[kywldcat01]

I wonder what Cotton's status will be after his baseball injury?

I was wondering the same thing...didn't he have surgery to his eye or jaw?

[Holmes/UKfan]

The light skinned kid name is Jakeith maybe?

Yes that's it and I can't believe I forgot. But as kywildcats said, isn't physically mature enough.

[qryche11]

IMO if there is going to be a team that knocks off Holmes it will be Highlands. Like KYwildcat stated they are playing the Dogs at home and they have outstanding depth. Stephen K has been balling this summer with the Shining Stars and scoring double digits in games with top National competition. Watson/Lother/Grubbs/Gordon/Grote /Dill also have been on AAU teams that have competed at a National level but on different teams. Stewart is a 6'6 Jr who has played with the NKY Bulldogs and they have been playing some top level competition. The Dogs may have the 3 big name players in the Johnson's and Pittman but from top to bottom the Birds have more talent IMO and with them playing at home it is their game to lose.

[nkysportsblog]

Jakeith is his name...he is alright but won't be a contributor for Holmes this year and probably not next year either. He just doesn't have the size or strength to play at that level yet.

When I spoke to Kevon, he said the following players would be the main contributors for Holmes this coming season:

Starters:

R. Johnson, J. Johnson, Rice, Pittman, Avery/Mayfield

Bench:
Avery/Mayfield, Slusher, Gray, Hayes, Mcclendon

After those 5, you could see D. Rice and Collins get some time, but not until probably mid season. Dontel has the best shot at playing this year as a sophomore. He's the only one that will be physically big and strong enough.

Dang... Sounds like Kevon is running the program this year.

[nkysportsblog]

IMO if there is going to be a team that knocks off Holmes it will be Highlands. Like KYwildcat stated they are playing the Dogs at home and they have outstanding depth. Stephen K has been balling this summer with the Shining Stars and scoring double digits in games with top National competition. Watson/Lother/Grubbs/Gordon/Grote /Dill also have been on AAU teams that have competed at a National level but on different teams. Stewart is a 6'6 Jr who has played with the NKY Bulldogs and they have been playing some top level competition. The Dogs may have the 3 big name players in the Johnson's and Pittman but from top to bottom the Birds have more talent IMO and with them playing at home it is their game to lose.

Hey Q maybe you can help me... Where was Stewart last year? I've been asking around because I can't remember him playing on varsity or JV last year for Highlands... Am I missing something?

[Stardust]

I was wondering the same thing...didn't he have surgery to his eye or jaw?

Nasty injury - took an 85+ MPH fastball in the face two weekends ago while he was squared around for a suicide squeeze. Scariest thing I have ever seen. Anyhow, caved in three teeth, lost one, and split the bone at the roof of his mouth. Surgery last Monday, which he came out of it just fine. He expects to train for Basketball, but I will not be shocked if he sits out.

[tezzy859]

IMO if there is going to be a team that knocks off Holmes it will be Highlands. Like KYwildcat stated they are playing the Dogs at home and they have outstanding depth. Stephen K has been balling this summer with the Shining Stars and scoring double digits in games with top National competition. Watson/Lother/Grubbs/Gordon/Grote /Dill also have been on AAU teams that have competed at a National level but on different teams. Stewart is a 6'6 Jr who has played with the NKY Bulldogs and they have been playing some top level competition. The Dogs may have the 3 big name players in the Johnson's and Pittman but from top to bottom the Birds have more talent IMO and with them playing at home it is their game to lose.

I agree Highlands has a chance to beat Holmes due to the fact the game is at Highlands. But no way Highlands has more talent than Holmes top to bottom. This will be Henley's deepest team ever at Holmes. The Bulldogs are coming in with 5 of the top 12 players in the region. Holmes is so deep there is a chance Avery won't start. Holmes has more than the big three. Also can't forget about NCC and Ryle both of them teams has a chance to be just as good as Highlands.

[Stardust]

I agree Highlands has a chance to beat Holmes due to the fact the game is at Highlands. But no way Highlands has more talent than Holmes top to bottom. This will be Henley's deepest team ever at Holmes. The Bulldogs are coming in with 5 of the top 12 players in the region. Holmes is so deep there is a chance Avery won't start. Holmes has more than the big three. Also can't forget about NCC and Ryle both of them teams has a chance to be just as good as Highlands.

It's certainly possible, Boone County was very good last year, but certainly not in the same caliber of Holmes. BC upset the Dawgs, I could see an upset happen if Holmes goes through a similar flat spurt like they did this past season.

[kywldcat01]

Dang... Sounds like Kevon is running the program this year.

