B-Ball-fan

Sure, this can be subjective. With the pace of the game changing over the years, and the addition of the 3 point line, maybe the argument can be made that my Greatest 9th Region Team Ever could beat your Greatest 9th Region Team Ever. Was it the 81 Pioneers? The 78 Bulldogs? Who was it? Who was on the team? What are some of your great memories about them. Have at it!

How'd you like the bait Y'all? I told you it was a wack idea from the get-go. Just something to think about. Even I would think that the chances of the coach throwing the game would be pretty slim. Just tried to figure why the game was so out of balance. I give all the props in the world to the Bulldogs and have so from the get-go as well. I don't think I've taken anything away from them by trying to ponder Boone's lame approach. The Rebels played hard but seemingly with no real plan. It takes two to Tango and certainly The Bulldogs were the major factor in Boone's lameness, but I gotta believe that if they meet again they'll bring a whole different strategy to the table or else they'll end up with the same tragic results or maybe Boone will always suffer the same tragic results because Holmes just has their number no matter what. I'll be interesting to see what happens if they go round 2. Somewhere in my wishes though I'm more pumped on the idea of Holmes meeting Highlands again. If I had to choose. That's the game that would rock the most. :ylsuper:

Originally Posted by B-Ball-fan

Great analysis of the game. Dead on.

I kept thinking why on earth did Boone choose THIS offensive strategy??? With this being so obvious to everyone else it looked like their coach was committing suicide. Holmes is NO DOUBT the team to beat, but I still think that Boone has something in them if they went about it another way. Earls is a great player. He was the only option that worked. We know they have shooters, and taking nothing away from the Bulldog's 'D', their setup made it way to easy for Holmes to force them to rush their shots. Would it be a crazy thought that Boone's coach, knowing that the next time they play Holmes is when it counts most, made bad decisions on purpose to give the Bulldogs a false sense that Boone just ain't got it? I know that sounds wack, but who knows? I just have a hard time believing the coach thought that a 'No Plan' game was going to work. Well, if that's what he did, I guess I just blew his cover. Sorry coach.

I did like that the Bulldogs picked up where they left off from the other night with Highlands and kept their momentum going. They never really laid down with their lead and they committed themselves to play hard the entire game. They're building themselves some great endurance ethics and strongly positioning themselves to make some real noise com tourney time.

Has the thought that a very good defense can take you out of what you want to do, because they simply may be a better team?

Earls is not a great player...he is a nice player for a sophomore but has a ways to go, but is fairly skilled for his age and size. Their best player is McFarland in my opinion.

 

I didn't think Holmes played four complete quarters, but when they are on a roll they are fun to watch.

 

It is silly to think that Boone's coach would purposely throw the game.

1. Yes it has - see above.

2. Tonight he played great and was the only option that worked.

3. Yes they are!

4. Yes it is silly. It was a wacky thought. Most people would have the coach's head for such a move. Wouldn't exactly be the worst of ideas though considering the next time they meet means everything and part of this game is psychology. Sometimes teams can enter a game after a few weeks and all they remember is a cakewalk. Sometimes that perception can come back to bite you. I'm sure Henley will have the Bulldogs thinking tough though. He's got a good squad this year that is obviously attentive to his teaching. They're a nicely focused bunch that looks like they're seeing the bigger picture. I expect to see them take the bus to Rupp and make a real big statement come March. :thumb:

1. Holmes

2. Highlands

3. Boone County

4. Cov Cath

5. Dixie/St.Henry/NCC/Holy Cross/Ryle/Beechwood/Newport/Conner

I'm thinking that Willie's saving these guys for later on down the road. These games really don't mean squat now. We saw what the Birds were made of against the Bulldogs and I believe that he'll bring THAT team + Simpson to the table come tournament time and Highlands will fight this thing to the finish with Holmes again for the prize. I don't think that Boone and CovCath can play with the same intensity that The Bulldogs and The Birds are capable of. Highlands is the only team that can stand in the Dawgs way. Round 2 should be wild, but I think ultimately Holmes' bench will tell the tale.

