sealteam

I refuse to comment on any high school player negatively. You are taking a simple comment about CCH going to a 6 person rotation and assume that I feel that some of those 6 can't play. Maybe that's your opinion - not mine. Spin it anyway you want - the bottom line is that this team has not played well since the LexCath tournament and that coincides with the change in playing philosophy. Come to a game - watch it objectively and then let me know that no else should be playing. This is not a kid thing. It's about the overall development of the entire team and enhancing your opportunities for advancement in the district tournament, regional tournament and for the future of the program.

Thelen & Connelly did play regularly last year. Thelen actuually got time as a sophomore until he got injured. Hudephol, Mashinot and Riedinger did not get anywhere near semi-regular play last year at the varisty level - nor did Schult. This isn't about NCC and there 6 players. As you point out "all high schools have a short bench as the year goes on". Good point, however the short bench for CCH started in December. When you refer to players off the bench you have neglected to point out that Massie, Cleves, Arnzen and Hayden (all juniors) probably don't play more than 10 - 12 minutes per game combined. Arnzen is recovering from knee issues, but has looked good playing JV this year. Is it impossible to get him 5 - 7 minutes a game to rest Connelly, Baker or Thelen. Hayden played 40 seconds last night - those 40 seconds were at the end of the game. I have seen Drew this year and recognize that his time at the JV level last year may have helped in his overall development. However, no one that has ever played varsity basketball can argue with the fact that JV vs. Varsity is a big difference. We can go player by player, position by position, grade by grade - the bottom line is that CCH barely beat an extremely undermanned Highlands team, lost to Holmes at home and didn't play well last night at NCC. I don't blame the coaches, players, fans or administration of the school. My point is valid - too early to give up on all of your underclassmen this early in the season when there is no doubt you will need them somewwhere down the road.

I believe that CCH will rebound (literally) tonight but don't expect a blowout. This will be there 3rd game in 4 days. CCH by 10 points.

I have attended all of CCH's games this year and one of the glaring problems happened immediately after Listerman went to a 6 man rotation. I have watched high school basketball for over 4decades and the vast majority of that time a CCH fan. Listerman has put all of his eggs into 6 seniors hands and when things aren't going well things do become unglued. This senior class is not the best in CCH history however there are juniors and even a few sophomores that can play. I can't understand how the junior class, once again, is overlooked by Listerman. He did it last year, the year before and the year before that. Everyone needs to remember that Thelen and Connolly are the only seniors that played significant varsity time last year. Mashinot, Reidinger, Baker and Schult all played JV last year. The last senior is Hudepohl and he has not seen any real varisty time in 4 years. Building a team to make it through the grind of an entire basketball season, you are going to need more than 6 players. Don't blame a technical foul or bad refereeing or rebounding as the difference. The difference started when CCH played in the LexCath invitational when Listerman and his staff made the decision to go with 6 kids. Building depth is the key and I feel badly for this entire team because their is plenty of talent.

The best center in the region dominated the Colonels tonight. CovCath can't be considered the favorite in the 9th Region anymore after losing to Holmes and NCC in the same week.

Is this an upset or is Scott really that good? Congrats to Scott on what appears to be a great game.

I was at the game and thought that Holmes was better prepared to start the game and it translated into a very strong 1st half. CCH played better in the 2nd half but you have to question some of the substitutions by the CCH coaching staff late in the game. Most notably taking Drew Baker out of the game when Holmes was really struggling shooting over him. I simply don't understand it. Holmes may have CovCath's number but I feel that it's more coaching than talent. Congrats to Holmes on a big win at CCH.

This is going to be a blowout. No way, even without the crazies, that CCH doesn't come out and demolish Beechwood. All they have heard is that Beechwood was the team to be in the district and that is enough motivation. The bottom line is that CCH has Thelen and Beechwood doesn't.

Best thing that could hae happened to Dixie. They don't need another distraction this year and this would have conflicted some things with the starting line-up. The Rice situation is a sad turn of events for a talented b-ball player.

I agree with the top 3 teams listed but after that I simply don't understand some of the others. The rankings will change throughout the season due to the overall parity in the 9th this year.

