Not denying what you said about McDanial, but their 3rd scorer is their combination that plays center. Had 15 points from them tonight. Game in and game out it is almost always at least this much.

 

When/if they play LCA, that advantage will not be there. McDaniel will need to provide that spark.

Reviewing team stats on KHSAA scoreboard the Bluebirds are shooting right at 60% as a team from the FT line and that is falling consistently over the past 3-4 games.

 

They shoot the 3 well as a team at 40% and FG % is good at 48%. The glaring stat for me outside of the poor FT shooting was the fact that Finfrock through 20 games only has 191 shot attempts. Less than 10 shots a game from your Cowbell is not enough. When you shoot at a 60% clip like he does it is paramount that he get at least 16-18 shots a game. I don't know if it's fatigue or what but I would get him a touch every trip. It would actually open up the perimeter for kickouts where they shoot fairly well. But what do I know I'm just a Bulletin Board guy right.

 

I think the Birds have some nice players but they don't seem to all play well together during games. On nights Finfrock plays well, Posey and Huber have bad nights. Or when Traylor is hitting shots the Finfrock has an off night. If they can get everyone in sync they can beat most 9th Region teams ranked 5-12.

The X-Factor tonight was Austin Neff IMO. When he was inserted into the game for NCC the "toughness" factor went up exponentially. Former coach that I was sitting with commented on how "tough" his game was and how hard he played.

 

Couldn't agree more. Neff gives the team emotion and passion something that has been missing from the start of the season. Neff was missed during the time off from injury and last night showed how much he was missed. He is the spark plug.

I just want to add last night game was something to be remembered not so much for the game its self but both sides student section showed so much spirit and it is what makes high school basketball so much fun.

Great win Breds! Birds are a scrappy relentless team. Great job

I was going to address this tonight, so I am glad that you started it. This kid played a ton of minutes last year, in fact he started for most of the year. Morgan Race is another kid who saw quite a few minutes last year as well. These two kids are "basketball only" kids which is supposed to be the love of the program.

 

There was an issue earlier in the year with Luke and he was forced to not dress a game and then to miss another, albeit while dressed. At that point, IMO punishment has been served and the hatchet needs to be buried by the ADULT and for the second year in a row it has not. If the decision was made to keep the young man around, then DO NOT EMBARRASS the kid like is being done now.

 

Based upon what I have seen in numerous game this year, the kid can compete as well or better than every kid on the team currently outside of Finfrock. Luke sees "zero" minutes tonight and a kid that has not played basketball in three years gets quality minutes.

 

If this program is going to rise from the ashes, it is time that these "head games" go away and grudges not be held for an entire season. Seeing the same thing happen at the frosh level as well where the coach has a grudge with a parent and take it out on the kid.

 

I like Kevin and every member of this staff, but this stuff needs to stop and stop now if this program is ever going to get back to where it should.

 

Not a Highlands person so this is completely unbiased, but I have seen this before and it really burns me when it happens. Don't know any of the details, but If you keep the kid then play him if he deserves to. Obviously if he played a lot last year see no reason he shouldn't play this year because it's not like Highlands is light years better this year. Otherwise explain to him why he isn't playing and let him make the decision if he wants to stay or not.

The X-Factor tonight was Austin Neff IMO. When he was inserted into the game for NCC the "toughness" factor went up exponentially. Former coach that I was sitting with commented on how "tough" his game was and how hard he played.

 

No question he made a huge difference last night. He brought the toughness NCC needed.

When/if they play LCA, that advantage will not be there. McDaniel will need to provide that spark.

 

And you know this why? Between the 3 centers, who NEVER have 2 playing at the same time, why I don't know, they are averaging 17.6 points and 12.2 rbs a game. I don't think there are many teams in NKy who has a combo at that position that averages a double/double like this. This is not a knock on McDaniel at all, but they HAVE a very good third scorer/rebounder already. McDaniel could become the 4th scorer, but too many people are not recognizing what this trio is contributing. I think it could be increased by playing more than one at a time. What have they got to lose by trying it.

