[mahb7878]

Holmes was in control of this game by double digits from the start, Taking off to a 17-2 lead and never looking back. In fact the only quarter Beechwood scored over double digit points was the 4th. Ricardo Johnson, JJ never played in the fourth I believe and Elijah Pittman never re-entered the game after picking up his 3rd foul with 6 minutes left in the 3rd. Holmes lead by as many as 28 with just over a minute to go in the 3rd. Beechwood went on an 11-3 run closing out the last minute of the 3rd and first couple of minutes of the fourth to get back within 20 and the teams traded baskets from there on until the end when Beechwood knocked down a 3 ball to bring you the final of 61-43

[mahb7878]

Scoring for Holmes

R.Johnson 13 (all in 1st quarter)
J.Johnson 13 (7 in first Half)
Rice 9
Pittman 4 (all in first quarter)
Herndon 8
Hayes 7
Slusher 2
Avery 2
Gray 2
Reese 1

Rebounds
Holmes-44
Bwood - 27

FG%
HHS 45%
BHS 36%

FT%
HHS 56%
BHS 38%

Holmes scored 21 points off turnovers as well

Polgheers lead Beechwood with 12 points

[hoonsaunglee]

yikes, holmes got hot from 3 early scored 24 in the first, glad to see them pressing more and right out the gate. beechwood didn't get 24 till the end of the third, and didn't have any offensive rhythm at all going tonight.

[jalfzou]

Game was never in doubt. Just as important, Holmes didn't go to sleep for 4-minute stretches, which has been their nemesis of late. What really impressed me was that the 'Dogs drove to the bucket, especially in the second half, rather than settle for jump shots. Based on one game, I think it's safe to say that Holmes has taken its game to a higher level for the start of the playoffs.

[mahb7878]

Game was never in doubt. Just as important, Holmes didn't go to sleep for 4-minute stretches, which has been their nemesis of late. What really impressed me was that the 'Dogs drove to the bucket, especially in the second half, rather than settle for jump shots. Based on one game, I think it's safe to say that Holmes has taken its game to a higher level for the start of the playoffs.

There is no doubt in my mind that the level of focus was gonna increase at this time of the year for Elijah Pittman, Ricardo and Jerimiah Johnson. This is not there first rodeo, they know its all or nothing, but I don't like the fact they have that light switch that they turn on and off so much. Hopefully this game is a sign of things to come Friday vs Cov Cath and into the regions, and hopefully at Rupp.

[mahb7878]

I tell you what I wasn't there, just listened on the broadcast, but I was pleasently surprised with the play of Herndon and Hayes tonight, also K. Rice... Rice had a short period where he was clumsy with the basketball, a couple turnovers and missed layups in like 4 straight possessions, but other than that he played great on both ends from what I heard

[hoonsaunglee]

herndon has always impressed me defensively, but his ability to play point at times i think improves the bulldogs offense. and i know hayes has been known to hit the three ball, but he had a tip-in and a putback...pretty impressive for his size. jaydayle, chris and pierre all have some nice speed and quick hands, i was a bit worried as we know holmes has gone up big in many first quarters to see it only dwindle away as the game goes on, but the turnovers and points off of them were a big stat here.

[kywldcat01]

For those who were wondering if Holmes was going to step it up come tourney time, I think tonight was your answer. Dogs flat out got after it at both ends of the floor, and if not for sitting their starters the last 12 minutes of the game, probably could've won by 40.

First quarter, Holmes scored 4 straight on back to back baskets by brothers Ricardo and Jeremiah Johnson in the first 24 seconds of the game. Beechwood responded with a bucket at the other end to make it 4-2, but Holmes would respond with a 13-0 run to make it 17-2 Dogs. During the run, JJ and Ricardo combined for 11 points, as both traded 3's on 3 straight possessions for Holmes. Beechwood would go on a mini 4-0 run to make it 17-6, but Holmes would close the quarter on a 7-2 run that was keyed by 5 Ricardo Johnson points, including a 3 at the buzzer to send the game in to the second Holmes 24, Beechwood 8.

Second quarter things would get a little interesting after Pittman picked up his second foul and was sent to the bench with 6:31 left until half and Holmes up 25-8 after a Herndon free throw. Holmes would increase their lead to 27-9 with 5:21 left and Beechwood would call a timeout. At this point, Ricardo Johnson already had 13 points. Both teams traded baskets the rest of the half and Holmes would take a 34-17 lead in to the half.

