HOOPSNUT

Final Region 9 1st round.

Great job by the Lady Crusaders tonight. They won every quarter. They scored the last 4 points of the 2nd quarter to go in up four at the half. They led by 7 (38-31) after the 3rd and they were up by as many as 15 in the fourth quarter, before Ryle turned up the heat to get within six at one point. The Lady Cru did an exceptional job on the boards, and they were for the most part, very patient on the offensive end. This is a signature win for this program. I don't believe they had beat any team ranked in the Top 10 since '06. Abby Janszen was once again phenomenal and was the best player on the floor tonight. Ryle's press did create some turnovers, but for the most part, the Lady Cru did a good job of handling the pressure. Not sure how long it has been since the program could say this, but "the St. Henry Lady Crusaders are playing in the Regional semi-finals!"

Exciting 34th District final tonight at Villa. Ludlow completely dominates the first half (28-17) behind the strong play of Ashley Daugherty and Julie Hardin. St. Henry changes their defense in the 2nd half and starts the 3rd quarter on a 12-0 run, taking a 35-32 lead into the 4th. The 4th quarter action is back and forth with Ludlow inbounding the ball with 6.4 seconds left and a chance to win the game. The inbounds pass is deflected and goes thru a Ludlow player's hands. St. Henry is able to steal the ball and Ludlow inexplicably allows the clock to expire without going for a steal or a foul. Great tournament atmosphere tonight. Best of luck to both teams in the Regional Tournament.

First time I've had the pleasure of watching Lauren Tibbs play. She is the real deal. Great hands, good foot work and a nice shooting touch as well. Hard to believe she's only a sophomore. Scott does need to find more balance. 88% of their scoring came from 2 players.

Being without Mallory Adler for HHS and the 3rd Ref might have something to do with HHS winning at the buzzer and the St Henry girl getting beat up in the middle. Kudos to HHS big girls for using the 2 Ref night to their favor.

Don't know if a third ref would have helped St Henry's cause. The two refs working the game were in position to see the fouls and make the calls, they just chose to ignore the contact most of the time. There were calls missed on both ends, but when 28 of your 38 points come from your inside game and they only shoot 6 free throws, something seems a little irregular.

Wow this score is very surprising.

It is somewhat surprising, but the biggest lead Highlands had was 4 points in both the 1st and 4th quarters, and St. Henry's biggest lead was 3 points in the 3rd quarter. Both teams turned the ball over more than they would like, but all in all, it was a very good defensive battle.

Final.

An intense game with the first half being on the sloppy side. Highlands makes the game winner with 5 seconds to go. St. Henry got a decent look at the buzzer, but the ball bounced harmlessly off the back rim. Highlands outscored St. Henry 10-6 in the final period to grad the win. Highlands also shoots 16 free throws to St. Henry's 6. Abby Janszen got to the line 4 times, and it very easily could have been 14 times. The refs let the Highlands players body her all night long. I believe it was Natalie Horner who took the game winner. Nothin' but net from 16 feet.

St. Henry could not handle the NCC press and thats why the Breds got so many layups last night.

No doubt about it. The St. Henry players looked as if they'd never seen a press before. As NCC started getting the steals and easy baskets, their confidence grew and their outside shooting % improved greatly as well. NCC showed a true killer instinct.

Ludlow 56 Dayton 41

 

Newport Central Catholic 77 St. Henry 48

NCC is very physical and very well coached. Those girls get after it. Extremely disappointing performance from the Lady Crusaders. I thought this game would be a 10-12 point separation. I believe the Lady Crusaders had 37 turnovers. They kept throwing and dribbling into the NCC traps. Close game thru 1+ quarters, then NCC started to pull away mid 2nd quarter. They stretched the lead out to 34 points at one point in early 4th quarter before mass substitutions. NCC shot very poorly from the field in the 1st quarter and then caught fire the rest of the game. Hopefully they won't be paired against Highlands in a first round district game this year, because both of those teams deserve to be in the Regional Tournament this year. I believe both of them have a chance to win the Region. Based on this game, the disparity between the #6 team and #10 team in the coaches poll is huge.

At Covington Catholic, I'd probably say Roger Tieman.

 

I never saw the Tieman boys or Randy Noll play, but I think Dave Rechtin deserves some recognition. I don't think that he was the best to ever play at CCH, but I think he's in the Top 5. IMO he and Schloemer were the two best players in the '78 class from the 9th Region and Rechtin deserved better than Bellarmine. If he had been a couple inches taller (6'-6" / 6'-7"), he probably would received some major offers. He was a tremendous athlete.

Don't know about the kids ability, but I believe his dad (Doug) is director of amateur scouting for the White Sox.

Wow!! NCC was very fortunate to lose a good coach and be able to have a school official w/coaching experience, along with his niece, ready to step in and take over on such short notice.

