Holmes in preseason rankings

Coming off a 36-2 record and state championship last year, the Bulldogs have garnered some pre season attention from several different sites. Here is where the Bulldogs rank in the pre season rankings:

ESPN Rise Fab 50:

26. Holmes (Covington, Ky.)Last Season's Record: 36-2, all-class state championKey Players: G Ricardo Johnson (6-4, Sr.); F Elijah Pittman (6-7, Sr.); G Jeremiah Johnson (6-3, Sr.)
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Outlook: It's a challenging task to repeat as the one-class Kentucky state champion, but the athletic and experienced Bulldogs should give it a good shot. They were led to the 2009 title by a group of underclassmen that included all-state selections Johnson and Pittman. Johnson, the MVP of the state tournament, was second on the team in scoring (10.7 per game) and rebounds (5.6 per game). Pittman led in both categories with 14.2 points and 6.5 rebounds per game.

Prepnation.com:

14. Holmes (Covington, Ky.)
Last year: 36-2, Sweet 16 state champion
Coach: David Henley
Top players: G Ricardo Johnson (6-4, Sr.); F Elijah Pittman (6-7, Sr.); G Jeremiah Johnson (6-3, Sr.); G Demetrius Avery (6-3, Sr.)
Top games: Dec. 12 vs. Memphis Central; Jan. 6 vs. Princeton (Ohio)
Notable: An athletic team with good size and shooting ability returns for a run at back-to-back state championships. There are three returning starters including Johnson (Ohio University) and Pittman, who each averaged double-figure points and were all-state selections last season. Transfer Avery scored 12 points per game at Conner HS.



Notes:

• Holmes opens the season Dec. 5th at Marshall County Hoopfest against Bowman Academy out of Gary, IND.


• With the schedule that Holmes plays this year, don't be surprised to see them end up somewhere in the top 10 in some polls if they can come close to running the table.
• Speaking of Holmes schedule, their Dec. 12th match up with Memphis Central has me extremely excited. Memphis Central has the #3 prospect nationally in the c/o 2012 in 6'7 230 lb Jarnell Stokes as well as 4 star prospect, 6'4 Tim Peete. Peete is already committed to Tulsa while Stokes has offers from Missouri and Memphis. 6'4 Andre Applewhite is also a D1 prospect in Central's soph class.
• If you want to see some good pre season scrimmages, head out to Simon Kenton Nov. 21st. George Rogers Clark and Holmes headline the day full of games at 9:00 pm.