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?

 

Really? I think you know the answer to that. It's been really bad officiating most games the Birds have played in.

Yes the rim has been unkind these last 4 games. But them will fall sooner than later.

Really? I think you know the answer to that. It's been really bad officiating most games the Birds have played in.

 

Actually I have no idea why there would be a grudge. Is it against Kevin? Why? What has HHS done to cause a grudge?

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.

 

Why is he not on the team. I must have missed that.

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

 

They have really been in every game outside of the Walton game. Scoring has come from all over, but Finfrock has been the most consistent. Cain missed the last 2 or 3 games and is just getting back.

 

I would not say that scoring so much is the issue, but having the patience to take "good" shots rather than rushing everything.

 

As for last nights game, the officials played a very very big part in the final result. Do not like to say that much because I know how difficult it is to call games, but they let too many things go unchecked at one end and called similar type things at the other end.

 

At the end of the day, this Highlands team is still a work in progress and I am sure many in NKY expected this to be a big big blowout.

Why is he not on the team. I must have missed that.

 

Escorted from the gym at halftime of a game at the Ashland Invitational Tournament. That escort was from law enforcement. Not sure what exactly occurred, but if the law had to escort you out then it obviously was not a situation of kids being kids.

Escorted from the gym at halftime of a game at the Ashland Invitational Tournament. That escort was from law enforcement. Not sure what exactly occurred, but if the law had to escort you out then it obviously was not a situation of kids being kids.

 

The law was there due to an Ashland worker overhearing something in the locker room along the lines of "We might have to get the cops". They were never told to be called. Now, I'm not defending Mullins and saying he did nothing wrong, but it's not as bad as what people who weren't there or know anything close to it, say it was. And as far as I know, Mullins will not be back on the team.

Pretty much have to agree with JOAT. Refs were terrible...as in very inconsistent with missing obvious calls....in a pro-Newport way. I thought Listerman's strategy/coaching was very good AFTER they got down and getting boys back into the game coupled with the obvious effort and hustle.

However, my criticisms are as follows...this is team of football players playing basketball, save for a couple, and they shoot like it. They play with all heart and guts but lack really good/great basketball skills. It's totally understandable with football number 1. I don't understand why coaches didn't put in Noe, especially when Newport went zone...he's a heck of a shooter and can create his own shot...no question he's their best shooter by far. Highland's Point guard, really had a terrible game. He had to be 1-13 at best, and kept rushing shots and was rarely close to making them. He did have some nice assists but I don't think they outnumbered his TO's. If they don't have anyone else to handle the ball, I would hope coaching would get on him to distribute much more and shoot much less from the outside. If this team can get the ball inside to Finfrock and Hebel good things will happen. This team will improve because they play so hard, in my opinion.

I agree with Jack of all trades, call of the game was when Frinfrock touched the rim and goal tending was call. I thought that was a good call. Definitely touched the rim. My understanding is the ball has to clear the net for this not to be called. Unfortunate because the Birds had the momentum. The game was ugly. Refs were bad in the second half and the game almost got totally out of hand. Birds got no calls at all. Very questionable call on the technical. I didn't see it clearly but I thought it would either go against Newport or go both ways. Never dreamed it would go against HHS. HHS missed several easy shots early and a couple late. Missed free throws down the stretch that killed them.

 

When Newport was leading 6 - 0, Coach Snapp absolutely went ballistic on his son and another player. I made the comment to the person sitting next to me, "I wonder how bad he would have gone off if he were down 6 - 0." Listermann made a good move at the end of the first quarter by trapping Ethan. 2 costly fouls by HHS at the end of the game sending Snapp to the line sealedthe deal.

Newport without Mullins is a bottom top 10 team. That being said I am impressed that Highlands held them to 37.

Pretty much have to agree with JOAT. Refs were terrible...as in very inconsistent with missing obvious calls....in a pro-Newport way. I thought Listerman's strategy/coaching was very good AFTER they got down and getting boys back into the game coupled with the obvious effort and hustle.

However, my criticisms are as follows...this is team of football players playing basketball, save for a couple, and they shoot like it. They play with all heart and guts but lack really good/great basketball skills. It's totally understandable with football number 1. I don't understand why coaches didn't put in Noe, especially when Newport went zone...he's a heck of a shooter and can create his own shot...no question he's their best shooter by far. Highland's Point guard, really had a terrible game. He had to be 1-13 at best, and kept rushing shots and was rarely close to making them. He did have some nice assists but I don't think they outnumbered his TO's. If they don't have anyone else to handle the ball, I would hope coaching would get on him to distribute much more and shoot much less from the outside. If this team can get the ball inside to Finfrock and Hebel good things will happen. This team will improve because they play so hard, in my opinion.

 

You mention putting Noe in the game, is he not a football player? You called out the football kids, of which he is one also. The problem with this team is not so much they cannot shoot, but some are unwilling to take them for whatever reason and others simply take one poor shot after another.

 

The two biggest issues however are way to many turnovers and the free throw shooting has been absolutely abysmal. If/when they cut down on the silly turnovers and start making 60 to 70 percent of their free throws they are going to start winning some games.

 

Will agree with one thing you said for sure and that is they play hard from the opening tap to the final horn. They just need things to go their way a few times and that confidence builds and then you have something. I said it from the beginning that this team is not tops in the region, but they are going to give maximum effort and compete for 32 minutes which is all that you can ask of the kids in the program right now. The tide and attitude is changing in the Fort when it comes to basketball and they have the right group of guys in charge to make something happen over the next several years.

Two games this week Newport could have lost (Beechwood and Highlands). I am not sure the guard coming back can offset the loss of mullins. This team was set up to score and they do not appear to be doing that.

Two games this week Newport could have lost (Beechwood and Highlands). I am not sure the guard coming back can offset the loss of mullins. This team was set up to score and they do not appear to be doing that.

 

Yes I agree this team is set up to score which one thing is that Highlands has to be able to play defense to hold them to 37.

So if the Birds still cant find their touch and are playing like football players, was it worth not scheduling their first game until 3 weeks into December?

You mention putting Noe in the game, is he not a football player? You called out the football kids, of which he is one also. The problem with this team is not so much they cannot shoot, but some are unwilling to take them for whatever reason and others simply take one poor shot after another.

 

The two biggest issues however are way to many turnovers and the free throw shooting has been absolutely abysmal. If/when they cut down on the silly turnovers and start making 60 to 70 percent of their free throws they are going to start winning some games.

 

Will agree with one thing you said for sure and that is they play hard from the opening tap to the final horn. They just need things to go their way a few times and that confidence builds and then you have something. I said it from the beginning that this team is not tops in the region, but they are going to give maximum effort and compete for 32 minutes which is all that you can ask of the kids in the program right now. The tide and attitude is changing in the Fort when it comes to basketball and they have the right group of guys in charge to make something happen over the next several years.

 

Noe isn't a football player anymore...all hoops. He IS their best shooter...I was just questioning why you wouldn't have him in shooting when the O struggles to score. I think that's fair. As for saying the team not having many kids who can shoot, the FT % is an example. As for players not shooting for whatever reason, I would assume it's lack of confidence...which equates to poor shooting. And the ones who do shoot are only taking one bad shot after another? I do agree with that to a point, but they can't all be bad shots...regardless, they still are missing a lot more than they make. The stats don't lie. It doesn't take away anything from the athletes!!! I love their effort!! I don't think there is anything wrong with football players first busting their butts for the school and team...it's just a fact that for the most part, when the vast majority of time is put into football, and secondarily, after football you pick a basketball...the skills just aren't going to be there.