CVG

On 4/26/2024 at 10:56 AM, theguru said:

From Coach E's mom, Lynne, on Facebook:

I believe his first words were " ball and net". He was a very unsettled child (I'm being kind) and simply Did Not Stop. He was still in diapers when I turned on a basketball game and he stopped dead in his tracks and sat down on his little red plastic chair and actually watched the game. His love for the game was set in motion.

Before he even started school, he was carrying a clip board with pages and pages of x's and o's. He did not leave the house without his notebooks and eventually binders stuck under his scrawny arms. One never knew when he might need to scribble an emergency route to run. Somewhere along the line, he acquired a whistle (that was wonderful). Long before any math lessons, he taught himself to add and subtract by determining how many points a team was up or down. His grandparents would cut pictures of "balls and nets" out of newspapers and magazines and these were his prized positions. He would carefully paste or tape these in a notebook for future reference. He broke out with chicken pox at the ninth region tournament one year and tried to hide it because he knew that meant he would not be able to go the following night. 

When he went for a tour of the school where he attended kindergarten, his only comment referenced the gymnasium. All else would be lost on him. That is pretty much how he started and ended his school days. Not much on education, but it was a small price for him to pay to play ball.

Going into the 7th grade, he was transferred from his small parochial school to the public school because no matter how hard everyone tried, he was a square peg and simply did not fit the round hole environment the school provided. As parents, it was a difficult decision to make. It was simply Blind Faith (actually more like what the hell could we possibly lose). It turned out to be so much more than the right decision. 

That was the school that built him. He thrived there. He was blessed with an abundance of friends, coaches, teachers and mentors who helped mold him into the man he is today. Trust me when I say, this was no easy feat. However, there were people there he respected and trusted and they did right by him and continue to do so.  Besides Debbie D. Bowman and a handful of others, they were the first people to accept him for what he was (and is) instead of trying to mold him into what he definitely was not. They saw potential and worked on his strengths. They were the game changers. There will never be enough words to express my gratitude for these men and women. The ship was sinking and you were our lifeboat.

It is still lost on me that this boy who tolerated school at best has circled around the world and ended up being a teacher. Of course, this means he is still a part of "the game". He has been a little here and a little there preparing for this day. He has done the work, taken his knocks, persevered and his efforts and passion for the game have found him right back where it started, where he undoubtedly belongs. 

He is still a square peg and the world is still a round whole. But, guess what? That's ok. He has found his way. Not always easy, but always worth it. He will come upon more of these "square pegs" and I am certain that he will be able to do for them what has been done for him.

Congratulations, Coach Elsbernd. You certainly have your work cut out for you. But, that has always been and probably will always be the case for you. You have NEVER taken the easy route and I see no good reason to start now. You have years of experience beating the [redacted] and overcoming countless obstacles. You have proven repeatedly there are times when only a Square Peg can get the damn job done!

Signed, Momma. Forever your biggest fan and worst critic. 😉

Rooting for Coach Elsbernd ever more!

5 minutes ago, Cincinnati Cobra said:

I've always felt like Cooper is one or the best jobs in Northern Kentucky almost solely on account of the fact that Tim has made it so. And I think a lot of that is also part and partial to the fact that he is there at the helm. However, Coach Sullivan also strikes me as the type who will make success happen wherever he ends up.

I personally would count Dixie's basketball team as the most historically under-performing basketball program in Northern Kentucky and potentially one of the most historically under-performing programs in the state. As AD, Derek Bosse seems like he managed to find a promising but relatively un-accomplished coach to step in and make some moves with the football program. I am very interested to see if he makes a similar hire here, or if he manages to lure in Tim. Or I guess he could always make another flop of a hire. Which would be a very Dixie thing to do.

Wow, that was really harsh. But true.

Holmes has been in similar spots before, but maybe not as bleak.  I hope someone has the courage to put the work in and find the diamonds in the rough.  Glad we can discuss the rumors and what-ifs about Holmes versus other school situations.  Its makes this blog interesting.  What is the difference between Covington Holmes and Covington Catholic conversations?

Its not a transfer by choice.  The school has made it clear that he will not be welcome back on the team.  This is a formal decision that comes from above the coaching staff.

46 minutes ago, theguru said:

Why did he step down then?

Probably many reasons, but parents were certainly a factor.  They were really really young and sadly the parents were not reasonable or supportive.  A sense of entitlement possibly?  He was a great fit for that program and gave them his full effort on the court and outside the lines.  Unfortunate for Beechwood, but he will get another opportunity if he wants to coach again. 

Cooper in total control by 2nd quarter.  Cooper is just way superior in every way and more ways.  

11 hours ago, JBake said:

Head and shoulders…

Not sure I would agree with that take. 
We will find out soon enough I guess. 

