If accurate 10 T's already is quite ridiculous you would think the problem would have already been addressed and solved by this point in the season

As a fan of HHS I attend as many school athletic events as possible. Throughout the year I catch football games, basketball games, baseball games, soccer games and swimming contests. Heck, if I could find out where the Chess and Bowling Teams were having their competitions I might try to catch one. Anyway, one thing is constent, there is absolutely NO enthusiasm when you step into the gym at HHS. I know winning is the best way to drum up support, but it can also be obtained with other things. Go to a game, you'll see Coach Mueller working the crowd, talking with the students all while the head basketball coach stands in the doorway to the locker room. I know he's getting prepared for his game, but come on he looks like he standing over there without a friend in the world. Now, Coach Mueller may be there because of his Athletic Directors responsibilities, but he's making the most of it.

As a youth in Ft. T. I played many seasons in the Ft. Thomas Jr. Basketball League. What a great time! From what I hear that league is no longer around. I know everyones going to say "the kids all play AAU ball". We'll I'm sorry, if you go to an AAU game, you'll see some very gifted players and fantastic teams, but you'll also see some kids that were just like me that would improve and could improve by playing in a recreation league. If the basketball program is going to attract and produce players it needs to start at the elementary level. Case in point, the Jr. Football League is busting at the seems with players and volunteers.

I've read posts by LN, Malachicrunch, DMZ76 and Gryche11 bouncing the basketball topic around. Just thought I'd add my thoughts.

I agree that Coach Schlarman can be more active in the community and at the school to help promote the basketball team. However, he is not the one responsible for the Junior Basketball League not being in Ft. Thomas nor is he responsible for starting the league again. The ft. Thomas Jr Football League is run by a bunch of dedicated and hard working parents that want nothing more than to have their kids play football at Highlands. Yes, Coach Mueller fully supports the league and in most cases goes out of his way to make the league better but he is not involved in running the league or was he involved in starting it. The leauge was around well before Dale ever coached at Highlands and I am quite confident that he actaully played in the league as a kid.

There was at one time a Ft. Thomas Jr Basketball League and it was a great success and it may not be a coincidence that the basketball program was in better shape at that time. The downfall of the league was when the city decided to take it over and a few years later the league was gone. If enough people really care about the league and truly thought it would help then they should get together and get it organized, possibly under the Ft. Thomas Junior Football League umbrella. I have discussed this with the committee and really feell it would be a great help to the Basaketball Program at Highlands. The real problem is everyone wants to complain but no body wants to step up and do what is right to fix the issues.

...what league were the 6th graders in that played at halftime of the CCH game? Mitchell Dee, Jack Grimm, Franklin Graves (Willie's nephew), Luke Turner, Connor Shively...to name a few were "hoopin' it up" pretty good. I'm sure they were thrilled to be playing in the big house before a lot of fans (CCH rowdies were throwing ALOT of support behind the "blue" team.) Good example of the type of thing that helps the program at grass roots.

BLUEBIRDSI, I'm not suggesting that Coach Schlarman get any type of rec league off the ground imself. But, I think it would improve the overall quality of the high school program if he put some "feelers" out there to see if he can get the ball rolling. I can't believe he couldn't find someone to get things moving in the formation of the league. I also understand Coach Mueller position when it come to the operation of the Jr. Football League. However, as a former coach and board member of the league Dale's door was ALWAYS open to discuss anything regarding the football league. It sounds like you and I agree for the most part. The high school coached have a tremendous amount of responsibility running there programs. But these two head coaches approach things differently when it comes to getting out in the community and I believe their programs reflect there personaliies.

Any one encouraging the renewal of the Jr. Basketball League want to take the lead? If so, why don't you let it be known on here and ask people willing to help out to pm you. Any one? I'll get LN to help, but I have a feeling his players would foul out in the first quarter or period or whatever its called.