I'm thinking that Willie's saving these guys for later on down the road. These games really don't mean squat now. We saw what the Birds were made of against the Bulldogs and I believe that he'll bring THAT team + Simpson to the table come tournament time and Highlands will fight this thing to the finish with Holmes again for the prize. I don't think that Boone and CovCath can play with the same intensity that The Bulldogs and The Birds are capable of. Highlands is the only team that can stand in the Dawgs way. Round 2 should be wild, but I think ultimately Holmes' bench will tell the tale.

My observations are:

 

Boone should have played a 2/3 zone most of the game instead of staying in a man to man the majority of the game. I think Johnson hit a couple of 3s, but everything else Holmes had was layups and dunks, and the outside shots were mostly missed.

 

Boone has little or no half court offensive plays or sets. No motion, cuts through the lane, weave, screens, picks, pick and roll or anything at all to get shooters open and get separation from athletic defenders. It was 5 players standing and trying to go one on one. The pressure was on the guards to try to penetrate and force something to happen. Boone was forced to take low percentage shots. All of Earls points were nice, one-on-one fadaway shots.

 

Holmes press did not hurt Boone.

 

Holmes had some nice blocks and has a nice team, but I think it could have been much closer if Boone had offensive plays.

 

I think Holmes will need to be able to score more points if they get out of the region. They can't depend on scoring 40 to 57 points every game and holding the other team to 40 to 45 points, especially against the best teams.

 

Boone's talent was not utilized to its potential.

 

Unless Boone changes what it runs offensively and defensively against Holmes the next time, the result will be the same.

 

Congratulations to Holmes, and good luck to both teams in the districts and region.

Great analysis of the game. Dead on. :thumb:

I kept thinking why on earth did Boone choose THIS offensive strategy??? With this being so obvious to everyone else it looked like their coach was committing suicide. Holmes is NO DOUBT the team to beat, but I still think that Boone has something in them if they went about it another way. Earls is a great player. He was the only option that worked. We know they have shooters, and taking nothing away from the Bulldog's 'D', their setup made it way to easy for Holmes to force them to rush their shots. Would it be a crazy thought that Boone's coach, knowing that the next time they play Holmes is when it counts most, made bad decisions on purpose to give the Bulldogs a false sense that Boone just ain't got it? I know that sounds wack, but who knows? I just have a hard time believing the coach thought that a 'No Plan' game was going to work. Well, if that's what he did, I guess I just blew his cover. Sorry coach.

I did like that the Bulldogs picked up where they left off from the other night with Highlands and kept their momentum going. They never really laid down with their lead and they committed themselves to play hard the entire game. They're building themselves some great endurance ethics and strongly positioning themselves to make some real noise com tourney time.

I enjoy watching games at the ol' HHS gymnasium. I like intimate settings such as this and Holy Cross.

The gym is not "fan friendly" The benches are on the floor and it is impossible to walk behind them to find a seat. Also, it's almost impossible for senior citizens to get up in the bleachers. There gym is outdated and is one of the worst in the 9th Region.

You both make great points. It's going to be hard to replace that great energy that you can only get in that gym. It's probably my favorite place to see a game in the 9th Region. But, madman's facing some realities too and hopefully they can build a gym that serves the modern purpose and still have an atmosphere that can feel a little 'old school'.

