[kywldcat01]

After seeing the score and the way this game progressed, a couple things are becoming apparent about this Holmes team.

1st-Holmes may be the best athletic team in the state. Having only scores and wildcat01's game analysis, Holmes can really get after other teams.

2nd-Having said that, the best way to play Holmes appears to be make them have to play basketball in a half court set. Take away their ability to run the floor and use all that athleticism and they become a very average team, especially in the 9th region.

Anyway, congrats go out to Holmes on their victory and thanks to kywildcat01 for the game details.

Honestly, I really don't even know what the keys are to beating this Holmes team. Holmes was forced to play a half court game against Highlands' zone Thurs night and lit the Birds zone up for TEN 3's.

In last night's game, NCC came out in a man and got ran off the floor in the first quarter, 18-4. They switch to a zone and it was like Holmes had never seen a zone before. They quit moving on offense like they did against Highlands and simply passed the ball around the perimeter looking for jump shots.

My point is that Holmes has "SHUT DOWN" defenisve capabilities. NCC should never have been able to get the ball up the floor against the Dogs. NCC plays tough and hard, they flat out wanted it more than Holmes. Sure, Holmes is going to get everyone's best game, but let's be real, no one in NKY should be within double digts, NO ONE!

Holmes did "SHUT DOWN" NCC last night. 43 points speaks for itself.

When you have offensive mental lapses though like Holmes has had throughout the year, it allows good teams like NCC to creep back in the game.

It's Holmes offense that lacks at times...not their defense. Their defense has been stout all year and the most consistent aspect of their game.

I also disagree that no one in NKY should be within double digits of Holmes. Coming in to this season, I said Holmes would have a tougher time getting out of the region than last year.

Why?

The 9th region is loaded with quality teams this year. All of the teams that were young last year are all now veteran groups with more experience. (Conner, Ryle, Boone, Highlands, Dixie, Newcath)

Great post and excellent analysis. Holmes is too athletic on the defensive end to allow teams to even make it a half-court game. They are content with that and do not clamp down with a Press that can, and I say can only if they commit to it, can keep a team from even getting the ball up court.

In no way should Holmes have allowed the Breds to get the run they had yesterday. I'm a Holmes liker, not a hater. But this team has lived on the edge for much of this season. To often teams are allowed to make a game of it with Holmes relying on their mental confidence that they can come back. Well that is going to bite them if they are not careful.

Holmes doesn't press because they don't have the overall depth to press. In 07/08 Holmes went 11 deep with no realy drop off. That team had a first five and second five that would have been top 20 in the state and top 3 in nky. Holmes hasn't had that luxury the past two years, only going 7 or 8 deep.

Offensive mental lapses are the reason that several teams (Dixie/Newcath) have been able to play with Holmes....not their defense.

Do you think this Holmes team has become content with what they have accomplished in the past and not be as focused this season. What a lot of people call "senioritis".

I think their biggest problem is they don't always stay focused throughout the course of a game. They have to learn to play 32 minutes and realize that nobody is going to roll over for them once they jump out to a big lead.

Holmes seems to lose focus whenever they get a big lead. They don't have that "killer instinct" this year like they have in years past. Honestly, Elijah Pittman is the only one who seems to take control of a game when things start getting interesting. If you get to see this kid play at Rupp (assuming Holmes makes it there), you guys are in for a real treat. Kid flat out gets after it at both ends of the floor and his length and size make him a matchup nightmare.

Holmes will be lucky to get out of the 9th this year, and if they do, they will have serious trouble with theiir first game at Rupp

Same thing was said about Holmes the past two years because of late season struggles...see you at Rupp.