Final from Fort Thomas.

 

The Jaguars sank 8 straight FT's in the final 2 minutes to thwart off a furious Bluebird attack late in the game.

 

Cooper led at the half 19-17 and went up by as much as 10 points in the 3rd qtr. Spencer Holland and Zach Mcneil led the Jags with 15 points apiece. McNeil was clutch late in the 4th drilling 6 straight. I believe he was 8/8 for the game.

 

Brendan Buten was held to 3 points in the 1st half but exploded for 17 in the 2nd stanza. Buten is undersized but mixed in some really nice offensive plays which included a couple of treys and a beautiful drive/lay in around 3 Jaguars including 6'5 Hathorn.

 

Cooper shoots the Three point shot very well. Jon Leichty drilled 3 treys coming off the bench. The Jaguars finished the game with 7 treys.

 

Highlands played a very scrappy 2/3 zone and was very active even though they were outsized in the paint. Cooper had Hawkins 6'5 and Hathorn a beefy 6'5 and I thought the Birds did a nice job keeping them in check. Hawkins didnt score and Hathorn only had 8.

 

I really like both coaches in this game. Listerman does a great job of subbing and isnt afraid to get after it and press opposing teams. The Bluebirds were pressed most of the game and I dont believe had more than 1 or 2 turnovers. Sullivan is an animal on the sidelines, at one point in the 1st half he yanked his starters and sat them for an extended amount of time. Cooper's bench did a nice job.

 

Scoring

Jags- Holland- 15 (2 treys), Mcneil 15 (1 trey), Hathorn 8, Morgan 2, McNair-Turner 5 (1 trey), Brandel 2, Leichty 11 (3 treys)

 

Birds- Buten- 20 (2 treys), Houliston 8, Shepherd 2, Harris 4, Brockett 6, Cain 4, B.Hergott 7 (1 trey)

Thanks for the recap. Nice job. I've seen Sully pull the starters before. Was he not getting effort from them on the defensive end or just overall effort.

I think what's keeping Cooper from being really good is lack of production inside with their two bigs.

Was this game an indication that the Birds are coming along, or is Cooper not playing to their capability?

Was this game an indication that the Birds are coming along, or is Cooper not playing to their capability?

 

Hard to tell. Cooper is inconsistent. I'm handicapped by only seeing HHS once in person.

Game went as expected early on. Two teams that work hard on defense to limit good shots, and two offenses that pass it around until they get a good shot. Halftime score was 19-17 Cooper.

 

Sullivan pulled starters and sat them for entire 2nd quarter. Not a fan. How about you call a timeout and tell the kids what you need them to do instead.

 

Cooper hit 3 treys to start the 3rd quarter and opened up a 10 point lead. They have nice shooters (McNeal, Holland and Leichty) when they get the open looks. Hathorn is big and strong inside. The 6'5" center may as well not even be out there. No fault of his, but they don't even consider throwing him the ball.

 

Highlands plays their best, and are the most fun to watch when Brendan Buten plays a bit reckless. The fourth quarter of this game was much like the final quarter of the Brossart game - HHS playing faster, getting shots, Brendan creating opportunities for himself and others. HHS was able to get the lead down to 4 with just under 2 minutes to play, but as Q said, Cooper was perfect from the line.

 

Sullivan pulled starters and sat them for entire 2nd quarter. Not a fan. How about you call a timeout and tell the kids what you need them to do instead.

 

C.

 

How do we know he hadn't already told them what he wanted? I'll always defer to the coach.

To each his own. I think it is childish for a coach to put 15-18 year old young men in "time-out".

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The Highlands Bluebirds boys basketball team (2-8) fell to 0-4 in 9th Region action with a 58-51 loss to the Cooper Jaguars (8-6) on Saturday.

Highlands had two players reach double-digits. They were Brendan Buten and Brandon Hergott with 20 and 11 respectively.

The Bluebirds travel to Newport (7-4) on Tuesday for a crucial 36th District contest. Game time is 7:30 p.m.

 

Fort Thomas Sports: Highlands boys, NC girls drop Saturday games

To each his own. I think it is childish for a coach to put 15-18 year old young men in "time-out".

 

Yes. Heaven forbid we discipline a group of 15-18 year olds for not doing what they have been asked to do.

To each his own. I think it is childish for a coach to put 15-18 year old young men in "time-out".

College players are benched. Pros are benched. Easily the best corrective action is time on the pine...

I'll use the Clydeism, were any of you at the game?

 

Not sure what the varsity boys were doing that was so miserable that deserved discipline. I guess only having a 2 point lead against HHS deserves punishment.

 

Should have seen the bench clear late in the fourth when the Birds got to within 4. How dare they allow HHS to play them so close.

I'll use the Clydeism, were any of you at the game?

 

Not sure what the varsity boys were doing that was so miserable that deserved discipline. I guess only having a 2 point lead against HHS deserves punishment.

 

Should have seen the bench clear late in the fourth when the Birds got to within 4. How dare they allow HHS to play them so close.

 

I was not at the game but your statement was a general statement so I responded with a general statement of my own. From what I have heard they were benched for lack of intensity and effort. If you can't get that out of them then they can't be on the floor.

 

As for your HHS playing with them comments, I am pretty sure coach Sullivan's job is to coach his team regardless of the opponent.

I don't think they missed a beat honestly bringing in the hungry bench players. I think the starters lacked intensity and focus. I heard Sully tell his entire bench NOBODY'S position is a lock on this team and then he yelled something else I couldn't quite hear.

Game went as expected early on. Two teams that work hard on defense to limit good shots, and two offenses that pass it around until they get a good shot. Halftime score was 19-17 Cooper.

 

Sullivan pulled starters and sat them for entire 2nd quarter. Not a fan. How about you call a timeout and tell the kids what you need them to do instead.

 

Cooper hit 3 treys to start the 3rd quarter and opened up a 10 point lead. They have nice shooters (McNeal, Holland and Leichty) when they get the open looks. Hathorn is big and strong inside. The 6'5" center may as well not even be out there. No fault of his, but they don't even consider throwing him the ball.

 

Highlands plays their best, and are the most fun to watch when Brendan Buten plays a bit reckless. The fourth quarter of this game was much like the final quarter of the Brossart game - HHS playing faster, getting shots, Brendan creating opportunities for himself and others. HHS was able to get the lead down to 4 with just under 2 minutes to play, but as Q said, Cooper was perfect from the line.

 

Stink, while I will agree with your insights about 99% of the time, this time I don't. True, most of us were not at the game to see why Sully pulled the starters, but I'm a firm believer in "yanking" anyone that is not doing what they are supposed to be doing.

 

To each his own. I think it is childish for a coach to put 15-18 year old young men in "time-out".

 

So very true.

 

Yes. Heaven forbid we discipline a group of 15-18 year olds for not doing what they have been asked to do.

 

:thumb:

 

College players are benched. Pros are benched. Easily the best corrective action is time on the pine...

 

I think this sends a clear message, especially when/if the coach tells them why they are now "spectating" instead of "participating".