wildcatfan

He is averaging 11.3 a game and shooting 36.2 from the field, 38.2 from 3, and 73.7 from the line, which is great for an 8th grader, but there are several other guards averaging more and/or shooting better percentages.

I believe that Popp and Gabbard play different positions on Boone and both start. Popp usually only takes the point when Gabbard is out. Gabbard is probably a better pure point guard (assists/ball handling/passing), while some might give the edge to Popp on defense and scoring/shooting. They both seem to work fairly well together as a backcourt combination. I don't think you can base top players only on scoring only. I'm curious which top guards that Hatton has put up the big numbers against so far and how many they scored on him? I have not seen him yet this year and am anxious to do so. Without a doubt Hatton is a scorer for his team, but Dixie needs him in that role. Scoring is more balanced on Highlands, Boone, and some of the other teams. That's partly why teams like that are so good and have good records (several options). I am also thinking about other things, like rebounding, steals, defense (how many points does the man they are guarding score?), assists, turnovers, free throw shooting, ball handling, blocks (including against pressure/presses), intangibles, etc. Some players are good but are on teams with several other good players. Some players don't put up flashy stats, but they are seasoned, experienced, and just plain win most of the time, regardless of the situation and team they are on. Blake Bryan has the opportunity to do it all for this team and puts up great stats, but I would put at least 4 senior guards in NKY ahead of him based on head to head play I've seen. I think that Hatton will be one of the top 5 in NKY before he graduates, and if he grows a few more inches, could play at a D2 or D1 school.

Also having Earls and Lay back and available doesn't hurt. If the team stays healthy, they are a threat. The Highlands/Boone game should be a good one this week.

The Hatton kid is good, but I wouldn't put him in top 15 yet. He has the scoring/shooting down, but how are the other areas of his game. I wouldn't put him ahead of McLeish or Popp or Earls.

Yes. I thought Earls and Brown were a good combination inside.

1. They hit 5 threes from outside. That is the most for them all year. They were freer with taking outside shots tonight. 2. They did not get outrebounded like they seemed to in the losses. 3. Scott did not hit their threes like Newport and St. Henry did against Boone. In Boone's losses to Newport, St. Henry, and NCC, they gave up too many threes. 4. Boone hit their free throws much better in this game than the previous two they lost. 5. The home crowd was a big factor for Newport and St. Henry. (Boone's student section was basically non-existent again last night.) Earls played better last night, but Brown continues to score and rebound very well for Boone.

True too. Like most Catholic schools, they usually attract talent year in and out from all over the area. St. Henry's current group may not as talented related as other top players in NKY, but they appear to make up for it with hard work, determination, and hustle.

Yes, and you can probably throw Popp into the discussion. He and Brown and Gabbard are Boone's leading scorers and big contributors in other ways as well.

Boone bounces back with a good win. Boone led throughout after a 2-0 Scott lead. Popp (Boone) led all scorers with 18. Brown had 11, Gabbard 10, and Earls about 9-10. Smith finished with 10 for Scott. O'Conner also had about that much.

Montgomery (Boone) has to be considered. He has been Boone's best all-around player this year IMO.

Based on this year's numbers, I wouldn't put McLeish, Stauffer, Cotton, or Pike in. Solid, but not top 10 in region. Grote hasn't even hardly played this year. No way he is top 15 at this point.

I like Earls, but he is having an off year. I don't think he is even in the top 3 in scoring or rebounding on his own team. Sizemore is nowhere near top 10 in NKY IMHO.

How tall is he? What position? Shooting guard?

Sewell for Mr. Basketball right now. He is doing more for his team and against top competition.

Trinity has my vote for #1 right now, and Sewell the front runner for Mr. Basketball.

Fouls were 8 to 7 in favor of St. Henry in the first half. The were 10-6 in favor of Boone in the second half, and in favor of St. Henry in OT because Boone had to foul then. Fouls were pretty even overall. It's just that several dumb ones were often called by the refs that weren't fouls and vice versa. Each team had one player foul out.

I know this has went on in past years but I didn't hear/see it last night. Doesn't mean it didn't happen, though.

I also did not see/hear anything like that. I think parents were more upset with the officiating than the coach in this game.

The game ultimately boiled down to Boone missing several late free throws at the end where the rowdy St. Henry section was. Even after that, Boone had chances to preserve the win in regulation. I also thought that they should have fouled St. Henry as they were inbounding the ball with 17 seconds left and forced them to hit two free throws and then foul Boone to send them to the FT line. The talent is there on Boone. The game outcome had nothing to do with them having less talent or not "trusting their coaches." That's great that St. Henry players played well last night and that their coach is doing a good job with them. I think Faust helps many of his teams/players overachieve their ability year in and out. I thought that St. Henry as a whole outhustled Boone in this game on the boards. Brown and Popp were the bright spots for Boone in this one. Brown was strong inside, even with St. Henry defenders often hanging all over him. He has been playing well the last 3-4 games. Although Popp played only about half the game due to foul trouble, he was able to drive and score pretty well and helped Boone build a 5-7 point lead with about 10 points and a couple assists/steals in the 3rd quarter. I thought that Carroll hit two huge shots in the end. The last rainbow he hit to tie the game was from deep. Anderson hustled and played well, especially in the second half, and had some nice drives. Bessler hustled and drove well too. Bessler and Anderson both outhustled/outquicked Boone's bigs inside and came up with several key rebounds and stickbacks. Bessler had a very nice up and under move against Cotton that got him off his feet so he could score a layup. I do think that a healthy Earls would have helped Boone in this one. Anderson hit his free throws well in OT for St. Henry. Barnett played pretty good, especially in the first half and hit an outside shot or two. Hils took decent care of the ball, but did not hurt Boone in particular. I think he had about 2 buckets and a free throw and really did not penetrate. The St. Henry forwards are the ones that penetrated and did the damage offensively. St. Henry's forwards (Anderson, Carroll, and Bessler) were the best players for St. Henry, IMO. The officiating was horrible for both sides. Fouls were called that should not have been called, and vice versa. There were also some very obvious, uncalled walks. I've seen the one ref at least 3 times now, and he has been bad in every game. Overall, a messy but exciting game.

What is embarrasing is how poorly Boone played. They are capable of much better.

Brown has been playing well offensively the last few games. I agree that letting Boone run more instead of setting up in a half court offense as often could take better advantage of their quick guards.

I believe Popp fouled out as OT began. Bessler for St. Henry fouled out in the 4th. Agree that although not well played, it was an exciting game.

Boone had no business losing this game. They had a huge size advantage. St. Henry outhustled Boone and it seemed like they outrebounded them. Big upset, but hey, they happen. Embarrasing for Boone but does not hurt their district seeding like it did a couple of years ago.

Very poor game for Boone. Poor FT shooting. They were up 7 with 3 minutes left and lost it after leading the entire second half. Victimized by a deep 3 at the buzzer. Too many turnovers too. Boone is reeling. Earls only played 1 minute, and Lay only played a couple. Boone is having trouble getting out of the 50s scoring wise this year, which makes them more vulnerable. Defense alone can't win games. Second tough loss in a row at an away game. St. Henry student section was very loud and helped their team. Same type of upset occurred at St. Henry a couple of years ago in a similar way. Boone needs to put this behind them. On the positive side, this does not hurt Boone's district standings.

Boone by 23. 73-50