Third quarter, Holmes would score first to extend their lead to 36-17 but on the next possession, Pittman would be sent to the bench for the rest of the game with his 3rd foul at the 6:03 mark. Pittman's absence wouldn't slow the Dogs down though. In the next 5 minutes, Holmes' lead would swell to 29 points (49-20) after a 13-3 run that was capped by a Jeremiah Johnson jumper with a little over a minute to go in the third. After this basket, Henley put Herndon, Hayes, Gray, McClendon, and Rice in and those 4 would play the next 8 minutes. Beechwood would score back to back baskets against this group to make the score Holmes 49 Beechwood 24 at the end of 3.

Fourth quarter, Hayes scored the first 3 points for Holmes on 1 free throw and a tip in to make the score 52-24, but the Beechwood starters would go on a 8-0 run to close the gap to 20 at 52-32 against Holmes reserves. Holmes would go on a 5-0 run after this, keyed by 4 points from Hayes, to push their lead back out to 25 at 57-32 and with 256 remaining, Holmes would clear their bench. Beechwood would leave Maus, Hall, Nussbaum, and Cruse in during this time. Tigers closed the game on an 11-4 run to give you the final of 61-43 in favor of the Covington squad.

[kywldcat01]

Box Score:

Beechwood (17-11) - Pohlgeers 4 3 12, Fangman 4 1 10, Cruse 3 1 8, Daniels 2 1 5, Nussbaum 1 0 3, Maus 1 1 3, Barry 1 0 2. Totals 16 7 43.

Holmes (22-5) - J.Johnson 6 0 13, R.Johnson 3 4 13, Rice 3 3 9, Herndon 3 2 8, Hayes 3 1 7, Pittman 2 0 4, Gray 1 0 2, Slusher 1 0 2, Avery 0 2 2, Reese 0 1 1. Totals 22 13 61.

Beechwood 8 9 7 19 - 43
Holmes 24 10 15 12 - 61

3-pointers: B 4 (Cruse, Fangman, Nussbaum, Pohlgeers). H 4 (R.Johnson 3, J.Johnson).

[kywldcat01]

From nky.com:

Holmes 61, Beechwood 43: The Bulldogs scored two baskets in the first 23 seconds and jumped out to a 17-2 lead against Beechwood with a 13-0 run in Wednesday's second semifinal of the 35th District tournament.

Brothers Ricardo and Jeremiah Johnson each scored 13 points for Holmes (22-5).

John Pohlgeers led Beechwood (17-11) with 12 points.

"We're looking forward to playing CovCath," said Jeremiah Johnson, who added team-high totals of seven rebounds and three steals. "It's their home court, so we need to come back in here and see if we can beat them."

The Bulldogs, winners of nine straight, defeated the Colonels by 16 points in January at Holmes.

"We're pretty focused right now," Holmes coach David Henley said. "But CovCath can be trouble in here. They can shoot the ball. Thelen is a good post player. Wellbrock is a good rebounder. They've got good size. It should be a nice game."

[Scotty doesn't know]

That 17-2 lead really put the game away quick. Holmes seems to be moving along pretty good right now. I wonder how deep they can make it this year. Congrats!!

[kywldcat01]

That 17-2 lead really put the game away quick. Holmes seems to be moving along pretty good right now. I wonder how deep they can make it this year. Congrats!!

If they continue to press and apply the same pressure defensively that they played with last night, I don't see too many teams beating them.

I said it after the Ryle loss and I'll say it again...Elijah Pittman and Ricardo Johnson won't let this team lose another game to a NKY team.

IF they lose again, it won't be until the state tournament rolls around.

[jalfzou]

The two teams that should scare Holmes fans are NewCath in the regional and Christian County in the first round of the Sweet 16, if Holmes survives the regional. And I guess we can throw Ryle into the mix, too, based on the fact that Raiders held Conner to 20-something points in district play last night and beat Holmes during the regular season ... although, as I have pointed out previously, that win came after Holmes had a 10-day layoff.

[tezzy859]

If they continue to press and apply the same pressure defensively that they played with last night, I don't see too many teams beating them.

I said it after the Ryle loss and I'll say it again...Elijah Pittman and Ricardo Johnson won't let this team lose another game to a NKY team.

IF they lose again, it won't be until the state tournament rolls around.

When the lights come on in March, Rico, J.J, and Eli have a razor like focus. They refuse to lose when all the chips are on the table......Holmes has a chance to reach some real milestones this year.( 5 of 6 9th region championship, 4 straight final fours, 3 straight state championship games, and two state titles). Me, personally I think they are going to do it (win it all). The senior class has alreay turned out to be the greatest in Holmes history and might just go down as one of the best this state has ever seen. With that said GO BULLDOGS!!!!!!

