RoundBaller

Their nemisis might be fouls if they run into refs who call it too closely.

Yes, two gyms, both at Lex Cath High School. With 24 teams and a consolation bracket, there is constant basketball action in the building. Great basketball atmosphere. Holmes goes after every loose ball. Their traps and double teams come from the blind side, where they surprise and overwhelm their opponents. Once they knock a ball loose, they dive and hustle like no other team. Duran dove for a ball, it remained loose so he lunged again from his prone position, then once again resulting in tipping the ball to Hill. It's like watching a rebounder tip the ball a few times to keep it alive, but Jefferson was laying on the floor doing this. Amazing :jump:

He had two dunks that were impressive, both in baseline traffic. His second one was a bit over-zealous. He had a right to hang on the rim due to congestion under the basket, but he pulled himself up (resulting in his head being well above the rim) drawing the technical.

Duran only got his pocket picked a few times. Not bad for the helter skelter game that it was. Holmes scored 48 in the first half. Duran ran the floor well. He was able to penetrate and dish when he wanted to, but more of the points were scored in transition than in half court sets. In the fourth quarter Duran had to bring the ball up the court after made baskets against double teams. He handled all of those with the poise you expect from him. Note: there were four or more situations where the Holmes players might have lost their composure last year, but they simply played through it today. They played confident and mature, maintaining a nice lead all the way. Henderson and Hill played very well.

Are you a member of one of the student sections in question? If so, can you explain why kids quit going to games if they're not allowed to cross the line? I think it's interesting to note that the players on the floor get yelled at by their coaches all the time. I can only imagine what some of the locker room conversations at half time and after a loss are like these days. But, the players don't quit. They figure things out and come back stronger. Instead of being quitters, maybe some of the students should take a lesson from their mates who are doing the hard work on the floor. Don't quit! Figure it out and get better! Our community needs our student bodies to step up to the next level. Basketball games in the winter are a great value for the entertainment dollar. School Spirit is a big part of why it's great. Come on students, get it together and join the fun!

No problem. I guess I was just a bit irritated with myself for tempting this post off topic... again. And, I am concerned for the Colonels who undoubtedly read this stuff. We need Sam and the boys to overcome this tough loss and get in a positive frame of mind for the challenges ahead.

Yes, Jake is Sam's younger brother. He's got a nice shot. It's worth noting that Holy Cross handed our JV their first loss of the season. The Indians pulled off a strong trifecta last night, beating our Freshmen as well. Our Frosh were coming off a big victory against Boone Monday night.

:thumb: :thumb: :thumb: I just sent my note to Tom as follows: This outrageous article is hurtful to our community. Northern Kentucky is a fine place to live. Our hard working, upstanding school administrators and reputable coaches do not deserve low class, unfounded shots being taken at them in our community newspaper. Please take care to review articles from Mr. Furman in the future to ensure that the quality of life in our community does not suffer at the hands of a loose-lipped, Jerry Springer type entertainer. While I have no dog in this fight, I would be personally outraged if my teenage sons were unduly criticized in such a public manner. To have the hard-earned privilege of making your high school team become tarnished by careless editing on your part is a real shame. I feel strongly that your newspaper owes the Otte family a public apology. Let's work together to make Northern Kentucky the greatest place in the Cincinnati region to raise a family.

Wow! I surely did not intend to evoke negative criticism from you toward a fine young man who just suffered a difficult loss last night. Fouling out in the last minute of a big game was enough for him to deal with in the last 24 hours. Sam, if you read this nonsense on here, try to keep a sense of humor. Arm chair quarterbacks don't win many games on the field. Stay focused and do the jobs your team asks you to do. Your future is bright. You're gutting it out playing through your injury. There are many fine days ahead.

Merely a sincere question about what position you think he will play at the next level if he is fortunate enough to get the opportunity. My reference to NKU was just a random example indicating that I agree, Sam should not be playing low post in high school. Especially if he is trying to improve his chances of playing in College. Scouts would probably like to see him developing his skills in the position for which they would recruit him. :thumb:

It's a catch 22, isn't it? The kids like to test the limits, then they get upset when those limits get defined. They have so many other forms of entertainment available these days that school spirit falls off the map when it isn't "over the edge". Let's go watch a violent movie with sex and vulgarity instead. :ylsuper:

The word "suck" seems to be the primary word used in these new chants. Simon Kenton had several variations on the theme early this year, primarily aimed at bad calls. There really aren't many ways to couch the way you tell the refs "You Suck". It can get really distasteful after a while. It appears their Administration has put a stop to it. Lloyd used the word blatently several times at Dixie - "Suck our Dixie" is not what a parent wants their 8 year old to hear. You can see all the young kids snickering: "Did they really say that?" :eek:

Sorry to have waivered off topic. This thread seems to have done that a few times :sleep: I doubt that last night's loss to HC fits into the strategy of accepting a few losses in the name of musclebuilding for the post season. This one had to hurt! Learning to win the close ones, especially when you have the lead at the end, is important. I, for one, will enjoy attending a future matchup with Holy Cross if fate creates the opportunity. It will surely be another barn burner :fight:

The "frog" showed up at one of the football games this year... Simon Kenton maybe??? Usually he is perched in a crutch, but "the man" took it away from them during the rowdy Lloyd game (you've heard in another thread about their conduct). Anyway, the meaningless "Fear the Frog" chant turned into "Free the Frog" that night. The mighty frog was seen again at the game last night, but without his crutch perch. The Frog is Free, indeed. :jump:

Actually, I don't think we disagree. My comments are biased by rationalization more than strategy. Second guessing Dixie's coaches today would be kicking them while they're down. They don't have many low post options at this point, but they do have a lot of guards to work with. For example, I suspect that Muzzillo might be one of their leading rebounders thus far, but I doubt that Chevy's strategy is to count on his shortest guard to clean the glass. The most obvious strategic plan of this season is seen in Dixie's schedule. By trading his bottom tier of competition for what is now some of his toughest challenges, Chevy seems to be willing to sacrifice some W's to strengthen his post season readiness. So, experimenting early with guys in different positions fits the plan. Hopefully their taller youth will be able to fill in as the season progresses like they did in football this year. Regarding Sam, do you think he will be a better point or 2 guard at a small college? Obviously he won't be playing the low post for NKU next year.

Note to Dixie's student section - it was good to see that the "Frog is Free!" :lol:

Dixie plays unselfish ball. One of the best plays of the night was Sam threading the needle to Muzzillo for a full speed layup. Those were some tight quarters in the lane and Sam could have pulled up for the jumper, but instead he saw a higher percentage opportunity and "made it happen".

Isn't that what cost Sam his final foul? He was out top running the point when Lantry picked his pocket and Sam fouled him from behind in retaliation. I think Dixie runs a continuity type of offense where Sam is able to flow. The movement works because every player on the floor can shoot the three, including Sam. Until some of the younger big men are ready to own the post, Dixie will have to play as a team and try various combinations. Lubrano is playing much bigger than he really is. He might be the team's best 3-point shooter, but his upper body strength relegates him to playing inside (at 6'1"). These kids are willing to do whatever it takes.

As the Monty Python Flying Circus would say: "And, now for something completely different", I offer a comment about the actual HC vs Dixie game. I thought Dixie played "not to lose" during the last few minutes of regulation and in overtime. Each time they got a lead (although it was never more than one posession), they tried to run seconds off the clock. That would be okay if they took good open shots when they presented themselves, but the few layups they attempted were contested, nearly out of control, desperation type shots. It didn't work! On the other hand, each time the score was tied or Dixie fell behind, they reverted back to their more assertive, normal offense, and "boom" they hit the shots. I don't like prevent defense (like NFL teams occasionally use in the last few minutes). It only works when you have a reasonable lead. A one possession lead in basketball is not enough to play "not to lose". This was a tough loss for the Colonels. They need to get over it quickly. They have the talent to make some real noise in Lexington next week. They need to believe in what they do well, and keep doing it. When they start hitting on 5 or 6 cylinders at a time instead of only 2 or 3 kids doing well, they will win some big games. And now, back to the "Search for the Holy Grail", you Indians believers can pound your chests (like clapping hands that imitate the sound of horse's hooves) about how you're going to "beat those Dawgs".

Congrats, Indians! Both defenses provided plenty of excitement. Pretty good entertainment for the few bucks it costs to see a high school basketball game. The student sections were a bit laid back. Kind of hard to figure since it was a barn burner. Dixie still not hitting on all cylinders. They need to get over this tough loss in a hurry. The road ahead has more challenges in store.

From this morning's Enquirer: "NCH (6-0) cruised despite the absence of 6-foot-11 junior Keenan Ellis, who was serving a one-game suspension for undisclosed disciplinary reasons."

I hope the Bombers don't take their frustrations out on Dixie Friday night :scared:

I am trying to find out. Nobody around the area I was sitting seemed to know, and there were plenty of NCH fans. When X took the floor their student section raised the roof. Amongst the frenzy, Mayo and his boys casually walked onto the floor, went through some uninspiring layup drills, no real dunks, etc. No sign of Ellis... not on the bench in street clothes. Maybe ill? I was thinking: "Crap, they're not fired up, no center, they're in some trouble tonight against mighty St X." Four or five minutes into the game you could see that NCH was too quick for X's guards. They forced turnovers at will, and they owned the boards. I can only imagine what it would have been like with Keenan in the middle. I saw NCH a few times last year, and I can say the overall team has improved noticeably.

Bill was a human highlight film... several monster dunks, some against double team defenders. Mayo shot over his defender any time from any where he wanted... nothin' but net nearly every time. Ellis was not in the house tonight. Mayo and Walker took a seat with 4 minutes remaining and a 78-39 double-up lead.

My bad. Boone is a different story for sure. I don't think young McFarland brings the same muscle to the floor that Kiernan and his gang do. Highlands by 20+