Final.

I know Highlands is down but I keep trying to tell people Newport is better than people realize.

 

The game against St Henry Thurs will be a great test to determine if Newport is going to sit at #10 all year or if they can actually rise a few spots in the rankings.

I know Highlands is down but I keep trying to tell people Newport is better than people realize.

 

The game against St Henry Thurs will be a great test to determine if Newport is going to sit at #10 all year or if they can actually rise a few spots in the rankings.

 

I don't put anything into them beating Highlands. Should they beat St Henry or play them tight then I'll be on board.

I don't put anything into them beating Highlands. Should they beat St Henry or play them tight then I'll be on board.

 

Fair enough.

How did Snapp do?

First time catching the Birds this year and I will give them some "props", they played hard. However the lack of a "Big man" is severely missing. Buten does a great job at the point and goes a "mile a minute". I was really impressed with the game out of Brandon Hergott, especially in the 2nd half. He was going to the rack like a man on a mission. I am real curious to see how many he put up in the 2nd half, seemed like 7 or 8 straight possessions he was driving the lane for two. Solid effort by this young man.

 

Love watching Coach Snapp, no coach works than he does on the sideline. Ethan Snapp is a "player", but the young man is dyer need of a "care package" or 10!!!!! Kid might weigh a whopping 100lbs. soaking wet. His jersey was practically falling off him tonight, however, the young man has a pretty stroke, and from ANYWHERE on the floor.

 

Sidenote: the FQI (Fan Quality Index) got a big boast with buttels, Jack of All Trades, StinkyboyII, TAC, tommyb, and yours truly in the house. :whistling::lol2:

Turning point in this game came with about 1:00 to go in the 1st half. Birds cut the deficit to 6, but a couple of bad turnovers, one right under the basket and

Newport is up 10 or 11. Highlands gets it down to 5 or 6 in the 2nd half, but just could not get any closer.

Highlands makes way too many unforced errors. Seemed everytime they got a stop, they came down and turned the ball over. Case in point, you get a steal and have a 5 on 1 break and make three passes and get no basket. That is not counting the free throws they missed and the numerous shots around the goal. They most definitely are as good as Newport, but need to cut down on the careless errors and take the ball hard to the goal without double pumping or looking for someone to come and block it. This was not Holmes they were playing. I like Highlands chances in a rematch down the road in the District Semis. Now on to Ryle.

Newport had a 13 point lead before the Birds cut it down to 6. Brandon Hergott was absolutely on fire in the 3rd quarter with 14 of his 16 points. Snapp was held in check in the first half, but came alive a bit in the second. I was impresed with Paul Price last night. 20 points and was the spark in LB's #7 post. Scary thing is that all of the Newport kids return next year, minus Michael Turner. Newport had 20 turnovers last night. Something that if they can clean that up, they can be looking at a return trip to the BOKC in February.

 

FQI......indeed.

Nice Buttels player profile interview of Ethan Snapp last night.

 

Kid is pretty articulate for a sophomore. Smart talented young lad, hope he goes far.

 

Says his Dad, Coach Snapp coached at Milan High School for 10 years. How cool is that?

 

Ethan's dream is to one day play at IU as he grew up in Indiana. Be great if he can progress to that level. I wouldn't be surprised to see him do it. No doubt in my mind that he'll give it his best. A lot can happen for him between now and senior year. He's definitely got next level in his blood. If not IU, then still something promising is brewing for his future.

 

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

NEWPORT – They hoped to show how far they’ve come despite their record.

That’s especially because the Highlands Bluebirds boys basketball team might have to face the Newport Wildcats for the right to head to the 9th Region Tournament later in the season in the 36th District Tournament. But the host Wildcats prevailed in this one 65-53.

Highlands (2-9 overall, 0-1 district) attacked the lane better after the first quarter and stayed even with Newport. But it was not enough to overcome an 11-point deficit after the first quarter. Newport (8-4, 2-0) scored the game’s first five points and cruised to the win.

“We were down 11 after the first quarter, and it’s on me as coach, because we didn’t come out ready to play,” said Kevin Listerman, Highlands Head Coach. “We stared and took some punches. Newport was aggressive and made us pay. Give (the Wildcats) credit. When we play free, we look pretty good.”

Seniors Drew Houliston and Brandon Hergott led the Highlands effort with 17 and 16 points respectively. Hergott scored 14 of those points in the third quarter.