Agreed.  Ryle is very much in the top 2 or 3, and ultimately when it matters, moving to the college court favors Ryle more than any other team and they have the best player in the region. 

My details are that the score is wrong.  Noter Dame won.  

5 hours ago, rjal said:

Final from QOC.  Once again, the Indian defense was their strong point. They had lots of intercepted passes and steals. The McCracken county did a good job shutting down Hunt with a zone in the first half. They have the size to surround her and make it hard to feed inside. The first quarter was played fairly even. McCracken county had a 10 point lead at the half off and increased it to 17 after the third quarter. The Indians made a couple of runs, but we weren’t quite able to get over the hump and catch up. Now a couple days rest for the Indians and then preparation for Butler next week.

If 67 points against is their defensive strong point, then this team is in t-r-o-u-b-l-e.  McCracken is solid but they scored whenever they wanted to and controlled the game more than I would have expected based on both teams talent on paper.  This tournament raised more questions than answers for the Indians.  

Score is backwards.  Bishop Brossart won.  Over quickly.  Beechwood very young and BB has some good players putting the ball in the hole.  

Highlands was a complete mess.  You expect that early season with lots of young players.  Last year they were young, but now it seems they got even younger.  Dixie, well I walked away thinking they have a chance to be a lot better than expected.  Their youth is exciting and they have some upper classman that have clearly stepped up.  They missed a lot of shots that will be different once some players settle in. They aren't Cooper or Ryle, but could they be  at the second tier, maybe? 

Couldn't agree more!

3 hours ago, TheConch said:

Wow. Right after a state championship. Problem in Park Hills as I’ve seen hundreds comment on coaches post showing love and upset this happened. Many people writing letters and emails to Principal Jack VonHandorf, and many unhappy people on Facebook. 

Per Suli’a Facebook: 

“Edit: I just received this from a parent. The principal asked me to resign, I didn’t resign for other opportunities. Yet, he didn’t want to state the truth in his email to parents. Let this shed a light of the person who is the leader at such an outstanding school and community. 

Thank you.
Thank you to all the fantastic young women I have had the pleasure of working with. From the trophies to the tough times, I hope we all picked up lessons along the way. 

Before you hear it from others, allow me to give a back story of what has has happened, starting all the way back to when I got to NDA, as I’m sure it is a shock to most. Starting off with this: I am not perfect, nor will I ever be, that is perfectly acceptable as long as we continue to grow. That’s been my motto for a very long time. 
There was this tradition at NDA where players get cut their junior year if they weren’t going to have an impact on the field their junior and senior year. And those players getting cut are talented players. Maybe would struggle to see a ton of time on the field, but definitely deserving to play high school soccer. So as a fresh new coach at the school who loves this game, I chose to keep more players then what was done in the past, which families were super grateful for. Grateful as in sending long emails and cards to thank me. Fast forward 1 year, and those exact families were unhappy about the playing time. As the 2022 season concluded, those parents (whose daughters are graduating) painted a very ugly and untrue picture about me and took it to our principal, Jack VonHandorf.

This wasn’t the first incident of an unhappy parent, happens often in high school sports. However, I have had the privilege of having the two most awesome AD’s, Myanna & Susan, who support their coaches unconditionally. They know what’s right and what’s wrong, and if the coach is being treated wrongly they step up for their coaches. That doesn’t always happen, but those two are rockstars. 

Our AD has supported me throughout this whole process, but has chosen to step away from NDA at the end of this school year. So the leadership decision came down to the principal. The false accusation, and ugly picture that the few families painted of me happened back a few months ago. When the other 80% of the program heard about this, they showed tremendous support. They met with the principal, all sent him emails supporting me. I told those parents, I’m not here to fight for my position because I have not put myself in a situation to have to do that. But my heart felt full when I witnessed the good in this world standing up against the bad, and the false information that was being shared.

Over the last 48 hours, NDA’s principal received emails from both parents and players expressing their appreciation for me and what we have done at this program.

God opens doors, and closes doors. I left the principals office today after being asked to resign without a single negative feeling inside of me. I know God does certain things because HE knows what is best for you. I know how much time, effort, and love my staff and I have poured into this program.

Lastly and most importantly:
The girls at NDA are fantastic. They are the hardest working, most competitive group of girls you can coach. Majority of the families are fantastic. I am so blessed to have crossed paths with you. So I want to wholeheartedly thank you for… being you. I want to thank the staff I had at NDA. I couldn’t have done any of this without you. 

✌️out 🐼. I’ll be cheering you on for a very long time ahead and wish you all the success on and off the pitch. 🤍

With love,
Coach Suli“

To correct Notre Dame President Jack VanHandorf, Notre Dame won a state title in 2021, not 2022.  That seems like a big enough deal that the President would know the actual year since it wasn't that long ago.  The Notre Dame President seems incompetent and the parents seem to think he is lying about the resigning to pursue other opportunities.    I smell something fishy!

