Big Fundamental

About what most expected, I think. I thought with Walters, Cooper could beat Covington Catholic, clearly I was wrong.

Closer than I thought. Any details?

These 2 have turned into Cincinnati private schools. Lol. Slow grind on defense, motion offenses with a lot of passes. Lol.

Good luck to your boys! Is Scott back?

Cooper by less than 10. With Walters, I might go 10 or more. Come the region, maybe a different story... I believe Ruthsatz is still learning about how to tweak this team to get its greatest offensive potential.

What is going on at Highlands?? Does the Sophomore Vinson mean this much to the team. I know he’s a nice player, but Highlands started so well.

I’m not super surprised by this. South Laurel put it on SK over Christmas, and if memory serves, Cooper beat SL in a scrimmage to start the year. I know it’s a scrimmage, but still... Also, Newport had SK down by 20+ in Lexington before the JV went in, ended up winning by 15 or so. Cooper is playing out of this world and is a top team in the 9th, if not the top team. I think they beat CCH in Park Hills. They don’t have just 1 or 2 kids you have to stop because they have 4 or 5 kids capable of having a significant night. They play as a team. Defensively, they are excellent.

Your perception of my post is incorrect. So, I will correct as you wished... in the opening statement it states nothing of the sort about CCH being the best in the region right now. I merely stated that I believed they had played a tougher schedule than Beechwood, had some swagger back, and seemed poised, based on recent performances, to make a run in NKY. Then, I gave you my opinion that Cooper appears to be the best team so far in NKY up to this point. With that said, CCH will have its chance to change my mind when they play. As will some other teams. The confusion probably came in when I said “to be the man, you have to beat the man”, which was just an allusion to CCH being the most current state champs.

I believe Scott has all the pieces back and playing, they win considerably at home. I’m sure it will be fun for Carr and Coach Fromeyer.

Does anyone beat Cooper at Cooper? I’m sure it’s happened, but it’s rare as of the last couple of years. Cooper wins this one.

A few things, in my opinion: -CovCath has certainly played a tougher overall schedule than Beechwood. CCH also defeated LexCath by 25, to Beechwood barely beating them in OT. CovCath seems to have some of its swagger back and seems poised to make a run here in NKY. To be the man, you have to beat the man, and right now, the latest state champs are that man. Good luck, opponents. -That said, Beechwood still has the pieces to compete with CCH, and maybe beat them on a given night. They have been blowing people out in games that are never close. I believe their could be something special to this Beechwood team. -While were talking about schedules: let’s talk about Lloyd being 9-3 but has not played the schedule of these other teams, except Brossart, who they beat, and also lost to. I guess if we’re doing “feel good” rankings based on record, fine Lloyd is 5. But, a healthy Highlands would defeat Lloyd, imo, and NCC (I know their record is currently worse) already beat them. This said, they have a chance at home to make a statement vs. Newport this week. -Since you didn’t see the games, Makhi McGuire was out for Newport vs. CovCath, and I believe Jalen Scott was out for Conner vs. CovCath. Since we’re playing hypotheticals with numbers (records) Scott averages 16/gm, and so does McGuire, so those two games vs. CCH may have gone different if the 2 teams had their key pieces. -While we’re discussing schedule strength, has anyone seen Newport’s schedule? Campbell, Highlands, GRC, SK, LexCath, University Heights, CovCath, and Cincinnati Hills (have only lost 1 game in Ohio... not sure how good they are, but have won every game on the schedule except 1.... maybe someone can confirm??). They are 4-4 vs. that schedule, and 6 of those games came right in a row. 3 of those 4 losses are to teams who are ranked Top 10 in the state (according to BGP, AP, Courier Journal, etc.), and 2 of the 4 were played without a leading Newport scorer and key player in McGuire. -Cooper clearly looks like the best team in the region to me. They have size, defense, coaching, and find ways to score. Houston, Spencer, Hampton have been excellent in their roles, and Centers & Baker seem to be coming on big. They play CCH soon, and that should be a war! Hope to see it. Lastly, let me also agree with a previous poster in saying that rankings are “immaterial” at this point, as it will all solve itself by the end of the season. That said, it’s fun to talk about.

55 free throws in a singular game is far too many. Poor discipline or, excruciating officiating.

I looked this up to see how FD was doing this year because HC hasn’t done so well, and, FD defeated GRC. So, yes, basketball is not transitive, OR GRC isn’t as good as everyone believes, OR FD played very poorly, OR HC played out of their minds to defeat FD the way they did. My guess is... it’s winter break for most schools, and over the break, anything goes. That said, I still believe Beechwood is superior to most of the opponents it’s played, and will play. They are an upper tier team in their region.

I hope this claim proves to be false, as Ive felt that the 9th has been a 2 horse race for the last 2-3 years. Would like to hope that someone, whether it be Beechwood, Highlands, Newport or a late sleeper could come in and provide some excitement.

Going with SK because they will play this one in Independence. Close game.

Very excited to see how this SK vs. Walton game plays out. Guard heavy/likes to play fast SK vs. Slower pacing/bigger Walton. If SK is hitting shots, they'll be tough to beat!

Anyone see Beechwood as being able to beat CovCath? I know they struggled with Cooper, but the game was at Cooper. I'd say with beating Campbell County at home, Beechwood would also have a shot vs. CCH at home. Anyone agree?

Absolutely. But, typically only certain teams. Hard for me to get to a lot of games each year. I think that is typical for many people. A major purpose of this forum, I would presume.

Why is this? Newport has been fairly successful the last few years... Is it just based on talent alone? I've always felt the coaching is there. Then, I see this post. Could it just be that CCH was that good?

What happened to Miller? Did he come back?

Boone picked up a couple nice wins over he break, and then lost this one. Any commentary or explanations of the game?

Very sorry to hear this! Prayers for the young man.

Woww. Nice win for LexCath, as LCA is highly ranked and LexCath was not at all. I know this is a rivalry and anything can happen.

May have come off wrong... I was asking, would it have mattered? I dont know. I know he’s a nice player that can shoot. Just didn’t know how his replacement played....

He did not. Would it have mattered?