My vote is we just support those boys that do show up and play.

I think there has to be a culture change at Highlands first. I know that winning a state ring is fantastic, even if it's watered down now, but 95% of the kids that play football aren't going on to play college ball anyway. Why not get the most out of high school sports and play as many as possible. I played 3 sports and have unbelievable memories in every one. I wouldn't have given up 2 sports just to win a state title in 1. That's pretty much what the student athlete at Highlands does. It's kind of a shame really.

 

Lets go back 17 years and list the names of football players that didn't play basketball that would have made a difference. And don't list the ones that quit because of "other" reasons. I have no idea of any because I don't follow it enough. I was in 7th/8th grade but my kid has chosen to not play anymore and it has absolutely nothing to do with football.

Just as in some of the cases being cited above, with the football season now extending into the beginning of basketball season, teams depending on football players are at a distinct disadvantage when it comes to competing on an even playing field in basketball with those who are "basektball" schools, especially early in the season. Highlands didn't play their first game until December 9th and will be playing their fourth game come Friday night when the Mustangs come to town, and probably only their second with a full compliment of football players. Brossart had all of their varsity players in the gym on October 17th, and all but three of our JVs. We will be playing our sixth varsity game Friday night with our first having been on November 28th. We are a soccer, basketball, baseball school, that is trying to get a toehold in football, but is too much in its infancy to effect the basketball program.

 

NCC is even a better example. They planned on playing in the 2-A football championship game, and being a smaller school that has to share athletes, didn't schedule their basketball opener until December 8th and their second one until a week later on December 15th.

 

By mid to late season things even out and there are no excuses come tournament time.

 

Unless you are Trinity or in a similar situation, it is extremely hard to play championship caliber basketball and football. While I hear what Tommyb is saying I think that the quality of your feeder programs determines success on the hardwood much moreso that the zipcode that you come from, although I will agree that move-in mentality seems to be becoming more in vogue lately.

Wow my friend. This is really disrespectful. We know you are being cute and all, but seriously. Football doesn't need any extra shots from afar.

Come on... You know I'm kidding! The basketball program is in good shape.

I can see the team has a little work to do after a 4 point loss to a St. Henry team that lost by 25 to Cov Cath. and a ten point loss to BB.

 

Three key players out tonight. 6'5 Pat Towles, 6'2 Luke Turner and 5'10 PG Carter New. Not to mention 80% of the team was winning a state football championship last weekend. Give em a month....jeeeeez

 

It's been a month and the heart of the schedule is coming up.

Why is it when a team is not the "best" then there must be something wrong? The guys that play are all hardworking, want to improve & win. Maybe there are just some better basketball players / teams in NKY the last few years. To make excuses is well, making excuses. I go to as many games as possible and win or lose I love our team. BTW it's all practice til March...That doesn't mean the Birds will win the 9th, but I do know they will have the same chance as anyone else & the boys that are wearing the uniforms will give their best shot.

As I have said before. HHS has always been a football school. HHS has had sustained success in the past on the hardwood. Why can the past success in basketball not be repeated?

 

Believe it or not, Highlands really started as a track and football school. Also heard an unbelieveable story about a Highlands tennis championship back in the 20's with a one armed tennis player. Highlands is not just a football school.

Anything more than 9 months of same sport and burn out sets in.

 

Tells me alot right there.

I would agree with this as it is similar but if the Moyer league is going to allow formulated teams to enter then nothing is going to change. I like the idea of having kids just sign up and formulate rosters mixing the kids from Moyer/Johnson and Woodfill. This would require a lot of parents to volunteer just like the FTJRFL does.

 

My criticism of the Moyer league wasnt meant as a negative. I like the Moyer league and what it has grown into. The folks that started that league and put the time in are top notch. I just know that there are concerns just as there are in the FTJRFL which is why they had an open forum last week about what they can do better.

 

I would love to see a Ft. Thomas wide basketball program where they possibly utilize the nice gym at Moyer and the Armory or YMCA. I would definitely donate my time to help out. IN the meantime, in order to prepare the kids to be able to compete at a higher level it is necessary to find other leagues where they can get a more fast paced experience against good competition.

 

I think what Dan Sullivan did at Campbell Co years back was great and it looks like Walton Verona is doing something similar. Take a talent pool and divide the teams into an A, B, C group and then enter them in leagues that are competetive and assign coaches to work on fundamentals and teamwork.

