Would there be as many state football championships if they were not divided into six classes? A basketball championship is much harder to obtain without it being divided by school size, etc.

I believe there are several factors that have affected the recent output of Highlands Basketball program. Certainly coaching change is one. HHS had the Shields/Petty/Messmer continuation that lasted two decades plus. These gentleman worked together for many years and there system evolved from lower levels up. (not to mention the foundation that HOF Shields built. Although Willie played/coached some with group, it was not a "continuation". Coach Flynn will do a great job....given time. He is very enthusiastic (talked with him at the state championship game....yes he supports all the teams) he is working on feeder and will be available to the kids when he retires in a couple of years. He is the right man for the job.

 

Regarding recent years (present one included) one can look atthe injury bug for starters....if McGraw & Simpson "08, are both healthy, Region was a possibility, no seniors on a 21-7 season '09 and last seasons ills.....the hearalded team that never played a single game with everyone healthy/available the entire season and this season three games in with no Stewart/Crowley.

Better times ahead folks....stay patien

Would there be as many state football championships if they were not divided into six classes? A basketball championship is much harder to obtain without it being divided by school size, etc.

 

I believe Highlands had 16 State Championships prior to football being divided into six classes.

The question was asked and I am giving a honest answer so... he it goes!

 

It would almost be too easy to rag on HHS when it comes to Basketball from the facilities to the lack of making it to Rupp for years, however unlike some of the HHS fans who talked about CovCath being down in football since they haven't won a state title since 2006, I won't do that!

 

To get HHS back to the level of other 9th Region teams, HHS first must make a commitment to building a new gym! Honestly the gym has to be the oldest gym that any school in the 9th plays in and for a school such as HHS that has such a tradition of excellence it is a shame! Indeed it's pretty easy to see what the administration thinks of any sport at HHS by just looking at the football field compared to the baseball, soccer or gym facilities at HHS.

 

I must say. it surprises me that more HHS parents of kids who play basketball, baseball or soccer haven't risen and complained bitterly about the lack of money spent on their kids sports venues!

 

Highland's gym is my favorite place in the 9th Region to see a game because it's one of the last places around to get that good old fashioned feeling of yesteryear of being in an intense packed house, right on top of the action. Sometimes games can get more exciting and intense because of it. With the caliber of teams Highlands has had over the years, there have been countless great games in that building. The building has never in past effected good basketball at Highlands, so I can't see that being the reason for them having a down year. When a new gym is built, that good old fashioned feeling will be gone for good. :cry:

Highland's gym is my favorite place in the 9th Region to see a game because it's one of the last places around to get that good old fashioned feeling of yesteryear of being in an intense packed house, right on top of the action. Sometimes games can get more exciting and intense because of it. With the caliber of teams Highlands has had over the years, there have been countless great games in that building. The building has never in past effected good basketball at Highlands, so I can't see that being the reason for them having a down year. When a new gym is built, that good old fashioned feeling will be gone for good. :cry:

 

I agree, and feel the same way about the Finn at Holy Cross and Cov. Cath's gym as well. :thumb:

I agree, and feel the same way about the Finn at Holy Cross and Cov. Cath's gym as well. :thumb:

 

Ditto

Would there be as many state football championships if they were not divided into six classes? A basketball championship is much harder to obtain without it being divided by school size, etc.

 

 

I'd say yes to your question.

I believe Highlands had 16 State Championships prior to football being divided into six classes.

 

Over what 50 yrs? They have 4 in a row and have beaten those teams like a drum. You make it out of the 9th Region then you have to face one of the other best 15 teams in the state.

I'd say yes to your question.

 

NO!!

Highland's gym is my favorite place in the 9th Region to see a game because it's one of the last places around to get that good old fashioned feeling of yesteryear of being in an intense packed house, right on top of the action. Sometimes games can get more exciting and intense because of it. With the caliber of teams Highlands has had over the years, there have been countless great games in that building. The building has never in past effected good basketball at Highlands, so I can't see that being the reason for them having a down year. When a new gym is built, that good old fashioned feeling will be gone for good. :cry:

 

I agree. A gym, field or court should have nothing to do with the product.

I agree. A gym, field or court should have nothing to do with the product.

 

And I totally agree in a perfect world........but.........

 

It does matter to the kids what their gym, field or locker rooms look like, just like to the parents who drive a Caddy instead of a Chevy, or for those with a 60 inch HDTV LED Full Cable with over 600 channels and surround sound, instead of a 19 inch one with rabbit ears. The Chevy gets you back and forth to work just as good as the Caddy and you can see just fine on sthe 19 inch B/W set just fine, but..........

Over what 50 yrs? They have 4 in a row and have beaten those teams like a drum. You make it out of the 9th Region then you have to face one of the other best 15 teams in the state.

 

Excactly why I equate a regional championship in basketball to a state title in football. And thats why my concern over no regional championships, and really almost no shot at one for going on a decade now. I would imagine the football people would be up un arms if the football program were in such a downturn.

And I totally agree in a perfect world........but.........

 

It does matter to the kids what their gym, field or locker rooms look like, just like to the parents who drive a Caddy instead of a Chevy, or for those with a 60 inch HDTV LED Full Cable with over 600 channels and surround sound, instead of a 19 inch one with rabbit ears. The Chevy gets you back and forth to work just as good as the Caddy and you can see just fine on sthe 19 inch B/W set just fine, but..........

 

With this reasoning, how do you explain the overwhelming success on the gridiron??

Excactly why I equate a regional championship in basketball to a state title in football. And thats why my concern over no regional championships, and really almost no shot at one for going on a decade now. I would imagine the football people would be up un arms if the football program were in such a downturn.

 

I agree with the thought that a 9th region championship would be a start and obviously it is easier to win a state championship with the 6 class system. The boys and girls soccer teams have made it to the final 8 in the state, in the no class system. Also,totally agree with if this is the football team people would be saying the sky was falling. HHS basketball needs to be on the same level as the rest of tha athletic teams and I dont see it . There are numerous reasons it seems for the state of the basketball teams at HHS and the administration,AD,coaches and community need to take a hard look at the program.

I really dont think the sky is falling on the Highlands program like some think here. The Birds have suffered some bad breaks over the past 5-6 yrs with injuries to key players where guys like McGraw, Simpson, Grubbs, etc could have played a major role if 100% healthy in making a run for the Regional crown.

 

I do know for a fact that one of the coaches in the program now has a directive from Coach Flynn to get kids in grades 3-8 involved in AAU during the offseason. I dont remember the last coach even discussing helping put together a feeder program.