Final per the Scoreboard.

Ugh...sounds riveting.

 

Closer margin than I expected.

Hollis is still rusty and Newport is obviously figuring out how to play without Mullins. They had a stretch like this last year as well before really hitting their stride to close out the season.

WOW!! Looks like both teams had trouble on the offensive side. Looking forward to hearing how this one ended.

WOW!! Looks like both teams had trouble on the offensive side. Looking forward to hearing how this one ended.

 

That is what good defense will do to you. I will let others chime in before I make any further comments because I do not want to sound like the Cooper guy in the NCC/Cooper game thread, but .......................................

That is what good defense will do to you. I will let others chime in before I make any further comments because I do not want to sound like the Cooper guy in the NCC/Cooper game thread, but .......................................

 

:laugh:

That is what good defense will do to you. I will let others chime in before I make any further comments because I do not want to sound like the Cooper guy in the NCC/Cooper game thread, but .......................................

 

I would like to hear about the good defense tonight

Nobody wants to offer anything up? Okay.

 

Highlands came out in their usual fashion of rushing things and allowed Newport to get out to an early 8 to 10 point lead. Then in the 2nd quarter they started to ramp up the defensive pressure a little by forcing the ball out of Snapp's hands and Newport then struggled to score. Birds down 4 at break and have a drive to basket with about 4 seconds on clock and Dougherty is hammered on drive and bald headed official swallows his whistle. 3rd quarter is when things really get interesting as referees are appearing to be intimidated by the atmosphere as Covington has been hitting guys for 2 plus quarters with various cheap shots and nothing is called. There is then a loose ball on the floor and he decides to take a cheap shot at Dougherty and spineless official calls an intentional foul on Dougherty after he shoves Covington who gets away with another [rough] play. This little sequence inspires the Birds who rally to tie the game at 28 all in the early 4th quarter. Neither team can convert baskets or free thrown attempts and then Newport opens a 4 point lead only to see Highlands Cain drive to the basket for a score and then the "play of the night". Finfrock called for goaltending on a shot that is 3/4's of the way in the basket and appears to grab the net for fear of getting his feet taken out from under him by someone that was fouling him.

 

To say the officials had a big impact on this game would be nothing but the truth. Both teams played hard and Newport tried their usual thuggery tactics, but this Birds team did not and will not back down. I said it earlier in the year that they will play hard and defense will create offense. Newport knows that they were in a game last night and that Highlands can certainly get them in the district tourney.

 

On a side note, I truly believe that the referee's are looking for any little thing with this Highlands team because there are so many footballers playing. They are starting to get a little bit of a reputation which is bull. Their defensive style has been used by many of the top teams over the last several years and no one was saying anything to them, but every time something gets a little physical with this Birds team the officials are quick to talk to them and nothing is said to the other team.

Edited January 8, 201610 yr by MentschTrachtGottLacht
Edited MTGL.

Newport must have shut down Highlands' rushing game and made some plays on special teams.

Newport must have shut down Highlands' rushing game and made some plays on special teams.

 

That top 5 team in the region (Newport) knows they played against a team who isn't scared of any team let alone them. Joat nailed when Highlands had the ball no whistles all night. Newport has the ball whistles were getting blown before there even was anything going on. Terrible! If I'm a veteran ref I would be ashamed to see how this Highlands team has been treated

In these games. NCC, COVCATH, and COOPER would have got all those calls against Newport. Birds lost and that's fine we will get at it Saturday. But these 9th region officials really need someone to reevaluate some of these homer refs an refs who obviously hold grudges for other things than basketball.

But these 9th region officials really need someone to reevaluate some of these homer refs an refs who obviously hold grudges for other things than basketball.

 

I get that there are bad calls. But you think they hold a "grudge" against the Birds? Why in the world would there a be a grudge?

Will Mullins return for Newport?

I get that there are bad calls. But you think they hold a "grudge" against the Birds? Why in the world would there a be a grudge?

 

I would not say that there is a grudge. I will say that "word" has passed among the association regarding this Highlands team. They are not playing football on the court, but I can tell you that several officials have made that comment during the course of a game and it is totally unprofessional and uncalled for. This team will proudly wear the moniker of "Bully-Birds" because they are not going to back down from anyone. The game to be honest really was not that physical, but I cannot tell you how many times Kyle Finfrock was fouled with the body and nothing was called. Dougherty was tripped on a drive to the basket and no call, however Davis tripped over his own feet and call was made. Covington was allowed to throw elbows anywhere and everywhere and nothing called all night long. In fact, he had 0 fouls.

 

Thing is, many of these Highlands kids have played AAU basketball and are used to things getting a little physical, but when it is only called at one end of the court you now have issues.

 

Highlands still has work to do as guys are still trying to find their roles on the team and coach keeps mixing lineups to try and find that right combination.

Will Mullins return for Newport?

 

I would certainly hope not as that would send a bad message throughout the entire Newport program. Then again after being taken to the mat by the Birds last night, Snapp may be having second thoughts on that.

I think we agree that the bigger issue than officials is the Birds offense, right? Where is the scoring going to come from?