'10 guy is Deng Leek out of Patterson, NC...not Zollo.

Yea. They beat Central Kentucky Storm 71-69 in the championship.

Central Kentucky Storm Elite also beat Indiana Elite at the 17U level. Ge'Lawn Guyn led the Indiana squad and Shaquille Wilson led the Storm.

After talks of Chane Behanen transferring to Holmes last week, Ryan Ernst had the following to say on nky.com today: Funny thing about this job in the age of chat rooms and blogs and Twitter and social networking: I spend a good chunk of my day reporting on non-stories. .....When you're hot, as Holmes is now, there's a lot of that out there. More people are following you. More people are talking about you. More people are out to get you. Call it envy, call it subversion, call it a bad game of telephone. When you're on top, it comes with the territory. .....don't expect the Behanan talk to be the last before next season. Just don't believe everything you hear. ......Holmes should return three starters and two key substitutes from this season's team....So with or without an addition to its roster, Holmes is going to be a very good basketball team next season. Spread the word. You can read the full story here: http://nky.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20090412/SPT0302/904120306/

Houston and Bell from Ballard.

This seems like a stereo-type. Could you elaborate what you meant.

I would like to add Mustang to the list. I really enjoy readind his post about the 10th and hearing his broadcast.

DELETE

I don't have to play the what if card, due to the fact the team I'm speaking of won 4 out of 5 9th region championship and a state title. I was responding to an earlier post that said wins and losses don't tell the whole story. I agree with that post and I gave the reason I agreed. I don't feel the need to boost Holmes numbers. Everybody was pretty much in agreement that Holmes was the best team. So I was speaking on how that class could have and should have accomplished more.

I just can't see 10 better players in the 9th than Rice. No disrespect to those who have been listed, but he will for sure be a top 10 player next year in the region. Don't be surprised if he leads Holmes in scoring next year.

Not sure of all the details it was posted in the boys basketball thread earlier in the season. It's supposed to have 3 or 4 out of state teams and the top teams in Kentucky. Maybe some Franklin Co. fans can help us out here.

I thought Holmes wasn't allowed to play in the Lex. Cath. tourney. [correct me if I'm wrong please]. I heard they are committed to play in the new tourney in Frankfort.