Is this a short term deal for Dawn, or is he grooming his niece to takeover? Rumor has it that NCC has no teaching positions open for the coming school year so they asked Ron to take the job for this year. Also, this has to hurt the NCC boys program in some way, because it seemed like Grant Brannen really relied on Dawn's knowledge during games.

Cooper was an all-around great move for Turner for several reasons and not having to deal with "unrealistic" expectations by parents is definitely one of them.

What were the "unrealistic" expectations that you speak of?

I've seen Coburn coach many times and my main concern is that he is in way over his head. This will be "on the job training" for him due to his lack of experience. IMO, everyone will need to be patient (girls, parents, administration, etc.) with him while he learns how to be a varsity coach and what it takes to coach at this level. Hopefully, he will get them in the gym after the "dead period" and get them some scrimmage games. This program will be interesting to watch over the next couple of years. Hopefully, they will be moving in the right direction.

He is in no way in over his head. What he lacks in terms of experience starting out, he will more than make up for with passion and preparation.

With Fall sports practices starting up 1 week after the dead period, he is at a real disadvantage. Between Golf, Soccer & Volleyball there can't be more than 1 or 2 girls who don't play a Fall sport. I don't think scrimmages would do much good because it seems to me he wouldn't have enough time to install

any offense or defense.

I think they are heading in the right direction. They did what was in the best interest of the Girls basketball program, not what was in the best interest of the Administration. I think it speaks volumes that the Administration was willing to hire a non teacher. I think someday he will be teaching there, but it doesn't look like it will be this year.

WOW!!! Sure thought they would have gotten someone with some experience. I don't believe he has any experience other than middle school at IHM and AAU. Good luck to the girls.

A very limited amount of applicants from what I've heard. Having said that, I believe the administration got this one right. It looks to me like they finally did what was in the best interest of the girls. Hiring from the middle school ranks is certainly not unprecedented this year. This is most certainly a huge upgrade from the previous coach. These girls will be much better prepared to do battle this year.

I heard the position was filled today - anyone know who filled it?

Brian Coburn, the JV coach at Holy Cross was hired today.

I think you are going to see another position open up soon, so St. Henry could be waiting on that.

I think 35+ days is PLENTY long enough to search. Please, give us a coach already.

Has anyone been hired yet?

I am not aware of anyone being hired. It looks like it will probably be early next week, just in time for the dead period.

I don't know what the administration is thinking. By dragging this on it is only hurting the girls. Hopefully, they are doing something on their own.

Here we are 7 days later and still...... Anyone think they'll have a new coach named anytime soon? I've heard that they have suffered the same fate as two years ago......a lack of applicants. It seemed like Holy Cross had their vacancy filled within roughly 4-5 days. St. Henry is 30+ days and still no hire. What in the Wide, Wide World of Sports is going on?

I read on another thread that Brian Coburn was being considered for the job. I don't know alot about him other than his coaching at IHM and AAU. Looks like they would be considering someone with high school experience.

I'm sure the AD's Inbox was not exactly overflowing with applications, so someone with High School coaching (I assume you mean Varsity) experience may be wishful thinking. Having said that, I've heard that a couple coaches feel he would be a very good choice if St. Henry goes in that direction. I'm sure they're wanting to hire a teacher / coach as they have in the past, and that may be slowing the process down. I've heard he wants to do both, but lacks experience in both.

I saw the JV team playing at NKU tonight. Brian Coburn was coaching them. Can someone tell me, is he the JV coach or just filling-in for someone?

He is the JV coach at Holy Cross although, rumor has it he has applied for the St. Henry job.

Any updates on this one?

I have heard there have been at least two interviews, and the possibility of a third person interviewed. Not doing themselves any favors by dragging their feet. The dead period starts in 14 days. The new coach could benefit from a couple sessions with the girls before then, particularly with no summer camp activity this summer.

She was a Senior this past season.

Bottom line, St. Henry now has a chance to get better with talent to build on. When you have solid seniors as they did this year (and the year before), and a player like Brooks to set your offense around, and plenty of seasoned young talent from the year before, there are no excuses. Turner does not know how to best utilize the talent she has had while at SHDHS. Time will tell at Cooper, but don't hold your breath.

Whoever ends up being the new hire will be at a big disadvantage right from the start. I hear there are no plans to do any team camps this summer. By the time the new coach is hired it will probably be right around the beginning of the dead period. After the dead period ends, the Fall sports will begin practicing. The new coach will get very little, if any, evaluation time with the players before October 15th. I believe almost all of their girls play a Fall sport. They will not have spent much time with a basketball this summer. This will make for even more difficult transition period come October.

Who are the other Asst?

Currently, Kyla Brady is the JV coach and Flora Fields is the Freshman coach.

great news for SHDHS, now she can go screw up Cooper too. Poor coach, does not know the game and sets a poor example and many young players were not going to play for her. Plus her Dad leaves with her. A great opportunity for staff to take over! A nightmare at St Henry is over!!!

Are you referring to someone on the current staff or just suggesting it's a great opportunity for any new staff?