Big Red

"I heard there aren't many girls who returned from last years team is that true?" True. Next year, Ryle has everyone back. So does Conner and Holy Cross. The incoming class of Freshmen at NDA is best basketball class they have had in a long time. This is a group of legitimate high end AAU type of players. The sophomore group is a very athletic group. The team will be young and as someone stated above very fun to watch over the next few years.

Agree with the eras comment and peers comment. You are making my point for me here, as I'm saying the speed and talent on the outside and backfield of 87,88 teams were comparable. The 87/88 teams were an all state track team that twice beat the fastest team the state of KY has seen. Also, '87 was the first year that Goetz installed a completely new spread offense, it took a while to get timing down. To say it is light years behind when you had a top 25 QB in the nation with 5 D1 WR / TE's is simply not having perspective. This group set most of the schools passing and receiving records by '88 and also the 4x100 track record. Hladon had almost every school passing record and 3 were tied with receiving TD record. All the CCH state champ teams had their McGinnes type of RB, and this team had several. Dan Ruh, Scott Tranter, and Mike Wolff (all 3 HOF) were beasts running behind v good lines. I'm not saying it was a better team, but very comparable size, speed, and talent.

87-88 had Donny Bieger (Ashland) and Paul Hladon (Princeton but offers from Stanford and Miami and top 25 rated qb in nation) throwing to David Legeay (Vandy), David Wilson (Capt at Miami Oh), Brian Williams (Columbia), Scott Spivey (Columbia), Mike Wilson (Princeton), David McGee (Centre). LB's Mike Wolff (best LB in CCH history Toledo), Dana Granger (Centre), Chris Wagner (TMC), and again 6 DB's that played in college. Didn't mention Scott Tranter is a HOF player. He didn't play college, but could have easily. Barry Jones started at UK and Mike Flesch was "all american" D3 on the line. Just answered your question... '87 defense still holds least pts against, and AGAIN, twice beat freakishly talented Pad Tighlman. Again, it is a very logical comparison, not as much a "no brainer" as many here think when you look at the facts vs. opinion.

It's not difficult to argue, if you understand that one of, if not the most talented teams of all time was Paducah Tighlman '87/'88 teams. They had All-Americans, All SEC, all everything players. The kid from Trinity that was so good this year (I saw his hudl film, he was great). Paducah Tighlman had 4 of him and a pair of LB's that went to USC and Mich St. Literally, the talent and speed of this team was off the charts. The argument is the '87/'88 CCH TEAM beat them twice. I'm not saying they are better. I'm saying it is not difficult to make a logical comparison and don't be so fast to say "for sure." Similar to Highlands, they had some incredibly talented teams that would be interesting to hear comparisons of just which was the best.

IMO, Great hire for NDA. He had a very good team coming back, but he may understand the talent of the incoming class to NDA as well. I have no inside info, but would guess VonHandorf and Kez will be more diplomatic with the "club situations" to allow kids to balance the soccer / basketball commitments in a healthy way. At least, I hope so.

Luke Maile, David Wilson, Jim VonHandorf, Etler, are a few of the names I would put in the best / most accomplished multi-sport of all-time discussion. Best is always debatable, but I'm not sure anyone can top an undefeated, 2 state championship.

This is pretty incredible. What's better is that people know what an awesome kid that he is off the field. Congrats to him, for what is a historic SR year! Congrats to his parents for doing a great job! Congrats to Miami for the steal recruit, and how the heck did UK, UC, and UL let him get away?

"I dont agree. Any one of those players could sub in for CJ or Aiden and CCH would still have 2 guards on the floor. Plus Luke Thelen and Disken can easily manage point duties." Agree...Luke Thelen and Disken both start and play WELL for most every other team in the state.

PP1, your understanding of talent coming in is not correct. The current freshmen class has legit talent that saw varsity time this year, and the incoming freshmen class next year will be by far the most talented group in quite some time. Not athletes they will lose to volleyball, but real basketball players from multiple schools that play AAU basketball.

Curious to understand why Highlands would be the favorite?

It was a great game, with intense defense. Kunkel and Cooper are fun to watch. I've only read one comment that acknowledges Cooper was really playing from behind most of the 4th. Cooper's foul situation set the tone of the entire 4th quarter, and it was legitimate. I think CCH crowd still felt the refs let Cooper get away with alot of holds on Frederick. CCH didn't get shots off bc they were getting aggressively fouled prior to shooting. Runion's body tackle on Frederick near mid court could've been a flagrant. Give Aiden Ruthsatz credit for "managing" the 4th quarter foul situation. He was strong and smart, taking several hard fouls, and hitting foul shots.

I've seen HC play twice. They don't pass the eye test on size, but they play as confident as any team I've watched. They throw in 3's from 26 ft like its a high percentage shot. Fun team to watch. Good for them!

Agree on giving deserved props to HC. It was a physical size mismatch. HC had to shoot from literally 25-30 feet all night (no exaggeration), and they confidently made shots with long guys running at them. They can really shoot it deep.

If the brackets cooperate, this could also be the regional final.

I think some people tried to answer the original question, and the answer wasn't accepted and it caused the stray. The simple answer is that outside of the fall soccer and volleyball high school seasons, many of the top players that could be top basketball players are dominated by their soccer and volleyball CLUB TEAMS. NDA coaches do not tell kids NOT to play basketball. Kids have tried to maintain their club (soccer and volleyball) schedules and play NDA basketball, but it is WAY too much on the kids and parents. Remember, the parents have a substantial investment on the club teams because that is where the recruiting happens. At this point, the clubs rule and dominate. Don't shoot the messenger! I'm trying to explain the reality.

I questioned the hype around CJ earlier in the year, and thought Kunkel a better player. Lately, I see the AAU hype for CJ is for real. He has taken it up a few notches from the last 4 or so games I've seen. He is as fun to watch as Kunkel when he plays with this focus and intensity, and he may be a better shooter.

AJ is a difference maker in these type of games

Good for us, this rivalry won't go away anytime soon. Can Setters step in for Kunkel? He looked athletic enough. CCH will be plenty big. Who takes all the shots next year?

Wow, close. I would have leaned early in the season to Kunkel. Recency bias has set in on Frederick. He's been on another level last two weeks. I'd be good with Co-winners.

I was at the game. Fun game to watch, physical and intense. Cooper is well coached and skilled. CCH was simply more athletic and physical. Next preseason, will anyone remember this CCH JV team being undefeated with wins over Moeller, other cincy powers, Lex Cath, Cooper twice, and others? I heard this group pushed the varsity all year in practice.

AJ definitely brings another level of intensity and athleticism. As good and as big as they are without him, he is physical difference maker and another confident shooter.

Watched his hudl film and he looks special. Did I read where he is not currently committed? Does anyone have an update on where he might go?

I agree. His Hudl tape is unique, mostly smashing downfield blocks and opposite field chase down tackles.