Prove what on the field? They won their district the past 2yrs beating NCC in the finals both years. Last year they faced the worst possible draw for them in St. Henry with Kuebbing on the mound. The Dirty Birds are for real this year.

 

and advanced to the Region Final in 2012, losing a close game to NCC.

 

Do they have more to prove? Yes. Have they not proved anything on the field in the last 2 yrs? Hardly.

and advanced to the Region Final in 2012, losing a close game to NCC.

 

Do they have more to prove? Yes. Have they not proved anything on the field in the last 2 yrs? Hardly.

 

Last year's team was good. The 2012 team was not very good. They just happened to win 2 games in the regional. They were probably the lowest ranked team to make the regional that year, who dare I say, got lucky.

 

Again, I am not saying that they aren't going to be a good team this year but I think #5 is more than fair. All the teams above them were better last year and have just as much if not more returning, with the exception of Ryle. However, Ryle is an established team over the last few years, a 6A school and I believe the JV champs last year.

Not going to put down the JV level, but how many really good JV teams are there really in the area to compete against? OK...maybe that might be a downer JV, but I'm just trying to be realistic. I'm NOT jumping on the HHS wagon either. They will be good, along with a lot of other teams.

 

Last year's team was good. The 2012 team was not very good. They just happened to win 2 games in the regional. They were probably the lowest ranked team to make the regional that year, who dare I say, got lucky.

 

Again, I am not saying that they aren't going to be a good team this year but I think #5 is more than fair. All the teams above them were better last year and have just as much if not more returning, with the exception of Ryle. However, Ryle is an established team over the last few years, a 6A school and I believe the JV champs last year.

You need to remember that they have been in one of the two toughest districts since they started 6 years ago. Their district has been one of the toughest for quite some time. I'm not saying that they need to move up, but take a look at the framework of this district.

 

I won't move Cooper up

Until they prove themselves. They still have never won a district game. I think this year they will end that drought but I will wait and see

I really don't get that Mas is overlooked. He is mentioned quite a bit, so to say he's constantly overlooked I would say is incorrect. If I'm not mistaken he just started playing Varsity last year. That's usually when you start to hear things. He's a great kid and player that I really don't think is overlooked.

 

I still

Think they have plenty left.

 

They also have who I think is the best player in the area who is constantly overlooked in Mason Forbes.

I really don't get that Mas is overlooked. He is mentioned quite a bit, so to say he's constantly overlooked I would say is incorrect. If I'm not mistaken he just started playing Varsity last year. That's usually when you start to hear things. He's a great kid and player that I really don't think is overlooked.

 

I agree, no way he is overlooked. His name is always being mentioned when talking about players in the area.

I think next year will be the year for the Birds. Do they have a chance to do damage this year? You can count on it. The contest between Beechwood and Highlands will be awesome next year, the battle this year is only act one. With that said, they need to get through next years football season healthy or the sequel will be a dud.

I agree, no way he is overlooked. His name is always being mentioned when talking about players in the area.

 

I think the thing is that all of these other underclassmen are signing/verballing to D1 schools and folks wonder about Forbes. It seems that very few seniors seem to get D1 offers. It seems that unless you are signed before the start of your senior season, most end up going to a lower division or NAIA.

 

The only exception I remember seeing recently was Kramer from Scott, when he signed w/EKU after his senior season.

I think the thing is that all of these other underclassmen are signing/verballing to D1 schools and folks wonder about Forbes. It seems that very few seniors seem to get D1 offers. It seems that unless you are signed before the start of your senior season, most end up going to a lower division or NAIA.

 

The only exception I remember seeing recently was Kramer from Scott, when he signed w/EKU after his senior season.

 

Don't know, maybe scouts may see things different that others. Or, maybe they may have been looking for something else at that time. It's hard to say when it comes to recruiting. He can play that's for sure.

Last year's team was good. The 2012 team was not very good. They just happened to win 2 games in the regional. They were probably the lowest ranked team to make the regional that year, who dare I say, got lucky.

 

Again, I am not saying that they aren't going to be a good team this year but I think #5 is more than fair. All the teams above them were better last year and have just as much if not more returning, with the exception of Ryle. However, Ryle is an established team over the last few years, a 6A school and I believe the JV champs last year.

