BigDP

It looks like two of the three games were very very competitive..... Louisville Assumption d. St. Henry (3-3) 25-23, 25-13, 28-26 Was anyone there that can provide a recap? What happened to the Cru in game 2? Games 1 and 3 could have gone either way.

Any thoughts on the big match up in Erlanger tonight? Can St. Henry pull out the victory?

Thanks..... Also, did you see this blog..... Highlands/Ryle on USAToday.com … Posted by rernst August 25th, 2010, 10:01 am Tweet Friday’s matchup between the top two football teams in Northern Kentucky will be broadcast on USAToday.com. The site, in an effort to enahnce its high school football coverage, is dispatching freelancers to cover some of the country’s top football programs with video webcasts. The Bluebirds’ game against Beechwood also is tentatively planned to be broadcast according to Eric Mathews, a Lexington-based freelancer who will call the games for the site. USA Today and The Enquirer both are owned by Gannett Company, Inc.

Being the underdog isn't such a bad place to be. Nothing to lose!!! Hopefully, Ryle plays well and Highlands is off a bit. We'll see how Hempel and Elliott can do against that Highlands defense.

Wow, I'm thinking it may be best for Ryle to not even show up Friday night!!! It doesn't seem as though they have a chance!!! Towels can throw for 300 yards and 3 TD's every Friday or could just throw 5 passes against Ryle and still win.... That's pretty impressive!!!! I don't know a lot about Highlands this year, however, I can't believe they are better than last years team, but, perhaps they are!!! I guess Ryle should just be hoping not to get embarrassed this weekend in Ft. Thomas since it seems they have no chance! Anyway, what is the ticket situation for Friday? Can you get presale tickets at Highlands? Ryle? Are they cheaper than purchasing at the gate? Any chance of a sellout? Any good tailgating places that would welcome some Ryle fans? At the end of the day, it's a high school football game...

I guess turn about is fair play..... After NDA defeated Sacred Heart last year in Louisville in 5 games, Sacred Heart retuned the favor this year in Park Hills defeating the Pandas in 5. Sacred Heart (4-0) d. Notre Dame (3-1) 25-19, 25-23, 17-25, 18-25, 15-9 NDA got off to a slow start in game one (down 7-1 to begin the match), however, played better and better as the match progressed. Game two could have gone either way and NDA controlled games 3 and 4. Game 5 was close throughout, however, SH pulled away at the end to seal the victory. Next up for Notre Dame is Seton @ Seton on Monday. Also, a special apperance last night as the PA Announcer was Mark Whery, who, as always, does a great job supporting both Cov. Cath. and Notre Dame doing the PA and on the internet. Thanks Mark for stepping up to the plate AGAIN!!!

Yes, this match will be best of 5. Starts at 7PM for Varsity and Clyde, the Freshman begin at 5pm followed by JV at 6pm so you can see Miss Eckerle in action.... By the way, she is a nice little player!!!

I feel bad for Bir at QB. Does CCH have a running game? If they don't come up with one soon, Bir is going to get killed back there. Spread them out and do short, quick passes can only last so long. I don't know much about Lex. Cath., but I do know if Cov. Cath. can't score, they are not going to win..... How's that for a prediction?

Sacred Heart @ Notre Dame on Tuesday This should be a good matchup early in the season in Park Hills. Sacred Heart comes in undefeated with wins over NCC (in 4), Louisville Holy Cross (in 5) and last week at home against a very good St. Henry team (in 4) (25-12, 25-15, 25-27, 25-19). Notre Dame comes in at 3-0 also after rolling over Conner, Ryle and Cooper respectively. This is the start of a tough three game stretch for the Pandas that has them playing Sacred Heart, Seton (Oh) and Ursuline (Oh) in an 8 day span that should provide a pretty good barometer on where the Pandas stand. I'm looking for Notre Dame to play Sacred Heart tough and hopefully play a complete match from start to finish. I'll go with a replay of last year in Louisville in which the Pandas pulled out an exciting victory. Pandas take the Pandas in 4.

I agree 100% with this statement. If Ryle didn't have so much success running the ball last week against CCH, then Hempel, I believe, would have had a big game, and put up some big numbers, throwing the ball. Ryle, I believe, is in a great position on offense. If teams gear up to stop Elliott (which I think HHS will try to do) that is going to put a lot of pressure on their DB's and against Hempel rolling out running and/or throwing the ball. When an offense can do either, that makes it tough for the defense to game plan for. I look for Ryle to put up some numbers on offense, the question will be if the Ryle defense will be as stout as they were against CCH last weekend. I look for a close game and one that may come down to the last position.... It should be exciting in Ft. Thomas this weekend!!!!!

