Just curious what years in the last 5 to 7 you thought Highlands should have won the region?

 

One in particular was the year they had Katie Allen, that team was loaded, had a good enough team to win it last year not saying they should have but was definitely good enough.

One in particular was the year they had Katie Allen, that team was loaded, had a good enough team to win it last year not saying they should have but was definitely good enough.

 

I can't disagree with you. I don't remember the Katie Allen year too much...before I cared! However, over the last 4-5 years, the Birds have had great talent. But there had been a very dominate team in the region that was probably better. I'm not saying that to provide an excuse, I'm saying they have had consistently above average talent, but there always seemed to be 1-2 other schools that were loaded the same year. Timing has been horrible for them. Last year they had a great team and were in a region with 3 top ten teams in the state. Again, not an excuse and I agree, you'd think that they could have snuck by at some point...but sometimes it just doesn't work out for ya?

 

They should be good again this year, but Holmes may be the dominate team this year. Depends on how they play without Tubbs...which could make a big difference in my opinion.

I can't disagree with you. I don't remember the Katie Allen year too much...before I cared! However, over the last 4-5 years, the Birds have had great talent. But there had been a very dominate team in the region that was probably better. I'm not saying that to provide an excuse, I'm saying they have had consistently above average talent, but there always seemed to be 1-2 other schools that were loaded the same year. Timing has been horrible for them. Last year they had a great team and were in a region with 3 top ten teams in the state. Again, not an excuse and I agree, you'd think that they could have snuck by at some point...but sometimes it just doesn't work out for ya?

 

They should be good again this year, but Holmes may be the dominate team this year. Depends on how they play without Tubbs...which could make a big difference in my opinion.

 

I would have to agree there was a few teams that were good but they (HHS) were good enough to win it, I agree you do need things to go your way to win it even if you are the team to beat. HHS will be very good this year and the talent is there and this is were the coaching will come into play for them this year.

I would say that with the talent feeding into ND and the sheer number of girls they should be in a major position for a Region trophy every year no matter who is coaching.

 

Same to a slightly lesser degree for the other 5A/6A schools like Ryle, Conner, Cooper etc. So easy to look past those coaches for those at smaller schools that can contend.

Interesting, long, and heated thread all in one. With no direct ties to the 9th region, I still have a strong urge to say Kes Murphy is without a doubt the best coach in the 9th.

 

Months ago, the same people now bashing Coach Murphy for "gathering talent" were congratulating HC on an unbelievable run to the state title. Seems a bit harsh in my eyes.

 

The bottom line is very simple. HC has done what no other 9th region team has been able to do. Yes, they had great players, but it took time for Coach Murphy to coach that team up to being a 9th region power. From what I saw at State, his team was unbelievably disciplined on the defensive end of the floor. Each team they faced had a very difficult time scoring the basketball. That doesn't just come second nature to great athletes; that is purely coaching and he did a fantastic job all week.

 

There are several phenomenal coaches in the 9th region. However, if I had a daughter, I'd want her playing for the coach who I believed would develop her into a successful college player. Ultimately, Murphy is the guy who can do that. Great coach, even better person.

Interesting, long, and heated thread all in one. With no direct ties to the 9th region, I still have a strong urge to say Kes Murphy is without a doubt the best coach in the 9th.

 

Months ago, the same people now bashing Coach Murphy for "gathering talent" were congratulating HC on an unbelievable run to the state title. Seems a bit harsh in my eyes.

 

The bottom line is very simple. HC has done what no other 9th region team has been able to do. Yes, they had great players, but it took time for Coach Murphy to coach that team up to being a 9th region power. From what I saw at State, his team was unbelievably disciplined on the defensive end of the floor. Each team they faced had a very difficult time scoring the basketball. That doesn't just come second nature to great athletes; that is purely coaching and he did a fantastic job all week.

 

There are several phenomenal coaches in the 9th region. However, if I had a daughter, I'd want her playing for the coach who I believed would develop her into a successful college player. Ultimately, Murphy is the guy who can do that. Great coach, even better person.

 

Don't think anyone said he wasn't a good coach and the run they made was a great one, as to RCC9 points he had 2 girls over 6' a legit D1 who transferred in and sat a year for whatever reason. Defensively they were good because of there size and in the girls game not many are very good outside shooters and if so not many on one team, most girls can't create there own shot especially off the dribble. As for getting them ready for college I would debate that, if you watch the college game its man to man and HC had trouble playing man to man that's why they sat in a zone all year.

