I think it does when those same kids have played together for such a long period of time..It definately doesn't hurt..:thumb:

 

It doesn't hurt, but it is not anywhere close to a good indicator of how a team will do.

 

You've got different coaches, different teams, different styles of play. And oh yeah, kids tend to grow up during those years.

Would you say that MC was over ranked in the pre-season?

 

Preseason rankings are just something get talk going,But yes.Come Feb they very well may be a top 10 team once there back to 100% and get some chemistry going they will be fine,Until then could take some lumps especially early.

I just love seeing all the excuses when Mason County loses.

 

You're kidding who is using excuses from Mason.The better team won last night and thats all ive saw so far.:confused:

It doesn't hurt, but it is not anywhere close to a good indicator of how a team will do.

 

You've got different coaches, different teams, different styles of play. And oh yeah, kids tend to grow up during those years.

 

For the record, HHS did win the Middle School tourney in 8th grade....a pretty long time ago. (Btw, Ockerman lost in the quarters) The kids on varsity now did play together then, along with several others who no longer play and a couple who will join the team from football. The only significance is that they have grown together and that they are really good teammates to each other. They like each other, spend time away from the game together, have accomplished things as a team already and it translates to good team chemistry and unselfish play. That is special. I think those that have an opportunity to witness it will understand how special that is and will discover why this HHS squad will continue to be successful as they have on every level leading to now.

For the record, HHS did win the Middle School tourney in 8th grade....a pretty long time ago. (Btw, Ockerman lost in the quarters) The kids on varsity now did play together then, along with several others who no longer play and a couple who will join the team from football. The only significance is that they have grown together and that they are really good teammates to each other. They like each other, spend time away from the game together, have accomplished things as a team already and it translates to good team chemistry and unselfish play. That is special. I think those that have an opportunity to witness it will understand how special that is and will discover why this HHS squad will continue to be successful as they have on every level leading to now.

 

Actually, Ockerman lost in the semifinal, not quarters.

Who made it seem like that? How in the world could it be Highlands fault they didn't play? Highlands was missing players too, and they won. There are no excuses, Mason County just got beat.

 

Check out the first page of this thread. :thumb:

Check out the first page of this thread. :thumb:

 

Not a single excuse on the 1st thread other than MC got outplayed, outhustled & out rebounded.

 

One poster said "Good thing the two 6'5'' football players weren't there." Assuming the Mason County fans aren't pulling our legs and they truly are senior starters, then I'd agree.

 

Nobody is taking anything away from Highlands. A win over Mason County is always a good win. A win AT Mason County is an even better win. But facts are facts, and apparently the Mason County that HHS just beat & CCH faces on Friday is not the same Mason County team that will be gearing up for a tournament run in March...

Remember guys Mason Co was without 2 starts as well...

Highlands was without 3 starters

Speaking as a Mason County fan, the bad and the good (and the ugly):

 

The bad:

 

Up 32-23 midway through the 3rd quarter, the Royals scored a grand total of five (5) points until there was less than a minute to play in regulation. 37 points in 31+ minutes. Much of the credit for that goes to Highlands.

 

I can remember NO fast break points, or even fast break opportunities for Mason County. Credit again goes to Highlands.

 

17 Mason County turnovers to 12 for the Bluebirds. Not characteristic of a Mason County squad.

 

Too many offensive rebounds for Highlands. Although MC had the rebounding edge for the game, 13 offensive rebounds is way too many to allow.

 

The good:

 

Coming back from a 42-37 deficit in the last 40 seconds of the game showed a lot of heart.

 

I thought that Phil Barner played a pretty decent game. He still needs to play better defense with his feet, but showed a lot of athleticism and played a BUNCH of minutes. Looks like he can be counted on to be a reliable sub for Downing.

 

With three sophs seeing loads of minutes, this team will mature over the next few months.

 

As always, the Royals play pretty good defense. Gave up 42 points in regulation and held HHS to something like 33% shooting for the game.

 

Highlands also did not get any fast break opportunities that I can remember.

 

Finally, the ugly:

 

Mason County's free-throw shooting was atrocious. 4 for 12 in close games isn't going to win you too many ballgames.

 

Although you absolutely cannot blame the loss on this, the non-call at the end of the game was horrible. A foul was called that would have sent Barner to the line prior to the horn and the backboard light. Bo Queen and crew got that one wrong. But there's no guarantee that either of the FTs would have been made.

 

Bottom line - Highlands did what they had to to pull out the win. Congratulations to the Bluebirds. Mason County - better expect more of the same against CovCath on Friday night.

Edited December 5, 200817 yr by mcpapa
It was 42-37, not 42-27. Fat fingers.

MC's success will depend in a large degree upon the 3 sophs. Middleton will be by far their strongest player, that is a given. Barner will definitely help. Hamm will help with ball handling and some scoring. A previous poster mentioned their second best player. I am not really sure who that is. After Middleton, I think their second best player will vary from night to night. I think they have several fundamentally sound players who could fit that bill.

I just love seeing all the excuses when Mason County loses.

 

 

As with many other of the fellow posters on this thread, I have not seen one excuse from the Mason County fans but I have seen several facts. Fact 1the royals got outplayed. Fact 2, Middleton had a bad game, Setty didn't have a good game, Downing and Hamm didn't play at all. Barner played a decent first half. I would be willing to bet that if you remove 2 starters from any other team in the state, then the expectations would have been much different. I thought the best player on the floor for the royals during this game was Neal Pawsat. This game was ugly from beginning to end.

 

With that said, my guess is that if you take a poll of most of the Mason County faithful, they would agree with this. Why should any of us complain or make excuses, this program has won 2 state championships in the last 5 years and throw in a runner up trophy to boot. If the royals didn't win a game all year (which they will) how could you possibly make excuses or complain about a program with these accomplishments?

 

I usually enjoy reading comments about games and critisms both good and bad but this statement was just ugly.

As with many other of the fellow posters on this thread, I have not seen one excuse from the Mason County fans but I have seen several facts. Fact 1the royals got outplayed. Fact 2, Middleton had a bad game, Setty didn't have a good game, Downing and Hamm didn't play at all. Barner played a decent first half. I would be willing to bet that if you remove 2 starters from any other team in the state, then the expectations would have been much different. I thought the best player on the floor for the royals during this game was Neal Pawsat. This game was ugly from beginning to end.

 

With that said, my guess is that if you take a poll of most of the Mason County faithful, they would agree with this. Why should any of us complain or make excuses, this program has won 2 state championships in the last 5 years and throw in a runner up trophy to boot. If the royals didn't win a game all year (which they will) how could you possibly make excuses or complain about a program with these accomplishments?

 

I usually enjoy reading comments about games and critisms both good and bad but this statement was just ugly.

 

 

:sleep::sleep::sleep: