Cov_Cath_Hwy

This is one of the best things I have seen in awhile. I did not see the game, but seems to me it could certainly be a game of the year qualifier and this should not be what is focused on, but the tremendous effort it seems was thrown down by all athletes involved. Congrats on everyone getting after it.

Same thing I have heard as I expect both teams to move to 4A. And to Conch’s earlier point, should all be set in the next 7-10 days.

Wow. That would certainly be a change up in that dynamic…..I am hearing Elder is a growing possibility of doing another home and home.

I have not heard yet heard anything in regard to this….

I expect Connor to win out….they certainly are able to no doubt. Perfect scenario is these 2 teams meeting again for the 9th region Championship. That would be a game!!!

I have reached out to a few folks and I have found nothing yet. I have heard a GCL school will be on it and possibly Elder again. The last couple of years their schedule usually drops about now.

The injured player did not return as He was on the bench, shoulder was iced down and arm in a cast. Definitely hope He is back and in action quick. Hate to see that.

The Colonels should be a strong contender to win a State Title in 2023. Graduation saw losses in quality and not quantity as multi year Letterman Aiden Jones (going to West Point) and Max Lawrie (unsure if He is playing college ball or not) matriculate out of the program. On offense tall, lanky, and rocket armed rising Sr. QB Evan Pitzer returns to once again lead the Colonel attack with another year of play and off-season workouts under His belt. Evan did have a few injuries last season as He was called on to run the ball more than expected so keeping Him healthy will be priority one. If memory serves able bodied Jackson Reardon will serve as backup QB after the graduation of Zach Roberts, with an absolute stud rising Freshman QB, last name Queen, waiting in the wings. Owen Leen looks to improve on a most stellar career as the returning workhorse as RB and could emerge as a top RB in the state. Owen is a load to handle whether it is running or catching the ball making Him very dangerous out of the backfield. WR and TE will be an absolute position of strength for CCH with returning starting WR’s Link, Miller, and Johnson anchoring the pass catching duties while all-world, all everything Willie Rodriguez (visits to Notre Dame, UC, and Tennessee to name a few) lines up all over the field to wreak havoc with His next level catching, leaping, and blocking ability. This will earn Him the well-deserved reputation as a weapon to watch statewide and regionally. That is a beast of a position group. The O-Line will see Aiden Jones Younger Brother return to lead that group. The graduation of the elder Jones, Rust, Lawrie at Center, and Stewart leaves this position group with some questions to answer over the winter, spring, and summer. Any additional info here is much obliged. On Defense, the line will see Ben Reeves(visit to UK) on one DE returning to ruin nights for opposing QB’s. Josh Flood and the younger Jones Brother spent time rotationally on the line, along with Willie R. lining up on occasion at the opposite DE. This position group still has some sorting out to do. The LB corp will be brutal this year with returning starters rising Sr. Josh Flood and rising Jr. Tate Kruer looking to improve on their outstanding run in 2022. Willie Rodriguez will see time here along with a rising Jr. last name Bessler who had several high impact games rotating in. The secondary will see returning starters in Link, Miller, and Johnson, giving the Defensive Backfield experience, speed and hitting. With nearly the entire starting DB group returning this will be a tough group to thrown on as they look to lock down opposing offenses. The question is, who will step up for the graduation Seniors, and how will this years stellar Freshmen class, loaded with talent fit in as last year saw a high number of Sophomores start from Day 1. Will the youth movement continue or are there some under the radar rising Sr’s and Jr’s to look out for? The 2023 season cannot get here soon enough. Fill in my blanks and let the discussion begin! Go Colonels!!

Solid work here. I agree. Nice job.

So much for stating your point and moving forward I guess….

Any given night. Conner, who mirrors CCH tremendously, played a great game and CCH did not play well…..Connor deserved that win for sure. I standby everything above. Nothing changes. Go Colonels!

Letting them play. Very physical high tempo game….

I agree that the lack of buzz is shocking. This is going to be a fantastic game with 2 teams who straight get after it. Ipsaro, CCH’s Defense, and Bench will give them 8 point or better win. Looking forward to this game.

Cov. Cath. is a different team this year and their 4 guard set, and any truly quality 4 guard set, in High School Hoops can be overpowering. In the sense of speed, toughness, tenacity, defense, penetration, and shooting. All things Cov. Cath. over excels at. Taking nothing away from anyone else. Their only weakness, and I probably would not even say it is a weakness, is their rebounding….and that has yet to be an issue. What Cov. Cath. can accomplish with this 4 guard set, does not make me worry playing anyone, size-able or not. Additionally, Isparo, arguably the best player in the state, is the great equalizer. And they have put together a truly great “team” around Him, playing outstanding “team” basketball. There is not a team in the state they cannot handle. And yes, time will truly tell.

They have done far far more than just survive all the length thrown at them so far….

If Newport plays defense like that they will be a problem for a lot of teams.

And the Colonels pretty much dominated that GC game. Their 4 guard offense is just such a problem to defend….

Statement win for the Colonels who should move up to BGP #1 no doubt. Big showing in a big tourney. Go Colonels!

Colonels have showed out most impressive in this tourney. Played very well against top competition that will only make them better. Excited to see the result of tomorrow’s game. Go Colonels!

Agree with your sentiment here completely…..Colonels have faced big guys in just about every game this year and CCH’s tenacity on defense, physicality in the paint, ferocity on the boards, and overall team play/unity, has basically nullified every size advantage in every game. I think the size question or lack there of it can be put to bed for good. To beat them you are going to flat out, out play the Colonels and size does not equate to out playing some one. Go Colonels!

There are reports that Will Herald was held out of this game with the flu….that needs to be confirmed.

About as well said as possible here. I feel so bad for Brooks and wish Him the best. What a year He could have had…..Uber talented. I forgot about Conner….their backcourt gets after it. 9th region is strong and the 9th region Tourney could be one of the highlights of the State this year no doubt.

NKU commit Jeremiah Israel and Sophomore Isaiah Sebastian.

I think it is a tad premature…..baby steps. Newport showed they are better than Lloyd who has a great backcourt. They just cannot yet be placed in front of are even in the conversation with CCH, Holy Cross, and Highlands. As they take them on and outplay them, then that conversation can start….the potential is there…..but those 3 backcourts are on a different level right now. Newport is setting up something for the next few years for sure with how young they are.

Ipsaro plays very, fast, aggressive, and physical and I have gotten the feeling the refs have been allowing it this season to a point to be reciprocated back on to Him in the physical defense He faces. And then the Refs have adjusted mid-game. Felt the same you did watching the HC/CCH game, but they were calling it the same for Meyer as well…..who has the same game style as Ipsaro. I feel almost like the refs are still figuring how to call games Isparo and Meyer are in…..9th region has certainly had its share of great players recently no doubt, but these 2 attack physically on another level from what we have seen recently….and their speed doing it, is off the charts. Also, that was another great atmosphere last night and we have had a lot of those so far around the region and it could the refs are just letting them play until they can’t….trying not to stifle the environment until they can’t…..my take a sideline ref and certainly biased fan at best.