I don't get too see Highlands very often but my observation last night was that Brianna Adler needs to shoot the ball more. I don't know if they are not running many sets for her or what the deal is. The kid shoots 40% or better from 3. I'm not suggesting others should not be shooting. Highlands is well rounded and has a lot of talent. Maybe it was just a fluke last night but if I've got a 40% or better from 3 shooter I'm running plenty of sets for her.

 

I do not want to be overly critical here, but the issue as I saw it is that there are sets run to try and get her free, however there are a couple of problems with that. One, there is no one else currently that can also step out and consistently knock down an outside shot which allows defenses to focus their efforts on taking the "3" ball away from her arsenal. Second, she does struggle a little to create her own shot which makes my first point even more critical. Thought Coffey showed signs last night of what they are going to need as the season progresses and that is a kid that gets the ball where it needs to be when it needs to be there and can knock down a shot when left open. Also kind of agree that the rotation is a little too big right now, but believe coach is looking for a few to hopefully separate themselves in the next few weeks. Love Barth's game for a frosh, but at times just needs to let things come to her and not try to force too much. When she does that she excels anywhere on the floor that you put her. Leigh is showing signs of being a dominant type player but needs to be more of an enforcer in the paint. Great kid that needs to find that "mean" streak on the court to let everyone know that the paint belongs to her.

I don't get too see Highlands very often but my observation last night was that Brianna Adler needs to shoot the ball more. I don't know if they are not running many sets for her or what the deal is. The kid shoots 40% or better from 3. I'm not suggesting others should not be shooting. Highlands is well rounded and has a lot of talent. Maybe it was just a fluke last night but if I've got a 40% or better from 3 shooter I'm running plenty of sets for her.

 

They do and teams definitely key on her. What didn't happen last night, was the others weren't hitting as well. So they were able to back off the others to help on Adler and Leigh. When the others shoot even decent, it's opens up a lot more for those two. I think the "others" were like 1 for 17 last night from 3. And some of those kids as really good shooters. Just couldn't find the bucket last night and it allowed ND to continue to sag. Just my opinion.

 

HHS is typically a very balanced attack. Even last year with all their scorers, HHS has all their 5 starters avg within 10-12 pts per game. Sure, one would go off here and there, but it was very balanced. HHS was very good last year and I don't think they had one kid in the top 10 scoring in the region.

 

But I hear what you're saying. Just had that same conversation this morning!

They do and teams definitely key on her. What didn't happen last night, was the others weren't hitting as well. So they were able to back off the others to help on Adler and Leigh. When the others shoot even decent, it's opens up a lot more for those two. I think the "others" were like 1 for 17 last night from 3. And some of those kids as really good shooters. Just couldn't find the bucket last night and it allowed ND to continue to sag. Just my opinion.

 

HHS is typically a very balanced attack. Even last year with all their scorers, HHS has all their 5 starters avg within 10-12 pts per game. Sure, one would go off here and there, but it was very balanced. HHS was very good last year and I don't think they had one kid in the top 10 scoring in the region.

 

But I hear what you're saying. Just had that same conversation this morning!

 

NDA showed a blueprint on how to help on Leigh even with their center on the bench. Rennekamp and Miles were very good down low. Why NDA doesn't play Gribben, Miles and Rennekamp at the same time is intriguing. Miles can rebound and is a very nice shooter from anywhere. Not a knock on Baugh or #5 but I would like to see those 3 on the court at the same time. Sitting near a high school coach watching last night, he said the same thing. Actually said glad they don't. I thought about Hagen, Martin, Miles, Rennekamp and Gribben with Baugh and #5 (Zimmerman?) I have seen a lot of girls games this year and they would match up with anyone. It would be interesting to see Miles at the 3 some and Rennekamp at the 4. I am assuming Miles was at the 4 because who she came in for. What HHS can take away from this game is they lack nastiness. NDA has a lot of it especially with the guards. I see the swag from Coffey and to me an outsider looking in she needs to be the leader for the birds.

