? H | 36th District game at Fort Thomas via The Scoreboard. 

Nice win for the Wildcats.

? Big games coming up for both ~ 

Newport (12-7, 3-0 D36): Saturday vs. Archbishop Hoban (OH) at Smithville; Sunday vs #1 St. Xavier at NKU. 

Highlands (13-6, 2-1 D36): Tomorrow at Bellevue (D36); Friday at Cooper.

Newport tried to give it away at the end. Big win on the road for the Wildcats. 

8 minutes ago, Hollywood23 said:

Newport tried to give it away at the end. Big win on the road for the Wildcats. 

Maybe Highlands tried to take it away?

1 minute ago, Jack of all Trades said:

Maybe Highlands tried to take it away?

Considering Newport was jacking up 3s , missed several free throws and multiple unsuccessful highlight reel dunks I’d have to disagree. 

Just now, Hollywood23 said:

Considering Newport was jacking up 3s , missing several free throws and focused on unsuccessful highlight reel dunks I’d have to disageee. 

Well seemed to me that Highlands stepped up pressure and hit some big contested shots to get back in it late.  Guess depends how you want to spin it.

Newport sped the game up which played right into Highlands hands and allowed them to get it within reach. 

It doesn’t seem like Snapp can get this Newport team locked in to their game plan for an entire game and that is a recipe for disaster. The 9th region tournament is going to be highly competitive. 

23 minutes ago, Hollywood23 said:

It doesn’t seem like Snapp can get this Newport team locked in to their game plan for an entire game and that is a recipe for disaster. The 9th region tournament is going to be highly competitive. 

It is high school basketball which means 15-18 year olds and Snapp has had a ton of success.  I think he knows what he is doing and at this level nobody plays 4 perfect quarters which is why basketball is a game of runs. The 9th region tournament will be highly competitive because of perhaps the best player in the state of Kentucky left Newport which adding who they lost to graduation that were key contributors has made Newport good but not great. Based on the CovCath score tonight they must not have been locked in ever.  HIghlands obviously was not locked in enough to beat Newport who as you say Snapp can't get them locked in for 4 quarters.  All three of the teams mentioned above can win the region with as Mustang would say, "the right draw, the right call and the right bounce of the ball."

1 hour ago, Jack of all Trades said:

Maybe Highlands tried to take it away?

Both can be true. Newport up 17 in the 4th throwing ill advised lobs probably wasn't what Snapp wanted. 10-22 from the free throw line also allowed Highlands to keep within striking distance.

3 hours ago, Hollywood23 said:

It doesn’t seem like Snapp can get this Newport team locked in to their game plan for an entire game and that is a recipe for disaster. The 9th region tournament is going to be highly competitive. 

I think it's going to be highly competitive due to lack of consistency across the board (except Cooper) making the games competitive not neccessarily due to all teams being on point. Either way yes it will be interesting to see it play out. Cov Cath, Lloyd, Newport all look vulnerable on any given night. Cooper winning by not shooting themselves in the foot and sticking to who they are night in and night out. A team is going to have to catch Cooper slipping up and getting out of character somehow. Its better off for Cooper if they get it out the way and slip up in a game before the region tournament rather then letting it happen at the end of the year. Hate to see them run the tables in the regular season and then have an off night in the 9th region tourney.

Watched on Youtube. Main take away(s): Highlands couldn't finish at the rim on open looks, Newports length made it tough to shoot over, Newport went to stall ball towards the end of the 3rd instead attacking, then again in the 4th which ended up with silly turnovers allowing the Birds to get back in it. Free throws missed for Newport were obviously a big reason, but Highlands didn't really try to establish a 3 point game. Better team won, wasn't truly in doubt after Newport took the commanding lead. 

I know Newport got a warning for flopping. What is the exact rule? I believe it was Rondon one time ran backwards about 20 feet acting like the offensive player pushed off (terrible sell job but this wasn't the warning). Also are assistant coaches allowed to express their displeasure with calls by the officials? Newport's were very demonstrative tonight, and I'd say they are not the only staff to do so, so I'm not singling them out just curious. 

12 hours ago, JunctaJuvant said:

Both can be true. Newport up 17 in the 4th throwing ill advised lobs probably wasn't what Snapp wanted. 10-22 from the free throw line also allowed Highlands to keep within striking distance.

Which plays into the Highlands trying to take it away narrative. Giving fouls, knowing that free throws were not a strong point for the Wildcats last night. 

How did Highlands shoot it? 

1 hour ago, Backatit said:

How did Highlands shoot it? 

Struggled a little with Newport’s length inside.  Heated up in the late third and 4th quarters.  They don’t have much size, but if shooting well from outside they can beat people.