Don't_Hate_the_Playa

This will not end well...

It's Walton Verona's year, folks. Miles will be dominant and the team has all the pieces necessary to score and defend.

I think we will be watching WV at Rupp come spring time.

Cov Cath is very talented on both sides of the ball.

Campbell County is a good team, but in the same league as the top 4-5 teams in NKy.

Just please stop with statements like this. Just because someone predicts that NCC will not win does not mean you need to play the pity angle. And go with the "well I guess they should just not show up." I despise that statement. Do I think NCC will win? NO.....But really my opinion means nothing when they play the game. Thats why you show up and play since upsets do happen.

I would also add that Beechwood is a terrific place to watch a game and their concession stand is restaurant-quality. Two great reasons to make the trip!

IF Beechwood loses it will only make them more focused and hungrier heading into the playoffs.

IF Beechwood wins they will still be focused and hungry enough to win out.

Beechwood WILL win. It's this time of year when health is as important as the game outcome - I hope there are no injuries that affect line-ups heading into the playoffs.

Hopefully the same arrogant coach walks by Coopers student section waving and pointing at his state championship ring this year in the semifinals at regionals. That made it even better when Cooper beat the brakes off CCH in the finals!!!

CCH is a marquee program - they don't need coaches acting like adolescents. Compete and win.

The math for the 9th region follows pretty simple logic - Ruthsatz and Sullivan are two of the best development/game coaches and program builders in the state. Both CCH and Cooper have established cultures that attract talent and drive players to be and give their best.

You watch either program and you consistently see skills, on-court leadership, desire, and cohesiveness superior to their opponent - especially the programs in the 9th region.

CCH and Cooper have very talented teams - but it's the leadership and culture of their respective programs that set them apart.

I will go so far as to pick Cooper to win the 33rd even if they had inferior talent to Boone, Ryle, and Conner. That's the power of Sullivan's coaching and the program's culture. Neither would let the team lose.

It’s Walton Verona’s year.

This will be beyond ugly - after the spanking SK put on CC I have to wonder if CC will actually come to play.

Beechwood wins big with a running clock

Yep - a much better team than NCC.

No Venneman did not play tonight and did not get injured against the Greateast team of all time in NKY football. He has been hampered with a hamstring injury dating back to last year. We appreciate your sincere concern.

Stay classy Highlands...and try to adapt to your current situation. It's how everybody else in NKY felt when the Birds were hanging 50-60/game on teams.

That’s what happens when your varsity has zero talent!

Otte has a re-build on his hands for sure. He needs to build a program - develop his freshman class, build relationships with the middle school players and parents, and influence the middle school coaches to teach his concepts and system.

No reason Conner can't be as good as Cooper if they can keep their talent at home and Otte invests in his program as Sullivan has at Cooper.

Awesome

Cooper out-played, out-coached, and out-charactered Conner. On one side of the field - coaches working their tails off, kids competing and making plays, and a team that was invested in winning the game.

On the other side of the field - a leadership vacuum and kids who seemed to be more interested in getting on with the evening festivities than actually winning the game.

Cooper deserved this victory - they are better.

Turnovers killed SK 3 interceptions one was a pick 6.

Did Chisholm have the pick 6 too?

Someone is going to update Wikipedia to show Chisholm as the principal of SK.

Chisholm beating SK by 11 late in 4th.

Make that 18.

Who is winning bow much time. I'm late to the party

Chisholm beating SK by 11 late in 4th.

Cruel of SK to string Ryle along like this - letting them think they can win before rallying to victory!!

Patented SK comeback starts now!!!

Time for the patented SK comeback!!!

Thelen has a D-I body - whether he develops a D-I game remains to be seen. I can’t see him as a primary scorer - he does have the length to be an effective defender and rebounder at both ends. Will be interesting to see what numbers he puts up this year.

I would think starters for CCH would be Ruthsatz, Fredrick, Walter, AJ Mayer, the fifth spot could be any of the following:

1-Michael Mayer-good size, and last years sixth man at the end of the season (in a six man rotation)

2-Lenihan-started at point and played really really well last year while Ruthsatz was hurt. Sometimes they forget about him, but he is a very good guard.

3-Nowak-brings energy and defense to the lineup. Started several games last year while another player was hurt.

4-Thelen-tall and athletic, but hasn't been able to be the player the coaches expected him to be yet. He is now a junior and I think he breaks out this season

5-Davin-missed all last season. He will need to prove himself as a starter to take the fifth starting spot. He may be doing that at practice, but I have yet to see him play meaningful varsity minutes yet due to injury.

6-Fleek-I got to see him play some over the summer. He is better than I thought he was. If he gets a serious shot at varsity I think he could be a contributor for sure.

7-Deere-I've heard his name being thrown around but don't know much about him. A lot of people say he is really good. Deere, like Fleek, and Davin I believe have not played enough varsity minutes to really make a call on yet. I believe if the rotation is deep enough for them to get a descent amount of varsity minutes they will all play well.

 

The key will be the rotation. How many players are going to get minutes? 6-8? Ruthsatz, Fredrick, and Walter will get 90% of all minutes. AJ Mayer will play 75-80% of all game minutes once he returns from football. That will leave very limited minutes for others to see the floor.

 

Like always, CCH is deep. But will they use their depth. Either way they will be the favorite in the 9th with Cooper a close second.

Michael Mayer starts and is terrific by year end. Davin, Thelen, and Lenihan fill out core rotation.

Davin gets a lot of run this year.

Ohmer is above average. He would be 6th man for the Camels.

This. And Perrin’s skills really haven’t evolved. He is better suited as a role player at this point.

Could be a long year for Scott - not a lot of scorers on that squad.

Prep hoops

Michael Mayer is due for a breakout year - more upside than the junior bigs and IMO his older brother. The only question for me is how quickly the Mayers/Lenihan transition from football and where their skill sets pick up. It may take time for those guys to get their legs underneath them, especially given they are primed for a state championship playoff run.

Cooper is the favorite in the ninth.....Sully has been able to add a lot of nice pieces with transfers their overall depth sets them apart from Covington Catholic

I'm not sure I agree with any part of this statement. I do think Cooper has improved their talent level through transfers (Houston is the only meaningful add IMO) and development (sounds like Baker could step up), and they will challenge Cov Cath this year - due as much to their culture and toughness as their talent.

That said - Cov Cath should be the favorite in the 9th and I see few if any teams in the state that can match their 1-12 player talent.

No Savannah Jordan (Conner) in the top 10? IMO their best all-around player last year. Is she injured or not playing this year?