 

As far as the Middle School i dont know the answer there except for the fact that once they hit that age they generally know what sport they are going to excel at and what sport they have a better chance at so they focus their energies on that sport which is typically football. This year's soph class all went through the Middle school yrs and they have a large number. My son's Junior class there are 4 kids who played Middle School ball and one who transferred in from Southgate his frosh year. The Sr Class this year you have basically 2 kids who played middle school ball and then Carter New who came to the system from St. Catherine as a freshman.

 

If you can get 4 kids from each class to come out of the Middle school program and then hope you get a transfer or two in during freshman year you should be allright.

 

Why don't you get something started?

Believe it or not, Highlands really started as a track and football school. Also heard an unbelieveable story about a Highlands tennis championship back in the 20's with a one armed tennis player. Highlands is not just a football school.

 

I know that HHS excells in some other sports, track and soccer have had big success in the recent past. That doesn't answer the question that I posed.

Why don't you get something started?

 

I would love to but I'm trying to raise a family of 4, attend my son's games, coach my stepson 3 days a week, coach my 5 yr old daughter on Saturdays, mix in a little work at the clip of 45-50 hrs a week and try to keep my beautiful wife happy. Oh and my pops has dementia at 62 and i try and help my mom out There as she is his primary caregiver. But I will get right on it. LOL

 

Maybe someone, former player, graduate, a person in the community with a little more time could develop something like that. However, if we keep losing kids who have AAU experience once they become Frosh and sophs then what's the point. Like Tommy B said in the other thread, we gotta figure out how to keep em in the program. In the past 2 yrs the program has lost some kids who had 3-4 yrs AAU experience and could be contributing to the program but they aren't playing because they want to focus on football.

 

JR 6'3 200lb David Christian- played AAU ball from 3rd-8th grade. Stopped after Frosh yr.

JR 6'0 180lb Donovan McCoy- played 2-yrs AAU and led the Frosh team in scoring.

JR 6'3 180lb Jac Collinsworth- played atleast 3 yrs AAU and was key JV player last year earning some Varsity minutes as a soph.

Current freshman who decided to not play and are excellent players with solid AAU experience.

Frosh- Beau Hoge - very Good PG who played several yrs of AAU ball with the Hornets.

Frosh- Griffin Urlage- great shooter and top notch athlete. He was fed the kool aid last yr and he didn't even come out.

 

I'm guessing Coach Flynn may have been hoping a few of these kids would have stuck with the program and all have their own reasons for not playing but don't tell me kids optic.g to play football and nothing else isn't affecting the program.

 

There are 2 current JRs with zero AAU experience and played sparingly on the Frosh and JV teams the past 2 yrs. These guys are being asked now to grow up and become varsity players and it just doesn't happen overnight. Witte and Turner are the only JRs with extensive AAU experience.

I know that HHS excells in some other sports, track and soccer have had big success in the recent past. That doesn't answer the question that I posed.

 

Wasn't trying to answer your question, just adding alittle more info.

I'd say yes to your question.

Do you really believe that Highlands would have 21 state titles if there was one champion a year in football?

As my previous post states, I completely disagree with the "there is nothing like the FTJFL" in Fort Thomas. We have an instructional bball league with mandatory playing time and modified rules just like the football league. We also have a middle school program that has between 12 and 15 players on each team. There are opportunities to play, compete, and get better.

 

You are missing a major, major, major difference b/n the FTJFL and the Moyer league....practice time. That is the main difference, especially for my sons' teams. When I was at Holy Spirit we practiced at least twice per week for 1 1/2 to 2 hours. The FTJFL gives 3 practice nights per week. The basketball team that my boys are on, once per week. The coach is fantastic, but for some reason Woodfill's gym time is so limited.

 

Q, I saw your team up at the Armory, how often do you guys practice per week, or get some type of gym time?

You are missing a major, major, major difference b/n the FTJFL and the Moyer league....practice time. That is the main difference, especially for my sons' teams. When I was at Holy Spirit we practiced at least twice per week for 1 1/2 to 2 hours. The FTJFL gives 3 practice nights per week. The basketball team that my boys are on, once per week. The coach is fantastic, but for some reason Woodfill's gym time is so limited.

 

Q, I saw your team up at the Armory, how often do you guys practice per week, or get some type of gym time?

 

Gym time is important. I wouldn't compare football and basketball though. A basketball player can do so much more on his own to improve skill level. A lot of very good basketball players are made by putting in countless hours in the driveway on their own, or with a couple of buddies. I don't think that opportunity exists as much for football players.