Zing :eek:

Looking back into the past 40 yrs can we identify a coach at Highlands who truly connected with the kids? Flynn was not in the building and although an exceptionally nice guy he wasn't with the kids enough IMO and it wasn't his fault just circumstance. Schlarman and Messmer were no non-sense guys who had a few studs playing for them that have'nt walked through the doors lately. (Glaser, Lorenzen, Smith, Neltner, Vories, Simpson, Mcgraw). Petty? I am not familiar with him only know he sat on the bench with Shields and lost in the Districts a couple times to Scott with some really good teams. Shields is probably the last one who not only had studs but also was a coach the kids connected with on a personal level. I mean the guy has an infectious smile and comes across as a player's coach.

 

IMO Listerman needs to be that type of coach and from what I have seen so far he is trying to be that guy. He makes several attempts to say hello to the younger kids in Middle school when he sees them and has a lot of passion for the program. I wish him the best and hope he can get things turned around.

 

We at one time had Shields, Petty and Listerman on the bench. Coach Shields was obviously the one that brought the program to prominence. He was very involved with the kids down to grade school level. The JV players had to ref grade school games on saturday mornings at Moyer, and you could expect Coach to make an appearance. He also knew what everyone of his players did academically, socially and at home. Sometimes too much lol. Until someone can figure out that they need to develop non football kids I think they will continue to struggle. As good as the football program has been the basketball program has been bad. I do not know the present coach, hopefully he gets it figured out.

Really???????????????????? Come on man!!!!!!!!!

 

Why the ???? A couple of years ago, I went to Regional and saw Birds lose to Lloyd. Um we never lost to Lloyd. Now Bellevue? No disrespect to the Tigers. Obviously doing good things. They are on edge of being the worse team in the 36th? For some reason Boys Basketball has been getting a pass the past decade. What if the football team had ONE year like this? It would literally be the end of times in the Fort. Like I said in another post, maybe it is what it is. I just have a hard time accepting that.

Why the ???? A couple of years ago, I went to Regional and saw Birds lose to Lloyd. Um we never lost to Lloyd. Now Bellevue? No disrespect to the Tigers. Obviously doing good things. They are on edge of being the worse team in the 36th? For some reason Boys Basketball has been getting a pass the past decade. What if the football team had ONE year like this? It would literally be the end of times in the Fort. Like I said in another post, maybe it is what it is. I just have a hard time accepting that.

 

So what do you want it to be? You want to compare your era with today and they are not even close. You ask why? How about this: Danny Sullivan, Fred Terry, Jeff Kremer, Rich Maile, Rick Lankheit, Scott Draud, Derek Smith, Jared Lorenzen. What do they all have in common? There is a big part of your answer right there. Ben Weyer did just the opposite of these guys didn't he? Not sure what you are thinking should be happening, but there are no 6'6" players walking the halls that could be helping the basketball team right now.

 

And for your information, Bellevue and Lloyd were really good back in those days as well. So did they fall hard as well? At one time, Lloyd started 3 guys that were 6'5" plus and Highlands beat them in the finals one year. Remember that????

 

Maybe you and some others come around and watch some games and you can give your expert analysis of what needs to be done to correct things.

 

And you say getting a PASS? What exactly does that mean. I will wait to hear your expert analysis along with some others on here that choose to show up for games every blue moon if ever at all.

Why the ???? A couple of years ago, I went to Regional and saw Birds lose to Lloyd. Um we never lost to Lloyd. Now Bellevue? No disrespect to the Tigers. Obviously doing good things. They are on edge of being the worse team in the 36th? For some reason Boys Basketball has been getting a pass the past decade. What if the football team had ONE year like this? It would literally be the end of times in the Fort. Like I said in another post, maybe it is what it is. I just have a hard time accepting that.

Lloyd was VERY GOOD that year.

I agree...the big kid dunked on just about everyone in NKY that year and they had the 2 guards that were fast and could shoot.

 

Lloyd was not a typical Lloyd team who struggled in the 90's and early 2000's but then again like JOAT said they had some very good teams in the early/mid 80's.

So what do you want it to be? You want to compare your era with today and they are not even close. You ask why? How about this: Danny Sullivan, Fred Terry, Jeff Kremer, Rich Maile, Rick Lankheit, Scott Draud, Derek Smith, Jared Lorenzen. What do they all have in common? There is a big part of your answer right there. Ben Weyer did just the opposite of these guys didn't he? Not sure what you are thinking should be happening, but there are no 6'6" players walking the halls that could be helping the basketball team right now.

