Big Red

I hope Lawson is back and healthy. If so, even with the loss of their very good center from last year, Dixie will have a very good starting 5. The 9th region should be very entertaining with Dixie, NDA, and Highlands fielding very talented teams to take on Ryle. I know Cooper has a lot of talent coming in as well. Should be another great year.

I have heard the same thing about Mchale at CCH. That is will be tough to keep him and the Stocks kid on the bench.

This is a legit comparison, but there are a few things missing in this thread needed for perspective. First, from a basketball perspective, on any other team, mayer would have been a focal point as a Soph like Smith. Mayer played along side several basketball scoring legends in VonHandorf and CJ Frederick (not to mention his big brother and other college players). Mayer was asked to be a role player, so comparing him to Smith is not apples to apples. Note, he was a big time AAU basketball player until he became a top football recruit. He could've been a focal point on any other program than this run of CCH basketball teams. Second, Mayer is currently THE All American TE, period. I don't know if Smith or others have achieved this, but I don't think so. Mayer has competed (in combine format) vs. the best and proved it. Not to mention, an incredible performance vs. LaSalle this year. I also think his defensive dominance and overall athletic dominance puts him in a class by himself. No disrespect to others, it is a best of best conversation. Today, this argument seems to me to put Mayer in an elite tier just above Smith and Jacobs.

I'm in agreement with almost everything that Basketballneverrests commented, except one big change. Macey Feldmann had a great summer and dramatically improved her 3 point shooting. She is a pure point guard, and physically very similar to Bri Crittenden. If she can shoot a good % from 3 (which I think she will), she ranks right behind Crittenden.

Due to Ryle still being "basketball studville" the rest of the state will probably not get to appreciate Notre Dame Academy, but everyone should get used to putting NDA in the top ten for a while. This group, particularly the sophomore class, is loaded. Macey Feldmann and Lacey Bradshaw are two of the best Soph's in the state with a deep group of athlete's and shooters around them. I can't say they will beat Ryle, but will push them hard.

I agree with the many saying this is THE rivalry game for both teams. Throw the records and last week out the window. Highlands is still Highlands and they are going to show up on Friday night with a very good defense. Expect a low scoring, hard hitting game, and close game.

I can't speak to Frederick Douglas, but after last night I think to beat the Colonels you need a qb that can pass the ball with accuracy down the field. Two key things showed last night for the Colonels: 1) Caleb Jacob played with confidence and was very accurate passing against as tough of a defense as they will see. 2) The Colonels defensive front made a loud statement that they are clearly much more than just Michael Mayer. LaSalle got zero push vs. Cov cath, and their two Div 1 running backs had no room to run. That front is discipline, quick, and allow Mayer and Felix to fly all over the field. My 2 cents...

I'd like to understand a college coaches perspective on Downton over Draud. That seems odd, even though I understand Downton is a good player.

Did I hear correctly that Derry got hurt again? If so, its horrible for that kid and the program. Beechwood kids will battle, but CCH still wins big.

I agree that Schilling, Brannen, and Baugh's provided size, tough defense, and overall great play. How do they replace those guys and what they brought? Cooper lost a lot as well. I don't know how much better Cov Cath will be, but it looks like they reloaded in a significant way.

I haven't seen a lot of overall commentary to girls soccer this year. This tournament showcased many of the best teams in the state and prepspin provides video of the games. It would be good to get mid season commentary at this point. NDA beat Highlands in the finals 3-2. Both of these teams look Big, fast, athletic, and have depth. Typical well played rivalry game between these two. Both teams look dangerous on set plays. In particular, Lauren Deckert from Highlands is a special weapon taking indirect kicks and as a threat in the box on corners. I know heat was an issue throughout the week. It impacted the NDA vs. Sacred Heart game. Both teams had to wait a long time due to delays, and couldn't finish the game. I'm not sure it was a good view of both teams. I'd love to hear commentary from other games, as the scores looked competitive.

Highlands 35 - 7

Very well played game by both teams. High energy and intensity from beginning to end. Both teams should build on this one, and take a lot of positive things from it. Great game!

