16th Region 2009/10

Squid · 10-04-2009, 03:54 PM

The 16th will be a battle between Fairview and East Carter.

Ashland has a chance to shake someone up, and is capable of beating either of the two top dogs, if they aren't hitting on a given night.

Squid · 10-04-2009, 08:40 PM

4real Wrote:Russell also gets back thier problem, Kidwell.

Kidwell is a solid coach. His teams will play hard, and they will be prepared for their opponents - both offensively and defensively.

Like the vast majority of coaches, the biggest determining factor for his success (or lack thereof) will be the talent he has at his disposal.

gapman · 10-06-2009, 01:02 AM

Captain Kangaroo Wrote:Fairview is going to be solid. I think they have to be the favorite in the 16th region.

They have some new chemistry issues to work through. New coach and a new star coming in. Also, both of these changes happened after summer ball so it wil take some time IMO. Of course, everyone would like to have a 6'5 problem like that to have to work around. Good luck to the 'younger' Cooksey!

You have to like Ashland's outlook for the next 3 years and beyond. With the addition of Corey Gregg to shore up the inside game things have to be chipper on Blazer Blvd. All of a sudden things are looking a lot more competitive in the 16th! Good competition can't do a thing but help everybody.:Clap:

Fred Sanford · 10-08-2009, 11:20 AM

How in the world will Gregg be eligible? Old man Cooksey is going to be an assistant. Is that a good idea?

garbageman · 10-08-2009, 11:27 AM

Fred Sanford Wrote:How in the world will Gregg be eligible? Old man Cooksey is going to be an assistant. Is that a good idea?

Good question.

Squid · 10-08-2009, 12:28 PM

Fred Sanford Wrote:How in the world will Gregg be eligible?

Who knows if Gregg will be eligible? As of now, he isn't eligible. Like anyone else in the community, he is elgible to play in the Open Gym games, just as Mike Terry was able to play in the open gyms at Fairview. As for that matter, anyone can play in the open gyms - adult or student.

If the KHSAA rules him eligible, then that will be a completely different situation. As of now, I believe that Ashland has taken the approach that he is not eligible this season.

Fred Sanford Wrote:Old man Cooksey is going to be an assistant. Is that a good idea?

Obviously, Rex brings a ton of experience to Fairview's bench. He (again, obviously) knows the head coach and the players. If the administration of the Fairview school system is comfortable with him, and Derrick wants him, I don't see why he shouldn't be on the bench.

devilhorns05 · 10-10-2009, 10:21 PM

Russell and Raceland could really be a pest to alot of teams I believe.

old warrior · 10-11-2009, 04:31 AM

GOREDDEVILS Wrote:Not so fast I think Russell will take Greenup County's spot in the regional tournament I mean Russell was awful last year(5-24) and still beat out Greenup in the district. Everyone is back for Russell except two seniors from last year Andrew Hogg, Ross May and those wasn't even our best players.

Greenup County has Hampton, Willams and Lithicum, returning and are big and athletic.:notworthy

LIB MRDux · 10-13-2009, 03:19 PM

old warrior Wrote:Greenup County has Hampton, Willams and Lithicum, returning and are big and athletic.:notworthy

Guard play will determine Greenup's success or lack thereof.

Captain Kangaroo · 10-17-2009, 12:13 PM

Wonder how long it will be before anyone mentions Boyd Co as a contender????? 2 yrs or more?

Squid · 10-17-2009, 01:52 PM

Captain Kangaroo Wrote:Wonder how long it will be before anyone mentions Boyd Co as a contender????? 2 yrs or more?

As a contender for the 64th, it might be as early as next year. After this season, Ashland will be absolutely dominant for the forseeable future, but Boyd will definitely be in the mix for the second spot.

As a contender for the 16th region, I just don't see Boyd being in the mix for the 5 or 6 years, at least.

Then again, you never really know.

Captain Kangaroo · 10-17-2009, 03:46 PM

Agree. Just not used to "Not seeing" Boyd mentioned in the mix. That is sad. Such a rich tradition. Just doesnt seem like the kids are interested anymore.

**LeeCoUKFan** · 10-17-2009, 04:07 PM

I would wanna say Elliot County, but didn't they lose the majority of their insane starting 5 from last year?

Squid · 10-17-2009, 04:16 PM

Captain Kangaroo Wrote:Agree. Just not used to "Not seeing" Boyd mentioned in the mix. That is sad. Such a rich tradition. Just doesnt seem like the kids are interested anymore.

Funny thing, Cap'n K. About two days ago, a bunch of us Ashlanders were sitting around talking about the old days. Every one of us agreed that we'd like to see Boyd get back to what they were just a few years ago. The crowds were great at those games, the level of competition was solid, and it was a good night to watch basketball, whichever team won.

Who knows? As the saying goes "this too, shall pass".

