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I hate to speculate going into the season but I offer the following on all four Pike County teams.

Piketon- Has the most pressure- they could possibly go 20-0. They are simply loaded if they dont win this tournament it will be a huge disapointment!

Western- They will probably be in the thick of things in the SOC. They return some great players and they and Eastern have the easier regular season schedules. If this team catches fire - they could have an incredible year. Can they beat Piketon? I doubt it- but never say never.

Eastern- Very much improved over last year and they now have three Waverly kids on their team. Two will contribute, I am not sure the other one is playing, but they are all good kids and they have plenty to blend in with them. The Eagles will be way better than last year and I look for a major battle between Eastern and Western everytime they play. Thornsberry will have a very good year for the Eagles! Can they beat Piketon- I would say no, can they beat Western- I would say it is a toss up with a slight edge going to Western.

Waverly- They sat in the best position of all teams. They play the hardest schedule and they are the group that has some new players and seem to have a little attitude about them, the group seems determined to show that last year was a fluke. They need to get better as the season goes along and develope the youngsters as they go. Can they beat Western- if they play well, can they beat Eastern- I think they have a good chance because of the inside strength, can they Piketon- they shouldn't but Piketon should have beaten Waverly in football too.

I think the general public is in for a good tourny. Good luck to all teams- It is going to be nice to see 4 teams with plenty of reason to be excited to get started.

Good assessment already given. But I am curious, I know Thornsberry moved to Eastern Pike(not a "transfer" which implies something shady). Who in the world are the other 2 waverly kids??????? If 2 others moved in, I haven't heard about it?

My take on the tournament is this.

Piketon-loaded....loaded.....loaded.....if they don't win it will be an embarrassment to the school and the staff.

Western-have the size to bother any team. If Shanks plays strong and their guard play doesn't hurt them, they can play with Piketon and should handle the other teams

Eastern-Pike-should be much improved. Guard play killed them last year. With another years experience for our sophmores from last season and the addition of Thornsberry, we could be much improved. Questions: Will the team gel and play together? Will Osborne consistently hit the perimeter jumper? Will Wheeler play to his potential?

Many questions......If the questions are answered in a positive direction, the eagles will not be an easy out for anyone(including Piketon) They could beat Western and Waverly on any given night.

Waverly-many questions like Eastern-Pike. I hear of foreign exchange students and move-ins(or transfers, depending on their residence), and the loss of thornsberry will leave this team with good athletes as always, but untested. They underachieved last year so they should have a chip on their shoulder this season.

All in all...it should be great to watch!

You are correct they are not new this year and i should have been clearer! I was talking about DeWeese and VanHoose they were there last year. I really like both kids and like I said I don't even know if Dakota plays basketball anymore. DeWeese should really help Eastern this year.

bucki4life wrote:You are correct they are not new this year and i should have been clearer! I was talking about DeWeese and VanHoose they were there last year. I really like both kids and like I said I don't even know if Dakota plays basketball anymore. DeWeese should really help Eastern this year.

I was told Vanhoose quit baseball during the season last year and isn't playing b-ball? What happened to him? He was such a good athlete? Now, a player told me it is as if he has fell off the face of the earth.

I also heard Deweese is not going to play this year either. He is a good baseball player and golfer and simply hasn't put the time in on b-ball. I hope he does play, cause he could be a factor if "wanted" to excel at b-ball.

i am playing. ive been to every open gym since golf ended, and on days there isnt open gym ive been on the track and lifting getting in shape. dakota isnt playin this year he has classes at shawnee at 6 acouple nights a week and couldnt play but i think he is going to try to change that and play baseball.

seems like there are always some surprises in this tournamet

Nate---it would be a great loss to the Eagles if you didn't play!!!!!!!!!!!!

deweese3 wrote:i am playing. ive been to every open gym since golf ended, and on days there isnt open gym ive been on the track and lifting getting in shape. dakota isnt playin this year he has classes at shawnee at 6 acouple nights a week and couldnt play but i think he is going to try to change that and play baseball.

Awesome news Nate.

You are a very versatile player and will give the bigs from Western fits this season!

The way I see it, any team can win this tourney this year. Does any team have an edge, yes but every year someone gets upset. Of course I will be backing the Streaks in the Holiday tourney and think they have a very good chance at repeating.

Waverly will be hitting the hardwood a couple weeks sooners than last year (football playoffs). That can't hurt.

who plays who this year? i cant keep track from one year to the next.

That would be the four Pike County schools. The way it has been for the last 20 years.

I'm pretty sure he means who is playing who. Thecinderallapick, I think Eastern and Waverly play and Piketon plays Western on the first night. I'm not 100% sure about this though.

Piketon will more than likely going back to back this year, with holiday champs....Although I hate to admit it, I would like to see the Indians win but I just dont see that happening.....Oh'well......

Brings up a nice point.... when was the last time a team has repeated as champs?

07: Piketon
06: Waverly
05: Western
04: Eastern
03: Piketon
02: Waverly
01: Eastern
00: Waverly
99: Piketon

I think this is correct but I know it has been a while since a team won it two years in a row.

J-Bird wrote:I'm pretty sure he means who is playing who. Thecinderallapick, I think Eastern and Waverly play and Piketon plays Western on the first night. I'm not 100% sure about this though.

thanks J. you were correct about my ?. maybe i should write it down this year to keep track...

Wasn't Southeastern part of the Holiday Classic several years (less than 20) ago?
If I remember right one of the four county schools did not participate and the Panthers took their spot for a year or two...

You are correct pcohio.

Back when Carl Wolfe was at Waverly, Eastern's coach took exception to the Eastern's players "transferring " to Waverly. [I believe one of the Pike County Sheriff candidates is in this equation.] So Southeastern came for at least a couple years.