Newport saw three players reach double-digits. Ethan Snapp and Paul Price led the way with 20 each and post Kameron Covington scored 10.

“We have four guys who can reach double-digits or be high-scorers each night,” said Rodney Snapp, Newport Head Coach. “I talk to them about letting the game come to you. Some of them want to force the issue. They understand there are times when we need to run our set and get a good shot and we’re trying.”

Highlands did have some success with its pressure defense forcing Newport into 19 turnovers while committing just 10. Highlands had nine steals to five for the Wildcats. Houliston and Parker Harris recorded three steals each for the Bluebirds.

Newport did better rebounding the basketball and hit its free throws to pull away. The Wildcats had 32 rebounds to 19 for the Bluebirds and made 16-of-18 free throws for 89 percent. Highlands did not make any of its four free-throw tries. Covington grabbed 12 rebounds for a double-double.

“That’s a little surprising because I didn’t think we boxed out consistently,” Coach Snapp said. “We have to get back to the basics. Our guys want to watch the ball and think they can outjump everyone. They’ll find out in the next few weeks when they face teams taller than them.”

The Wildcats also shot better from the field. They made 23-of-41 attempts for 56 percent compared to 25-of-55 for 45 percent for the visitors. Both teams made three three-pointers each.

“(Newport) is well-coached,” Listerman said. “They know what they’re doing and who they want to shoot. We tried to switch some defenses. We’ve struggled guarding man-to-man. Ultimately, we have to get some more stops.”

Highlands trimmed the margin to six in the second quarter. But Newport finished it with a 6-0 run to go up 31-19 at halftime.

The Bluebirds managed to trim the lead to four at 43-39 with 1:05 left in the third. The Wildcats led 48-41 entering the fourth quarter. Highlands came no closer than seven points in the final quarter.

Highlands plays host to Ryle (6-6) on Thursday to continue 9th Region action. Game time is 7:30 p.m.

 

Fort Thomas Sports: Highlands boys fall to Newport; Girls beat Cooper

How about this stat from the game. Newport 16 free throw makes and Highlands with 0. Granted a few of those were late, but wow. Was kind of surprised that Highlands had zero makes considering they were driving to the basket virtually every trip down the floor.

 

Officiating for the JV game was an embarrasment to the Northern Kentucky Officials Association. I realize that guys have to get a start somewhere, but one of the officials was so unsure of himself that is was painful to watch. Shots would hit the basket and be rebounded and then you would hear a whistle for a foul on the shot. Needs to do some middle school and frosh games to gain a little confidence and get a better grip on how to call a game.

I agree with the JV officiating. From what I saw before we got started, guys didn't have the right shooter on line for free throws, and stuff not called.

Nice Buttels player profile interview of Ethan Snapp last night.

 

Kid is pretty articulate for a sophomore. Smart talented young lad, hope he goes far.

 

Says his Dad, Coach Snapp coached at Milan High School for 10 years. How cool is that?

 

Ethan's dream is to one day play at IU as he grew up in Indiana. Be great if he can progress to that level. I wouldn't be surprised to see him do it. No doubt in my mind that he'll give it his best. A lot can happen for him between now and senior year. He's definitely got next level in his blood. If not IU, then still something promising is brewing for his future.

 

 

I'm actually that short. :thumb:

First time catching the Birds this year and I will give them some "props", they played hard. However the lack of a "Big man" is severely missing. Buten does a great job at the point and goes a "mile a minute". I was really impressed with the game out of Brandon Hergott, especially in the 2nd half. He was going to the rack like a man on a mission. I am real curious to see how many he put up in the 2nd half, seemed like 7 or 8 straight possessions he was driving the lane for two. Solid effort by this young man.

 

Love watching Coach Snapp, no coach works than he does on the sideline. Ethan Snapp is a "player", but the young man is dyer need of a "care package" or 10!!!!! Kid might weigh a whopping 100lbs. soaking wet. His jersey was practically falling off him tonight, however, the young man has a pretty stroke, and from ANYWHERE on the floor.

 

Sidenote: the FQI (Fan Quality Index) got a big boast with buttels, Jack of All Trades, StinkyboyII, TAC, tommyb, and yours truly in the house. :whistling::lol2:

 

Your assessment of Snapp is dead on mine. The kid can flat out shoot, but his size concerns me a LOT.