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.

 

Because there is more to life than Highlands Football maybe? Other kids walking the halls who maybe wish to play on successful teams other than football possibly? When kids do not come out for the Basketball team it hurts the program. PERIOD

 

Valid excuse in my opinion. If there are kids who can help your team and they do not come out or they transfer to schools who value their basketball program more than that is a valid excuse for why you are not successful. To name a few....Griffin Urlage, Beau Hoge, Todd Ramey. Urlage is your 2G who used to shoot lights out as an AAU player in grade school. He has filled out to a solid 6'2 200lb. Beau Hoge is a solid 6' 200lb Point Guard who could attack the lane and Todd Ramey is 6'3 220lb kid with athleticism that led the JV team as a sophomore in scoring. Ben Weyer left after 8th grade and he has only become a 6'6 stud who is one of the top players in the state in his class. These are 4 kids who if they would have stayed in the Basketball program at Highlands would be starting this season. JMO

 

Since we are talking about Could'ves and should'ves.

I think another problem is that Highalnds kids that are good in both football and basketball are sometimes not outstanding enough that they can "hold off the competition" at their position if they play both. Now obviously Lorenzen and Smith were freak athletes that could do both.......but if a kid is maybe in the mix for a starting safety spot with 2 or 3 others and if he is in the mix for a starting small forward spot.........its tough knowing that your competition is not doing both sports and you might be falling behind. It is not unique to Highlands but Highlands football probably have more depth and competition than 95% of teams

I think another problem is that Highalnds kids that are good in both football and basketball are sometimes not outstanding enough that they can "hold off the competition" at their position if they play both. Now obviously Lorenzen and Smith were freak athletes that could do both.......but if a kid is maybe in the mix for a starting safety spot with 2 or 3 others and if he is in the mix for a starting small forward spot.........its tough knowing that your competition is not doing both sports and you might be falling behind. It is not unique to Highlands but Highlands football probably have more depth and competition than 95% of teams

 

Do you know how many of the kids on this years team play at least 2 and several that play 3.

Because there is more to life than Highlands Football maybe? Other kids walking the halls who maybe wish to play on successful teams other than football possibly? When kids do not come out for the Basketball team it hurts the program. PERIOD

 

Valid excuse in my opinion. If there are kids who can help your team and they do not come out or they transfer to schools who value their basketball program more than that is a valid excuse for why you are not successful. To name a few....Griffin Urlage, Beau Hoge, Todd Ramey. Urlage is your 2G who used to shoot lights out as an AAU player in grade school. He has filled out to a solid 6'2 200lb. Beau Hoge is a solid 6' 200lb Point Guard who could attack the lane and Todd Ramey is 6'3 220lb kid with athleticism that led the JV team as a sophomore in scoring. Ben Weyer left after 8th grade and he has only become a 6'6 stud who is one of the top players in the state in his class. These are 4 kids who if they would have stayed in the Basketball program at Highlands would be starting this season. JMO

 

Since we are talking about Could'ves and should'ves.

 

Didn't know Todd Ramey played Football.....Doesn't he play Baseball? Yeah I see where you are coming from but lets not pretend that Football is the only Enemy here. Don't blame Football because of a basketball coach you think really didn't care. Things are slowly changing under Listerman. So if Beau Hoge was to come out for Basketball this year, would you change your mind? Would it make you feel differently about a program(Sport) at Highlands that 1 out of every 3 boys at Highlands plays. Why do those 103 kids play one sport over another. Because maybe they think there is something special about it. Of that's right, you wouldn't know. Sorry for that complicated question. You do know I still have the email you sent me 4 or so years ago basically calling Beau out on the table and hoping the kid would just go ahead and Quit Basketball because you said he was a cancer. Seems to me you can't have it both ways my friend...Until you decide to back off a little about pointing the easy finger at a prominent sport at Highlands for only doing what they have done for generations(again you wouldn't know) I will continue to defend the very program that I represent. Get over it!

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.

 

 

Does this imply that HHS isn't fielding a decent basketball team? Define decent.