NDA showed a blueprint on how to help on Leigh even with their center on the bench. Rennekamp and Miles were very good down low. Why NDA doesn't play Gribben, Miles and Rennekamp at the same time is intriguing. Miles can rebound and is a very nice shooter from anywhere. Not a knock on Baugh or #5 but I would like to see those 3 on the court at the same time. Sitting near a high school coach watching last night, he said the same thing. Actually said glad they don't. I thought about Hagen, Martin, Miles, Rennekamp and Gribben with Baugh and #5 (Zimmerman?) I have seen a lot of girls games this year and they would match up with anyone. It would be interesting to see Miles at the 3 some and Rennekamp at the 4. I am assuming Miles was at the 4 because who she came in for. What HHS can take away from this game is they lack nastiness. NDA has a lot of it especially with the guards. I see the swag from Coffey and to me an outsider looking in she needs to be the leader for the birds.

 

You tell her!!! lol!

 

I think she will. Has been for the last couple years. She is still getting back from a knee injury and still a little limited in minutes. Usually, she rarely leaves the floor in big games. I think the coaches are easing her back in. And Barth is playing with a broken bone in her hand right now. No excuses, just saying why some minutes are still limited a little.

 

ND played harder than HHS last night. Plain and simple!

Congrats to NDA on a very nice win. Was a little surprised on this one but sounds like HHS is just getting their rhythm going with line up.

Was a fun game to watch following the loss to HHS in the Conner tournament. Both teams played hard. In my opinion the difference between the two games was the number of fouls called. First game I think the birds shot 31 free throws. This game more like 10.

 

Way to go Pandas.

Both teams shot 14 free throws and made 10 of them.

Was a fun game to watch following the loss to HHS in the Conner tournament. Both teams played hard. In my opinion the difference between the two games was the number of fouls called. First game I think the birds shot 31 free throws. This game more like 10.

 

Way to go Pandas.

 

First game was a much different game and there was a reason for the differential in the fouls.

First game was a much different game and there was a reason for the differential in the fouls.

 

I agree. As one parent said after the Conner tournament. HHS came out "punching" (not literally) and NDA laid down. Not so much on Tuesday. Even after a quick HHS lead 9-0, the team believed in themselves and fought back (again not literally) to play a scrappy game.

 

Continued success to both teams!

How was NDA's coach? I heard he was throwing some stink eye towards the HHS bench every once in a while.

How was NDA's coach? I heard he was throwing some stink eye towards the HHS bench every once in a while.

 

I'm not a big fan of his but I saw them very friendly before the game and HHS coach works the refs all game long.(Mr. friendly) I did see NDA and HHS coach have some stares and looks and few words during the game. I would think it was NDA coach countering what HHS was trying to get from the refs. NDA coaches outcoached HHS in this game.

I'm not a big fan of his but I saw them very friendly before the game and HHS coach works the refs all game long.(Mr. friendly) I did see NDA and HHS coach have some stares and looks and few words during the game. I would think it was NDA coach countering what HHS was trying to get from the refs. NDA coaches outcoached HHS in this game.

 

LOL, I saw the same "stink eye" I also agree the NDA coaches did a excellent job in this game (besides the stall ball up 6 with 230 left in the 3rd with Leigh on the bench. IMO) Really liked to collaboration they had before gathering in the huddle with the team. Players felt like everyone was on the same page.

 

NDA has moved on from this game as it means nothing if they get thumped tonight or Saturday. Was one game, one night and NDA hopes they meet again as it would mean NDA made it out of districts.

How was NDA's coach? I heard he was throwing some stink eye towards the HHS bench every once in a while.

 

He was watching and listening for the calls/signals coming from the highlands bench.

Never seen a coach calling yelling out the other teams play louder than the coach running the play.

He definitely did plenty of scouting after that first loss