I look for Ryle to win this one comfortably after getting off to a quick start against the Colonels. A few keys to this game I feel are: The start - I think CCH needs to get off to a good start against the Raiders or else they could be in for an uphill battle all night. Both teams will be fired up to begin the season, however, I believe with the inexperience at QB for the Colonels, if they get behind early panic could set in. Whereas, if Ryle falls behind early, I feel with their experience at QB/RB they'll be able to battle back and put up points against the Colonels. QB's - I would think you have to give a BIG edge to Hempel over Bir making his first varsity start. RB's - I would have to give the edge to Elliott as well. I look for Ryle to be able to run against CCH with Elliott which will open up the passing game for Hempel to allow him to throw the ball all around the field. Of course, I'm not familiar with Cov. Cath. defense so this may all be for not, however, after seeing Elliott and Hempel on the practice field and during the scrimmage, I'm thinking both are going to be in for a very big year for the Raiders. Prediction: Ryle - 33 Cov. Cath. - 13

The Pandas were to much for Ryle last night winning in two: 25-14 and 25-19. Ryle got off to a sluggish start to begin game 1 - Down 11 - 3, I believe, and never really challenged NDA. In game 2, Ryle jumped up 8-3 early, however, NDA went on a run to go tie it at 8 and then steadily pulled away and won relatively easy.

Ryle is 1-0 with an impressive victory over Beechwood (25-19, 25-19) and NDA is 1-0 with a victory over Conner. What does everyone think about this matchup as the season gets underway? I'll take NDA in two: 25 - 16; 25 - 13 I just think NDA has to much firepower for an improved Ryle team from 2009.

Great post Fastbreak and I agree with you as well VOR on your post. Knowing another parent of an athlete that is being recruited in a not so high profile sport like basketball, where after college, there really isn't alot available on the professional level, I told them the same thing, when you choose your college (and hopefully, you'll be one of the lucky ones that get to choose and have it paid for), you really need to make that decision based on the educational values, location, etc. whatever your priorities are, because once you graduate from college chances are you are going to be done playing your sport on an organized/competitive team. Eyes an ears stated it correctly above, you need to take everything into consideration (playing time at DII, versus sitting DI, what you want to major in, etc.) when trying to determine which college is best for you. Because, once you go off to college, hopefully, on scholarship, I have a feeling your sport now becomes a JOB and you need to make sure that the college is a fit and you know what you are getting yourself into. Anyway, not to beat a dead horse on Travis and the recruiting questions, I've enjoyed the back and forth and we can continue definitely continue the discussion. I just wish Travis (and BCHS) the best of luck this year and enjoy your senior season, have fun and I'm sure everything will work out for you in the long run at the next level. Congrats again Travis on the dunk contest and all the interest you are receiving from schools on the next level. Hopefully, that interest will continue and we'll be reading future threads about where you are commiting.

This is surprising to me..... if I was the HS or AAU coach, I would want to get the athletes recruited to the school(s) they are interested in and do whatever I could do to reach out to them on the athletes behalf. If I'm Mick Cronin at UC, for example, I don't want every Tom, Dick and Harry athlete reaching out to me saying 'I want to play at your school, etc., etc.'. I would think the coach(s) of that athlete that reaches out to Mick would carry more weight. I agree that it doesn't hurt if the athlete reaches out as well, however, coming from a coach to a college coach I would think would be a bit more credible. I would think that would be 'part of the job' as a coach to do that for the athlete if they want to play in college. Just my opinion.

Boone averaged 51 ppg Points per game - 7.8 (3rd on team) Field Goal % - 50.9 (2nd on team) Offensive Rebounds - 66 (led team) Defensive Rebounds - 81 (led team) Total Rebounds - 147 (led team) Assists - 63 (2nd on team) 3 point shooting percentage - 46.67% (2nd on team behind Downs who shot 1 of 2 from 3 pt range) Steals - 47 (2nd on team, 1 behind leader) Blocks - 18 (2nd on team) And I would look for each of these to increase his senior season. I do agree that a lot of the recruiting and commitments take place during the junior year, however, hopefully, something will break for him this year and he will be a late signee. Do they keep stats for AAU games? I wonder what the stats were for AAU where the games are a bit more wide open and not so much a 'motion' type offense. Again, I'm not a Travis homer (more of a BCHS fan). I just like to see the local kids get an oppurtunity to play at the next level and to reach their goals. We'll see what happens this year with Travis and the Rebels in a wide open 9th region.

I respect your opinion, however, to me, it is like selling your house. Not everyone has to like it, just one buyer. Same way with being recruited, not everyone has to be recruiting you or liking you, just one school that you have a mutual interest in. The more lines in the water the more of an oppurtunity you have to get a bite. I am just using Miami and Ohio U. as examples. Again, I would think those recruits you mentioned were 'big wins' for those schools. I see where Miami also signed Jon Harris and Quinten Rollins as well that were not as highly regarded as Josh. Same with Ohio U., they also signed TJ Hall who is 6'6" and is small forward who is described as ' a good, but not great athlete, that can knock down mid range jumpers'. That's the point I am trying to make. How is a TJ hall getting recruited to Ohio U. and Jon Harris/Quinten Rollins at Miami? Someone at those schools would have had to see them or get feedback/information on them. I would think that Travis and other locals could be 'those types of recruits'. Hopefully, this makes sense.