Squid · 10-17-2009, 04:18 PM

leecoukfan Wrote:I would wanna say Elliot County, but didn't they lose the majority of their insane starting 5 from last year?

Yes. Elliott got gutted by graduation.

Their fans want to think that they will still be a force in the region (and understandably so), but I don't think they will. Knipp is not enough to carry them, and I just don't think they have enough to go with him.

We'll have to wait and see how their younger players step up this season. They might surprise a lot of people - or they might dissapoint quite a few. I just think it's to early to tell.

gapman · 10-17-2009, 09:57 PM

Fred Sanford Wrote:How in the world will Gregg be eligible? Old man Cooksey is going to be an assistant. Is that a good idea?

Let me take back at least half of my "new chemistry" argument. With Rex on the bench as head or assistant, practices will be the same and game preparation will be the same. They will be solid and then some. The Corey Gregg thing is just wishful thinking, I don't have a clue how the KHSAA will rule.

Fairview, Ashland and East are the front runners IMO. Elliot lost more than they seem willing to accept with the departure of the Faulkners and Ferguson. Having three people who could control the tempo of the game and shoot like that can't be replaced easily. They played a ton of AAU ball together too, all that experience is gone now.

'IF' Gregg does get eligible he will have to help Ashland's situation this year. To me the good thing about his arrival at this time is that he can get his feet on the ground good this year and then have his Jr & Sr years to really bare down.

At any rate Ashland has 4 starters returning and they can all play, even without Corey for this year (and I sincerely hope he's on the floor) the Cats will be fine with Ty Hornbuckle or Tyler Gibbs at the 4 or 5. Kyle Bush is there too and again his fortunes rest with the KHSAA for eligibility. The point is the base for a very good team is already at Ashland with Will Skaggs Sr at the point, Dylan Delaney Jr at the 2, Ryan Whetsel Soph at the 2-3 and Chris Johnson Jr at the 4. The departure of Ryan Bonner will hurt and will definitely leave a void in leadership but somebody will step up, they always do.

Squid · 10-20-2009, 11:01 PM

I see Fairview and East Carter as the two top teams.

Barnhill is a LOAD, and not many teams have an answer for him. The talent around him is pretty solid, and Baker will have them ready.

Fairview was already returning a very solid top five or six, and with the addition of Terry, they will have plenty of scoring options. The real question for them will be to see how well Terry meshes with the rest of the team. Fairview needs to win it this year, because they will lose quite a bit of talent. They will need to use some of their big leads to develop a couple of the younger players for the future.

Ashland will be second in the 64th, and third in the region. They have the ability to beat either of the top two teams, but they will have to be playing well on that night to do so. Still, they are capable of winning the region, if the stars line up right.

After those three, there will be a group of five or six teams that can be ranked any way you want. Greenup will be better, Raceland is always a tough out in district play, Russell will be improved (Kidwell is doing a solid job), Lewis is no pushover, and Elliott will be riding Knipp as far as they can.

I hope that Boyd improves, for the sake of the program. Rose Hill will feel the effects of the exodus, but they still have some good kids that won't simply throw in the towel. It will be interesting to see who matures quickly enough to fill some of the production they lost. By the end of the season, they may be stronger than most would expect.

It will be a good year to watch a lot of matchups throughout the region.

mightydog · 10-26-2009, 10:54 AM

I think it's funny how Ashland wouldn't play Rose Hill because of their recruting practices but yet they will take some of these same players that they've be bashing with open arms. It just exposes Ashland for the hypocrits that they are.

Squid · 10-26-2009, 03:45 PM

mightydog Wrote:I think it's funny how Ashland wouldn't play Rose Hill because of their recruting practices but yet they will take some of these same players that they've be bashing with open arms. It just exposes Ashland for the hypocrits that they are.

I think it's funny how you try to make it sound like Ashland was bashing the players themselves, rather than the adults that were involved in running the program.

It would be hypocritical of Ashland to now take those Rose Hill administrators and/or coaches, and put them in the same positions at Ashland.

If you want to trash Ashland, you could at least try to get your outrage focused in the right direction.

LIB MRDux · 10-26-2009, 04:02 PM

I think Fairview wears the bullseye in this region. For this season at least.

Squid · 10-26-2009, 05:18 PM

LIB MRDux Wrote:I think Fairview wears the bullseye in this region. For this season at least.

I can certainly understand why you would see them as favorites. I don't know if Fairview and East are scheduled to play in the regular season, but if they are, it will definitely be worth the price of admission.

I don't think Fairview really has an answer for Barnhill, but then again, I don't know if East has an answer for the combination of Terry, Jackson, and Collins.

If both teams are healthy, that will be one whale of a game.

mightydog · 10-26-2009, 08:36 PM

Squid Wrote:I think it's funny how you try to make it sound like Ashland was bashing the players themselves, rather than the adults that were involved in running the program.

