Thecloser

Lawrence may be the #1 this year but I would say Marcum was the number one last year he certainly in my estimation pitched against tougher teams with less run support. At the tournament, Marcum quite possibly could have been MVP with the performances he had if they had won the championship. S.K. is returning a good core group of players this season. I do agree that they may not return to state, but its not out of the realm of possibility. This is looking to be an interesting season and I for one will be happy when it begins.

Listen, I am still standing behind Throwing Curves........and if some have coached 30 plus years then you should understand you wanna play your best ball at the end of the season NOT THE BEGINNING. Everyone is entitled to their opinion even if its coming from left field and full of nonsense. you guys on here argue about the past like it happened different, if we done this or if we had done that. Bottom line and you all can eat it S.K. was runner up and their wasn't 9th region team in the finals. Still you say that any 9th region is all that, take off the blinders and stop drinking the cool-aid.

Just to add to Throwing Curves I also felt that S.K. flew under the radar. Mediocre is just a phrase used by a sore loser who was unhappy their team didn't exceed expectations and choked when it really mattered. I know most of you ride the 9th region like they are the region to beat. Fact is Conner won and none of you even gave them a chance in the 9th. S.K. and oh last year I even said Scott was underrated, you folks downed the 8th region like there was no competition. I would stack the 8th against the 9th and from top to bottom pound for pound the 8th has more quality teams. S.K. did not and I repeat did not have an easy bracket and Marcum shut down 2 of the better teams in the state. Lawrence had a very strong outing against the best team in the state, so for you guys that like to play home team favorites and never give good teams their due, how did it feel watching the state tournament from home.

In all this back and forth over who should have been the best team in nky, history is gonna show SK went further than any other team did a testament to a team that played great team ball when it mattered.

Heard S.K. left as many as 6-7 runners in scoring position. Marcum once again showed he is their most consistent and best pitcher.

I like S.K. in this one they are putting it together. Saw the Collins game Marcum had a 2 run hit to put the game away for good.

I would say you get the most out of Combs at first base , you definitely need his bat. He is not mobile enough to play outfield.

I'd throw in Combs (Beechwood), King (Dixie), Dunn (Cooper), Gannes (Boone), and Marcum (Simon Kenton). I am sure there are others, but I've seen these guys throw. Marcum was the feature of an article recently written by James Weber in the Community Press after a strong complete game shutout of Bellevue. I know Dunn and Gannes are committed D-1 and Marcum is committed to UC Clermont. Those three will be continuing their careers beyond high school as they should I believe they are that good.

I think so too. Seems they are finding out who they are as a team. The coach is playing around with lineups for what reason he did this with a team in his region is beyond me, but you do at some point have to see what you have in reserves and what lineup works the best together.

I guess SK is not going to get any respect.

Quality win no doubt.

Good game Holmes was out classed ending in a 10 run rule bottom of the 5th inning. Collins comes to town this week should be a good one.

UC Clermont moving to NAIA shold get those guys some more attention.

I completely agree those two not being in the top fifty is a travesty. I believe one of the players on this list could not beat Marcum out for #1 in summer ball pitching rotation.

Two of Simon Kenton's best commit to UC Clermont today according to Twitter.

I was also informed it did not count wonder if Simon Kenton knew it was counting? They started guys that dont really factor in starting lineup and was not taking it seriously. Though that is neither here nor there, they should take every game serious whether scheduled or not.

I guess this is a 9th region poll only. If its NKY why isnt Simon Kenton and Scott getting any press. I know Scott lost a lot but I think these schools are still in NKY and Bishop Brossart lost its first three games scoring only one run but giving up 31.

from my understanding this game did not count they were supposed to play Carroll County I believe.

Marcum starts off year with a good outing I heard 6-7 strikeouts in 4 innings?

Does anyone have an updated roster?

All in all it's shaping up to be a good competitive year in the 8th from what I am seeing and hearing. Ready for it to begin.

I agree Simon Kenton has a good crop of players. They can make a deep run in the 8th which I see as being a tough regional. That makes good on the ability of an 8th region team doing very well in the state tourney. I'm interested in Tristen Marcum and Sean Lawrence success in the rotation. Fielding last year for me in some of the games I saw was an issue I hope they have worked that out.

How do you guys feel about their chances?

Ok summer basketball..... hmmm growing up in Covington there were pickup games on just about every basketball court in the city "have basketball will play" not to mention with baseball, permits were needed to even get on field, finding 15-20 guys with gloves bats and balls was pretty much a rare event. Lets not forget basketball is king at Holmes and has been for my 42 years of life. my point baseball costs money that many inner city kids would rather spend on sports they know draw attention to them.For Newport and Holmes its basketball, be it cause of budget or attention they would get from the schools popular sport. I just don't wanna say they are under privileged or have no talent for baseball, its just not in their social or economic "wheelhouse" so to speak.