Don't_Hate_the_Playa

Conner made runs in the 2nd and 3rd quarters but could never get closer than 5 in the second half. CC made shots to answer every Conner run. They also closed the 3rd/started 4th with 8 straight points to put it away.

Perrin is a big add for Scott - very similar to Hendrix (Cooper) as an athlete and competitor (Hendrix is considerably taller). Having watched both Scott and Campbell County, their style of play is very similar. Perimeter defense and stopping dribble penetration will be key for both teams. CC has a lot of weapons and superior size - for Scott to win they will really need to limit CC's three-point looks and out-rebound CC.

Is there any talent in the PC pipeline that will help Allen before he graduates?

This may prove to be the case - this year's and next year's results will certainly be telling. Conner has talent. Whether that talent can be optimized - through development and scheme - is the question that remains to be answered. From what I've seen - Conner is one of the more predictable teams - offensively and defensively - in the region. They can bully teams of lesser talent but struggle in 4 quarter, one possession-at-a-time games. Their next game against Ryle will be a good measuring stick as to whether they are growing and ready to take the next step in the region. I KNOW Ryle is improving - is Conner?

I'd like to think that Conner is too talented to lose like this. Their core is young. Sounds like this one got away from them.

Ryle has as much upside as any team in the 9th region. Scheer is great orchestrating, they have some top-notch athletes who can score, and they really play together. What will be really interesting to watch is how they evolve defensively as their depth develops. Ryle could really bring the pressure by year end.

Beechwood isn't a great team but to their credit they have an identity and they are bought in. It's amazing how powerful that combination can be - Beechwood will be a tough out come tournament time because they will have a season's worth of experience enforcing their tempo and style of play on opponents who aren't suited to win that type of game. Who wants to play 55-51 games these days? No one. Who wants to WIN 55-51 games these days? The answer should be EVERYONE, but more likely it's only Beechwood.

For Conner it's less about substitution patterns and more about role clarity. Not everyone on that team is/needs to be a 3 point shooter, option scorer, and ball handler. What everyone needs to do is play defense and rebound. I would like to see Conner run a few sets to get Hurst open looks and let Jordan go to the basket. Between her shooting and her ability to draw shooting fouls Jordan is a very efficient scorer. Fouls shots - what a novel concept...

I didn't see the TOs, and Ryle didn't appear to shoot FTs notably better than Conner. What I saw - Conner is not a great shooting team, and on several occasions the wrong person took the shot. Jordan stepped up down the stretch, controlled the ball, and made key FTs. Conner isn't markedly better than Ryle - Scheer plays at 100% and Ryle might have walked out a winner.

Very uncharacteristic of Cooper. This will light a fire. Who does Cooper play next?

Wow - Beechwood controlled tempo and won a low scoring game. Who could have seen that coming?

Prediction: Beechwood doesn't let Allen take over. Make the other 4 beat you. Keep game in 50s.

All the people touting McGregor's athleticism were spot on. What an athlete! So explosive! Once Scheer gets back to 100% Ryle could take a big step forward.

Tough game for Scheer - struggled shooting then fouled out on a reach with 2 left. Savannah Jordan was very good for Conner. Two evenly matched teams.

The 3 point shot has really changed how offenses are structured and how efficient an offense can be. As shooting has improved, defensive schemes have also had to evolve. That said, a age-old basketball truism still exists IMO - especially for high school - that being a team should make more FTs than their opponent attempts. Is this always a requirement to win? No. But - as an operating principle it certainly does protect a team from dying by the 3. It's interesting when a losing coach says something along the lines of "our outside shots weren't falling, and we had a hard time scoring." One-sided offensive strategies may win games - they will also lose games.

Turning BC into a 3 point shooting team is a good defensive strategy. I think their strength is in their bigs/inside game.

Pendleton County wants to play in the 70s, Beechwood in the 50s. I think Beechwood gets creative in limiting Allen and making the PC TEAM beat them. I think Beechwood wins - FTs at the end of the game lead to a final score that isn't representative of how close the game is throughout.

How healthy is Scherr? Did CC double team her or go box:1?

Highlands will always be very good - talent and coaching are both strong, and I think the coaching will always be a strength of that program. If they put together exceptional talent - watch out. Sounds like Conner needs to develop some greater diversity on offense. Can't be one-dimensional schematically or as players.

Moeller is currently #1 in Cincy D-I; Elder is #7. LaSalle and Mason are both very good.

Has M Mayer played a minute of freshman ball so far? Kid is going to be great - as loaded as the varsity is I can see him adding value. He is physically ready, great motor, and could be a solid scoring option.

Wow. Just wow. LexCath silences the critics - for now anyway.

Nice balanced scoring from Scott. A defensive strategy is emerging - let Ohmer go for 50 and win 65-64.

Sounds like CC was uncharacteristically loose with the ball. Moeller is very good, but Ruthsatz must have been pulling his hair out. In a 60-51 game lost possessions and points of TOs are even more critical.

Lenihan will step up - good player. Would start on just about any other team in NKy.