I have not seen them play but I feel confident enough to post based on speaking to some folks like Eta Roh who have seen them play. He had great things to say about them and how they competed against Holmes. Earlier I mentioned that this will be a very good game and if the Birds dont bring their A game could get a loss dropped on them.

 

Hey, I love the style of play Beechwood is instituting and hope they bring home the All A state Championship. I think they can do it.

 

My big take is that they will see a much more physical defense then they have seen so far this season. Do I think Highlands plays better defense then Holmes? Yes. As an overall team I think they do. JMO

 

Highlands team this year may play better defense than Holmes this year, but last years Holmes team defense was incredible. I'm not taking up for Beechwood, just saying its not like they haven't faced good defense before.

Highlands team this year may play better defense than Holmes this year, but last years Holmes team defense was incredible. I'm not taking up for Beechwood, just saying its not like they haven't faced good defense before.

Outside of Holmes what good defenses has Beechwood seen?

Outside of Holmes what good defenses has Beechwood seen?

 

I think it's safe to assume Campbell Co is pretty solid defensively. They have given up more than 60 points just once this year and that was to a solid Mason Co. squad.

IMO, Beechwood could beat Brossart any day.

 

Probably why Beechwood has stayed safely tucked away in NKAC Division III all these years, playing Ludlow, Heritage, Villa, etc. twice a year, while Brossart ventures out and plays in the best in NKY and beyond every year??

I have not seen them play but I feel confident enough to post based on speaking to some folks like Eta Roh who have seen them play. He had great things to say about them and how they competed against Holmes. Earlier I mentioned that this will be a very good game and if the Birds dont bring their A game could get a loss dropped on them.

 

Hey, I love the style of play Beechwood is instituting and hope they bring home the All A state Championship. I think they can do it.

 

My big take is that they will see a much more physical defense then they have seen so far this season. Do I think Highlands plays better defense then Holmes? Yes. As an overall team I think they do. JMO

 

Hope you're right, it would be great to see the "A" trophy back in NKY this year!! Unfortunately they have to win the always tough (maybe the toughest "A") region, and then they'll find a team from Eastern KY that might be a decent opponent waiting down at EKU??

Of course you would. lol a Highlands graduate and a Holmes fanatic. OBVIOUSLY they are 1 and 2. lol.

 

 

Holmes is CLEARLY without a doubt, the number 1. No one argues that.

 

Highlands? Na. They could get beat on any night by any team [as theyve shown], or they can win very well on any night. That is true for just about every team out there right now. There isn't a clear #2 because all of the teams can really actually beat each other at this point. I mean I don't see it happening, but Beechwood could very well beat Highlands Friday night. The same beechwood who only beat CovCath by 5, and lost to Campbell Co. and really hasn't played anyone outside of that. I think we have to wait and see before we go stating Highlands is the clear #2.

 

Agreed 100%

Just because I say Highlands is the clearcut #2 team doesn't mean I don't think they can't be beat. AT THIS POINT they have EARNED the #2 ranking, so yea they are the "clearcut" #2 until someone else beats them, outside of Holmes. Boone was in the same boat until their loss to Highlands.

 

I agree that any team after Holmes could beat one another on any given night, but who else would you rank at #2 if not Highlands? I'm going to assume the answer is nobody which further proves my point.

 

Clearcut would mean that they are without a doubt the 2nd best team in NKy. Honestly, before the win over Boone I wouldn't even say they deserved the No.2 ranking. If you saw the NewCath game and/or the Brossart game there is no way you could say this team is definitely the 2nd best in NKy. I would say they are deserving of their No.2 ranking, but there is nothing clear cut about it. This team has some serious weaknesses, as do most of the other teams in NKy. Which is why we have this logjam from 2-13.

Clearcut would mean that they are without a doubt the 2nd best team in NKy. Honestly, before the win over Boone I wouldn't even say they deserved the No.2 ranking. If you saw the NewCath game and/or the Brossart game there is no way you could say this team is definitely the 2nd best in NKy. I would say they are deserving of their No.2 ranking, but there is nothing clear cut about it. This team has some serious weaknesses, as do most of the other teams in NKy. Which is why we have this logjam from 2-13.

 

Only true weakness I see is lack of consistent 3 pt shooter. What are you seeing?

Only true weakness I see is lack of consistent 3 pt shooter. What are you seeing?

 

I'd say that's a big one. They seem to struggle to score against a disciplined consistent defense, and I believe it's due to the lack of a go to scorer. They just seem to go through stretches where they can't get the lid off the basket.

That is why I said it is out of character for him. He is allowed to pick a winner and maybe you are reading to much into my post. By the way I know Mustang, nice man and I respect him. I doubt he has seen Beechwood play and I was comparing BHS schedule to BBHS and at this point do not see much difference.

 

Whoa! I didn't mean to stir up a hornet's nest here. I did set myself up to eat some crow if Beechwood can go toe to toe with the Bluebirds. Just offering up an opinion. I'm not even rooting against the Red and White Tigers. I think it would be a huge win for them and their program. But, with that being said, I think they are going to have to earn it.