That is my point to a 'T'!!! Another local player that, in my opinion, 'slipped through the cracks' from the stories I heard with regard to Gabbard. Hopefully, things work out for him at WKU and he gets a 'scholarship' instead of being a last minute preferred walk on. Of course, I've only heard 'stories' that may or may not be accurate. To me, the COACHES (specifically HS coaches) need to pro actively promote these athletes that, again, in my opinion, are tweeners between DI and DII. . From what I have been told, Travis's AAU coaches are speaking with college coaches regularly during the AAU tournaments, so kudos to them for assisting Travis in the process. However, because their AAU team 'didn't go to the right AAU tournament', according to some, for very legitimate reasons (costs, vacations, etc., I would hate for more DI coaches to not get the oppurtunity to see him play. I would just like to see him (and other local tweener athletes) get an oppurtunity to play DI ball if they are talented enough to play. And, in my opinion, I believe he is. What is generally the process, if there one, for these types of athletes? Is it up to them to 'recruit themselves'? Should their HS coach be working with them to put videos, school wish list together, etc. together and send out to prospective colleges? I just asking.... I would hate for another local player to slip through the cracks here in NKY. Again, nothing wrong with DII schools and specifally University of Alabama - Huntsville, from what I've googled about them, they are a very solid DII team, however, if the athletes goal is DI, then what can be done to get them to reach their goal. Thoughts?

What role do the coaches play in getting DI looks for these kids? Do the High School coaches proactively 'promote' these kids (send out videos, contact DI coaches, etc.)? AAU coaches? I know a lot of the athletes are seen at the AAU Tournaments over the summer and the AAU coaches 'talk' to a lot of of the coaches that attend the games, however, does any of that take place with the High School coaches as well? I understand it's easy for college coaches to attend AAU tournaments and scout multiple players instead of a high school game where there may only be one or two players on the court, I get all that. I am just curious if anyone has talked to Travis (or any other area players that have the ability / talent to play DI) to see what he wants to do and help him reach his goal (if DI is even his goal). To me, I would think a school like Miami, OH or Ohio University would love to have a 6'5" / 6'6" two guard or three that can jump and take the ball to the rim on their team. Is it up to the athlete to reach out to them and send them a video? I'm only asking, I don't know the answer when it comes to basketball, however, I would think part of the job of a high school coach (and/or AAU coach) is to work with the young athletes to see where they want to go, what they want to do and reach out to those coaching staffs on the athletes behalf. I just get tired of the area players falling short of playing DI college basketball because they are not 'promoted' enough or not made aware of to the coaching staff's at different DI schools.

Any update on the NCC vs. Sacred Heart match? Summary of match if you were there?

Congrats Travis!!! Sounds to me he got homered in the dunk contest!!! I heard he was being looked at by University of Alabama - Huntsville, any truth to that? I believe they are a very good DII team. Anyone else looking at him? I believe he can definitely play DI if he wants to.... Any DI teams contacting him, does anyone know?

Doesn't St. Henry (#5) play Louisville Mercy (#1) this week @ St. Henry? Should be a good match up..... From what I've heard from the scrimmages last week (and I know they are only scrimmages)..... St. Henry dominated Scott (#8) and NDA (#4) played Louisville Mercy to a virtual draw. Did anyone attend the scrimmages that can provide information about the local teams - St. Henry, NDA and Scott? I believe NDA plays Sacred Heart (#2) in a couple weeks in Park Hills. That should be a good barometer as well.

Didn't Beechwood's setter choose to go to NDA for high school? I believe she is a Freshman this year after playing with Beechwood as a 8th grader last year. I believe this has to be a big blow for Beechwood. It should be interesting to see who sets for NDA this year. I believe they have a Jr. by the name of Schellhaas that set on the JV team last year. I guess time will tell.

Congratulations Trevan and the Brown family!!! I think this is a perfect fit for him!!!! Good Luck this year with the Rebels on the field and on the hardwood!!! Football Player + Sorority Girls + Miami, OH = Can life get any better for this young man? Congrats again and good luck at Miami!!!

Is it to early to discuss 9th region volleyball? The season is less than a month away.....:clap: Who are the favorites this year.... Scott, Notre Dame, St. Henry. I know NDA lost a lot to graduation and Scott returns virtually their whole team from the regional runner-up finish last year and are led by UK recruit Lauren O'Conner. Are they the favorites in the 9th region?