The last I checked, a win is a win no matter if it is by 1, 5, 10 or 20. The style of play used by Holy Cross and Highlands figured to keep the spread in this game to no more than 6 or 8 points either way. For every shot you say Giwa normally makes I can counter with the same number that Grubbs missed around the basket. If I am a coach at this time of year, I am simply taking it one game at a time.

 

As for the game, I still do not understand why Highlands does not try to run more often. I heard Willie over there on numerous occasions telling them to push the ball up the floor and yet they get across half court and pick up their dribble. This team is going to go as far in the postseason as George Grote takes them. He is their best defensive player and one of their two main options on offense, he just needs to develop consistency.

I disagree. First of all my point was ETA (the supposed Highlands fan) said earlier this year that Highlands was the team that would give Holmes the most trouble and potentially upset them. Using that logic, I would expect a pretty good game come first round of districts between HC and Holmes. Do you expect that? Me neither.

 

Second of all, Holy Cross did not play better than they have been playing. If I am a Highlands fan I'd be concerned about the defense last night. Holy Cross couldn't hit an outside shot and didn't finish well at the basket. Giwa missed tons of easy floaters and layins that he usually puts in. Holy Cross scored tons of points off of complete defensive lapses and not just in the halfcourt set where they usually get teams with their backdoor offense. Highlands didn't get back out of their press well at all and they left guys open under the basket all night. I think a lot of it had to do with Highlands struggling with matching up out of their zone press... but what do I know.

 

Holy Cross did do one thing very well.... They played their tails off. They hustled the whole game and that's what kept them in it, but I don't think I'd necessarily would say that they played one of their better games. As for Highlands, I don't know if I'm calling this a good win... maybe something more like way to sneak one out in the fourth quarter let's learn from our mistakes.

 

As JOAT said, the style that both teams plays is going to keep this game close regardless. Neither team plays an uptempo style and works for good offensive shots and plays tough defense, which is going to mean a low scoring game.

 

It's tough for me to comment on a game that I didn't attend, so what else am I supposed to respond with?

 

A win is a win regardless of the final score.

 

Again, congrats to the Birds. Nice win for them heading forward.

I think his point is that HC is struggling this year. I would agree.

 

Not from what the HC faithful proclaimed before losing to both Beechwood and Covcath back to back....

 

I'd say RECENTLY they've struggled, but not overall.

Not from what the HC faithful proclaimed before losing to both Beechwood and Covcath back to back....

 

I'd say RECENTLY they've struggled, but not overall.

 

True about them recently struggling, but what are the HC faithful supposed to do. They had very legitimate chances against Beechwood and CCH and no one would call someone crazy for them picking them to win either of those games. Also, those two games were close. Overall, HC has been playing pretty good the last two games just can't seem to get over the hump and win that big game.

The last I checked, a win is a win no matter if it is by 1, 5, 10 or 20. The style of play used by Holy Cross and Highlands figured to keep the spread in this game to no more than 6 or 8 points either way. For every shot you say Giwa normally makes I can counter with the same number that Grubbs missed around the basket. If I am a coach at this time of year, I am simply taking it one game at a time.

 

As for the game, I still do not understand why Highlands does not try to run more often. I heard Willie over there on numerous occasions telling them to push the ball up the floor and yet they get across half court and pick up their dribble. This team is going to go as far in the postseason as George Grote takes them. He is their best defensive player and one of their two main options on offense, he just needs to develop consistency.

 

I never mentioned anything about this not being a win. I showed why I don't know whether I'd be happy about this win as a Highlands fan. I didn't make the comments about Giwa to say HC should have won. I made them saying that it's not like Highlands got unlucky and caught HC on a "hot" night because they didn't. They gave up a lot of points on defensive lapses against a team who struggles to score. I'm not trying to start a petty argument over who deserved to win or anything dumb like that. Highlands is the better team and they won the game. I just would be worried as a Highlands fan with some of the weaknesses I saw.

I never mentioned anything about this not being a win. I showed why I don't know whether I'd be happy about this win as a Highlands fan. I didn't make the comments about Giwa to say HC should have won. I made them saying that it's not like Highlands got unlucky and caught HC on a "hot" night because they didn't. They gave up a lot of points on defensive lapses against a team who struggles to score. I'm not trying to start a petty argument over who deserved to win or anything dumb like that. Highlands is the better team and they won the game. I just would be worried as a Highlands fan with some of the weaknesses I saw.

 

Its one game, the times I have seen the Birds this year they have played sticky man-man defense and when they go zone they try to trap and create turnovers. It could have been an off night for them but from reading the article in the Enquirer it seems Coach Schlarman was happy. Trust me, if he noticed a lack of defense, he would mention it even after a win.

 

As far as HC struggling, I certainly wouldnt count the Indians out in their opening round game vs. Holmes on their home court. Stranger things have happened.