RoundBaller

Dixie only scored 4 points in the 3rd quarter, and until a minute or so left in the game had only scored 2 points in the 4th... 10 total for the half. Plenty of shots were taken by both teams... horrible percentages for sure. Scrappy, ugly, hard fought game by both teams. Dixie moves on. Nothing for Lloyd to hang their heads over, although it's probably tough for the many seniors. I was surprised Dixie didn't try the combination of Pompilio, Smith and Pike together in the fourth quarter. Boese did make the final free throws to seal the deal, but he seemed out of sorts most of the second half and was not getting/earning any touches. Clearly Pike and Smith were motivated and strong as they continuously subbed for one another throughout the half. I think Lloyd would have had trouble bumping with both Pike and Smith, which would have opened things up a bit more for Pompilio.

Totally unbiased - no dog in this hunt - I was there to watch a good basketball game. My view is that the "no call" on the goaltend changed momentum. Had it been called, as it should surely have been, then Dayton goes up by 11 and has time to set their defense and extend the momentum they were enjoying. Instead, the crowd erupts, Newport gets the rebound of the goaltended block, runs the other way on a break, and the entire event creates chaos that results in Newport gaining the momentum back. From there they whittled away at the lead until finally overcoming the deficit at the very end. Basketball is a game of momentum swings. James Pouncy and his crew made a difference in that game. Too bad for Dayton... stuff like that happens unfortunately.

:notworthy:

Anybody know the results from yesterday's games?

Not a fair stereotype. You don't know the kid or the situation. Suffice it to say that Dixie's JV coach has a severe temper. If you've seen him, you know that he stomps the sidelines and rides the refs and kids relentlessly. Times have changed from your good ol' days of "the coach is always right." When a kid has plenty of alternatives for success in extracurricular activities, he doesn't have to waste time on one that "sucks". To your point, you only get to be a high school student once, so why not spend it doing something you enjoy?

I should have checked here first, but just stopped by HC for the Freshman game to learn that it was cancelled... due to the fact that Kenton County buses are not available today. A few years ago Kenton County created a policy that all sports teams must travel to away games on a school bus. No bus, no way to get to the away game.

I stand corrected. You are right. I think Stegner is also tall and I frequently, and mistakenly thought it was Stansberry throughout the season. My mental block has carried over in the off-season.:eyeonyou:

I think #84 is Junior Brett Stansberry. He is tall (6'4 or more), strong, athletic. Playing basketball now, will pitch in the spring, and likely to play baseball in the summer. If he was focused only on football, I'm sure he'd work on his speed and hands. Not sure he'll get that focus working on pitching baseballs. But, baseball is probably his most likely "future" ticket.

Some credit is due to the Dixie senior, Stephen Pompelio, who worked his butt off to earn 23 points and more than 10 rebounds, and to the junior Josh Raleigh who stayed on E.J. Murray all night like glue and limited him to 3 points.

No doubt, it's a down year at Dixie. The football team had high pre-season expectations with less than stellar results. The boys basketball team might not win 5 games. For an avid Dixie fan it's certainly disappointing. But, to get on here and read the whining and total negativity aimed specifically at the new girl's basketball coach is outright embarassing. Back off the negativity. Support your team in the good times and the bad. You're not helping your daughter's hopes by telling her that her leaders don't know what they're doing. You're not helping to build her character by telling her to disrespect her coaches. And, you're not helping her focus on improving by giving her so many easy excuses. I've watched this team play. They are not as talented as you make them out to be. The competition in Northern Kentucky is stiff. This team has enough weaknesses that they will have to continue to work very hard to get the results some of you parents seem to expect. They need your encouragement, not your sympathy and excuses. Go Dixie!

Dixie won by a lot... ahead by 25 points at times in the second half.