Highlands did the Bulldogs a favor by challenging them to play an entire ballgame without any lapses in intensity. If they had lapsed they would've lost. Holmes traditionally likes to come out smoking and get a comfortable lead so they can lay down and coast on home. The Highlands game grew the Bulldogs up in leaps and bounds, and if they can continue with that intensity for the whole game, they win by 15. If they go back to having lapses and let the Rebels hang around, I still think the Dogs win, but by no more than 5. I like the Dogs this year more than ever because they play as a TEAM. They take all the learning they can get between now and tournament time and I say the Region is theirs and there shouldn't be any reason they couldn't compete with the best in the state. Every team needs to realize that they can lay down when they go home to go to bed, but while there's 32 minutes of clock to play, then play all 32 minutes of them. Then you know that you did all that you could do and it highly increases your chances of winning. That might be a bit too much for a prediction thread, but what do you do when there's a lot on the mind and the fingers won't stop? :confused:

This game reminds me of the Holmes Cov Cath game. . Overtime and Holmes ran away with it.

Except for the Holmes/CovCath game was frustratingly ugly with both teams shooting poorly...I guess you could say that the overtime period was similar. The level of play and intensity at the Holmes/Highlands game though was something completely different. Take the CCH game and multiply it by 10. Last night's game everyone just played WAY UP. It was off the charts! Great game to watch. :thumb:

I also thought the Birds didnt pull any punches and came out playing tough man-man the whole game. A fun game to watch, many times I kept saying no dont run with these guys but it made for exciting basketball. The skill level of those kids is so good. Catching passes thrown from 40 feet across the floor against a tough press and converting layups. I told my son walking out I said did you notice how the speed of the game gets about 10 times faster than middle school ball? We both were very impressed.

 

Humphrey looks like he has grown a little also. Holmes might be the longest team I have seen in a long time. Who started the game for Holmes and who are their first 3 off the bench. I got there at the end of the 1st period when McGraw knocked down the trey at the buzzer.

You are so right on. There's been many great games in the 9th Region over the years, but this has to rate close to the top as one of the most intense! Every player on that court turned the volume up to 11 when it only goes up to 10. They take that intensity to Rupp and they're bound to scare somebody. It wasn't a complete shooting clinic, but I was proud of both of those teams last night for playing probably one of the toughest games of their lives and never giving up. Their hustle was unbelievable and I don't recall the last time I've seen such strong giant passing and pushing the ball so lightening fast up the court. Truly a night to remember for the 9th Region fans. :thumb:

I say 'SEED'. The whole State of Kentucky should be on the same page with this. Usually the teams that squeak in on a lucky draw already had their chances in the All 'A' Classic. I'm not a big fan of classes for Ky High School Basketball, and I'd like to keep the Sweet 16 pure as it has always been, and I'm glad the All 'A' Classic was started to give smaller schools a chance to shine, but when it comes to the Big Dance, I'd really like to see the season count for something and that each team earns their way to advance no matter the size of school. The blind draw of the Sweet 16 doesn't bother me because if you're good enough to get there, you've proven that you're good enough to compete and I like the yearly element of surprise. Otherwise Region 7 and 11 would always be in opposite brakets and and that would get old and seeding it would likely be the result of a poll which really isn't fair either. It'll never be completely balanced since you always have top teams in the state getting beat in the 11th or 7th and not making it to the Sweet 16, but I don't think there's much you can do about that. Everybody loves a Cinderella once in awhile, but if she gets to the Sweet 16 she's really earned it. In a district game it just seems so out of whack for a top team who has proved themselves all year long to have to go home '1 and done' and not even make it to the Regional tournament. It's not even logical that some seed and some don't. That would be like if some districts were to use different sized basketballs than anothers. If there wasn't already an All 'A' Classic I might think a little differently, but since big schools are not allowed to crash that party, then why should small schools who haven't earned their way be allowed to crash the bigger party? That's kind of like your 10 year old brother tagging along on your spring break trip to Florida with your college buddies and monopolizing a hotel bed that could've been put to better use. Blind draws in the districts that give a free pass to the 'The Little Sisters of the Poor' tend to lead to a big 'Ho Hum' :sleep: factor for when the Regional tournaments roll around. That's what I'm talking about. :fight: C'mon KHSAA...let's get logical and get this 'easy fix' straightened out!!! There's only 12 districts out of 64 that still need to get with the program. That should be a cinch.