Interesting, long, and heated thread all in one. With no direct ties to the 9th region, I still have a strong urge to say Kes Murphy is without a doubt the best coach in the 9th.

 

Months ago, the same people now bashing Coach Murphy for "gathering talent" were congratulating HC on an unbelievable run to the state title. Seems a bit harsh in my eyes.

 

The bottom line is very simple. HC has done what no other 9th region team has been able to do. Yes, they had great players, but it took time for Coach Murphy to coach that team up to being a 9th region power. From what I saw at State, his team was unbelievably disciplined on the defensive end of the floor. Each team they faced had a very difficult time scoring the basketball. That doesn't just come second nature to great athletes; that is purely coaching and he did a fantastic job all week.

 

There are several phenomenal coaches in the 9th region. However, if I had a daughter, I'd want her playing for the coach who I believed would develop her into a successful college player. Ultimately, Murphy is the guy who can do that. Great coach, even better person.

 

Who did he develop into a college player??? And that defense you talk about was a work in progress for 3 years with that group. It wasn't like he took a group and created a monster in a year. The same group was there the year before, except for their D1 transfer. Why did that discipline not lead them at least out of the region the prior year?? What's going to happen this year? Do you expect them to make the same run with that discipline they have? Or was it actually the talent and personel he had that allowed it to happen?

 

I did congratulate them on a great run. I was great for them and NKY. I said from day one last year that I would support whoever came out of the 9th and I did. It was exciting. What they did is not a question at all. It was terrific. But sometimes people question that "how" and the "how" they will get back to the top.

Don't think anyone said he wasn't a good coach and the run they made was a great one, as to RCC9 points he had 2 girls over 6' a legit D1 who transferred in and sat a year for whatever reason. Defensively they were good because of there size and in the girls game not many are very good outside shooters and if so not many on one team, most girls can't create there own shot especially off the dribble. As for getting them ready for college I would debate that, if you watch the college game its man to man and HC had trouble playing man to man that's why they sat in a zone all year.

 

Exactly! They would extend with one athlete (McClendon) and make you dribble into the monsters in the middle. That isn't really a tough formula when you have that kind of size in the middle. If I'm not mistaken, the good teams they faced in the tournament scored with their inside presence...which was HC's strength. I get it...they still played and beat them and it was awesome to watch. They relied on McClendon's ball handling (which is supurb) to not turn the ball over and give up easy baskets and their non-extend zone to get them the championship. Again, it was awesome, but it was because they had the tools to do it. I give him all the credit in the world for recognizing what he had. But I'm not sure it was revolutionary and that makes him the best coach in the region!

 

And they didn't exactly tear it up on offense. So I'm not sure if I would send my daughter there if I wanted her to be a scorer. But if you want her to be taught to sit back in a zone and score off blocked shots, then have at it. They won't have that luxury this year. Let's see how it plays out this year before we crown him king!

 

And if you want to go by who has produced the most college players...I don't think he's anywhere near the top.

And let me state this for the record. I'm not saying that their coach is a bad coach or a bad person. I'm sure he's a great guy. But "winning at all costs" can do strange things to people. It's almost an addiction. I've seen this a lot in sports and it's not healthy. Maybe looks good for the time being, but long term...not good. What's happening going forward will tell the story in the long run...in my opinion. The need to "reload" is the issue...again...in my opinion.

 

If I'm wrong, come back on here in a year or two and tell me about it. I'll admit it. But if I'm right (and I have a pretty good feeling I am), the damage will already be done.

I think a few other coaches would have won it with the team they had last year, again just my opinion.

I think a few other coaches would have won it with the team they had last year, again just my opinion.

 

Well certainly not the Highlands softball coach. :jump:

Well certainly not the Highlands softball coach. :jump:

 

Well he could have at least won the All A with that squad! :banana:

Well he could have at least won the All A with that squad! :banana:

 

So your saying he would actually compete in the All A.

 

I knew it. :eyeonyou:

So your saying he would actually compete in the All A.

 

I knew it. :eyeonyou:

 

I said "the HHS softball coach" could! :lol2:

Leave to Lawnboy to have this thread go another direction. LOL