To clarify, saying that CCH had a good summer vs. they are pre-season top 5, I don't think are the same. Proper context, from my perspective, is they lost alot, Mayer is not coming back, but they had a legit 7-footer move in, NKU coaches son moved in, and 6'6" son of Keith Starks decided to go to CCH. All that, plus Disken having the summer he had all adds up to a pretty fortunate (not expected) summer! Those I have spoke to agree it's too early to see how it all looks.

I have also heard that Cov Cath had a great offseason. Disken had a great AAU season. He will be one of the best guards in the state, and it sounds like he will be surrounded with size and shooters.

Sounds like Highlands might be a deserved preseason state favorite. Don't they add Gessner as well because the older DA team is allowing their kids to play highschool? They are definitely be loaded. Notre Dame returns their young but very talented defense, as well as two All-State midfielders. I believe they also add SR Becky Hamel from the DA to their defense. I also understand that Notre Dame adds another very talented freshmen class. They lost 8 SR's, but reload again. Zoeller will have SK ready to compete for state again. They lost a quality SR class. May not be as deep as last year, but will field several kids already committed to play at the next level. Their seems to be no shortage of talent across the board at SK these days. NCC is another team that graduated a good class. I'm not sure what their outlook is, if anyone has more detail, please add. We all hope to see Madelyn Lawson back and healthy for Dixie. I'm sure her availability will be key for them. In general, I'm told this Freshmen class is extremely talented with many kids in the DA program, across several high schools. It will be interesting to see how that continues to play out. Pending the regional draw, I predict it comes down to Highlands and NDA. I think both teams will end up two of the tops teams in the state. 10th Region prediction is another year for SK to be state tournament bound.

Ryle, but they cannot afford another injury. Don't sleep on NDA, they are also having a good summer, and are about 12 deep. Obviously, a 9th region homer as well.

CCH - lost a lot, but reloads. Will have two legit scorers and a bunch of role players Cooper - Sully Beechwood - Will miss Brannen and Schilling more than most think, but they may set a bunch of points per game and 3's made per game and per season records. Will be fun! St. Henry - Solid group that will compete.

This is a solid list, I would make a few additions: QB Jared Lorenzen Highlands RB Shaun Alexander Boone County RB Justin Frisk. Highlands TE Derek Smith. Highlands T. Scott Kuhnhein. Highlands T Rob Smith Highlands G Kurt Doolin. Cov Cath DE Artie Steinmetz. Cov Cath S Miles Simpson. Simon Kenton S Mike Mitchell. Cov Cath / Highlands DB Tommy Fowee. Cov Cath WR Brett Hamblin. Highlands Add LB Mike Woolf, Cov Cath RB Eugen Luke, Lloyd Two all around athlete players. Austin Collinsworth, Highlands David Wilson, Cov Cath

Kurt Johnson WR/Athlete - Paducah Tighlman has to be added to this list.

One of the Devin's w pick 1, if both are gone, one of the top two OT's project very well. Rounds 2-5, I'm hearing C-G group is strong and WR depth.

Very bad news for a great talent and wonderful kid. My understanding is Madelyn Lawson will have surgery next week. Keep her in your prayers for a quick recovery.

I agree this is a fun exercise, and here is what a "reloaded" Cov Cath starting five will look like: One of the best (if not the top) returning point guards in the state, Grant Disken. Joey Moser, who came on at the end of the year as a solid defender and 3 point specialist. 6'6" Big Man Neil Green who should be much improved. 6'8" Jeremy Eubank, who is a very skilled kid with a D1 frame coming off of an ACL tear. Of course, 6'6" monster Michael Mayer, no explanation needed here other than many were convinced there was no way he would play this year. Injuries and "what ifs" happen every year, but I find it hard to think this isn't a starting 5 worthy of top 5 pre season projection.

CCH will have 4 capable RB's. Felix, Boydston, Stava were all mentioned above, and Owen Nally is another great athlete that battled injuries this year. Felix filled in at LB after an injury, and played very well. His performance on defense may keep him on that side of the ball. Nally is a stout athlete as well, and could play more on the defensive side.

Ryle in another tough battle pulls away in 4th. That said, I can't imagine another team heading into sweet sixteen as battle tested. The depth of quality basketball this year from the 9th region was impressive to say the least.