Shadrach

Is Josh Morgan planning on playing this year? If he could get his head into the game he could be a solid player, as well. Not likely on first question and too big an IF on the second statement to risk it when you have a solid point guard in Ahern returning who will always do what the coaches say and also makes his teammates better.

Selfishness would the key component for last year's seniors. Every team will fight it, but when your seniors are the ones that possess this quality, it can create quite a mess. I am not sure if this year's seniors will possess the same selfishness, but only time will tell if they have the ingredients to be great leaders. I would disagree that the other sports take a different approach. I think they all take the same approach, your seniors SHOULD be your leaders, unfortunately they are not always leading the way the coaches would like them to. This years Football is perfect example, last year they had great leadership, with Gray and Murray leading the way, this week coach Warner said in the paper that the difference between this past week and against SK was they played as a team and this implied that they had been playing selfishly prior to that. Every team battles selfishness and needs good team leaders. Unfortunately, all teams do not always get it and this can lead to disappointing seasons as happened last year with the Raiders BBall team.

The Raiders must blend the talent of three strong classes together. The senior class mainly has John Maley and Logan Porter. John could be very good if he can get stronger mentally. Logan is solid defensive player with a lot of heart. They could use Erickson coming back as a three point shooter, but soccer may keep him away. The Junior class has returning point guard in Andy Ahern. A very solid heady player who does not make many mistakes. A teammates dream because he makes the ones around him better and is clutch free throw shooter down the stretch. Kurt Russell is big question mark as he has not seemed to work on improving his game too much over the last two years. He will find life much more difficult this year without big Nick Nelson in the paint to guard the other teams big man. Steve Helmer is another quality shooter. The sophomore class has McCleish, Coleman, Nichols, Pickton, and Cook as solid players who could demand some serious playing time if some of the other jrs and seniors do not perform well. Coach Mullins second year should be better than first as he has the opportunity to work with these guys and put his own stamp on the program. Good luck to him as there is a lot of potential for a great season.

I totally agree with your statement. One fan does not represent the entire Ryle fan base. But you must agree that it is an unfortunate situation in our society today that EVERY team has at least one?

They were made aware of the situation.

Tonight SK played inspired football and Ryle was probably looking at this as an easy win. As a 16-18 year old kid you look at how you just beat a team two weeks ago (NCC) who beat the team you were playing tonight by a 30 point margin and you have a recipe for disaster. Of course you can look at our beloved Bengals this past weekend to see the same thing with Millionaire professional athletes so it not entirely unexpected to see this happen tonight. Give congrats to SK where it is due. The Hopperton kid was all over the field and it seemed they were always calling his name on the defensive side of the ball. I know this kid has a lot of heart and has "the faith to move mountains" and believed his team could win this tough battle. Keep up the good work. As for Ryle, some struggles with penalties and fumbles are what can lead to defeats. Is this a result of coaching as some suggest? I do not think so. I think more of the frustration of being in an unexpected battle causing some kids to lose themselve mentally. It happens all of the time in college and Pro's. A coach can not control all of that. I will trust the coach if he stays with a kid under these circumstances, especially since I know that Coach Warner (and his staff) tries to treat his kids with respect and tries to teach life lessons along the way. Believe me when I say, the kids who got the penalties will be less likely to do so again in the future. Unfortunately another issue will be the terrible behavior of a Ryle Fan who makes all Ryle Fans look bad. What gives a parent the right to use profanity at a high school game and be beligerent enough to cause the head coach to be concerned about the safety of his family? Not a good thing for your 8, 9, 10 year old kids to witness as your family is leaving a hard fought HIGH SCHOOL game that is supposed to be about friendly competition and life lessons for kids who are most likely never going to play sports after high school. But the sun will come up tomorrow and hopefully all involved will learn a great lesson: 1.SK believes that they can come together as a team and compete with the best. 2. Ryle players realizing that you must always come prepared mentally to play your very best. 3. Parents to enjoy their kids playing sports and relish the time you have them. Sports are not life and death, so enjoy the moment and use it to enjoy the thrill of victory or provide (as Mr. Cunningham on Happy Days did with his son Richie after he missed the crucial shot in basketball game) a lifesaver to your son who is dejected after a tough loss! May God Bless All Who Were Involved In The Game Tonight--players, cheerleaders, band member, parents and officials.