It would be hypocritical of Ashland to now take those Rose Hill administrators and/or coaches, and put them in the same positions at Ashland.

If you want to trash Ashland, you could at least try to get your outrage focused in the right direction.

I was at the ball games when the bashing and trash talking was being done at the players. Also your ilustrious anouncer Dicky crybaby Martin would be dripping with slurs, sour grapes,and inuindo directed at the players.

LIB MRDux · 10-26-2009, 10:46 PM

Squid Wrote:I can certainly understand why you would see them as favorites. I don't know if Fairview and East are scheduled to play in the regular season, but if they are, it will definitely be worth the price of admission.

I don't think Fairview really has an answer for Barnhill, but then again, I don't know if East has an answer for the combination of Terry, Jackson, and Collins.

If both teams are healthy, that will be one whale of a game.

I agree. But I don't think that East has the guardplay to win the region. If Bair shoots it well, they win. I think that if Fairview gets any decent guardplay out of J.D. Adams that they can win it all. Who for East can matchup with Terry? And if you find a matchup, who guards Collins?

I just think that Fairview has the most weapons. Not sure they can guard anyone, but it may not matter, they may scare a benjamin every night out.

Squid · 10-26-2009, 11:26 PM

LIB MRDux Wrote:I agree. But I don't think that East has the guardplay to win the region. If Bair shoots it well, they win. I think that if Fairview gets any decent guardplay out of J.D. Adams that they can win it all. Who for East can matchup with Terry? And if you find a matchup, who guards Collins?

I just think that Fairview has the most weapons. Not sure they can guard anyone, but it may not matter, they may scare a benjamin every night out.

I think your assessment of the Collins/Terry combo is exactly right. Collins was a force last season, until he twisted his ankle in the middle of the season. After he came back, he seemed to be willing to let Jackson do the heavy lifting. With Terry, Collins, and Jackson, the Eagles have a true three headed monster in terms of scoring. Those three are also supported by another three players that can score on a given night, and that makes them extremely tough to defend.

For East, I think Buck will be one of the key unsung players. As you mentioned Adams for Fairview, I see Buck in that same role for East.

Either way, these two teams will definitely be the powers going into the season, and barring injuries, they will be the two powers going into the districts and regional tournaments.

I just checked, and on February 13th, Fairview travels to Grayson, to play East Carter on Senior Night. That game will be a doozy.

The Iceboxx · 10-27-2009, 03:29 AM

Fairview is gonna win the 16th this year.. When is the last time it would have happened.

Mikie Terry is the POY at seasons end.

hamburgler606 · 10-27-2009, 10:28 AM

goodguy Wrote:What does Ashland have coming back this year, I know the Whetsel (sp?) is back, who else and what grade are they in. Do many of the players have varsity experience.

Ashland is only lost Bonner last year

hamburgler606 · 10-27-2009, 10:43 AM

mightydog Wrote:I think it's funny how Ashland wouldn't play Rose Hill because of their recruting practices but yet they will take some of these same players that they've be bashing with open arms. It just exposes Ashland for the hypocrits that they are.

rose hill and ashland are in the same district aren't they?

LIB MRDux · 10-27-2009, 10:47 AM

The Iceboxx Wrote:Fairview is gonna win the 16th this year.. When is the last time it would have happened.

Mikie Terry is the POY at seasons end.

I think that Knipp will be POY. Mike is solid offensively, needs to step his game up on the other end of the floor to be POY. Knipp will carry his team offensively and may have gaudy numbers at season's end. Terry won't be the only scoring threat in Westwood.

Squid · 10-27-2009, 03:07 PM

LIB MRDux Wrote:I think that Knipp will be POY. Mike is solid offensively, needs to step his game up on the other end of the floor to be POY. Knipp will carry his team offensively and may have gaudy numbers at season's end. Terry won't be the only scoring threat in Westwood.

I think that as the season goes along, Barnhill will become the front runner for the POY. I agree with you, that Knipp will get the opportunity to hang up some unreal numbers, where Terry will be limited in the percentage of shots that he takes for Fairview. Barnhill will be a monster on the boards, and will be a first option in many games as well.

In the end, Fairview and East will go farther than Elliott (in terms of team success), if you consider strength of schedule. All three players have excellent futures.

As for the POY, I think that the coaches in the 16th will recognize the difference between collecting 30 or more points a game while taking 30 shots, and dominating a game on the boards while being almost unstoppable with the ball.

This will be a good season to watch in the 16th.

mightydog · 10-27-2009, 04:53 PM

hamburgler606 Wrote:rose hill and ashland are in the same district aren't they?

Yes but Ashland refused to play Rose Hill in the regular season once they started beating them. When Ashland was beating RH by 30-40 points, they didnt care where their players came from. It was only after RH started beating them that Ashland became ethical.