Anyone that THINKS they might want to ref would pause after watching tonight's game. Those types of games are tough to ref.

Whew!!! I'm exhausted just by watching the game. Can you say 'Intense'??? Toughest game all season so far. :thumb:

FYI Just for kicks:

In the 9th Region:

In 2000 - Newport Central Catholic won the All 'A' Classic at EKU then lost in the first round to Lou. Male in the Sweet 16.

In 2003 - St. Henry won the All 'A' Classic at EKU then lost in the first round to the eventual Sweet 16 champs Mason Co. w/Lofton in a very close game. :cry:

Ooops. Sorry about that. I thought June Buchanan from the 14th had already won. My bad. Didn't mean to ruffle any feathers. :eek:

Current Cantrall's Ratings of the 16 teams competing in the Class 'A' Tourney at EKU.

01. Paintsville - R-15 - 76.2

02. Hazard - R-14 - 73.5

03. University Heights - R-2 - 72.4

04. Bardstown - R-5 - 67.1

05. Murray - R-1 - 66.6

06. Lexington Christian - R-11 - 65.9

07. Somerset - R-12 - 65.7

08. Metcalfe County - R-4 - 65.2

09. Rose Hill Christian - R-16 - 63.1

10. Pineville - R-13 - 63.0

11. St. Henry - R-9 - 62.6

12. Louisville Holy Cross - R-6 - 62.1

13. Gallatin County - R-8 - 61.8

14. Bishop Brossart - R-10 - 60.6

15. Owensboro Catholic - R-3 - 53.0

16. Louisville Collegiate - R-7 - 48.0

Current Cantrall's Ratings of the 16 teams competing in the Class 'A' Tourney at EKU.

01.

02. Paintsville - R-15 - 76.2

03. University Heights - R-2 - 72.4

04. Bardstown - R-5 - 67.1

05. Murray - R-1 - 66.6

06. Lexington Christian - R-11 - 65.9

07. Somerset - R-12 - 65.7

08. Metcalfe County - R-4 - 65.2

09. Rose Hill Christian - R-16 - 63.1

10. Pineville - R-13 - 63.0

11. St. Henry - R-9 - 62.6

12. Louisville Holy Cross - R-6 - 62.1

13. Gallatin County - R-8 - 61.8

14. Bishop Brossart - R-10 - 60.6

15. Owensboro Catholic - R-3 - 53.0

16. Louisville Collegiate - R-7 - 48.0

What message is that? Beechwood won't see the regional tourney except from the stands.

Whoever Beechwood gets in the districts better know to bring their 'A' game. If either CovCath or Holmes think they can sleep walk their way into the Regional they need to wake up. Beechwood has a nice team that just keeps getter better. :thumb: Aside from playing good smart ball (most of the time) they play with a lot of heart. That combination can take you places. They're no pushover. The 35th district tourney could get very interesting. This year, it looks like all 4 teams have something to say.

I have said this for a couple of years. How can you be 6'8", 250 lbs+, and not dominate a game inside? I know this sounds like I'm picking on this young man but did he work on his game any over the summer and fall?

Mace seems like a very mild mannered young man. A gentle giant if you will. He works very hard on the inside, but might not have a killer instinct. Don't know what it would take to find his mean streak, but if there's anything that ticks him off it would be great if he could vent that aggression on the hardwood. If you could get the dude real mad I bet his game would turn way up and the 9th Region would have quite a monster to contend with. "Get mad Luke and show'em what you've got! "Get real mad and come March the 9th Region might be crowning you and the Red Colonels king".:thumb: The 9th is pretty wide open and if he can turn his game up it could have all the predictors whistling Dixie.

So when is a defensive game fun to watch. They let all the hand checking and bumping go on out front and the high school player is not good enough to get a good shot off. I liked it better when you had to move your feet on defense.