I know this is a little off topic but I have heard that Nick Nelson for Ryle has 10 Technical fouls this year, can anyone confirm that?

 

I've been to a half dozen game or so, didn;t see Nick get T'ed up once.

I've known Nick sice he was about 5 years old, and "out of control" or "hot head" is not the kind of player or person that Nick is. Say every game he played from the Sixth grade thru his Sophmore year and can't recall him ever getting a T. If he has 10, perhaps it's out of frustation with the teams performance this year. Heck of a ball player and a heck of a kid.

As a fan of HHS I attend as many school athletic events as possible. Throughout the year I catch football games, basketball games, baseball games, soccer games and swimming contests. Heck, if I could find out where the Chess and Bowling Teams were having their competitions I might try to catch one. Anyway, one thing is constent, there is absolutely NO enthusiasm when you step into the gym at HHS. I know winning is the best way to drum up support, but it can also be obtained with other things. Go to a game, you'll see Coach Mueller working the crowd, talking with the students all while the head basketball coach stands in the doorway to the locker room. I know he's getting prepared for his game, but come on he looks like he standing over there without a friend in the world. Now, Coach Mueller may be there because of his Athletic Directors responsibilities, but he's making the most of it.

As a youth in Ft. T. I played many seasons in the Ft. Thomas Jr. Basketball League. What a great time! From what I hear that league is no longer around. I know everyones going to say "the kids all play AAU ball". We'll I'm sorry, if you go to an AAU game, you'll see some very gifted players and fantastic teams, but you'll also see some kids that were just like me that would improve and could improve by playing in a recreation league. If the basketball program is going to attract and produce players it needs to start at the elementary level. Case in point, the Jr. Football League is busting at the seems with players and volunteers.

I've read posts by LN, Malachicrunch, DMZ76 and Gryche11 bouncing the basketball topic around. Just thought I'd add my thoughts.

 

Does Dale Mueller work the crowd before a game on Friday night? I think that he does not. How active is Dale in the Junior Football League? Answer, not very much. It is up to parents in this community to get the league up and running again. If you would like, send me a PM and perhaps you can join in on trying to get this thing up and running.

I agree that Coach Schlarman can be more active in the community and at the school to help promote the basketball team. However, he is not the one responsible for the Junior Basketball League not being in Ft. Thomas nor is he responsible for starting the league again. The ft. Thomas Jr Football League is run by a bunch of dedicated and hard working parents that want nothing more than to have their kids play football at Highlands. Yes, Coach Mueller fully supports the league and in most cases goes out of his way to make the league better but he is not involved in running the league or was he involved in starting it. The leauge was around well before Dale ever coached at Highlands and I am quite confident that he actaully played in the league as a kid.

There was at one time a Ft. Thomas Jr Basketball League and it was a great success and it may not be a coincidence that the basketball program was in better shape at that time. The downfall of the league was when the city decided to take it over and a few years later the league was gone. If enough people really care about the league and truly thought it would help then they should get together and get it organized, possibly under the Ft. Thomas Junior Football League umbrella. I have discussed this with the committee and really feell it would be a great help to the Basaketball Program at Highlands. The real problem is everyone wants to complain but no body wants to step up and do what is right to fix the issues.

 

What committee have you discussed this with? I think it could be run outside of the Junior Football League umbrella, but should be organized in much the same manner as it was previously. Perhaps this is where LN could provide some legal advice on how this league should be formed. My guess would be as a non-profit entity as it was before, but the big question I would have is liability insurance. What suggestions would you have regarding the selection of coaches? That was a big part of the problem when the city took over the league.

Thats what I would think, but a parent with a player on the team told me that, so I am a little unsure.

 

Could be a parent with an axe to grind. Could be an exaggeration, could be a lot of things.

 

I can't believe a player could get 10 technicals in what 17 or 18 games and still be with the team. Seems very unlikely to me.

