Would like to have been a fly on the wall in the locker room at SHA, whatever Coach Richey said woke up the Bluebirds and they played their hearts out the 2nd half. Would not like to play them regional tournament time.

I had the opportunity to stop in and see Highlands versus Dixie. I was very impressed with the Highlands team. They were pressing and trapping, playing a lot of girls, getting shots up and playing with a lot of energy.

 

Did they open with pressing and trapping in the last two games? I was interested if that was the way they would attempt to play all year or if they were only taking advantage of Dixie's young guards.

In the SHA game, there was too much speed for Highlands to establish any press/trap. IMO, they were caught 'off guard' by the speed and athleticism by the 5 guards for SHA. Adjustments were made at the half to cut the deficit; however, speed played a factor in deterring Highlands to press. It 'appeared' to wear them down.

In the SHA game, there was too much speed for Highlands to establish any press/trap. IMO, they were caught 'off guard' by the speed and athleticism by the 5 guards for SHA. Adjustments were made at the half to cut the deficit; however, speed played a factor in deterring Highlands to press. It 'appeared' to wear them down.

 

I agree their speed was a factor in not pressing, but when HHS came out in the third qtr (with an all or nothing attitude), the trapping did appear to effect them a little. SH definitely wasn't in attack mode like they were with no pressure. Not saying HHS could have sustained it, but it could have been done in spurts! I do think there is a little to the theory of "finding" themselves. They are deep and have several girls that can contribute, so if they could keep the confidence of the young girls and find a rotation, it'd seem like they could continue the trap/run & gun style they were playing in the Dixie game. Of course all the player's have to gain the coach's confidence before they set them free! If they can figure out how to play with a rotation, they could be hard to beat. I'm sure the coach's are still feeling things out and I expect them to be a contender late in the season.