2 teams playing fundamental team ball. 2 teams with much respect for their coaches. Defensive struggle or not, this kind of basketball works for me. 'Run and gun' with no plan with too many stars usually frustrates and ultimately bores me. I just dig good sound teamwork and Great 'D' can be fun to watch when brilliantly executed. It's not always about the ball going in the hole. Part of the game is also trying not to let the other team put the ball in the hole. I applaude great 'D' as much as I will a team that executes a good offense. :thumb:

It was a very fundamentally sound, hard fought, nicely executed game by both teams for 4 solid quarters with very few stupid mistakes or lapses in tenacity. Dixie's 'D' ultimately won this battle, but NewCath's 'D' was challenging as well. Dixie had a better plan though and locked down the 3 ball which made all the difference. Dixie and NewCath both play as well tuned machines with great teamwork. It was a great game to watch merely on this observation. Two well coached teams fighting it to the finish. Neither team wooed from the line which needs much improvement, but it was entertaining to watch Pangallo dish out some nasty assists and Dixie's 'attack the basket' guy (don't know his name) relentlessly slice to the basket to take it strong to the hole. Mace's dedicated play and Dixie's bench added some meaningful minutes to the game. Pompellio was a workhorse down low. Lipscomb was on fire early on which almost smelled of a legendary night for him. Dixie took care of that, but it was wild while it lasted. Conner played tough but Dixie's defenders proved too much and he didn't get the good looks that he wanted but still managed to knock a down a couple. I really liked what I saw out of both teams. Great defensive game with great determination. :thumb:

Thank you for the final,,,

 

I was following the thread for this game, :confused::confused: but they stopped reporting once the game went into overtime.:irked::p:p

Since Oldguy was real tired from working all day, do you think he might've fallen alseep before the game was over and missed the final? That's probably what it was. :lol:

Sports Fan do you know anything about NKY. Cov Cath Park Hills, KY,, Holmes is in Covington, and Holy Cross is in Latonia if you want to get technical. You wouldn't be a Brossart Backer would you?

It takes approximatley 3 minutes to drive from Holmes to Holy Cross if you don't get any red lights. 5 minutes tops. A real fast runner could do it in less than 10. Theoretically you could probably switch Cov Cath with Ludlow to make the 34th district more interesting by putting Dixie and Cov Cath in the same district and moving Ludlow back to the 35th (If you don't mind messing with tradition). Dixie and Cov Cath are just down the Dixie Highway from each other. Dixie always comes out of the 34th and then you have either Lloyd, Villa, or Ludlow. The Regional tourney would be more interesting if you would have Dixie/CovCath from the 34th and Holmes/Holy Cross from the 35th and geographically it makes sense as well and no decent team goes home too early. I know that Ludlow is probably happy to finally be in a district that they have a chance to advance, but geographically it wouldn't be too much of a stretch for them to be in the 35th with Holmes and Holy Cross where they used to be. Then you have Beechwood who'd be more logical back in the 34th too instead of the 35th where they are now and used to be years ago when the 35th used to be the 34th... Got that??? Something has to give somewhere though to make sure you have 4 teams in each district. I really don't think that they take power teams into consideration so much as location when setting up districts. So, just because it would be more interesting doesn't probably factor into the equation. No matter what, only one team from each region can advance to Rupp. Sure it's fun once in awhile to see Cinderella slip through into the Regional, but it sure makes for better games in the Regional tourney when all 8 teams are legit.

Sorry....and what about the girl with the bubble gum???

Scratch my idea of the 'Wedding Party'...that bands name is the 'Wedding Present' ...nevermind

also...how about the picture of the women in a red bathing suit painted on the window???

Hmmm.

I wonder if the 'Crowd in White' could be 'The Grateful Dead'

I also haven't seen Spandau Ballet???

What is the tree next to King Kong all about???

The 3 girls running I thought could be 'Rush'...I don't know...???