My talking points have nothing to do with Highlands or the sophomore class in general. These are just observations that I have had over my many years of being involved in basketball.

 

I had no problem with what Sullivan did in this game, if he ultimately got what he was looking for either now or sometime in the very near future. I like having coaches that are very energetic and want their teams to get after it. I believe that Coach Listerman has that same energy and it is just going to take some time to undue what has been created in the minds of the players the last several years.

How do you get to be the 'face of the program'? My guess is by showing the coach over and over again that you constantly do not make the same mistakes. Some kids are better athletes, some are smarter ball players. The coach has the hard job of figuring out the best combination in order to win. He sees them 2 hours a day in practice. He is the one that has to tell some kids 10 times to do something the right way. The kid that has gained the trust has a longer leash. I agree the confidence factor does come into play but maybe its time to put the onus on the kid to get it right at practice?

I once had a coach tell me my High school son had improved over the summer and I said "I just hope he is working hard for you". the coach replied "At this level, it is not just about trying hard, it's about being a good athlete and smart player."

 

Never said it was the same mistakes being made over and over. Some kids are removed from games because they actually take a shot, thus they never look to take one. Some kids make a pass that the person receiving the pass either does not catch or does not step to receive and guess who comes out of the game? So should a kid not shoot when open and/or make passes to the open man? These are examples of what I might call 'mistakes' that result in the player being removed from the game.

 

I will give you that the coaches see the kids everyday at practice and thus they have formed an opinion about each kids abilities. However there are many games I have attended where it is rather obvious who has the long leash and who is playing timid for fear of being removed from the game for making a mistake.

Not sure how far back you recall - the sophomore class is even more football player heavy than the junior and senior classes, hence one of the reasons Ben Weyer went to NCC. The top 6 six players in that class all play football. Have not progressed as you would have thought.

 

Cain gets some varsity minutes off the bench. Hebel has been hurt and has been held out - he will get some minutes inside when healthy.

 

Come to a game guys and watch before making general statements.

 

The sophomore class has not progressed as expected? Like to hear the explanation behind that statement. Why have they not progressed and the juniors and seniors have?

Never said it was the same mistakes being made over and over. Some kids are removed from games because they actually take a shot, thus they never look to take one. Some kids make a pass that the person receiving the pass either does not catch or does not step to receive and guess who comes out of the game? So should a kid not shoot when open and/or make passes to the open man? These are examples of what I might call 'mistakes' that result in the player being removed from the game.

 

I will give you that the coaches see the kids everyday at practice and thus they have formed an opinion about each kids abilities. However there are many games I have attended where it is rather obvious who has the long leash and who is playing timid for fear of being removed from the game for making a mistake.

 

I see this in almost every game I attend. That's why I asked how does one become "the face of the program" or the kid with the long leash? Are they born into this role? Or did they earn it?

TAC, you responded to JOAT's post. Go back and read post #16 and give me your thought's about set rotation's.

 

I will agree that the rotation should be earned in the 2 hour practice you speak of. That is where the coach can figure out those combinations. If games reveal something to be worked on or that the current rotation is not working then make the changes in subsequent practices.

Not sure how far back you recall - the sophomore class is even more football player heavy than the junior and senior classes, hence one of the reasons Ben Weyer went to NCC. The top 6 six players in that class all play football. Have not progressed as you would have thought.

 

Cain gets some varsity minutes off the bench. Hebel has been hurt and has been held out - he will get some minutes inside when healthy.

 

Come to a game guys and watch before making general statements.

 

How are the JV's doing as far as the sophomore class is concerned? Is that where most of them are playing?

TAC, you responded to JOAT's post. Go back and read post #16 and give me your thought's about set rotation's.

 

I will agree that the rotation should be earned in the 2 hour practice you speak of. That is where the coach can figure out those combinations. If games reveal something to be worked on or that the current rotation is not working then make the changes in subsequent practices.

 

Tough call here. I think it goes back to the the confidence level that the coach has in the kid. It needs to be earned in practice and in the games the kid sees minutes. If he trusted every kid not to make mistakes would he not use a 15 man rotation (being a little facetious here). I guess it is why I don't coach.