Looks like Cov. Cath. lost one of their big guys in Clay Lampl. He was seen back at Ryle, I guess giving up his high school basketball career due to the transfer rule.

Ryle High School 1st team PG- Brian Green- career leader in assist SG- Will Forman- career leader in threes SF- Jason Noel- 3rd leading scorer PF- Justin Doellman- Xavier University- NBA prospect- top 5 in 6 categories- scoring, rebounding, blocks, assists, steals, games played C- Pete Maley- rock solid in post 2nd team PG- Matt Beil- solid performer- three year starter SG- Brad McNabb- 2nd in three point shooting SF- Michael Setters- solid, athletic player- PF- Nick Feagan- Transylvania University C- Nick Nelson- 2nd best true center behind Maley. Honorable Mention Clay Rechtin- great competitor-- great knowledge of game Justin Noel- solid player on mediocre teams Jason Haggard- rebounding machine- played a Thomas More Casey Maley- great defender on regional championship team

There is another PE teacher who has coaching experience and has been very successful in the past in coaching girls. I think the position will be announced very soon.

Interviews apparently took place earlier this week. Three people with Boone County (not necessarily meaning the high school of same name) ties were interviewed and another candidate from outside immediate area. they will probably be naming the coach in the next week. It looks like they had some solid candidates and I am betting the the new coach will have extensive experience working with high school girls and have a reputation as a coach who is a winner and also someone who demands excellence in academics and athletics. Ryle girls job has been a roller coaster-- not sure if it is the coaching (this will be the third in four years!) or the expectations of the parents????????

I believe I had all the right picks as well and also Henderson as the leading scorer. Not a big deal because I know it is after the 24 hours. I don't check mine that often.

Holmes St.Henry Highlands Cov. Cath Holmes Cov. Cath Holmes Henderson

Predictions: Holmes 54- NCC- 52 St. Henry- 60- Lloyd 48 Highlands- 52 Dixie 47 Cov. Cath 66- Conner 65 2nd round Holmes- 50 St. Henry 46 Cov. Cath 51- Highlands- 44 Finals Holmes 59- Cov. Cath 58

It looks like of the two favorites (Holmes and Cov. Cath) that Cov. Cath got the tougher draw. They have to beat a Conner team that always gives them trouble and then two teams that could be trouble for them as well in Dixie or Highlands. Holmes draw is tough because of Kiernan being a force in the middle, but St. Henry and Lloyd do not have the horses to go with Holmes. But in the 9th, expect the unexpected. I could easily see either of those two favorites getting upset if they are not careful. It look like a great tourney as always.

Tough loss for the Raiders. They had a four point lead under 4 minutes to go and had four straight turnovers. Crews played a tremendous game to beat the Raiders. Similar thing happened two years ago when Lafollette plays a career game against the Raiders and they beat them in a close game. Coach Hicks definitely has proved himself as a good post season coach. The Raiders shot themselves in the foot late when they had a tie game, with the ball and then shoot a three with about 25 seconds left. In that situation, wouldn't it be wise to hold the ball for the last shot--instead of shooting a three?? The ball is rebounded by Conner and Nelson reaches in and fouls- his fifth! Conner gets both free throws to go up two. Kids will be kids! Good luck to the Raiders in the future. The future is very bright and they should be much better next season without some of the distractions of the current team. Congrats to coach Hicks. I have always been a fan of his.

