[jalfzou]

Nice win by Bulldogs. First time I've seen Holmes play this year. Fun game to watch in person. I was most impressed with Holmes' tenacity. They have a bunch of scrappers and leapers. One thing I noticed before the game is that Holmes has played a pretty tough schedule this year ... losses to quality teams such as Ballard, Moore, Cincinnati Princeton. On the other hand, Dixie, which also has a very nice team, has played a relatively weak schedule. That might hurt the Colonels in the first round of the Sweet 16 should they win the 9th.

Schools (Ryle, for instance) usually play Holmes tougher the second time because they're more prepared for Holmes' speed. Usually the result is a more deliberate and lower-scoring game. I certainly think you'd see a different Dixie game plan should the teams meet in the Ninth tourney out at NKU.

Ninth Region can be won by five or six teams this year. Having said that, the region isn't what it was the past four or so years, and whoever emerges likely will be an underdog to the 11th Region champ in the first round of the Sweet 16.