 

Because there is more to life than Highlands Football maybe? Other kids walking the halls who maybe wish to play on successful teams other than football possibly? When kids do not come out for the Basketball team it hurts the program. PERIOD

 

Valid excuse in my opinion. If there are kids who can help your team and they do not come out or they transfer to schools who value their basketball program more than that is a valid excuse for why you are not successful. To name a few....Griffin Urlage, Beau Hoge, Todd Ramey. Urlage is your 2G who used to shoot lights out as an AAU player in grade school. He has filled out to a solid 6'2 200lb. Beau Hoge is a solid 6' 200lb Point Guard who could attack the lane and Todd Ramey is 6'3 220lb kid with athleticism that led the JV team as a sophomore in scoring. Ben Weyer left after 8th grade and he has only become a 6'6 stud who is one of the top players in the state in his class. These are 4 kids who if they would have stayed in the Basketball program at Highlands would be starting this season. JMO

 

Since we are talking about Could'ves and should'ves.

 

Didn't Hoge and maybe even Urlage go out for basketball last year?

Did I miss the Holmes football versus Holmes basketball thread?

Did I miss the CovCath football versus CovCath basketball thread?

Did I miss the NewCath football versus NewCath basketball thread?

 

We are in the day and age of year round participation. The answer to the HHS question is the same as the answer to the question for the three schools above, just in reverse. Football suffers at these three schools because the kids do not come out for football and they only play basketball.

 

You think NCC gets a state ring last year with the athletic abilities and size of McDonald, Schulte, Pangallo, and a couple of Moeves boys on the football roster. I for one sure do.

 

You think CovCath is a tad better if all those basketball only boys fill a role on the football field. Sure wouldn't hurt, and for what its worth - I still think they are at least a decent football program.

Did I miss the Holmes football versus Holmes basketball thread? Did I miss the CovCath football versus CovCath basketball thread? Did I miss the NewCath football versus NewCath basketball thread? We are in the day and age of year round participation. The answer to the HHS question is the same as the answer to the question for the three schools above' date=' just in reverse. Football suffers at these three schools because the kids do not come out for football and they only play basketball. You think NCC gets a state ring last year with the athletic abilities and size of McDonald, Schulte, Pangallo, and a couple of Moeves boys on the football roster. I for one sure do. You think CovCath is a tad better if all those basketball only boys fill a role on the football field. Sure wouldn't hurt, and for what its worth - I still think they are at least a decent football program.[/quote']

 

You did miss the CCH thread. It was the impetus for this one.

This thread easily could have been HHS baseball vs HHS football. Last I looked Ramey, Weyer, Martin, Jones, Hennigan, Whitford, to name a few all played frosh ball or higher at one point in time. Heck yeah football would love to see these kids playing. Man, that is 6 legit starters on varsity this year. Baseball is stealing their fair share because the kids want to concentrate on that sport. And I'm cool with it. What I don't like is when coaches of younger athletes persuade their players to play their sport and concentrate on it all year. That's a problem. It's not football fault that kids aren't playing basketball just like it's not baseball fault kids aren't playing football on the high school level.

 

It's at the programs lap to why kids aren't playing. Baseball fixed it with the hiring of JB. Basketball looks to have fixed their problem with the hiring of Listerman. Takes time. Football, well they just got rid of their coach and brought in a new one to straighten out that mess. Who do they think they are not winning State 7 times in a row. It was time for a change.

 

The kids listed above in Q's post, yeah could have helped the basketball program. Not sure why Ramey isn't playing anymore, but if Hoge plays basketball last year, no way no how he is the QB that he is today if wasn't working out everyday in the weight room and film studies. His goal is to play college football, not basketball. Griffey just doesn't have the desire to play BB. So no fault to him.

 

I ask, who else on the football team isn't playing basketball/baseball that should be? Who in the halls isn't playing? Again, you could ask the same question for football. And baseball. Maybe someone just trying to shine a spotlight where it really isn't warranted. Just digging I guess.

You did miss the CCH thread. It was the impetus for this one.

 

What is your definition of decent?