 

I think we agree about 90%. Now to the 10% -- your point was "I would put Highlands in the same boat as Cooper, in the respect that until you can prove it on the field, no reason to move you up in the rankings." Previously, someone else had pointed out that Cooper had never won a district game -- in the regular season or postseason. As such, you had to expect a comparison to that when YOU put them in the "same boat" in your post. It was simply pointed out than not only has HHS won district games in the regular and post season, but HHS actually won the district tourney in 2012 and 2013 and went to the Region Finals in 2012.

 

You, of course, come back with the above post attributing all of the 2012 run to "luck." They finished the season strong, beat NCC in the District Finals, beat Conner in the opener, beat Dixie in the next game and had bases loaded in the final inning of a 3-1 game against NCC in the Finals to go to the State Tournament. Given the objective facts, in a sport where regular season W/L don't "earn" you anything, to say that that team was "not very good" is insulting, inaccurate and inane. For good measure, I will reprise my post from the Regional Finals thread. I think it holds up pretty well.

 

 

"Congrats to the Breds! Good pitching, great defense and timely 2 out hitting were the keys to victory.

 

For the Birds, WOW! Lots of blood, sweat & tears at the end of the run. It's nice to see a group of kids and coaches that work as hard as they did this season get rewarded. From the days of conditioning to tryouts to the 1st pitch at Walton Verona to Myrtle Beach and the nice run at the end of the year, it was a great ride.

 

For the Seniors, "Thank you" and you will be missed. As I have stated before, Grant Duesing did everything he was asked to do to overcome some hurdles and EARN his spot on this team. Chris Bausch came back to HHS and wanted to be a part of this team. He played every role from bullpen catcher to relief pitcher to pinch hitter to infielder. Mitch Meyer contributed on the field mightily, but more importantly to the development of these kids as both players and young men.

 

Hopefully this will be the season everyone points to as the one that "turned around the baseball program at HHS." Of course, if it is viewed that way it will only be because that is the easy and simple way to look at it from 30,000 feet. The reality is that the turnaround began with a focused intensity a few years ago with players and coaches willing to do the hard work to try to build something. It began with a school board and administration willing to fund and coaches willing to staff a Freshman program to build a "feeder system" to encourage, develop and cultivate players. It began with coaches, parents and city administrators (but mostly coaches) willing to bring Highland Park up to a level where a top class program could play. It began with support from Coach Mueller and the Athletic Department at HHS, regardless of some perceptions which may exist to the contrary, proclaiming to anyone that would listen that baseball and football can co-exist and prosper at HHS. It began with coaches willing to make tough decisions that were often unpopular but right for the program. It began with being willing, even when it HURTS, to "go to battle" with those committed to battling with you rather than making exceptions for those talented enough to help, but unwilling, for whatever reason, to commit.

 

Does a single season with a great run to end up District Champs & Regional Runner Ups mean HHS has arrived? Maybe / Maybe Not. Does it guarantee they stay there? No way. Are they going in the right direction? Absolutely. Is the right person guiding the ship? Positively.

 

I heard at the game that Dale has cancelled football practice on 2 occasions in the last 15 years -- yesterday for the Regional Championship game and on 9/11. I think we're going in the right direction."

This is the year that the core of those really good NKY Wildcats teams will take over Highlands BBAll team. Jones has already proven to be one of the best in the region. I look for Whitford, Hennigan, and the others to make that next step. I'd look for Highlands to be a favorite for the regional final again. At that point, anything can happen.

This is the year that the core of those really good NKY Wildcats teams will take over Highlands BBAll team. Jones has already proven to be one of the best in the region. I look for Whitford, Hennigan, and the others to make that next step. I'd look for Highlands to be a favorite for the regional final again. At that point, anything can happen.

 

The Wildcats are not the only good team that has pretty good representation in the program right now. Combining these kids into one should make them formidable for the very near future. However there are some other pretty good teams represented in the younger ages of the program which means that Jeremy has this program right where he wants it right now.

I can't see where anyone could have a major beef with this. That being said, I can guess one fan base who may chirp a bit.

 

I believe my prediction of chirping has been proven correct!

I believe my prediction of chirping has been proven correct!

:laugh:

:laugh:

 

I guess Conner should move up to the 2 slot ahead of Highlands??????