Never said he was running the program. But with him being a little closer to those underclassmen (sophomores) that I haven't seen, I think he'd know more about them and their game than myself. The only ones I've had an opportunity to see are the Jakeith kid and Dontel Rice.

I think everyone knows that their starting lineup will consist of the Johnson Brothers, Pittman, Rice, and Avery. After those 5, the only two that are sure to come off the bench are Slusher are Mayfield.

We won't know until the season starts whether or not players like Gray, Hayes, Mcclendon, D. Rice, and Herndon will see any time.

[kywldcat01]

Hey Q maybe you can help me... Where was Stewart last year? I've been asking around because I can't remember him playing on varsity or JV last year for Highlands... Am I missing something?

Stewart played JV last season for Highlands. Didn't see much, if any, varsity time. I believe he only played in 4 or 5 games.

[kywldcat01]

Nasty injury - took an 85+ MPH fastball in the face two weekends ago while he was squared around for a suicide squeeze. Scariest thing I have ever seen. Anyhow, caved in three teeth, lost one, and split the bone at the roof of his mouth. Surgery last Monday, which he came out of it just fine. He expects to train for Basketball, but I will not be shocked if he sits out.

I knew his injury was bad but didn't hear any of the details of it. Hopefully he'll have a speedy recovery and be ready come basketball season.

Cotton is going to be a key piece to the Rebels this year. His athleticism is matched by very few in the nky area. (not including the Holmes guys)

[kywldcat01]

I agree Highlands has a chance to beat Holmes due to the fact the game is at Highlands. But no way Highlands has more talent than Holmes top to bottom. This will be Henley's deepest team ever at Holmes. The Bulldogs are coming in with 5 of the top 12 players in the region. Holmes is so deep there is a chance Avery won't start. Holmes has more than the big three. Also can't forget about NCC and Ryle both of them teams has a chance to be just as good as Highlands.

Top to bottom, Highlands has more size and is deeper than Holmes, but I agree they don't have more talent.

Johnson Brothers, Pittman, Rice, and Avery are all top 10 players in the 9th region. The only Highlands player I'd put in the top 10 is Kowolonek, who is a top 5 player, IMO, behind only JJ, Rico, and Eli.

What separates Highlands from the other teams around the region is the depth they have in the front court. Grubbs (6'5), Watson (6'5), Dill (6'4), Smith-Keller (6'5), and Stewart (6'6) are going to make it very tough for opposing teams down low. All have size and are very strong.

[tezzy859]

Top to bottom, Highlands has more size and is deeper than Holmes, but I agree they don't have more talent.

Johnson Brothers, Pittman, Rice, and Avery are all top 10 players in the 9th region. The only Highlands player I'd put in the top 10 is Kowolonek, who is a top 5 player, IMO, behind only JJ, Rico, and Eli.

What separates Highlands from the other teams around the region is the depth they have in the front court. Grubbs (6'5), Watson (6'5), Dill (6'4), Smith-Keller (6'5), and Stewart (6'6) are going to make it very tough for opposing teams down low. All have size and are very strong.

I agree Highlands front court is stacked. As I stated in another thread I think Highlands has the best chance to beat Holmes in the 9th. I don't want to seem like I'm taking away from Highlands because I respect the players they have. But IMHO I think this will be Henley's most athletic and most talented team he has had at Holmes. That says a lot considering what they have done the last three years. Highlands is my number #2, but I think the gap between #1 and #2 will not be as close as it was last year. Now 2-5 will be just about even [Highlands, Boone, and Ryle]. With Highlands having a slight advantage over the other two. But I could see Rye giving Highlands everything they want and maybe even beating them. I think Highlands will handle Boone in a head to head match up.

[kywldcat01]

I agree Highlands front court is stacked. As I stated in another thread I think Highlands has the best chance to beat Holmes in the 9th. I don't want to seem like I'm taking away from Highlands because I respect the players they have. But IMHO I think this will be Henley's most athletic and most talented team he has had at Holmes. That says a lot considering what they have done the last three years. Highlands is my number #2, but I think the gap between #1 and #2 will not be as close as it was last year. Now 2-5 will be just about even [Highlands, Boone, and Ryle]. With Highlands having a slight advantage over the other two. But I could see Rye giving Highlands everything they want and maybe even beating them. I think Highlands will handle Boone in a head to head match up.

I agree in regards to Holmes.

I was just saying I think Highlands is the clear cut #2 and while Ryle will be solid this year, I don't think they have what it takes to beat Highlands. Highlands has the beef down low to guard Nichols (Grubbs) and are physical enough to frustrate players like Stauffer and Vollet with Watson, Dill, Smith-Keller, and Stewart. The one advantage I would give Ryle over Highlands though is their guards are considerably bigger. Ryle will have a size advantage over a lot of teams in the 9th and if they utitlize this, they'll be very tough to defend.

