wildcatfan

Another OT victory?

Will they win a rematch with any other 9th region team, like Ryle?

Kowolonek still out, and will he be back for the post-season? How about Lother?

Yes, but the scoring is higher in Louisville and other areas of the state. Does that mean that NKY teams play good defense?

The ref on the baseline called a foul on Herndon as Popp was driving. However, the other ref called a fall on JJ as a result of the melee that was going on at the same time. The ref on the baseline made his call first, but I guess the other call stuck because that foul occured first, even though it wasn't called first. Several people around me were surprised that Popp didn't go to the free throw line.

This looks pretty good.

I think they will be pretty good but not the favorites in the 9th. Conner and Boone should both be better. Boone's JV is undefeated and looking for a second straight JV championship this year. Boone's JV beat Holmes last night 55-30. They will have a lot of size next year.

I agree that the 9th region is one of the top 3 in the state, but it only has one team ranked in the top 20 in the BGP rankings.

Both teams have been blessed with a lot of talent the last few years. That makes the coaches' jobs a lot easier. NKY coaches seem content to play the slow half court game. The problem with this approach is that if you don't get out of the 50s often, you are very susceptible to being upset by a hot shooting team at any time.

Boone had the right game plan for Holmes. They just failed to box out many times, especially on the back side, and they allowed a lot of second chance stickbacks and tip-ins, especially in the first half. Rico shot pretty well for Holmes. Other than that, Holmes did not shoot well from outside. Cotton and Montgomery getting their 4th fouls in the late 3rd/early 4th quarters really hurt Boone. I predicted a two point game. Can't get much closer than that in an OT game. I still think that anything can happen in the regional tournament and that several teams will have a shot. Holmes will need to play better/more consistently if they are going to repeat in the state tournament. Either that, or Boone is a top 20 team... Holmes does not have the depth they had last year beyond the big 3 and maybe Slusher. Rice only played the first couple of minutes. The turnover when Earls dropped the pass near half court with 2 minutes left in OT with Holmes leading by 2 turned the tide for good. Until then, it could have gone either way. Boone still had a prayer if they would have fouled immediately with 16 seconds left instead of waiting until 9 seconds.

Boone two years ago was not as good as last year or this year. I would be surprised if they got beat by 20.

I think this could be a close game. Could be a two-point margin either way. Holmes home court gives them an extra advantage. Boone did not play well on Holmes court the last time. Montgomery and Cotton for Boone are very athletic too, and both are great shot blockers. I think it could be a lower scoring game, played in the 40s and 50s.

Did Avery not play?

I think Holmes is more beatable this year because they don't have a Riley who can drain 3s as consistently. They still have great defense and can still hit 3s at times, but if you have an off-shooting night, you can be beaten in a low scoring game. I thought last year that zone was the way to beat Holmes, but Riley debunked that theory. Zone has a better chance of being effective against them this year, I think. Regardless, a 3-point victory over NCC and a loss to Ryle leads me to believe that several teams have a shot this year in the 9th.

Looks like the 9th region is wide open and several teams will have a shot this year. Much closer than I expected.

I don't think Gabbard will reach it. Probably has over 750 though.

Don't think so.

I've heard a couple of Boone players might have the typical Winter sicknesses.

Boone has 3 games to make up, including Cooper. I would think a district game would be made up first.

If Holmes does that, Boone needs 2 guards in the game, and Gabbard, Popp, and Schulze should all play. The lineup recently has been Gabbard (6'0 PG), Cotton (6'3 wing), Earls (6'6 C/PF), Lay (6'5 C/PF), and Montgomery (6'4 F)

Housely and Avery transferring didn't hurt Holmes depth either.

I don't expect Boone's coach to change his style from that. Will be a very deliberate half court offense.

Montgomery has been Boone's best all-around player this year. Popp hasn't been starting or playing much the last 4-5 games. I do think Boone needs to have two guards in the lineup considering the pressure that Holmes could bring defensively. I'd like to see Brown get plenty of minutes because his rebounding, strength, and scoring will be needed if they can get the ball into him.

Statistically, the top five for Boone right now are: Montgomery Cotton Earls Gabbard Brown If Boone chooses to play a two-guard offense, then Popp has the edge over Schulze

Why Ryle? They lose a lot, except Stauffer and Vollet. Boone will be pretty good again with Montgomery, Brown, Burgess, Crabtree, McQueary, and Stanley and could go 6'9", 6'4", 6'4", and 6'5" with their 4 biggest starters.