Just spoke with someone at the game:

 

1st quarter: Highlands 22-11

2nd Quarter: Highlands 22-7

 

Halftime Score:

Highlands 44

Grant Co 18

Grote, Kowolonek, and backup pg Steve Gordon all looked good in the first half.

3rd: 20-17 Highlands

4th: 15-13 Highlands (Many reserves played)

 

Final:

Highlands 79

Grant Co 48

Just to recap Eta Rho's summary. Here is what was seen and heard at the scrimmage.

 

Jv Game I didnt get a score but heard Ryan Egan filled it up for Highlands with 24 pts on several outside shots.

 

Frosh game I heard that a boy from Grant Co got hurt slamming his head to the hardwood and had to be taken to the hospital. I sure hope he is okay.

 

I got there just in time for the Varsity. Here are my observations.

 

Steve Kowolonek got things going anticipating an entry pass and stealing it, racing down the right side for an easy layup. He is explosive. I would say he had over 20 pts in the entire scrimmage and was strong to the hole everytime he went.

 

George Grote just plays aggressive and is very strong off the dribble drive. He is very good on defense and will probably lock onto the other team's best guy.

 

Watson was battling on the boards tonight but kind of silent out there. Corey Dill was the 5th starter while football goes on. Dill is a banger at about 6'3 and will play stellar defense but offensively not going to light it up.

 

Lother was kind of weak tonight. He appears to have great basketball skill and instincts but is just not strong enough. IMO I thought Stephen Gordon another junior played stronger and made some nifty assists in transition. He probably goes around 6'0 170 and penetrates very well.

 

Nobody really lit it up from the perimeter. This may be the major weakness for HHS. If Grote or Kowolonek are open they can drain it but there are no real threats from out there. You can bet the Birds will be taking the ball to the basket a lot.

 

Kellen-Smith (Jr) hustled and got some nice rebounds for the Birds. I really dont remember anybody else doing much. The 4th period they let the JVers play it out. The big Soph 6'4 Stewart looked pretty good on the block.

 

Grant County had a few nice ballplayers. I dont remember numbers or names but they had a blonde kid #34 I think who made some really nice moves to the basket and scored. They also had a big kid on the post who battled.

 

My favorite part of the night was in the 3rd period when Grote had the ball at the wing and the GC coach barked out aggressive defense. The kid guarding George put both hands on him and George swatted down with his right hand and then preceded to dribble drive right by him physically just moving him out of the way. It ended up in a nice lay in off the glass. Grote is definitely their most physical player. Steve K is their most talented. Watson is going to need to do more offensively for this team to have a chance at the 9th Title.

Nice recap and assessment Q. Dead On.

 

Grote is indeed going to be their most physical player both offensively and defensively. He impressed me a lot last year when I saw him. His game is very quiet but next thing you know, you look up and he has double digit points. He is Mr. Everything for the Birds.

The boy who went to the hospital turned out to be ok. Looks like he had a concussion and when he hit the floor he lost his breath, paniced, and hyper ventilated. Very scary moment.

 

Grant won the JV and Frosh game. Varsity game Highlands dominated. They controlled everything Grant did. They owned the boards and defensively was very physical. I could use the execuse for Grant that their leading rebounder from last year was out from sickness but I would also have to include Highlands is missing that 6'7 football player as well. Highlands looks to be very impressive this year!

The boy who went to the hospital turned out to be ok. Looks like he had a concussion and when he hit the floor he lost his breath, paniced, and hyper ventilated. Very scary moment.

 

Grant won the JV and Frosh game. Varsity game Highlands dominated. They controlled everything Grant did. They owned the boards and defensively was very physical. I could use the execuse for Grant that their leading rebounder from last year was out from sickness but I would also have to include Highlands is missing that 6'7 football player as well. Highlands looks to be very impressive this year!

 

Highlands has a 6'7 player?

That's what I have over heard between coached talking. He's in football right now. Am I mistaken?

That's what I have over heard between coached talking. He's in football right now. Am I mistaken?

 

It has to be either Welz or Grubbs. I don't think either one tops 6'5

It has to be either Welz or Grubbs. I don't think either one tops 6'5

 

Ok, thanks for the correction.

Who's the leading rebounder that was sick for Grant? Kinmon?

Both Kyle Welz and Grubbs are 6'5 and both are very solid. They will need those guys to take up space in the lane. I thought Dill mixed it up really nice though when he was in there and Watson is a Warrior.

 

If Steve Kowolonek was 6'5 he would be a Major D-1 talent. His game has gotten better each and every year and he finds the basket. I would expect many teams to blanket him with double teams just as they did Vories a few years ago when he was 9th Reg POY.

The boy who went to the hospital turned out to be ok. Looks like he had a concussion and when he hit the floor he lost his breath, paniced, and hyper ventilated. Very scary moment.

 

Grant won the JV and Frosh game. Varsity game Highlands dominated. They controlled everything Grant did. They owned the boards and defensively was very physical. I could use the execuse for Grant that their leading rebounder from last year was out from sickness but I would also have to include Highlands is missing that 6'7 football player as well. Highlands looks to be very impressive this year!

 

That is great. Many of the Highlands folks I talked to were pretty shaken up by the incident.