Pete Mitchell

A lot of water under the bridge since then, but when HC and Cooper played in the first game of the year for HC, it was a close game into the final minutes (I think HC got to within 2 or 3 with a couple of minutes left). I think both teams have gone in opposite directions since then, but you never know. I am sure Tim Sullivan won't allow them to look past HC .... there are those that would suggest some of the great Holmes teams that Tim Sullivan was on as a player got caught looking ahead, pretty sure he won't let that happen ...

HC fans are fortunate to have this coverage. I hope your sponsors know that there are some people out here who support them JUST BECAUSE they sponsor your broadcast. With respect to the games tonight, HC comes in off a huge win over everyone's favorite to win the region, Holmes, and the growth and maturity of the HC team since the beginning of the season is evident. Lloyd comes in as the runner up to Dixie in the 34th, although they had beaten Dixie earlier in the year. They are led by Devin Cheatum at 17 PPG. The first game of the night, Highlands v. Cooper, should be a dandy. Terrific Highlands tandem of Zoie Barth and Jenna Martin and Cooper's Lexi Held make this the best first round match up IMO. Highlands missing Jansen, Coffey and Dill, but they have run off 8 straight wins against 9th Region opponents, including a convincing win over Holmes, since dropping back to back games for the only time all season to, coincidentally, HC and Cooper.

I certainly think the prevailing perception three weeks ago that Holmes was walking to the regional championship is long gone, after losses to Highlands and Holy Cross. Cooper and Conner have played very well of late. I would not be surprised by any one of those 5 putting together 3 games in a row to win it.

Unofficial HC stats Tucker 6/12 0/0 2/2 14 pts 7 Rebs Thomas 3/10 0/0 3/5 9 pts 11 Rebs Crigler 0/0 0/3 1/2 1 pts 1 reb McClendon 2/10 0/0 3/6 7 pts 6 Rebs Turner 0/0 1/2 0/0 3 pts 2 Rebs Chames 0/2 0/0 0/0 0 pts 6 Rebs Simpson 0/0 0/0 2/4 2 pts 5 Rebs Macke 1/2 2/4 3/4 11 pts 5 Rebs TOTALS 12/36 3/9 14/23 47 pts

Didn't know that, sorry to hear that as well. How tough does that make the transition to softball? That's some key spots on the diamond and in the batting order. Hope they get back quickly.

Before last night, everyone wanted to draw away from runner up Cooper ... Then after last night Holmes became a runner up too .... Kinda hard to draw away from two strong runners up. Pretty wide open field, should be a great regional. Unfortunate that Highlands looks like they will be without Chloe Jansen and Brooke Dill ... But they will still be a tough out.

HC handled the press and Holmes didn't shoot the ball anything like they did the first time. In the first meeting Holmes shot 75 percent from 3 and 9/10 from free throw line in the first half. They didn't shoot anything like that. And for HC a freshman and an eighth played very seasoned basketball (Piper Macke and Sidney Thomas), made big play after big play.

Older brother Caleb is senior. Jon is sophomore. I am actually surprised that Jon is not the projected point guard next year. Really nice handle, IQ and court vision. Is he going to be a 2 with Niece at the 1?

Sophomore class at HHS ..... Besides Cramer, there's Scwalbach, Ziegler, Turner, Juett .... Lot of arms in that class alone ...

Just curious, who do you guys have as the top arms at Highlands? I do agree that they will be a deep staff, but some of the pitchers I am thinking of are young and haven't seen a lot of varsity time yet.

It wasn't enough to win it last year. Just sayin'.

I agree with you, but what teams/players/coaches specifically bring you to that conclusion?

I would prefer to leave it at Holy Cross is playing better, and closer to the team a lot of us expected them to be at the beginning of the year. They certainly have changed their focus, transitioning away from being a strictly perimeter team to going inside to Houston and Barnes more and attacking the basket more effectively with Niehaus and Williams. HC has got kids that can play, and Nolan Schrand can absolutely shoot. He is far more effective, though, when other things are happening offensively other than just passing the ball around the perimeter. The test for the coach, and the team, is who shows up at tournament time. HC could bow out in the first round of the district, or they could get to the regional finals against CovCath or Cooper, and I would not be shocked by either one. I hope they figure it out.

No, Maggie Jones' sisters all played at Simon Kenton. Maggie is a young freshman (won't turn 15 until the summer) and is the real deal ... she is stuck a little bit in the shadow of some really good older players at SK, but her ceiling may be the highest on that team IMO.

That's two down.... One big one left for CovCath to capture the triple crown

Thanks AG. Is it a given where Vieth and Bessler are going to school next year? I assume St. Henry or CovCath?

This problem with "fake news" has gotten worse than I thought!

Ryle High School, Class of 2020. Skills, athletic, high IQ, and I believe she's now about 5'9"-5'10". Great kid with a high motor. Uncle I believe played at UC.

Thanks OG. Sets up some interesting possibilities, and not just that it is Dixie v. CovCath for the frosh AND JV titles, but it could easily wind up that way in the Varsity tourney as well, especially if CovCath and Cooper draw on the same side of the bracket in the varsity regional.

Funny, I didn't see a lot of frosh teams play this year, but just from this thread I can't figure out how Dixie can only lose 2 games all year and not be even considered as one of the top three teams... if nothing else, this discussion should lead everyone firmly to the conclusion you could not seed this tournament. No one would be happy being the 4, for example, having to play CovCath in the semis.

As a follow up, did Cooper beat Dixie? Dixie only lost 2 all year, I am told, so I assume it was to CovCath and Cooper?

Okay. I am not that familiar with the 2020 boys classes; was Cooper the second best team?

My fault, good catch. I saw Conner there yesterday and I know they have a solid team, I guess the length of the day got to me.

Sarcasm? As in "the real championship was played yesterday? Because the bracket shows Monday night championship, just like always. Is the JV championship being played right before? If so, who is playing in that championship game?