I was at the game. Both teams played very well. I think the coaching at Boone is getting a bum rap. It sounds to me more like a disgruntled parent or former player who wants to stir up trouble. The shot they got at the end was a very makeable shot and one that appeared to be in and then rolled out. If it had gone in, does that make him any better or worse as a coach? Everyone talks about how great a coach that Faust is, but they mentioned it earlier that they shot the ball several times under the 2 minute mark with a lead. In that situation, all coaches know you get a lay-up or a foul, not a 15 foot jumper. So does that make him an idiot or a great coach? It is typical high school basketball-- good plays and not-so good plays. Enjoy the experience! Two great games last night in the always interesting 33rd district. The #1 and #2 seeds go down.

The freshman tournament is hosted by Covington Catholic.The tournament is open every year to the division I and II teams in the NKAC. This would be 16 teams if they all played. Not all of them chose to play, so Div III teams are asked to fill in if they choose. This is how Beechwood got into the tournament. It used to be a 9th region tournament, but obviously when the 9th region was divided up it can no longer be called that. I think Bishop Brossart was the first Div. II school to no longer play in the tournament because there is a 10th region freshman tournament they participate in and therefore there usually was a conflict. I know this also occurs in the JV tournament as well. Kudos to Jack Kaelin for the awesome job he does at running this event. It is always done in a first class way!

Holmes far and away has the most individual talent in the ninth region. However, to win the region you need talent, but much more--- unselfishness, coachability, understanding of game situations, good coaching, role players. Does Holmes have all this-- we will see in about three weeks!

I do not think Boone is any worse, they were playing very well early in the season, but do not seem to be much better than what they were then. Playing without Earls hurt them in this game. Ryle is definitely better than they were. They have had some subtractions to the team which has helped the team chemistry and attitude and it looks like they are beginning to play much better as a team. They need to get Maley on track, if he begins to fullfill his potential and Nelson being a force in the paint, they could definitely win the district and make some noise in the regional. Of course they could just as easily come up short in the often competitive and balanced 33rd district! The 33rd is played at Ryle this year, which could be an advantage.

What about the Lampl kid, I heard he was supposed to an up and comer? He plays the four position doesn't he?

Is it four or five? Sounds like hearsay to me. Yes he was thrown out of a game and had to sit out the rest of that days games, which happened to be a tournament in which they played another game. He then had to sit out the next game due to KHSAA guidelines. He HAS NOT received 10 technicals and has been apologetic for the ONE incident which unfortunately occured.

Nick Nelson HAS NOT received 10 technicals this season. I know that as fact so we can put that rumor to rest. It would be better if people did not name a player in this type of allegations unless they are 100% sure of the facts. It can be damaging to a high school kid.

It is hard to argue with those kind of facts. Except that the kid who transferred to Trinity did so to live with his brother who is his AAU coach and where most of his family lives, there was only one senior who quit this year during a game and that is because he was not getting enought PT and his parents were angry at the coach so he got fed up and quit. The player who quit in district did so for a variety of reason that can not easily be explained but lets say he and his parents have different beliefs than coaches. Maybe a new coach will be on the same page as them?? The kid who transferred to Cov. Cath was because he and his parents felt like he was better than the players that Niemi was playing. Of course he did not play any varsity at Cov. Cath, where he was at least dressing and going to play some at Ryle???? I would venture to say there are some good athletes that have not played basketball because of a variety of reasons- maybe the coaching- maybe that is a convenient excuse. But I think you will find that at every school regardless of size. Parents have a right to do what is best for their kids, but sometimes they like to place the blame on someone instead of taking an unbiased look at there situation?

I will throw out some names. Henley from Holmes, Faust from St. Henry, Garnett- asst. at Conner, Mullins- asst. at Ryle, Trame- girls coach at Ryle, former asst. at Ryle, K. Listerman- former NKU asst. now JV coach at Cov. Cath., Wright from S. Laurel- coached in this area before, Bennett from Walton- chance to go to a bigger school- Kyle Macy- hey- he's out of a job now! Jeff Trame- looking to get back in it?? Jones- Gallatin- move up the road to bigger school? at this late date, I am not sure how many would be interested, but they should have a chance to win in the near future. Ryle was picked 4th in 9th region for next year.

Why is Coach Orr leaving? Did he get a better offer?