Well this is starting to become a theme with the 35th district tournament; quite possibly the two best teams in the region battling it out first in their district finals. Last year it was CovCath who prevailed in the district, but Holmes stole the show in the regional tournament and made the trip down to Rupp for the State Tournament. While CovCath is really playing well right now, and proved that last night with their play against Holy Cross, I don't see them beating Holmes. They would have to shoot as well as they did last night if not better and against a much tougher defense in Holmes. I just don't see it happening. Holmes' athleticism is unparalleled in NKY and will really prove to be the difference in this one. Expect a big night out of Arrez Henderson (20+ points). I say Holmes in a close one.
Final Score- Holmes 57 CCH 53
Friday, February 29, 2008
CCH 61 HC 51
If you've seen these teams play in the past few years then you've pretty much seen this one already. Big Crowd, great atmosphere, lots of emotion, great game..... for three quarters. Sorrell was pretty much what you'd expect out of him, 28 points 13 rebounds. Sorrell had to force a lot to try to make things happen. Other than Giwa, he didn't get much help. CovCath on the other hand shot the ball well all night. Shover, Bondick, and Grimes all had nice nights from the field. Holy Cross kept it close til about the five minute mark in the fourth quarter. HC made a bizarre decision to go to a 2-3 zone and paid for it. CCH went on a big run and never looked back. Colonels advance to the finals to face Holmes. I'll post my predictions tomorrow.
CCH-61- Shover 21, Roll 2, Bondick 14, Maile 6, Grimes 11, Schmerge 7.
HC- 51- Sorrell 28, Volpenhein 2, Giwa 10, Roenker 5, Eastin 6
CCH-61- Shover 21, Roll 2, Bondick 14, Maile 6, Grimes 11, Schmerge 7.
HC- 51- Sorrell 28, Volpenhein 2, Giwa 10, Roenker 5, Eastin 6
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
9th Region Tournament at Bank of Kentucky Center Next Year
Article just posted on NKY.com this morning. Looks like the boys and girls 9th Region Tournaments will be hosted by the Bank of Kentucky Center for the next 3 years starting in 2009.
NKY.com Article
NKY.com Article
Blue Lightning and Bluebirds Advance
Well it turns out I was half right in my two predictions for yesterday. Villa did manage to beat Ludlow again and gain their first 9th region tournament bid. I was pretty close on the final score as well (60-59). Stephen Love had 19 including the game-winning three. Blake Bryan chipped in with 16. The score of that Highlands Newcath game really surprised me (60-40). Beiting did guard Simpson instead of Pangallo and was able to hold him to nine(Three of them coming on a huge halftime buzzer beater). The 'Breds went zone a fair amount in the second half, and McGraw is who really killed them. He finished with a game-high 25 points. There weren't any 'Breds in double figures.
Monday, February 25, 2008
1st Round District Matchups and Predictions
There are some very good first round matchups at hand this week for the opening round of the district tournaments. Newcath and Highlands matching up in the first round is case and point why we need to get away from blind-drawing the district matchups, but that argument's another time another place; here's a good link to an enquirer article about it http://news.nky.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20080225/SPT0302/802250367. Anyways here's my thoughts and predictions on a couple of the better first round matchups.
34th District
Ludlow vs Villa Madonna
This game should be an interesting one. This strong Villa team has a legitimate chance to make it to the regional tournament for the first time ever. Ludlow is the host school for the 34th district tournament so the Panthers have the homecourt advantage. However, I think the homecourt advantage won't be enough and Blake Bryan will score 25+ leading the Blue Lightning to the finals.
Final Score- VMA 65 LHS 59
35th District
Holy Cross vs Covington Catholic
This one is a classic waiting to happen. First meeting between these teams Corey Sorrell willed his Indians into overtime, but came up short. There's no secret about it, Sorrell will have to carry this HC team and then some in order to pull off the upset. Fortunately, for the Indians the Colonels really don't have a good matchup for Sorrell. CovCath has been pretty strong this season but not very dominant. I expect CCH to let the Indians hang around until the 4th quarter, and despite 30+ from Sorrell, the Colonels advance to face Holmes in the finals.
