PacMule

With most schools starting pre-Christmas tournaments end of the week. What’s the more interesting matchups in NKY? I’m going with Ludlow at Cooper (12/19), Thursday night @ 7:30pm.

Should be a good one. Cooper has two Promising 2023’s in Whitney Lind and Kay Friehofer. Ludlow coming in unbeaten with 2 Sr. Leaders (Mahan & Castrellon)with a strong 2022 in Jenna Lillard.

Should be worth the drive and admission in Union Thursday night.

Any other interesting NKY matchups this week you’d like to see?

My first surprise was going to be Conner. Losing what they did from the type team they had. Coach Gambrel has these girls fighting/playing with a lot of heart. Should make things interesting in the 33rd.

Didn’t expect this lopsided of a game. Any details?

With a week and a half to two weeks under our belts, are there any surprises in this young season that you didn’t see coming? We all have our preconceived thoughts of how we believe things would go going into a season and there always seems to be a few surprises that make you think about.

Let’s here your thoughts. What/who has surprised you this young season? I have a couple and will post them below.

A dislike for Abby Holtman from Ryle? Geez

That’s not cool!

Rest easy Coach Osborne!

I don’t think it’s that anyone is against SK on here, but it’s unfortunate that two big wins that showed how good SK is this year (Ryle and Dixie) were when the teams had good players out or playing half the game. It’s given everyone the “but so and so was out” caveat. They will win the Traditional Bank tourney in Lexington and that should firmly set them in the top 5 teams in Kentucky.

Boys this is the same Dixie team that beat the #2 Mercy team less than a week ago on the very same floor. This game was won because of SK’s defense. It was a good guard matchup as well with Lockard and Jones.

Ummm didn’t expect this. 3rd surprise of the night.

Was told SK’s guard went out in the 3rd hurt? Didn’t hear anything after that. She ok?

Ford is tough to handle..... I’m guessing she’s the reason 3 starters fouled out?

I seen a couple scores from some of the local teams but haven’t heard from others. Anyone have any info of how the NKY teams faired yesterday at the Hoops for Harvest?

Seen the last quarter of the SK/Sacred Heart game. Wish I would’ve seen the whole game. The 4th Qrtr didn’t disappoint.

Dixie knocked off a good Mercy team. Dixie playing really well even without 2 starters.

What about anyone else. Any Info you’d like to share. Maybe if just the score?

Minor setback. Really don’t think she’ll play tomorrow but another week maybe.

Ryles Quinn Eubank was the best player on the floor for Ryle not named Crittenden or Douthit. Hard to believe she’s an 8th grader.

Some really talented Freshman in the state:

Timberlynn Yeast - Mercer Co

Haven Ford - Rowan Co

Brianna Byars - GRC

Lilly Reid - Bullitt East

Whitney Lind - Cooper

Kay Freihoffer - Cooper

Sasha Thomas - Butler

Destiny Thomas - McCracken Co

Desiree Tandy - Danville

Kallie Housley - Whitley co

I watched a few others this summer but can’t remember all the names. The 2023 Class is strong across the state.

Maddie Scherr is easily a 30 pt difference. Remember she is a thief! I believe she’s the steals and assist leader at Ryle if i’m not mistaken. She’s easily a 15 pt scorer, several more pts could be added to Crittenden and Douthit just because of her setting them up not to mention her defense. She definitely would’ve been a difference defensively. I could see her being 30pts difference easily. If she plays last night thats a good game.

Simon plays the best team in the state tomorrow and one of the top 2-3 in the state on Monday. Let’s see how they fair against those which are fully healthy.

Let me add, I believe Ryle is top 5 easy when fully healthy.

Similar was said about Walton last year and they were a “Collins getting hot at the right moment” run from the finals of the region last year. Never count out Coach Clink when he’s got a group like he has this year. Good guard play with shooter and something to work with down low. No way I take them out of consideration with Anderson and Simon.

I’m picking Ryle in this one but will not be surprised either way. CC was way more impressive this summer than I thought they’d be. If this was in Alexandria, I could see it going the Camels way.

Looking forward to see some early season matchups this week with a few of the teams mentioned above.

I like Ashland over Boyd but agree with the rest.

Can anyone update with scores of the games?

Vickers over Schawe most definitely. I honestly thought you meant to have Vickers in that spot.

O'Hara is one I missed. Great player. Definitely needs to be on the list. Not sure she’s a definite D1 talent but will get her education paid for somewhere no doubt.

Like the list. Would definitely add Vickers F, Simon Kenton and Neeley G, Walton Verona to the “Honorable Mention” list.

Don’t sleep on Vickers SR and Webb SO for Simon Kenton.

I agree with this. Also, Walton has a couple other players that could very well be on this list. Gutman SR and Neeley JR. All in all, I like the list.

Why would his fiancé leave and follow. If the pattern continues he will take an established program that someone else built, win with players not developed by him then run for the next job when his talent runs out. Within 3 years his fiancé is graduated and he is moving to the next school when they found out he is a scam.

Dude is one heck of a Coach..... but I guess they can be “scams” in a way. Anyways, doesn’t take away from his coaching ability.

Coach Foust leaving for another job in the state.