 

Opinions are just that and my point is that I feel that the superior Highlands defense will prevail over the perhaps superior Beechwood offense. Nothing more - nothing less!

 

As far as dragging Brossart's schedule into it - what does that have to do with anything??? I thought we were discussing Highlands-Beechwood.

We're not on trial here. We do however, own a win over Highlands, and if the Beechies can duplicate that, my hat is off to them.

 

Should be a great game.

I'd say that's a big one. They seem to struggle to score against a disciplined consistent defense, and I believe it's due to the lack of a go to scorer. They just seem to go through stretches where they can't get the lid off the basket.

 

Clearcut would mean that they are without a doubt the 2nd best team in NKy. Honestly, before the win over Boone I wouldn't even say they deserved the No.2 ranking. If you saw the NewCath game and/or the Brossart game there is no way you could say this team is definitely the 2nd best in NKy. I would say they are deserving of their No.2 ranking, but there is nothing clear cut about it. This team has some serious weaknesses, as do most of the other teams in NKy. Which is why we have this logjam from 2-13.

 

Both of those losses came at the beginning of the year and were by a combined 8 points. Honestly I don't think Brossart would beat them in a rematch and we'll find out come district time whether the NCC win was a fluke or not.

 

As to whether or not they're the second best team in nky, again I ask the question: Who would you have ranked #2 if not Highlands? They have the second most wins in the region, next to only Holmes, just gave the previous ranked #2 team their worse loss of the year (14 points) while holding them to their lowest output of the year, and they've won 7 straight, which again is second to only Holmes, and also are the ONLY other team outside of Holmes to beat more than one top 20 team in the state. (Boone Co, Mason Co). Clearcut or not, Highlands IS the second best team in NKY RIGHT NOW. We'll know more as the season progresses. Their next 5 games are Beechwood, Campbell Co, Ryle, Conner, and Holmes. This stretch will prove whether or not they are the "clearcut" #2 or possibly even #1.

Both of those losses came at the beginning of the year and were by a combined 8 points. Honestly I don't think Brossart would beat them in a rematch and we'll find out come district time whether the NCC win was a fluke or not.

 

As to whether or not they're the second best team in nky, again I ask the question: Who would you have ranked #2 if not Highlands? They have the second most wins in the region, next to only Holmes, just gave the previous ranked #2 team their worse loss of the year (14 points) while holding them to their lowest output of the year, and they've won 7 straight, which again is second to only Holmes, and also are the ONLY other team outside of Holmes to beat more than one top 20 team in the state. (Boone Co, Mason Co). Clearcut or not, Highlands IS the second best team in NKY RIGHT NOW. We'll know more as the season progresses. Their next 5 games are Beechwood, Campbell Co, Ryle, Conner, and Holmes. This stretch will prove whether or not they are the "clearcut" #2 or possibly even #1.

 

Right I pretty much agree with what you're saying except for the verbage. Clear cut would mean hands down no questions asked they are the second best team, and I just don't believe that. They are deserving of that No.2 ranking right now. They are who I would pick as the No.2 team right now, but I would never say they are the clear cut second best team.

 

As for them not losing to Brossart or NewCath again, while I won't say that they would I will say I don't think those were fluke wins by any means. Those teams have something in common... tough defense... especially on the interior. Highlands struggles sometimes to score when you are able to play tough half court man and keep them from getting inside to the rim. If they are on from the outside then they can beat almost anyone. The problem is they really don't have a great outside threat, and it seems like noone wants to step up when they go through those scoring droughts.

Right I pretty much agree with what you're saying except for the verbage. Clear cut would mean hands down no questions asked they are the second best team, and I just don't believe that. They are deserving of that No.2 ranking right now. They are who I would pick as the No.2 team right now, but I would never say they are the clear cut second best team.

 

As for them not losing to Brossart or NewCath again, while I won't say that they would I will say I don't think those were fluke wins by any means. Those teams have something in common... tough defense... especially on the interior. Highlands struggles sometimes to score when you are able to play tough half court man and keep them from getting inside to the rim. If they are on from the outside then they can beat almost anyone. The problem is they really don't have a great outside threat, and it seems like noone wants to step up when they go through those scoring droughts.

 

I disagree with that. If you look at Highlands stats you'll see that they rarely attempt 3 pointers. They are a mid range/inside type of team. Kowolonek and Grote are their go to guys and IMO either can score for them when they need a bucket. They beat Covcath first go around without attempting any three's.

 

Again...the next 5 games will tell us whether or not they are the clearcut #2 or not. Until then it's all a matter of opinion. (Nothing wrong with that.)

It will be a tight 1st half but Beechwood will not be able to stay with the talent of The Birds. Foul trouble and a short bench will make the 4th quarter get ugly. HHS by 16.

I'd say that's a big one. They seem to struggle to score against a disciplined consistent defense, and I believe it's due to the lack of a go to scorer. They just seem to go through stretches where they can't get the lid off the basket.

 

Kowolonek is a go to guy IMO.