[justabballfan]

For those who were wondering if Holmes was going to step it up come tourney time, I think tonight was your answer. Dogs flat out got after it at both ends of the floor, and if not for sitting their starters the last 12 minutes of the game, probably could've won by 40.

First quarter, Holmes scored 4 straight on back to back baskets by brothers Ricardo and Jeremiah Johnson in the first 24 seconds of the game. Beechwood responded with a bucket at the other end to make it 4-2, but Holmes would respond with a 13-0 run to make it 17-2 Dogs. During the run, JJ and Ricardo combined for 11 points, as both traded 3's on 3 straight possessions for Holmes. Beechwood would go on a mini 4-0 run to make it 17-6, but Holmes would close the quarter on a 7-2 run that was keyed by 5 Ricardo Johnson points, including a 3 at the buzzer to send the game in to the second Holmes 24, Beechwood 8.

Second quarter things would get a little interesting after Pittman picked up his second foul and was sent to the bench with 6:31 left until half and Holmes up 25-8 after a Herndon free throw. Holmes would increase their lead to 27-9 with 5:21 left and Beechwood would call a timeout. At this point, Ricardo Johnson already had 13 points. Both teams traded baskets the rest of the half and Holmes would take a 34-17 lead in to the half.

Third quarter, Holmes would score first to extend their lead to 36-17 but on the next possession, Pittman would be sent to the bench for the rest of the game with his 3rd foul at the 6:03 mark. Pittman's absence wouldn't slow the Dogs down though. In the next 5 minutes, Holmes' lead would swell to 29 points (49-20) after a 13-3 run that was capped by a Jeremiah Johnson jumper with a little over a minute to go in the third. After this basket, Henley put Herndon, Hayes, Gray, McClendon, and Rice in and those 4 would play the next 8 minutes. Beechwood would score back to back baskets against this group to make the score Holmes 49 Beechwood 24 at the end of 3.

Fourth quarter, Hayes scored the first 3 points for Holmes on 1 free throw and a tip in to make the score 52-24, but the Beechwood starters would go on a 8-0 run to close the gap to 20 at 52-32 against Holmes reserves. Holmes would go on a 5-0 run after this, keyed by 4 points from Hayes, to push their lead back out to 25 at 57-32 and with 256 remaining, Holmes would clear their bench. Beechwood would leave Maus, Hall, Nussbaum, and Cruse in during this time. Tigers closed the game on an 11-4 run to give you the final of 61-43 in favor of the Covington squad.

I really don't know what kind of team Beechwood has, but I will say that If Holmes comes out of the gate and plays at their potential on both ends of the court for the entire game it will be very hard for someone to stay with them. I think that in some of the games they've lost or the games that have been tighter than they should've been was due to Holmes slacking on effort a little, because it definetley wasn't due to lack of their talent and I sort of figured too they would step it up a little when post season started.

[kywldcat01]

The two teams that should scare Holmes fans are NewCath in the regional and Christian County in the first round of the Sweet 16, if Holmes survives the regional. And I guess we can throw Ryle into the mix, too, based on the fact that Raiders held Conner to 20-something points in district play last night and beat Holmes during the regular season ... although, as I have pointed out previously, that win came after Holmes had a 10-day layoff.

Newcath is the team that worries me most. I don't think Ryle would be able play within 5 points of Holmes in a rematch. Teams haven't fared too well agaisnt the Dogs in a rematch after beating them during the regular season in the past few years.

Holmes is very focused right now and I guarantee nobody in the 9th wants to have to beat this team in a one and done situation.

[kywldcat01]

When the lights come on in March, Rico, J.J, and Eli have a razor like focus. They refuse to lose when all the chips are on the table......Holmes has a chance to reach some real milestones this year.( 5 of 6 9th region championship, 4 straight final fours, 3 straight state championship games, and two state titles). Me, personally I think they are going to do it (win it all). The senior class has alreay turned out to be the greatest in Holmes history and might just go down as one of the best this state has ever seen. With that said GO BULLDOGS!!!!!!

I agree. Henley said it best when he made the comment "When these kids have their backs against the wall, they always seem to respond."

Still a lot of basketball to be played though. Let's take one game at a time. If this team plays to it's capabilities though, they will indeed reach all of the milestones that you mentioned.