NCBacon

Trinity claimed the State title today but next year it looks to be a wide open race with powers like Scott County, and Trinity losing significant talent from their respective teams they may take a step back. So who are some teams that could contend for the Title next year? I think Madisonville North-Hopkins, Covington Catholic, and Male all seem to bring a lot back.

CovCath doesn’t bring back as much as you think. I’d say pretty good odds Mayer will be in South Bend instead of Park Hills next January.

Male will be tough for sure!

I've noticed adults on their phones just as much as the kids.

I was there today and on my phone quite a bit ... that’s the downside or plusside (depending on how you look at it) of being able to have your work hard drive in the cloud. There’s no escaping work now, yet I didn’t have to use a vacation day!

CCH seemed afraid to shoot until they had too. Three of the players that helped them rally were on the bench the majority of the game. CCH coaches choice in players rotations were baffling.

 

Par for the course for the rest of the year .. all year long the only player consistently willing to take a shot outside of the paint was Disken.

I went many years in a row and enjoyed it immensely, however since I can now watch online for $10 it's sorta a no brainer that I can easily let my imagination take me there from my memory while I save a load of $$$. I used to do it on a dime as much as I possibly could've, and now I'm really doing it on a dime.

 

I worry that this rather inexpensive price will increase eventually, so I just hope it's not too much.

 

People have tossed around lots of ideas as to why the numbers have dropped, and I'm sure that it's a lot of different things. It's disappointing considering its 102 year old history, but the times they are a' changing, and while many like myself are absolute B-Ball junkies, I suppose that for lots others there's other things keeping them preoccupied.

I’m a junkie and fondly remember spending the entire tournament with my dad in Lex or Louisville. Nothing better then the years at Rupp and staying at the Hyatt. I’m not struggling financially, but far from rich. I’d love to take my 2 boys (not sure they could sit through 50% of the games) so I just can’t justify spending over $1000 on tickets, hotel and parking. Throw 4 days of food and drink on top of it and it gets really expensive.

A few other points:

1. Very few kids these days have he attention span to sit through 15 games. They’d want to be on an electronic device for a decent portion of those games.

2. Parents of kids who have children who would pay attention are all ready spending tons of money on other sporting activities. AAU, select soccer, club volleyball, travel baseball etc. The fees and the travel for those eat up a large portion of a sports loving familly’s extracurricular budget.

Considering all the starting talent graduating, including the entire line on both sides of the ball, that is a pretty ambitious schedule.

They'll be prepared for the playoffs. Could be 3-3, 2-4 or even 1-5 heading into district play, but they'll be ready for the playoffs!:jump:

What does Davin do that is incredible? Shoot air balls?

 

Moser should be starting, but even then the 2 guard is still a weakness Scott Co will go after. Moser plays hard and tough defense, but whether you want to admit it or not, the position is still the unquestioned weakness of the team. If they don't get points out of the 2 guard, it's going to be really, really hard for them to have Fleek and Greene on the court at the same time against Scott Co.

I misread your response and mistakenly saw Davin instead of Disken. Disken is very good. Davin contributes very little.

Because Diskin is incredible. There's no shame in also having a reliable guard come of the bench to add a spark or relief. Actually Moser did start most of the year until Davin came back from injury. Now that he is back the Colonels are going with a big lineup to start the game, but Moser gets into action very early and often.

What does Davin do that is incredible? Shoot air balls?

Moser should be starting, but even then the 2 guard is still a weakness Scott Co will go after. Moser plays hard and tough defense, but whether you want to admit it or not, the position is still the unquestioned weakness of the team. If they don't get points out of the 2 guard, it's going to be really, really hard for them to have Fleek and Greene on the court at the same time against Scott Co.

The Colonels seem to be content with starting with their bigs and Diskin, but liberally work Moser and Mayer into the mix. Jackson will sometimes see a decent amount of minutes as he did against Beechwood, but at times throughout the season just bits and pieces. Moser got tons of varsity experience this season, and you can just see in him a confidence that has grown leaps and bounds. Whereas some early on considered him to be a weakness, I won't hesitate to say that he has become Mr. Reliable and has given the Colonels a much needed boost.

