Big Fundamental

And, in regards to football, wasn't one of their coaches "run out by parents" as well, recently? All rumors, maybe.

Boys basketball struggled even before McFarland. He is far from the problem. Or, ONLY problem. Ryle is a huge school in NKY and has not been a legit contender for a regional title in near a decade or more.

Dixie was average last year. On the weaker side of the bracket, sure, but, if memory serves, many, or most, picked Newport to come out of that side of the bracket.

Respectfully, I disagree. I think it’s Cooper and CovCaths to lose. If their is a dark horse, it is Beechwood, and a darker dark horse is maybe Highlands, if they have an incredible run and get the right draw.

Isn’t the D3 conference based on school size? Or, how do they determine that I should ask? And, their schedule didn’t prepare them for Dixie? They beat Dixie in the regular season. And, they played Walton, NewCath, Holmes, Newport, Gallatin, Highlands, Brossart, and Boone and Ryle (bigger schools that are down this year, but not Lloyd’s fault). Who do you want them to play? Cooper, CCH, Scott County, Henry Clay, and Campbell County?

It’s been in other threads. Supposedly the better players didn’t wanna play so they are just roaming the halls as students.

I was certainly wrong about Dixie! I’m owning that. Good for them. I’ll stick with my projection of not winning a game, but with that said, they made the final last year in stunning fashion. Congrats to Coach S. and his guys.

Oh, I’m aware of how it works. Just meant that this district may be the only with 2 teams actually good enough to make it to the finals. Not sure both Newport/Highlands or Cooper/Conner can make it to the finals together.

67-58. Dixie. Final.

Winning is just as much about players as it is coaches. I have seen many really good teams/players over come bad coaching. Maybe not win championships, but win games for sure. I’ve also seen great coaches get the most out of below average teams/players. Again, not win championships, but win. Good players make good coaches. And, great coaches make below average teams better. I do know this to be true.... if a coach thinks a player is good, and can truly help, he’ll play. So, if those parents want to see playing time, they would. If a coach believes a kid can’t play, or help win, then they won’t be on the floor, and seemingly quit (at Ryle). All this nonsense of “the best players are roaming the halls” seems like a lie people are telling themselves and others to justify a man losing his job.

CCH vs. Beechwood is probably the best Thursday night game, as it could be a potential matchup for a regional championship since they’ll have to end up on opposite sides. Not sure any other district could honestly say that. That said, Highlands Vs. Newport May have the most entertaining player matchups.

Doesn’t Lloyd have to beat Dixie tonight, first?

Cooper. 10+. It’s tournament time. Cooper will be locked in and in championship form. Young Conner team in unfamiliar territory.

This is the piece everyone leaves out. Communities have to support programs/coaches in good times and bad. If parents aren’t invested, why would their kids be?

McFarland is a good coach. Knows the game, grew up in a family with a coach, played the game, did a good job at Dixie. Tough job, imo. Good luck to whoever is next. Surely some talent.

Woww. Season over for 10 minutes. I guess someone had to ask...

Is this his first game back?

Highlands wins, double digits.

Thanks for all the reporting and prognosticating PP1! Well done. And, always enjoyed the read.

I read this about the things Beechwood did that Cooper and Newport couldn’t do, but Newport and Cooper did what Campbell and CovCath couldnt... beat Beechwood. And, if memory serves correctly, Newport is the only team to beat the Wood in Ft. Mitchell. Then, somehow, Newport is picked to lose to whoever wins the Highlands/NCC game, but CovCath and Cooper are picked to win their district. That said, I think Beechwood beats HC pretty easily, and gives CCH a real run for their money. I guess opinions are like elbows.... Just can’t wait to see the regional shape up.

Hardings ranking surprises me. He’s an excellent all-around player, and maybe one of the most versatile/productive. But, if he ranked top 3, that’s still great. Deere, though... being a top player in the region is about more than scoring. If he averaged 20+ maybe I’d see your point. He averages 13ish. That said, totally agree on the “politics” statement. But, that’s a given.

Sullivan would never let his players blame officials... so their fans shouldn’t either. On the road at Scott, and playing with a different trio of regional officials, is a different game, but no excuse. I believe this only lights Coopers fire.

I believe 1 of 2 teams will win it (CovCath/Cooper). And, 2 teams could “shock the region” and win it (Beechwood & Newport). And, 4 teams could make any game interesting and possibly win a game (Conner, Highlands, St. Henry, Lloyd). I don’t see Dixie or even NewCath making it to the region and winning a game. I hope it’s the “top 8”, and that will make it the most interesting. Mayer back for CCH is a new problem for all the teams, except CCH themselves.

I agree with you. SK could potentially lose to any of these teams. They could also beat any of them. When you have a special player like Niece, and some good side kicks like he has... anything can happen. Can’t put it all on coaching. Kids must execute.

Is there a “coach in waiting” here? Any big public school would have many, many candidates.