Highlands 54 Ryle 52

[mcpapa]

Final.

[AirYardGo]

Nice win for the Birds, the score was only one point off of my prediction!

[cooperstown]

I find Ryle's coach's player substitution pattern odd sometimes. Twice tonight Ryle had built a 6-7 point lead and had momentum and he made wholesale substitutions, taking out most of his starters and scorers. Both times Highlands pulled even or went ahead within two minutes. Then he doesn't have his starting team on the floor for the first 3-4 minutes of the 4th quarter (which started with Ryle 3 points down, I believe). Just didn't make sense. Certainly the second string needs their minutes also, but he just didn't have his best players out on the floor enough in this game. Ryle needs to win a game like this to build confidence and learn how to win tough games down the road. They really don't have any signature wins this year and this could have been their first.

[Dawg81]

Nice win Highlands, we'll see ya FRIDAY :thumb:

[Eta Rho]

Glad to see the Birds rebound from their loss to Conner.

 

Big game Friday night. This could be a step in the right direction for them and confidence that they need heading in to the final weeks.

[9thregionbb]

Big win for Highlands.

[Eta Rho]

Box Score:

 

Highlands (16-5) - Lother 3 0 7, Grote 5 0 12, Gordon 4 1 9, Kowolonek 6 2 14, Watson 2 2 7, Gill 0 1 1, Grubbs 1 2 4. Totals: 21 8 54.

 

Ryle (12-7) - Ahearn 2 0 6, Russell 4 2 10, Coleman 6 0 12, McLeish 5 2 12, Nichols 3 0 6, Stauffer 1 2 4, Stinson 0 2 2. Totals: 21 6 52.

 

Highlands- 10-17-15-12-54

Ryle- 13-14-12-13-52

 

3-pointers: H 4 (Grote 2, Watson, Lother); R 4 (Ahearn 2, McLeish 2).

[Fence\Rider]

I find Ryle's coach's player substitution pattern odd sometimes. Twice tonight Ryle had built a 6-7 point lead and had momentum and he made wholesale substitutions, taking out most of his starters and scorers. Both times Highlands pulled even or went ahead within two minutes. Then he doesn't have his starting team on the floor for the first 3-4 minutes of the 4th quarter (which started with Ryle 3 points down, I believe). Just didn't make sense. Certainly the second string needs their minutes also, but he just didn't have his best players out on the floor enough in this game. Ryle needs to win a game like this to build confidence and learn how to win tough games down the road. They really don't have any signature wins this year and this could have been their first.

 

Not sure I agree fully; why do the second string need their minutes? How many minutes should you give them? I would think for any team the goal is to win and use your second string to spell players periodically although not necessarily a given. Thoughts?

[Shadrach]

I had the same thoughts as cooperstown when I watched the game. Ryle played 10 players in the first quarter. Ordinarily I think it is great to be playing a lot of players, but usually you are starting to narrow your rotation down this time of year. But I think there may be some benefits to the number of players, they gain experience and the team is a little more rested, as due to the snow days, they are playing three games in three days. They have Boone tonight, which will be an important district game. So I wonder if there will be the same type of rotation tonight?

 

I still like Ahern as a good point guard. In the first quarter he beat the press by quickly dribbling pass the traps and then making some nice passes to big guys for lay-ups. Highlands adjusted the press a little and he was contained more.

 

I hope Ryle can get a quality win tonight against Boone. The first seed playing either Cooper or Heritage would be a lot better than having to play Conner to get into the Regional. By beating Boone, it would give them a better chance at the #1 seed. If they lose, they have no chance as Boone would be #1.

[cooperstown]

Not sure I agree fully; why do the second string need their minutes? How many minutes should you give them? I would think for any team the goal is to win and use your second string to spell players periodically although not necessarily a given. Thoughts?

 

It's not an issue with playing the second teamers, but playing them all together at once (well, almost - usually left in one starter). It just leaves too few scoring options out on the floor and not nearly as strong defense. Plus, the timing of the switches just seemed to really affect the momentum of the game, which had clearly been in Ryle's favor.

[Qryche11]

Congrats to the Birds for going on the road and getting a very nice win over a strong Ryle club.