[nkysportsblog]

Stewart played JV last season for Highlands. Didn't see much, if any, varsity time. I believe he only played in 4 or 5 games.

That's weird. Did he miss any time?

I can't believe I missed a 6-foot-6 kid that is coordinated and fairly skilled at the JV level last year.

[kywldcat01]

That's weird. Did he miss any time?

I can't believe I missed a 6-foot-6 kid that is coordinated and fairly skilled at the JV level last year.

I think he may have suffered an injury sometime in January and missed some time but not 100% sure.

[qryche11]

Hey Q maybe you can help me... Where was Stewart last year? I've been asking around because I can't remember him playing on varsity or JV last year for Highlands... Am I missing something?

Stewart has been in the program since grade school and shot up his 9th grade year to 6'5 and is now supposedly 6'6. He played JV last season but never really saw the floor in a varsity game. I dont think anyone in the sophomore class saw more than 5 min the entire year. Crowley played a little more toward the end of the season when Grote struggled and was sick in the Regional tourney. Stewart has improved a ton and has nice offensive skills. IMO you cant teach 6'6 and if he can get some good minutes this year as well as continue to play with some top notch AAU teams he could develop into a college prospect. He has been soft in the past though so I guess we will have to see how he does this season. With that said it will still be tough for him to see a ton of minutes considering the Birds will have 8 Seniors that will log a ton of minutes.

[Stardust]

Stewart has been in the program since grade school and shot up his 9th grade year to 6'5 and is now supposedly 6'6. He played JV last season but never really saw the floor in a varsity game. I dont think anyone in the sophomore class saw more than 5 min the entire year. Crowley played a little more toward the end of the season when Grote struggled and was sick in the Regional tourney. Stewart has improved a ton and has nice offensive skills. IMO you cant teach 6'6 and if he can get some good minutes this year as well as continue to play with some top notch AAU teams he could develop into a college prospect. He has been soft in the past though so I guess we will have to see how he does this season. With that said it will still be tough for him to see a ton of minutes considering the Birds will have 8 Seniors that will log a ton of minutes.

Jack is a very solid player. I had the chance to coach, and coach against this young man and the rest of the incoming Juniors for several years. That's a pretty talented class of athletes.

[nkysportsblog]

Stewart has been in the program since grade school and shot up his 9th grade year to 6'5 and is now supposedly 6'6. He played JV last season but never really saw the floor in a varsity game. I dont think anyone in the sophomore class saw more than 5 min the entire year. Crowley played a little more toward the end of the season when Grote struggled and was sick in the Regional tourney. Stewart has improved a ton and has nice offensive skills. IMO you cant teach 6'6 and if he can get some good minutes this year as well as continue to play with some top notch AAU teams he could develop into a college prospect. He has been soft in the past though so I guess we will have to see how he does this season. With that said it will still be tough for him to see a ton of minutes considering the Birds will have 8 Seniors that will log a ton of minutes.

I'll say it right now... It doesn't matter that the Birds have all those seniors.

Stewart needs to be on the court. I saw him in the Take 5ive and he will be among the top bigs in the 9th if he gets playing time. He will have to get stronger over the next year but they need to get him on the court. Like you said... you can't teach 6'6".

[qryche11]

Jack is a very solid player. I had the chance to coach, and coach against this young man and the rest of the incoming Juniors for several years. That's a pretty talented class of athletes.

I hope your right. I know Ryan Egan is a sharpshooter and Crowley has improved a lot but other than that I don't know if there are any other Juniors that can contribute legit varsity minutes next season. Just too crowded with all those Seniors. Stewart obviously has improved and grown and will need to see the floor.

[Stardust]

I hope your right. I know Ryan Egan is a sharpshooter and Crowley has improved a lot but other than that I don't know if there are any other Juniors that can contribute legit varsity minutes next season. Just too crowded with all those Seniors. Stewart obviously has improved and grown and will need to see the floor.

Is Seidel playing?

[qryche11]

Is Seidel playing?

I am not sure, he could or stick with drinking the football kool aid. He has really stepped up on the gridiron and will contribute this year as a Jr.

[kywldcat01]

Anyone know if Nichols is playing this year or not? I've heard he may not play and just concentrate on football his whole senior year.

[Stardust]

I am not sure, he could or stick with drinking the football kool aid. He has really stepped up on the gridiron and will contribute this year as a Jr.

I love his competitiveness. I had the chance to coach him in the Ft. Thomas leauge in the 4th grade, and coached him and against him in AAU Basketball. I love this kids fire.