I believe that the CCH guards will do a good job against the talented CC guards, however the inside game of CCH will dominate. The bottom line is that CCH has Thelen and CC doesn't. CCH by 10+ at home. I don't know what the theme is but I expect that it will be rowdy with exams over and another quality opponent. Should be something fun to watch.

I have heard a lot about the tough schedule of Conner, however they are not even competitive in most of these games. I know that Boone and CCH totally dominated them.

NCC too big inside with complimentary guard play - NCC by 12 at home

I really enjoy the old gym feeling and agree that the new gyms do not ahve the same close knit feeling of the older ones. Simply put, HHS is a football school and not a basketball school. When Coach Shields was running the place he had control over and made the basketball team relevant. This is not to say that coaches since have not fielded good basketball teams, that would be a ridiculous comment, I am saying that for the most part football has become king. I believe that some of it has to do with the athletic director also being the football coach and the dominance they show on the gridiron attracts kids from everywhere wanting to play each year for state championships. They can't get that playing basketball at HHS anymore.

Holmes beating Moore would be a huge moral victory and a major statement game. I am going with Moore by 8 points in a highly competitive game.

I am not surprised at this result. Conner was way over-hyped this year and overrrated. They are good but not good enough thus far in the early parts of the season to hang with some of the best teams in the region (Boone, CCH, Dixie). CCH absolutely humiliated them on Tuesday and it seems that Ryle did the same.

No better seen in hgh school sports than watching Rupp Arena crowd join the CCH cheering section in multiple renditions of the wave and other cheers. I am hopeful for them as well, but they will have some challenges just to get out of the district. They are one of the best that I have seen in the region but coaching and attitude will be critical for this team to stay on track. Glad to see Riedinger get on track. He is a great kid with an even better attitude but has really struggled this year. The CCH guards can play and will contribute more as the season goes on.

This is an interesting game to dissect. I have been hearing from many Beechwood people that they think they have a legit chance at the region. Looking at what you all have written and what I heard about the game - Beechwood is good but not nearly good enough to play with the big boys. Maybe they can get on a roll and wreck others plans for state, but I don't buy into the hype. I do buy into Dixie's hype - they have to be considered one of the favorites at this point.

Thanks for the update. It is GREAT to see that Riedinger (sp?) had such a great game! This is going to be a fun team to follow this year. I hope the boys stay grounded. I've caught some games and it seems like the attitudes on the bench are positive this year as well. Good things to come...

Thelen: 28 pts; Reddinger: 17 pts; Connelly 13 pts; Maschinott 9 pts; Baker 2 pts. That doesn't add up to 73 points. What are we missing? Didn't get a chance to see the game tonight.

I agree that McNick should not bailed on the game - it hurts a team like CCH that needs minutes.

I couldn't agree more with the lack of respect from the LC student section. On another note, CCH has work to do. Other than Cleves hitting two 3 point shots they had no other player show any level of effectiveness from the outside. Thelen can't do it all even if he is one of the best in the 9th region. The team will have to be able to step up and score when Thelen is off his game like he was last night. With Ryle and Connor over the next two weeks we should be able to clearly see where they stand vs. some of the better teams in our own region. The trip to LC was too early in the season to see what CCH might be later.

Kaelin is a legend at CCH and a real good person. Congrats to all of them!!

I was more impressed with Dixie than Conner. Conner seemed out of sorts at times, even though it is early in the season I would have thought they would have been more in tune with each other. Dixie is a good team as long as Pike stays on the floor. I really thought that the referees struggled in this game. Too many controversial calls and some that simply did not need to be made - for both teams. Although it appears that they may be calling games a little closer this year, there simply was not enough consistency from the ref crew for the two teams to get into a rhythm.

CCH does have a couple of threats from the outside particularly Reidinger (Sr.) and Cleves (Jr.). I don't believe that will be their strength but they will compliment Thelen, Connolly, Baker and Arnzen on the inside. They will need time to gel as a unit but if the players are used correctly they can certainly compete for the 9th region crown. The district with Beechwood, Holmes, HC and CCH should be very interesting to say the least. Two teams that are highly competitive will not even make the region.