If you build it they will come! Plenty of talent in the pipeline. A couple of Seniors could have helped; however kids should play what the want to play. HHS team chemistry is good. Senior leaders, a good junior class and some sophs putting in time. Youth clinics 3 days a week. 2 sophs have committed to basketball year round. Could they have played in the football program you bet, will the program miss them not at all. They want to be future leaders and no doubt down the road they will be; but they know they will need the multi sport athlete as well.

 

Q IMHO nobody except a few Seniors are walking down the hallways that would help the basketball program. The kids are out and working.

What is your definition of decent?

 

Tough to put into words. Know it when you see it. The Birds weren't there for a lot of last year but I admit I did not see them late. Consistency and being competitive on a nightly basis against all teams.

If you build it they will come! Plenty of talent in the pipeline. A couple of Seniors could have helped; however kids should play what the want to play. HHS team chemistry is good. Senior leaders, a good junior class and some sophs putting in time. Youth clinics 3 days a week. 2 sophs have committed to basketball year round. Could they have played in the football program you bet, will the program miss them not at all. They want to be future leaders and no doubt down the road they will be; but they know they will need the multi sport athlete as well.

 

Q IMHO nobody except a few Seniors are walking down the hallways that would help the basketball program. The kids are out and working.

 

^This

 

I really don't have a dog in this fight but it gets tiresome that the same ole people are critical of a sport that has been doing the same things for a very long time. No one is holding anybody hostage in one sport. That use to be the view a few years back when we were talking about Highlands Baseball. That excuse is gone because Jeremy is building his own brand and his program is getting better and better every year. Give Kevin Listerman time and and he will do the same. If you don't like what the Football program is doing then please try to ignore it because it isn't going to change anytime soon. Like Mex said a couple of days ago, there are a few kids that are staying with Soccer instead of playing football. Who cares? It happens....You won't see me lighting my torch and sharpening my pitchfork because of it. Hey it's obvious that I am a football guy. I have 1 son that will come through the "program" in due time. The program as in Highlands Athletics. Will he play football? Maybe or maybe not! I'm not forcing him to do anything. He loves all 3 sports and he will play what makes him happy. Now his mother on the other hand is as crazy about Football than I am. Don't believe me, try talking to her about it! She's a Lunatic.......

TBirds, did you mean his mother or your mother? I bet they could both give each other a run for their money!

Didn't know Todd Ramey played Football.....Doesn't he play Baseball? Yeah I see where you are coming from but lets not pretend that Football is the only Enemy here. Don't blame Football because of a basketball coach you think really didn't care. Things are slowly changing under Listerman. So if Beau Hoge was to come out for Basketball this year, would you change your mind? Would it make you feel differently about a program(Sport) at Highlands that 1 out of every 3 boys at Highlands plays. Why do those 103 kids play one sport over another. Because maybe they think there is something special about it. Of that's right, you wouldn't know. Sorry for that complicated question. You do know I still have the email you sent me 4 or so years ago basically calling Beau out on the table and hoping the kid would just go ahead and Quit Basketball because you said he was a cancer. Seems to me you can't have it both ways my friend...Until you decide to back off a little about pointing the easy finger at a prominent sport at Highlands for only doing what they have done for generations(again you wouldn't know) I will continue to defend the very program that I represent. Get over it!

 

Man I certainly didnt expect this from you especially when all I said was when kids dont play it hurts the program. Step away from the keyboard man. Jeezal petes. Your right, 2 of the kids I mentioned dont even play football so you are putting words in my mouth here saying I am blaming football soley. Lighten up man. Anytime anyone says anything on this board that remotely goes against Highlands football you blow up. Again, it was not my intention to blame football, only to stress that when kids dont come out the basketball program suffers.

 

As far as Beau being a cancer to the hoops team, maybe he was. I know many parents who thought he was at the time but probably wouldnt have the gonads to say it. That doesnt mean he hasnt matured and could still help the Basketball program out. Watching him play football clearly shows he has grown up. Again, no need to call me out on here, totally blindsided and disappointed to say the least. Why do you keep emails or messages anyway? Seriously man, get a grip.