That's the point that I'm trying to make or ask what your thoughts are on. Could it be that Willie is playing primarily upperclassmen rather than combining the best talent that is on the team which is keeping other kids away from the team until they know they'll play?

 

Sure this year they'll be junior dominated, but Kowolonek is the only one with real experience. Grote and Watson played here and there as subs which is fine but IMO they looked best this year when those three were on the floor together.

 

I think Kowolonek will struggle with being the main focus of the defense for the first half of the year. He got a lot of offensive rebounds and I believe teams will stop that this season. That being said, I think he will average about 12 or 13 PPG.

That's the point that I'm trying to make or ask what your thoughts are on. Could it be that Willie is playing primarily upperclassmen rather than combining the best talent that is on the team which is keeping other kids away from the team until they know they'll play?

 

Sure this year they'll be junior dominated, but Kowolonek is the only one with real experience. Grote and Watson played here and there as subs which is fine but IMO they looked best this year when those three were on the floor together.

 

Personally, I would have a hard time taking those juniors who weren't in the program the previous years. Why didn't they play basketball? Injuries? Football? Academics?

 

It just doesn't add up. You can't keep having juniors come into the program with no experience and have them expect to play. It isn't a good recipe for success, and if anybody knows that it should be Highlands. I doubt any of this would fly in the football program, so I'm a little confused why people expect it to equate to success on the hardwood?

This could be the second time in the last 5 years that the Bluebirds don't have any seniors. Does this happen anywhere else?

 

 

When was the other time? And no, it doesn't happen at other programs.

When was the other time? And no, it doesn't happen at other programs.

 

I'm thinking 04.

Personally, I would have a hard time taking those juniors who weren't in the program the previous years. Why didn't they play basketball? Injuries? Football? Academics?

 

It just doesn't add up. You can't keep having juniors come into the program with no experience and have them expect to play. It isn't a good recipe for success, and if anybody knows that it should be Highlands. I doubt any of this would fly in the football program, so I'm a little confused why people expect it to equate to success on the hardwood?

 

Not sure why some don't play. Again I refer that question to coaching. Highlands has consistenly showed they like playing upperclassmen over the younger guys which is why I feel some of the kids don't come out every year.

 

Their record also contributes to my theory. How do they have a losing record one year but the next they are one of the top 3 teams in the region even after losing contributing seniors?

I will tell you why they do not play and that is because of football. Any kid that plays both sports is led to believe at a young age that they cannot play both. The football program infers to kids that if they want to play the next season, they had better get in the weight room and participate in offseason workouts. This is exactly why the baseball program suffers as well. Highlands has not played strictly upperclassmen every other year. Nic Simpson started from the time he was a freshman as did Greg McGraw. That was the year they went 9-20. Frankly, the cupboard was rather bear when Willie took over the program. Steven Kowolonek started from day 1 this season as did Ben Watson. Watson later lost some playing time and more time was given to George Grote and Tyler Grubbs. Probably the biggest problem with the basketball program is the lack of a youth league along with the fact that they have no 6th grade team. IMO Willie could also do a little better job of reaching out to the kids at a younger age much like Dale does with the football kids.

I will tell you why they do not play and that is because of football. Any kid that plays both sports is led to believe at a young age that they cannot play both. The football program infers to kids that if they want to play the next season, they had better get in the weight room and participate in offseason workouts. This is exactly why the baseball program suffers as well. Highlands has not played strictly upperclassmen every other year. Nic Simpson started from the time he was a freshman as did Greg McGraw. That was the year they went 9-20. Frankly, the cupboard was rather bear when Willie took over the program. Steven Kowolonek started from day 1 this season as did Ben Watson. Watson later lost some playing time and more time was given to George Grote and Tyler Grubbs. Probably the biggest problem with the basketball program is the lack of a youth league along with the fact that they have no 6th grade team. IMO Willie could also do a little better job of reaching out to the kids at a younger age much like Dale does with the football kids.

 

Simpson and McGraw did not start varsity as frosh. I think Vories and company were Jrs that year. Your last sentence speaks volumes.

Simpson and McGraw did not start varsity as frosh. I think Vories and company were Jrs that year. Your last sentence speaks volumes.

 

Beat me to it. Was thinking the same thing.

You had better go back and speak to someone about that Freshman season of Simpson and McGraw. Simpson was a starter and McGraw was the 6th or

7th man on that team. Neither of them played a game of JV or Frosh basketball.

You had better go back and speak to someone about that Freshman season of Simpson and McGraw. Simpson was a starter and McGraw was the 6th or

7th man on that team. Neither of them played a game of JV or Frosh basketball.

 

Maybe you're right. Honestly I can't remember.

What seniors or sophomores could possibly help the Birds out this year? Junior class is very good with Kowolonek, Grote, Watson, Lother, Gordon, Smith-Keller, Grubbs and Dill. Will this be the first 8 or is there someone else that may step into the rotation?

What seniors or sophomores could possibly help the Birds out this year? Junior class is very good with Kowolonek, Grote, Watson, Lother, Gordon, Smith-Keller, Grubbs and Dill. Will this be the first 8 or is there someone else that may step into the rotation?

 

I'd assume those will be the main 8.

What seniors or sophomores could possibly help the Birds out this year? Junior class is very good with Kowolonek, Grote, Watson, Lother, Gordon, Smith-Keller, Grubbs and Dill. Will this be the first 8 or is there someone else that may step into the rotation?

 

I don't think any are disagreeing about the class. The exact same things were said 2 year ago and 2 years before that. You left out Wells, so that makes nine. Someone else was adding Roller, Collinsworth, and Hogue. You can't carry that many.

Personally, I would have a hard time taking those juniors who weren't in the program the previous years. Why didn't they play basketball? Injuries? Football? Academics?

 

It just doesn't add up. You can't keep having juniors come into the program with no experience and have them expect to play. It isn't a good recipe for success, and if anybody knows that it should be Highlands. I doubt any of this would fly in the football program, so I'm a little confused why people expect it to equate to success on the hardwood?

This does fly in the football program( Mitchell, Stowers, Nevells) made a big difference in the short time they were here! If a kid comes out as a junior and can make a difference why not allow them to play?? These two started for the 8th grade team that won state.

This does fly in the football program( Mitchell, Stowers, Nevells) made a big difference in the short time they were here! If a kid comes out as a junior and can make a difference why not allow them to play?? These two started for the 8th grade team that won state.

 

This is completely irrelevant for multiple reasons.

 

1. Success in the 8th grade does not equate to success on the varsity level.

 

2. Mitchell, Stowers & Nevels did not take 2 years off of football then suddenly decide that they wanted to play again. They transferred from another school.