The sophomore class has not progressed as expected? Like to hear the explanation behind that statement. Why have they not progressed and the juniors and seniors have?

 

Did not say as "expected". I said as you would have thought -- to a poster that was making a general statement and has not seen any of the boys play ball for 2+ years.

 

Would have made the same comment about the football playing Juniors and Seniors that were very competitive as 8th graders and freshmen.

 

Before you get your dander all up, please tell me one sophomore that should be playing varsity ball right now that isn't?

Did not say as "expected". I said as you would have thought -- to a poster that was making a general statement and has not seen any of the boys play ball for 2+ years.Would have made the same comment about the football playing Juniors and Seniors that were very competitive as 8th graders and freshmen.

 

Before you get your dander all up, please tell me one sophomore that should be playing varsity ball right now that isn't?

 

Very incorrect statement..........but my statement was that hopefully the bench could expand. Absolutely no reference to any one who should or should not be playing.. I DO HOPE that the bench can expand as the season progresses. It would help the varsity one would assume IF some of the sophomores, who I know have some basketball talent, show the ability to help the team. Perhaps that is a sentence that is structured better for you.

Very incorrect statement..........but my statement was that hopefully the bench could expand. Absolutely no reference to any one who should or should not be playing.. I DO HOPE that the bench can expand as the season progresses. It would help the varsity one would assume IF some of the sophomores, who I know have some basketball talent, show the ability to help the team. Perhaps that is a sentence that is structured better for you.

 

I guess " from what I can recall " doesn't mean what I think it means.

 

.. and yes your sentence with the big IF is structured much better.

TAC, you responded to JOAT's post. Go back and read post #16 and give me your thought's about set rotation's.

 

I will agree that the rotation should be earned in the 2 hour practice you speak of. That is where the coach can figure out those combinations. If games reveal something to be worked on or that the current rotation is not working then make the changes in subsequent practices.

 

Does the rotation have to be at the same time in every game for every quarter? Seems some coaches at all levels just sub to be subbing because it is time to sub. I always thought that each game stood on its on merits. There should be no set substitution patterns in any game. You might have a kid that shoots lights out in the JV game and your opponent plays a zone against you. Do you go with your usual substitution pattern or do you maybe use the hot hand for that particular moment?

Did not say as "expected". I said as you would have thought -- to a poster that was making a general statement and has not seen any of the boys play ball for 2+ years.

 

Would have made the same comment about the football playing Juniors and Seniors that were very competitive as 8th graders and freshmen.

 

Before you get your dander all up, please tell me one sophomore that should be playing varsity ball right now that isn't?

 

How have they not progressed versus how one thought they should have progressed? You did not make the statement regarding the entire football playing hoopsters. It was made about the sophomore class. There is no one saying someone should be playing right now. Not what was said at all. IMO none of them are ready for significant minutes, but when half of the team is sophomores some of them must play.

How are the JV's doing as far as the sophomore class is concerned? Is that where most of them are playing?

 

That is where all but one is playing. They are about .500 or maybe a little better.

How have they not progressed versus how one thought they should have progressed? You did not make the statement regarding the entire football playing hoopsters. It was made about the sophomore class. There is no one saying someone should be playing right now. Not what was said at all. IMO none of them are ready for significant minutes, but when half of the team is sophomores some of them must play.

 

That is where all but one is playing. They are about .500 or maybe a little better.

 

The post I replied to was one stating that sophomores should be getting minutes. Why would I mention the Juniors or Seniors in that reply? I mentioned it in response to your post because you brought it up.

 

Was really waiting to see how you answered the "how is the JV team " doing question. You came up with the most bland response possible. Not what I was expecting after what you told me after the Cooper JV game. BTW, are you sure about that .500 record thingy?

Not sure how far back you recall - the sophomore class is even more football player heavy than the junior and senior classes, hence one of the reasons Ben Weyer went to NCC. The top 6 six players in that class all play football. Have not progressed as you would have thought.

 

Cain gets some varsity minutes off the bench. Hebel has been hurt and has been held out - he will get some minutes inside when healthy.

 

Come to a game guys and watch before making general statements.

 

Right, I was just commenting on another post. Sorry, won't be in attendance, hope they get better.