Final Score- CCH 56 HC49
36th District
Newcath vs Highlands
A shame that one of these teams won't be playing in this year's regional tournament. However, it makes for an awesome first round matchup. In the first matchup between these two teams early in the year Highlands won by 16. It was one of the first games back for most of the football players on both sides which probably hurt NCC the most. The key to this game will be who NCC matches up with Nic Simpson. Last meeting 5'6" point guard Grant Pangallo tried to match up with him and it didn't work out. If the 'Breds plan on using that same defensive strategy expect Highlands to win. Newcath however is peaking at the right time with a big win over Holmes last week. I think Simpson, fresh off his hand injury, is slowed down by the 'Breds and Jeremie Conner gets off for 15+ in a NCC victory.
Final Score- NCC 51 HHS 47
There are some very good first round matchups at hand this week for the opening round of the district tournaments. Newcath and Highlands matching up in the first round is case and point why we need to get away from blind-drawing the district matchups, but that argument's another time another place; here's a good link to an enquirer article about it http://news.nky.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20080225/SPT0302/802250367. Anyways here's my thoughts and predictions on a couple of the better first round matchups.
34th District
Ludlow vs Villa Madonna
This game should be an interesting one. This strong Villa team has a legitimate chance to make it to the regional tournament for the first time ever. Ludlow is the host school for the 34th district tournament so the Panthers have the homecourt advantage. However, I think the homecourt advantage won't be enough and Blake Bryan will score 25+ leading the Blue Lightning to the finals.
Final Score- VMA 65 LHS 59
35th District
Holy Cross vs Covington Catholic
This one is a classic waiting to happen. First meeting between these teams Corey Sorrell willed his Indians into overtime, but came up short. There's no secret about it, Sorrell will have to carry this HC team and then some in order to pull off the upset. Fortunately, for the Indians the Colonels really don't have a good matchup for Sorrell. CovCath has been pretty strong this season but not very dominant. I expect CCH to let the Indians hang around until the 4th quarter, and despite 30+ from Sorrell, the Colonels advance to face Holmes in the finals.
Final Score- CCH 56 HC49
36th District
Newcath vs Highlands
A shame that one of these teams won't be playing in this year's regional tournament. However, it makes for an awesome first round matchup. In the first matchup between these two teams early in the year Highlands won by 16. It was one of the first games back for most of the football players on both sides which probably hurt NCC the most. The key to this game will be who NCC matches up with Nic Simpson. Last meeting 5'6" point guard Grant Pangallo tried to match up with him and it didn't work out. If the 'Breds plan on using that same defensive strategy expect Highlands to win. Newcath however is peaking at the right time with a big win over Holmes last week. I think Simpson, fresh off his hand injury, is slowed down by the 'Breds and Jeremie Conner gets off for 15+ in a NCC victory.
Final Score- NCC 51 HHS 47
Dixie Heights 66, Boone County 53
I had the opportunity to broadcast this game Friday night. It was originally supposed to be on Thursday but got pushed back due to weather. I was kind of shocked by the outcome, as I knew Dixie was good, but not this good. Here's some quick notes that came to mind as I was broadcasting:
- Luke Mace really didn't play a whole lot not sure if it was because of the tempo of the game (very fast) or Pompilio really stepping it up off the bench but I love Mace's agressiveness with the dunk. Every chance he gets he throws one down. Got to see two of them last night in the 2nd half.
- Where did Stephon Pompilio come from? This is only the second time I have seen Dixie play this year but I haven't heard his name at all. This kid looked like the real deal last night. Good mid-range jumper pulled Earls away from the basket and enabled him to drive past him several times and showed the ability to adjust his shot and finish around the basket.
Disappointing to not see Krohman have a big game on Senior Night he just wasn't on, and credit Dixie's defense for making him work hard just to get a shot off.
-Andy Earls has really developed as a player since last year. This is the second time I've seen him now and he looks like a completely different player from last year on the offensive end. He's going to get even better to watch out for him.
-Aubrey Carter might be the most underrated PG in NKY. He did an outstanding job last night controlling the ball for Dixie against a tough Boone press. He is a great drive and dish guy, and had three very good aggressive drives to the basket that really impressed me in the 2nd half. He could probably look to score more if he wanted to, but I don't think that's what he's being asked to do on this team.
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