Couple this with the scrimage win over Fairdale on Saturday, the birds are looking good early.

 

Someone said Mason was not a full strenght, who were they missing?

 

Hamm and Downing

First off, let me congratulate Highlands on the big road win to start their season, they did a great job on the boards and denying the ball on defense.

 

With that said, neither team deserved to win, both teams were missing key pieces as mentioned above and it showed. Highlands reminds of a 16th region type team, physical, strong on defense.

 

Mason Co doesn't have an identity right now, they go inside and get easy points, then they stop going inside and go back to shooting 20 footers. Russ tried to do too much early and actually got put back on the bench about 2 minutes into the game. He settled down, but Highlands did a great job and it just seemed like the Royals were lost on offense more often than not.

 

Frustrating to watch, but the Royals will get better. It's a very good thing they weren't playing a Scott Co, Lex Cath or even Elliott. It would have been a 30 or 40 point loss.

 

The JV game also went to double overtime and it was the same type of game, very brutal and ugly to watch. Highlands won that game by a few as well, just too many turnovers and poor shooting by both teams.

Mason was outplayed and Highlands ran their gamePlan to perfection. Mason shot terrible and Setty sot terrible until the end of the game when he was clutch. There has been 30 posts and not one mention of the foul call at the end of the first Overtime I believe. Mason missed and Barner rebounded and attempted a shot and a foul was called right at the buzzer. The referees conferred and said no foul. Yes I am a Mason fan and was at the scorers table and believe I am as honest as the day is long, but the foul was called right before the horn sounded. Barner is not a great FT but he should have had a chance. Highlands did outplay Mason and deserved to win this game.

Kowolonek is very very good. He was I think underrated last year. Highlands will be very good especially when the football players get back with I think their 5th ring or somethin like that. Great opener for Highlands and to build the confidence and go in and beat the defending state champs in their house in I know was a hostile environment because I've played there.

Edited December 3, 200817 yr by gold sunrise
Rule #13

First off, let me congratulate Highlands on the big road win to start their season, they did a great job on the boards and denying the ball on defense.

 

With that said, neither team deserved to win, both teams were missing key pieces as mentioned above and it showed. Highlands reminds of a 16th region type team, physical, strong on defense.

 

Mason Co doesn't have an identity right now, they go inside and get easy points, then they stop going inside and go back to shooting 20 footers. Russ tried to do too much early and actually got put back on the bench about 2 minutes into the game. He settled down, but Highlands did a great job and it just seemed like the Royals were lost on offense more often than not.

 

Frustrating to watch, but the Royals will get better. It's a very good thing they weren't playing a Scott Co, Lex Cath or even Elliott. It would have been a 30 or 40 point loss.

 

The JV game also went to double overtime and it was the same type of game, very brutal and ugly to watch. Highlands won that game by a few as well, just too many turnovers and poor shooting by both teams.

 

I knew this would be weak point for Mason Co to start the season. They lost so much to graduation last year. Mason will be fine and come tourney time will be a team many will not want to face.

Congrats to the Birds,Good road win,Royals really missed Downing on the boards.The Royals will take some shots early but they should be 100% Friday night with all starters back and they will start to get an identity then.Will take some time though but I still say they will be in it come March.

Wow they swept both games and both in overtime that is impressive. Willie's emphasis on rebounding and playing physical defense is really paying off.

wow they swept both games and both in overtime that is impressive. Willie's emphasis on rebounding and playing physical defense is really paying off.

 

Willie or Dale?

I actually didn't expect Mason Co. to play Highlands out at all. So I'm not TOO TOO surprised. Congrats to Highlands.

I actually didn't expect Mason Co. to play Highlands out at all. So I'm not TOO TOO surprised. Congrats to Highlands.

 

If you would have seen them scrimmage Highlands over the summer you might have thought different. I wasnt there but a good source told me that Mason Co was re-loaded and had 3-4 major studs. I dont know what happened tonight, I am sure it was a mix of missing 2 guys, Highlands playing very good defense and causing them fits as well as outrebounding them. It could have just been a bad game by the Royals overall but in the end it is very surprising to me that they went down to the Fieldhouse and won in 2 OT's.

 

This is a huge building block for a very talented Bird team. These are all Juniors as well on the Birds roster. Atleast at this point.

If you would have seen them scrimmage Highlands over the summer you might have thought different. I wasnt there but a good source told me that Mason Co was re-loaded and had 3-4 major studs. I dont know what happened tonight, I am sure it was a mix of missing 2 guys, Highlands playing very good defense and causing them fits as well as outrebounding them. It could have just been a bad game by the Royals overall but in the end it is very surprising to me that they went down to the Fieldhouse and won in 2 OT's.

 

This is a huge building block for a very talented Bird team. These are all Juniors as well on the Birds roster. Atleast at this point.

 

 

Ha, I'm guessing you realized I meant "blow" not "play". Anyways, yeah I heard the scrimmage was a different situation entirely, but for some reason I just really didn't expect or think MC would be THAT great this year. Very happy for Highlands though, because they obviously had to fight for it, and they deserved it. =]

Ha, I'm guessing you realized I meant "blow" not "play". Anyways, yeah I heard the scrimmage was a different situation entirely, but for some reason I just really didn't expect or think MC would be THAT great this year. Very happy for Highlands though, because they obviously had to fight for it, and they deserved it. =]

 

I gotcha. To be honest I didn't pick Mason Co to win their Region this year either but you can never look past the "Mecca" errr Fieldhouse. Not to mention the State Championship banner that is probably flying high down there. That can be intimidating for teams coming in from other parts of the state.

 

Like someone said on here, they may take til mid January to gel but I expect Mason Co to be there in the end fighting for a spot to Rupp Arena to defend their title.

 

The JV game also went to double overtime and it was the same type of game, very brutal and ugly to watch. Highlands won that game by a few as well, just too many turnovers and poor shooting by both teams.

 

That's called Willie Ball. Its amazing how many teams have bad shooting nights against Willie and his team.

That's called Willie Ball. Its amazing how many teams have bad shooting nights against Willie and his team.

 

What is funny is Willie was selling everyone on how they would be more of an open floor running type team and I saw that in the 1st scrimmage but this one sounded like they went "old school" and toughed out a defensive win.

What is funny is Willie was selling everyone on how they would be more of an open floor running type team and I saw that in the 1st scrimmage but this one sounded like they went "old school" and toughed out a defensive win.

 

He could certainly be changing his offensive style. He'll never change his defensive style.