Can you explain why Davin starts if Moser is Mr Reliable? I don't get it.

Guards Joey Moser and Jay Jackson combined for 28 points in the Colonel's 16 point championship victory over a quick guard heavy Beechwood Tigers. We know Diskin is solid, but we also now know that these other two guards, and especially Moser are hitting their stride, and playing with poised confidence. The idea that the Colonels are lacking in the guard department no longer fits the narrative.

 

All in all the Colonels are also hitting their stride and have found themselves inside and out. No doubt the Scott County Cardinals are a tough first up for the Colonels, but lets not forget that the Colonels are also a tough first up for the Cardinals, and both teams are extremely strong, and have what it takes to win this titanic battle.

 

It's going to be a dandy for sure.

Moser nor Jackson start, not sure why that is! I cant figure that one out. However, one nice game vs Beechwood is hardly hitting their stride. Moser had a few other decent games but all in all, the 2 guard in Park Hills is definitely a weakness.

Cov Cath's point guard Disken is solid. Good ballhandler and their best outside shooter. The others are iffy. Cov Cath's front line is big, very athletic and skilled - 4 deep.

Agreed on Disken. Really nice player, however his size can get him in trouble in trap situations. The others are shaky ball handlers at best.

As for the bigs: Are they really that skilled? 2 of them don’t look at the basket unless they are 4 feet in. Thelen is skilled in transition but if he doesn’t catch it in transition or deep in the post to use his size, he has a tough time scoring. Mayer has skills to go with the bulk. They are all super athletic though!

I don't know much about CC. I'm sure they are a good/great team. I will say this though; if they don't rebound well, it's gonna be hard to beat John Hardin. John Hardin has 3 starters shooting about 50-60% from the field; this is directly related to offensive rebounds and putbacks.

If that's the case, I think I may have to change my prediction and go with the Camels. Reid Jolly is a difference maker in the paint.

On back to back days on Feb 1 and Feb 2, Scott Co beat Henry Clay and Walton Verona by a combined 45 points. That would've been without Moreno. That tells me more then the unexpected loss to Dunbar, and a district final loss in a rematch to Henry Clay.

Don't know much about Scott Co. I have heard they are guard oriented other then Moreno. CovCath will try to pound the ball inside. If Scott Co can deny the post and make the CovCath guards beat them, it will be a long night for the Colonels. CovCaths guards are small and don't respond well to pressure. However if they beat the pressure it often turns into easy buckets/dunks for the bigs. I would think CovCath's bigs will have a hard time keeping the Scott Co guards in front of them on the defensive side. This should lead to lots of help, so Scott Co will have to kick it and make open shots.

Opening Round

1 Walton Verona

1 John Hardin

1 Owensboro

1 Trinity

1 Scott Co

1 Butler

1 Madisonvill - North Hopkins

1 Mayfield

2 - John Hardin

2 - Trinity

2 - Scott Co

2 - Madisonville - North Hopkis

3 - John Hardin

3 - Scott Co

Scott Co winner

TB 129

Awesome. Thanks RP!

 

As a side note...best place(s) to park?

The tickets sold at the school should be on the ends of the arena. I do not believe those tickets have a specific seat assigned and are first come first serve, but I could be wrong on that. Most of the lower arena seats on the side are sold to people who buy the whole set and are there for the whole tournament. If you look on ticketmaster there are a few lower arena corners available. I assume the tickets at the school will be the cheapest, then followed by tickets at the box office, and tickets on Ticketmaster the most expensive.

Key stat of the game and unsung heroes for CCH:

 

Moser and Jackson go 5/8 on three's.

 

I have to believe if you told Beechwood before the game that those two will shoot 8 three's in the game, Beechwood thinks they win by double digits.