11 hours ago, REALSPORT said:

I don't see that as a goaltend.  Ball seemed to be at its apex but not headed down.  Was a foul called on the shot?

Was definitely at its apex after the Lloyd player goaltended it upwards.  Was very clear and reactions told so.  In person was more obvious than that video.  Would that have made a difference, maybe so maybe not.  Refs have a tough job and most HS refs just aren't used to calling goaltends.  

On 1/17/2023 at 11:44 PM, brooksville said:

Watch from 41:30:

https://youtu.be/diDEoHz_WNE

If out of control, entitled daddy ball was a visual, this was it.  Even mom running down to the bench to yell at the refs.    Assistants standing and yelling, players chesting up to refs with no respect.  This was crazy.  No control.  Bracken should be embarrassed.  

The game left a big "what if" in many 9th Region people's mind.  That being, what if Cooper's Kay Freihoffer and Logan Palmer didn't exit the game injured.  

However, I think Sacred Heart not only won, but was clearly the better team with or without Cooper's injuries.  However, it would have been nice to see that game without injuries and hopefully those players are back soon. Cooper can definitely compete close to SH but SH beats them 8 out of 10 times if both teams are healthy.  That's a credit to SH, not a knock on Cooper.  SH is just a different team than any other in the state.  

Cooper was tough defensively but their half court offense was ineffective.  The players are talented but their half court attack was very basic.  Sacred Heart was very solid on both ends of the court.  Johnson, Pelayo, Bender, Ralston are top in the state.  Tough to face that lineup.   They just aren't going to have a lot of big breakdowns on either end or at any position.  In this game, a lot of easy missed shots by their top players that they wouldn't normally miss and if so it is a wider margin.  Their offense can beat teams at all levels and they run things well.  Credit to Cooper for holding them to 52.

The numerous high level players on one court was great to watch.  As was the crowd and environment.  

8 hours ago, The Double Deuce said:

Me too!!!  High School hoops is better in NKY when Holmes (boys and girls) is good.

Side-note, and I know this will sound a little petty, but I hope any NKY school that plays Paris this year remembers this score.  

Completely false.  Any innuendo of running up the score is inappropriate.  Paris was very respecting.  As was Boone, as was Conner.  To say "optics" and create drama is not being responsible and not fair for Paris.  I would ask, what did Paris do in your opinion for others to "remember"?  They quickly went into their bench and pulled back.  Do you have a reason for encouraging people to go after Paris?   

The situation at Holmes is very challenging, but the girls on the court are trying hard and the staff there is trying to improve. 

Its tough to play at Walton and their teams have a lot of cohesiveness which makes them a tough early matchup. 

Stecvzynski was fire!  Had at least 6 three pointers.  She scored so much the announcer finally got her name right by the end.  The rest of the team was solid but Highlands was outmatched in every area of the court.  

You all lost me at 3 paragraphs about a St Cecily soccer player and railroad tracks.  I came here interested in hoops.    

14 hours ago, ProPatria said:

Yes to your question 1 to 2 inches depending on which two you are comparing. Pants can be a real pain to find.
 

Now to answer your question how you intended it to be answered. The avg player height in KY is probably shorter than 6’5”. So it does matter because you are talking 5, 6, 7, 8, inches diff between the average player and a big man. Also most coaches fudge the numbers and if you truly have someone that is that tall it does make a difference in game play. So 6’10” to 7’0” not a real diff but 6’10 to 7’3” is a big diff. 
 

Personal question where you a PG?

Sam is now easily over 7' now, is dunking pretty consistently now and is in really great physical form.  WIth Meyer back, this team is going to really good.  

16 hours ago, UCME said:

I figured there might be more attention to this topic but maybe its because tryouts are just now taking place or maybe its just girls basketball!  

I have one that could be a major impact for the state.  

Final 4 participant Cooper Jags adds 2024 Damysia Knox out of Cincinnati who holds an offer from Dayton Flyers.  Jags essentially bring their entire team back from a great 2021 state run Damysia could propel them to next step!

 

 

 

that's a very impactful addition!  A good player and adds depth.

Holy Cross will have several new face in Aaliyah Hayes and Aniyah Carter.  Also, Simon Kenton has a new player or two but names escape me.  

Come on man.  I like your stuff and you post real things, but Laney Smith scoring 5 goals is just stat stuffing and there just isn't any way about it.  If you have to defend it like you did, it probably is.  Not the worst thing in the world of sports.  Great squad and they can go deep in the state.  Props for her getting all 5 of those goals.  She is a great player.  

Javier Wards had the game or half of his life.  Dude was unconscious for the first half.  Difference in the game.