What does Highlands need to do to improve in 2008/2009? What do they need to keep doing to be successful? Remember, please be constructive.

I think they need stress scoring in transition this year with the weapons they have. Kowolonek will be their go-to guy this season and George Grote will probably be their best defender. Ben Watson had a very nice Sophomore season and will probably be counted on to contribute both offensively and under the boards.

 

I am guessing that Lother will handle the PG duties and he can deal with the best of them but is not very big and may get outmuscled by other bigger guards.

 

I'd like to see more players get into the flow this season as last year it was pretty much the Nic and Greg show. Losing two scorers like that will make it tough early on.

 

Tyler Grubbs will probably be their post player in halfcourt sets and will take up a ton of space in the middle defensively with his huge frame. I have also heard Austin Collinsworth and Brandon Roller are coming out this season and that will help them with rebounding and scrappiness on the floor.

 

Biggest question will be how many Seniors does Willie keep and for what purposes? Jake Turner is a very coachable kid who battles and has nice skills with the ball. Tony G is a big strong kid who can help down low as well.

 

Willie has a nice group to work with and I am sure he will have them tournament ready by Feb.

Yes Collinsworth could be coming out for the team as of now, but I see him just focusing on football once this season ends, probably Roller too.

 

As far as the junior class goes, they are very good. Grote and Kwoleneck will be their 2 stand out players. I dont know if I can see Lother starting this year, just because of his size. Dont get me wrong the kid is great with the ball but how would he matchup against the bigger teams?

 

The senior class really is down. I beleive theres only 4-5 seniors coming out for the team, and maybe only 1 or 2 will make the team. (Turner, Gudugli, Giesting, Messer,) I dont know how accurate the source I heard this from is but I also heard Ryan Sanola was possibly playing too. So they could have some nice size with Gudugli, Sanola, and Grubbs.

 

The talent and athleticism is there for this team, they just need LOTS of experience.

Yes Collinsworth could be coming out for the team as of now, but I see him just focusing on football once this season ends, probably Roller too.

 

As far as the junior class goes, they are very good. Grote and Kwoleneck will be their 2 stand out players. I dont know if I can see Lother starting this year, just because of his size. Dont get me wrong the kid is great with the ball but how would he matchup against the bigger teams?

 

The senior class really is down. I beleive theres only 4-5 seniors coming out for the team, and maybe only 1 or 2 will make the team. (Turner, Gudugli, Giesting, Messer,) I dont know how accurate the source I heard this from is but I also heard Ryan Sanola was possibly playing too. So they could have some nice size with Gudugli, Sanola, and Grubbs.

 

The talent and athleticism is there for this team, they just need LOTS of experience.

 

Sanola is at HHS?

 

Well, Collinsworth and Roller were at summer ball and it wasnt to get in shape as they usually worked out with the team after their greuling 8 hrs of football. I would have to think they will be in the lineup. I also know Cris is a big fan of the kids playing mutiple sports and having fun. The football recruiting will be there regardless.

 

As far as the seniors my guess is as good as yours. I did hear Geisting is coming back out and he does add some very nice size. I just dont see how you can not use guys on the post like Geisting, Tony G, etc. If for anything to bang on the opposing big fellas and free up Watson/Grote/Kowolonek.

 

If they keep the big kids then Watson should be able to utilize his offensive skills facing the basket. Last season he was primarily used on the blocks and I have seen him blow by defenders in pickup games when in triple threat position.

They will need to find someone who can score besides Kwoleneck..If they don't it could be a long season in Ft.Thomas..You know they will play great defense, but somebody needs to put the ball in the basket..

Jr. Kyle Wells should be a nice contibuter for the Birds. Nice size. Very good touch from 15 feet in. The Jr. class has a ton of kids with nice talent, it will be interesting to see how the roster shakes out. Watson, Lother, Kowolonek, Grote and Grubbs will be the core this season. Should be a pretty good squad.

What does the sophomore class look like?

What does the sophomore class look like?

 

I saw a couple that moved up to JV at the end of the year. Don't recall the names. They handled themselves pretty well.

They will need to find someone who can score besides Kwoleneck..If they don't it could be a long season in Ft.Thomas..You know they will play great defense, but somebody needs to put the ball in the basket..

 

Well put, the defenses are going to focus on Kwoleneck and I look for Grote to step up and give them another scorer.

What does the sophomore class look like?

 

Stewart and Ryan Egan are two kids that have shot up in this class. I think both are around 6'3 or more and Egan is a great shooter. Seidle and Dean are very good guards. Not sure of who they have on the blocks. Abner will be a banger in the paint, he is a lanky kid but very aggressive. I may be missing a few kids here as Im not as familiar with this class.

Jr. Kyle Wells should be a nice contibuter for the Birds. Nice size. Very good touch from 15 feet in. The Jr. class has a ton of kids with nice talent, it will be interesting to see how the roster shakes out. Watson, Lother, Kowolonek, Grote and Grubbs will be the core this season. Should be a pretty good squad.

 

Wow, I didnt realize Welz was 6'6 until last night seeing him play defensive line at the football game. That gives them two 6'6 jr's when you throw Grubbs into the mix.

Wow, I didnt realize Welz was 6'6 until last night seeing him play defensive line at the football game. That gives them two 6'6 jr's when you throw Grubbs into the mix.

 

I think Kyle will evovle into a pretty strong player for the Birds. He has a very nice offensive game.

Highlands boys

 

The Bluebirds lost two standout guards in Nic Simpson and Greg McGraw, but have several returners from last year's 21-9 squad.

 

Junior guard Stephen Kowolonek had a strong sophomore season and can shoot, rebound, pass and defend well.

 

Ben Watson, a 6-foot-3 forward, improved a lot over the summer. As has guard George Grote who is looking to step up.

 

The core of the team beyond that is unproven juniors, said head coach Willie Schlarman, and he expects some players to come from the football team.

 

Schlarman expects to play an uptempo style that will make the team fun to watch.

 

http://communitypress.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/C2/20081120/SPT02/811200355/

Who could those football players be? Hmmmmm Juniors Grubbs, Welz, Collinsworth, Roller? or Seniors Turner and Gudugli?

Stewart and Ryan Egan are two kids that have shot up in this class. I think both are around 6'3 or more and Egan is a great shooter. Seidle and Dean are very good guards. Not sure of who they have on the blocks. Abner will be a banger in the paint, he is a lanky kid but very aggressive. I may be missing a few kids here as Im not as familiar with this class.

 

This sophomore class is pretty telented, they should provide quality minutes when they get the chance.