Highlands definetly has the size to compete next year, but like you said Willie needs to get good defense and solid play from his two centers. The guard play will be decent simply because of Simpson. Both centers are gonna be taller than most teams big men but they need to develop a little more. But I agree Highlands could definetly pull an upset or two this year.

 

 

I think the 2 big fellas have probably worked very hard over the summer to improve their game and they could be a force defensively but they did not get enough minutes last season. I thought they could have used the Wise kid to come in and use up some fouls, take up some space in certain game situations. Obviously willie was trying to WIN each time out and if that meant they stuck with their first 7 kids so be it.

 

The Birds can be good if these things occur.

Stein develops more of an offensive game around the basket, ie (garbage baskets), Hurtt can hit the mid-range jumpers and continue to scrap for loose balls, Simpson can average 20 per game, Simons can offer more offense and McGraw provides floor leadership and play strong defense and the 2 big fellas take up space and man the lane. The Eaton kid may be a surprise too as a slashing forward with a nice shot as well as Stewart. They will definitely have depth.

I think the 2 big fellas have probably worked very hard over the summer to improve their game and they could be a force defensively but they did not get enough minutes last season. I thought they could have used the Wise kid to come in and use up some fouls, take up some space in certain game situations. Obviously willie was trying to WIN each time out and if that meant they stuck with their first 7 kids so be it.

 

The Birds can be good if these things occur.

Stein develops more of an offensive game around the basket, ie (garbage baskets), Hurtt can hit the mid-range jumpers and continue to scrap for loose balls, Simpson can average 20 per game, Simons can offer more offense and McGraw provides floor leadership and play strong defense and the 2 big fellas take up space and man the lane. The Eaton kid may be a surprise too as a slashing forward with a nice shot as well as Stewart. They will definitely have depth.

 

Couldn't agree anymore...the loss of Vories will hurt them though. I think if Simpson can come in and take over where Vories left off, they'll be just fine but if not it could be a long season for the Birds. They return some talent but their JV wasn't very impressive last year. But as stated before, I think the key to Highlands success this year is gonna be how much the two big men have developed and if Simpson can carry the load that is expected of him.

Couldn't agree anymore...the loss of Vories will hurt them though. I think if Simpson can come in and take over where Vories left off, they'll be just fine but if not it could be a long season for the Birds. They return some talent but their JV wasn't very impressive last year. But as stated before, I think the key to Highlands success this year is gonna be how much the two big men have developed and if Simpson can carry the load that is expected of him.

 

True, true.... replacing Vories may not happen.... inserting a couple of high scorers in the lineup like simpson and possibly Simons is about all I see they can do to replace Vories. Nic is smooth but nobody got to the rim quicker than Vories....

From Ryan Ernst's blog(http://frontier.cincinnati.com/blogs/preps/)

 

Preseason NKAC picks for 2006/2007 season:

 

N.K.A.C. Top 10 Pre-Season Poll 2006-07

Rank-Team Points 1st Place Votes

1. Covington Catholic 171 10

2. Holmes 169 7

3t. Simon Kenton 134 2

3t. Bishop Brossart 134

5. Holy Cross 120

6. Ryle 62

7. NewCath 61

8. Highlands 60

9. St. Henry 41

10. Dixie Heights 36

 

Just doing my part to keep thread alive until season starts!!

 

Who are the teams just outside the top 10 who could potentially break into the top 10? Campbell Co, Beechwood, Scott, LLoyd and what do they need to have happen to break into the top 10?

 

Just my opinion but Dixie is a year away and Newcath needs to find someone to get the ball to Kiernan, and Ryle should be more in the 9-10 range.

 

Holy Cross is ranked too low. SK should be below Holy Cross and Brossart

True, true.... replacing Vories may not happen.... inserting a couple of high scorers in the lineup like simpson and possibly Simons is about all I see they can do to replace Vories. Nic is smooth but nobody got to the rim quicker than Vories....

 

Have to agree with the assessment on Vories. He killed Holmes last year on the boards and getting easy put backs.

 

I think as long as Simpson is in the lineup though and he can get the big men involved, Highlands could pull a couple upsets. Who do they have coming up from JV that could be possible role players or sleepers?

Jv players who could be nice players.

 

Luke Stein- great summer with NKY Jazz , won state AAU tourney and is 6'1 220 and defended 6'5 and 6'6 guys.

Zach Hurtt- physically tough, nice penetration from wings and a great scrapper.

Michael Eaton- has good athletic ability and could blossom.

Stewart- not sure of 1st name....unsure about him but heard he could be a sleeper.

Josh Conner- from frosh will be soph...strong point guard.

