Chaz

Beechwood is loaded now. They are the new NCC. They will win this game and I’m predicting they win the 9th region too.

Don’t have a dog in this fight but it’s always good to have a fact check. We don’t want false information out there Saw the Campbell/Ryle game last year. Ryle was certainly not “getting smoked by 25 and then Campbell relaxed”. Nor do I remember “the super human athletes being down by 20”. Ryle won the first quarter. Then were down 6-8 at half but was good game. Then CC had a strong 3rd quarter, were up like 15. Ryle scored a lot in 4th trying to climb back in and almost did, but CC hit some big shots. Both teams probably combined for 50 points in the 4th quarter. As far as the Ryle coach losing it though that part is true. I don’t remember any players purposely fouling but Ryle was very frustrated at the end of the game. As far as “Campbell taking Ryle to the woodshed 4 straight years”. Also seems pretty exaggerated. Campbell did win of course but the scores were within 6-8 points. As far as the Campbell coach I’m sure there are a lot more stories out there . Anyone whose been following girls basketball has seen Coach Menefee in action.

Without one or both of these two players Ryle is for sure in trouble against Highlands.

For high school girls basketball he is over the top emotionally. Should be coaching college ball probably instead. It would be more acceptable to behave that way in a college gym.

This shows how wide open the 8th region is this year. It seems like any one of 4-5 teams could be representing at state. My money is still on SK but it’s going to be a fun regional tourney.

Just an upset in the sense that Ryle is ranked #1 in KY, #1 in the region and #16 in US. And Highlands is ranked #11 in KY and #3 in the region. IMHO Highlands has the personnel and the coaching to beat Ryle. Only Conner, Highlands and maybe Dixie have a shot to take them down this year. I think the Bluebirds have the best chance.

Those are helpful stats. Makes a difference for sure. I can understand the coach helping get good opportunities for her. But 13 shots vs 8 per game seems a little much for this early in the season to ask your veteran senior to accept though. Meredith is new, and I hope she’s respecting her team mates well. I haven’t seen them play yet but have heard it’s not fun to watch. Scott Coach gives Meredith lots of freedom to complain, react poorly to teammates and take bad shots. The ejection is case in point. What are the assists stats? Bet Secrist has 2-3 times as many as Meredith. The best players ALWAYS have high assists rates

It’s a bold prediction to say Simon Kenton will win the region? Maybe you read my comment wrong? I don’t think they will do well at state but there are only maybe 3-4 teams that can challenge SK in the region. Anderson County being the greatest challenge. But I really don’t think it is super bold to predict the team with the hall of fame coach that has won the region the last 3 out of 4 years (and the one loss was a shocking loss to Trimble County) will win it again. You think that SK is that big of an underdog this year?

What is going on in Eagleland? Meredith transfers to Scott and was given free reign to do whatever? Sounds like a coaching problem there. She may have some potential talent but coaches have to help kids learn to not be so self focused. I hear she’s already shooting more than Secrist and others there. Feel bad for seniors who don’t have a coach to protect them from that stuff

If your thinking this Friday may be Ryle’s first loss, I agree. Ryle seems to have Conners number but Highlands is loaded this year and has a great chance to upset the Raiders. Walz is an experienced coach and that will be enough to give the Bluebirds the chance to win they need. I’d like to see Highlands beat Conner head to head before ranking them higher that’s all.

Don’t know much about Harrison County? Seems like a close score for a top region 9 team. Dixie was the young upcoming team now they won’t be surprising anyone. Any details? Was it closer than the score or was Dixie in control the whole time with double digit lead?

CovCath loss to Highlands was one of those “once out of 100” losses. Saw the game, things just bounced Highlands way. Nothing against the Bluebirds, they are solid this year and were underrated to start the year. But they won’t surprise anyone anymore. CovCath is still the king of the 9th and will finish on top this year once again.

One of the most underrated things a program brings is an experienced and smart coach. Simon Kenton will be at the state tournament again this year because of Stowers.

In my opinion Conner deserves to be higher than Highlands until the Bluebirds show something. Ryle shouldn’t be #1 until they beat one of the top teams. Their best win last year was probably Simon Kenton. Not enough size and a young coach. Boyd County should be higher, they showed well last year at state and their one loss was without Wheeler. CAL, Male or Owensboro Cath will win it all this year.

The third is likely Tessa Gieske. Boone is a sleeper team. Every team in the ninth should be ready for them

A little surprised by this but not too surprised. Both teams are in that 4-8 range for the ninth. Credit the NCC coaches here. They are getting it done with limited resources.