And you know this why? Between the 3 centers, who NEVER have 2 playing at the same time, why I don't know, they are averaging 17.6 points and 12.2 rbs a game. I don't think there are many teams in NKy who has a combo at that position that averages a double/double like this. This is not a knock on McDaniel at all, but they HAVE a very good third scorer/rebounder already. McDaniel could become the 4th scorer, but too many people are not recognizing what this trio is contributing. I think it could be increased by playing more than one at a time. What have they got to lose by trying it.

 

Pat is out for the All A. I feel like the college court w/ multiple games and no days off will hurt the centers. Additionally, LCA can match their length and then some. Wurtz is skilled and Luken is as well. Nobody is saying that they aren't having solid years. I just don't like the match-up with them going up against a team that will run, or a team like LCA on a bigger court.

Listerman deserved the "T" he was assessed, he ran across half court and was literally standing next to Ken Collopy and Jimmy Pangallo on the NewCath bench calling for the timeout. NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE BEFORE.

 

The Ref kind of looked like he felt bad about T'ing him up. He told him, "Coach, when you go down there I have to give you a T." Listerman had a point. He was trying to get a timeout before NewCath could inbound from a made basket. It was very loud in there at that point, so I could see the officials not hearing him. Just one of those awesome atmosphere issues. Home court advantage worked against him there.

The Ref kind of looked like he felt bad about T'ing him up. He told him, "Coach, when you go down there I have to give you a T." Listerman had a point. He was trying to get a timeout before NewCath could inbound from a made basket. It was very loud in there at that point, so I could see the officials not hearing him. Just one of those awesome atmosphere issues. Home court advantage worked against him there.

 

That's funny.. Wonder if CCH ever had this issue because their student section is also large.

In all seriousness, is Listerman going to take the Highlands program to better heights?

Pat is out for the All A. I feel like the college court w/ multiple games and no days off will hurt the centers. Additionally, LCA can match their length and then some. Wurtz is skilled and Luken is as well. Nobody is saying that they aren't having solid years. I just don't like the match-up with them going up against a team that will run, or a team like LCA on a bigger court.

 

My point is this. You said NCC needs a consistent 3rd scorer, and I'm saying they ALREADY have a consistent 3rd scorer. Nothing more, nothing less. If McDaniel did become a real factor he would a 4th scorer. By saying they need a 3rd scorer I feel like you are overlooking what the centers are doing. Over 17 points a game IS a consistent scorer. That's my only point.

My point is this. You said NCC needs a consistent 3rd scorer, and I'm saying they ALREADY have a consistent 3rd scorer. Nothing more, nothing less. If McDaniel did become a real factor he would a 4th scorer. By saying they need a 3rd scorer I feel like you are overlooking what the centers are doing. Over 17 points a game IS a consistent scorer. That's my only point.

 

I understand and agree with you from a stats perspective. I am looking at creating his own shot and scoring in a variety of ways. He seems like he can be a tricky matchup.

In all seriousness, is Listerman going to take the Highlands program to better heights?

 

Good question. Maybe better suited for a new thread. I've always had respect for Listerman and Blasingame(JV Coach). Seems they are making strides, just not as big as everyone had hoped at this point. Hard to compete with the football monster on the hill. The basketball culture needs changed before they can truly turn the page and make those bigger strides. Too many athletes bailing for other sports. A smaller school like HHS can't over come those loses IMO and play at the highest levels.

In all seriousness, is Listerman going to take the Highlands program to better heights?

 

In all seriousness, which heights are those? The lofty ones that the Camel's now sit on?

 

With all due respect (with much respect to Ricky Bobby), amongst schools the same size, you would be hard pressed to find a school that has achieved less (in all sports) than Campbell County. A little wrestling success, a few recent regional titles in basketball, not too long ago the girls track program was strong, and ..... well.... that is about it. Am I forgetting anything. Oh yeah, you do have long track record of excellence in band, so don't let anyone take that away from you.

 

Probably a topic for another thread, but what has kept Campbell County from being good at anything other than wrestling (and band) would be interesting topic. :banana:

:popcorn: