Remmac2

I agree that the soph class will be a big factor beyond Barth but there are a bunch of seniors and a couple of athletic Jrs. in the mix that will create a dynamic that will have to play out. A couple of things are certain regardless of who plays .......they will not be big, they will play hard, and they will be deep. Ok, I'm done with the "H" teams for now, lol

I was talking up Holmes but the low post players available on this team are what sets them apart from others in the region. The challenge will be keeping the pace of the game under control. I think teams will try to run this team and they can run also w/Tucker & others but can the post players run with them will be the key. If they can control possessions/create half -court pace to games, they will be hard to handle. It will be interesting to see how they progress & what identity they settle into...........

I agree that Holmes should be the favorite in the 9th with plenty of talent returning. For those in the 9th, we have been waiting for the "H" teams to roll up on Bluegrass with Holmes, Highlands and Holy Cross all in the conversation next year. :dancingpa That being said, I don't see anything that puts the other two or anyone in the 9th ahead of Holmes .

I always had trouble spelling Lloyd...............:thumb:

I just want to know.....oops, I thought this was a HC thread, my bad, nevermind.

The original points made in this thread are all very accurate and more in the vain of this quote, I would add that often times the student athlete finds: a) it is a much bigger commitment than they are used to and/or willing to make b) HS was fun and they played with their friends c) their HS experience involved winning, team, success ; college, not as much d) their friends are having fun at large universities and they want that experience e) bottom line....the fire to play diminishes

I think its called Scott Co. Just sayin.

To weigh in on the double elimination for softball I would suggest that there are probably a couple of factors that lead to this format: The most obvious is that you can play multiple games in short periods because of the ability of pitchers to pitch more often. There are no classes so only one champion. Also, because softball games literally do not take much clock time. By that I mean, you can play a whole season, win your region, take your team all the way to Owenboro (minimum two hrs for almost every team) then get a draw against a great pitcher and literally play the game in less than 1 1/2 hrs. I would say that wouldn't be much of an experience for most teams/programs. Lastly, a double elimination format typically gives you the best team(s) in the championship. Case in point, this tournament saw MNH, McCracken, & Scott Co in the final three and they are the three best teams so it is representative. I know some will argue underdog/small school chances/etc. but I would argue if you want more teams to have a chance they create multiple classes with multiple state champions under a single-elimination format.....if not, I think it is good the way it is.

First class effort, kudos to all involved! The entire tournament had a feel of creating an environment that was about the games and girls first, the fans treated as guest a close second and nothing about NCC or someone making profit.......ever! Refreshing to witness, play it again!

I can't believe there are no Highlands post on here so I will just get it out there in two words ...."Mud Bowl" 2013 loss in finals was most dramatic but mud bowl was most painful.

Regardless of where they end up playing them, I'll take first stab at match ups now that we have the contenders: HHS v St Henry Notre Dame v Boone Ryle v Holy Cross Dixie v NCC I just have a feeling that HHS will get the toughest draw and will have to earn a trip south. They are clearly the #1 seed based on season and having the best pitcher in the region with Spencer but..... They are beatable because they do not score a lot of runs and/ or put teams away. Ryle would be my #2 seed and are playing well late in season. In my matchup scenario, I think most of these games could be interesting. St Henry has been my sleeper all yr. Play ball! Somewhere......anywhere

Oh my, can we please just step off & close this thing before a player, poster or coach gets their feelings hurt?

Thanks LB ..... You all do an awesome job recognizing the effort of these girls and this sport!

LB, You could never be questioned as "saying too much" on the topic of softball. As noted by the time of your post (after an extra inning game no less) and time you spend with groups like the NKSCA, you are unquestionably the best advocate of girls softball ! With regard to this process and list, it is the same as any other in that it cannot be perfect and someone will always have a contrary opinion......and that's OK. I'll just say thank you for creating a way to recognize girls playing HS softball !

Congratulations to those on this list, I love for HS athletes to get recognition. Leaving these two out is kind of a head scratcher though.....are they really checking in at around # 65 in NKY and outside the top 15 in their District, probably not Let me give a shout out to both as having a great season and stellar career.... Definitely worthy of mention.

Since my only reliable information comes from their #1 fan and he said they had the most D-1 talent, best D, best O, best QB, best RB, and best waterboy in the history of the program and compared to any other program....my expectations were set really, really, high, so not getting to the finals must mean this year was a failure. I'm a little more objective than that so I'll give them a B+ There you have it.......sarcasm and a grade.

Sorry to see Bev step aside. I admired the energy she poured into teaching these girls basketball with life lessons. Good luck to her in her next venture...........

Love Apollo's aggressive style of play and confidence, they are peaking at the right time...... Could be a contender!

If she's that fast, Cooper's track coach is missing the boat.......she should be running sprints on Saturdays even if she is on the softball team!

I agree on AJ Mayer......stings the ball ! Haven't seen Schlarman.

I haven't seen them all either but have seen most.....can't argue your #1 lol but I believe you will be impressed with Daley from HHS. I would rate her ahead of several in your list. She is definitely top 5. (and a So.)

Gabrielle Stewart (STH), Kennedy Baugh (ND) and Amanda Lloyd (BB) are obviously as advertised and performing well again. Graybill from HHS actually hasn't been catching while returning from injury but her replacement So. Josie Daley is very solid behind the plate and is becoming a consistent hitter as well. Pairing her with Bailey Spencer who is arguably the #1 P in region and that is definitely a top battery.

"Nuff" said, end of story, good night Irene.............if this is true they obviously aren't good enough ! lol

Spencer threw a gem and that about sums it up. HHS is solid in every position defensively, heads-up play by Gabbard on DP. Hitting for Birds appears to be coming along, run bases aggressively, they appear legit as region favorites. NCC couldn't catch up to Spencer in this one. Their relative youth shows as she was able to set them up to swing at her pitch late in the count, veteran pitching indeed. Beyond that NCC needs to tighten their D. A few more batted balls by HHS to force the D and this one could have turned ugly. Too many bad throw & late decision-making made them look uninspired? Hope they take more energy and confidence into All A at end of week.

I agree that the last game means nothing as Myers has pitched effectively against the Birds over the years and this one probably close like the rest. I will say Birds are starting to hit better so could be interesting. I think HHS is a little too strong defensively and don't give much away and have a couple of hammers in lineup that will provide the difference. Pitching match-up is a stellar one though. Beautiful weather predicted, should be a good night to catch a great ballgame!