Eric Kyle- also from frosh who is strictly basketball player and has good physical tools.

If I am missing someone, let me know.

Jv players who could be nice players.

 

Luke Stein- great summer with NKY Jazz , won state AAU tourney and is 6'1 220 and defended 6'5 and 6'6 guys.

Zach Hurtt- physically tough, nice penetration from wings and a great scrapper.

Michael Eaton- has good athletic ability and could blossom.

Stewart- not sure of 1st name....unsure about him but heard he could be a sleeper.

Josh Conner- from frosh will be soph...strong point guard.

Eric Kyle- also from frosh who is strictly basketball player and has good physical tools.

If I am missing someone, let me know.

 

Looks about right to me...I think by Nic's senior year they could possible be in the running for a regional title again. If I'm not mistaken doesn't Highlands have a strong soph and jr class?

Looks about right to me...I think by Nic's senior year they could possible be in the running for a regional title again. If I'm not mistaken doesn't Highlands have a strong soph and jr class?

The Jr class has talent but not much size. Don't know too much about the soph class. The incoming frosh class is strong. Seems to hit every other year.

The Jr class has talent but not much size. Don't know too much about the soph class. The incoming frosh class is strong. Seems to hit every other year.

Soph class does have some players...they need to develop/mature but don't count this class out.

Josh Conner, Jake Turner FB players who are extremely athletic. Mitchell Fair is a natural slasher who has growth potential. Eric Kyle has the skill set for a very solid guard. Jordan Messer has unlimited range on his jumper. Austin Geisting is growing like a weed and could be the sleeper of the group. And there may be some wild cards out there in the hallways...just depends on how many Willie is willing to keep and put effort into developing!

Highlands problem is that they can't get some of the football players who could definetly contribute at the varsity level to come out for basketball. IMO if Dale didn't mind some of his better players playing basketball as well, Highlands could be a top 3-5 team every year.

Highlands problem is that they can't get some of the football players who could definetly contribute at the varsity level to come out for basketball. IMO if Dale didn't mind some of his better players playing basketball as well, Highlands could be a top 3-5 team every year.

Completely wrong about Dale holding players back. Stein, Ball, Mcgraw, Hurtt, Wise, and Simons are all football players that play varsity bball. Thats half the basketball team. Dale encourages players to play all sports.

Completely wrong about Dale holding players back. Stein, Ball, Mcgraw, Hurtt, Wise, and Simons are all football players that play varsity bball. Thats half the basketball team. Dale encourages players to play all sports.

 

I worded that wrong then...what i mean is dont the football players who play basketball as well have football all summer and dale wants them to be there rather than at basketball? or are they allowed to attend both at the same time during the summer. Also usually the football players get late starts because highlands usually makes deep playoff runs in football so it takes a while for everyone to get in sync.

I worded that wrong then...what i mean is dont the football players who play basketball as well have football all summer and dale wants them to be there rather than at basketball? or are they allowed to attend both at the same time during the summer. Also usually the football players get late starts because highlands usually makes deep playoff runs in football so it takes a while for everyone to get in sync.

 

 

I think there are a few baskt/football combo kids that play basketball in the summer (Stein,Simons only two I know) the rest do football. I don't think Dale has a problem with any kid playing basketball in summer. Those kids are probably doing both anyway if the scheduling worked out. But I do know that Dale supports his players doing all sports.

I think there are a few baskt/football combo kids that play basketball in the summer (Stein,Simons only two I know) the rest do football. I don't think Dale has a problem with any kid playing basketball in summer. Those kids are probably doing both anyway if the scheduling worked out. But I do know that Dale supports his players doing all sports.

 

Well thanks for clearing that up to me. Because i had heard (you know how that goes), that dale sometimes frowned upon some players playing baseball or basketball during the summer and missing some football. I know a kid a couple years ago that i played summer ball with had this problem and didnt come back out the following year because Dale wanted him at football.

Well thanks for clearing that up to me. Because i had heard (you know how that goes), that dale sometimes frowned upon some players playing baseball or basketball during the summer and missing some football. I know a kid a couple years ago that i played summer ball with had this problem and didnt come back out the following year because Dale wanted him at football.

When you say summer ball, was this a school team or a club team? I know that all coaches at HHS work together to help multi sport athletes to compete in all sports. What is frowned on, is an athlete that misses practice due to playing on a non school team. ie; an AAU Bball team or a summer baseball club. I know for an absolute fact that Dale encourages everyone of his players to be involved in other activities than football. As far as bball, HHS program would be better served to have some kind of involvement with the grade school kids. Willy loses a lot of talent to football at the grade school level.