CCh with 28 points out of the 2 guard spot .. who would’ve guessed!

However, Harding playing on the perimeter wasn’t going to help anyway. Let him catch it on the block and go to work. When he’s on the perimeter jacking 3’s he’s not in a position to rebound.

When he got the technical the other big boy definitely went in. However, I think Tajh checked back in with 15 seconds to go in the third when Snapp called that timeout after a made basket. He must’ve been reminded of the rule at end of quarter. I’m not positive on that but I think that’s what happened.

First time posting so be kind. I was at the game and yes it was physical on both ends. Cov Cath kids are physical and also got "chippy" right along with the Newport kids. I did think Newport had a few tough charging calls called against them, but at the end of the day the difference was Cov Cath's talent over Newport's lack of discipline.....im my opinion.

I think that’s a completely accurate assessment. Nice 1st post!

Discussion of refs favoring CCH, dirty play and specifically calling a single player dirty is nauseating.

 

Out of town refs last night, but now of course, the theory is that their statewide success gets them all the calls.

 

Bologna.

 

So tired of it. If you don’t like em, beat em.

If you take off the blue colored glasses, it’s fairly easy to see. They get away with it by setting the tone of the game with their physical style of play from the toss of the ball. I’ll call it good coaching. Pushing the rules to the limits like Belichick. As a spectator it’s easy to see and hard to watch at times.

I won’t disagree, but people expect it and are looking for it before the game even starts. It’s been this way for years. When I played it was this way. Even folks before me will tell you.

If the behavior changes, the expectations will change! May take some time but it will happen.

Newport doesn’t get ignored and hasn’t for years, in any sport. But it’s something Newport folks have learned to expect.

There’s a counter to that .. maybe a pattern of mouthiness prevents the turn your head/cover your eyes moments from the refs.

Impossible to see what happened with his left hand from that AWFUL angle. Not saying the call was right, saying there is no way to tell from that angle.

Agree, but the ref who called it was behind the play and had roughly the same angle as myself. I didn’t see the left arm extend from my angle. All I saw is the dribble between the legs and the CCh defender fall down.

As a spectator, I am astonished at how people (officials, opponents, etc) put up with CovCaths play. I saw flopping, pushing, shoving, what appeared to be a swing in the pile, getting physical after the ref blew the whistle. I guess they are dominant for a reason. Very physical. In my opinion, Newport did a pretty good job keeping it together, albeit not sure why Harding got the technical, but I assume something was said. Crazy he didn’t play the 4thQ! A senior, in a regional semi-final. What is this rule?? Do other schools have this rule? Why does Newport? Can’t believe this was some sort of life lesson or moral teaching.

 

I think CovCath beats Beechwood in the championship in a nip tuck, back and forth battle.

Amen, they push the limits to playing dirty.

As a whole the grabbing, pulling, pushing on both ends of the floor from the Colonels is frustrating to watch. Hands are constantly on the offensive player.

I have a feeling the whistle will go along way in determining the game tonight. If they swallow it, it will be a long night for Beechwood. I know they bring in out of region refs for non-bias, but let’s face the fact after CCHs success the last few years there has to be some bias. Especially from 6th/7th region refs who have had the teams to compete with CCH. On the other hand, getting 6th/7th region officials may benefit CCH because I’d say night in and night out as a whole the games down in the ville are quicker and more physical then the 9th.

Good point on Spencer. He’s very effective in the post. Really quick.

Especially when he (Spencer) has a few inches on anyone guarding him. I only remember him catching the ball on the block once and he made it look easy. He only took 4 shots, I get he’s unselfish and not a great shooter but come on you have to put him in a position to score.

Found the stats:

Draud was 6-15

Cooper was 17-49

If you want to blame anyone, you might want to ask Sully why he let his guys continue to jack up threes. Or why didn’t he post Spencer more? Cooper 4-17 behind the arc. Jeesh that’s rough! Slowing things down to miss a bunch of three pointers not a good offensive recipe.