Clark is good! They get up and down the floor. And, they own the area under the basket. I thought Dixie was ready for this one, but GRC played at a different level. Knowles drained his shots with defenders in his face from the get go. Jones sprinted to whatever part of the floor he wanted to own... he is quick and strong. Dixie couldn't answer. Should be a barn burner between Clark and Scott County tomorrow night. Tiger1 and others were on the money with their predictions for a blow out.

G.J. Repuclic (PA) was runner up to Champions Dixie Heights in '03 as well.

At least you are consistent, Tiger1... always quick to show your bias against Dixie. The Colonels played Clark County at their house last year. We're familier with Jones and Knowles. Our common opponent this year has been North Laurel. Clark beat them 58-52, Dixie beat them 56-51 Dixie needs to take care of the ball, and Luke needs to stay out of foul trouble. I'm looking forward to a competitive, entertaining game.

By the way, does anybody have a good recipe for crow? I thought Holmes would take be taking their lumps. With as many of us who predicted big margin losses to HC and CovCath, we should probably get some kind of crow eating contest together.

It's not often that so many of us offer congratulations to the team who loses the game. But, Holmes has flat out earned it. They gave the Colonels one heck of a game. Clean, disciplined, controlled, respectful, fun to watch. Good ball handling. Good passing. Good shot selection and high percentages. Austin got frustrated a few times after getting mugged by the double teams, but he kept on tickin'.

Outstanding defense by both teams. High level of intensity every minute of the game. Zack won the inside battle the first half. Luke picked up some early fouls. With Luke on the bench New Cath employed a 1-3-1 zone with Keirnan playing the point. Dixie couldn't solve it, losing their lead. When Luke returned he easily scored inside so the Breds had to go back to man. Kyle Kendall guarded Kiernan, with Luke helping on the backside. Luke accumulated several big blocked shots, rebounds, and some impressive dunks. I'd say he won the inside battle in the 4th quarter and overtime. Dixie made some free throws tonight. Jared Shields and Kyle Kendall took the ball to the hole with confidence, and Matt Mosier played an outstanding game. The young Pangallo (sp?) point guard played some impressive minutes.

Good matchup between Zack Kiernan and Luke Mace. NCC knocked Dixie out of the Regional semifinal last year. This one is at Dixie tonight. I think Dixie will win by 4... 58 - 54.

Here is a safe Enquirer sports blog entry: http://frontier.cincinnati.com/blogs/preps/

In other threads this week there have been indications that Austin will be carrying the team on his shoulders.

Recently Holmes has been in the news as found in the Enquirer article "Auditors Rip Homes High". The full article is at http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061215/NEWS0102/612150398/-1/all Here is the opening statement: Many students sleep in class. Teachers rely mainly on textbooks. Homework is rare. And cultural gaps between students and staff lead to unnecessary conflict. Those were among the criticisms in a state audit of Holmes Junior and Senior High School. Triggered by several years of low test scores, the audit found enough problems that Holmes' school-based council is likely to be stripped of its authority.

Holy Cross by 15. Austin can't carry the load by himself. The following Enquirer quote after the St. Henry loss is an understatement: "We're a team with issues right now," Holmes coach David Henley said. Some issues are not appropriate for discussion.

Yes... "Parity in the Ninth." Indeed.

1. St Henry - for now. 2. Cov Cath - with a Spirit... 3. Holy Cross - legit 4. Boone County - for now 5. Dixie - steadily improving, high potential 6. Holmes - under-achieving, potential to unravel 7. Highlands 8. NCC 9. Conner 10. Ryle

Dixie handled the press. All three guards (Mosier, Shields, and Richardson) played well Kyle Kendall did his share of ball-handling as well. T.J. got untracked offensively... good to see him settling down and gaining confidence. Luke dominated the 4th quarter with 3 dunks, two off of very nifty feeds from his slashing mates. I think Luke also had 5 blocks for the night. His presence inside caused the Bluebirds to miss a lot of layups and putbacks. For example, they produced only 3 points in the first quarter. I expected a much closer game. Dixie is definitely improving.