ND should not be too concerned here. Like others mentioned it's about getting into sync with each other and the coaches system. I think ND will be a sleeper team in the ninth still

Not sure on the starters. A little surprised Ryle could hang with Scott without Scherr. Will have to see how Ryle plays against ninth region teams to get a good gauge

Lady Rebels are a team to watch out for. On a good night they will compete with most teams this year. Sleeper in the 9th

Not surprised at all. This may be Conners year in the ninth. They still need to figure out Highlands and Holmes, but they could win it. CC shouldn't be worried, Conner is a top team in the ninth.

It's going to be a long year for HC.

The real meat of this region is in the 35th district. Holmes, Holy Cross, Notre Dame and Beechwood. It's a shame 2 out of 4 of these teams won't be at the regional tournament! Here's my take on the 35th: 1) Holmes. Consensus top team in the region. Won last year, returns a majority of starters. Englemon, Johnson and Stovall are arguably the best three together in the region. Athletic, quick, ball skills, scorers. They will smoother you defensively. Add in underrated sophomore Kamari Graham and they only get better. She can shoot the ball! Only weakness, they lose Brown and Gulley, their inside players. Will they be able to stop bigger teams? 2. Holy Cross. Speaking of bigger teams! Probably under rated in this poll, will likely finish the season in the top 5 in the region. Malaysia Chames, Courtney Turner and Sydney Thomas will be giant trees around the basket for HC. Not a single team in the region has even close to this kind of size and strength. Add in experienced (starter for state champion holy cross team 2014-15) and one of the top guards, Aleah Tucker, and HC becomes a team that will challenge. And Tucker is not their only skilled player. I don't think losing Beal will be a big factor because this is the year Piper Macke and Olivia Crigler become key factors. Macke will be a top PG in the region the next four years. Crigler can score. The HC-Holmes game will be a good one. Size vs Speed. 3. Notre Dame. Also will finish higher than their ranking, they are better than #10. New coach, new system. No more Martin. But ND never lacks for athletes and good ballers. Hagen, Gribben and Baugh make up the main ND three. Hagen was slowed by injury last year but this year she will show why she is a top 10 player in this region. If Gribben can hold down the fort inside this team will make the 35th district super competitive (as always). In addition to the three, Abby Hoppius and Abby Tierney are more than ready to step in and compete. But those girls will be pushed by a strong freshman class with Mary Camille (MC) Hagen and soccer player Ellie Hellmann. It's an up hill battle for NDA to make the region this year but they have the peices in place to do it. 4. Beechwood. Oddly the #4 team in the district has the #1 player in the region. Senior and Bucknell commit, Ally Johnson, will always keep the Lady Tigers competitive. This team loses only Olivia Stokes from last years starters. Cats Pause doesn't even have them ranked. Best player in the region and they return every starter but one... This team finishes top 10 in the region by the end of the year. Beechwood will struggle with depth. But they lose one Stokes and add another this year in freshman Jocelyn Stokes. Her and a couple other incoming freshman will help with the depth issue. Senior Lainey Sullivan will need to step up this year to help compliment Johnson. The Lady Tigers have challenges to overcome but I think by seasons end they will be tough team to come against. And finish just inside the top 10 teams in the region. The 35th region will be competitive with each other and always bring tough games to the other teams in the region. Toughest district by far with IMO has four teams that finish in the top 10 in the region. Including two teams that could be the regional champ. RCC9, what you think about the 35th? How about that 36th district? NCC lost a lot with Davenport, I'm not sure they can overcome the loss to finish top 10 in the region despite Cats Pause rankings?

Ryle very well could have a good year and be competitive with top teams. But as I mentioned in another post the Conner girls were relied upon last year as main players and needed to do the heavy lifting for the team. They have a year of that under their belts and I think that makes a difference. Scherr and Schwartz have not been in those roles yet. Also, I would not put Douthit or McGregor into the same category yet. Douthit was only a bench player for Dixie last year and they were below average. McGregor has taken a lot of time off of basketball, and although as athletic as any girl in the region, there is still a lot to be proven there.

Last thought, Boone hasn't been talked about much. I think they will be tougher than people think. If Beal is there and playing basketball she will fit right into a good group of girls. Anderson is a fierce competitor. And they have Gieske at guard also who can play. They also have a new coach who I hear is really good, and will have some real fight in them. Not sure they're ready to compete for the region title but they will surprise teams and be competitive.

Haha, sorry. You are correct I think. All those years seem to flow together. I know the grade below them beat everyone too. Still, the sophomore class at Conner is loaded. Maybe not as loaded as Highlands though