I only remember McGraw and Simpson getting minutes. I dont remember any others. I know last year they had 22 guys on the bench. In fact I think they they had chairs lined up going into the locker room with players.

 

I don't think they are a typical 4-11 team as many of their losses have been close and they have shown a lot of heart. Tough breaks in losing McGraw and Simpson most recently and trying to find chemistry in the other guys. I think they will still represent strong in their weak District and knock off the Breds if they meet in the finals or an early round. If they get a good draw in the REgional, they may even win a game there with Simpson back.

 

A lot of the juniors started or played varsity minutes in games two years ago.

 

Simpson is hardly the first player in school history to get hurt. Injuries and defections were never an excuse in the past.

 

I'll agree the 36 district is weak, but most districts in the state are. In the Ninth, the 34th is worse. I expect HHS to contend for another district title. The Ninth Region is really bad this year, so after that anything is possible.

As everyone has mentioned, the best way to improve the program is by starting a junior league to feed Highlands Basketball. I do not agree with some that have stated you cannot rely on the football players and must concentrate on kid that want to play basketball only!!! As a coach, you're job is to work on fundamentals, challenge your players and keep them interested in the game. Basketball is a little more difficult to keep interested because only five players are on the court at once and most coaches (for some reason, that makes no sense to me) only play six, seven or eight players on a TEAM.

Concentrate on a feeder program is the best way to improve things in the near future. Get your best athletes to come out and play is the best answer for the very near future.

When a player goes to the coach and asks how he can get better or what he needs to do to get more playing time and the response from the coach is "well, I know your a really good QB or football player", what do you expect that kid to do???

What committee have you discussed this with? I think it could be run outside of the Junior Football League umbrella, but should be organized in much the same manner as it was previously. Perhaps this is where LN could provide some legal advice on how this league should be formed. My guess would be as a non-profit entity as it was before, but the big question I would have is liability insurance. What suggestions would you have regarding the selection of coaches? That was a big part of the problem when the city took over the league.

I spoke to members of the Jr Football League committee and they seemed to be somewhat interested. The details would need to be worked out but I think it would be much better to utilize the existing structure and resources to make the league stronger more quickly. The coaches would be selected just as they are now in Jr Football, hopefully a number of former palyers and parents that have an interest in the basketball program at Highlands would step up to coach. I think the bigger problem with the league after the city took over was poor management and not as much to do with the coaches.

As everyone has mentioned, the best way to improve the program is by starting a junior league to feed Highlands Basketball. I do not agree with some that have stated you cannot rely on the football players and must concentrate on kid that want to play basketball only!!! As a coach, you're job is to work on fundamentals, challenge your players and keep them interested in the game. Basketball is a little more difficult to keep interested because only five players are on the court at once and most coaches (for some reason, that makes no sense to me) only play six, seven or eight players on a TEAM.

Concentrate on a feeder program is the best way to improve things in the near future. Get your best athletes to come out and play is the best answer for the very near future.

When a player goes to the coach and asks how he can get better or what he needs to do to get more playing time and the response from the coach is "well, I know your a really good QB or football player", what do you expect that kid to do???

 

 

There are plenty of kids in the school system who dont play football and are good enough athletes to develop as basketball players. I am not saying you do not work with the football players but you can focus on the strict B-Ball players in the offseason so they can develop even more and be the core. The problem in Ft. Thomas is 85% of the kids are so focused on Football because it is the Football Mecca of NKY that they tend to not be bothered with Hoops or they look at it as a 2nd sport that they will just play to be playing. You definitely need these kids but sooner or later they will leave you at the alter when they decide the committment to football is much greater and Basketball is interfering. Focusing on the committed basketball players will keep the program consistent and then the footballers will just be gravy on top. That is the point I am trying to make.

Sounds like to me you are saying "Any athlete not good enough to make it in football, can concentrate and put their effort into Basketball." I think that answers all questions as to why basketball struggles at HHS......