 

And for your information, Bellevue and Lloyd were really good back in those days as well. So did they fall hard as well? At one time, Lloyd started 3 guys that were 6'5" plus and Highlands beat them in the finals one year. Remember that????

 

Maybe you and some others come around and watch some games and you can give your expert analysis of what needs to be done to correct things.

 

And you say getting a PASS? What exactly does that mean. I will wait to hear your expert analysis along with some others on here that choose to show up for games every blue moon if ever at all.

Sorry. I did stop going to games years ago. Found it hard to watch. You are right about the talent. Just doesn't seem to be there. Didn't mean to upset anyone. Just hate to see the program where it has sunk to. Love to see them get it turned around. Not close to the program anymore so I would have no idea what the answer is.

I agree...the big kid dunked on just about everyone in NKY that year and they had the 2 guards that were fast and could shoot.

 

Lloyd was not a typical Lloyd team who struggled in the 90's and early 2000's but then again like JOAT said they had some very good teams in the early/mid 80's.

 

 

Best high school dunk I have ever seen in that game.

Best high school dunk I have ever seen in that game.

 

Agreed

Highlands is now counting down the days to football season. LOL. The cake eaters love to rub it in everyone's face then, but funny how when the tables are turned in basketball season there are now hurt feelings and supporters taking offense. YOU CAN'T HAVE YOUR CAKE AND EAT IT 365 DAYS A YEAR!!!!

 

Nice generalization. So everyone at HHS loves to rub it in everyone's face. I wonder how many of those supporters that do this are the kids from the basketball program. I wonder how many are the parents of the kids in the basketball program. There are hurt feelings. The kids are disappointed that most likely their season will end a game or two sooner than they hoped. The parents are disappointed that the boys are disappointed.

 

If it makes you feel better, go ahead and rub some salt in the wound. The underclassmen will have their opportunity to do better in the years to come. Hopefully they respond.

 

As for the seniors, the loss hurts really bad right now. I know they will finish the season strong as a group. They may be emotionally down now, but what outstanding high school careers these young men have had. Kenny Ball can look forward to being a big part of the preseason favorite in baseball this year. Kenny will move on to lead within the baseball program as an infielder and pitcher. Justin Weyer can move forward with his 2 state championship football rings and his outstanding academic achievements and scholarship offers. Parker Harris has multiple regional golf championships and a commendation to a service academy.

 

Go ahead and have your fun at the expense of the basketball program - in the long run these kids are still winners.

Sometimes it sucks. Now you see how everyone else feels during football season. Life moves on ... yes, you all will overcome this. Everyone else has.

Jeez people, this has become a Highlands bash instead of nice job Bellevue. Hate to see fans of other teams use this great game by Bellevue to push anti Highlands venom. Kudos to the Bellevue team, but also Highlands made a great 4th quarter comeback and almost stole this one right back. And as far as the Highlands players are concerned I can guarantee you they are hard at it wanting to get that next shot at NCC. They may be big underdogs when that game is played, but I also guarantee they are not intimidated.

Sometimes it sucks. Now you see how everyone else feels during football season. Life moves on ... yes, you all will overcome this. Everyone else has.

 

Hahahaha back it on up my friend!

Jeez people, this has become a Highlands bash instead of nice job Bellevue. Hate to see fans of other teams use this great game by Bellevue to push anti Highlands venom. Kudos to the Bellevue team, but also Highlands made a great 4th quarter comeback and almost stole this one right back. And as far as the Highlands players are concerned I can guarantee you they are hard at it wanting to get that next shot at NCC. They may be big underdogs when that game is played, but I also guarantee they are not intimidated.

 

Bellevue is having a solid season and deserves kudos for a big district win. I looked up the 1976 9th region and indeed Bellevue beat Highlands in the first round. Holmes beat NewCath and Holy Cross later in the finals to win the region in 1976. Started a 3-year run of Sweet 16 trips for the Bulldogs. Bellevue also made the regional in 1977 but had the bad luck of drawing Holmes in a game played at Holmes.

Another fun fact is the Tigers were coached by Gary Akers back in 76' and his assistant was Mike Swauger who went on to win 295 games at BHS. His successor was non other than Kevin Listerman who had a cup of coffee in B Town for 1 yr leading the Tigers to a 17-12 record and a District win over Newport. Unfortunately his Tigers fell to Highlands in the 2nd round 82-35. Highlands was led by Mr Basketball Ross Neltner Who was a Jr.