The Birds were stuck on 13 in the 2nd qtr for like 5 min. At that point they could have possibly inserted soph Witte to try his hand. He shhots well and had a nice JV game drilling three treys. He goes 6' and is strong enough to handle the NCC guards. I dont know, its just very tough watchinh the inability to score the basketball but Im sure it has the coaches up in arms as well.

 

Id like to see better on-ball defense by ALL 5 of the Birds and all throughout the game. But to play that way you cant just rotate 6 kids.

 

Stewart returning will make them an entirely different team that is for sure.

 

Now I want to preface this with the statement that I was not at the JV game or the first half of the varsity game last night. I was told that the JV scored 10 points in the first half, had 13 after 3 quarters and scored less than 30 for the game. The varsity had 13 at half and scored less than 30 for the game. What gives? Is it poor shooting? Is it poor shot selection? Is it lack of confidence? Is it the offensive style being played? Is it the wrong kids not getting to play? Is it not enough kids getting to play? Just curious to hear the thoughts of people that actually atttend the games or have attended a number of games. This is not the first game where this team has struggled to put points on the board nor will it be the last. To their credit they do play hard and play pretty good defense but at times could not throw it in the river off the bridge. What are the solutions?

It will still make them a different team...just because of his size and experience. They still won't be world beaters though, BUT they could be a team that gets overlooked and pulls an upset or two.

 

Last nights game...I wasn't there...did the Birds try to press at all? Sounds like they may need to use defense to create offense. They SHOULD have enough athletes to be effective pressing.

 

Can't do that if you only play 6. I haven't seen the team this season, first season in a while that I haven't caught a couple of games. So, I would be hardpressed to say what they can and can't do. I'm just disheartened with the state of the program. A program that you and I both were part of many moons ago. I'd like to see them get it turned around.

Highlands may be one of those rare teams who score more points on the gridiron than on the hardwood. Sounds like they're having a tough year.

 

After seeing the score last night, I wondered the same thing. Looked up all scores on KHSAA scoreboard. BBall team averages 48.4 points per game. Football team averaged 40 per game.

Highlands used a 3/4 court trap for a large portion of the game (Not overly-aggressive with any traps I might add) It did not produce a lot of turnovers but rather dictated where/when NCC was able to set up their offense. The 2-3 zone was initially effective and NCC seemed a little off-guard but figured it out shortly after the Bueter to Giesler play (which was a gem by the way....throw that next time Jake!) Offensively, quite honestly, HHS just doesn't have many scoring threats. Egan & Crowley can bury the 3....Crowley is also a slasher....beyond that, right now it almost has to be a layup.

As I stated earlier, Stewart's return is very big for this team. Not because he has to carry the load but because of opportunities created by his presence. I don't see many teams in the 9th this year with any depth, so it's all about match-ups and Stewart helps HHS get some better match-ups/scoring opportunities on the floor. He also requires the opposite team's "Big" to work harder defensively because he is a scoring threat.

Sorry but I didn't see the "deflating" that took place from the sideline. Flynn is animated but I wouldn't characterize it as sucking the life out of his players. What I saw was the better team (NCC) settle into their game-plan and beat a lesser opponent (HHS) because they had better players.

Agree 100% remmac.

Highlands used a 3/4 court trap for a large portion of the game (Not overly-aggressive with any traps I might add) It did not produce a lot of turnovers but rather dictated where/when NCC was able to set up their offense. The 2-3 zone was initially effective and NCC seemed a little off-guard but figured it out shortly after the Bueter to Giesler play (which was a gem by the way....throw that next time Jake!) Offensively, quite honestly, HHS just doesn't have many scoring threats. Egan & Crowley can bury the 3....Crowley is also a slasher....beyond that, right now it almost has to be a layup.

As I stated earlier, Stewart's return is very big for this team. Not because he has to carry the load but because of opportunities created by his presence. I don't see many teams in the 9th this year with any depth, so it's all about match-ups and Stewart helps HHS get some better match-ups/scoring opportunities on the floor. He also requires the opposite team's "Big" to work harder defensively because he is a scoring threat.

Sorry but I didn't see the "deflating" that took place from the sideline. Flynn is animated but I wouldn't characterize it as sucking the life out of his players. What I saw was the better team (NCC) settle into their game-plan and beat a lesser opponent (HHS) because they had better players.

 

Well it deflated me. By the time he shut up my self-esteem was gone too. At first it was a coach yelling, and that's fine, but as he kept it up during the whole possession he started to sound like a maniac. I was like "Wow... can somebody shut that guy up". I was right at that end of the court and it didn't look like the players even responded by putting their hands up. They all just had a deer in the headlights look on their faces and that they were wishing that he'd shut up too. While they were numb, NewCath scored and I was like "Yeah coach, that was real effective". I do however agree with you when you say "the better team settled into their game-plan and beat a lesser opponent because they had better players". NewCath would've won no matter what, but I just saw on that possession the fire that the Birds started the game with go out, to never regain it again the rest of the way.

Newport Central Catholic 45, Highlands 29

 

Newport Central Catholic (14-4) - Bueter 0 2 2, Highchew 3 4 10, Ryan 2 0 5, Giesler 9 1 19, Miller 2 0 4, Doyle 2 0 5. Totals: 18 7 45.

 

Highlands (7-10) - Dean 2 0 4, Crowley 3 0 6, Egan 4 0 11, Towles 4 0 8. Totals: 13 0 29.

 

 

NCC 14 14 6 11 -45

Highlands 11 4 6 8 -29

 

3-pointers: N 2 (Ryan, Doyle); H 3 (Egan).

 

I dont know who calls in the scores after Highlands games but they need to double check their accuracy. The paper has Seibert from NCC having Doyle's points and they called in Samson Lewis' name incorrectly the last 2 games. Doyle hit a big 3 pointer in the 1st Qtr when NCC came back from being down 9-4.

 

4 players scoring for Highlands isnt going to get it done.

 

On a sidenote: if Ricky Tyler is refereeing your game this season you better watch your steps. He called 6+ travels last night and most were accurate but he definitely watches your feet.

 

That would be their score keeper, very nice man, needs to retire.

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Can't do that if you only play 6. I haven't seen the team this season, first season in a while that I haven't caught a couple of games. So, I would be hardpressed to say what they can and can't do. I'm just disheartened with the state of the program. A program that you and I both were part of many moons ago. I'd like to see them get it turned around.

 

I was there when HHS was 4-23....that was the year before Coach Shields arrived...I think we went something like 23-4 the next season. Coaching had a lot to do with the turn around...but so did the players. Talent can make a coach look smart. Coaching can make average players an excellent team. I've yet to see this years edition, too. We need to arrange a "boys night out"...or would that be an "old guys evening"????:lol:

They play Newport at home tonight JV starts at 6. They have a tripleheader Saturday at home vs Conner starting at 11:30am. You fellas should come up, I,ll buy the popcorn. ;-)

I was there when HHS was 4-23....that was the year before Coach Shields arrived...I think we went something like 23-4 the next season. Coaching had a lot to do with the turn around...but so did the players. Talent can make a coach look smart. Coaching can make average players an excellent team. I've yet to see this years edition, too. We need to arrange a "boys night out"...or would that be an "old guys evening"????:lol:

I'm up for that.:thumb:

Not too impressive when Highlands only scored 18 points the same 3 quarters!

 

Which of course takes nothing away from the impressive defensive effort.