So we can get an answer, perhaps, maybe we can ask a question and get some replies that aren't laced with paranoia.

 

In a school with the football prowess of Highlands, why haven't they been a player in the region lately? 14 yrs since a regional title with all of those outstanding athletes that have gone through there in that time. What gives?

I think while the youth football program in Ft Thomas (it is not just for Highlands although the majority of kids will go to Highlands) is a model for high school success, the youth basketball program lacks the same qualities that make football successful. In football they field as many teams as necessary to have about 20-25 players on each team and everyone gets to play at least 1 and half quarters each game. So 75 pound kid in 5th grade gets to play and stays interested and becomes 175 WR in high school. And 160 pound 5th grader gets to play and becomes 250 pounds of muscle kid in high school. Meanwhile basketball is more of a numbers game earlier on and the depth just is not there.

I think while the youth football program in Ft Thomas (it is not just for Highlands although the majority of kids will go to Highlands) is a model for high school success, the youth basketball program lacks the same qualities that make football successful. In football they field as many teams as necessary to have about 20-25 players on each team and everyone gets to play at least 1 and half quarters each game. So 75 pound kid in 5th grade gets to play and stays interested and becomes 175 WR in high school. And 160 pound 5th grader gets to play and becomes 250 pounds of muscle kid in high school. Meanwhile basketball is more of a numbers game earlier on and the depth just is not there.

I think that's a great answer. I wonder how many kids are footballers through middle school and migrate to Highlands for HS? Does that happen often? And if that premise is true, do the promising bballers end up in other schools? CovCath or NewCath for instance?

I think that's a great answer. I wonder how many kids are footballers through middle school and migrate to Highlands for HS? Does that happen often? And if that premise is true, do the promising bballers end up in other schools? CovCath or NewCath for instance?

 

Most of the football players in the FTJFL end up playing for Highlands and some will end up at NCC and a few other schools since FTJFL is a youth league and not a school league. As for kids that do not make it in basketball for the Highlands middle school team.....they probably play baseball or football or track for Highlands.

 

Its just a sheer numbers game.

Well let's do two case studies of players that would have helped Highlands basketball.

1) Ben Weyer - non-football player who, after being in Ft. Thomas schools his whole life, went to high school for the greener pastures at NCC. Chalk that up to the state of affairs with the program at the time and the success of NCC.

2) Jac Collinsworth - Kid could have been a great contributor on the hardwood. But why give up that time and effort when you can be a football standout at one of the most prestigious programs in Kentucky football.

 

I think both these cases sum up why talent doesn't end up in the gym at Highlands. If you are a pure basketball player, you have better options. If you're better at football, the success of the football program and it's track record of producing college-level players deters one from giving up time that could be spent trying to win state titles and scholarships. Both are cases of just losing out to fierce competition. It's going to take a great middle school program and a bit of luck to change this.

Baseball has proven that football players can play more than one sport. It's also proven that the right coach can built enthusiasm and get kids out.

 

Zero valid excuses for HHS to not being able to field a decent basketball team.

And certainly not being mean here but Jac Collinsworth wasn't turning around HHS b-ball fortunes. Decent skill. Solid athlete. Nothing more.

We have this discussion every year. I think your point about the right coach is heading us in the right direction. I was in the program when we had the right coach. I'm also with you on the zero excuses comment.

I really think that the youth leagues have to mirror the parochial leagues. As good as FTJFL is, the parochial bball leagues are that good. The top schools like St Joes Cold Spring have a ton of really really good coaches. On top of that, gym time is not an issue since they have their own. Bball in Ft Thomas may improve w Woodfill having their own gym for their teams, Moyer w their own. However, and this is key, Kids practice 1 time per week as of right now for basketball. Football practices 3xs per week. Kids have to get more court time besides finding pick up games.

I really think that the youth leagues have to mirror the parochial leagues. As good as FTJFL is, the parochial bball leagues are that good. The top schools like St Joes Cold Spring have a ton of really really good coaches. On top of that, gym time is not an issue since they have their own. Bball in Ft Thomas may improve w Woodfill having their own gym for their teams, Moyer w their own. However, and this is key, Kids practice 1 time per week as of right now for basketball. Football practices 3xs per week. Kids have to get more court time besides finding pick up games.

 

Practice time at the youth level is always an issue. Been a while since I coached but our school had about 34 teams in need of gym time. This was before they even added on a 2nd gym. Once a week is probably normal considering that you also play multiple games during the week.

 

Key is not limiting it to X number of teams per grade. I bet at the younger levels there were 4 teams per grade. Key is enough coaches and a strong organizer.

And certainly not being mean here but Jac Collinsworth wasn't turning around HHS b-ball fortunes. Decent skill. Solid athlete. Nothing more.

 

I agree. But my point is his case is a familiar one. A person that could have been a solid contributor who does not come out because of success in football.

Here is any honest question: I cheer for all HHS athletic programs, but I mostly support The HHS football program. I get the sense from posts on this website that a major reason why HHS basketball is not more successful than it is has to do with the fact that a lot of HHS students are focusing so much on football, and not basketball. With this in mind, my would I as a HHS football fan want HHS athletes to take time away from HHS football preparation in order to emphasize basketball? In my opinion, all that would do is weaken what is considered to be a major strength of the football program.

Practice time at the youth level is always an issue. Been a while since I coached but our school had about 34 teams in need of gym time. This was before they even added on a 2nd gym. Once a week is probably normal considering that you also play multiple games during the week.

 

Key is not limiting it to X number of teams per grade. I bet at the younger levels there were 4 teams per grade. Key is enough coaches and a strong organizer.

Highlands has an intramural league. I would like to see an actual league for schools' B teams. However, that would take serious dedication and cooperation bn schools and getting officials. I don't have the time so I can't beat that drum.

Highlands has an intramural league. I would like to see an actual league for schools' B teams. However, that would take serious dedication and cooperation bn schools and getting officials. I don't have the time so I can't beat that drum.

I don't know your situation, but the "I don't have the time" excuse is used in many public grade schools. Do you think all the coaches at a place like St. Joe's "do have the time".?

No, they just make the time.

Well let's do two case studies of players that would have helped Highlands basketball.

1) Ben Weyer - non-football player who, after being in Ft. Thomas schools his whole life, went to high school for the greener pastures at NCC. Chalk that up to the state of affairs with the program at the time and the success of NCC.

2) Jac Collinsworth - Kid could have been a great contributor on the hardwood. But why give up that time and effort when you can be a football standout at one of the most prestigious programs in Kentucky football.

 

I think both these cases sum up why talent doesn't end up in the gym at Highlands. If you are a pure basketball player, you have better options. If you're better at football, the success of the football program and it's track record of producing college-level players deters one from giving up time that could be spent trying to win state titles and scholarships. Both are cases of just losing out to fierce competition. It's going to take a great middle school program and a bit of luck to change this.

 

Jac could've helped on the hardwood for sure but he only played in a handful of varsity football games (due to injuries) so unfortunately for him it was a less than stellar and somewhat abbreviated athletic career at Highlands.